Quick warning for this chapter, I know very little about actual life in Victorian England, I have looked up a lot for this chapter, but I will inevitably get some things wrong, so please just ignore any inconsistencies :)
I have decided to add this chapter, because I really like it, and I hope you all do too :D
Enjoy!
I soon blink and I'm standing in a cold wet cobblestone alleyway, but I pause first, looking down and pulling my sleeve up to see the newest tattoo being of the fluid link from the Tardis, making me smile just a little, and the minute had changed to 9.
Grimacing as I look back up at the weather, I walk down the alley and make it to the main road, stopping I can see people on horseback and in carriages pass by, women in groups, in beautiful Victorian era dresses, umbrellas held high in the wet rainy weather.
"Ok...when on earth..." I mutter to myself, stepping back a bit so as to not been seen by anyone.
I jump as I hear something beside me, I look down to see my bag is glowing slightly, like there's a light on the inside.
My eyes widen and I quickly back farther away from the street, opening my bag and finding a piece of folded paper and the coin purse bag.
I pull them out and open the paper, curious and confused.
"Dear sister. I hope this finds you well. This will probably come as a grievance, but you must stay here, our thief will arrive at some time in the next few months, and he will need to find you. So you must be in a place he will look, be easy to find. I have left some money in your bag for you, so you shouldn't have too much trouble. I've also left instructions on how to contact one of your friends should you have need of it. Be safe dear sister"
I reread the letter a few times, leaning against the wall behind myself as I do "how to contact...? But I have my phone, I shouldn't need it.." I look into my bag again only to groan as I realize my phone was not, in fact, in my bag at all.
Then I look into the coin bag, and my eyes widen seeing the stack of coins, another letter set atop the small pile in the bigger on the inside bag.
Opening the note "5000 pounds"
I cover my mouth to hold back a laugh, knowing, even with my mediocre knowledge of Victorian times, I knew straight away that was a lot of money, like a whole lot.
"Thanks Sexy" I mutter, smiling, before beginning to figure out a plan.
--
"Really miss, that house isn't fit to be lived in" the man says in concern.
I smile kindly at him "really, it's no trouble, I like fixer uppers" I reply.
"Um...what? I don't understand" the man says confused.
I laugh softly and shake my head "my apologies. But I will happily take it"
He sighs but gives in, having me sign the papers but under a male pseudonym, as I had bribed him into letting me buy a home without a father, brother or husband.
I hand over the 300 pounds before he takes me to my new house for the time being.
It's not long before I begin to pay for repairs on the building, it being a four bedroom cottage, a large drawing room and a medium sized kitchen, a small study and single bathroom, with a small medium sized attached barn/garage.
Though I knew I wouldn't be here for very long, so I had to make up a plan on what to do with the building after.
For a few weeks I have carpenters and stone masons come in and fix up the place, and it only takes about a month before the place is mostly fixed up.
In that time I had hired a small staff, and I would start going out around town, curious about where or when the Doctor would show up.
--
All I can see is darkness around me, then as I begin to walk, I can hear a faint deep voice 'Rose...'
Looking around I don't see anyone 'take care of him, short stuff' the voice calls, distant and more quiet, though the words instantly brought tears to my eyes.
"Wait...Jack please" I plead, trying to follow the voice, but its too late, he was gone.
"Stupid girl. Talking to thin air now?" Chides a sardonic old voice.
I turn, trying to find the first Doctor, looking for where his voice came from "I'm not..." I try to reply.
"What odd little thing will you do next? Hmm? Sprout a second head? Or perhaps tell me more of your fanciful stories?" He demands.
More tears sting my eyes now "please stop. I don't want to fight with you, I just want to be friends" I beg desperately, spinning on the spot to still only see darkness.
"You should give up. I will never choose to be your friend. In any sense of the word" he says harshly, his voice fading out.
I gasp as I wake up, sitting up in bed and trying to catch my breath, shaking and tears falling from the nightmare.
That night I couldn't get back to sleep so I sit at the small table by the window, a blanket over my shoulders, the candle lit on the table and a book in my hand, trying to distract myself from the distressing thoughts.
--
"Mrs. Smith?" I look up to see Charlie, my butler, standing in the doorway to my small study.
"Yes?" I ask curiously.
"You have a visitor ma'am. A Miss Jenny Flint. Shall I bring her in?" He asks.
I smile and nod "yes, please do" I stand as he leaves the doorway, closing my journal I had been writing in.
I had been in communication with her and Vastra since coming here, as it was the contact the Tardis had given to me, and I didn't have the heart to tell either of them that I hadn't met them in person yet, so I just don't mention it.
Jenny enters soon after and I thank Charlie then ask him to get us some tea, once he's off we sit down in a pair of chairs by the small fireplace.
"How are you fairing?" Jenny asks curiously.
"I'm doing pretty well I think, its a nice little town. What are you and Vastra up to?" I ask curiously.
We talk for a while, drinking tea and discussing the happenings in London before she has to leave, as she had only come down to make sure I had settled in and wasn't having any trouble, and she had other things to attend to.
I wave her off before I head down to the tea shop, wanting to buy a bit more of one of their teas that I liked.
"Rose!" I look up quickly to see a group of four women that I had gotten to know, all sitting by the windows and chatting.
I smile and head over "hello ladies. How are you all doing?" I ask happily.
"Well. We have good news! A few ships have been seen off the coast a ways, Oscar is coming back" one of the women, Agnes, says excitedly.
I had learned, when first meeting her, that she was waiting for her betrothed to come back from his work out at sea.
I smile more "oh thats fantastic!" I agree happily.
"That means your husband should be home soon too, right?" Agnes asks curiously.
I join the girls at the table "here's hoping. But I can't be sure" I reply.
"Oh come now. Surely if you're waiting for his ship to return, he should be here soon. Can't you be a bit more positive?" Agnes asks dramatically, I giggle a little.
"I am being positive. I know he will come, I just don't know when, and simply seeing a few ships doesn't mean he's back just yet" I explain, shrugging a little.
"Well, if you could tell us the ship he's on, or even what he looks like" another girl, Jane, asks.
"I...I can't. I know it sounds strange, but I can't" I say honestly.
Jane leans in a bit and says in a half whispered conspiratorial tone "is it because he's a pirate?" She asks, obviously a bit excited.
I can't help but laugh a bit as the other girls lean in closer as well "oh, maybe thats why she can't tell us what he looks like, or his real name. Maybe he is wanted"
I then lean in, deciding to just go with it, as I knew I could trust these girls.
"I will say one thing, he did steal his ship" after that the girls get so excited, having read stories of pirates and so they ask so many questions and begin to make their own theories on it all.
I just sit back and let them enjoy their thrilling ideas, drinking tea and gossiping.
After some time I part ways, saying goodbye and heading back to my small house in town, though small seems relative, as its a small house in Victorian terms.
A few weeks later, I get a letter asking if I would meet the girls outside the tea shop.
So I get ready and leave quickly, as the letter sounded a bit urgent.
When I arrive I see the girls all look morose and quiet, though Agnes isn't amongst them.
I frown worriedly "whats the matter? Has something happened?" I ask softly.
"There was a storm...out at sea" Jane says softly, my heart sinking hearing that.
"Agnes's betrothed...?" I ask softly.
He shakes her head "his ship went down...no survivors have been seen" she continues.
"Where is she?" I ask softly.
We head inside to find that Agnes was seated in a back room of the tea shop, one used for more private meetings that we sometimes used.
Once entering I can see Agnes sitting at the table, quietly sobbing in the arms of her younger sister.
I frown sadly and come over, crouching down in front of her and gently laying my hand on her leg "it will be alright Agnes. I promise you" I murmur softly, she looks down at me, her eyes red and tearful.
"How can it be alright? How can any of this be alright? He's gone, Rose. My Oscar is gone" she sobs, I move up to sit beside her, pulling her into a hug and she hangs on in her despair.
We console her for a while, trying to cheer her up a bit before Jane pulls me outside for a moment "I know you have probably been trying to not think on it, but how are you doing? Your husband...if there was a storm, he may have not made it" she says cautiously, obviously trying to be gentle.
I smile sadly and shake my head "I don't think he's gone, I would feel it. I would know, and I know he's still alive" I say honestly.
She smiles sadly, seeming to believe I'm just putting on a brave face, but she doesn't push it, instead we go back inside and try to cheer up poor Agnes.
For the next few days, I have the girls all stay over at my house, as to keep everyone's spirits a little higher.
Outside a large storm begins to roll in, and as the days continue on, the storm worsens, causing many people in the town to begin closing up windows and doors, as the aggressive wind was throwing waves and water into peoples homes and work places.
"It's very kind of you to have us all over like this" Agnes says as she looks to me from the couch beside the roaring fireplace.
I look to her, and the other girls, from standing beside the window, smiling kindly.
"It's my pleasure, this makes seeing each other much easier as well, not having to go out into the weather for a meeting" I reply.
Unbeknownst to everyone in this house but me, I had made up a will, for when ever I disappear from this place, leaving much of the money the Tardis gave me that I didn't spend, to these girls, and the staff, as well as the house, to give them a safe place to live and stay together.
Suddenly out through the closed window, I can hear something, like a roaring from the sky, and I knew that wasn't thunder.
I move closer to the window and listen as much as I can, ignoring as the girls behind me are talking about it, asking me if I could hear it, and what it could be.
Then there's a huge boom, the sky lighting up as something seems to burst through the atmosphere and hurtle down toward the ground.
My eyes widen at the bright flash of light, though I couldn't see the thing, though I knew it must have hit the ground near us.
I turn and run to the front door, grabbing my cloak as I go, the girls had run after me out of the room and down the hallway.
"Wait! Rose, where are you going?" Jane asks quickly, I look around to see they all look worried and afraid.
"I have to go see if someone needs my help, please stay here, you're safe here" I explain quickly, hooking my cloak closed.
Charlie comes running down the hall after us as well "what on earth? Mrs. Smith, surely you don't intend on going out into that?" He asks concerned.
I smile at him "I'll be fine, would you keep the girls safe and warm in here? I won't be long" I ask, he slowly nods a little.
"I promise you all, I will be fine. I have a lot of experience in this kind of thing" I say before quickly slipping out the front door, closing it behind me to make sure the others wouldn't get cold and wet.
I fight the storm as I go, heading off in the direction I saw the flash of light come from.
I can see others looking out windows and doors after me, all curious about the sounds and lights, but thankfully it seems most people are dissuaded by the storm.
I run as fast as I can down the cobble streets until I make it to the docks, finding one of the warehouses currently on fire, though the storm was doing a good job of stopping the spread of flames.
I go to the door and shove it open, debris is everywhere as I get inside, a massive flaming hole in the roof letting in much of the storm, but it is a bit dryer inside.
"Hello? Is anyone hurt?" I call loudly, making my way toward the middle of the building, only to come around a large stack of barrels to find something crumpled on the ground, my eyes widen and I run over.
It seems to be some kind of escape pod, metal and hot to the touch, though it was cooling quickly, the entire thing was half crumpled into the ground and I struggle trying to pry open the door.
I gasp as the door is suddenly flung open, sending me back a few steps, and a massive thing slumps out of the capsule, covered in a thick black fur, the beast falls to the floor, gasping for breath and then it coughs sending splatters of blood onto the ground between us.
I hesitate for only a moment before moving closer, crouching down in front of it "hello. It's alright, I'm a friend" I say softly.
The thing flinches back and lets out a deep low growl, though it almost sounded like a whistle.
"I'm sorry, I know you're injured, but we have to go. You aren't safe here, the people here would be terrified of you, could try and hurt you" I say calmly, trying to keep my own nerves at bay, knowing that if someone else came in here and saw it, they would raise a mob of angry villagers.
"What do you care, Human" it spits, slowly moving to sit up a little, it looked almost like a gorilla, only with a a long fluffy tail, and its head was much different, more like a fish almost, massive inky black eyes, and its head seamed to melt into its shoulders, rather than a normal neck.
I smile a little as I meet its gaze "because I'm not human. Please, let me help you to somewhere safe. We can worry about names and such later" I say, standing and looking around, hoping an idea would come to mind on how to get this creature out of here.
I smile when I see a large wooden cart with a few barrels inside, off against the wall, I run over and begin to offload the empty barrels, knowing the alien was watching me.
Once done I hop off the cart and come back over "you can hide in there for a few minutes, people might get here soon. I know it's not the perfect place, but we don't have much time" I explain, moving closer without thinking, only for the alien to flinch back and let out the same whistling growl.
"Don't touch me! I cannot trust you" it growls out.
I wince a little "sorry, I didn't mean...how can I gain your trust? We don't have a lot of time" I explain, my heart racing faster now.
It seems to think on it for only a moment before it raises a massive clawed paw "your neck" it responds.
I pause for a moment before nodding, knowing I had to get it's trust quickly, so I step closer, allowing it to wrap it's paw around my throat, I feel it tighten a little to be uncomfortable but I don't react, meeting it's gaze, smiling a little even as I knew I was probably turning a little red from the pressure.
We stay like that, eyes locked and silent before it releases me, looking more tired now.
"Why...?" It asks.
"Why? I'll answer everything later, please" I say, gesturing to the cart near the wall.
It groans but manages to get up slowly, on all fours as it moves to the cart, I follow closely, ensuring it was alright before I help maneuver the huge beast into the cart.
Then I go to grab one of the old canvas tarps and pull it up and over the creature, as well as moving a few of the barrels back into the cart around it, so no one would see the tarp breathing.
"Stay he..." I'm cut off as the doors at the other end of the warehouse are thrown open and I can here men yelling about the fire.
I move away from the cart and to the capsule, closing the door to it quickly, letting it seal back up before I too hide, holding my breath as I hide on the other side of the room to the alien, hoping if either of us gets found, its me.
Men rush in and begin putting out the fires, seeming to ignore the large metal capsule on the ground for now.
After about 20 minutes they get the fires out, then I hear a few men talking about the pod, asking about what it could be, but to my relief I hear them being called off and the warehouse is closed up again, the men talking about having to fix it up once the storm passed.
I wait another five full minutes before moving, I run to the cart, peaking under the tarp to see the alien, it looks exhausted and close to sleep, its eyes drifting shut every now and then.
I frown worriedly "how badly are you hurt?" I ask softly, crawling up into the cart.
It coughs a little "I'll be fine" it grumbles, I smile softly.
"I want to help you, you know you can trust me, because I trust you. Please, let me help" I plead softly, still keeping my voice down a bit, even as the storm continued to rage outside, probably covering any sounds I made to outside ears.
It looks away from me before huffing softly "inside my pod...should be an emergency septicu-monsoka. An emergency med kit of a kind" it explains, I nod and hop out of the cart and back over to the pod.
I mess with the only button there for a few moments before I call out "how do I open it?"
"Button hidden two inches under the false button" it says.
I nod and find it, having the pod pop back open for me, then I crawl inside carefully, looking around at the large space inside, filled with buttons and levers and all sorts of odd equipment.
I find a small box with a green moon on the side, making me smile a little before I take the box to the alien.
"This it?" I ask as I climb under the tarp.
It nods and sits up just a little, I set it down and before I can open it, the alien does so itself, not saying anything as it pulls out a small monitor of sorts before beginning to scan itself, I watch curiously but silently.
The red scanning light seems to flash as it went over the aliens upper chest, it huffs before coughing again.
I wince a little "can I help?" I ask softly.
It shakes its head "I'm a medic, I can do it" it replies.
I frown a little in curiosity "medic? That's usually used in wars, are you in a war?" I ask softly as it gets out a few other little things from the box.
"Against my will" it grumbles, before stabbing a long needle into its chest, making me gasp and cover my mouth, watching in worry.
After a few seconds there's a soft beep and it pulls it out, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Will you be alright?"
It nods, setting the things back into the box.
I smile softly "good. I have a place you can come and stay in safely, if you...if you need some place" I finish.
It looks me over cautiously before sighing and nodding.
"If you are truly trustworthy, I will follow you, but I must grab something from the escape pod" it replies, I nod and hop out of the cart, looking out both doors at either end of the warehouse before I say it's safe to come out.
The alien crawls out of the cart and walks to the pod, on all fours much like a gorilla.
"Im sorry, I haven't had time to ask, what's your name?" I ask as I come back over.
"My name is not something a human can say. My rank is Mentac" I frown a little at that.
"Alright, my name is Rose, is it alright if I call you Mentac then?" I ask.
It huffs a bit "if you must"
I nod "it would make this easier. Thank you. And now, lets sneak you home" I say, and we come up with a plan, Mentac hides back under the tarp in the cart while I head home very quickly to get things set up.
I burst through the front door to see the girls were pulling on their own cloaks.
Agnes is the first one to see me "you're back! Where have you been? We've been so worried!" She practically yells, launching to pull me into a hug.
I smile and return the hug "I'm so sorry I was gone so long, but I need your help, all of you. If you will give it" they all nod curiously.
I get us all into the drawing room, calling in my small staff as well.
"Alright, I have something very important that I need your help with, all of you" I begin, trying to figure out how to explain this without them fleeing in fear or sending me to an asylum.
"Do you all trust me?" I ask, pausing in my pacing to face them all again.
"Of course, Ma'am" Charlie pipes up seriously "you've done enough to earn my loyalty until time immemorial" he continues, the other staff nod and the girls nod a bit as well.
"You're a good friend, and you've helped us all, in different ways" Jane says.
"Is this about your husband?" Agnes asks "is this secrecy because he's somehow made it back? Is he really a pirate? That would explain why you're asking for our trust" she continues.
I smile a little "It's not about my husband sadly, but it is something he taught me. He taught me to help others, anyone who asks shall receive it. And thats what I'm doing. There's someone who needs my help, who needs our help, but I..." I sigh a little, making them all stay silent.
"I cannot explain in full, but if you will give me your word, that you trust me, and that you will not go telling anyone else about this, I would really like you all to come meet someone" I explain.
They agree and we head out, I ask Charlie to bring his horse so we head down the darkening streets quickly, Charlie following our group on the grey horse.
It's not long before we make it to the warehouse, the storm still raging around us.
I get us inside then I stop everyone, Charlie now walking the horse, I turn to them "please know, they are...um...they don't look...like us" I say softly, my nerves beginning to climb again "but they aren't here to harm us at all, they just need a safe place to stay and my home is always open to those who need safety" I explain.
The group all nods a bit nervous now, so I lead them all farther inside, Charlie tying the horse up near the doors before joining us.
We stop near the pod, everyone stares at it in shock and curiosity "what on gods green earth is that?" Charlie asks first.
I smile a little "that is called an escape pod. It's exactly like a ships life boats. Though it's for a very different kind of ship. But thats not why we are here. Do any of you believe in life out in our stars?" I ask.
"You mean like other worldly creatures?" Agnes asks, I knew she enjoyed stories and fairytales so I had hoped she would be a bit more open minded, and it seemed I may be right.
I nod "I do. I know most people think it's merely stories and ideas. But I can tell you, it's true, there are beings that live on other planets, so many of them, it's impossible to count how many" I say, smiling more at their faces of awe and shock.
"Surely you jest" one of the other girls says, I didn't know her as well, but she was an enjoyable girl to drink tea with, Jasmine was her name.
I shake my head, looking to her "I don't" I look toward the cart "Mentac. You can come out, just slowly" I call.
The tarp begins to move and everyone gasps as they watch, holding their breathes.
Mentac drops to the ground, turning to face us all now, some of the girls let out shocked gasps and unintelligible words, but to my surprise, Charlie suddenly moves in front of us all and pulls out a pistol.
Mentac growls and puffs up their chest a bit, charging forward a few feet in a threat display.
I rush around and stand in front of Mentac, making them slide to a stop behind me, huffing out heavy breaths as I throw my arms out, facing Charlie.
"Don't. Charlie, put the gun down. He isn't a threat to us" I order seriously.
"But ma'am, that thing. It's some kind of monster! It's dangerous" he replies, though I can see his hand is shaking just a slight bit.
I reach up and place my hand on the barrel of the gun, gently pushing it down toward he floor "they aren't a threat" I repeat.
"But..." Charlie trails off, lowering the gun all the way down now, making me relax and I can feel the tension dissipate slightly.
I look to Mentac "I'm sorry about that, but please remember, these people have barely left their own home towns. They have never seen anyone like you before" I explain.
They huff but relax a little, then I look to the others "this is Mentac. They are harmless, they just need a place to lay low for a while" I explain.
"Are you sure...that its safe?" Jane asks hesitantly.
I nod before Mentac speaks "I do not think this is a good idea"
I look back to them "it will be alright. I trust these people with my life. And I know that someone who can help is coming to this town soon. If anything happens I will handle it, you'll be safe, I promise" I reply.
They nod and then I look back to the others to see them staring at me oddly.
"You can understand the beast?" Charlie asks.
I stare for a moment before I laugh a bit and nod "yes, I'm sorry. I forgot about that. Lets just say I know a lot of languages, and a lot of them come from the stars" I reply.
Then we get to work, my friends obviously very nervous about Mentac, but they trust me so we work together to get the cart tied to Charlies horse, then we get Mentac into the cart an covered again with the tarp.
Once done I send Jasmine and the eldest member of our group, Sadie, with the house staff besides Charlie, back to the house, to ensure the small attached garage would be open once we arrived, and to make sure the house was alright.
Then about ten minutes later, me and Charlie get the cart moving, Charlie leading the horse as me, Jane and Agnes follow around the sides of the cart, making sure that no one would see Mentac or any trace of them.
We thankfully make it home rather quickly, taking the cart and horse into the garage, which had a small stable for the horse.
I close the doors before letting out a breath of relief.
Everyone gathers into the room as Mentac clambers out of the cart, sniffing around a little as they look around the room curiously.
"You'll be safe here, I'll make sure of it" I promise to the alien.
--
A few more weeks pass as we keep our secret hidden in my home, my friends and staff were getting used to Mentac being around, and it seemed that trust was growing between everyone now, making me smile as I thought of it.
"My Love. I hope to see you again soon. I miss you so. Things are going well here, it seems that everyone is getting along, a few of the girls, Agnes and Jane, have agreed to move in, to help conceal our friend, and for my own sake, their home lives weren't the best, so I asked them to join me here. It's become a bit of a mad house, but I think you'd enjoy that, you'd like them all, I believe. And I believe they would like you as well..."
I sigh softly and set down the quill, looking down at the small letter, the fourth I had written since coming here.
I pick up the quill again and finish it off with "I miss you, My Love. Be safe"
I let the ink dry before folding it up and stowing it away in my bag, which I kept on my person at all times now, just in case.
I stand and begin to leave the room when I suddenly hear a scream.
Instantly I run toward it, it sounded like Agnes.
As I run I can hear a loud booming coming after me as well, making me smile just a little, Mentac had become a good friend to all of us, even with the language barrier for the others, and it seemed they were ready to come to our aid.
I make it into the entry hall, skidding into the wall a little as I stop, seeing in front of me is a tall handsome young man in a tattered bunch of clothes, and in his arms is a sobbing Agnes.
I watch as he clings to her as well "it's alright. I'm here. I'm alive" the man is saying to her in a soothing way.
The other girls are around them in shock and excitement, calling me toward them, but I don't move, staring past their shoulders at the still open front door.
A tall man is standing there, in a black Edwardian tailcoat, green accents to the outfit, a dark green cape hung off his shoulders, his hair is dark grey and slicked back, with light grey streaks along the sides of his head, high sharp cheek bones and slightly sunken in eyes, the most storm steel grey I had ever seen.
I meet the mans gaze, the recognition took a moment before I realized just who this was, my eyes widening as the mans cold gaze softens and a smile warms his face.
'It's the Doctor...but not...not from the show...'
I take a step forward, almost to test, to see what his reaction would be, but when he opens his arms I don't stop, rushing past the others in the hall and nearly tackling him in a hug.
"Doctor! You're finally here" I say happily, he returns the hug, holding me close and kissing the top of my head happily.
"Finally? How long have you been here waiting?" He asks curiously.
"I think maybe almost five months? I tried not to keep count" I reply, pulling back to look up at him, smiling more.
"I haven't met this you yet" I say softly, pausing for only a moment before reaching up to cup his cheek softly, which he leans into softly, holding my gaze,
"What do you think? New body and all that" he says softly.
I smile more, taking a moment to look him over, amazed to be meeting this incarnation of him 'how could this be possible...? Does this mean the Shalka was real?'
"I like it, it suits you. All aristocratic and mysterious. Like Sherlock Holmes if he was more edgy" I joke at the end, which has its intended affect of making him laugh softly.
"You are a silly thing" he chuckles, leaning down and pulling me into a kiss, which I return happily.
Then as we pull apart I take his hand, looking to Agnes and who I assume must be Oscar "how did you find Oscar? I heard his ship had sunk during a storm" I ask softly.
He leans a little closer to me as he speaks "that storm wasn't any normal storm. The fish people of Cansoo decided that the cargo ships were too close to their new home at the bottom of the sea, so they manipulated the weather to cause chaos. I was in the area and so I helped out. They won't be coming back to this planet any time soon" he explains.
I smile more and squeeze his hand softly "big softy, you can't stop helping people can you?" I tease gently, he scoffs.
"I didn't want to do it, the humans can protect themselves. I just didn't have a choice in this situation" he grumbles.
I giggle softly and shake my head "the Time Lords? Or the Master?" I ask.
He sighs "the all mighty idiots, if you must know. The Master is back on the Tardis, around that pod you must have seen in the docks area"
I nod "yes, I did see it. There was an alien in it, do you want to meet them?" I ask.
He looks excited now "did you really sneak them all the way here?" He asks.
I nod again, smiling proudly "I did indeed, with the help of my friends here" I say, gesturing to everyone else.
I break off to close the front door and usher everyone into the drawing room, where Agnes turns to the Doctor, tears still pouring from her eyes as she hugs him suddenly "thank you! Thank you, for bringing my Oscar back to me" she sobs, he looks uncomfortable and nod sure what to do, but I stand by and watch, smiling fondly as he glares playfully at me.
Oscar comes ad pries her off the Doctor gently "he's got to be tired honey. Leave him alone" he says, ushering her to a small sitting couch where they sit together.
The Doctor claps "alright. When can I meet this friend of yours?" He asks me, I smile more and go to the door, opening it.
I knew Mentac would have been listening so I let them in, the Doctor's eyes widen as Mentac squeezes through the doorframe.
"My my. You're quite a long way from home big fella. How did you get here?" He asks, I come over and watch as he converses with Mentac for a while, Agnes had calmed down and was basically sitting on Oscars lap, everyone else seemed to be content to just watch the Doctor in his eccentricity.
I also enjoyed watching, the Doctor was so similar, but also so new, I had seen so little of this Doctor that I am very curious about him.
For a while we enjoy watching, then it comes to the point where the Doctor is offering to take Mentac home, which they agree to, then the Doctor looks to me "will you join me?" He asks.
I pause for a moment, looking to the others before nodding.
I pull on my cloak while in the drawing room, the Doctor waiting for me at the front door down the hall, Charlie was putting Mentac into the cart before he would meet us at the warehouse.
"When will you be back?" Jane asks, I turn to everyone else, smiling softly.
"I don't know" I lie "but once Charlie returns, I'd like you to check the desk in my bedroom, I left something for you there" I explain.
"You'd better be home soon! You have to be at my wedding" Agnes cries.
I laugh softly and smile wider "I'll do my best. And before I go, I just want to say thank you, all of you. You are all fantastic" I say before leaving the room, hearing them talking quietly behind me.
I meet the Doctor at the door and smile as he looks down to me, offering his arm, which I take happily, then we leave, following after Charlie with the cart.
Thankfully I had kept all of my things in my bag, not knowing just when or how I'd be leaving, so the only things I hadn't grabbed where my new clothes from living here.
We stay quiet until he's a way ahead of us before the Doctor gently knocks through the connection, making me jump a bit in surprise before laughing softly and opening up, being flooded with warmth and fondness and love.
I return the feelings and as we get to the warehouse we get Mentac inside and I thank Charlie, telling him to get home and meet up with the others, lying that I'd return later.
He heads off then I come into the warehouse, seeing the Tardis sitting beside the escape pod, the Doctor opens the doors for Mentac then he looks to me, holding his hand out, which I take, getting a bit nervous now as I remember the Master was inside.
"It's alright. He's safe to be around now. He won't try anything" he reassures.
I nod and relax as he sends me comfort, then we head inside.
The Tardis looks much more like the 8th Doctor's Tardis, just a lot darker, more moody.
And standing there at the console, is the Master, he seems rather annoyed at the large furry alien now sitting near the console.
The Tardis closes the doors behind us as we walk toward the console ourselves.
"Really Doctor. More strays?" The Master asks "I understand that you're partial to them, but I am not" the Master grumbles.
I smirk "well seeing as you are currently one of those strays, I would stop talking now" I retort.
He looks to me and I can see something in his eyes change, it was almost painfully obvious how he looked me up and down, hungry and predatory.
The Doctor suddenly smacks the back of the Master's head "stop it" he chides.
The Master grumbles and looks away, seeming to almost pout.
I have to cover my mouth to hide my snort of laugher.
The Doctor smirks to me before he and the Master get to work finding our way to Mentac's home world.
I sit down on the floor next to Mentac "are you ready to go home?" I ask them.
They nod "very much so. I have not seen home in years" they say softly, obviously a little excited.
We take them home, seeing them off before I return into the Tardis, looking around the console room quietly, curious about it all.
But far too soon for my taste, the music begins, dragging down my mood very quickly.
The Doctor comes over, also looking down now.
"You're off already? But you've only just got here. Well, I've only just got here" he says sadly.
I nod softly "yup. I wish I could stay, I really do" I say honestly, taking his hands in mine.
"You be careful out there, Love" he says, squeezing my hand, I nod a bit, heart sinking slightly.
"I will, I promise. You be careful too, alright?" I ask, he nods before I pull him down into a kiss, the music getting louder still.
He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling my closer to deepen the kiss slightly before he pulls back, looking down into my eyes "I love you"
I smile up at him "I love you too. Always and forever" I reply, beaming up at him just as the music becomes deafening, then in a blink of an eye I'm alone, standing in the dark void.