The Doctor needed someone. He needed to talk. He was slumped on the couch. A light knocking on the door. He snapped his fingers but it held no pizzazz or excitement. His mind too fogged by a little boy who saved the world. Or didn't Because of him. He heard Rivers footsteps going over to him, the door closing following. She frowned. "Doctor, whats going on?" She had a slinky red dress on, hair tired up and large golden and red necklace. He felt a wince in his hearts seeing the colors. She was obviously just at some important party. "What do you think river? I made a mistake. A big one and it just coast the live of thousands of people." River frowned, sitting next to him. "Doctor, what did you do?" She was growing more concerned with every second. He spoke quietly. "I helped a little boy. A little boy who was bullied by his father and fellow peers. I helped a boy who is so lonely. I gave a boy a friend." He continued to tell her, going into more detail. She couldn't help but smile. Her doctor was so kind, of corse he wouldn't be able to resist helping a sad, lonely little boy. He knew he shouldn't have but he couldn't help it. Perhaps because he saw a little bit of himself in him.
Once his story ended he had to look away from her, hand over his eyes to hide his tears. River brought an arm around him. "I'm sorry Doctor but you know what you have to do." The Doctor didn't want to think of that. Thinking back to Donna, her heartbreak clear in her eyes, the desperation to stay with him. He started to speak again. Quietly, growing in volume with each sentience. "So I'm suppose to let the world ravage him, beat him. Leave a poor, defenseless boy without a friend in the world alone to be more abused and hurt!" He stood quickly. A few tears escaped down his face. His eye wide in desperation. River stood,bringing both arms around him. "I am here doctor and I will always be here." He collapsed into her, holding her close. Letting tears fall into her hair.
It was hours later when he got the emotional strength to type the numbers into the TARDIS, River had left, most likely back to whatever party he had pulled her from. He pulled the lever, looking up at the crystal bobbing gracefully as it flew.
He landed in the mansions front yard. It was daytime, morning most likely. He didn't care if parents were home. He went up, knocking on the door, making sure he had his psychic paper. Soon the door opened, it was a butler. "Hello sir, please come in." The Doctor nodded to him. The butler continued as he walked in. "Are you here on business?" The doctor smiled. "Yes. I'm here to see and Anthony." The butler bowed. "I shall get them for you. Your name?" The D smiled, showing the paper. "Smith. John smith. " The butler nodded before going off.
It felt like an eternity but he saw who he recognized as Howard Stark. He had a charming smile and dressed sharply but he could tell the charming exterior was only a mask. Like masking an odor with perfume. "Hello , What brings you?" The Doctor thought he saw Tony at the far cornor of one of the rooms, watching with a smile.
It wasn't long before He was walking Tony to the TARDIS. Tony laughed. "Wow! How did you do that?" The Doctor handed him the psychic paper with a smile. "psychic paper, tells them whatever I want them to think." He opened the doors to the TARDIS, Tony running inside quickly with a smile. "Where are we going today?" The Doctor smiled sadly, the doors closing. "Were going to meet Captain America." Tony's eyes went wide. "What? Really?" He grinned, running to the Doctor. The Doctor smiled, kneeling down. He wanted to give Tony the best day of his life. He held both sides of his head. "of corse. " Tony grinned, moving out of his grasp to bounce excitedly and fan-boy out. "Oh my god! Oh my god!"
The Doctor laughed, standing, going to the console, putting in the the numbers for 1943 New York then pulled the lever. Tony nearly fell, grabbing the bars, still smiling ear to ear. Once landed, Tony quickly went into his bag, getting out a smaller bag. He smiled. "Think he'll sign my trading cards?" The Doctor smiled and ruffled his hair. "Oh I'm sure of it. com'on, the shows about to start." Tony grabbed his hand, the Doctor leading him out the TARDIS and down the street. Tony stopped halfway, pointing to a sign with Captain America, Pointing at them saying "I want you!" Tony grinned up at the Doctor, the Doctor smiled, tugging him along. "you'll meet the real one soon. Come along Tony." Tony smiled, starting to walk with him, making sure he had his bag.
The Doctor flashed the psychic paper then signaled to Tony. The clerk had a soft look before letting them in. She smiled to Tony. Tony smiled, waving. The Doctor lead him into there seats that were on the tickets. Front row. Tony nearly ran to this seat, his little hands able to touch the stage. Looking up at it in wonder. The Doctor was next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Sit down Tony. He'll be along." Tony laughed, sitting. "Sorry, I'm just so excited." The Doctor smiled. "Never be sorry about that."
Soon the lights dimmed, the showgirls starting, singing his song. It felt like an eternity before Captain America himself finally popped out on stage, pointing and punching Hitler. Tony smiled, watching. It felt like no time at all when it was over. The Doctor stood, holding Tony's hand. "Come along Tony. Lets go get your cards signed." Tony grinned, standing, his bag hanging from his shoulder. The doctor lead him backstage, flashing the Psychic paper to the people guarding the door. They got that soft look again, letting them in, smiling to Tony. Tony just waved, wondering what was on that paper.
Once backstage he could see all the girls running around in there red,white and blue dresses. When Tony saw that head of blonde hair and patriot suit, he hid behind the Doctor. The Doctor signaled him over. The Captain held up a finger to the person he was speaking with before walking over to the Doctor. Tony was shaking behind him. The Captain Smiled. "Can I help you?" The Doctor smiled. "Oh I believe you can." He knelled, bringing Tony out from behind him. "This little fellow has been looking forward to meeting his hero." Tony waved weakly, just looking up at him. The Captain smiled, kneeling down to him. "Whats your name?" Tony blinked, forgetting his name for a half second before stuttering it out. "T-tony." The captain smiled. "No need to be nervous Tony. I'm just a kid from Brooklyn. Whats in your bag?" Tony quickly went into his bag, pulling out a few cards. Handing them to him. The Captain smiled, holding them. "I'm guessing you want me to sign them." Tony nodded. "Yes. Please." The Captain smiled. "of corse." He spoke to the rest of the room. "Does anyone have a pen?" One of the girls came over, handing him one. He smiled. "Thanks" Then signed them, handing them to Tony. "Here you go. Now you can go and brag to your friends you saw Captain America." Tony smiled weaker. "If I had friends, I know I would be." Holding the signed cards. The Captain frowned softly. "I'm sure you must have one friend." Tony smiled, looking to the Doctor. "I do, he's right here." The Captain smiled sadly. "Well they don't know what there missing then." Tony smiled. The Captain stood, saluting Tony and the Doctor before leaving to get dressed.
Tony turned to the Doctor, smiling, showing him his cards. "He signed them!" The Doctor smiled. "Thats great! He's got great handwriting to. Lets go on back to the TARDIS." Tony smiled, taking his hand, going on and on about the show and how wonderful it is. The Doctor listened intently, his heart breaking with every word. In a few moments Tony won't know him. He opened the TARDIS doors for him, walking inside. Tony smiled, going to his bag, sitting next to it, looking at the cards. "Oh wow! He was so great! He was nice to me!" He kept going on about Captain America while the Doctor listened, walking to the console, putting in numbers slowly.
He listened to every word as the TARDIS starting to fly back to the mansion. His eyes watered. Tony stopped his rambling, frowning. "Doc, you ok?" He walked over, handing him an autographed card. "Here. Maybe it'll cheer you up." The Doctor smiled sadly, kneeling down to him, taking the card. He spoke quietly. "Thank you Tony. For everything. Your such an amazing boy but sometimes things happen for a very good reason." Tony frowned. "What are you talking about?" The Doctor brought both hands on either side of his head with a sad smile, rubbing his little cheek. "Your going to be lonely, your going to go thru some horrible things, things you'll wonder why they happened. But These things happen for a reason. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't save you from them." Tony's eyes watered over, a frown on his face. "Whats going on Doctor?" The Doctor just paused, looking him over one last time. Dark, thick hair. Too thick for his head,. Large, brown eyes with just a hint of freckles speckling his nose. He then did it, before he couldn't turn back. With a surge of energy from the doctor he took the memories of there travels, there times, the humanity he learned too early. Everything that had to do with the Doctor gone from his memory. There was a small cry of pain, it wasn't easy having your memory ripped from you but he collapsed unto the doctor, the Doctor holding him close, almost cradling him as the other trading card fell from Tony's other hand to the TARDIS floor. The doctor let a few tears fall. The world was indeed a cruel mistress and nobody knew that like the doctor.
He waited until he knew Howard and Maria were gone. It was night and he carried Tony into his bedroom, still asleep. He put the Captain America bedding over him slowly, petting his hair then kissing his head. He wanted to talk to Howard. He went down to the living room, looking at a few family photos, sitting in the chair. Not one true family photo. Not one of all of them smiling, being silly, having a birthday party. It was all business type photos. Tony and Howard side by side with there inventions and creations. He heard the door open, hearing the butler open the door. In a few moments the butler came in. "They will be with you shortly sir." The Doctor nodded. "Thank you Jarvis." Jarvis nodded before leaving. Howard entered a few moments later, uncuffing his sleeves. "Oh, hello...smith was it?" "Yes, Just call me John." Howard nodded, going to the minibar in the room. "A drop of brandy John?" The Doctor shook his head, standing. "No, I won't be staying long." "Oh. Well what is it you wanted to discuss?" Howard said as he sipped his tumbler of brandy. The doctor glared, walking over, pointing a finger. "You better start showing your son a little more affection." Howard raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You heard what I said. Even just a hug, tell him you actually love him once in a while, give a little bit of a sign that you care because someday you or him won't be here and you won't get a second chance. " Howard glared. "Don't tell me how to raise my son" "Tell him you care. Show him, it dosnt matter how because someday your little boy is going to save the world." Howard just scoffed. "Please, he can barely build an engine right, get out of my house." The Doctor nodded, starting to walk out. "Sorry to waste my time .." He had his sonic out, hiding it as he turned it on, breaking every alcohol bottle in the room. Even the glass in his hand. Howard jumped, then glared. The Doctor just smiled,walking out of the house and back into his TARDIS outside.
Once back in the TARDIS he slumped against the door. His bag and Trading cards were still there, still on the floor. He waked over, picking one up. He smiled sadly, looking it over, remembering the excitement of that one little boy who would one day save the world. It was a few days later he went back to that coffee shop, just to see him. He was reading the newspaper when he heard that little voice. "Coffee, black please." He couldn't help himself. "Arnt you a little young for coffee?" Tony turned, softly glaring. "arnt you a little young for bow, hey? Do I know you?" The Doctor smiled sadly, standing. "Sorry, new in town." Tony nodded, paying for his coffee then leaving the shop. The Doctor followed, watching Tony walk down the street. He forced himself to turn to walk the other way. Once back to the TARDIS he put in some numbers, pulling the lever, looking at the Captain America trading cards hanging on the tube surrounding the crystal.
He would visit him, every so often with the perception filter necklace on. One of those time was after Tony's birthday party. He watched as he went thru his fathers belongings. He was curious as well. Tony didn't seem too interested but there might be some valuable information. The Doctor watched the screen while Tony fiddled with the notebook and pen until.."Tony..." He saw Tony look to the screen. The Doctor was just as interested. He listened and saw the emotion in Howard's eyes.
"What is and always will be, my greatest creation...is you." He couldn't help the small smile, talking quietly to himself. "Oh Howard, you were listening. So many years too late. He isn't going to believe you now. Why couldn't you tel him this in person?" He saw Tony cover his eyes. He knew going thru all this had to be hard. He wished he could go over and comfort him but he couldn't. So he turned, walking out of the room, going back to his little blue box.
AN: Thats the end. That actually got a little hard to write, hope you all enjoyed it.