Chapter 5 A Doctor's tale
"Why are we here before the city is built?" Emma still stood next to the Doctor. She still wore his hero coat in the cool swamp where the city of St. Petersburg would soon be built.
"To be honest, I overshot the TARDIS a bit." The Doctor admitted.
"Oh, wow." Emma giggled.
"Hey, it is a lot harder than it looks." The Doctor defended.
"Oh I am sure it is." The rain became harder pounding on the top of the umbrella.
"Well then," The doctor reached back and opened the door to the TARDIS, "Let's get you back, before you catch a chill." Emma walked into the TARDIS and The Doctor followed her.
"Are you alone?" Emma said sympathetically, thinking of her own lonely life.
"We should get back to the Asylum." The Doctor glanced sideways at Emma, trying to avoid the question she asked.
Meanwhile at the asylum…
Dr. Agnes stood dumbfounded in his office. The Doctor just took off with is patient. The one he had promised to treat. He promised Emma's mother that he would take care of her beloved daughter. He remembered the day accurately.
Dr. Agnes was young, just out of college. It was mid-December snow was falling heavily on the grounds of The Asylum. The Patients had all just woken up when a woman and her child walked in.
The young child had short and choppy maroon hair that ended at her chin. Her facial features made her face look tiny. She wore a black coat that went to her shins, tights with pink flats, and a purple scarf.
The mother wore a green coat that went to her waist. Her hair fell to mid back in long blonde curls and blue eyes.
"Are you Doctor Agnes?" The mother held out her hand to shake his, "I'm Andee Petrova." The two shook hands.
"And who is this?" Dr. Agnes got down on his knees and smiled to Emma.
"My daughter, Emma." Andee got irritated, "She needs to be institutionalized.
"She is young, put her in therapy." Doctor Agnes stood up and looked seriously at Andee.
"My husband and I don't have the money for that. Not with the new baby on the way." Andee laughed airily, "Hope this one turns out better."
"There are other places you could take her." Doctor Agnes focused on not taking the child's life away.
"I honestly don't care what place would be best for her." Andee pushed Emma ahead of her. "All I care about is getting her out of my life, and if you don't take her I will just leave her on the side of the road."
"Please, there are better alternatives." Agnes begged.
"Just," Andee backed up, "take her."
Andee walked out and left Emma there, who had been staring at her hands this whole conversation.
Agnes looked at Emma. "Come with me." He led her to his office.
His office had little pictures, save his diplomas. The walls were taupe with a chestnut trim. His desk a lighter color wood then the trim and his chairs a few shades darker.
Emma sat in a chair with her feet dangling off the edge. "I don't want to die."
"What?" Agnes took a seat in his desk.
"I don't want to die here." Emma repeated. "I want to leave."
"You can't leave, Emma." Agnes frowned. "I'm sorry."
Tears welled up in Emma's eyes. Agnes saw the hope leave her young face and felt willed to protect her. Therefore, he did for years and she always resented him. Hidden insults, glares, and numerous sessions of silence for years. Nevertheless, he always did what was best for her. Shock treatments to try to erase her memory, extra therapy, and not letting her leave.
Back in the TARDIS (Landed in the basement)
Emma slid the hero coat off her and folded it up. "You can have this back." She handed it to the Doctor.
"Nah, it looks better on you anyway." The Doctor declined.
"In case you haven't noticed, I only leave this place on extra special occasions. Hence, no need for a coat." Emma placed the coat on the railing of the TARDIS.
"And in case you haven't noticed, you have had an immense need for a coat as of late." The doctor picked up the hero coat and threw it at her.
"I emphasize the words special and occasion." Emma hugged the hero coat to her chest.
"Keep it, Madam Petrova." The Doctor escorted her out of the TARDIS and back into the electroshock room. "You should go hide in your room for the remainder for the day."
"Yeah. Doctor, could you cheek of Guin for me?" Emma looked down at her black converse.
"I will be up in your room tomorrow morning to tell you her progress." The Doctor smiled, "Goodnight, Emma."
Emma turned around and took a few steps forward, "Goodnight, Doctor." She kept walking, up the stairs and into her room.
Emma fell asleep into a dream about her angels. They were walking on a crystal shore in a far off land. She had many dreams like this one. They had become routine to her.
In the morning Emma woke, before the doctor got there, and took a shower. She changed into a pair of white skinny jeans and a navy tank top. She slipped her converse on and began reading.
"You're up!" The Doctor walked into the room and smiled at Emma who sat on her bed, leaning against her wall with her feet crossed.
"How is Guin?" Emma closed her book and held it in her lap.
"Better, just a minor concussion." The Doctor sat on the edge of Emma's bed. The Doctor looked at his coat, which sat on the top of a wooden chair in the corner of the room. "How are you?"
"Fine, and you?" The Doctor wore a black striped jacket with matching pants.
"Splendid." Emma moved and sat next to the doctor.
The two locked eyes and The Doctor moved his hand to Emma's. They intertwined fingers.
A loud knock sounded at the door making them both jump.
"Breakfast!" A woman shouted from behind the door.