Chapter Note #1:
It is not necessary to have any knowledge of Doctor Who, the TARDIS, the Doctor, or Captain Jack Harkness.
The main things to know about the Doctor Who episode being used as a minor supporting plot-point are:
1) The Doctor decides to pull a classic move where - in order to avoid facing his feelings - decides to act cocky by gallivanting off after another woman. He uses her as a form of distraction. In short, he's an idiot. References to the 9th Doctor refer to his previous regeneration who was often in a foul mood having just come out of the Time War where he lost everything. Rose came into his life and changed his view on many things. He was willing to (and from a certain point of view, did) die in order to save her.
2) The TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) is a sentient time-machine which is in often need of repairs / tweaks due to the chaotic adventures her owner has.
3) Captain Jack Harkness is basically like Yasu, except he's from the 51st Century and presently stuck in the 21st Century. He's a big flirt, and loyal to a fault.
4) Rose Tyler began travelling with the 9th Doctor and stayed when he regenerated into the 10th Doctor. Despite the teasing about her preferring 'pretty boys', it is clear that she fell in love with the 9th Doctor who was not (by 'pretty boy' standards) handsome.
In short, Rose has stayed by the Doctor's side even when he's acting like a complete shit to her. For my purposes, it is Jack who is with them during this and not Mickey Smith.
Chapter Note #2:
This idea came to me during a Doctor Who re-watch. It doesn't focus as much on the women (Rose Tyler, Madame de Pompadour or even our beloved Mai). Women get too much shit and are pitted against each other far too often. On this occasion, it's Captain Jack Harkness dealing with a sulky young adult and a sulky Time Lord.
Also: The crazy levels of heat and humidity have finally gotten to me. Send help! I'll go back to a normal chapter without crossovers after this one. You could also simply read it as Naru having a delusional moment due to the heat and humidity being experienced at the moment here in England!
Summary: What happens when Naru comes across another idiot fleeing from facing facts and feelings for a woman in his life?
The appearance of a blue police box on the edge of one of the small alleys brought Naru out of his thoughts. He turned his gaze towards it as he watched three people come out of it. The first was a brown-haired man in a pin-stripe brown suit, the second was a blonde woman in a light blue jacket, and the third was another man wearing a long dark greatcoat. Each to their own he supposed.
It was a most peculiar sight, even for London, but what followed was a bizarre conversation he didn't know why he was still listening to.
The blonde woman was pointing angrily at the pin-striped man while the other man stood to the side looking equally annoyed. "You left us! You left us on that ship not knowing if you would be able to actually get back to us Doctor! Do we mean so little to you that you would just leave us for Madame de Pompadour?!"
Naru realised he was witnessing a domestic and stood up. The last thing he wanted was for one of them to see the empty space beside him and try to talk to him. He began walking away when he was suddenly grabbed by the man who had been called 'Doctor' by the blonde woman. He was manhandled and dragged into the alley next to the police box. His two companions hurried after them with shock evident on his face.
The Doctor began scanning Naru with something that appeared to be a modified screwdriver while muttering nonsense. "Doctor! You're avoiding this conversation with us. I need to take a walk to clear my head. Don't you dare leave! Jack, please keep him out of too much trouble. Don't let him start another war." the woman said as she walked away. She barely glanced at Naru. 'That was oddly refreshing' Naru thought. He had gotten used to (and equally annoyed) at women ogling him.
The man called Jack walked over to them, "What do we have here? Why are you scanning him?". Naru felt his irritation spiking at the intrusion of his space by this so-called 'Doctor'. There was something about this man that strongly reminded him of Yasuhara.
Naru despised being examined as if he was a lab subject, as well as being grabbed by a complete stranger. His PK finally snapped, nearly shattering the device that was being held by the Doctor, and said two simple words that usually worked with people in a cold voice, "Go. Away." Unfortunately this did not seem to work. The expression on the Doctor turned even more suspicious.
Jack looked at Naru a few times, "Doctor, I don't know what you think is going on here. He looks like a normal kid. The Doctor looked at Jack as he a hand through the vast amount of hair he had. He turned his attention back to Naru, "What are you?".
Naru's cold eyes looked at the Doctor and at Jack, before he cooly said, "Oliver Davis. Male. Human. 20 years old. Smarter than the general population. If you are referring to my background in paranormal research and Psychokinesis, I can recommend a few books. I would appreciate it if you could stop trying to read me with your silly device, unless you want me to break it."
Jack laughed, drawing both set of eyes to him. "I like this kid. We're just passing through. The missus had to take a walk and release some steam after the stunt this idiot pulled in 18th century France. Turns out not even Time Lords are immune to women's charm! Particularly if they're blonde..."
Naru's face remained blank before catching the '18th Century France' part of the statement.
Both men noticed the blank look that the dark haired young man was giving them. "Oh yes, I'm human as well. Extremely handsome in case you haven't noticed," said Jack as he gave Naru a wink, "and this idiot is a proper alien, even if he does look like a normal human. I'm surprised you saw the TARDIS. It has a perception filter which means most people don't see it. She's also bigger on the inside."
Naru's interest was showing. Something that defied the laws of physics would be interesting to see. "I'm a scientist. Seeing as how you don't have manners and manhandled me without warning, show me this supposed TARDIS."
Jack pushed the TARDIS door open and walked in, motioning for Naru to follow. The Doctor absentmindedly followed. "Welcome to the TARDIS! She's gorgeous isn't she? I know, I know. Bigger on the inside, defies the laws of physics and logic. She's an alien ship. She looks like a police box because she was originally blending into 60's London. It's the chameleon circuit but I don't know if it's broken or if that idiot decided to keep it."
The TARDIS seemed to respond, giving Naru an annoyed nudge, at the word "broken". He looked around, seemingly impressed before saying, "I think I just felt a nudge. Not too dissimilar to sensations I've experienced in the field."
The Doctor didn't appear to be listening. Jack and Naru both startled ever so slightly at the sudden exclamation. "Oliver Davis... That's where I know you. We briefly met when Rose and I did were doing some further investigation around the Rift in Cardiff.. Well, technically you met my previous self! I did hear about some experts in the field "
Naru's face remained impassive, "I do not recall meeting someone as obnoxious as you. I do recall, now that you mention it, meeting your blonde companion."
At the mention of Rose, Jack nodded and said "Thank you Oliver." before he jabbed a finger into the Doctor's chest. "Don't think I've forgotten Rose and how you are trying to avoid the subject by distracting me with this handsome lad!"
Naru smirked and he muttered, "You don't have bad taste then."
Jack briefly looked at him and gave him a wink, before turning back to the Doctor, "Did you even notice her walking away? You are a complete idiot for leaving her behind, and me by the way, while going off into France without knowing if you would be able to return to the TARDIS! Your old self would never have done that! And you sometimes wonder why she wishes you here him!"
Naru leaned on the console, looking at the different triggers, levers and buttons. As a scientist, he knew better than to touch material he wasn't familiar with. Without warning, one of the screens lit up, with his picture and a 'facts' sheet, which drew the attention of the three men.
He narrowed his eyes when he came across his family, including Eugene, and his known associates which listed the SPR team including Madoka and Lin. "What is the meaning of this? Where did you get this information?" he asked the Doctor.
The Doctor waved his question away. That's not important. What is important is that I noticed a short spike in your heartrate when you came across the name", he leaned closer to the screen, "Mai Taniyama."
"Oh the sweetness that is love" said Jack. "Is she still in your life?"
Naru sighed and decided to go along with it since this was all likely a hallucination brought on by the heat. He never did cope well with it.
"She is in Japan. We met there when I went searching for my brother after experiencing his murder. I came back and we haven't spoken. That's my fault. I've never experienced feelings like this and I don't know how to navigate this. I don't do words. I've sent her some gifts for certain occasions but I don't know."
The Doctor looked thoughtful, "I've been told I talk a lot, but I'm bad with words for some things. I end up putting my foot in my mouth more often than not. Rose often reminds me of it. She's currently upset with me though."
"So I've gathered", Naru said dryly. Before he could say anything, the TARDIS began to shake slightly. "What is happening?"
Jack rounded on the Doctor, "Why are you breaking the ONE rule that Rose gave you? Especially after the shit you pulled in France?"
"Calm down Jack! I'm not the one controlling this. The TARDIS is taking us to... Japan! Maybe we're dropping in for a brief visit to a certain cute girl?" the Doctor said before looking at Naru with a knowing grin. "Were you thinking of her? Are you in love with her? I think that's the only reason the TARDIS would do this on her own."
Naru glared at the Doctor at at Jack, who was snickering. "I don't see how this is any of your business. Or your ships!" (The TARDIS gave a violent shake.) "...fine - that was the wrong thing to say."
Jack smiled coyly, "Hmm. I would like to meet this cute girl... But back to the point. I think you're an angsty young man who is experiencing his first love, which is adorable. This idiot on the other hand is acting like that, complete with the stupid mistakes you're making, even though he's over 900 years old."
"There's a chance she's actually in love with my dead twin brother. He's always been the most favourable one with girls. He's talkative. He's nice. He smiles. All that stuff. I've been told I'm cold and aloof. Insensitive. A narcissist. So much so that she decided to call me 'Naru', he said.
The Doctor was about to say something when Jack shushed him. "Listen Naru, it's not up to you to decide who she loves and who she doesn't. When Rose fell in love with this idiot, she did so with his previous regeneration who was often perceived as arrogant, rude and inconsiderate. He wasn't handsome to many, but she didn't care about that. She called him out on his shit and loved him, even with his attitude. People don't just fall in love with 'nice' people. If Mai loves you, then it's because of who you are, even with all of your flaws. You probably know that already. She seems like a nice girl. You need to decide how to resolve this. Don't string her along unnecessarily."
Naru listened and sighed, "I rarely come across something I don't know. This is one of those times. I have no idea what to do. I think I have been cowardly. I just left without saying much, and I've not even tried to keep in touch."
Jack clapped him on shoulder, "Well. You will have to grovel. Probably. Especially after the stunt you pulled. Come on, do you want to see her? Before you even think about it, you can't go to her. She can't see you. Crossing your own timeline within sight of others is a big time-travel No. There's a perception filter on the TARDIS. Nobody will hear her materialise nor will they see us."
Time travel? What does he even mean by that. Surely... Naru's thought died, as they stepped out. They were at the airport where he had departed. He looked around, before blanking out. He was watching himself and Mai as they began parting ways. He watched her hesitation. He watched his own. He watched their embrace. Her kiss. His expression as she turned away. His heart gave a sudden lurch as he watched her walk away from him again.
He needed to fix this.
Jack and the Doctor observed the young man. This young man had been seemingly expressionless throughout most of their conversations. A mask that was recognised by the Doctor as the one his previous self used to have most of the time, except when he was with Rose.
The Doctor nudged Naru who reluctantly turned away from Mai, "Oliver, you need to sort yourself out before you go back to her. It's as clear as day to Jack and I, never mind your friends, but you need to figure it out properly. I may have the ability to travel through time and space but I know there will come a time, perhaps not today nor tomorrow, but a time nonetheless when I will likely lose Rose. That doesn't have to be the fate for you. I'm sure if you were to meet my previous self, he would tell you the same. Come on. I'm sure this has given you a lot to think about."
The three men walked back into the TARDIS in silence. A few moments later the TARDIS materialised again in Richmond. Naru looked at his watch. It had seemingly stopped working for a while because it showed that only 2 minutes had passed. Jack noticed and shrugged, "It's normal. Only 2 minutes have passed since we originally left. Hopefully Rose hasn't noticed... If she has, then we're dead."
Naru stepped out of the TARDIS and looked at it in bemusement. This was something nobody would believe.
He nodded at Jack and the Doctor, "I suppose this is where I'm supposed to thank you for this educational experience, even if it was a partial kidnapping. You've certainly given me a lot to think about. And no offence, but I hope we don't meet again under these circumstances."
Jack gave him a salute reminiscent of Yasu, while the Doctor smiled broadly, "I may not be able to sort my life out as easily as you little humans, but I'm glad to be of service. Good luck Oliver Davis."
Naru turned away and began walking towards Richmond Station. He had to come up with a plan to show her that he felt a deep affection...perhaps even love? for her. How? He wasn't sure. He knew he didn't want to get Madoka nor Lin involved this time with any gift giving. They would likely tell Yasu, who in turn would tell the others.
He wanted to prove that he could show his affection without a nudge from the others. He made up his mind as he began walking towards Fortnum & Mason. He had an idea of what to send her for White Day.