In this chapter, we get a glimpse of Rumple's life with the TARDIS crew.

Note: No appearance of Storybrooke with this chapter but it's a big set up for a few bits of Season 4. I'm pretty sure it's quite obvious what it is. But that interaction will be explored in the next chapter.

Chapter 6

"Have I thanked you enough for healing my ankle?" called Rumple as he, Clara and the Doctor sprinted through the many hallways, an angry race of aliens firing behind them.

"You can thank me once we're out of the line of fire," shouted back the Doctor as he made for another hallway. "I'm pretty sure it was a lot closer than-"

"Are you sure we're running towards the TARDIS?" asked Clara as another beam of light narrowly missed her head. "I hate to be running all this way only for us to end up at-"

They turned a corner only to be met by more aliens with weapons already trained at them.

"You know if there's one thing the curse taught me," began Rumple, trying to look for any means of escape. "Is that, in circumstances like this, what you dread will certainly happen."

"Like how that cliche in the movies when you say 'I'm glad that's over' only to have more problems come your way?" asked Clara, her eyes not leaving the alien guns aimed at them.

"Exactly," mumbled Rumple as the Doctor moved to stand in front of his two companions.

"Gentle aliens," called out the Doctor, his voice surprisingly cheerful even though certain death was in their possible future. "I'm sure we can just look pass this silly misunderstanding."

"I don't think they consider you accepting and then taking back a proposal from their queen a silly misunderstanding Doctor," hissed Clara from behind the Time Lord.

"I don't know," began the Doctor, turning to Rumple. "Aren't these things common in the Enchanted Forest?"

"I wouldn't know, I was never loved or important enough to be invited to parties let alone royal gatherings," replied Rumple with a shrug. "But I would assume if a queen gained and lost a fiance all in the span of an hour, the kingdom would also be out for the person's head."

"That's very helpful, Rum," began Clara. "Really."

"He asked," said Rumple with a shrug of his shoulders again.

"Rum?" asked Clara as the Doctor began shouting gibberish again to distract the aliens.

"I think I've found her," replied Rumple, closing his eyes to concentrate. "There's some sort of field that's blocking me...but I think I can get us close."

"That would be a much preferred location than here," managed the Doctor under his breath before turning back to the aliens and waving his arms about. "I'm sure any of you strong suitors would do her well. Well maybe watch out for the suckers and the claws, but besides all that she sure is a catch."

Rumple tuned out the Doctor's voice as he tried to focus on the energy he had grown familiar with over the last couple. Of...was it weeks? Months? He could barely tell now with all the things that have happened ever since the Doctor and Clara had rescued him from the forests of Maine.

The TARDIS had always been a mystery to him, it's glow of power, strong but gentle, welcoming but with a well of power than one would always feel a little tiny bit of fear...same could be said for the Doctor under any circumstances but Rumple had found a home in them now.

It was that sense that he was focusing on and when he finally felt the familiar energy wash over him, telling him that the TARDIS recognized his own power, the final thread of magic wrapped around the three of them and they teleported.

Even before the final clouds of Rumple's magic disappeared, they were sprinting across the corridors again, this time with Rumple in the lead.

"There's some sort of alien barrier blocking her," called out Rumple. "This was the closest I could get us."

"Not a problem," replied the Doctor as he took the lead, screwdriver glasses already in place and the all too familiar buzzing filled the hallway.

Suddenly, the lights started sparking all around them and doors were opening. One would think this was a good thing only for that hope to be crushed as angry alien voices filled the hallway, followed by a stream of beams missing the trio.

"You could have left the doors with the aliens closed," began Clara.

"Yes, well we're in a hurry and I just had to make do," replied the Doctor. The far end of the hallway already bore the familiar doors that made the trio run faster.

Some of the shots were far too close and Rumple turned to look back and send a gust of wind towards their attackers. Another beam was fired and he threw up a shield just in time before it could hit any of them.

"Rum, stop playing magician and hurry up!" called Clara as she noticed him decelerating because he was now focused on using magic instead of running faster.

Rumple stopped looking back and sprinted to catch up with Clara, the Doctor already throwing open the TARDIS doors just as the two practically jumped through them, a few alien shots hitting the door before the Doctor slammed the doors shut and the TARDIS took off.

"There goes another planet I will never visit in my life," said Clara as she sat up on the floor, dusting off her clothes. She turned to Rumple and gasped. "Oh Rum, are you alright?!"

"What? Why?" asked Rum, suddenly sitting up and patting his own body in case there was an injury that did not register to his brain.

Clara crawled over to sit right in front of him as her hand went to the side of his face and that was when Rumple felt a little heat next to his cheek and ear. Clara's hand came back to his line of sight to reveal pieces of his brown hair, singed slightly.

Rumple frowned as Clara gave him a sheepish smile. "Looks like you are going to have to get a haircut."

Clara got her phone and took a quick photo before showing it to him. True enough, his once long brown and gray hair was now only true for one side. The other side had some locks already singed and uneven.

Rumple sighed and handed the phone back to Clara. "Maybe about time I got a new look anyway," he said with a little amusement in his voice. "I've had it long for over three hundred years anyway."

Clara smiled as she helped him get up off the floor. "Maybe we could even get you some comfortable clothes too."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" asked Rumple as they joined the Doctor near the console.

"Suits aren't really the ideal time travelling attire, Rum," said Clara, elbowing the Doctor to agree to her point.

"Well, not expensive three piece suits anyway," said the Doctor with a shrug. "So new planet or home?"

"Home," said Clara before grabbing Rumple's arm. "And Rum's going to be staying with me for the week."

"What? Why?" asked the Doctor, frowning slightly. He already planned on taking Rum to see the planet that's main trade was spinning. It was sure to give put a smile on the sorcerer's face.

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" asked Clara, pointing to Rumple. "Besides time off from the TARDIS would be good for him."

"Clara, not to sound ungrateful," began Rumple with an embarrassed look on his face. "But I don't have any money. How am I supposed to pay for a haircut and new clothes?"

Clara turned to the Doctor, an eyebrow raised and the Doctor sighed. "You can always use my money from UNIT, who knows how long they've been giving me my salary and it being untouched."

"I still-"

"Come now, Rum!" began Clara, grabbing his arm firmer this time. "It's no trouble and you're not a burden to us."

"I know, it's just-" began Rumple but he cut himself off. He wasn't used to people being this nice and offering to take care of him like this.

Clara smiled and her grip on him softened a bit. "I've told you Rum, you're not going to get rid of us that easily."

Rum sighed and shrugged in surrender. "Alright...I just wish I could repay you for all that you've done for me."

"None of that," replied Clara as she turned to the Doctor. "Take us home."

"You don't think it's too short?" asked Rum as he and Clara walked the streets near her flat.

"No, it's perfect," replied Clara with a smile as they headed to her floor. "Makes your ears stand out. Really Rum, you have pixie ears."

Rumple glared at her as they reached her door. "I'll have you know pixies are the best of creatures."

"But it does fit you especially since they are sort of given a certain Celtic origin and you sounding so very Scottish," trailed off Clara as they headed inside her flat, both their arms filled with shopping bags.

Kate proved to be understandable with Rumple's current predicament, even though they hardly knew each other and allowed Clara access to the Doctor's untouched money.

So after getting his haircut, a trim that reminded Clara so much of the usual style of hair that law enforcement officers wore, Rumple was dragged to different shops but in the end still just got suits. Not the usually tailored ones he got for himself when he was Mr. Gold but were comfortable enough to still look decent and for running around being chased by aliens.

Rumple deposited the bags in the living room while Clara sifted through her post as she headed to the kitchen to make some tea.

Rumple was just browsing through the things they had bought when he heard Clara sigh in annoyance.

"Anything the matter?" asked Rumple as he appeared by the kitchen door.

"Nothing," said Clara quickly, frowning at her phone. "Just some silly challenge at school with the English department." She tossed her phone on the counter and focused on the kettle. "There's this alumni who was a graduate of linguistics from Oxford who challenged us to translate some ancient text."

She turned to Rumple and they sat down on the table to enjoy their tea. "Anyway, I thought we had cracked the ancient language...only to find out that it didn't make sense when we did translate it, meaning not the right language."

"Mind having another pair of eyes?" offered Rumple as he sipped his tea slowly, careful not to scorch his tongue. Clara usually prepared hit at a temperature higher than he was used to.

Clara raised an amused eyebrow his way and Rumple shrugged. "When I got my memories back, some of your ancient and dead languages were actually used for spells back in our world."

"Really?" asked Clara, finding her phone and scrolling to the text before showing it to Rumple.

"I think that some people from our world did manage to get themselves sent over to this realm," continued Rumple as he took the phone. "And they were the ones that pioneered a lot of your advancement in civilization."

"Well that's one way to look at it," said Clara, drinking her tea. "But why would this realm still not be able to harness the energy we like to call magic if people from your world stumbled into this one."

"Maybe because it's a whole strange land and they could only do so much," answered Rumple, looking over the ancient text. "Language...to be specific, Latin is a commonality in our worlds just as English, French, Spanish, Chinese are. These things were present even in our land." He showed her the text. "Just like this ancient text is something I've encountered before as well."

"Really?" asked Clara, suddenly excited. "You know what it says?"

"Yes," replied Rumple with a smile. "It's actually a quote from Shakespeare...although the conjugation is a bit off, his subject and verb agreement is all over the place."

Clara laughed as Rumple explained the text to her.

"She wants me to what?" asked Rumple incredulously as the Doctor explained to him and Clara his meeting with Kate.

It was the usual Wednesday and they were surprised when Kate came knockin on Clara's door and wanted a word with Rumple but the Doctor intervened and talked with her first. After a few minutes, the Doctor ushered Rumple and Clara inside the TARDIS, telling Kate they would join her in a minute.

"Apparently your little translation for Clara got to their radar," said the Doctor as he explained the request from UNIT. They wanted to employ Rumple to help with some translations with other ancient texts that their experts were baffled on.

The text that Rumple had translated for Clara was complicated and UNIT had only gotten the grasp of its basic words and usage...but languages were tricky. One wrong tense or conjugation could throw the entire meaning of the phrase.

"The text you translated was complicated to everyone apparently," continued the Doctor. "Frankly, I've never encountered it before."

"It was used back when I was growing up in the Frontlands," began Rumple. "It was then replaced when a new Duke reigned over our village."

"Look, I've mentioned to Kate how you're not really from around here," began the Doctor. "But she's a bit persistent. She said UNIT could use your help with some translations-"

"But I'm not a credible source of information given the fact that my background was made up by a curse," argued Rumple. "I doubt that's going to be alright for them."

"She's willing to handle all of those legal necessities, even give you a degree from Oxford or something to that effect," said the Doctor. "Even said she could you pass you of as an Oxford professor currently consulting with the British government."

"They can do that?" asked Clara in awe. "Can't they do that for me as well?"

The Doctor glared at her before turning back to Rumple. "Your knowledge is an asset for a lot of people Rum."

"What do you think I should do?" asked Rumple as he turned from the Doctor and Clara.

The other two looked at each other before shrugging. "No idea," replied the Doctor which earned him a slap on the arm from Clara.

"Not helping," said Clara as the Doctor rubbed his sore arm. She turned to Rumple. "Maybe you could accept their offer with a loophole of your own. You're a master of that anyways, Rum."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Rumple intrigued and by the look on his face, the Doctor was as well.

"Well I know for a fact that there are many people out there who consult with linguistic professors for a fee," began Clara. "You'll help UNIT with whatever they have a problem with, you get the credentials you need but you are allowed to take in other work from other people."

Rumple and the Doctor both looked at Clara in surprise. "Did you just give me a job?"

"You're the one who's been down because you couldn't pay us back for food and clothes," pointed out Clara with a smile. "At least now you won't have to feel embarrassed even though the Doctor and I have told you countless times that it's no big deal."

"She has a point," said the Doctor, moving to stand next to Clara. "You've always relied on yourself for most of your existence, Rum. I don't fault you for not getting used to relying on us, I doubt you'll ever get used to it. At least with this, you'll be able to sustain yourself."

"I don't…" Rumple trailed off.

"I told you how I was banished from Gallifrey right?" began the Doctor. "I didn't know what I was going to do then but UNIT gave me the opportunity." He paused and turned to Clara, telling her the story as much as to Rumple. "They gave me a paying job, a place to stay, a salary and a way to alleviate my boredom."

Rumple and Clara chuckled at that as the Doctor moved around the TARDIS.

"I returned often enough," continued the Doctor. "Look, Rum, I know you think that this is might be temporary...but what if it isn't? What if we can't get you back to Storybrooke?"

"We know you don't want to think that," added Clara, walking over to him. "But we just want you to have as many options you can. I mean we-," she cut off to look back at the Doctor then back at him. "didn't ask Kate to do this, frankly I didn't even know how she found out about you translating that text. But I think we would have asked her to help you get credentials to, I don't know, open a shop somewhere in case you decide you don't want to travel in the TARDIS anymore."

"We just want to make sure you're alright, Rum," finished the Doctor. "Whether you stay in the TARDIS or have an adventure of your own, we just want to make sure you're ok."

Silence fell upon them, Rumple not really knowing how long it took but then a soft knock was heard and the TARDIS door opened and Kate peered inside.

"Sorry to interrupt," began Kate. "But you did say you were only going to be a minute."

Clara and the Doctor both turned to Rumple who sighed. "Before I agree to anything, I'd like to know what exactly am I getting into?"

"Told you shorter hair suited you more," said Clara as they ran out of the fourth pub of the night. "Short hair and pixie ears are a great combination."

"I really don't see the appeal myself," replied Rumple as he grabbed her hand and they sprinted through the streets.

"That's what? The tenth woman who has flirted with you since we arrived?" said Clara as they made their escape again with another woman was all over Rumple even before the sorcerer could take a sip of his drink.

"That's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think Clara," whispered Rumple as he peered by the street corner to make sure no one else was there. "She was only the fifth."

"Rum, I've said before that you are not like any ordinary man," began Clara.

"That's because I'm not," fired back Rumple with a smile.

"But," stressed Clara with a glare. "Don't me retract that statement by showing how incredible aloof you are with women."

Rumple scoffed as he concluded that the coast was clear and he offered her a hand as they headed back to the TARDIS. It was brief stop over. The TARDIS was recharging during the 80s before heading back to Clara's own time.

"The women in the first pub do not count," argued Rumple as they walked.

"Oh yes because staring at another man's backside doesn't count," replied Clara with a sarcastic smile. "Not to mention offering to buy you a drink. Or offering their company for the rest of the evening."

Rumple blushed slightly at the memory making Clara giggle. "I'd rather we forget that incident...maybe erase it from memory."

"You could brew a memory potion so I won't tease you constantly," replied Clara. "How I wish I could have taken a picture...your face was priceless."

Rumple glared at her as they continued to head to the TARDIS but soon enough, he was laughing along with her.

"So what's been happening with your role with UNIT?" asked Clara as they continued to walk.

"Good, if I'm being honest," admitted Rumple. "I actually have some colleagues with the other people translating some alien language. And apparently I am the treasurer of the alumni association of the Faculty of Linguistics in Oxford."

"What's with the face?" asked Clara, noticing his grimace with his last sentence.

"Well if I had to chose my fake degree," began Rumple as they rounded the corner. "I'd prefer to have gotten it from the University of Glasgow or maybe Edinburgh."

Clara laughed at how Rumple could even think that given all that he's been through. "Well if it'll help, a lot of other people would kill to have a degree from Oxford." She eyed him strongly, though her expression was playful. "Though you are centuries old so maybe it's just about time you got a degree."

"Your amusement of my situation is very comforting Clara," remarked Rumple and Clara just laughed.

"So have you done any work outside of UNIT then?" asked Clara with a smile as she was very tempted to bring out her phone. "Because we have another challenge at school."

"Wouldn't that be considered cheating?" asked Rumple with an eyebrow raised.

"Well it's hardly fair when some of these languages died even before I was born," reasoned Clara.

"Well to answer your first question," began Rumple. "One of the professors that UNIT hired actually comes from America and he has asked if he could have my email address for future reference."

"That's good," said Clara but Rum knew she was fishing for something else.

"Just ask Clara," said Rumple, not hiding his laughter when Clara looked at him in surprise. "Or should I just put you out of your misery and say my bank account is like the TARDIS….bigger on the inside."

Clara's eyes widened. "You're not joking are you?"

"Of course I'm joking!" replied Rum with a laugh. "I doubt any amount of hard work will help me equate to what the Doctor has earned with all his years of saving this planet."

Clara smile widened and Rum turned to her, confused. "What?"

"You called this place 'planet'," began Clara. "Not realm, not world…'planet'."

"Yeah, I'm well aware of that," said Rumple, still confused. "And?"

"Nothing," replied Clara who was saved from further questions as they had arrived to where the TARDIS was parked. "We all set?"

"A few more minutes," replied the Doctor, tinkering with the TARDIS console. "Did our ol' boy Rum here break any more hearts?"

Rumple rolled his eyes as he shrugged off his coat as Clara laughed.

"You staying with the Doctor this week or working?" asked Clara as she sat on one of the steps leading up to the higher level of the TARDIS.

"I could check my email," began Rumple. "Translating text makes me feel a bit nostalgic. Besides, I might just earn enough to buy my own flat."

"What?" asked Clara, feigning being hurt. "I'm not a great flatmate?"

"I wouldn't doubt that," mumbled the Doctor and Rumple just rolled his eyes as the two resumed one of their many verbal duels. He wouldn't say it out loud...but it was sure nice to have a new home in the TARDIS.