Happy!Who Fic "Gauntlet"
Title: Gauntlet
Characters: Ten/Rose
Genre: Fluff
Happy!Who Table 3: Prompt #5-Schemes
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Really.
Summary: So she wants a concert, does she?
A/N: See the notes at the end of this...
Previously:
Clock
Sweet
Kitchen
Green
**********
She just had to say it. As soon as the words left her mouth she knew it was a mistake.
A challenge. That's what he had taken it as.
So he had banished her to the wardrobe to pick out something suitable. Of course, he hadn't told her where they were going. He just said "Casual. Dress warm. But not too warm. Definitely hiking boots." And with that cryptic description, she was sent on her way.
*****
She got back to the console room in time to hear the engine grind to a halt. He looked up at her with a brilliant grin. "Ready?"
"I think so. Where are we?"
"Wanna see?" He headed for the doors, then turned and waited for her to catch up. When she did, he lead the way out.
She stepped out to a dirt path and took in the scenery around her. It was dark but there were beams of light peeking out here and there. The textured walls were a reddish brown.
"Where are we?" she asked again. Her voice sounded empty as it echoed off the walls.
"Luray Caverns." he said, pointing to a sign. "We're in the United States. Virginia to be precise."
"Caverns? As in caves? Is this some sort of park?" She glanced around and noticed safety railings and plaques mounted in various places.
"Pretty much. It was founded in 1878 when some men saw limestone sticking out of the ground. They dug a hole and discovered the caverns." He looked around and tugged her along the path. "It's the middle of the night here, that's why it's empty. During the day it's usually packed. But you wanted a concert so I figured I'd arrange for a private one." Grinning enigmatically, he lead her down some steps.
Rose looked around to take it all in. Huge columns of gnarled and rippling rock seemed to support the cathedral-like ceiling of the cave. Stalactites hung ominously from the ceiling while stalagmites seemed to be punching up through the floor. The air was cool and clean. It was deathly quiet except for the delicate sounds of water dripping and running. As she looked around, she noticed there were more than just tones of red and brown. Some of the formations were white while others had an almost pinkish tinge. Scattered throughout the caverns were basins of crystal clear water.
They quietly made thier way through the chambers, occasionally stopping to admire the natural sculptures.
"I don't get it. Where's the concert?" she asked with a smile. "I mean, I don't want to be proven right or anything..." Her teasing tone trailed off as they reached a huge room with an organ on one side.
"You were saying?" he chuckled giving her a nudge with his shoulder. She poked him back playfully. "Still doesn't look like a concert to me."
"Just wait." he said as he pulled out the sonic screwdriver. With a click the organ suddenly began to play.
Slow, soft notes echoed in the chamber. Rose gazed up at the ceiling in wonder as she stepped forward. She could see rubber hammers gently tapping on the formations, creating a haunting and unearthly sound. To call this an organ was doing it an injustice. As Rose stood still, she closed her eyes and let the sounds surround her. The Doctor came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She sighed happily and leaned back into his chest. It felt right.
"You know it takes years...decades...centuries for these rocks to form." he whispered into her ear. "It took them three years just to put this organ together. Once the rocks had formed and the tools were in place though, it was a perfect match. The new and the old coming together to make something special. There's nothing else like it in the world."
He thought about how hardened and battle weary he had been before Rose. When she came along he was just existing. Suddenly he was given a new pair of eyes, a new way of seeing things. Life mattered again. He felt lighter than he had in years. She hit him in all the right spots, like she was made to fit with him. It both thrilled and scared the living daylights out of him.
"It's beautiful." she whispered, still in awe after the music stopped.
He loosened his hold and looked down at her. "Yes. Beautiful."
She looked up at him over her shoulder. Her stomach flipped over at intense look in his eyes. Very gently he leaned down and gave her the lightest of kisses. It was as if he was testing the waters before diving in.
When he pulled back they were both grinning like fools but neither one cared.
"Come on, Doctor. Let's go swimming."
**********
Authors Notes:
Luray Caverns is a very real and very beautiful National Park Service Registered Natural Landmark. The Great Stalacpipe Organ took three years to create. To get an idea of what it sounds like click here. It doesn't really do it justice to hearing it in person though. If you are ever in the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia area, I highly recommend checking it out. I spent many childhood summers visiting my aunt on Skyline Drive of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding area is just as beautiful as the caverns.
Characters: Ten/Rose
Genre: Fluff
Happy!Who Table 3: Prompt #5-Schemes
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Really.
Summary: So she wants a concert, does she?
A/N: See the notes at the end of this...
Previously:
Clock
Sweet
Kitchen
Green
**********
She just had to say it. As soon as the words left her mouth she knew it was a mistake.
A challenge. That's what he had taken it as.
So he had banished her to the wardrobe to pick out something suitable. Of course, he hadn't told her where they were going. He just said "Casual. Dress warm. But not too warm. Definitely hiking boots." And with that cryptic description, she was sent on her way.
*****
She got back to the console room in time to hear the engine grind to a halt. He looked up at her with a brilliant grin. "Ready?"
"I think so. Where are we?"
"Wanna see?" He headed for the doors, then turned and waited for her to catch up. When she did, he lead the way out.
She stepped out to a dirt path and took in the scenery around her. It was dark but there were beams of light peeking out here and there. The textured walls were a reddish brown.
"Where are we?" she asked again. Her voice sounded empty as it echoed off the walls.
"Luray Caverns." he said, pointing to a sign. "We're in the United States. Virginia to be precise."
"Caverns? As in caves? Is this some sort of park?" She glanced around and noticed safety railings and plaques mounted in various places.
"Pretty much. It was founded in 1878 when some men saw limestone sticking out of the ground. They dug a hole and discovered the caverns." He looked around and tugged her along the path. "It's the middle of the night here, that's why it's empty. During the day it's usually packed. But you wanted a concert so I figured I'd arrange for a private one." Grinning enigmatically, he lead her down some steps.
Rose looked around to take it all in. Huge columns of gnarled and rippling rock seemed to support the cathedral-like ceiling of the cave. Stalactites hung ominously from the ceiling while stalagmites seemed to be punching up through the floor. The air was cool and clean. It was deathly quiet except for the delicate sounds of water dripping and running. As she looked around, she noticed there were more than just tones of red and brown. Some of the formations were white while others had an almost pinkish tinge. Scattered throughout the caverns were basins of crystal clear water.
They quietly made thier way through the chambers, occasionally stopping to admire the natural sculptures.
"I don't get it. Where's the concert?" she asked with a smile. "I mean, I don't want to be proven right or anything..." Her teasing tone trailed off as they reached a huge room with an organ on one side.
"You were saying?" he chuckled giving her a nudge with his shoulder. She poked him back playfully. "Still doesn't look like a concert to me."
"Just wait." he said as he pulled out the sonic screwdriver. With a click the organ suddenly began to play.
Slow, soft notes echoed in the chamber. Rose gazed up at the ceiling in wonder as she stepped forward. She could see rubber hammers gently tapping on the formations, creating a haunting and unearthly sound. To call this an organ was doing it an injustice. As Rose stood still, she closed her eyes and let the sounds surround her. The Doctor came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She sighed happily and leaned back into his chest. It felt right.
"You know it takes years...decades...centuries for these rocks to form." he whispered into her ear. "It took them three years just to put this organ together. Once the rocks had formed and the tools were in place though, it was a perfect match. The new and the old coming together to make something special. There's nothing else like it in the world."
He thought about how hardened and battle weary he had been before Rose. When she came along he was just existing. Suddenly he was given a new pair of eyes, a new way of seeing things. Life mattered again. He felt lighter than he had in years. She hit him in all the right spots, like she was made to fit with him. It both thrilled and scared the living daylights out of him.
"It's beautiful." she whispered, still in awe after the music stopped.
He loosened his hold and looked down at her. "Yes. Beautiful."
She looked up at him over her shoulder. Her stomach flipped over at intense look in his eyes. Very gently he leaned down and gave her the lightest of kisses. It was as if he was testing the waters before diving in.
When he pulled back they were both grinning like fools but neither one cared.
"Come on, Doctor. Let's go swimming."
**********
Authors Notes:
Luray Caverns is a very real and very beautiful National Park Service Registered Natural Landmark. The Great Stalacpipe Organ took three years to create. To get an idea of what it sounds like click here. It doesn't really do it justice to hearing it in person though. If you are ever in the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia area, I highly recommend checking it out. I spent many childhood summers visiting my aunt on Skyline Drive of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding area is just as beautiful as the caverns.