Here's the promised chapter, it's longer then the rest but it's a complete little adventure. I do hope you enjoy.
Also a thanks to my reviewers And no she can't catch a break lets face it, it wouldn't be as fun if she did this early on.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in relation to Doctor Who, Martha Stewart, or anything else that happens to pop up.
Groaning, I woke up with my face pressed to a grate like floor, I'm more then sure the patterns imprinted on my face. Rubbing my hands together to try and get some warmth, I decided to just try and ignore the cold for now. Sticking my hand out above me I found no ceiling so I slowly sat up. Rubbing the side of my face, I tried to see anything to pinpoint where I was but the lack of lighting hindered that idea greatly. Running my hand down my face, I started to crawl forward in an attempt to find anything. A few steps in and I found myself in a different situation, I was suddenly blinded by a set of lights that had suddenly turned on. I used my hands to shield my eyes. Squinting I tried to find the source the lights where coming from above.
I muffled a scream as I saw the room around me, it was a giant freezer. Large slabs of beef and other meats hung from the ceiling, I suppose it also explains the cold.
"What the- What are you doing in here miss?" I Looked to the voice and found an older man standing in a door way three steps above the grating floor.
"I-" I frowned, I couldn't remember. "Don't know." I stood up from the floor.
"Well come on, I'll put the kettle on and get you warm maybe it'll help you remember." I nodded and followed the man out of the freezer. He led me up stairs into the store portion and then up farther into an apartment above the store. He motioned me to sit at the small, round table just outside of the kitchen area. I watched him pull a ratty afghan from the couch and offer it to me. I took it gratefully and wrapped myself in it. "So what's your name?"
"Allie Johnson." The kettle started to whistle and the man moved to take it off of the stove. Pouring two cups, he set one in front of me and moved to sit across the table.
"Well Allie Johnson, I'm Sam Reed. I own this butcher shop it's a bit old fashion but we have a great bunch of regulars." He paused to sip his tea, I followed suit. "I must say this town is pretty small and I've lived here my whole life but I don't remember seeing you around here." Silence fell between us.
"I don't know, I mean I do but…" I shut my eyes. "What I mean is, I know who I am but I don't remember anything other than that." For the first time I looked down at the mug. "Blue, it's my favorite color." I stated randomly.
I looked back at Sam, he was smiling. "There you go I'm sure things will come to you." I nodded while pulling the mug closer to my body. "Okay, I have to open up shop. But you can stay up here or take a look around town if you please. Until we get everything sorted out we are more than welcome to take residence on my sofa."
"Thank you, really thank you so much." My voice sounded meek even to myself.
"It's no problem, just make yourself comfortable." I offered him a smile as he left to the store. My eyes moved from the door back to the mug, blue. No just plain old blue but a brilliant, light navy blue; like that used in police officers uniforms. Smiling, I finished my tea and took both cups to the sink and rinsed them out. Leaving them in the drying rack, I put the afghan back on the couch and used the bathroom before slipping out the door.
Sam was dealing with a customer, so I just offered a small wave before making my way out of the shop. For a few moments I was blinded by the natural light. I stood outside of the shop letting my eyes adjust before taking a few steps to the side. Looking around I found myself on main street surrounded by small shops. The street itself was beautiful trees lined the street, the leaves all brightly colored with oranges, reds, and browns. The small patches of grass around the trees where a perfect forest green, in the prime of its life. Looking up to the sky I noticed it was a great day, small white wisps of clouds floated in the bright blue sea that was the sky. A cool autumn breeze ruffled my hair; the whole picture brought a smile to my face. I started down the sidewalk talking my time and peeking into shop windows.
About half way down the street, I found myself following the delicious smell that seemed to fill the air. Grinning, I found myself standing outside of a bakery. Looking into the display window, I swear I almost started to drool. Colorful cupcakes of all kind where displayed. Bright color frosting covered the tops and some even held sprinkles. More towards the bottom of case was a beautiful three tier cake. The white base frosting was set off by the crimson designs. I couldn't deny the pull anymore, patting my pocket I quickly ducked inside. Approaching the counter, I took in the wonderful, sugary smell.
"Hello there can I help you?" I was startled by the woman behind the counter.
"Ah everything looks so good." I took a glance around, "Why is it so empty though?" I asked.
The woman laughed, "We normally get busy during lunch, but we do have to get everything baked."
I smiled, "Everything looks so good. How much are the cupcakes?" I asked reading the kinds.
The woman ducked under the counter and pulled out a well decorated cupcake. "This one's on the house, it's our special banana cupcake with honey cinnamon frosting (1). I've never had a customer that have tasted this cupcake not want more." I laughed.
"I've heard of banana in muffins but never in cupcakes." I said, holding my hand below the cupcake as I took a bite. The pure flavor and the sweetness all mixed. "I can see why people come back, this is great." I wolfed down the rest of the cupcake and offered my thanks to the woman and a promise to return for more. Really I would have never thought to put bananas into a cupcake. Bananas.
I left the bakery with a happy stomach. The street hadn't changed, even with the great weather the street was devoid of any life. Tilting my head I walked down the street a little and peeked into another store window in search of a clock. The window was blocked by a large shelf filled with random trinkets and other stuff. Frowning, I decided to move inside and see if I could locate a clock.
As soon as I entered the shop I smelt the musty smell of dust. I held back a sneeze as I slowed my pace to avoid knocking anything off the tables. The store was packed to the ceiling with items. "Good morning." I jumped and whipped around to face the voice. A short man sat behind the counter even that was cluttered with stuff, I almost over looked him.
"Good morning." I replied, taking a few steps towards the counter. "You have a lot of stuff here." I picked a wooden cube off of the counter and turned it over in my palm. Intricate designs covered the outside.
"Yes, yes I suppose I have gathered a bit more then I had once planned." He laughed and pulled something out from under the counter. "I will admit that this is my favorite piece though." He set a blue rectangular box on the counter, bending down I looked at it closer.
"What is it?" I asked noticing the windows and the decorative door.
"It's a replica of a police box found in London." He paused to spin it and allow me to see the box in a whole. "They aren't used anymore." I smiled and noticed a full sized key hole.
"Why is there a key hole? Does it open?" I asked lightly running a finger over the lock.
"I don't know it didn't come with a key." He laughed, "I've owned this shop for two years now and never found a key for it." I nodded, meeting his laughter with a small smile.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the box, it seemed familiar. "Did police boxes have any other nicknames?" I asked putting my hands into my pockets.
"A few but none I can remember."
'We have to get to the Tardis…' My head throbbed suddenly. Blue bananas, and police boxes danced in my mind every time I closed my eyes. "Tardis." I whispered to myself, testing the word on my tongue. It seemed so foreign.
"Miss, Miss? Are you alright?" I found the short man standing next to me, I managed to figure out I was hunched over the counter. "Listen hang in there, I'll get the town doctor." I hand shot out and caught the mans arm.
"No I don't need a doctor," I paused; my head throbbed worse than before. "I need The Doctor. I-I need my Doctor." I said; just as my head throbbed the worse yet, it felt like it had been split open. My eyes shot open and everything around me blinked inverse for a second. I shut my eyes and covered my ears in an attempt to make it stop. Wake up. You have to wake up. I heard a voice penetrating the fog in my head created by the large amount of pain. "Doctor?" Allie Johnson, Wake Up!
I felt a sudden rush of cold, like I had been thrown into cold water. I took a giant gasp of air. "Allie, its okay I got you. I'm right here don't move around a lot okay I have to unhook you." I was panting, my eyes seemed glued shut.
"What's going on what happened?" I asked reaching up and trying to free my eyes. "Why can't I see?" I asked my voice panicked.
"It's alright, you're alright it's just goo, really sticky." I felt things being pulled off of me. "Okay this is going to sting, but they have to come off before you can move." I nodded and prepared myself. I heard a loud ripping sound before I felt the sting. I made no other noise then a hissing sound though my teeth. "Okay here put your arms around my neck like that, and up." I felt myself being lifted from where ever I was. My feet touched down on a cold, hard surface.
"What happened?" I asked, loosening my grip and testing my legs before letting go fully. I felt something soft touch my face, after a few seconds it was pulled away. I tried to open my eyes with success this time. I blinked a few times in rapid succession to get used to the lights. Looking down I found myself covered in the goo the Doctor was talking of. "Ah, this stuff is gross." I heard the Doctor laugh. "What happened?" I asked, using the towel to try and wipe off some of what was left.
"You where put into a artificial reality simulator that made it seem that you where living a different life. Brilliant technology really, but the programming for the dream like sequence wasn't locked so I could get in and change a few things." The Doctor said with a grin.
"The Tardis in the shop." I said smiling at him. "But why didn't you just wake me up? Why the roundabout way?"
"I couldn't just wake you up. It was a failsafe, if I did that the life support system would stop working." He paused as if considering something. "But you Allie Johnson are brilliant, you picked up on those small hints. So we should get out of here." He moved to leave.
"Doctor, why did they take me?" I moved to follow him, which I found increasingly difficult since his stride was fast.
"Because you where with me, they used you to get to me. The people who took you needed my help." His pace slowed as we approached the Tardis. He held the key right by the lock, he seemed frozen. "Well let's get back to earth maybe we can sort out your missing persons problem." The Doctor said suddenly while flinging open the Tardis' door.
"Doctor-"I started but paused.
"Unless," He turned to lean in the doorframe. "You wanted to come with me. Lots of other places are out there, and people." His face took on his normal grin. "I could show you the universe Allie Johnson." I laughed as he spoke.
"I don't know Doctor I mean I have laundry to do." I started to count off things on my to do list.
"You don't have any clothes." He countered.
"I need to call my boss."
"You where gone for two years I'm sure they replaced you by now."
I held back a small laugh. "I have a fat cat to feed."
"You don't have a fat cat- Allie."
"Yes Doctor, I'll go with you." I smiled, "One condition, a shower. There's goo in places I don't even want to think about." The Doctor laughed and ushered me inside. Maybe this was for the best; I was gone two years no one will miss me for a little while longer.
(1) – This is an actual recipe by Martha Stewart, I personally never have made them but I won't lie they look good just google banana cupcakes and it should be the first link if you want to make them.