Chapter Nineteen: In Need of a Doctor

As soon as the TARDIS rematerialized at the docks, the Doctor rushed out and was immediately greeted by James. "I got here as soon as I received your call," the Doctor told the prince. "How is she?"

"She's beyond apprehensive right now, Doctor." James informed. "I know you two are very close, which is why I called you. I'm hoping you'll be able to talk some sense into her. She thinks that she's killed Billy."

"Billy?" The Doctor uttered the name in confusion.

"He's a mechanic here, but he was a mouse named Gus in the other world."

They passed a dumpster where a pair of legs was sticking out. The Doctor saw the legs and then saw Granny covering up something with a long sheet in front of a tow truck where Ruby had been sobbing uncontrollably. From the sight, he deduced that the legs in the dumpster belonged to Billy, whose other half was in front of the tow truck.

The Doctor immediately went to the sobbing Red, who backed away from him the moment she saw him approach. "Stay away from me," she yelled with immense caution.

"Ruby, listen to me closely." The Doctor instructed. "You are not responsible for Billy's death."

"How do you know?" She frantically questioned. "You don't even remember what I'm capable of doing when there's a full moon! I killed last night, and I'll kill again this night unless someone locks me up!"

The Doctor saw the fear past the tears in her eyes, which encouraged him to turn to James and say, "Do it."

His command surprised even Charming. "What?"

"If she wants to be locked up, then she'll be locked up," said the Doctor, "but she'll be locked with me in the TARDIS."

"NO!" Red screamed.

"Doctor, with all due respect, your blue box is the last place she needs to be." Granny said.

"There is one particular place I can keep her until we get this whole mess sorted out." The Doctor then softly smiled and added, "Trust me."

Red looked long and hard at his smiling face, which gave her only minimal assurance. She finally nodded in agreement with his idea and said, "OK…let's do it."

The room inside the TARDIS that the Doctor had taken Red into was the complete opposite of what she had anticipated. What she thought that she would be contained in was a room made entirely of steel from the door to the walls. However, the room looked like an old Victorian bedroom, complete with a fireplace and a bookshelf. It was completely roomy from top to bottom, and – for a second – a feeling of comfort overcame Red, making her momentarily forget about her problem. Unfortunately, just thinking of her problem made her upset again, yet she was more upset with the Doctor.

"Is this some type of joke?" She asked him.

"What? You think I'd really lock you inside a cold, musty dungeon. Not that I have a dungeon. I just…"

"I need to be kept inside somewhere way more restrained than this. You don't understand how dangerous I am."

"I do know, Ruby. I've read your story in Henry's book. I know of the transformations and how you were once able to control them. And now you feel you're losing control because it's been years since you last turned with the curse having held you back. I saw it in your eyes earlier. You're scared, and I understand that. But as long as you're under my care, you won't be treated like an animal."

She was touched by his kindness, but she felt that it was blinding him from the reality of her situation. "But…when I turn…"

The Doctor turned to the double doors of the Victorian room. "These doors might look wooden in design, but they're actually made of a highly durable alloy not of this earth that camouflages its real design." He knocked on them, creating a metallic sound to prove his point. "Your wolf side couldn't break them down even if it tried."

Feeling reassured, Red sighed in relief and smiled. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." After his reply, he started to turn to leave, but he was suddenly caught off guard from the kiss she snuck in on his lips. It was a brief kiss – one that the Doctor didn't feel like he needed to worry over – but there was something about it that brought an odd feeling over him. It was as if memories of a different life were flowing back into his mind.

When the kiss ended as quickly as it began, the Doctor just stood and stared bafflingly at Red, who drew concern over his demeanor. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." The Doctor answered, briefly scratching his head like he had some unbearable itch. "I…I have to go and…and…"

"Prove my innocence?" Red helped finish for him.

"Yes. Yes. That. I have to go and do…that. Yes."

His odd behavior continued on his way out of the room as he closed the double doors and locked Red inside. As she stood alone in the comfortable room, she couldn't shake off her concern for the Doctor, wondering what had come over him after the kiss.