(Untitled)

[interferes]

Who: Eighth Doctor (interferes), Ninth Doctor (charmandsmiles)
What: Guess who's alive again?
When: Two weeks after this.
Where: Eight's TARDIS
Rating: PG

Comments

[charmandsmiles]

"Thanks for taking care of her," a familiar Northern accent murmured from behind him. Nine walked into the console room after waking up, waiting until he was less disoriented before going to find his self.

He'd been watching Eight over the past couple of weeks, trying to offer what little ghostly comfort he could, but it was clear that hadn't been enough. He could offer real comfort now, though, and he had every intention of doing so.

[interferes]

Eight turned with a startled look, then smiled tentatively and set Scully down with a pat. "Of course," he said, relief clear in his voice. He stood and stepped over to Nine, concerned.

"Are you all right?"

[charmandsmiles]

"'Bout as much as I figure you are," Nine chuckled gruffly, before tugging Eight into a tight hug. It'd been two weeks without contact, without touch, without speech...he'd essentially been alone again, and it was his own sort of personal hell. But it was over now, and Eight wasn't the only one who was relieved.

[interferes]

Eight chuckled, returning the hug. Truth be told, he'd spent most of the two weeks alternately worrying about Nine, and trying not to worry -- the TARDIS had never had so many repairs done.

"I'm more concerned about you, really."

[charmandsmiles]

That just made Nine laugh. It was so familiar, and so...Eight that it was almost reassuring, in a way. He tugged his self into a kiss that was anything but "casual," as Eight put it, before pulling back with a fond smile. "I'll be alright. I'm here now."

[interferes]

The Doctor ducked his head an laughed quietly as Nine pulled back. "Good," he replied with a smile. It was nice to have him back. Then his expression fell slightly, and he sighed.

"Lucy's dead."

[charmandsmiles]

"I know," Nine murmured, his own expression turning serious as he pulled Eight over onto the couch, petting Scully when she jumped up on his lap.

"I've been...well. I've been around," he admitted quietly.

[interferes]

"Oh?" Eight asked curiously, following him over to the couch, scooping Grace out of the seat. That was an interesting statement. Neither Five nor Donna had ever mentioned what happened when one died in Paradisa -- Eight had assumed they had rather not talk about it. "How do you mean?"

[charmandsmiles]

"I...I was a ghost," Nine explained, not really wanting to talk about it either, but he couldn't deny Eight anything. It never worked. "Remember those jelly babies? That was me."

[interferes]

Ah. Eight gave him a sympathetic look -- he could guess how Nine must have felt during that. "I didn't know. Thank you," he said, sneaking in a pet for Scully.

[charmandsmiles]

Nine leaned against him, letting him pet Scully as much as he liked. "Wish I could've done more, but...yeah," he sighed. "Longest two weeks I've had in a while."

[interferes]

"Don't. It was enough," he said gently, putting an arm around Nine, pleased to note that he was no longer human. "Just try not to get shot again, all right?"

[charmandsmiles]

Nine gave Eight a grateful look at the gesture, needing as much physical contact as he could possibly get at the moment. He glanced down at the second statement, though, closing his eyes for a moment. He'd tried to forget, the bullet lodging itself in his chest, the bleeding, the pain...he took a deep, calming breath, before opening his eyes again, and offering Eight a wry smile. "Wasn't exactly like I was trying last time."

[interferes]

"I know, I know," he said quietly, leaning against him when he noticed Nine's discomfort at the memory. Best not to press the subject, really. Not now.

[charmandsmiles]

"Still my fault though," Nine murmured, resting his head on Eight's shoulder. "Shouldn't have...I should've listened to her. Stayed away from him. But I couldn't..."

[interferes]

"That is nonsense, and you know it," Eight said firmly, turning to face him. "You couldn't possibly have known that she would do that."