AN: Welcome to Once Upon A Link! This is the second story surrounding the Doctor and the Librarian. You probably should read The Beginnings to get an idea of what led up to this point. I have to admit that its exciting to truly explore who Libby is as a Time Lady since The Beginnings focused more of her being human with her essence trapped in the fob watch. Even more exciting, we'll get to see how their Link will develop.
As I have mentioned before, the basic concept of Linking came from the brilliant mind of Lizziexx and her Lunar Cycle series. I have made sure to ask for permission before putting the idea into this story. I have made some changes for Linking to work for my story, but there will be similarities.
Last time on The Beginnings:
Not until the light was gone. In place of the Doctor and Libby she had known before, stood two new people.
The Doctor went from big ears, buzz cut and blue eyes to gravity defying hair complete with sideburns, expressive brown eyes, and twig like body. His outfit didn't look like it was the right look for him anymore.
The Librarian no longer had brown hair, she now had wavy blonde hair. She was now almost as tall as the Doctor. Her features sharped a bit, looking a bit more like an aristocrat in her early thirties rather than a soft, almost childlike twenty something. Oddly enough, only thing that didn't really change was her eyes. Well, that's not quite true. While there's still flecks of gold, it mixed with a lovely forest green color. Her own outfit didn't quite fit the new body but it's not as jarring as the Doctor.
"Libby…?" Rose hesitantly called out, turning her gaze towards the woman first. "Doctor?"
Releasing a breath, the Librarian sighed and cracked her neck before turning her gaze onto Rose. "Hello Rosie." She greeted quietly. Her voice had gone a touch raspy, practically commanding respect.
"Hello!" The Doctor was much more excitable as he grinned. "Okay, oo." He gulped, running his tongue over his new teeth. "New teeth. That's weird. So where was I? Oh that's right!"
Libby was suddenly pulled into his arms. "Doctor, what ar-" She was cut off suddenly when his lips crashed with hers.
Needless to say, the first kiss between those that are Linked is indescribable. It lasted for quite some time before the Doctor pulled away with a goofy grin and Libby with a dazed look.
Rose just looked on in confusion and most certainly shock. She didn't know what to think of this whole thing, struggling to process it all. She can only hope to get an explanation, one way or another.
The TARDIS was in for a rough landing, hitting along some of the buildings nearby before narrowing missing a post van and somehow landed without too much more damage.
The Doctor threw open the doors and peered out with a grin. "Here we are, then! London! Earth! The Solar System! We did it!"
"Don't you DARE claim credit for getting here when I was the one to pilot us to safety!" Shouted a raspy voice as the Librarian joined her Link at the doors with a glare.
"Aw, but Libby!" Whined the Time Lord.
"No buts! Had I not taken over, you would've crashed us into far more things than we already did."
He pouted at the blonde woman next to him. Then he noticed Jackie and Mickey standing there, their mouths hanging open in surprise. "Jacki! Mickey! Blimey! No, no, no, no, hold on." He stumbled back into Libby who had grunted a bit. "Wait there, I've got something to say. There was something I had to tell you. Something important, what was it? No, hold on, hold on…" The Doctor managed to stand straight and walk up to them and placed his hands on each shoulder of the two people there, clearly thinking hard. "Hold on, shush, shush, shush, shush… OH! I know! Merry Christmas!"
It was in that moment that he collapsed, falling unconscious.
Libby grunted, feeling her head throb a bit as her Link had hit his head when he collapsed. "Why did I have to be Linked to an idiot?" She muttered to herself, though there was a note of affection in her tone. She kneeled beside the Doctor, pushing his hair out of his face.
Rose came out of the TARDIS and saw him on the ground. "What happened Libby? Is he alright?"
"He'll be okay. He just needs some rest right now. Time Lords don't handle regeneration too well, the Doctor especially."
Mickey furrowed his brows, looking at the two strangers before looking at Rose. "Who is he? Or her for that matter? Where's the Doctor or Libby?"
"The bloke on the ground is him." Rose replied, pointing to the unconscious Time Lord. "Libby is the blonde next to him."
"What d'you mean? How could they be the Doctor and Libby?" Jackie asked with a frown on her face.
With some help, the Doctor was tucked up in a bed in a pair of stripy pajamas. Libby settled herself next to the bed, sipping some tea. Rose was on the other side, clearly still trying to take in the whole situation in.
"I know it's a lot to take in Rosie." Libby said quietly, setting her cup aside so she could run her fingers through his hair. "But it's still us… just in new bodies."
Rose bit her lip, looking up hesitantly. "I know… this is all just a lot to take in. I wish the Doctor said something about this before either of you changed."
The Librarian gave her a sad smile. "The Doctor has a bad habit of not telling his companions things they need to know. I wanted to tell you a lot sooner but that whole situation wasn't going to give me the time to explain it. If you like, I can explain the process in more detail."
Rose chuckled, knowing it was true. The Doctor really had a bad tendency to reveal proper information ahead of time. "I'd like that. Thanks Libs."
They shared a smile Jackie came in with a stethoscope in hand.
"Here we go. Tina the Cleaner's got this lodger, medical student. And she was fast asleep, so I just took it." She said as she handed the tool to Rose who then promptly gave it to Libby.
The Librarian didn't really need it, thanks to their Link letting her know that he'll be okay, but it'll give her some comfort to hear his hearts. The cool metal of the tool gently pressed to his left side, listening to the beating before repeating the process again on his right.
"Though, I still say we should take him to the hospital."
"No." She said forcibly, turning her angry gaze onto Jackie. "Do you really think a man like the Doctor would escape the notice of certain unsavories that would jump at the chance to get any part of him?"
Jackie flinched under the woman's gaze. "B-but…"
"I. SAID. NO." She gritted out. "The Doctor and I are not human. He's currently vulnerable while he's in a regeneration induced coma and it's up to me to ensure he's protected for the next fifteen hours."
Rose reached over to place a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder. "Hey…" She murmured. "Is he doing okay?"
Taking a deep breath with her eyes closed, Libby loosened her hands from the incredibly tight grip around the stethoscope. "Yeah, he'll be fine. Both of his hearts are beating and I can feel him in my head, so that's good."
"Both? What do you mean both?" Jackie asked after a moment.
"Exactly that Jackie. He and I are from a race where two hearts are part of our normal biology." Libby left it at that. "Rosie, why don't you head out and enjoy some time with Mickey? And could you tell him that I'm sorry for snapping at him last time, I wasn't exactly in the best of moods."
The teen nodded, giving the Librarian a small smile. "Sure, you keep me updated, yeah? Need anything?"
"Some more tea would be great. Bring it in a big thermos so I have plenty. Oh! And if you have any, some bananas would be lovely."
That got Rose to laugh a bit as she left the room with her mother, remembering how often the Doctor was bringing the yellow fruit up.
Now alone again, Libby sighed to herself and looked at her Link in the bed. Part of her is thankful that he's in a coma, because he could use this time to sort through her memories, just as she was doing now. Knowing the truth of what happened to their people, to their planet, was devastating. But… she also understood. She could see what they were becoming, even early in the Time War. There was a reason, well a couple of reasons, why she ran before things got really bad. She knew, once he woke up, that the Doctor would ask. But for now, she'll be able to watch over the man for the duration of his regeneration cycle.
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Rose put on a kettle to get that tea going.
"How can they go changing their faces?" Jackie asked. "Is that a different face or either of them completely different people?"
"They're the same people!" Rose was sounding frustrated. "Sorry… but Libby gave me the basic idea before it happened. I won't blame her for not saying anything sooner, she hadn't exactly been back as herself and we had to save the Doctor. It's how they cheat death if there's no other option." She sighed, relaxing somewhat as she looked to her mother. "The big question is… where'd you get a pair of men's pajamas from?"
"Howard's been staying over." Jackie responded nonchalantly.
"What, Howard from the market? How long's that been going on?"
"A month or so. First of all, he starts delivering to the door and I thought, 'that's a bit odd'. Next thing you know, it's a bag of oranges-"
Rose ended up distracted, her eyes drifting to the TV. "Is that Harriet Jones?!"
"Oh, never mind me…"
"Why's she on the telly?" Rose asked with a furrowed brow.
"She's Prime Minister now. I'm off eighteen quid a week better off." Jackie answered. "They're calling it 'Britain's Golden Age'. Keep on saying 'my Rose has met her'."
Rose smiled slightly. "Did more than that. Stopped World War Three with her. Harriet Janes…"
One the television screen a reporter spoke. "Harriet Jones, what about those calling Guinevere One Space Probe a waste of money?"
"Now, that's where you're wrong." Harriet scoffed. "I completely disagree if you don't mind. The Guinevere One Space Probe represents this country's limitless ambition. British workmanship sailing up there among the stars."
"This is the spirit of Christmas, birth and rejoicing, and the dawn of a new age, and that is what we're achieving fifteen million miles away. Our very own miracle."
"The unmanned probe Guinevere One is about to make its final descent. Photographs of the Martian Landscape should be received by midnight tonight."
Libby sighed, studying the features of her Link. She had to admit, he looked rather handsome. Then again, the images of his past faces, including a certain one he'll never mention, every single one of them were good looking in their own right. Although, his outfit choices on some of them… yikes. That rainbow coat was horrendous, especially with the odd choice of a celery on the lapel. She snorted to herself, shaking her head in amusement. The scarf from his Fourth, she had to admit that she loved. Impossibly long but rather memorable. Speaking of… a scarf sounded really good to wear. She'll have to look through the wardrobe in the TARDIS when she gets a chance to. But she won't until the Doctor's awake and they could decide on their new outfits together for the first time.
"Oh Theta…" She whispered, caressing his cheek as he slept on. "Why do you insist on carrying the burden all alone? You don't have to be doing this on your own. I'm here now, always… from this moment to the end of time."
The Librarian frowned, hearing Jackie speak loudly on the phone to one of her friends, as evident when the woman wandered into the room with a couple of cups of teas in hand.
"Oh, no. Don't come round, darling. No, flat's all topsy turvy. Yeah, she just barges in and litters the place. Yeah, no… I'll come round and see you on boxing day."
When Jackie left again when she dropped off the tea, there was a waft of golden breath left the Doctor's lips. Libby burped up some as well, grimacing as she waved them away.
"I really hate regeneration sometimes…" She muttered to herself, staring out the window warily.
"Get off the phone!" Rose shouted as she came bursting into the flat with Mickey.
"It's only Bev!" Jackie gasped. "She says hello."
Rose grabbed the phone away from her mother, hanging up on the other person. "Bev? Yeah, look… it'll have to wait. Right , it's not safe, we've gotta get out. Where can we go?"
"Rosie? What happened out there?" Libby asked suddenly, poking her head out of the room. "You're out of breath."
"Robot Santas… flaming instruments. Had to get back here quickly."
Libby frowned, studying her blonde friend and Mickey. That lasted a few moments before she noticed the tree. It was now green when it had been white earlier.
Rose did about the same time, speaking before the discussion could continue. "Mum… where'd you get that tree?"
Jackie glanced back at the tree that stood in the corner of the room.
"That's a new tree. Where'd you get it?"
"Well, I thought it was you!"
"Jackie Tyler, how could it be Rose when she was out on a date with Mickey?" Libby pointed out, uneasily watching the tree. She just had a sinking feeling in her gut, demanding that she move.
"Then who was it..?"
The very second that the tree started to spin, Libby fumbled for her sonic wand… only to realize it was in the TARDIS, having fallen out of her hair when the regeneration occurred. She cursed in Gallifreyan under her breath. "Come on! Run!" She shouted, turning tail and bolted to the room the Doctor was resting. Even if the other humans ran out the front door, there was no way she was going to leave him alone. She knew that Mickey would try to hold off the killer tree but it won't buy much time, if any at all.
"We've got to save the Doctor!" Rose gasped, running after the Time Lady.
"What're you doing?!" Jackie was panicking, not seeing her daughter head for the front door as she had been.
"We can't just leave him!"
"Mickey! Leave it! Get out! Get out! Get out of there!" Jackie cried out as the tree was chopping up the legs off the chair Mickey was using, forcing him to drop it and run off before it could reach him.
The three humans came into the Doctor's room, seeing Libby digging through the pockets in hopes to find his sonic screwdriver. She knew it was going to be the thing they need to stop the tree from killing them all.
She flinched as she heard the door crash through the door and wardrobe like it was nothing, throwing off Mickey and Jackie.
"I'm gonna get killed by a Christmas tree!" Jacki screamed in a high pitched, squeaky voice.
"Theta!"
In the midst of her panic, she didn't realize she was calling out to the Doctor via their Link, because in the next moment she felt arms wrap around her and the telltale buzzing sound echoed in her ear.
The tree had come dangerously close to killing them, but the Doctor was able to wake up suddenly and protect his Link with a press of a button. He watched as the tree explode into nothingness.
"Remote control. But who's controlling it?" He asked thoughtfully before turning his brown eyes to Libby in his arms. 'You okay Aridra? Are you hurt anywhere?'
'I'm fine but you need your rest! You're not done yet!'
'You're my Link. I sensed your distress.' He replied simply, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before getting out of the bed and heading out to the balcony.
He stepped out as he secured a dressing gown he grabbed on the way out around his body. The Doctor slipped his hand in Libby's knowing that she won't be too far from him at this time, staring down at three Santas waiting below.
"That's them!" Mickey pointed out with a wide gaze. "What are they?"
"Shush!" Rose hissed.
The Doctor had his sonic raised at the Santas threatening. This got them to back away slowly, standing even closer to one another. Then they teleported away from where they stood.
"They've just gone!" Mickey was gobsmacked. "What kind of rubbish were they? I mean, no offense, but they're not much cop if a sonic screwdriver's gonna scare them off."
"They're Pilot Fish Mickey." Libby said softly, looking up to the stars where the robot Santas escaped off to.
"What?"
"They were just Pilot Fish, like Libby said." The Doctor confirmed.
Suddenly he coughed and threw himself against the wall behind him, obviously in pain.
"Doctor!" Libby gasped, kneeling beside him. "I told you that you need your rest! You're not yet ready to wake!"
"What's wrong?!" Rose asked.
"The dunce woke up too soon. He's still in the midst of his regeneration cycle, practically bursting with energy." Libby grumbled, pushing his hair out of his eyes. "That's why you guys saw the Pilot Fish. They could smell that energy from a million miles away."
"So they eliminate the defense, that's you lot, then carry me off." The Doctor added with a groan. "They could run their batteries on me for a couple of year-" He lurched into Libby's arms, having another groan slip out.
"Oh! Oh! Oh!"
"My head!" The Time Lord gritted out, holding his head in his hands. "I'm having a neuron implosion. I need-"
"What do you need?" Jackie asked frantically.
"I need-"
"Say it, tell me, tell me-"
"I need-"
"Do you need aspirin?"
"I-"
"Codeine? Paracetamol? Oh, I dunno- Pepto-Bismol?"
"I need-"
"Liquid paraffin? Vitamin C? Vitamin D? Vitamin E?"
"I need-"
At this point, Jackie's voice was raising into hysterics. "Is it food? Something simple? Uh, a bowl of soup? A nice bowl of soup? Soup and a sandwich? Soup and a little ham sandwich?"
As amusing as it was to watch this interaction, Libby was feeling irritated. Jackie wasn't giving him a chance to speak and tell them that he needed tea. "Will you just let him speak?"
"THANK YOU! You need to shut up Jackie Tyler!"
The older woman blinked, calming down somewhat. "Oh, he hasn't changed that much has he?"
The Doctor groaned again, lurching (though he stayed in Libby's arms).
"We haven't got much time. If there's Pilot Fish, then…" He trailed off when his hand met an apple in the pocket of the dressing gown. "Why's there an apple in my dressing gown?"
"Oh, that's Howard. Sorry."
"He keeps apples in his dressing gown?"
"Doctor, focus." Libby interrupted, knowing that he's not going to be awake for much longer. She had been feeling discomfort from his pain, muted as it was.
"Right…" He grimaced. "Brain… Collapsing-" Unable to stand as the pain intensified, he sunk to the ground and dragged his Link with him. He looked up to Libby before turning to Rose. "P- the Pilot Fish. The Pilot Fish mean… that something… something…" He was struggling to take deep breaths. "Something's coming."
Then he promptly passed out.
The Doctor was carried back to the bedroom and tucked inside the bed. The Librarian sighed, massaging her temples. There was one downside to being in a Link, when one experiences pain, the other will feel it too but at a lesser extent. "You really are an idiot… I could've handled the tree if I had just found your sonic in time." She whispered, fiddling with strands of his hair.
Rose had been in there with her a few minutes ago, looking over the unconscious Time Lord with worry before she was sent off to sit in the living room for a bit.
Jackie handed her daughter a cup of tea as the teen settled on the arm of a chair. "Any change?"
"He's worse. Libby says that only one heart is beating. He shouldn't have woken yet." She sighed. "She's feeling guilty. Doesn't really say anything but I can see it in her eyes."
Silence.
Then a reporter began speaking as a news report was going on the television. "Scientists in charge of Britain's mission to Mars have reestablished contact with the Guinevere One space probe. They're expecting the first transmission from the planet's surface in the next few minutes."
At a press conference, someone continued the conversation. "Yes, we are. We're… we're back on schedule. We've received the signal from Guinevere One. The Mars landing would seem to be an unqualified success."
"But is it true that you completely lost contact earlier tonight?"
"Yes, we had a bit of a scare. Guinevere seemed to fall off the scope, but it… it was just a blip. Only disappeared for a few seconds. She's fine now, absolutely fine. We- we're getting the first pictures transmitted live any minute now. I'd better get back to it, thanks."
The conference ended when the man left.
"Here we go, Pilot Fish." Mickey said from where he sat with a laptop in front of him. "Scavengers, like the Doctor said. Harmless. They're tiny, but the point is, the little fish swim alongside the big fish."
"Do you mean, like sharks?" Rose asked.
"Exactly like that Rosie." Libby sighed, leaning on the entrance of the living room. "Now that we've seen them, it won't be long before we see the big fish. We must be ready when it happens."
"What are you doing out here Libs? Weren't you going to stay with the Doctor?"
The Librarian cracked a smile. "Needed more tea." She answered simply.
Rose was about to respond when she heard her mother speak up about what's on the television.
"Funny sort of rocks."
"They're not rocks Jackie. That's an alien lifeform and this… this is amongst the first time the Human Race would have absolute proof that there's life beyond planet Earth."
Her words were proven right as the image was thrown into clarity and shown the rock to be an alien, roaring viciously at them. The three humans jumped back, gasping as they were startled.
"The face of an alien life form was transmitted live tonight on BBC1." The BBC newsreader said.
"On the 25th of December, the human race has been shown absolute proof that alien life exists." An American news reader continued.
"There remarkable images have been relayed across the world."
At some point, the television showed some aliens speaking in their tongue. Rose was frustrated that she couldn't understand a lick of it. "I don't understand what they're saying. The TARDIS translates alien languages inside my head, all the time, wherever I am."
"So, why isn't it doing it now?"
"It's because the Doctor is currently out of commission. He's her Bonded pilot so if he's not really awake, then she can't do most of her normal functions, like the translation matrix." Libby sighed.
"Wouldn't it work with you?" Mickey asked.
"She… Besides, I'm not bonded to that beautiful ship. I've been barely a Time Lady again when we arrived back on Earth. There wasn't any time for a discussion about that type of thing."
Rose bit her lip, understanding it a bit more. She didn't like not being able to understand what's going on, but at least Libby was there to lend a hand in a way that the Doctor couldn't be right now. "How much longer do you think it'll be before he wakes?"
"If I can get the tea into his systems, it'll be sooner than later." Libby sighed. "But it's not working like I would want here in the flat. We should consider to try getting him in the TARDIS. He's still too vulnerable right now and the Sycorax is a danger."
Rose nodded slightly.
Silence filled the room between everyone there for a while, long enough for Libby deciding to check on the Time Lord and see where his progress is in his healing coma. Several hours passed, Rose and Mickey kept up with what they could via the news as much as they could.
"Do you t-" She was cut off when a voice could be heard outside, sounding rather worried, if not a bit panicked.
"What is wrong with you? Jason? Jason?"
Two heads popped out of the door of Jackie's flat, Rose and Mickey watching what's happening outside.
"Sandra?"
"He won't listen! He's just walking, he won't stop walking! There's this sort of… light thing. Jason Stop it! Right now!"
The couple could see about a dozen people on the ground below that were hypnotized by the blue light that appeared earlier in the night.
Libby saw the same thing, looking out the window, a frown marring her features. She didn't have a good feeling about what she was seeing but she was too far to get a clear idea of the situation. Looking back to the Doctor, she made a decision. He would do whatever it took to save the planet and the people, it's time she'd do the same. But first he needed to be taken to the ship. No way she was going to risk his safety, not when he's her Link. She poked her head out of the room, noticing the door towards outside the flat was opened and her friend was missing. Knitting her brows together, the Time Lady closed her eyes and reached out to find the mind of Rose Tyler and Mickey Smith.
In all honestly, she had always been able to track down people she cares about, using the power of her mind. What this meant it, her mind almost acts like a radar of sorts, but a bit more accurate than what human technology at this point in time is able to do. Not exactly a common skill amongst the Time Lords, so for most of her life, Libby had to keep it close to to her hearts. The wrong sort knowing about that would most certainly take advantage of. There is a downside, however, if there's too many people and/or she's overwhelmed with whatever could be happening at that moment.
Either way, she followed the sensations that could belong to her young blonde friend, all the way to the rooftop. When she heard how upset the girl was, Libby walked up to Rose and gave her a hug. "Don't lose your faith now Rosie. I'm still here and as long as the Doctor breathes, this planet will be just fine. Earth is our home. I've lived here for over fifty years as a human. There's no way we'll leave you on your own when there's danger like this, not if we can help it."
Rose gave a watery smile, slowly nodding. She wanted to ask about something and opened her mouth to do so… only for it to click shut. "Right, let's head back inside. Maybe we can get something else on the news before we do anything else."
Linking arms, Libby led the pair back into the flat and right towards the living room. As they entered, the Prime Minister was at her desk, broadcasting a speech.
"Ladies and gentlemen… if I may take a moment during this terrible time. It's hardly the Queen's speech, I'm afraid that's been cancelled." She turned her head to address to someone off camera. "Did we ask about the Royal family?" Pause. "Oh. They're on the roof. But… Ladies and gentlemen, this crisis is unique, and I'm afraid to say, it might get much worse. I would ask you all to remain calm. But I have one request: Doctor… if you're out there… we need you. I don't know what to do. But if you can hear me, Doctor… If anyone knows the Doctor, if anyone can find him… the situation has never been more desperate. Help us. Please, Doctor. Help us."
Libby took a breath, studying the woman on the screen for a moment. She shook her head. Now it was time to do what she intended before getting distracted the last few times. Heading to the room, she pulled away the covers and moved to haul the Doctor to his feet.
"Why must you be so heavy despite being a twig!" She groaned. "Rosie! Mickey! Come in here and help me carry the Doctor to the Doctor!"
That got the pair to come into the room. Mickey was the one to take the Time Lord's legs while the ladies held him by his upper portion of his body.
"Where to Libby?"
"The TARDIS, of course. I have a feeling that something is going to happen and very soon. So, it'd be best to get him there now. Rosie, ask your mother to bring the tea in a thermos. We'll need it."
Nodding, the three of them worked together in carrying the Doctor down to the ship, just as a sonic wave hit the atmosphere, causing all the glass to shatter. Screams could be heard from varying people in the area.
Libby winced, opening the door to the ship and getting a warm greeting as she came inside.
"Hello Beautiful." She cooed, gently laying her Link down on the ground near the console. "We'll have a proper conversation later."
The TARDIS simply shared her amused agreement, letting Jackie come in with some tea as requested, as well as containers of food (although that wasn't really needed, not when there's intention to wrap up the trouble as quickly as possible).
"Mum, will you just leave that stuff and bring the tea over?" Rose sounded exasperated, standing at the doors of the ship.
"It's food! You said we need f-"
"Just leave it! I only asked for the tea!" The blonde teen grabbed the thermos and brought it to the Time Lady. "What now?"
The Librarian sighed, unscrewing the lid. "Sorry Old Girl, this is the most effective way to get him up again. I wouldn't do it if I had a better option." Some tea was poured through the grate nearby the Doctor and left it to do it's job.
She ignored the conversation between Rose and Mickey, ignored any snippy comments from Jackie, getting around the console and flicking some switches. She studied the screen, reading what was on there, only to jump in surprise when Mickey appeared beside her.
"How does this thing work? It picks up TV, maybe we could see what's going on out there. Maybe we've surrendered." He reached down to push some buttons but was stopped when Libby grabbed his wrist.
"First off… do not touch anything on the console. I don't need you pressing and cause her to blow up. Second, do NOT call the TARDIS an it. She's a living being and deserves some respect. And third, while she can pick up TV channels from this and many eras, she is not your personal television."
Mickey gulped, nodding. "Sorry…"
Libby sighed, shaking her head before noticing the beeping noise the TARDIS computer was making. "Damn… they must've noticed the TARDIS and now bringing us on board. We're about to be on their turf now."
"Wait, what? Are we not on Earth anymore?" Mickey asked, furrowing his brow.
"Well, yes and now. We're still within the atmosphere but we're no longer where we've been before. We're on their ship now." Libby bit her lip, looking down at the Doctor. She could feel him healing and was on the verge of waking again. But she needed to distract the Sycorax long enough for him to come out. The Doctor wouldn't want to miss out on something fun after all.
"What are we going to do?" Rose looked to the Time Lady. "It'll be no doubt dangerous out there."
"I'm going out there of course. As much as I would rather you stay in here with the Doctor, I get the sense that you'll join me anyways." Libby sighed, pushing her hair out of the way. "If you do, stay close to me, alright?"
Rose nodded, wearing a look of determination. "Let's go!"
The Librarian had to crack a small smile at that. Sparing one last look to her Link, she and Rose left through the doors with Mickey trailing behind just moments later. None of them saw the steam filling the room next to the Doctor, him breathing it in. Or how the regeneration energy left his lips after a deep breath was done.
The Time Lady and two humans stumbled out of the TARDIS, hearing the Sycorax leader yell with glee.
Libby turned her gaze onto the invading aliens with a calm look in her green eyes. She let Rose interact with the Prime Minister, knowing that they knew each other from a previous encounter with aliens. "So you're the Sycorax. It's been some time since I last interacted with one of your kind."
The leader growled, pointing his finger towards the Time Lady. "You have the clever blue box. You seem to be intelligent. Therefore, you will speak for the planet."
Libby snickered, crossing her arms as she stood her ground. "Why thank you. Since a certain someone is finishing up on something, I am here in his place for the time being." She said before the man with the translator had a chance to speak, much to the shock of nearly everyone in the room.
Harriet looked flabbergasted, her jaw practically hanging as she stared at the mysterious blonde woman. "Who is she?" She asked the same time as the leader asked the same question along those lines.
Libby smirked, mock bowing like a theatre performer. "The name's Librarian. You can call me Libby though."
The humans there started whispering to one another, fearfully watching the woman.
"I am addressing the Sycorax according to Article fifteen of the Shadow Proclamation." Libby continued confidently as she straightened up, her demeanor changing to something much more serious. "This world is not yours to conquer, not when it's a level five planet. Did you really think no one was watching?"
The Sycorax leader began to stride closer in an attempt to intimidate the Time Lady. She didn't even flinch, meeting his angry glare head on.
"And why should we listen to a puny human like you?"
Libby started laughing. "Wow, I must still seem like a human after fifty plus years here on Earth." She said, pushing her hair out out of her eyes. "You're wrong there. I am not a human, no… I am a Time Lady from the planet Gallifrey."
That got a response as he lurched back as to create a distance between him and her. After all, knowledge of some things the Time Lords had done during the Time War had carried throughout the Universe.
"You!" The Leader hissed. "You are dangerous. Even those that astride with the darkness, we are wary."
"Of course you should be wary Sycorax. You've made me the champion of this planet, after all." Libby smirked, highly amused. "Although, I'm not the one you should be truly scared of. After all, there's someone who's been protecting the Earth for far longer than I have, done far more than you can even dream of doing."
The Librarian could feel their Link practically hum to life as she felt his brilliant mind reach out to her.
"Have him talk a bit more. I'm about to make my big entrance."
"Will do. I'll have the humans realize that the translation matrix is kicking into gear now that you've awaken." She whispered to him across their Link. "Now, why don't you explain you purpose for being here and see how much will have to be done against you."
The Sycorax Leader scowled. "Upon winning your planet, it will be gutted… and your people enslaved."
In the midst of his words, something was realized. "Hold on, that's English." Pointed out the lad that was translating up to this point in the background
"He's talking English." Harriet agreed, wide eyed.
"You're talking English."
"I would never dirty my tongue with your primitive bile!" Roared the Leader.
Libby smirked, laughing. "Oh but my dear Watson, to them, you are speaking their language. Wonder what could cause that to happen?" She sang, waiting for the big dramatic entrance.
Rose, as she had been closest to the TARDIS slowly turned to look at the TARDIS, just waiting tensely. The doors opened, revealing a grinning Doctor still in the stripy pajamas.
"Did you miss me?" He asked as he winked to Libby who rolled her eyes in amusement. Rose giggled behind her hand.
"You wish!" She joked.
He laughed, shaking his head. The Sycorax leader roared in fury, lashing the whip at the newcomer, the whip narrowly missing Libby. The Doctor easily caught it at the end and pulled it away before tossing it aside.
"You could have someone's eye out with that! And more importantly, you nearly hit my Link!"
The Leader roared again, attempting to attack the Doctor with his staff, only for it to be torn away and snapped in half. The splintered pieces were tossed aside as the Doctor turned his angry glare onto the alien.
"You just can't get the staff." He growled, moving to pull Libby closer to him. "Now you, just wait. I'm busy." He sent the Sycorax a warning look before turning his attention to the blonde in his arms. "You okay?"
"Yes, you ponce." The Librarian laughed, patting his cheek. "Regeneration isn't as rough on me as it's typically is on you. Besides, I knew you would've joined in sooner rather than later."
He simply gave her a grin, gently kissing the top of her head. The Doctor slowly let go of his Link and strode to Mickey.
"Mickey! Hello!" He turned to Harriet. "And Harriet Jones MP for Flydale North! Blimey, it's like 'This Is Your Life'!" The Doctor winked to Libby again before grinning at Rose. "Tea! That's all I needed! A good cup of tea!" He trailed off.
Libby picked up from where he stopped, appearing next to the Time Lord. "Superheated infusion of free radicals and tannin. It was just the thing you needed to heal the synapses. I was meaning to get you some sooner but I kept getting distracted."
"In the end though, you got it working even faster by turning the tea into steam next to me." The Doctor assured her, squeezing her hand gently. Then his tone turned serious. "Now… first thing's first… be honest. How do I look?"
"Um… different."
"Good different or bad different?"
"Just… different." Rose looked somewhat uncomfortable. She really was trying to understand but it's a lot to process.
'You're rather handsome, I must say Theta. I actually have proper hair to run my fingers through.'
"Am I… ginger?" The Doctor asked, dead serious.
"Nope, you got brown hair, a shade or two off of what I had before." Libby hummed, treading her fingers through his gravity defying hair.
Despite being a bit put out at Rose's responses, he did like the feel of gentle fingers touching his hair. Turning away, smiling softly at the Librarian before it morphed into a pout. "Aww, I wanted to be ginger. I've never been ginger." Suddenly he turned back to Rose, pointing at her harshly. "And you, Rose Tyler, fat lot of good you were… you gave up on me. Oh, that's rude. That's the sort of man I am now, am I? Rude. Rude and not ginger."
"Doctor, she didn't not give up like you're assuming." Libby huffed, tugging on his ear for his rudeness. "You can't expect her to easily roll with something this big without at least feeling conflicted. I did my best to ease her worries. Now stop being rude."
Harriet shook her head, struggling to keep up. "I'm sorry… who is this?"
"I'm the Doctor." He responded, glancing to the older woman.
"He's the Doctor." Rose agreed.
"But what happened to me Doctor? Or is it a title that's just passed on?"
"He's not Double O Seven, if that's what you're implying." Libby sighed.
"I'm him. I'm literally him. Same man, new face… well, new everything."
"But you can't be."
"Harriet Jones. We were trapped in Downing Street, and the one thing that scared you wasn't the aliens… wasn't the war… it was the thought of your mother being on her own."
"Oh my God." She gasped.
"Did you win the election?"
"Landslide majority." She seemed pleased with that fact.
"If I might interrupt!" Roared the Leader, interrupting the moment and reminding everyone that he was still there.
"Yes! Sorry! Hello, big fella!"
"Who exactly are you?"
The Doctor wore a fixed grin. "Well, that's the question."
"I demand to know who you are!"
"I DON'T KNOW!" The Doctor roared, imitating the rough voice of the Sycorax Leader before relaxing and sliding his arm around Libby. "See, there's the thing. I'm the Doctor, but beyond that, I… I just don't know. I literally do not know who I am. It's all untested. Am I funny? Am I sarcastic?" He looked to his Link with a goofy grin. "Sexy?" There was a cheeky wink that earn him a laugh. "Right old misery? Life and soul? Right-handed? Left-handed? A gambler? A fighter? A coward? A traitor? A liar? A nervous wreck? I mean, judging by the evidence, I've certainly got a gob."
"That you do Theta. Bet you'll give us all an earache at some point or another." Libby's amused voice echoed in his head.
"And how am I gonna react when I see this?" The Doctor noticed the button, pointing to it with an insane smile forming as he ran up the stairs. "A Great Big Threatening Button Which Must Not Be Pressed Under Any Circumstances. Am I right? Let me guess, it's some sort of control matrix? Hmm? Hold on, what's feeding it?" He bent down and pulled a small door open in order to access the controls underneath the button. It was then that he noticed the red liquid inside. "And what've we got here? Blood?" The Doctor dipped his finger into it and gave it a taste.
Libby gagged softly, disgusted that this version of him is clearly going to go licking stuff that he would need a little more information on. She'll have to try to curb that.
"Yeah, definitely. Blood. Human blood. A Positive. With just a dash of iron." The Doctor wiped his finger on the dressing gown as he made a face at the disgusting taste. "Ahh… But that means…"
"It means blood control Doctor. Rather cheap use of voodoo." Libby said, leveling a hard look on the Leader.
"Yes! Oh, I haven't seen blood control for years! You're controlling all the A Positives! Which leaves us with a great big stinking problem. 'Cos… I really don't know who I am. I don't know when to stop. So if I see a Great Big Threatening Button Which Should Never Ever Be Pressed… the I just wanna do this!" He slammed his hand down on the button.
"No!"
"You killed them!"
"What do you think big fella?" The Doctor asked smugly. "Are they dead?"
"… We allow them to live."
Libby snorted. "Really? Didn't you hear me earlier? It's a cheap use of voodoo, you can't make someone do something that would've lead them to their deaths. Their survivor's instinct would overpower it anyways!"
The Doctor grinned at her deduction. "Right! You use it to scare the pants off of them, but that's about it."
"Blood control was just one form of conquest. I can summon the armada and take this world by force." The Leader grounded out.
"Well, yeah you could. Yeah, you could do that. Of course you could. But why? Look at these people." He gestured to the humans around them, speaking in a passionate voice. "These human beings. Consider their potential. From the day they arrive on the planet and blinking step into the sun. There is more to see than can ever be seen. More to do that… no, hold on…" He paused, thinking about what he just said.
"You do realized that you just quoted the Lion King right? I mean, your point still stands but it's kinda goofy." The Librarian interjected with a sigh.
He grinned. "It still stands, you admitted to that!" He laughed before facing the Leader. "Leave them alone!"
"Or what…?"
"Or…" The Doctor quickly grabbed a sword off of a Sycorax near his Link and the humans, running down the steps and onto the empty floor in front of the TARDIS and raised it into the air. "I challenge you."
The Sycorax began to laugh, finding it rather hilarious that a stick of a man is attempting to challenge the leader of their race.
"Oh, that struck a chord. Am I right that the sanctified rules of combat still apply?"
"You stand as this world's champion." The Sycorax Leader said as he came down the steps with sword in hand.
"Thank you. I've no idea who I am, but you just summed me up." He tossed the dressing gown off to the side where Rose caught it. "So, you just accept my challenge? Or are you just a cranak per casacree salvak?"
"For the planet?" The Leader hissed, kneeling by the sword.
"For the planet."
"Theta, do be careful. I rather not have to feel anything unpleasant because you've let your guard down."
"I'll do my best Aridra." He assured her gently, standing ready for the sword fight.
Then the fight began, moving around the room. The Doctor even was thrown aside, causing his opponent to laugh. The Time Lord straightened himself up, starting the fight again. The sword swung at the Doctor, leading to Rose calling out.
"Look out!"
"Oh yeah, that help." He responded sarcastically, keeping his eyes on his opponent. "Wouldn't have thought of that otherwise, thanks."
As the fight continued, the Doctor started making his way up the stairs, leading the Sycorax up with him. "Bit of fresh air?" He hit a button which opened the door and led them out to a platform outside of the spaceship.
It was nerve-racking to say the least, watching the fight go on. Sure, for the most part, the Doctor had it handled but it did nothing to ease the twisting feeling deep in Libby's stomach. She winced when she felt the pain from when he was hit across the nose. Rose made to move out there, only for Libby to grab her arm.
"Don't Rosie. If you go out there, you'll invalidate the challenge and lose this planet to the Sycorax." She said, using her free hand to rub at her nose around the same the Doctor wiped his own nose.
The two aliens ran towards each other, the swords clashing as the two of them grimaced with the effort it took. Unfortunately, the Doctor stumbled backwards onto the ground, giving the Sycorax the opening. The sword swung down, slicing the Doctor's hand off at the wrist. The hand with the sword fell off the edge of the ship, down to the ground below.
The Librarian cried out, clutching at her hand. It hurt like hell and she's not the one that just lost her hand, so she could only imagine the pain he was feeling in that moment. Rose had to keep her on her feet, worriedly looking over her friend.
"You cut my hand off!" The Doctor grounded out.
"YAH! Sycorax!"
He got to his feet, feeling a bit wobbly. "And now I know what sort of man I am. I'm lucky. 'Cos quite by chance… I'm still within my first fifteen hours of my regeneration cycle." The Doctor grinned. "Which means I've got just enough residual cellular energy to do… this." The stump of his arm is held up as, before everyone's eyes, a new hand grows back in its place.
"Witchcraft." Hissed the Leader.
"Time Lord."
"Rosie… get the sword from one of the guards and toss it to him. Hurry!" Libby murmured, sighing in relief as the pain seemed to fade away.
The blonde teen nodded, snatching a sword out of a sheath and tossed it to the Doctor.
"Doctor!"
The Time Lord grinned, catching it by the handle and spun back to his opponent. "Oh, so I'm still the Doctor, then?"
"No arguments from me!" Rose smiled.
"That was a given!" Libby joined in, standing up straight.
"Wanna know the best bit? This new hand…" He took on a texan accent suddenly. "It's a fightin' hand!"
The sword fight began once more and this time, there was a clearer difference in skill compared to before. The Doctor was holding his own much better, managing to get a rather hard jab in the Sycorax's stomach with the hilt of the sword. It happened twice more, leading to the Sycorax Leader to be on the ground with a sword at his throat.
"I win."
"Then kill me."
"I'll spare your life if you'll take this champion's command… Leave this planet, and never return. What do you say?"
"Yes."
The Doctor looked completely serious, anger flashing through his brown eyes as he brought the tip of the blade closer. "Swear on the blood of your species."
"I swear."
He smiled, lightening up some. "There we are, then! Thanks for that! Cheers, big fella!" The sword was thrusted into the ground of the ship.
The humans cheered after seeing a fight like that, although Libby simply ran up to her Link with Rose close behind.
"Thank God that you were still within you regeneration cycle." She sighed, pulling him in for a hug. "Although, next time… please do not get a limb lobbed off, yeah? I don't exactly like feeling that."
He chuckled, pulling back slightly to meet her green eyes. "Sorry about that. Didn't mean to lose my hand like that." He whispered, cupping her cheek gently. Relative silence filled the air between them before the Doctor turned to the others. "Not bad for a man in his Jim-jams! Very Arthur Dent. Now, there was a nice man. Hold on, what have I got in here?" A Satsuma was pulled out, much to his confusion. "A satsuma. Ah, that friend of your mother's, he does like his snacks, doesn't he? But doesn't that just sum up Christmas?"
"Maybe for humanity but let's be honest Doctor, Christmas will never really be normal with you." Libby giggled, cutting him off from his tangent before he could really get going.
Behind them, the Sycorax Leader got to his feet with a sword in hand. He charged with the clear intent of striking the Doctor down while his back is turned. However, without even turning, the Time Lord tossed the satsuma at a switch nearby, causing the ground beneath the attacking alien to open, leading to his death.
Whatever smile he had, was gone as the Doctor squeezed Libby's hand. "No second chances. I'm that sort of a man."
Heading back inside, he stopped in front of the TARDIS, addressing the remaining Sycorax. "By the ancient rites of combat, I forbid you to scavenge here for the rest of time. And when you go back to the stars and tell others of this planet… when you tell them of its riches, its people, its potential… When you talk of the Earth, then make sure that you tell them this, It. Is. Defended."
With that said, everyone piled into the ship and materialized away, back to Earth.
When the TARDIS landed on a street and opened her doors, everyone started to leave with varying levels excitement.
"Where are we?" Rose asked.
"We landed near Bloxon Road, round the corner." Libby grinned, pleased with herself that she, not the Doctor, got them safely in the same day.
"We did it!" Mickey laughed.
"Wait a minute… wait a minute…" The Doctor looked up to the sky, waiting. He watched as the ship's engines start up and took flight. He beamed, placing his arm around his Link's shoulders.
"Go on, my son! Oh yeah!" Mickey said gleefully, cheering as the invaders fled towards the stars.
"Yeah! Don't come back!"
"It is defended!"
The couple shared a joyful laugh, hugging one another before pulling in the translator from earlier into a hug as well. The Doctor faced Harriet Jones with a smile.
"My Doctor."
"Prime Minister."
"Absolutely the same man. Are there many more out there?"
The Doctor and Librarian shared a look. "There's more than the Sycorax out there, Prime Minister. Species far more than you can even imagine are out there in the Big Old Universe." Libby started, eyeing the woman before her.
"Right. And the Human Race is drawing attention to itself. Every day you're sending out probes and messages and signals. This planet's so noisy. You're getting noticed… more and more. You'd better get used to it."
"It was only a matter of time before this planet gets discovered by other races, for one reason or another." The Librarian said quietly, her attention taken away when Jackie announce her presence.
"Oh! Talking of trouble…!" The Doctor grinned.
"Oi, be nice!"She pulled on his ear, narrowing her eyes at the Time Lord.
"Oh my god! You did it, Rose! Oh!" Jackie gasped, hugging her daughter tightly as soon as the girl came within reach.
"You did it too! It was the tea! Fixed his head!"
"It was all he needed." Libby chuckled. "Your tea is lovely by the way. Thank you."
Jackie seemed to perk up, beaming with pride that she had a hand in helping in some small way. After a moment, she asked a question on her mind. "Is that him, though? Is it really the Doctor?" She then noticed Harriet. "Oh my God! It's the bleeding Prime Minister!"
"Come here you!" The Doctor laughed, releasing Libby somewhat so he could hug Jackie.
"Aw…! Are you better?"
"I am, yeah!"
The group chatted along happily, not noticing the translator or Harriet talking about a message, or how someone is ready. Or even worse, what the Prime Minister was about to do until it was too late. "Tell them to fire."
"Fire at will."
The Time Lady's head snapped to Harriet and the young man, giving them a sharp look before looking up to the sky where the spaceship was taking its leave. "No!" Libby shouted in horror as a green beam of light from the ground nearby along with four others, hitting the ship and destroyed it. "You killed them!"
"That was murder." The Doctor agreed angrily.
"That was defense." Harriet scoffed, leveling a look onto the Time Lords. "It's adapted from alien technology. A ship that fell to Earth ten years ago."
"But they were leaving."
"You said yourself, Doctor. They'd go back to the stars and tell others about the Earth. I'm sorry Doctor, but you're not here all the time. You come and go. It happened today, Mr. Llewellyn and the Major. They were murdered. They died right in front of me while you were sleeping. In which case, we have to defend ourselves."
"That doesn't give you the right to commit genocide!" Libby snapped, her eyes practically glowing in her anger.
The Doctor rubbed his thumb over her knuckles, wincing as a thought briefly floated through his mind before shaking his head in disgust. "Britain's Golden Age."
"It comes with a price."
"I gave them the wrong warning. I should've told them to run, as fast as they can. Run and hide because the monsters are coming… the human race." He sneered coldly.
"Those are the people I represent. I did it on their behalf."
"Then I should've stopped you."
"What does that make you Doctor? Another alien threat? You and your… Time Lady?"
"Don't challenge us Harriet Jones." He growled, stepping towards her angrily while still holding onto his Link. "'Cos I'm a completely new man. I could bring down your government with a single word."
"You're the most remarkable man I've ever met. But I don't think you're quite capable of that."
"Mm… that's true. The Doctor likes to speak." Libby said quietly, still fuming but the fact that she's on the calmer side, should be rather terrifying. "Six words should do just fine."
Harriet eyed the blonde woman next to the Doctor, unsure of to think of her. "I don't think so."
"Six words." The Doctor said.
"Stop it!"
"Six."
Libby was the first to move, making her way to the young man and took the earpiece out. The Doctor was close behind, breaking the staring contest. The two of them spoke so quietly that he almost didn't hear it clearly.
"Don't you think she looks tired?"
With that, they walked off from a rather confused man and an alarmed Harriet.
"What did they say?" She asked urgently.
"Oh, uh… nothing really-"
"What did they say?!"
"I- nothing! I don't know!"
"Doctor! Doctor, what did you… what was… what did he say?! What did you say Doctor? Doctor!" She was yelling after the Doctor's and Libby's retreating forms, not getting any sort of response from the Time Lords. "I'm sorry…"
Finally! It was time to pick out their new outfits to fit their new bodies. Each of them were of two different floors, searching through the many, MANY choices in the TARDIS wardrobe.
Libby was finding herself being drawn to dresses, or more specifically, flowy summer dresses. The challenge was to find one in a color that fit her. Pinks, reds, yellows, whites… none of those quite fit. But she was starting to see the cooler colors were looking more and more pleasing. Eventually she found a beautiful TARDIS blue dress that had a white ribbon tied around her waist.
The Librarian paired that dress with a pair of black leggings, black boots that went up to about a quarter of her tight and a dark brown leather jacket. Funny how preferences from one Time Lord's face could transfer to someone else's after regeneration.
She stared at herself in the mirror, taking in the outfit in full. "Mm… perfect." She whispered, smoothing out the fabric of her skirt with a soft smile on her lips.
"You look beautiful Aridra." The Doctor responded quietly, stepping onto the floor, now that he's dressed. He's now wearing a dark brown pin stripped suit with a tie, red sand shoes and a tan trench coat.
Libby jumped in surprise, whirling around to look at her Link. She had been so preoccupied that she didn't even notice him come down. A blush creeped onto her cheeks as she shyly tucked a strand of her wavy blonde hair behind her ear.
"You think so Theta…?" She asked softly, biting her lip.
"From the moment you appeared in this ship, you've always been beautiful to me." He admitted, though the Doctor knew that he wouldn't been open about that little thought back in his old face.
That got her blush to flare up, creeping past her cheeks, up to the tips of her ears. "I… um thank you."
The silence was awkward for several long moments before it was interrupted by the laughter of the TARDIS.
"Look at you two! You're acting like two human teenagers just starting to date! You are soooo cute!"
"Oh hush you!" Libby snapped as she glared up to the ceiling, though there was no heat in her words or her stare. "Come on… let's enjoy the rest of Christmas with Rosie, Mickey and Jackie."
The Doctor seemed somewhat amused, offering his hand to the woman before him and led them two of them back to Jackie's flat. They settled in a chair (well he did, Libby just claimed his lap), sharing a smile with Rose and started to open Christmas crackers. Each of them ended up with a paper crown in various colors, chatting up about the recent events when the TV came on.
"Look, it's Harriet Jones!" Rose said, pointing to the screen
It was an interview happening with the woman in question.
"Prime Minister, is it true you are no longer fit to be in position."
"No. Now, can we talk about other things?"
The Doctor had pulled out a pair of thick rimmed glasses, putting them on and watch the screen with a stern look while he held Libby close.
"Is it true you're unfit for office?"
"On today of all days, I'm fine. Look at me, I'm fine. I look fine, I feel fine."
Jackie interrupted when she spoke, holding a phone in her hands. "It's Beth. She says go and look outside."
"Why?" Rose asked.
"I dunno… just go outside and look. Come on, shift!"
The Doctor, Libby and Rose found themselves outside, staring up at the sky as what almost seemed like snow falling on top of them.
"Oh that's beautiful. What are they, meteors?"
Libby shook her head sadly, gripping his hand. "It's the space ship breaking up in the atmosphere. It's not snow but… ash."
Rose cringed, seeing the sorrow in her friend's eyes. "Okay not so beautiful."
"This is a brand new planet Earth." The Doctor murmured. "No denying the existence of aliens now, everyone saw it. Everything's new."
"And what about you two? What are you gonna do next?"
"Well… back to the TARDIS… same old life."
"Not quite Theta… I'm here now."
"On… on your own?" Rose asked tentatively.
"Don't you wanna come with us Rosie?"
"Of course! You two are some of the closest friends I've ever had."
Libby smiled softly, looking up to meet the brown eyes of the man beside her. "What do you think Doctor? Shall we continue to travel with Rose Tyler?"
Before he could respond, Mickey was the one to speak first. "You're never gonna stay, are you?"
Libby blinked, staring at Mickey and saw how upset he was to his girl leaving again with a strange man. But she said nothing, knowing that it's between him and Rose.
"There's just so much out there. So much to see… I've got to."
"Yeah…" It was clear that the smile on Mickey's face was forced. He understood, really but it didn't mean he had to like it.
"Well," Jackie huffed. "I reckon you're mad. The three of you. It's like you go looking for trouble."
The Librarian snorted into her hand. "He's a trouble magnet alright."
The Doctor laughed a bit. "Trouble's just the bits in between. It's all waiting out there, Jackie. It's brand new to me, I mean to Libby and I. All those planets… creatures and horizons… I haven't seen them yet! Not with these eyes… And it's gonna be… fantastic."
The use of his old catchphrase brought a smile to their faces. The Doctor held his free hand to Rose as he was still holding onto Libby.
"That hand of yours still gives me the creeps." Rose chuckled with a shake of her head. "So, where're we gonna go first?"
"Um… that way." He pointed up to the stars deliberately.
Libby smiled a bit, adjusting his arm so it was a smidgen to the right. "How about that way instead?"
He beamed, looking between his Link and Companion. "Shall we?"
AN: Finally done writing this monster of a chapter! It's the largest I've written thus far between OUAL and TB. But I'm glad to finally start exploring who Libby is and how she changes things as a Time Lady. I have so many plans in place for her and the Doctor, most of which I will not reveal now.
What I can say, there's only going to be angst when it's absolutely needed. I'm going to be shooting more for the fluffy side of things because it's just too cute. Please do let me know what you think of things so far in a review in terms of story. I am trying so hard to put my own spin on things, especially on some common ideas that seem to pop up in many fan fiction I've read over the years.
Anyways, the next chapter is going to be a minisode of sorts. Much like the chapter Calm Before A Storm in TB. I want to have a chance for Libby to interact with Rose, the Doctor and the TARDIS before we jump into the first episode of Series Two.
See you next time in… Reconnecting!