The TARDIS, early Monday morning

[idontlooktired]

Harriet woke up slowly, as she usually did, and stretched uncomfortably. She felt like she'd fallen asleep in her chair. Not that it would be the first time, though usually she had her head on her desk and not on a pillo

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[veryarthurdent]

From the other side of the TARDIS core, the Doctor's face appeared. He'd been checking every now and then to see when she would wake up. That signalled the time when he had to acknowledge what had happened and how his much, much, much younger self had made a serious mistake.

Realising he was caught out, he quickly looked down at the controls and worked his way around slightly. He made himself look busy, then glanced up at her again with a more sober expression.

[idontlooktired]

Lifting her chin, Harriet stood, brushing her clothes to straighten them out, and walked towards the console. "I suppose you'll be wanting this back," she said flatly, holding out her hand. The device he'd given her when they'd both been much younger and very, very foolish was nestled in her palm.

[veryarthurdent]

The Doctor looked at the device for a long few moments, then looked back up at Harriet's face. "Keep it. A promise is a promise." Even if it was made when you were a four year old. Even if it left a bitter taste in your mouth.

[idontlooktired]

For one second, maybe two, she was tempted to drop it on the console. But she didn't, instead she curled her fingers around it and nodded. "Very well." Unwillingly, and she was already moving towards the door, she added, "Thank you for your hospitality."