Stargazing [Open]

[unearthlysusan]

Susan Foreman was lying on her back and staring up at the black evening sky. The garden was submerged in shadows. If her mind had been on Earth with the rest of her, Susan might have wondered who actually owned it, now that that version of Sarah Jane had gone. She might even have wondered where that version of Sarah Jane had gone

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[thecricketer]

The sight of her stole his breath away.

It hadn't been so very long, really, since he saw her last - stolen moments in a treacherous paradox - but there was no time, then, no time for a proper reunion.

So he steps closer, robes whispering across the grass, and whispers her name, as though afraid she'll disappear if he breaks the silence.

"Susan?"

[unearthlysusan]

Naturally, Susan sat up when she heard someone saying her name. She smiled when she recognised the voice, too, although, when she caught sight of the speaker, she was forced to rethink her initial assumption. The version of her Grandfather she'd met in his TARDIS certainly hadn't worn robes like that. Another 'alternate version'? That was what she was supposed to call them, wasn't it?

"Hello," she said, carefully. She automatically wanted to add the word 'Grandfather' to that, but wasn't sure if she should or not just yet. She supposed she'd find out soon, and that would allow her to feel a lot less awkward.

[thecricketer]

The sound of her voice makes him beam in return; the caution stings, a bit, but he can understand - even if she does recognise him it doesn't mean very much, not here.

"It's really you." With no care for dignity, he drops down beside her. The robes could use a bit of wear and tear anyway.

[unearthlysusan]

The expression on his face - and the tone of his voice - mollified Susan slightly. Perhaps even completely. He was smiling at her now, and he looked much more like her Grandfather when he did that, despite those terribly intimidating robes.

She nodded mutely. It probably was safe to call him Grandfather, but Susan was surprised to find that, now the opportunity was there, the words wouldn't form. Really, she'd met so many different incarnations that the thrill of being reunited should have ceased to effect her. But the expression on his face - which never changed, somehow - always brought it flooding back.

"Why are you wearing those?" she asked. It wasn't the most poignant thing to say, given the importance of the moment, but she couldn't resist the question.

[thecricketer]

A slighted laugh parted his lips, and he shook his head; definitely his granddaughter, she is.

"I...may have ended up Lord President."

[unearthlysusan]

Her eyes widened. She would have thought it some kind of ridiculous joke, but she really couldn't think of a better explanation for the robes.

So, laughing, she reached out to touch the heavy material. It really was real.

"How?" she exclaimed. She didn't know if she should be amused, outraged or worried, and decided to let the explanation make up her mind for her.

[thecricketer]

Oh, that was a relief - a far better reaction than it could have been.

"Have you been to the Dead Zone, yet?"

[unearthlysusan]

The rather blank expression on her face was probably an answer in itself, but Susan shook her head anyway, just to make it clear.

"I don't suppose you're going to be able to tell me, then, are you Grandfather?" she asked, "Since it's all in my future?"

It was something for her to look forward to, though. She found it reassuring to know that, even after everything was fixed - and everyone had been returned to their correct time periods - she and her Grandfather would meet again.

The circumstances didn't matter. Not really.

[broken_clock]

A faint smile, and a slight shrug.

"It may not be, but it's best not to risk it. Suffice to say, after those events, the Council saw fit to elect me. Rassilon knows why."

[unearthlysusan]

Susan's eyes actually managed to widen even further when he said that. She couldn't imagine any circumstance - no matter how extreme - which could prompt the Council into making such a decision.

"Are you sorry to have left Gallifrey, then?" she asked, curiously. Her Grandfather had always - even when he hadn't want to admit as much - dreamed of returning to their home planet one day.

He probably hadn't been expecting to return and become President of the Council, though. Not back then.

[thecricketer]

Immediately, he shook his head.

"Not in the least. Best decision I ever made." He tilted his head slightly, peering at her as his voice softens.

"Are you?"

[unearthlysusan]

That was good. It would have been a little too strange otherwise. Attachment to his home planet was one thing, but Susan knew her Grandfather had been - and probably always would be - a traveler at heart.

"Oh, of course I don't regret it," she said quickly. She'd had some doubts at first, but she wouldn't change the things that had happened since - the friends she'd made, and the worlds she'd seen - for anything.

[thecricketer]

Oh, that made him beam, and it looked quite out of place with the outfit; that, of course, was only a bonus.

"I'm so glad to hear that," he said softly.

((Sorry for the wait! I...lose track of things. > >))

[unearthlysusan]

"I suppose being President will make it difficult for you to travel for a while?" she asked. Which was rather unusual. She'd been the one in search of a home. The Doctor was a natural traveler. She still longed to know how on Gallifrey something like that had been able to happen, but she wouldn't ask. Shouldn't ask.

Hehe, no worries. I know the feeling!