[011]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is huddled in a dark coat, also wearing bright red mittens. He has a backpack on, as well as a suit jacket draped over one arm. And he is definitely standing in the Enviro-dome; the winter sky and thin trees are visible behind him]

Okay, so... Doctor? You're not allowed to say "I told you so." [smiles a bit sheepishly] On the bright

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[sighs bemusedly] At least you had a chance to get prepared.

...Wait, aren't those Martha's mittens? Thought I gave those back to her...

[oliverplus]

[groans] Do you really have to announce to everyone that I'm wearing a woman's mittens? And they were definitely in your pockets. Along with the kitchen sink. I never thought I'd mean that literally!

How do we meet up, anyway? Where are you?

[bit_impossible]

Nothing wrong with that! She lent them to me when I had to handle a highly volatile substance and the only thing that could keep my hands from melting was a poly-blend.

Did you say kitchen sink? ...Which one?

[looks around, only seeing snow] Ah. Didn't think about that.

Oh! I know! There's a setting--[takes out his sonic and starts fiddling with it]--on here just for emergencies in foggy areas, but I think it'll work just as well in this situation. Just look for the light!

[holds the screwdriver aloft, the blue light blinking brightly in the air--minus the normal sound]

[oliverplus]

I'll just have to keep that in mind if we find any interesting goos in here! All the same, they're warm, and I wouldn't want to lose my fingers, so thanks.

And really, Doctor, you think I would know which one when you have so many?

Now that's an idea! [turns in a slow circle, searching for the blue light through the snow] I'm not seeing... Ah! Well, that could've been closer. All right, Doctor, don't go anywhere. I'm coming to you, but it's going to a take a few.

[bit_impossible]

That's not the point! I promised her family that I'd take care of her. And sure, I brought her home and she's alive and well, but she's back to being the same loud and ignorant person she was when we first met. She changed into this beautiful and strong person and she's back to the beginning again.

And I promised you that I'd bring you back home, to Chloe. 'The same, but improved. Oliver plus...' Don't you remember? I failed you then, too.

That's why this time around I won't. I refuse!

[oliverplus]

[freezes at the Doctor's words, going cold; his voice catches in his throat as he tries to respond] That wasn't your fault. Oh Doctor, you would've brought me home. I was the one who doubted that. You never failed me!

[his voice grows stronger as he continues] And I chose. Remember? Isn't it my choice in the end? And I've told you, Doctor--I've been enough places, done enough things, lost enough that now, if I had the choice, I would rather have the adventure.

One more time. Please. I know you'll get me back to Gondovan. But I want anything to be possible again first! This ship is the only chance I've got to live like that again. And I wouldn't miss it for the world. That's my choice.

[bit_impossible]

[his face slowly breaks into a relieved smile]

One last adventure, huh? Seeing as we're stuck here, in this slightly creepy forest, might as well take advantage of it!

[laughs and throws oliver his spare suit jacket] You hold onto this. There's some good things in there you might need if we get separated.

[oliverplus]

[grins, relieved, at the Doctor's reaction and laughs with him] Yes! Definitely.

[catches the jacket] So I noticed. Now what? Do we look for other people, or an ex-

[cuts off at the sound of an odd distant sort of roar, like thunder]

[softly, smiling faintly with excitement] What was that?