Chapter 3

Clara wouldn't have it.

She was adamant that she was going to stay with the Doctor until Rum woke up so the Doctor had to take her somewhere they could pass the time. By the Doctor's estimate, it would be hours before Rum would wake and having a bored, stressed and worried Clara would be a handful.

So the Doctor had decided to take Clara to the planet where it rained all the time, again. He had taken here there before and he pretty much acted like a child allowed to play in the rain as he relished every drop that fell on his head and drenched his clothes.

He had parked the TARDIS in the same spot as before...the same spot with a perfect view of the mountain range ahead and the moon filling up most of the sky.

This time it was Clara who was dancing in the rain as the Doctor leaned his side to the TARDIS and watched with amusement. "You're going to catch a cold doing that."

"I thought you said it wouldn't because there's pollutants mixed with the water," shouted back Clara.

"Yeah but you're going to be cold once you step back inside the TARDIS," argued the Doctor.

"Oh she'll changed the temperature, I'm sure," replied Clara with a smile as she splashed around in the rain. "She has grown to like me, you know."

"Oh I know," remarked the Doctor as he remained leaning on the TARDIS and Clara studied him before walking over to his side. "Clara, no."

Clara already had a vice grip on his arm and pulled him away from the TARDIS. "Come on, Doctor. It's fun."

"I can have fun just by standing right here," argued the Doctor, trying to pry his arm away from Clara.

"Well I'm not having fun seeing you standing here," fired back Clara, she pulled him away from the TARDIS and this got the Doctor stumbling away from the TARDIS and falling to the ground, his entire coat and trousers soaked through.

A soft chuckle made him raise his head to see Clara suppressing her giggles but she failed and bursted out laughing. "Oh Doctor...I could say I'm sorry but you look adorable."

The Doctor glared at her as he slowly got back on his feet. "I'll show you adorable." He warned as he got a water pistol from his coat pocket.

"Oi that is so not fair!" shouted Clara as he began to chase her. "Don't I get a weapon to defend myself with as well?"

"You snooze you lose, Clara," replied the Doctor as they chased each other around, temporarily forgetting about anything else but each other.

Inside the TARDIS, someone was starting to gain a little strength after being drenched in the rain and collapsing in the forest.

Rumplestiltskin managed to open his eyes this time around. At first he thought he was in a hospital of some sort because the walls of his room (well if it really was a room) were white. There were a lot of equipments that Rumple did not recognize from his cursed memories of a hospital but things were more modern in the Land Without Magic, which he assumed was where he was currently.

He slowly swung his legs over the side of the bed, surprised that he was still wearing his suit trousers and shirt. His jacket though was nowhere in sight. At first he also looked for his tie but then he remembered tying it to a low branch in the forest. He braced himself as he slowly stood, knowing full well that his leg was going to scream in protest.

It ached, yes, but not as painful as Rumple thought it would after standing for so long and walking aimless in the forest surrounding Storybrooke. He must have been out for a long time.

That's when a question floated through Rumple's head which was growing more alert by each second. Where were everyone?

If he was in a hospital, shouldn't he be hearing nurses and doctors outside the room buzzing with activity?

He turned his head to study the room he was currently more closely. The walls had some sort of circular and hexagonal design. There were machines and apparatuses near his bed, a cupboard of some kind in the corner...and that was it. There wasn't even a window and Rumple found himself feeling slightly claustrophobic at that. He thought over his options and concluded that it he wasn't going to get anything by sitting back on the bed and waiting for someone to come or for something to happen.

He limped towards what he assumed to be the door...but there was no doorknob. He studied the frame and the surrounding wall...no buttons or levers that could possibly help-

The door suddenly cut in the middle and slid open with a swoosh much to Rumple's surprise. He slowly peeked his head out to find a darker corridor, covered with the same designs as the room he was in, only this time they were blue. It was long hallway and Rumple thought that maybe it would be better if he just stayed inside. The walk would probably do him more harm than waiting…

But he couldn't shake the feeling that he already knew where he was. It was instinct telling him to move and so he did. He limped out and turned right, not really knowing where he was heading but his mind had somehow went into autopilot and he was exploring.

The hallway was familiar and Rumple couldn't place it. It was certainly not something he had encountered ever before in the Enchanted Forest. The place looked to be modern, which only confirmed his suspicion of being in the Land Without Magic.

Not unless he had somehow managed to get to the Land Without Color...something that Rumple wasn't to keen on, especially if he would have to get in touch with Victor to find a way out of the place.

But there were colors so it couldn't be Victor's realm. And he couldn't shake the feeling that he had been here before.

He found another doorframe, with no door this time and he slowly moved forward. His eyes widened at the display in front of him. There were steps leading up to what appeared to be a pillar in the center of the room. It was glowing in a orange light and underneath the pillar was more buttons and levers...a machine that he had never seen in both his cursed and real memories.

He turned to see that the room was larger than it seemed. There were more steps leading up to what looked to be an upper level around the sides of the room where shelves lined the walls. The current level Rumple was standing on, had a chalkboard to one side, a trunk of some sort and wires and other mechanisms that Rumple could only describe of seeing in one of those science fiction movies he remembered via his cursed memories.

It was the sight of the opened doors in the landing that confirmed Rumple's feelings before...he had been here before. But back then, the walls were white with bright lighting and the walls were covered with different circular panels.

He slowly walked over the blue doors, his fingers grazing the sign and handle of where he knew a phone was being kept. He jumped a little as he felt the door through his fingertips. This was real. It's not a dream...when was the last time he had seen the TARDIS?

What sort of luck did he have that in the greatest moment of need while being stuck in the Land Without Magic, he somehow got picked up by the Doctor?

He turned to see where the TARDIS had landed. It looked to be an open field but instead of grass, Rumple saw a majestic white mountain up ahead and what looked like a moon (the shape and craters made it look similar to the moon of the Land Without Magic) that pretty much took the space of most of the sky.

The other defining factor was it was raining. It wasn't a raging storm of any kind. It actually seemed relaxing to Rumplestiltskin as the sound of steady drops of rain floated to his ear. He slowly stepped off the TARDIS and that was when something shifted.

Pain shot through his leg and he tried to grab the doors to steady himself but failed. His trousers and shirt were once again soaked through and his leg throbbed in agony as black spots appeared in his vision.

He had been walking through the TARDIS for some time...maybe that's why his leg was suddenly protesting against the activity.

He managed to lift his upper body by leaning on his forearms and pushing himself up. His leg still throbbed and it was taking a lot of willpower not to give in to the sudden exhaustion taking over his body.

"Rum!"

His head shot up as he manage to see two figures running towards him from a distance. The scottish brogue was a bit unfamiliar but the other voice, the soft tone of a woman, was familiar. And true enough just as his vision became to blurry, he somehow recognized the face of Clara Oswald before everything went black.

"I am drenched," said Clara as she and the Doctor decided to head back to the TARDIS and check on their friend. "I'm glad I keep half of my clothes in the TARDIS already."

"And once you two have an argument again…" began the Doctor as Clara glared at him. "I'm just saying. You've lost your room how many times already."

"I did not lose my room," countered Clara. "She keeps moving it. Besides, we haven't had another row since you've regenerated. I think she's grown fond of me."

"I highly doubt that," replied the Doctor but knew the TARDIS had taken to Clara already, especially after the woman had saved his life.

They had wandered around the planet and since it was the planet that did nothing but rain, they were drenched. He had offered Clara his coat but she declined and said she wasn't cold or anything and actually like the feel of the water on her clothes. It was refreshing, if the Doctor was going to be honest.

They haven't had a peaceful and relaxing planet or adventure for a long time ever since Clara had returned to his life and that little fiasco with Santa Claus. It was always saving worlds and defeating the Master (Missy nowadays), Daleks, Alien Vikings (well alien and vikings but who's keeping track of technicalities, Zygons and a lot of other things.

It was actually nice to have some quiet time and although the Doctor was known for being bored so easily, the time spent on this planet where memories he cherished.

"You think Rum's awake?" asked Clara as they neared the TARDIS.

"Maybe he's in and out of consciousness," offered the Doctor. "I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have been able to get off his bed. Having the regeneration energy pass through his body would have drained him of his own. That's why I usually take it easy after a regeneration."

"That was taking easy?" asked Clara as the Doctor shrugged. "You sneaked out of Vastra's house to go to your lady dinosaur friend by jumping from the roof and riding a horse."

"That was actually pretty mild compared to the other regenerations I've had," replied the Doctor. "I actually destroyed the TARDIS when I regenerated to the bowtie wearing one."

If he had said that before, Clara would have suddenly be closed off and reserved but as much as she missed that Doctor, she had grown very fond of the new Scottish one that had evolved from the not a hugger to the same man she had always known from the start, the Doctor.

"How about the long brown coat one?" asked Clara with a smile. "The TARDIS couldn't have contained that much hair."

"Oy!" replied the Doctor which reminded Clara so much of that particular Doctor. "That wasn't the one with the worse hair."

"Is that you're growing yours now?" asked Clara, tiptoeing to ruffle the Doctor's hair much to the Time Lord's annoyance.

"I didn't ask you questions when you changed your hair," replied the Doctor.

"That's because you do not care," answered Clara. "I on the other hand do."

"Physical appearances aren't important, Clara," lectured the doctor. "I don't see why humans put so much effort into it."

"Really, he who has a red velvet coat and different coats with different linings," mentioned Clara with a smile. Their usual bickering really was something she loved to do with the Doctor, frankly because they never really annoyed the other. It was a verbal duel that both loved to take part in.

"I can't wait when we add Rum to this verbal duels, as you've called them," said Clara, a little positive. "I'm pretty sure he's going to side with me all of the time."

"I doubt that," replied the Doctor. "I've known him longer you know. I practically took care of him when he was younger."

"My point," argued Clara. "I'm sure-RUM!"

"You don't have to shout his name," commented the Doctor but Clara was already running towards the TARDIS and the Doctor realized why.

There was Rumplestiltskin, on the ground right in front of the open doors of the TARDIS. The Doctor soon caught up with Clara and they both reached the fallen man at the same time.

Rum was unconscious but at least he hadn't wounded himself. How did he even manage to leave the infirmary and exit the TARDIS? As for as the scans showed, his leg was back to that of the severely injured one he had before he was the Dark One. He didn't have magic to sustain it and most of his magic was already locked in place.

The Doctor got his answer immediately as he carried Rum back to the safety of the TARDIS. His eyes widened and he eyed the time rotor in the center of the room. The TARDIS was a living thing and the Doctor knew that the TARDIS already sensed the unspoken question and it answered with a soft glow from the time column.

"Why do I suddenly feel lighter?" asked Clara as she shut the door behind her. "Did someone or something manage to get inside and-" She stopped as soon as she saw the Doctor's face. It was serious and concentrated and Clara knew this face and it was better to just keep quiet until the Doctor was back in the room with her.

After a moment the Doctor was moving again, carrying Rum back to the infirmary and Clara followed, again feeling a little lighter than usual.

But then she felt like she slowly being pressed down to the ground, not as painful or as heavy that she would complain, but it was definitely different from a while ago. She turned to the Doctor as they entered the infirmary. "Something wrong?"

"No," replied the Doctor as he laid Rum back on the bed. He pressed a few more buttons and the TARDIS got to work while the Doctor shifted his attention to her.

"She adjusted the gravity so Rum could walk without much pressure on his bad leg." explained the Doctor. "Why you felt lighter a while ago but not anymore." He sighed as he ran a hand over his face. "It's a great gesture but we shouldn't be encouraging him to walk around just yet."

A soft beeping sound alerted the Doctor that the TARDIS was done and the Doctor shifted to study a monitor that suddenly appeared by the bed. Clara studied her friend. The TARDIS seemed to have run a diagnostic again and even dried Rum's clothes because as she took the hand closest to her, her fingers brushed his shirt and they were already dry unlike her own clothes she suddenly realized.

"He'll be out long enough for you to shower and change your clothes," said the Doctor, though his attention was still on the monitor. "He's pretty much exhausted himself again."

"But he's alright?" asked Clara and the concern was pretty evident so the Doctor looked up at her and gave a small smile.

"He's alright," assured the Doctor. "Just tackled on the world already when he knew better. You know rum. Now get you. I won't have you dripping in the infirmary."

"I'm going," replied Clara as she left the room and the Doctor sighed as he turned back to his unconscious friend.

"What am I going to do with you Rum?" asked the Doctor. "Looks like I'm going to have to look after you again...just like the old times."

Rumple was used to wandering by himself. His father was once again trying to fool people with his card game and Rumple hated watching his father win and then lose everything because he goes overboard.

Being the curious lad that he was, he was soon very far from where the village's gate was and was now surrounded by trees and rocks and plants that Rumple did not recognize.

Sure of it, he was lost.

His father was going to be very cross with him if he finished the day of games and sees his son nowhere in sight.

Panicking, Rumple tried to look around for anything that might look familiar or for anything that would help him return to the village. His heart was felt like it wanted to burst out of his little chest...he always felt like this when he was separated from his father.

It was though he felt he was going to be left behind again, which was weird because his father had never done that. Why would he even think that?

The most that Rumple could understand about it...was he was scared. He was scared of being alone. He was scared of losing his papa. He was a coward.

Shaking those thoughts away because they weren't helping, Rumple tried to focus once again.

There were no signs of the village or anyone travelling his way. He looked up at the sky and light was dimming...he needed to return and fast.

And that was when he heard it. A very unusual sound that Rumple couldn't place. It sounded like a strong gush of wind mixed with a groaning and wheezing sound all mixed together. But where was it coming from?

Suddenly, right in front of him, a big blue box started to appear and Rumple was frozen in fear, his eyes wide as the big blue box finally solidified in front of him.

For a moment nothing happened. The blue box just stood there, not moving or making anymore sound. Rumple saw this as an opportunity to escape.

Whatever people of beings were inside the box, it was certainly going to take an interest in a little boy and Rumple would prefer not to be seen by anyone or anything that suddenly appeared right in front of him.

He was just about succeeding in willing his feet to move when the box opened and Rumple all but expected an ogre to come out and eat him so he closed his eyes and wished that it would be quick and painless and-

"Hello there, are you lost?"

A woman's voice was the last thing he had expected and due to his curiosity and surprise, Rumple opened his eyes to see a young woman with short black hair peeking out of the blue box.

"Are you alright?" came the next question and this time the woman did leave the box and Rumple saw she was clothed in a fashion very different to what was familiar in this area.

She could be royalty for all he knew...or worse.

"Susan?" came another voice, this time male but the tone was far harsher than that of the woman's. "Where have you gone off to? We need to decipher this distress call and decide if whether or not we should-"

An old man stepped out of the blue box and Rumple could tell from his clothes that this was a man of importance. He had a walking stick in one hand which also showed off a big ring on his finger. His coat was black but it was what Rumple usually saw men of high stature wearing.

"I think I found our distress call," replied the woman to the older man. "I believe he's lost grandfather."

That certainly explained why a young woman like herself could be travelling with someone as old and Rumple had to bow his head at thinking that. He had no right to think of ill of anyone, let anyone let his mind wander. That was what got him into this mess in the first place.

"What is your name young man?" asked the man as he bent down to be at the same level as Rumple was, much to the boy's surprise. No one had ever done that. Most men would rather they tower over him, showcasing their power and dominance over little Rumple whose father was a trickster and amounted to nothing.

"Rumplestiltskin, sir," replied Rumple as quickly as he could as to not anger the man.

The woman bent down as well and offered him a smile. "My name is Susan and this is my grandfather." She pointed towards the older man. "Are you lost?"

Rumple could only stare at the two. His was always wary of strangers, especially meeting them without his father. But something felt different about the two who came out of a big blue box who didn't look like it could fit two people...or if it looked comfortable.

He turned to the woman, Susan, who still had a soft smile for him and Rumple found himself nodding slowly.

"Do you live nearby?"

"I guess so," replied Rumple. "I was walking around and then I suddenly see that I'm no longer near the village gates."

"Where are your parents?" asked Susan's grandfather, labeit rather harshly which was why Susan gave him a pointed look.

"My papa is working," replied Rumple. That was his father called it and that was what Rumple called it as well. It was his father's means of earning a few coins to feed them, no matter how much he didn't like his father's games and tricks.

"And your mother?"

Rumple swallowed as he suddenly bowed his head again. The two strangers must have understood the gesture because the man didn't ask another question. He just sighed.

"Alright then," said the man and Rumple lifted his head in time to see the man stand up. "I'm sure we can find your father and this village you speak of in no time. Come on then."

He strode back to the blue box and Susan placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, my grandfather is good at these sort of things." She took stood and led Rumple to the box.

"I'm not-" began Rumple and the older man turned to face him. "I mean-"

"What does your instinct tell you Rumplestiltskin?" asked the man as he eyed the boy. His gaze was different. It wasn't angry or critical. It wasn't happy or positive either...it was different. It was curious...actually it looked amused. "Do you trust me?"

Rumple swallowed and turned from Susan who stood by his side to the man in front of him. It was weird...but he knew he could and instincts were usually right. He just hoped it was this time as he nodded and the man rewarded him with a genuine smile.

"Your trust is not misplaced, Rumplestiltskin," said the man as he twirled his walking stick. "I am the Doctor, after all. It is my job to help."