Hi everyone! I've been working on this chapter in all my free time... God, this is taking longer than I thought. But it's actually a lot of fun, and great experience. Truthfully, this story probably won't get updated as much as the old version was, because it's a bit harder to do in 3rd person, plus I'm adding so much more detail into it. But, I still will try to update rather frequently, and whenever I can :) Now, I hope you enjoy the story, and please do leave a review :) Constructive criticism, if you have something to say like that. Enjoy the story!
(Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who. Only my OC, Phoenix.)
For the 3rd time that day, Phoenix jerked up quickly, breathing heavily. Where was she? Oh, that's right, she jumped around The Doctor's timeline now. This was going to be fun. Wonder what would happen? Maybe during The Doctor's Daughter they would shove both her and The Doctor's hands inside the machine. Wonder what her daughter would look like? Or maybe, she would go inside the Pandorica with the 11th Doctor? But, what past would she go to? Or maybe she could meet the Master? That would be so cool! She actually really liked the Master, even if he was evil.
At this point, Phoenix realized she was still lying on pavement, and stood up quickly, sticking her arms out to the side to steady herself, as her legs felt like jelly. Not the best feeling, you know. She slowly dragged herself to a nearby blue bench, where she sat down and waited for the familiar blue box. The jumping-through-the-time stuff started to really wear her off, so she started to nod off to sleep. But then, the Tardis noise echoed through the street, jerking her from the little five second nap she was having. She quickly scrambled up, forgetting any thoughts of sleep that she previously had.
She watched as the Doctor, Martha, and Captain Jack Harkness walked out of the Tardis, their faces glum and sad. Even so, she resisted the urge to fan girl. She always loved Jack, even watched his spin-off, Torchwood. It was surprisingly good for a spin-off, you know. Phoenix walked over toward them, shoes making thumping noises on the pavement through each step, and she waved slightly. "Hi everyone." She said, looking at each of them.
"Hello Phoenix." Martha said glumly, staring at the ground. It was as if Martha had been through something traumatic and life-changing…
Oh… this wouldn't happen to be right after the year that never was, would it? That would be exactly right, wasn't it? Phoenix couldn't help but for a second wonder if she was there. "Am I there? On the Valiant?" She questioned, looking at mainly The Doctor. She didn't exactly trust the other's yet, even if she knew they weren't bad from the TV show.
Obviously they hadn't expected that question from her, so they looked at her with incredulous eyes. Phoenix just stared right back, wondering why it was such a shocking question. What? She just wanted to know if she had to face the Master of not! Which then reminded her of her dream since she started watching Doctor Who for the first time. To kiss the Master, just once. Now she could actually fulfill it! After reading all of the fanfictions she had, she was hoping he was as good at kissing as they said. Else, it would just be a disappointment.
After all that thinking, someone finally answered her question from before. "Yeah. Yeah, you were there." Jack said sadly. Phoenix wondered if she got hurt during the amount of time. I mean, it wasn't exactly impossible. Just a bit unlikely. Still, she couldn't hope it was leaning on the impossible side.
"Number?" The Doctor asked suddenly, and Phoenix jerked her head over to him, kind of surprised that he talked at all. He had been rather silent the whole time.
"Two." She said softly, sadly. If it was even possible, his frown deepened even more. Phoenix sighed, wishing she could be the girl he imagined. One that loved him. Well, that's a lie. She loved him now. But one that confessed it maybe? That would probably be the right answer. But she wasn't sure she could do that at the moment. Did she really love him that much?
Phoenix glanced at the Doctor, slightly worried about him. He looked troubled, but also peaceful at the same time. Like a battle inside his head just concluded. Somewhat peaceful, but a lot of damage still left broken, still left unfixed. Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in her mind, unlike the one back at her home. Old home. It was more of a quick stab, but constant. She fell down to her knees, scuffing them up, and a vision flashed through her mind.
The Doctor and Phoenix were walking along a scuffed up trail next to a crystal lake, gazing up at the two moons in the beautiful night sky. They were so entranced by the sight that they hadn't noticed their intertwined hands, or that they were standing literally two inches apart. "No matter how many times I see those moons, they still look enchanting." Phoenix whispered quietly, as if afraid talking would interrupt the serene and beautiful feeling around them. The Doctor nodded softly, agreeing quietly. They stopped walking and just stared at them. Romance was defiantly in the air that night, spreading soon to the two near the lakeside.
Phoenix slowly opened her eyes, blinking slightly. That was interesting. She felt the Doctor's hands on her shoulders, and she glanced up, seeing the timelord's face looking at hers with worry.
"Are you ok?" The Doctor asked her, searching her eyes for any faint trace of sadness or anger.
Truthfully, Phoenix didn't know the answer to the question. She didn't feel ok at all. She just saw a vision of sorts. But she wasn't in pain either… was there a middle option? Like maybe? To make sure The Doctor didn't freak out anymore, she just decided to nod. Luckily, her plan worked, and he noticeably relaxes, then hugged her. She grins softly and hugs him back tightly. Well, hugging was down, kissing to go. And possibly more. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
But then, Phoenix's phone rang. She broke the hug and pulled it out of her pocket, staring at it in shock. For a couple of reasons actually. First off, she was in a different universe, where she hadn't given her number to anyone yet! And two, the caller ID said Rose Tyler. She nervously pressed the 'answer' button and brought it up to her ear.
"Hi rose?" Phoenix answered nervously into the phone. God, first phone call in an alternate universe happens to be with Rose Tyler. The Doctor's face looked like one of a goldfish. She had to cover her mouth to hold in her laughter at that.
"Phoenix! Oh thank god! I had to get someone to talk to… The Doctor is mad at me! He got mad at me for saving my dad! I just… I know I shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't help it! I couldn't just stand there and watch him die! Phoenix, he left me! The Doctor just left me here! I can't do this!" Rose rambled into the phone. You could tell she had been crying, and that she was clearly distressed. Phoenix instantly knew what episode this was. Father's day, of course.
"Rose Tyler, what the Fuck were you thinking? You knew something like that would be a paradox, but you did it anyways!" Phoenix exclaimed, and she could almost hear Rose cringing on the other side of the line. She silently laughed. "But I forgive you. I can't imagine watching someone I loved die. I probably would have ended up doing the same thing as you. And all I can say is, The Doctor does find you again you know. He comes back for you… in a way. Just wait, get aquatinted with your dad, and maybe get slapped by your mum… have fun. I've got to go, I'll see you later, ok?" Phoenix finished, smiling slightly. Rose said her goodbye, a much more cheerful tone in her voice, and Phoenix stopped the call and put the phone back in her pocket. "Sorry guys, friend needed advice…" She said, scratching the back of her head nervously.
"You don't even know her yet." The Doctor said suddenly. Phoenix looked up to him confused. That wasn't nessicarily true. She had sort of known Rose for her whole life, considering she had watched Doctor Who since she was little. But he probably didn't know that part, did he?
"It's what I do." Phoenix replied, shrugging her shoulders as if it was nothing. Truthfully, to her, it wasn't anything. She had been used to helping out her whole life. It wasn't anything new.
Then, the headache came back. Just what she needed now, to be whisked off away to another Doctor. Well, it was one that needed her more, but hey, all this jumping was going to get annoying soon, wasn't it? She smiles softly at The Doctor, Martha, and Jack. "Time for me to go me suppose." Phoenix said softly, looking at her hands. They were glowing a brilliant golden color, as if she was about to regenerate. But obviously it wasn't that, considering she was human. "I'll see you soon, ok? Can't go on without me you know." She said to the Doctor, taking on a playful scolding tone. They all smile. Mission accomplished. Phoenix disappears in a bright flash of golden light, being carried off to another point in time.
Phoenix reappeared roughly fifty feet away from the Tardis, in a damp foggy meadow. Hills stretch across her view, and there really wasn't much around her. She jumps back in shock, as she realized something. She didn't black out! "Finally!" She exclaimed, catching the attention of some guards nearby that she hadn't noticed before. Something in her brain clicked after seeing those guards dressed in red. This was the episode Tooth and Claw! Somewhat still new regenerated ten. She grins, thinking up all of the things she could possibly do with this one.
"What are you doing, yelling like that ma'am?" Soldier 1 asked, looking at her like she needed to be sent to a mental hospital. She probably did. Phoenix realized he hadn't called her 'naked' or whatever, she glanced down to notice she was wearing a right period blue dress, and it had a lot of black lace all over it. Where did this come from? She didn't remember putting it on.
"I was traveling, but I have seemed to have lost my friends." Phoenix said innocently, looking around as if she really just didn't know where her friends were. "Then I spotted them walking toward the blue thing over there." She finished, pointing toward the Tardis not far away. The Tardis hummed disapprovingly in Phoenix's head. The Tardis didn't like being called 'blue thing' then.
The soldier nods, but then the queen calls from her carriage, "Let me see her." The two soldiers look at each other, confused, and then one dismounts his horse and leads me toward the carriage where Queen Victoria sat. The door of the carriage creaked open, revealing the woman inside. Phoenix swiftly curtsied. Although, she didn't actually know how to. So why did she know now? Phoenix straightened up, sort of worried she did something wrong.
Victoria looked her up and down, and Phoenix blushed under the gaze. It was always awkward, being stared at. But then the queen smiled, and said, "You don't see many young girls who know how to curtsy properly. I'm afraid that talent had been lost over time, but you are a slight exception."
Phoenix smiled brightly back. That was a compliment from the Queen! Granted, she was slightly offended in being called a little girl, but she could deal with that. "My mother had always thought it proper to teach me things like that." Phoenix said politely. Her mother, of course, had never taught her that. Truthfully, she didn't know her mother was. She died, a long time ago, soon after she was born, along with her father. She had gotten adopted when she was six years old.
"She sounds nice. Where were you traveling, may I ask?" The Queen questioned, looking at her curiously. To the Queen, there was something intriguing about the girl in front of her. She wasn't exactly positive of what it was though.
"Towards the Torchwood house ma'am." Phoenix replied, smiling softly. Might as well go with her, yes? First adventure with the Doctor, here we come!
"I was just heading there as well. You may ride with me if you wish." The queen offered, and scooted slightly over to let Phoenix in. The Queen wasn't exactly sure why she gave the offer, but the words just came out of her mouth without decision.
For Phoenix though, shock would be an understatement. The Queen, just offered to share a carriage, with a strange girl? God, this universe was defiantly different. "Thank you ma'am." She said, even though the shock. Phoenix swiftly climbed the carriage and sat down on the seat. She did it surprisingly gracefully, considering she had a long family background of clumsiness. Well, supposedly.
"Where do you come from?" The Queen asked her. Phoenix smiled, remembering her adopted home town. "Paris. It's a very pretty city, but I wanted to see a change in scenery from the cobblestone roads and small little homes stacked right next to each other." She said softly, a look of remembrance in her eyes. Her family hadn't been poor, but they hadn't been rich either. They had lived in a little cottage not far away from the Eiffel tower. Phoenix absolutely loved the Eiffel tower. She had paid a lot of money to have a special fast-pass to the top, because she went up it so much.
"Do you speak French?" The Queen asked. The Queen was intrigued, that was for sure. She came all the way from Paris, this girl. That's a long journey.
"Oui, je parle français. C'est une très belle langue." Phoenix said, softly laughing. French was her first language actually, alongside English. Somehow, she learned them both at the same time with little to no trouble. (Yes, I do speak French. It is a pretty language.)
The Queen nods her head, smiling brightly. But then, Phoenix noticed voices outside sounding rather distinctly like The Doctor's voice, and Rose's too. The Queen called for them, and the carriage door opened to see one Rose Tyler and one Doctor. That's good. Their mouths both open in shock, the Doctor doing more of a goldfish impression.
"Fermer votre bouche. Il est désagréable de se comporter de telle manière devant la reine." Phoenix said, slightly giggling. The Doctor quickly closed his mouth, while Rose kept her mouth open. Phoenix guessed that the Tardis wasn't translating it. She grinned. She could have fun with this. (Close your mouths. It is rude to behave in such a way before the queen.)
"Number?" The Doctor asked her, making Phoenix slightly sadder. She didn't exactly enjoy being early, especially with all the looks that came her way when she said so. "Troisième temps." She replied sadly frowning. (Three)
The Doctor still smiled, but you could still see in his eyes the looming sadness at the answer. He was always going to be upset she was early until, well, she wasn't early anymore.
"Rose, might I introduce her majesty, Queen Victoria. Empress of India, and defender of the faith!" The Doctor exclaimed, excitement in his voice. Phoenix was pretty sure he loved the Queen at that moment.
"Rose Tyler ma'am. And my apologies for be so naked." Rose said timidly, nervously curtsying. Butchering it pretty well, too.
"I've had five daughters, it's nothing to me." The queen replied calmly, waving it off as if it were nothing. Yet, she complained about it later? "But you Doctor, show me these credentials." The queen finished, looking toward the Doctor. He quickly pulled his hand from behind his back, which was holding his psychic paper. He quickly gave it to her, smiling charmingly.
The queen reached out and took the psychic paper into her own hands, reading it as she did. "Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the lord provost as my protector." The queen said, smiling widely.
"Does it?" The Doctor mumbled, grabbing the psychic paper back from the queen. "Yeah it does. Good, good." The Doctor the realized they were being driven by carriage, instead of train or whatever other modes of transportation they used during this period of time.
"Um, then, let me ask… why is your majesty traveling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?" The Doctor questioned. Phoenix sighed quietly. Did he actually not know, or was he looking for confirmation? Probably the second one, the Doctor was like that.
"A tree on the line." The queen replied smoothly, her expression remaining unchanging. Phoenix couldn't believe how calm she was. If it was to be her life on the line like that, she would be paranoid as hell.
"An accident?" The Doctor asked, raising his eyebrows slightly.
The queen took a deep breath and said, "I am the queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned." Again, how could she not be paranoid as fuck?
"Y compris le méchant loup." Phoenix muttered, smirking slightly. (Including the Bad Wolf.)
"An assassination attempt?" The Doctor questioned, intrigued. Sort of. He was always intrigued, no matter the situation.
"What, seriously, there's people out to kill you? Rose asked, shocked slightly. How did she not know that? There isn't one famous person who hasn't had a death attempt or death threat.
"I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun." The queen replied calmly, way too calm for Phoenix's preference. Who wants a life where guns pointed at your head is a daily thing? That would just be depressing.
"Sir Robert Macleish lives but 10 miles hence. We've sent word ahead. He'll shelter us for tonight, then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow." Soldier 2 said from on top his horse, interrupting our conversation. Phoenix rolled her eyes. It might take a bit longer than that, mate.
"This Doctor and his… timorous beastie will come with us." The queen said, smirking slightly at the 'timorous beastie' part. Phoenix covered her mouth with her hand to keep herself from laughing.
"Yes ma'am. We better get moving, it's almost nightfall." Soldier 1 said, kicking his horse and galloping forward slightly, putting himself in the lead.
"Indeed. And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children, but good for the blood I think. Drive on." The queen exclaim lightly, smiling as the carriage door swung closed and snapped shut, separating them from the timelord and blonde 'timorous beastie'. Phoenix grinned. That was going to be Rose's nickname now. It was a good one, wasn't it?
Phoenix smirked lightly. She got to sit in here, with the queen of all people, while those two had to walk outside. Since when did she get so lucky? The horses swiftly carried them to their impending doom, well when she said swiftly, she really meant extremely bumpily and rough. But closer to the destination of course. Ooh, the wolf was near. She could hear it. The bad, bad wolf.
Haha I've always loved this episode! I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and stay tuned for the next one :)