A/N: May the fourth be with you. Here's the May update! I've thrown in a few references to other fandoms. Anyone who gets them gets a virtual cookie. (::) Or, if you've ever had them, you get the cashews from this chapter. Those things are DELICIOUS!

Disclaimer: If you recognize it from the show, I don't own it.


My next few days are spent in peace and quiet as I regain my energy. The Doctor and I follow the schedule we created on the first day, and within a week, I can recognize some basic words in Gallifreyan. Speaking them, however, is a different matter entirely, as the Doctor refuses to help me with that.

The schoolwork I took with me-a month of it for the average person-is also done by then. Martha told me to take more, but I doubted at the time that I would be gone for the whole of December. When I tell the Doctor, he just smiles. "We can go Christmas shopping, if you want." He begins his race around the console.

"Martha said I'd have to miss it. The plague-"

"Oh, I'm bringing her the medicine tomorrow. You could even stay with her."

"No!"

"Oh, alright," he laughs. "Do you still have the whistle?"

"Actually...I'd prefer it if you would help me pick out gifts," I mutter as he pulls the last lever and the sounds of the TARDIS surround us. "I sometimes struggle with it."

"Alright. Allons-y!" he shouts, and I giggle as he pulls his Converse on. He's given me a matching pair after finding out that I grew out of my favorite pair two years ago, and helps me tie them since my hands aren't quite fully healed. We race each other to the door, but he lets me win by a few steps.

Opening the door, I stare in awe at the winter wonderland that meets my eyes. "What in the 'verse?" I ask, glancing back at the Doctor as he hands me my coat.

"The winter bazaar of the planet Montague. My very good friend began it with three stalls. After fifty years, it became one of the seven wonders of the Andromeda galaxy, with nearly half a million vendors. And they always keep a few spots for the TARDIS! How about that?" I smile, zipping up as we step outside.

"How big is it?" I ask, staring at a green-skinned vendor selling jewelry as we walk by.

"Twenty miles long, fifteen miles wide at this point in history. I doubt we'll need to, but we can use the TARDIS to travel around if we don't find something." I nod as we begin our trek. The snow is only half an inch deep on the sidewalks and pathways, but six foot high drifts are pushed up against the stone-walled buildings. Many of the stalls have nearly no access to their products except for a small shoveled-out path.

We step inside a small shop for warmth, where I see a necklace I know Martha would love. I point it out to the Doctor, who smiles. "Rubies? Really?"

"She adores them," I respond, running my fingers over it lightly.

"Well, then, that's the one!" I thank him as he pays for it, and I put it in my pocket.

Heading back out, a flurry has started up. I stick my tongue out to catch snowflakes. When I glance back at the Doctor, he is buying something to eat. He hands me a cup and a small paper bag as we continue walking. "Galactically-famous hot chocolate and honey-roasted cashews. I always get some." Munching on the delicious nuts, I see a small stationery booth.

"Ianto would love this," I murmur, picking up a notebook bound with a red leather cover and leafing through it. I accept some money from the Doctor as he goes off to find a couple of presents on his own, and buy the notebook for Ianto along with a silver fountain pen.

Just as I finish up my hot chocolate and cashews, I notice a vendor selling leather products. Recalling how worn-out Jack's strap is, I pick a new one out, along with a cleaning kit. It's more expensive than I would like, but Jack is more of a father to me than my own father ever was. He doesn't taunt me or force me to speak, or even yell at me to run "the normal way," whatever that means.

Now having three of the seven gifts I am so desperate to find, I see a shop with technological items. Tosh is always finding new ways to hide a flash drive in her clothes, though inside her shoe is still her favorite. As soon as I see the green rubber bracelet with a flash drive as the clasp, I know what she is getting for Christmas.

Before I find the Doctor to figure out the last presents, I remember: I still have to find his present. I have no clue what to get him until I recall the conversation I overheard between him and Martha when he arrived in London. His fascination with sign language gives me an idea I know I can complete once my hands have finished healing. I spend a little bit of money on charcoal pencils and heavy paper to do a nicer job of it, along with finding a frame for my artwork. I buy a canvas bag to protect my items from prying eyes before looking for him.

My search for him doesn't last very long, as he is just a few shops away, picking out a shirt for Martha. I get his attention as he comes out, letting him know that I only have a couple of other presents. He agrees to help me search for Gwen and Rhys's gift, but doesn't have a clue for Owen.

Before we look, though, he asks me what I'd like for lunch. "Something American," I joke, but he's found me a cheeseburger in no time at all. We sit down to eat, and I have to repeatedly push him away from my bag so he doesn't see the elements of his gift.

When we're done, I see the hot chocolate booth again. "Do you think the cashews would stay good?" I ask the Doctor, recalling Owen's secret love of sweets.

"I've kept them for over a month in the past," he responds, and I buy three small bags for Owen.

"Now for the Welshman and his love," I mutter, trying and failing to copy Gwen's natural accent. The Doctor smiles at my attempt.

"There's a stall run by a cartographer and his wife. I've seen him draw Narnia before," he says in a perfect Welsh accent. "He must have something for them."

I roll my eyes and follow him. The man does indeed have a map of Wales, with all words in Cymraeg. When I see the price, I look at the Doctor. "Isn't that a lot?"

"I don't deal with currency much. It's easier to use my psychic paper. Besides, the bill all goes to UNIT in the end!" I laugh as he buys it. We finally head back to the TARDIS, our day's work complete.


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