Verosika moves around the hotel room, packing her belongings into her suitcase. She was currently wearing her black and white mini dress with black thigh-highs and white opera gloves.
She's humming to herself quietly as she works, the tune a soothing melody that fills the room. Despite the events of the previous night, there's a sense of calmness to her movements, of normality. With each item she packs away, Verosika can almost feel a weight lifting off her. The tension of the previous night fading as relief and excitement washes over her instead.
She glances over at the bed, a soft smile playing at her lips as she watches the Doctor, sound asleep on top the sheets, his messy brown hair sticking up in all directions. He had only fallen asleep only a few minutes ago, having stayed up all night helping Lyra and her sisters get settled in the Tardis.
Verosika can't help but find his current appearance endearing. His tousled hair, the way his expression relaxes in slumber, the gentle rise and fall of his chest with each breath. By now It's a somewhat familiar sight, yet still makes her heart palpitate. Softly, she continues to pack away her things.She's nearly done when the Doctor stirs on the bed. It's a subtle movement at first, but then his eyes slowly open, and he glances around blearily before settling on Verosika.
"So, how was your power nap" Verosika says, a hint of amusement in her voice.
The Doctor groans, stretching his limbs and letting out a yawn before responding. "Very nice, thank you" he says, sitting up and rubbing his eyes, "For a Time Lord, even a few minutes can make a world of difference" He looks almost comical with his hair messier than normal, the effect only enhanced by the fact that he's still in his tuxedo from last night.
"Uh-huh" Verosika responds with a smirk, clearly enjoying the view. She finishes packing the last of her things before closing the suitcase and moving it onto the floor. She then sits down on the bed next to the Time Lord, her teasing tone still evident in her voice as she continues. "You know," her hand reaches out to run through the Doctor's tousled hair, "most people don't look particularly good with messy hair in the morning, but somehow you manage to pull it off"
He grins, leaning into her touch as her hand continues to run through his hair.
"It's a skill, really," he responds jokingly, "Takes years of practice to perfect the 'just-woke-up' look"
Verosika laughs, amused by the Time Lord's playful response. "Well, you've certainly mastered it" she says, her hand moving down to cup his face, her thumb gently brushing along his cheekbone. The Doctor's expression softens as he looks at her, his grin shifting into a fond smile.
"You know, you're pretty adorable when you're not in your angry hero mode" she teases, her thumb tracing along his jawline.
The Doctor chuckles, "Oh, is that so?" he replies, his voice laced with pseudo offense. "And here I thought I was always devastatingly handsome and charming, regardless of mood"
Verosika rolls her eyes at his response, but her smile widens. "Devastatingly handsome, yes, charming, most of the time. The whole 'saving the day' thing is hot. But this..." she says, poking him lightly in the side, gesturing to his current disheveled state, "This is cute"
The Doctor mock pouts for a moment before relenting, "Fine, you've got me" he admits, his smile returning "I suppose even a centuries-old Time Lord can be considered adorable on occasion"
"Damn right you are." Verosika replies with a grin, her hand moving from his cheek to ruffle his hair once more.
"But seriously," she says after a moment, her tone more sincere. "I know you feel like you need to constantly save the day and solve other people's problems. It's who you are. But you don't have to be that way with me. I like this version of you too, you know"
The Doctor's expression softens again, the playful pretense dropping for a moment. "Thank you," he says quietly, sincerely. "Sometimes, I even need a reminder that it's okay to just... be."
She leans in closer to him, her hand moving to rest on his shoulder. "You don't always have to be the hero... You could just be the cute guy I'm dating" she says, her voice low and soft. "Lets just take it easy today, no time travel, no visiting mysteriously abandoned space stations, just the two of us seeing where the day takes us"
The Doctor nods, appreciating her words. "That does sound rather nice," he agreed. "No grand adventures, just you and me... and maybe a little bit of flirting".
A smirk forms on Verosika's lips. "Just a little bit?" she teases, her voice taking on a seductive edge as her hand moves to playfully tug on the Doctor's undone bow tie, pulling him closer to her.
The Doctor's smirk mirrors hers as he allows himself to be pulled towards her. "Well, maybe more than just a little bit," he retorts, his hands finding their way to her hips.
"That's more like it" she teases, her fingers now toying with his tie, slipping it off before moving to the buttons on his shirt."You know, you look good in a tux, but you would look even better without it" she murmurs, her eyes flickering down to the newly exposed skin of his collar bone.
The Doctor can't help the shiver that runs through him at her words, his own hands tightening on her hips. "Is that so?" he responds, his voice lower now, "And why don't you do something about it then?" As Verosika goes to open her mouth to respond, a knock on the bedroom door distracts them both from their foreplay. "Perfect fucking timing" she mutters, her hands dropping away from the Doctor with a frustrated sigh. "Just a second!" she calls out, her attention now diverted to the door.
The Doctor, meanwhile, can't help but chuckle at Verosika's annoyance. He watches as she stands up from the bed, grabbing her suitcase in the process. His eyes took in the sight of her Junoesque body, enjoying the natural grace she possessed.
"I swear, the universe has it out for me sometimes," Verosika groans as she grabs her pink faux fur coat from a chair placed near the rooms window, sliding it on over her dress.
"Or it just has a sense of humor," the Doctor muses, standing up himself. He runs his hands through his hair again, attempting to fix the untamed strands somewhat, before walking over to her.
"You look stunning, by the way," he says, eyes flickering over her form. He reaches out with her choker in hand, clipping it on for her, his fingers brushing over her skin.
Verosika's annoyance vanishes at the compliment, tilting her head up slightly to allow him better access to her neck. The choker clicks into place, the soft leather cool against her skin. She looks up at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "I know" she responds, her voice softer than before.
"But I appreciate the reminder," she adds, her hand finding its way to the lapel of his tuxedo, adjusting it. "As much as I'd love to keep listening to you compliment me, we really shouldn't keep Vortex waiting to long." Picking up her luggage and slinging it over her shoulder. She walks towards the door but pauses just before opening it, turning to look back at him. "Oh, and for the record," she adds, a grin on her face, "We are absolutely continuing this later"
He can't help the grin that spreads across his face at her words. "I'm counting on it." As they both head out to meet Vortex, the Doctor can't help but look forward to what the day ahead will bring them.
Vortex was sitting on a couch placed in front of main rooms tv. His attention was divided between the news broadcast playing on the television and his phone. "What exactly happened last night? Every source is telling a different story" He asked while not breaking eye contact with an article he was reading.
Verosika enters the room with the Doctor following behind her, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "It's a long story," she responds, setting down her luggage by the door before plopping down on the couch. "Vox's new toys turned out to be the product of some alien cyborg thing called the Cyber-controller. In the end, the Doctor managed to stop him from converting everyone in the building into lifeless machines and made the Vee's look sad in the process"
Vortex whistles, both impressed and intrigued. "Damn, really?" he says, finally looking up from his phone. "Who'd think a skinny guy in a suit would be able to outdo some of the most powerful overlords in Hell. He really lives up to what your friends have been telling me"
Verosika rolls her eyes, elbowing him playfully in the side. "Watch it," she says, her tone lighthearted. "Don't start talking about him like he's some kind of mythical hero. He might start getting a bigger ego than he already has"
The Doctor laughs at the non harmful jab as he walks out of the Tardis, now dressed in his normal attire. "Hey, I could still hear you, you know," he informs her as he goes to make himself a cup of tea.
Verosika glances over at him before sticking her tongue out at him. Vortex, on the other hand, smirks. "Well, is what she's saying wrong?" he asks, his voice tinged with teasing.
"You both are so mean to me," the Doctor replies, though there's no real hurt behind his words. He continues preparing his tea, adding sugar and a splash of milk into the mug. "It's a wonder why I put up with any of you down here."
"We both know you secretly enjoy the attention," Verosika replies, leaning back against the couch as she looks at him with a smirk. "So stop pretending otherwise"
Moving to stand before the couch with his tea in hand, he questions. "Speaking of attention; what are people saying about me?"
Vortex sets his phone to the side and sits up straight, his gaze on the Doctor. "It's all over the place. Some say you're an up and coming Overlord who planned the whole thing as a publicity scheme. Others are saying you're some kind of rogue angel going around saving the day."
Verosika laughs as he said the last part "Wait, people are really speculating he's some kind of... heavenly chosen one? Seriously?" she asks, clearly finding the idea entertaining.
"It's a bit out there," Vortex agrees, a slight chuckle in his voice. "But everyone is trying to understand why anyone put themselves in danger for no obvious gain"
The Doctor hums softly as he takes a sip of his tea. "And here I thought I was just being a decent person" he responds, a lighthearted tone to his words.
"In Hell, kindness is a concept as alien as you are" Vortex said blatantly. Verosika glances up at the Doctor, her elbow resting on one of the couch pillows. "He's not wrong," she adds, "Doing something good around here without an ulterior motive is seen as weird and suspicious"
The Doctor takes another sip of his tea, seemingly unfazed by the duo's words. "Well they are just going to have to get used to it" He says taking another longer sip of tea. A buzz from his phone draws Vortex's attention.
"So I'm guessing you two met Loona? Because she just updated her Sinstagram with a photo she snapped of the two of you on Earth with the caption; Knew him before he was famous"
Verosika glances up, intrigued by the mention of Blitzø's adopted daughter. "She took a picture of us?" she asks, both curious and mildly amused. "Can I see?"
Vortex turns his phone screen towards them, showing the image Loona captured. It was taken when they were talking to Moxxie and Millie after the Doctor got Blitzø to back down.
Verosika lets out a low whistle as she looks at the photo. "She is sneaky, isn't she?" she remarks, impressed by Loona's ability to snap a picture without them noticing. The Doctor peers over at the screen as well, studying the image closely.
"Good timing too," the Doctor comments admiring the photo. "She managed to get a shot of my good side" he comments, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Verosika gives him a amused side eye. "You have a good side?" she teases, a smirk on her face. "I must have missed it"
"Very funny," he responds dryly, though he can't help the smile forming on his lips. "You of all people should appreciate my good side, considering how much you like to kiss it"
"That's not the only place I like to-" Verosika starts, a sly smile on her face, but before she can finish Vortex lets out a groan, cutting her off. "Please, for the love of Satan, don't continue that sentence. It's to early in the morning for me to deal with this"
Verosika lets out a laugh, clearly enjoying the unintended effect of her teasing. The Doctor chuckled himself, "Don't worry," he says, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "We won't traumatize you any further"
Vortex shoots the Doctor a grateful look, clearly not wanting to hear any explicit details of their relationship. Verosika, on the other hand, looks somewhat disappointed at the Doctor's comment. "Where's the fun in that?" she asks, a pout forming on her lips.
"Well, we can't give you everything you want," he replies, taking a sip of his tea. He glances at the time on his phone and sets the now empty cup down on the coffee table. "Besides, we should get going if we want to get to your apartment before lunch."
"Yeah, you're right" Verosika concedes with a sigh, reluctantly pulling herself away from the comfort of the couch. She stands up, grabbing her suitcase. Vortex stands up as well, stretching his arms above his head.
"Ready then?" The Doctor asks, checking to make sure he has everything necessary. His hand slips into his jacket pocket, his fingers brushing against his sonic screwdriver, making sure it's there.
Verosika nods, dragging her suitcase behind her as she is already making her way to the door.
The Doctor follows the pair, grabbing his coat off a nearby rack. He slings it over his shoulders, adjusting the collar before opening the door for Verosika and Vortex. "After you," he says, gesturing for them to precede him out into the hallway.
Verosika sends him a coy smile as she passes, "What a gentleman" she says with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. Vortex, on the other hand, shoots the Doctor a nod of acknowledgement as he steps through the door.
The Doctor grins at Verosika's remark, feigning offense. "I'll have you know I can be a perfect gentleman," he responds, half serious and half teasing. He follows after them both, closing the door behind him.
The news of what had happened the night prior spread like wildfire with the mystery of the well dressed savior being at the center of it all; theories and speculation overtook the internet as sinners shared stories claiming to have met the Doctor on Earth when they were alive, some even saying he wore a different face. For a select few individuals, the knowledge of the Doctor's appearance in Hell has changed their day, for better or for worse.
After a long drive through the streets of Lust, the Doctor, Verosika, and Vortex arrive at Verosika's apartment building. It's a modern high-rise structure that towers above the other buildings nearby, its sleek design and fancy architecture making it look like a beacon of high-end luxury. Once the car was parked Verosika was the first one out, grabbing her suitcase from the back of the car.
"And here we are," she says, gesturing to the building with a flourish of her hand. "Home sweet home" she adds with a slight hint of sarcasm in her tone. The Doctor looks up at the building, taking in its towering structure.
Vortex steps out of the car, taking a moment to stretch his limbs again. He looks at the building with a sense of familiarity, having seen it many times before.
"You really do live lavishly" the Doctor comments, eyeing the building's extravagance. "Still doesn't hold a candle to the Tardis"
Verosika rolls her eyes at his comment, a smirk on her face. "Oh, of course. Your time machine is the pinnacle of luxury" she replies sarcastically. "That old box could do with some remodeling"
The Doctor whilst mostly feigning offense, he was slightly hurt by the comment, a hand placed over his heart. "Excuse me, that 'old box' as you put it is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship" he retorts, a hint of outrage in his voice. "She's perfect just the way she is"
Verosika laughs at his dramatic reaction, enjoying the reaction. "If by perfect, you mean drab and noisy, then sure" she teases, a wicked grin on her face.
"Noisy?" the Doctor exclaims dramatically. "That's just her engines, purring like a well-oiled machine."
"They sound like a dying lawn mower if you ask me. And that console room could really use a good cleanup. It's like a junk drawer exploded in there." Verosika says with a grin as she walks to the apartment lobby.
"Well if she starts giving you attitude, don't come crawling to me for help, you're on your own" He tells her as he follows her lead.
Verosika laughs. "Please, I can handle a little ship sass" she replies as she walks past the front desk, towards the elevators.
The Doctor follows just a step behind her, amused by her confidence. Vortex is walking quietly, not saying a word as he follows the two towards the elevator. Once inside, Verosika pressed the button for the twentieth floor.
The elevator begins its smooth ascent up towards the apartment, the only sound breaking the silence is the soft hum of elevator music. The Doctor leaned against the wall of the elevator with his hands in his coat pockets. His gaze flickered between his current friends, Vortex standing nearby, his arms crossed and a rather impassive expression on his face. Verosika, on the other hand, is leaning against the opposite wall, looking lost in thought as the elevator climbs higher and higher.
"I'm assuming being a pop star pays well down here?" Doctor asked suddenly, breaking the silence. He's genuinely curious, the penthouse being among some of the highest luxury he's seen so far in Hell.
"You have no idea," Verosika replies with a smirk. "It's more than just singing, you know. There's concerts, endorsement deals, merchandise. It all adds up"
The Doctor nods, impressed, as the elevator doors open with a soft chime. They step out into a lavish hallway, the walls lined with tasteful artwork. Verosika leads the way to a set of double doors, unlocking them with a key from her pocket.
The doors swing open, revealing the main living area of the penthouse apartment. It's spacious and tastefully furnished with music themed decorations, the furniture and decor exuding an air of comfort and style while fitting with Verosika's line of work. There's a large, circular and very comfortable looking couch placed in the middle of the living room, with a large flat-screen TV on the wall facing it. A pair of French doors lead out to a balcony, which presumably provide an incredible view of the city below.
To Verosika's horror however. Sat on her couch was her parents, eyes glued to the tv as a list of all those who had been affected by the events of last night scrolls past. Verosika froze at the sight, horror and surprise written all over her face. The Doctor, who had been following closely behind her, nearly bumped into her as she stopped abruptly. He was about to ask what was wrong when they were noticed by her parents.
Verosika's mother, a petite woman with sharp features, turned to see who had walked in. Her eyes widened slightly as she saw Verosika, relief washing over her face. "Verosika" she gasped, jumping up from the couch. Her father followed suit, a similar expression of relief on his face.
"Oh, thank God you're alright," her mother said with a clear Hispanic accent as she pulled her daughter into a tight hug. Verosika stiffened at the unexpected embrace, caught off guard by her mother's display of affection and the unexpected visit.
Her father joined the hug, wrapping his arms around both of them. "We were worried sick when we heard what happened," he said, concern written all over his face. His voice however lacked the accent her mother had, "We were watching the news and they said..." He trailed off, unable to complete the sentence.
Verosika didn't know what to say, her usual cool demeanor slipping slightly as she was unexpectedly confronted with her parents concern and affection. She pulled away from the hug, clearing her throat. "I'm fine," she reassured them, her voice coming out a little more defensive than she intended. "A few cuts and bruises but I'll live."
Her mother, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, immediately began to fuss over her, checking her over for any signs of injury. "Are you sure? Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need to see a doctor?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
"I'm fine, mom," Verosika protested, trying to reassure her. She pushed her mother's hand away gently, not wanting to be fussed over. "I told you, I'm fine. Just a few scratches, nothing major" she repeated, a hint of annoyance creeping into her tone.
Her father stepped in, trying to mediate. "We're just worried about you. We saw what happened on the news... It looked terrifying."
Verosika took a deep breath, trying to rein in her annoyance. She knew her parents were only worried about her, but their fussing was grating on her nerves. "I know it looked bad, and it was, don't get me wrong" she said, her tone slightly strained. "But I'm okay, I promise. I probably was safer than almost anyone else at that event"
Her mother didn't seem to listen, still visibly worried, "But you could have been hurt! Or worse! If those things had gotten to you..." she trailed off, the thought alone terrifying her.
Verosika's father placed a comforting hand on her mother's shoulder, attempting to soothe her. "It's okay, she's safe" he said, trying to reassure her, before turning his attention to Verosika once more. "What all happened? Was it true what they're saying? About those creatures? And what about that man everyone's been talking about?"
"Well, why don't you ask him yourself?" She gestured to the Doctor, who stood behind her watching the whole exchange while he went unnoticed until now. Verosika's parents turned to look at him. They had been so focused on their daughter that they hadn't even noticed his presence until he was pointed out.
Her mother looked him up and down, her eyes going wide as she took in his appearance. Her father, on the other hand, was staring at him with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Neither of them spoke for a few moments, taking in the sight of the tall, well-dressed man standing in their daughter's living room.
Giving them a little wave, he greets the couple. "Name's the Doctor, and yes I am the man who saved everyone yesterday"
Verosika's mother was dumbfounded, her eyes wide as she looked him over. Her father, on the other hand, seemed more reserved, his eyes narrowing as he studied the Doctor. "Is that so?" he said, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism.
Verosika glanced at her parents, feeling a bit on edge. She could sense the tension in the air, the undercurrent of suspicion in her parents attitude. "It's true," she interjected, trying to diffuse the situation. "The Doctor's is the only reason anyone can walk away from Vee tower alive right now"
Her mother's expression softened slightly upon hearing Verosika's confirmation, but her father still seemed wary. "I see," he said slowly, his eyes flickering between the Doctor and his daughter. "Well, we're grateful for what you did."
Verosika, seeing the tension between her parents and the Doctor, decided to add one final piece of information that she had left out thus far. "If this helps you at all," she said casually, watching her parents' reactions closely. "We are currently together"
Her mother's eyes widened again, the news completely taking her by surprise. Her father, on the other hand, simply raised an eyebrow, looking back and forth between Verosika and the Doctor. "Together as in...?" her mother asked, her voice trailing off as she gestured vaguely with her hand.
"As in I finally put myself back out there, yes" Verosika confirmed, shooting a quick look at the Doctor before turning her attention back to her parents.
Her father was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Her mother, however, was looking at the Doctor with something akin to wonder, her eyes sparkling as she took in the news. "So you're the one who finally captured the heart of mi hija?" her mother asked, a playful note in her voice.
The Doctor chuckled lightly, shooting a smile at Verosika before answering her mother. "Something like that, yes," he replied, his tone warm and friendly. "Though I wouldn't say I captured her heart. She's too strong-willed for that"
Her father rolled his eyes, a small smirk on his lips. "That's putting it lightly" he muttered under his breath. Her mother, meanwhile, seemed to soften further, a small smile playing on her lips. "He has a sense of humor, that's a good sign" she remarked to her husband, just loud enough for the Doctor to hear.
Verosika, feeling both relieved and amused by the conversation, tried to suppress a small laugh. She was glad to see her parents seemingly beginning to accept the Doctor, but at the same time was still displeased by the unplanned visit.
"How about we get to know each other better over lunch, that always seems to put people at ease!" The Doctor suggested while walking over to where he assumed the kitchen to be.
Verosika's parents exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. Her father spoke up, a hint of warmth in his voice. "Lunch sounds great," he said. Her mother chimed in, still looking very much excited at the new development. "Yes, I'll go help you" she said, beginning to follow the Doctor towards the kitchen.
Verosika and her father are left by themselves as the Doctor and her mother disappear into the kitchen, Vortex hadalreadygone and reclined on the couch to continue watching the theories surrounding the events of last night.
Verosika's father watched the Doctor and her mother disappear into the kitchen, he then turned his attention to Verosika. His eyes scanned over her, as if checking for anything unusual. "So, this is quite the development," he commented after a moment, his tone a mix of surprise and caution.
Verosika raised an eyebrow slightly in response. "What, me being in a relationship?" she asked, a hint of challenge in her voice.
Her father shook his head, a small smile appearing on his lips. "No, not that," he said. "Although that is a surprise in itself. I'm just... having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that you've dating the man who saved everyone last night, and he's currently in your kitchen, making lunch with your mom. Not something I thought I'd be saying anytime soon"
Verosika chuckled softly, realizing the absurdity of the situation. "I hadn't planned on it either," she admitted. "But there's just... something about him. I can't quite explain it, but he's different from anyone I've ever met."
Her father hummed in thought, considering her words. "Different how?" he inquired, genuinely curious.
Verosika struggled to find the right words. "He's... older, for starters," she was struggling to decide whether it was a better idea to pretend he was an incubus or justout righttell her father about his alien origins.
Her father quirked an eyebrow at that. "Older, you say?" he repeated, a hint of concern in his voice. "How much older are we talking here? He looks pretty young to me"
Verosika paused, not sure how to answer. She knew the Doctor looked younger than his true age, but he was far older than even most of the Overlords in pride. "It's... complicated" she finally said, knowing that was a poor explanation but having nothing better at the moment.
Her father's concern only seemed to grow, his brow creasing. "Complicated how?" he pressed. "Just how old is this man, Verosika?"
Verosika sighed, realizing that she couldn't exactly hide the truth. "Okay, I'll tell you," she said, meeting her father's gaze. "Just... promise you'll try to keep an open mind, alright? Because what I'm about to tell you might sound a bit... crazy"
Her father looked at her warily, his expression tense. "Alright," he said slowly, "go ahead. I'll try my best"
Verosika took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "The Doctor... he's not from Hell," she began, her voice quiet but serious. "He's an alien from a planet called Gallifrey"
Her father laughed, a disbelieving chuckle escaping his lips. "Good one, Vee," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "You almost had me there for a second"
Verosika's expression hardened slightly. "I'm being serious, dad," she said firmly. "He's an alien from a planet called Gallifrey, a Time Lord to be more specific. He's over two thousand years old"
Her father's laughter faded as he realized she was serious. His expression shifted from amusement to skepticism, his brow furrowing. "You... you're serious?" he said, his mind obviously having trouble processing this new information. "Have you been drinking again?"
Verosika rolled her eyes. "I'm quite sober right now, thank you," she retorted, a touch of annoyance in her voice. "I know it sounds insane, but it's the truth. He's shown me things we cmyou couldn't even imagine dad"
Her father ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of what she was telling him. "And you're telling me this man, an alien older than Rome lasted, who just saved three Overlords and a whole bunch of people last night, is currently in your kitchen making lunch with your mother?"
"Yep, that basically sums it up," Verosika confirmed, a small smirk tugging at her lips despite the gravity of the conversation.
Her father's expression was a mixture of disbelief and wonder. "This is... a lot to take in" he finally said, shaking his head slightly. "An alien. An actual alien. And you're... dating him"
Verosika nodded, her smirk turning into a slight smile. "Crazy, right?" she said, her tone laced with a hint of humor. "But it's the truth. He's different, dad. And I don't just mean because he's an alien. He's kind, brave, and incredibly smart. She trailed off, a smile spreading across her face as she thought about the Doctor. "And he just... understands me in a way no one else has before"
Her father's expression softened as he saw the genuine happiness on her face. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his tone softer now. "And you trust him? Completely?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"More than I trust myself sometimes," Verosika replied without hesitation. "He genuinely cares and wants to help people, even those who are being shitty to him. He's proven himself time and time again. I know you're concerned, but honestly, I've never felt safer or more carefree than when I'm with the Doctor"
Her father studied her for a moment, searching her face for any hint of doubt or deception. Finding none, he finally nodded, accepting her words. "I guess if nothing else, he is off to a better start than that Imp you were dating for a while" He concluded with a touch of humor hoping to lighten the mood.
Verosika chuckled at her father's attempt, a wry smile on her face. "Yeah, definitely a step up from that trainwreck," she agreed, a hint of relief in her voice at her fathers acceptance of the situation. He was about to ask another question when he was interrupted by Verosika's mom exiting the kitchen looking slightly frustrated.
Verosika and her dad turned their attention to her mother, who looked like she'd been through a minor trial in the kitchen. "Everything okay there?" Verosika inquired, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Eres terrible manteniendo tu cocina abastecida, there is almost nothing usable in there!" She sounded slightly offended at Verosika's lack of a need to use the Kitchen for anything more than the fridge.
Verosika snickered slightly, an amused smile on her face. "Yeah, I'm not exactly the biggest fan of cooking," she admitted. "I normally just order takeout or grab something quick when I'm hungry mamá"
Her mother rolled her eyes, clearly not impressed with Verosika's culinary habits. "Bueno, eso es obvio," she replied, a hint of disapproval in her voice. "How do you expect to sustain yourself on a diet like that? I swear, with the lack of proper nutrition you consume it's a miracle you're still alive" she commented with a hint of maternal disapproval.
Verosika huffed slightly but smiled affectionately at her mother. "So I'm guessing you have a shopping list?"
"We can't make due with what little is in there, so why don't you and your father go out and buy the stuff on this list" she instructed, handing over a piece of paper that presumably had the shopping list on it to Verosika.
Verosika took the list and glanced over it, her eyes scanning the items her mother had written down. She let out a small sigh but nodded nonetheless. "Alright, we can go get this real quick," she said with a hint of resignation, as if she knew there was no arguing with her mother when it came to this.
Turning to her father, she gestured towards the door. "Come on, let's go before she decides to add more to it" she said, her voice laced with a hint of humor. "Vortex, you're coming with"
Vortex, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, looked up at the mention of his name. "Yeah, yeah, give me a second," he replied, pushing himself up off the couch and stretching.
Verosika chuckled at Vortex's response. "Thank you for being so enthusiastic about it," she said sarcastically, a smirk on her face. "Not like your getting paid to do it or anything"
"I guess I signed up for as much when I took the job," he said following Verosika and her father as they headed for the front door.
Verosika glanced back at her mother with a wry smile. "We'll be back soon," she promised, opening the door and stepping outside. Her father and Vortex followed suit, all of them heading off to the nearest grocery store
Verosika, her father, and Vortex stood within the aisles of the supermarket, eyeing the various items. The long list her mother had given her seemed endless with countless ingredients and utensils. Shesighed, holding up the paper. "There is no way they need all this? It's only lunch" she muttered, her eyes scanning over the list.
Her father chuckled at her comment, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I think she's also trying to stock your pantry" Vortex looked over the list, his eyes widening at the length of it. "Damn, that is a lot of stuff" he remarked, his tone a cross between impressed and slightly intimidated.
Verosika groaned in slight annoyance, but there was an indulgent smile on her face as well. "Of course she is," she said, shaking her head. "She's determined to keep me from living on takeout and instant noodles"
Her father chuckled again. "Can't blame her for wanting to make sure you're eating well," he said, taking the list from Verosika's hand and looking over it himself. "Though I don't know if this is all necessary" he added, sounding slightly defeated as he looked at how long the list was.
Vortex took it from her father's hand and took another glance at it as well. "This is longer than some shopping lists for bee's parties," he commented, sounding a bit impressed.
Verosika laughed softly. "She probably added extra because I have the Doctor with me now"
"Yeah, probably," her father agreed, looking around the supermarket. "Well, let's get started. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get back home"
Verosika nodded in agreement, and the three of them started making their way around the supermarket and filling their cart. They grabbed various ingredients and supplies, the list slowly shrinking as they collected the items on it. Despite Verosika's initial reluctance, she had to admit that it was kind of nice to do mundane errands like this once in a while.
They navigated their way through the bustling aisles, pushing the now filled shopping cart as they collected each item on the list. Verosika couldn't help but snicker softly to herself, thinking about how her younger self would have internally thrown a fit at being dragged along to the supermarket. But now, as an adult, she found some charm in just doing something so normal and everyday.
They continued their shopping, crossing off item after item on the list, the task taking longer than they had anticipated. At one point, they lost the list, which led to a few minutes of searching before her father found it. Once the final item had been grabbed, they made their way to the checkout, nearing the end their little outing.
As they waited in line to pay, Verosika started to feel a bit restless. She glanced over at the nearby magazine rack, her curiosity piqued by some of the trashy gossip magazines. specifically the ones displaying photos of her and the Doctor together at Vox's party last night before everything went down.
She reached out and picked up one of the magazines, flipping through the pages to see more of the photos. A smirk grew on her face as she saw pictures of her and the Doctor in various moments from the party ranging from when they first got there to the verbal fight with Valentino. "How did they get something out this fast?" she mumbled to herself.
Her father, noticing her distraction, looked over at the magazine in her hand. "I swear those tabloid people work faster and faster every day" He wanted to ask his daughter about what all happened. However, he was interrupted by the sound of someone yelling at the entrance of the store. The three of them looked to see what the commotion was about, only to be greeted with the sight of one of the shark like demons she could never remember the name of in nearly all black walking into the store with a gun in hand aiming it at the employees. "No one has to get hurt as long as you empty the registers!"
Verosika, her father, and Vortex all tensed up at the sight of the gunman, their expressions turning from intrigue to caution. Her father moved instinctively to shield his daughter with his body but somewhat to his dismay, Vortex had already done so seeing as it was his job.
The clearly overworked teenager who was working the register they were at was the first to respond to the robber. "Alright, alright!" the teen said, their hands raised in the air to show his surrender. "Just don't shoot! We'll give you the money, just don't hurt anyone!"
The man with the gun nodded, seemingly satisfied with the compliance. "That's all I want, just the money. Hurry up, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be," he growled, his eyes sweeping over the other people in the store with an inebriated glare. It didn't take a genius to figure out that this man was a druggie looking for the money for his next hit.
The man's attention was solely focused on the poor teen, a fact which was made evident when he turned his back to Vortex, giving him a clear and easy take down of the man.
Seeing the opportunity, his eyes immediately went to Verosika's face, silently asking permission. She tensed slightly, her heart in her throat, but she nodded, giving the wordless go ahead.
He raised his now balled fist and with little effort, gave the man a swift but strong smack to the head, his now unconscious body slumping to the floor.
The sound of the man's body hitting the floor echoed through the store, causing the tension in the air to instantly vanish. Everyone, including the terrified clerk, let out a collective sigh of relief. Some of the other customers started to slowly come out from the things they had jumped behind when the gunman had made himself known.
Verosika let out a shaky breath, her heart still racing from the sudden adrenaline rush. Her father looked a bit shocked, but immensely relieved that the danger was over. The same could be said for the clerk who looked on the brink of tears as they tried to process the event they had just gone through. Vortex, for his part, seemed mostly unruffled by the situation as he took the man's gun away in case he woke up.
But one little thing itched at the back or Verosika's mind, some small detail went unnoticed by everyone else in the store. She tried to ignore it but a feeling deep down like a voice told her to pay attention.
"Fucker locked the doors when he came in" Someone exclaimed at the inconvenience. But Verosika paid them no mind as she closed her eyes and listened. It was faint but she could hear something, a tick tick tick like a clock. The realization came upon her suddenly, quickly she ran up to the would-be robber, flipping over his disheveled form, his black coat flopping to the side to reveal a bomb he had strapped to his chest. Only three minutes remain on the clock.
Her heart stopped at the sight. "Oh fu-" she uttered under her breath, her eyes widening as she immediately stood back up and turned to Vortex and her father, not wanting to immediately cause another panic.
"We have a bit of a problem" she said urgently, trying to keep her voice from shaking. Vortex's and her father's expression changed into one of dread as their eyes locked on the device strapped to the man. "The doors are locked and there is only three minutes left on the timer," she continued.
There was a moment of stunned silence as the full weight of the situation hit them. Vortex cursed silently under his breath and her father's face had gone sheet white. "How the hell are we supposed to get out if the doors are locked?!" he exclaimed, panic clearly setting in. Turning to the teenage employee she asked. "Is there some kind of back door everyone can use to leave?"
"Emergency exits and back doors were not in the budget when this place was built, the front door is the only way in or out" He told her, still ignorant to the literal ticking time bomb mere feet from him.
The sense of dread increased further at the employee's words. "You've got to be kidding me" Verosika said in disbelief, desperately racking her brain for some kind of answer to get them all out of the building alive.
Her fathers panicked voice spoke up again. "What the hell are we supposed to do then? Are we just supposed to just sit here and wait for that thing to blow?!"
"We need to stay calm" Vortex interjected, a level of professionalism taking over his voice but his own tension bleeding through. "Panic isn't going to get us anywhere"
"How can we stay calm when the whole goddamn place is going to go up in flames any minute?!" Her father exclaimed, looking increasingly frantic.
To Verosika's dismay, her attempts to keep the teen in the dark were thwarted by her father. Leaving the adolescent bawling his eyes out as he realized the impending doom.
Verosika cursed under her breath, watching the teen have a panic attack. Her fathers reaction to the situation was understandable but was also making the entire thing worse. Vortex did his best to try and calm the teen, awkwardly patting his shoulder in what was a vain attempt at comfort.
Verosika rubbed one of her temples, the beginning of a headache slowly forming. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind and focus on the problem at hand, "I wish the Doctor were here right now" she mumbled to herself.
The thought of the Doctor at this moment seemed to trigger her brain, he could help them, and she sure as hell wasn't going to sit by and wait for death when she had a alien genius on speed dial. Reaching into her pocket, she took out her cell and quickly opened her contacts list, quickly scrolling down through the names until she found the Doctor's and immediately pressed the call button. The phone started to ring, each passing tone making her heart pound more and more in her chest. "You better fucking answer this time"
After a painful few seconds of ringing the call was picked up and the familiar sound of the Doctor's voice came through the receiver. "Hey! How's the shopping trip going?" he greeted casually, oblivious to what was unfolding on the other end.
The sound of the Doctor's cheerful voice was at some points a welcome relief and at others aggravating. "Doctor! Thank Satan, I'm so glad you picked up" Verosika said in a rush, her own tone bordering on panicked. "Listen, I need your help, it's really important."
The Doctor's attitude immediately became more serious. He could tell by her tone that something was wrong. "What is it? What's happening?" he inquired, dropping the lighthearted demeanor.
There was a slight pause on her end of the line, like she suddenly wasn't sure where to start or how to explain what was going on. "We're stuck in the supermarket," she said, choosing her words carefully, not wanting to waste time and get straight to the point. "With locked doors, and a bomb that's gonna blow in two minutes and ten seconds"
There was a beat of silence on the other end of the line as the Doctor processed this information. Verosika waited anxiously for his response, her heart still racing in her chest. It seemed like an eternity before he finally spoke again, his voice calm and focused. "What does the bomb look like?" he asked, skipping any unnecessary questions. Verosika was more than slightly confused as to why he wasn't just going to show up in his Tardis and save everyone himself, but she chose to trust he had a good reason.
She took a moment to take in every little detail she could about the improvised explosive. "It's strapped to a guy's chest. It looks like eight sticks of dynamite taped together to a black rectangular box with a digital clock face and wires coming out of it connecting to the dynamite."
"It sounds like it should be safe to take off his chest, can you do that?" He asked over the phone. Verosika glanced back over at the unconscious man and the time bomb that was still strapped to his chest. "I think so," she replied, her voice still shaky but determined.
She quickly made her way over to the bomber, being as careful as she could be, not to accidentally set off the explosive. Her father and Vortex watched with bated breath, both of them silently begging that she does not to make a mistake as she began to carefully untape the makeshift explosive from the man's chest.
Finally, with a final tug, she managed to remove the bomb. She held it gingerly in her hands, her heart still racing as the clock continued to steadily countdown. "I got it" she breathed into the phone.
"Ok, this next part is very important... What does it smell like?"
Despite the situation, shecouldn't help but think it was a little odd. Why would he care what the bomb smelled like? She gave a look to Vortex and her father both of which were giving her a similarly confused look.
Verosika was caught off guard by the question, but she obeyed without question. Holding the bomb up to her face, she leaned in and sniffed it, trying but failing to not make a face in response. "It smells like... almonds." she answered after a second.
The Doctor's voice came through the phone again after a brief moment of him processing this information. "Almonds, that's perfect" he said, sounding vaguely pleased, his voice almost sounding like he was smiling.
Verosika's brain was struggling to connect the dots. "I'm sorry, but how is the smell of almonds a good thing?" She asked dumbfounded, still holding the bomb carefully in her hands.
"That narrows the amount of possible triggers by a good margin-" Before he could continue the voice of her mother came through the phone. "Is everything okay?" The question was clearly directed at the Doctor. "Oh yeah everything is fine, I'm just guiding them though how to use a self checkout" He reassured her mom.
Turning his attention back to his phone he continues. "Tell me what you see on the box other than the timer"
Verosika was momentarily distracted by the exchange between the Doctor and her mother, but she quickly snapped back to the task at hand. "Um..." She glanced down at the box of the bomb, taking in the few details that were there. "There's a small button with a red light on it... It's the only thing on the box besides the clock face."
While she was reporting her observations, her father and Vortex watched nervously, awaiting the Doctor's next instructions. They were completely out of their element and desperately relying on the Time Lords knowledge to get them out of this mess.
The Doctor's voice came back through the speaker, carrying the faint sound of her mom's voice in the background saying something about not taking too long. "Ok, I need you to press the button firmly once with your thumb and keep your hand on it."
Verosika could feel her heart in her throat as she slowly brought her thumb down onto the button, the red light flashing brighter as she pressed it. A jolt of anxiety shot through her as the bomb let out a faint high pitched beeping sound, different from the one she heard when it was counting down. She could feel her hand shaking as it rested on the button, waiting for his next command.
Vortex's jaw was clenched and her dad looked like he was trying to hold down his breakfast from making a return appearance.
"Did the timer stop?" The Doctor asked.
Verosika's eyes snapped down to the digital clock, which was now showing static, having frozen at "0:45". She let out a breath that seemed to ease the tension in her chest. "Y-Yeah, it stopped" she responded, her voice still shaky.
"That only paused the device. Both of your hands are full so I need someone to carefully take out the wires connecting the box to the sticks" He instructed.
Verosika looked over to her father, who still looked like he was going to throw up at any moment, then over to Vortex. Both of them looked terrified, but Vortex looked slightly more composed, and in general looked like he could handle this better. "You think you can handle this?" Verosika asked him, not daring to take her hand off the button yet.
Vortex nodded, taking a deep breath before approaching the now paused explosive. "Yeah, I can do it." He said, trying to sound calm and confident despite the obvious tension in his voice.
Verosika did her best to move aside and give him enough room to work as he knelt down next to the bomb, taking a moment to mentally prepare himself before he reached forward and gingerly began to undo the electrical wires. His hands were trembling slightly, but he forced them to stay steady as he worked.
The Doctor's voice was reassuring as it came through the receiver. "I'm sure you're doing great. Just slow and steady, one wire at a time"
Vortex nodded, mostly to himself knowing that the Doctor couldn't see him. His heart was beating hard in his chest as his fingers slowly but carefully began to disconnect each wire, wincing whenever he thought he might have pulled too hard.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, all the wires were undone. Vortex slowly stood up and stepped away from the unarmed bomb, relief washing over him as he did so.
Verosika let out a shaky sigh, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. "It's done. All the wires are unplugged" she told the Doctor over the phone, her voice slightly regaining its composure.
A clap of celebration and a laugh came through the phone. "Well done, you two are brilliant! Next time I need a bomb defused I'm calling you two for help"
"Doctor I swear to whatever fucking gods you Time Lords worshiped, if you make me go near another bomb after this whole mess" Verosika responded, clearly not liking the idea of becoming part of a makeshift bomb crew.
Vortex snorted at the Doctor's comment and Verosika's reaction. However, he quickly agreed with Verosika, not wanting to have a repeat of this experience either. "Please don't. I think I've had enough explosive encounters for a lifetime."
The Doctor chuckled on the other end of the line, clearly amused by their reaction. "Understood, no more bomb disposal for you two. But in all seriousness, I'm really proud of the both of you for handling that so well."
Both Verosika and Vortex were pleasantly surprised by the praise coming from the Doctor. Despite the stress and the danger they felt earlier, it was always nice to hear some positive reinforcement, especially from someone like the Doctor. "Thanks," Verosika replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "We couldn't have done it without you."
Vortex nodded in agreement, giving a grateful smile of his own. "Yeah, thanks for guiding us. We would've probably ended up in a million pieces without your help."
"Well I don't know about a million pieces, given your approximate proximity to the bomb as well as the explosive filler used and a rough estimate as to the amount of filler... Ignore that, just get back as soon as possible" He told them before hanging up.
Verosika snorted, despite the seriousness of the situation she couldn't help but find his quirks slightly amusing. After a moment she turned to look at her father who was finally starting to look a bit less pale. "You okay, dad?" she inquired, her voice more like her usual calm and collected self.
Her father let out a shaky breath, running a shaky hand over his face. "I... yeah, I think so... I just need a minute." He glanced down at the dismantled bomb, a mixture of relief and unease on his face. While he tried to calm down, Verosika walked over to the cashier to finish paying so they could finally leave.
After arriving at the apartment and getting the adrenaline out of their systems, the Doctor, Verosika, Vortex, and her parents sat at the table and started eating the closest thing to beef stroganoff given the difference in ingredients that the Doctor and her mother made. The food was delicious despite the improvised changes to the recipe.
Everyone was too hungry and exhausted to say much as they ate, content to just focus on the food in front of them. That is, everyone except Mrs. Mayday couldn't resist the opportunity to share some old stories about Verosika's childhood, much to the latter's chagrin.
"Mom, really?" Verosika protested after nearly choking on her food when her mother began yet another anecdote about her teenage years. She shot her mother a pleading look, silently begging her to stop.
"Oh, come on dear, these stories are adorable," her mother replied with a knowing smile, clearly enjoying herself. Vortex chuckled, thoroughly entertained by Mrs. Mayday's stories, though he quickly shut up when Verosika shot him a glare.
She tried to hide her embarrassment and frustration as her mother continued to recount her stories. Her dad just sat there with a fond and amused smile, occasionally chipping in with his own take on the events. The Doctor just listened, clearly entertained, but wisely stayed silent to avoid getting on Verosika's bad side.
"OH, and there was that one big musical you got to perform in" She said looking at her daughter before turning to the Doctor, "I like to say it's where her music career really began"
Verosika's eyes widened as her mother mention a musical, curiosity and slight dread taking hold of her. It was true that she had participated in several musicals and performances before her start in the music industry, but she couldn't recall a specific one her mother was referring to. "Uhm, which show are you talking about, exactly...?" Verosika asked nervously, trying to mask her unease.
Mrs. Mayday noticed her daughter's nervous expression and chuckled. "Oh, you know, that one. The one where you played that mean girl character, what's her name?... Heather!"
Her heart sank as her mother reminded her of the specific musical. The memories flooded back into her mind, and she couldn't help but cringe internally.
"Well which one... there's three right?" Vortex asked before getting a look from Verosika asking him how he knew what musical her mom was talking about basedon the limited info provided. "What!? Bee sometimes listens to some of the songs" He defended himself.
Verosika's dad chuckled at Vortex's question, finding his knowledge of the musical amusing. "Yeah, there are three Heathers," He said, "Verosika played Heather Chandler."
Verosika let out a soft huff, not particularly happy that her parents were reminiscing about her time playing Heather Chandler, but there were worse performances they could have brought up. "Can't say you don't fit the part." Vortex couldn't resist saying.
Verosika shot him a glare, but it lacked its usual heat. He was right, she had done a good job portraying Heather, a little too good, if she was being honest.
As her parents started reminiscing more about her performance, sharing anecdotes and thoughts with each other and the Doctor, an idea came to the Doctor. leaning into Verosika who was sitting to his right, he whispered. "So tell me. Are you a Heather or a Veronica?"
She glanced sidelong at the Doctor as he leaned in, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm a Verosika" she replied softly, amused by the reference.
"So a little bit of both?" The Doctor teased, returning her smile with one of his own.
Verosika chuckled softly, shaking her head amusedly. "Something like that," she muttered, keeping her voice low so as to not catch the attention of her parents, who were still sharing anecdotes from her performance.
The Doctor chuckled as well, leaning back to continue listening to her parents and occasionally adding a comment of his own. Verosika couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest, appreciating his subtle attempt to tease her and bring some levity to the conversation.
As the conversation continued, Verosika began to feel more at ease discussing her past performances as her parents continued to fondly recount them. Normally, she was hesitant to bring up her time in theater, fearing ridicule or judgement from others, particularly her ex-boyfriends who had often made fun of her for it. However, with the Doctor, there was none of that. He seemed genuinely interested and entertained by her parents stories, even adding a few comments of his own that showed his appreciation for her theater background.
And when he had whispered the Heathers reference in her ears, it felt like a subtle nod of approval and acceptance. It made her feel a little lighter, like she didn't have to hide or be ashamed of that part of her past around him. It was a small moment, but it meant a lot to Verosika, especially coming from someone as brilliant and unique as the Doctor.
After reminiscing and talking for several hours, her parents eventually bid everyone farewell in the hallway outside her apartment. Verosika gave them both a hug, grateful for their company, both today and in her childhood. Vortex quickly said his goodbyes as well before heading out along with her parents. Verosika let out a sigh as she closed the door behind them, leaning against it.
The apartment was quiet and empty now, and she relished the solitude for a moment. She glanced over at the Doctor, who was already sitting on the sofa, and walked over to join him, collapsing onto the couch next to him with an exhausted groan.
"After only a few hours, I'm finally able to crash on my own couch" Verosika said while grabbing a pillow to lean on.
The Doctor chuckled, leaning back into the couch as he watched her get comfortable. "Well, you did just survive a attempted robbery, deal with your parents, AND have your childhood brought up all in one day. I'd say a little midday rest is deserved."
"Understatement of the century," Verosika said, her voice muffled slightly as she buried her face into the pillow. She let out another sigh, relaxing into the couch. "By the way, how are you going to get your Tardis here?"
Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out the Tardis key and held it in the air above his head for a second before the unmistakable sound of the engines filled the room until eventually, the ship parked herself discreetly in an unused corner.
Verosika sat up to watch as the Tardis materialized in the corner of the room. She never got tired of seeing the iconic blue box appear out of seemingly thin air. It was like watching a miracle every time. "So why couldn't you just do that earlier and come and disarm the bomb yourself?"
Putting the key back into his pocket, he answered her. "I would have if I could. But the Tardis key needs time to charge in between uses, it wasn't yet done when you called so that's why I guided you over the phone"
"Ah," Verosika nodded in understanding. It made sense, she supposed. Glancing over at the Tardis, its solid blue exterior and slightly off-kilter appearance looked so out of place in her apartment.
But as the two sat in silence for a while, an idea came to mind. "You know" She started, a devious grin quickly taking place on her face. "I never got to be Veronica in all of the showings I was part of," she leaned in closer to the Doctor. "I was wondering if you would like to help me realize my dream of performing some of her songs"
The Doctor raised an eyebrow at her question, a smirk creeping onto his face. "What songs were you thinking?" he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. Not having fully caught on to her shift in attitude.
Verosika's grin widened, her mind already set on a specific song. "There's one particular number I've always wanted to do" she leaned even closer to the Doctor, her voice lowering to a sultry whisper. "But it's not exactly a... solo performance," she purred, her eyes locked onto his. "It requires two people."
The Doctor's smirk shifted into a knowing smile, realizing where this was heading. "You're talking about seventeen right?" He said, deciding to play dumb.
Verosika squinted her eyes slightly, realizing he was just messing with her. "Maybe another time" she purred, her hand moving to rest on his thigh. "But right now, I was thinking more along the lines of Dead Girl Walking."
The Doctor's smile widened, and he shifted in his seat so that he was now facing her fully. "I don't know if I would call it a true duo song, you have most of the lines."
Verosika's hand trailed a little farther up his thigh as she leaned closer to him. "That's true," she conceded, her voice still sultry. "But you would have some lines, and the performance... physically,needs apartner."
A sly smile tugged at the corners of the Doctor's mouth, his gaze flickering from her eyes to her lips and back up. "That works for me" Verosika's grin widened at his confirmation. "Perfect," she purred into his ear as she undid the buttons of his shirt.
(Wow this took a long time to finish, but I have a few excuses.
For one I am working on understanding that when writing, not every single chapter has to be something super exciting so this chapter is kind of an in-between story leading into the next story.
In the process of writing this chapter I had a lot of ideas for future chapters come to mind which I would get really excited about and distract myself from focusing on this chapter.
Third, I've had this chapter done for like three days now but my proofreader has been too busy to go over it, so I did it myself the best I could and will now have to find myself a new proofreader.
My final excuses is that I have been really busy the past week getting a space set up as a sound booth, I got the idea to voice audio books while I look a job to hopefully make at least some money in the meantime. My goal would be to transition that into voice acting but I'll have to wait and see, I've been told I have a good voice so hopefully that's true.
Chapters will probably take longer in between uploads because I am now slightly more occupied, but also because I'm gonna focus on having them come out the way I want them to rather than on time.
Finally, for those who were here when chpater one was only 6k words, I have gone and rewritten it. It's now up to 12k words and over all I am much happier with it and would like to see what you think of the changes.
Thank you all for enjoying reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. I hope you all have a wonderful day.)