Witnessing the Protector 7/7
Title: Witnessing the Protector 7/7
Author: Hezikiah
Disclaimer: Not mine, it's theirs. *points in the direction of the UK*
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Donna, Shaun, Ten, OC Dr. Ella Porter, Twelfth Doctor, Clara
Warnings: No warnings. Well, this story has to do with Ten being a creepy stalker, but it all turns out ok. Not as dark as it seems.
Summary: When Donna and Shaun's neighbor notices a strange man hanging around outside their house, her world begins to turn upside down...
Author's note: This story is written in the style of an epistolary story. I've wanted to try my hand at applying this style to fanfiction and this seemed perfect. Just for giggles, I threw in some crappy rendered sketches since the character is an artist and it makes it seem more like an actual journal and sketchbook. I wanted to try something a little different this go around. And holy crap, it's DONE!
Read the previous installments:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Selected entries from the personal journal and sketchbook of Dr. Ella Porter, Professor of Art History and amateur artist.
March 25, 2011
It's been a few days and I've been so busy catching up with work that I haven't had time to write.
Before we went to Santa Barbara, the Doctor took me by the Harfidian Nebula. He said he couldn't let me go without at least showing me space. I stood in the open doorway of the ship staring out at an incredible riot of swirling gaseous colors of every description against a backdrop of sparkling stars. Bright flashes of light popped in the middle of the colors and I had to cover my eyes once or twice. I think we must have stood there for a good half an hour watching the show before the Doctor said we had to leave, albeit with some reluctance. He had genuinely enjoyed showing me the nebula and I silently wished he'd find a companion soon.
We landed at the storage facility and I added the pages of my journal entries and sketches pertaining to him to the safe (I've picked up a strongbox in London so I can continue to write about him and lock the entries away from Donna, just for a precaution).
Then, it was home. He landed the TARDIS in my living room and he followed me out. “So this is goodbye.”
He grinned. “And good riddance.”
I crossed my arms. “And amen!”
The Doctor laughed. “I suppose.” He took a deep breath. “Though, it's really not goodbye. This might not be the last time you see me. After all, I drop in on Donna once a year and...well...that could be five minutes from now for me.”
I shook my head. “Oh, go on! Have your adventures. Don't worry about Donna, Doctor. I'll keep an eye on her for you.”
He pointed a finger at me. “I'm holding you to that, you know.”
“Noted.”
I held out my hand. “Well, it's been interesting, Doctor.”
“To say the least, Doctor.” He glanced at my hand, glanced and me, and then broke into a huge grin before he pulled me into a side hug. “You take care of yourself, Eloise Porter. No falling into streams now.”
“You got it. I'll try to avoid alien stalkers.”
He chuckled and waved at me before stepping into the TARDIS, which disappeared a moment later.
I let out a huge sigh of relief and plopped onto the sofa. Home. Actually home for good.
It felt wonderful.
The Doctor refused to say goodbye. I think he looks a little sad.
October 15, 2011
I absolutely can't stop laughing. I was at the National Gallery this afternoon after leading a group of my students on lecture visit. After they disbursed, Brian found me and said there was something he wanted to show me. It's been kind of nice dating a junior curator of the museum because he's been able to show me a lot of the works in storage that aren't on display or are being restored. I thought briefly about going into restoration work when I was younger, but I don't have the patience for it.
Anyway, Brian dragged me off to a part of the museum that's not accessible to the public, but still had works of art on display. I was confused. “What is this place?”
Brian shrugged. “It's the restricted collection. I've got access to it, but I don't necessarily know why these particular works are in here. I've been told that information is classified, for some reason.” I looked around at the paintings and sculptures. They were from all different eras, some ancient and some modern, but I couldn't see anything that was particularly lewd or offensive. I can't fathom why they'd be classified and hidden away from the rest of the public.
We stopped inside a small room where a giant portrait dominated the far wall. “This is what I wanted to show you.” Brian gestured at the painting. “It's Queen Elizabeth, obviously, but I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out the identity of her male counterpart. He's holding her hand and stands at her same level, so he must have been someone of equal ranking to the queen. He doesn't match any other portraits of monarchs at the time and I have a theory he might be one of Elizabeth's many suitors, but I can't seem to find a match to any of the famous historical ones. I thought maybe you could shed some light on...what's so funny?”
I had busted into peals of laughter and had to sit down on a small bench in front of the portrait. The man in the portrait in fancy Elizabethan dress was obviously the Doctor. I remembered what he'd told me in the pub in Santa Barbara, about whom he'd regretfully married, and something about posing for a portrait. I looked back up at the picture and started in on a fresh set of giggles. Maybe I'm imagining it, but there was a sort of “help me!” look in his eyes.
“Ella?” Poor Brian had no idea why I was almost crying from laughter.
I took a deep breath, trying to control my mirth. “It's...sorry...um. This just...reminded me of Rodney.”
“Oh, the nutter who thought Elizabeth was married? I wondered. Maybe he was right? Maybe that's why this portrait is in here? I mean, if Elizabeth had been secretly married, that would certainly fly in the face of how history portrays her. Maybe it's a state secret or something?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea. Rodney would do back flips if he saw this, though.”
Brian quirked his head as he studied the portrait. “Poor guy. I wouldn't have wanted to be married to her. I wonder who he was?”
I pressed my lips together, holding in my giggles. “I have no clue.”
I couldn't take a picture and I had to draw this from memory, so I'm missing some of the details of his gorgeous costume, but it was full court dress with sword and everything. Oh, Doctor! What mischief did you get yourself into with Lizzie the First?! I almost wish I could go back in time and find out.
I'm still laughing out loud about this hours later. I wonder if the Doctor knows about that portrait in the National Gallery? I don't think I'll mention it to him if I ever see him again. I have a feeling that whole period of his life is something he'd rather not remember.
December 18, 2011
Well, guess who showed up this evening?
Shaun had dragged a semi-reluctant Donna off for a date and I happily volunteered to take care of Holly. I understand that it's hard for her to leave the baby for a few hours, but she really needed to spend some time with her husband and I've been harping at her to do so. Unfortunately, Brian was stuck at a benefit gala or some other muckity-muck thing he's obliged to attend, so I was alone with Holly.
I was in the living room and hanging ornaments on the tree. Holly was asleep in her portable cot in the dining room. “Jingle Bell Rock” was playing off my MP3 player and I was singing along, wondering how the heck I was going to get the star on top of the eight foot Christmas tree, when the doorbell rang.
I walked into the foyer to open the door and gasped in shock when I saw the Doctor standing there, grinning from ear to ear. “Hello!”
“Hi...what are you doing here? It hasn't been a year yet.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “And a Happy Christmas to you, too.”
“What? Oh, sorry.” I stepped back. “Come in, please.”
The Doctor stepped inside and I shut the door. He had his hand behind his back and was still grinning as he gave me a dark, oblong object wrapped in bright red cellophane with a giant green bow on it. “Brought you a fruitcake from the planet Exicoria. Be mindful to only eat one slice a day, though. The brandy in there is pretty potent stuff. It'll make you downright tipsy.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I suddenly got an idea and brightened. “Hey, you're just in time!”
“Just in time for what?”
“To help me finish decorating the tree. My parents are coming tomorrow and I haven't had time to finish. You can put the star on. I can't reach the top.”
The Doctor pulled his brown pinstriped coat off so that he was in his shirtsleeves and followed me into the living room. “I'd be glad to. So you're not alone this year? That's wonderful. No one should be alone during the holidays.” I plopped down on the settee and started untangling Christmas lights to hang outside while he picked up the giant blue and white star from its box.
“What about you?”
“What about me?” He turned towards the tree and contemplated the top.
“Are you alone this year?”
He paused and his back stiffened for a moment, then he shrugged. “I suppose so. I thought I might go see Victorian London. It's quite a lovely sight at Christmastime.”
“I suppose you could have Christmas all the time if you've got a time machine.”
I saw the side of his mouth quirk up in a grin. “Well, yes. Though...I think I'd get a little sick of all the terrible jokes in the crackers.” He grabbed the footstool and climbed up on to settle the star on the top of the tree. The Doctor jumped down and put his hands on his hips. “How's that?”
“Perfect, thanks!” I'd managed to get myself tangled up in the long string of lights just as Holly started to wail from the dining room. “Oh, gosh. I should have mentioned that I'm babysitting. Um...er...” I struggled to dislodge myself from the lights
“I'll get the baby for you.” The Doctor disappeared down the hall as I wiggled free. “Hello! Who's this lovely lady, then?” He came back a moment later with Holly in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. He bounced her gently, stilling her cries.
“That's Holly, Shaun and Donna's daughter. She's probably hungry.” I fussed around in the diaper bag for a bottle. “She was born in September.”
The Doctor's face lit up and he looked down at Holly, then looked back at me. He was positively beaming. “Aw, she's brilliant!” Holly stared at the Doctor, fascinated, before breaking into a happy grin and flailing her arms and legs. One of her tiny hands came free of the blanket and she reached up and smacked him across the cheek. He snorted in laughter. “Yes, you certainly are your mother's daughter.”
Crap. This was rushed and I forgot his sideburns. Anyway, he seemed really happy holding Holly. He also seemed relieved, yet sad at the same time. I'm not sure why.
His charm wore off when Holly realized he didn't have either a breast or a bottle for her and she started crying again. The Doctor handed her over to me and I settled onto the settee with her bottle to feed her. He sat down next to me. “What about you, then?”
“What about me?”
“Well, you've got a certain special someone in your life now, don't you?”
I looked sideways at him. “Have you been stalking me again?”
He laughed and shook his head before glancing at the framed photo of me and Brian on the mantelpiece. “Just being observant. I don't remember seeing that before and you've never mentioned a brother.”
“No, I don't have any brothers. That's Brian. He's a curator at the National Gallery.”
He nudged me. “And?”
“And what?”
“And...do you think he's going to propose?” He nudged me again and glanced at Holly. “Getting some good practice for the future, eh?”
“Doctor!” I turned red in embarrassment. “We've only been seeing each other since July.”
“Six months, eh? That seems like a good sign if you've been dating that long.” The Doctor paused and smirked. “You sure he's not a nutter? No weird theories about dead English monarchs?”
I remembered the painting Brian had showed me and busted into a fit of giggles. “No, no weird theories.”
He stayed for awhile longer, playing with Holly. The Doctor seemed such a natural with her that I had a strange feeling that he's been a dad before. I shuddered to think that he might have had children on Gallifrey and wondered if he'd been forced to destroy his own family. I felt a deep sense of sadness, but I tried to shake it off as I glanced at the clock. “You know, Donna and Shaun are going to be back soon. Donna was a little reluctant to leave Holly and I wouldn't be surprised if--”
There was a sudden knock on the door and the Doctor froze with Holly in his arms, his eyes going wide. “Quick! The kitchen pantry!” I hissed as I took the baby from him and pointed. The Doctor nodded and scurried out of sight as I moved to the foyer and opened the door.
Donna and Shaun came in and Donna immediately scooped Holly up into her arms, cuddling the baby close. “Were you good for Auntie Ella? Were you? Mummy missed you!”
Shaun rolled his eyes at me and grinned as he went off to get the diaper bag and break down the portable cot.
“She was fine,” I told Donna. “Did you have a nice time?”
“It was lovely, thanks.” Donna gasped at the tree. “Oh, it's pretty! How did ever you get the star up on top?”
“I had some help.”
“Oh?” She looked around. “Is Brian here? I didn't see his car.”
“He...ah...he had to leave.”
“Pity. You tell him I have a present for him when you see him next.”
“I will.”
Donna frowned at the pinstripe jacket slung over the back of a chair and I paled. “Is that Brian's? I don't think I've ever seen him in pinstripes, but I bet he'd look dashing, eh? Like one of those Bond Street bankers. You should get him a bowler hat.”
Thankfully, Shaun came back lugging all the baby gear and Donna gave me a hug. “Thanks again, love. Pop round tomorrow for coffee, ok?”
“Sure thing. Good night, Donna. Good night, Shaun.”
They left and the Doctor reappeared a moment later. He smiled sadly at the door and I could only guess his thoughts. I put my hand on his arm. “She's happy, Doctor.”
“I know. But she was happy with me as well.”
“Maybe that was a different kind of happy?" I hesitated, and then blurted out, "I...I don't think you could have given her a Holly.”
He shook his head. “No, I couldn't have.” He took a deep breath and looked off to the side. “Donna loved the travel and the adventures, but there was a part of her that wanted babies and a family and all the domesticity that I couldn't give her. At least...not easily and she wasn't interested in having that sort of relationship with me.”
I quirked an eyebrow. This was the closest I'd ever heard him come to saying he loved Donna. Did he? And had she loved him back? I'll never know because that's the Donna Temple-Noble that I don't know and will never meet.
“I should be going.” He moved to get his jacket and put it on, but I tugged at his arm.
“You can't leave when you're sad like this. Besides, Donna and Shaun will be up for a while longer and they might see you from the window. How am I supposed to explain a strange man leaving my house when I've got a boyfriend? Stay awhile and have some coffee and high-octane alien fruitcake with me.”
He frowned and considered my offer, scratching the back of his neck before he shrugged and beamed. “Well, if it's to prevent awkward explanations to the neighbors and preserve your reputation, then how can I refuse?”
I hope that in some way I've made the lonely Time Lord a little less lonely this Christmas. It pains me that he's alone and I hope he finds someone soon.
March 10, 2014
I was walking through the park this afternoon and sat on a bench to take a rest when I realized that it's been three years to the day since I encountered the Doctor in the park. I haven't seen him since that time at Christmas and I wondered if he still dropped in to check on Donna.
I was sitting on the very same bench where I'd been when I first saw him coming towards me and I'd run away, only to go and do myself a mischief and the start of the strangest ten days of my life. Stretching my arms above my head, I yawned openly and noticed a few squirrels romp across the path. I wished I'd brought some nuts with me, or my journal. Spring seems to have come a bit early this year and I was a bit warm after my brisk walk, so I leaned back against the bench and closed my eyes, letting the warm sun play over my face.
I was startled when I felt someone sit down next to me a few minutes later. I opened my eyes and saw a young woman sitting next to me. She was in her early to mid twenties, petite, with long dark hair, dressed in a black short skirt, white top, and black sweater. She was smiling broadly at me. “Sorry to disturb you. You'd be Ella, then?”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Ella Porter, yeah?”
I quirked an eyebrow at her. “Yes?”
The woman didn't stop grinning. “Friend of mine wanted to say hi.” She nodded off towards the glade. “He's over there.”
“In the glade?”
“Yep!” She noted my dubious expression “Oh! He thought you might be a little cautious, so he gave me these...” She reached into her satchel and pulled out a bag from In-N-Out Burger (sans tasty burger) and a sketch. “Drew that himself, he did. Not too shabby, if I may say so.”
Hey, it's me!
I started laughing when I saw the bag and grinned at the sketch. “He always makes me look better than I really do.”
The girl cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean? You're lovely! He captured you just right. Now go on, off you pop! He's waiting.”
I heaved myself off the bench and tugged my jacket back on, heading for the glade. The woman followed me. I pushed the branches aside and stepped into the secluded thicket of greenery. Parked in between the trees was the TARDIS and I was stunned to see an older gentleman leaning against the ship, arms crossed, and one booted foot propped back on the door. He wore a bluish coat without a collar that was lined in red, a dark blue shirt, and tight black trousers. The man stood up straight as I came into view and smiled. “Ella!” He had a slight Scottish accent.
I stopped in my tracks. “Doctor?!”
He held out his arms and looked down at himself. “The very same. My apologies for sending Clara.” He nodded to the young woman, who passed me and went to stand by him. “I didn't want to frighten you in this new body. What do you think?”
“It's...um...rather distinguished,” I managed to say. I hadn't expected him to be so much older. “So you've regenerated.”
He smirked and nudged Clara. “See! Distinguished!” The Doctor turned back to me. “Actually, I've regenerated twice since I saw you last. The last me was a tad bit younger. It's always a bit of gamble, regeneration.”
This new (old?) Doctor looked quite different from the lanky pinstriped Doctor that I'd come to know. There was absolutely no resemblance except for they shared a certain affinity for crazy hair. But...when I looked closer, I could see that darkness in his eyes. I shuddered internally and realized this definitely was the same man.
“Saw it happen myself,” Clara quipped and snapped her fingers. “Like that!”
The Doctor came over to me. “Still me, though.” He reached out and picked up my left hand, nodding at the wedding band glinting off my ring finger. There was a smug expression on his face. “I told you he'd propose, didn't I?” He patted my stomach. “And now look at you! Not much longer now, eh? Boy or girl?”
I shrugged. “I don't know. We chose not to find out.”
“Good girl! We need more surprises in this world!” He paused and glanced over the treetops towards the roof of my house. “So, how's Donna? Her house has been quiet since I arrived yesterday.”
“You just missed her, then. She went to France with the family for a few days. Did you know she's expecting another one? Little boy, due in July.”
I was stunned to see the same sad and relieved expression that I saw two years ago at Christmas cross the old man's features. “Good for her. I'll pop in maybe and see her.” He gave me a quick hug. “Well, take care, Ella.”
I smiled. “You too, Doctor.”
Clara waved goodbye at me and they stepped into the TARDIS, which disappeared a few moments later. I'm glad he's found another companion. I think he's happier when he's not alone on his adventures.
And neither am I. I have Brian and I have the baby and that's all I think I need these days.
The Doctor and Clara.
Author: Hezikiah
Disclaimer: Not mine, it's theirs. *points in the direction of the UK*
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Donna, Shaun, Ten, OC Dr. Ella Porter, Twelfth Doctor, Clara
Warnings: No warnings. Well, this story has to do with Ten being a creepy stalker, but it all turns out ok. Not as dark as it seems.
Summary: When Donna and Shaun's neighbor notices a strange man hanging around outside their house, her world begins to turn upside down...
Author's note: This story is written in the style of an epistolary story. I've wanted to try my hand at applying this style to fanfiction and this seemed perfect. Just for giggles, I threw in some crappy rendered sketches since the character is an artist and it makes it seem more like an actual journal and sketchbook. I wanted to try something a little different this go around. And holy crap, it's DONE!
Read the previous installments:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Selected entries from the personal journal and sketchbook of Dr. Ella Porter, Professor of Art History and amateur artist.
March 25, 2011
It's been a few days and I've been so busy catching up with work that I haven't had time to write.
Before we went to Santa Barbara, the Doctor took me by the Harfidian Nebula. He said he couldn't let me go without at least showing me space. I stood in the open doorway of the ship staring out at an incredible riot of swirling gaseous colors of every description against a backdrop of sparkling stars. Bright flashes of light popped in the middle of the colors and I had to cover my eyes once or twice. I think we must have stood there for a good half an hour watching the show before the Doctor said we had to leave, albeit with some reluctance. He had genuinely enjoyed showing me the nebula and I silently wished he'd find a companion soon.
We landed at the storage facility and I added the pages of my journal entries and sketches pertaining to him to the safe (I've picked up a strongbox in London so I can continue to write about him and lock the entries away from Donna, just for a precaution).
Then, it was home. He landed the TARDIS in my living room and he followed me out. “So this is goodbye.”
He grinned. “And good riddance.”
I crossed my arms. “And amen!”
The Doctor laughed. “I suppose.” He took a deep breath. “Though, it's really not goodbye. This might not be the last time you see me. After all, I drop in on Donna once a year and...well...that could be five minutes from now for me.”
I shook my head. “Oh, go on! Have your adventures. Don't worry about Donna, Doctor. I'll keep an eye on her for you.”
He pointed a finger at me. “I'm holding you to that, you know.”
“Noted.”
I held out my hand. “Well, it's been interesting, Doctor.”
“To say the least, Doctor.” He glanced at my hand, glanced and me, and then broke into a huge grin before he pulled me into a side hug. “You take care of yourself, Eloise Porter. No falling into streams now.”
“You got it. I'll try to avoid alien stalkers.”
He chuckled and waved at me before stepping into the TARDIS, which disappeared a moment later.
I let out a huge sigh of relief and plopped onto the sofa. Home. Actually home for good.
It felt wonderful.
The Doctor refused to say goodbye. I think he looks a little sad.
October 15, 2011
I absolutely can't stop laughing. I was at the National Gallery this afternoon after leading a group of my students on lecture visit. After they disbursed, Brian found me and said there was something he wanted to show me. It's been kind of nice dating a junior curator of the museum because he's been able to show me a lot of the works in storage that aren't on display or are being restored. I thought briefly about going into restoration work when I was younger, but I don't have the patience for it.
Anyway, Brian dragged me off to a part of the museum that's not accessible to the public, but still had works of art on display. I was confused. “What is this place?”
Brian shrugged. “It's the restricted collection. I've got access to it, but I don't necessarily know why these particular works are in here. I've been told that information is classified, for some reason.” I looked around at the paintings and sculptures. They were from all different eras, some ancient and some modern, but I couldn't see anything that was particularly lewd or offensive. I can't fathom why they'd be classified and hidden away from the rest of the public.
We stopped inside a small room where a giant portrait dominated the far wall. “This is what I wanted to show you.” Brian gestured at the painting. “It's Queen Elizabeth, obviously, but I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out the identity of her male counterpart. He's holding her hand and stands at her same level, so he must have been someone of equal ranking to the queen. He doesn't match any other portraits of monarchs at the time and I have a theory he might be one of Elizabeth's many suitors, but I can't seem to find a match to any of the famous historical ones. I thought maybe you could shed some light on...what's so funny?”
I had busted into peals of laughter and had to sit down on a small bench in front of the portrait. The man in the portrait in fancy Elizabethan dress was obviously the Doctor. I remembered what he'd told me in the pub in Santa Barbara, about whom he'd regretfully married, and something about posing for a portrait. I looked back up at the picture and started in on a fresh set of giggles. Maybe I'm imagining it, but there was a sort of “help me!” look in his eyes.
“Ella?” Poor Brian had no idea why I was almost crying from laughter.
I took a deep breath, trying to control my mirth. “It's...sorry...um. This just...reminded me of Rodney.”
“Oh, the nutter who thought Elizabeth was married? I wondered. Maybe he was right? Maybe that's why this portrait is in here? I mean, if Elizabeth had been secretly married, that would certainly fly in the face of how history portrays her. Maybe it's a state secret or something?”
I shook my head. “I have no idea. Rodney would do back flips if he saw this, though.”
Brian quirked his head as he studied the portrait. “Poor guy. I wouldn't have wanted to be married to her. I wonder who he was?”
I pressed my lips together, holding in my giggles. “I have no clue.”
I couldn't take a picture and I had to draw this from memory, so I'm missing some of the details of his gorgeous costume, but it was full court dress with sword and everything. Oh, Doctor! What mischief did you get yourself into with Lizzie the First?! I almost wish I could go back in time and find out.
I'm still laughing out loud about this hours later. I wonder if the Doctor knows about that portrait in the National Gallery? I don't think I'll mention it to him if I ever see him again. I have a feeling that whole period of his life is something he'd rather not remember.
December 18, 2011
Well, guess who showed up this evening?
Shaun had dragged a semi-reluctant Donna off for a date and I happily volunteered to take care of Holly. I understand that it's hard for her to leave the baby for a few hours, but she really needed to spend some time with her husband and I've been harping at her to do so. Unfortunately, Brian was stuck at a benefit gala or some other muckity-muck thing he's obliged to attend, so I was alone with Holly.
I was in the living room and hanging ornaments on the tree. Holly was asleep in her portable cot in the dining room. “Jingle Bell Rock” was playing off my MP3 player and I was singing along, wondering how the heck I was going to get the star on top of the eight foot Christmas tree, when the doorbell rang.
I walked into the foyer to open the door and gasped in shock when I saw the Doctor standing there, grinning from ear to ear. “Hello!”
“Hi...what are you doing here? It hasn't been a year yet.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “And a Happy Christmas to you, too.”
“What? Oh, sorry.” I stepped back. “Come in, please.”
The Doctor stepped inside and I shut the door. He had his hand behind his back and was still grinning as he gave me a dark, oblong object wrapped in bright red cellophane with a giant green bow on it. “Brought you a fruitcake from the planet Exicoria. Be mindful to only eat one slice a day, though. The brandy in there is pretty potent stuff. It'll make you downright tipsy.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I suddenly got an idea and brightened. “Hey, you're just in time!”
“Just in time for what?”
“To help me finish decorating the tree. My parents are coming tomorrow and I haven't had time to finish. You can put the star on. I can't reach the top.”
The Doctor pulled his brown pinstriped coat off so that he was in his shirtsleeves and followed me into the living room. “I'd be glad to. So you're not alone this year? That's wonderful. No one should be alone during the holidays.” I plopped down on the settee and started untangling Christmas lights to hang outside while he picked up the giant blue and white star from its box.
“What about you?”
“What about me?” He turned towards the tree and contemplated the top.
“Are you alone this year?”
He paused and his back stiffened for a moment, then he shrugged. “I suppose so. I thought I might go see Victorian London. It's quite a lovely sight at Christmastime.”
“I suppose you could have Christmas all the time if you've got a time machine.”
I saw the side of his mouth quirk up in a grin. “Well, yes. Though...I think I'd get a little sick of all the terrible jokes in the crackers.” He grabbed the footstool and climbed up on to settle the star on the top of the tree. The Doctor jumped down and put his hands on his hips. “How's that?”
“Perfect, thanks!” I'd managed to get myself tangled up in the long string of lights just as Holly started to wail from the dining room. “Oh, gosh. I should have mentioned that I'm babysitting. Um...er...” I struggled to dislodge myself from the lights
“I'll get the baby for you.” The Doctor disappeared down the hall as I wiggled free. “Hello! Who's this lovely lady, then?” He came back a moment later with Holly in his arms, wrapped in a blanket. He bounced her gently, stilling her cries.
“That's Holly, Shaun and Donna's daughter. She's probably hungry.” I fussed around in the diaper bag for a bottle. “She was born in September.”
The Doctor's face lit up and he looked down at Holly, then looked back at me. He was positively beaming. “Aw, she's brilliant!” Holly stared at the Doctor, fascinated, before breaking into a happy grin and flailing her arms and legs. One of her tiny hands came free of the blanket and she reached up and smacked him across the cheek. He snorted in laughter. “Yes, you certainly are your mother's daughter.”
Crap. This was rushed and I forgot his sideburns. Anyway, he seemed really happy holding Holly. He also seemed relieved, yet sad at the same time. I'm not sure why.
His charm wore off when Holly realized he didn't have either a breast or a bottle for her and she started crying again. The Doctor handed her over to me and I settled onto the settee with her bottle to feed her. He sat down next to me. “What about you, then?”
“What about me?”
“Well, you've got a certain special someone in your life now, don't you?”
I looked sideways at him. “Have you been stalking me again?”
He laughed and shook his head before glancing at the framed photo of me and Brian on the mantelpiece. “Just being observant. I don't remember seeing that before and you've never mentioned a brother.”
“No, I don't have any brothers. That's Brian. He's a curator at the National Gallery.”
He nudged me. “And?”
“And what?”
“And...do you think he's going to propose?” He nudged me again and glanced at Holly. “Getting some good practice for the future, eh?”
“Doctor!” I turned red in embarrassment. “We've only been seeing each other since July.”
“Six months, eh? That seems like a good sign if you've been dating that long.” The Doctor paused and smirked. “You sure he's not a nutter? No weird theories about dead English monarchs?”
I remembered the painting Brian had showed me and busted into a fit of giggles. “No, no weird theories.”
He stayed for awhile longer, playing with Holly. The Doctor seemed such a natural with her that I had a strange feeling that he's been a dad before. I shuddered to think that he might have had children on Gallifrey and wondered if he'd been forced to destroy his own family. I felt a deep sense of sadness, but I tried to shake it off as I glanced at the clock. “You know, Donna and Shaun are going to be back soon. Donna was a little reluctant to leave Holly and I wouldn't be surprised if--”
There was a sudden knock on the door and the Doctor froze with Holly in his arms, his eyes going wide. “Quick! The kitchen pantry!” I hissed as I took the baby from him and pointed. The Doctor nodded and scurried out of sight as I moved to the foyer and opened the door.
Donna and Shaun came in and Donna immediately scooped Holly up into her arms, cuddling the baby close. “Were you good for Auntie Ella? Were you? Mummy missed you!”
Shaun rolled his eyes at me and grinned as he went off to get the diaper bag and break down the portable cot.
“She was fine,” I told Donna. “Did you have a nice time?”
“It was lovely, thanks.” Donna gasped at the tree. “Oh, it's pretty! How did ever you get the star up on top?”
“I had some help.”
“Oh?” She looked around. “Is Brian here? I didn't see his car.”
“He...ah...he had to leave.”
“Pity. You tell him I have a present for him when you see him next.”
“I will.”
Donna frowned at the pinstripe jacket slung over the back of a chair and I paled. “Is that Brian's? I don't think I've ever seen him in pinstripes, but I bet he'd look dashing, eh? Like one of those Bond Street bankers. You should get him a bowler hat.”
Thankfully, Shaun came back lugging all the baby gear and Donna gave me a hug. “Thanks again, love. Pop round tomorrow for coffee, ok?”
“Sure thing. Good night, Donna. Good night, Shaun.”
They left and the Doctor reappeared a moment later. He smiled sadly at the door and I could only guess his thoughts. I put my hand on his arm. “She's happy, Doctor.”
“I know. But she was happy with me as well.”
“Maybe that was a different kind of happy?" I hesitated, and then blurted out, "I...I don't think you could have given her a Holly.”
He shook his head. “No, I couldn't have.” He took a deep breath and looked off to the side. “Donna loved the travel and the adventures, but there was a part of her that wanted babies and a family and all the domesticity that I couldn't give her. At least...not easily and she wasn't interested in having that sort of relationship with me.”
I quirked an eyebrow. This was the closest I'd ever heard him come to saying he loved Donna. Did he? And had she loved him back? I'll never know because that's the Donna Temple-Noble that I don't know and will never meet.
“I should be going.” He moved to get his jacket and put it on, but I tugged at his arm.
“You can't leave when you're sad like this. Besides, Donna and Shaun will be up for a while longer and they might see you from the window. How am I supposed to explain a strange man leaving my house when I've got a boyfriend? Stay awhile and have some coffee and high-octane alien fruitcake with me.”
He frowned and considered my offer, scratching the back of his neck before he shrugged and beamed. “Well, if it's to prevent awkward explanations to the neighbors and preserve your reputation, then how can I refuse?”
I hope that in some way I've made the lonely Time Lord a little less lonely this Christmas. It pains me that he's alone and I hope he finds someone soon.
March 10, 2014
I was walking through the park this afternoon and sat on a bench to take a rest when I realized that it's been three years to the day since I encountered the Doctor in the park. I haven't seen him since that time at Christmas and I wondered if he still dropped in to check on Donna.
I was sitting on the very same bench where I'd been when I first saw him coming towards me and I'd run away, only to go and do myself a mischief and the start of the strangest ten days of my life. Stretching my arms above my head, I yawned openly and noticed a few squirrels romp across the path. I wished I'd brought some nuts with me, or my journal. Spring seems to have come a bit early this year and I was a bit warm after my brisk walk, so I leaned back against the bench and closed my eyes, letting the warm sun play over my face.
I was startled when I felt someone sit down next to me a few minutes later. I opened my eyes and saw a young woman sitting next to me. She was in her early to mid twenties, petite, with long dark hair, dressed in a black short skirt, white top, and black sweater. She was smiling broadly at me. “Sorry to disturb you. You'd be Ella, then?”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Ella Porter, yeah?”
I quirked an eyebrow at her. “Yes?”
The woman didn't stop grinning. “Friend of mine wanted to say hi.” She nodded off towards the glade. “He's over there.”
“In the glade?”
“Yep!” She noted my dubious expression “Oh! He thought you might be a little cautious, so he gave me these...” She reached into her satchel and pulled out a bag from In-N-Out Burger (sans tasty burger) and a sketch. “Drew that himself, he did. Not too shabby, if I may say so.”
Hey, it's me!
I started laughing when I saw the bag and grinned at the sketch. “He always makes me look better than I really do.”
The girl cocked her head to the side. “What do you mean? You're lovely! He captured you just right. Now go on, off you pop! He's waiting.”
I heaved myself off the bench and tugged my jacket back on, heading for the glade. The woman followed me. I pushed the branches aside and stepped into the secluded thicket of greenery. Parked in between the trees was the TARDIS and I was stunned to see an older gentleman leaning against the ship, arms crossed, and one booted foot propped back on the door. He wore a bluish coat without a collar that was lined in red, a dark blue shirt, and tight black trousers. The man stood up straight as I came into view and smiled. “Ella!” He had a slight Scottish accent.
I stopped in my tracks. “Doctor?!”
He held out his arms and looked down at himself. “The very same. My apologies for sending Clara.” He nodded to the young woman, who passed me and went to stand by him. “I didn't want to frighten you in this new body. What do you think?”
“It's...um...rather distinguished,” I managed to say. I hadn't expected him to be so much older. “So you've regenerated.”
He smirked and nudged Clara. “See! Distinguished!” The Doctor turned back to me. “Actually, I've regenerated twice since I saw you last. The last me was a tad bit younger. It's always a bit of gamble, regeneration.”
This new (old?) Doctor looked quite different from the lanky pinstriped Doctor that I'd come to know. There was absolutely no resemblance except for they shared a certain affinity for crazy hair. But...when I looked closer, I could see that darkness in his eyes. I shuddered internally and realized this definitely was the same man.
“Saw it happen myself,” Clara quipped and snapped her fingers. “Like that!”
The Doctor came over to me. “Still me, though.” He reached out and picked up my left hand, nodding at the wedding band glinting off my ring finger. There was a smug expression on his face. “I told you he'd propose, didn't I?” He patted my stomach. “And now look at you! Not much longer now, eh? Boy or girl?”
I shrugged. “I don't know. We chose not to find out.”
“Good girl! We need more surprises in this world!” He paused and glanced over the treetops towards the roof of my house. “So, how's Donna? Her house has been quiet since I arrived yesterday.”
“You just missed her, then. She went to France with the family for a few days. Did you know she's expecting another one? Little boy, due in July.”
I was stunned to see the same sad and relieved expression that I saw two years ago at Christmas cross the old man's features. “Good for her. I'll pop in maybe and see her.” He gave me a quick hug. “Well, take care, Ella.”
I smiled. “You too, Doctor.”
Clara waved goodbye at me and they stepped into the TARDIS, which disappeared a few moments later. I'm glad he's found another companion. I think he's happier when he's not alone on his adventures.
And neither am I. I have Brian and I have the baby and that's all I think I need these days.
The Doctor and Clara.