FIC: Flipped, Book 2 (3/10)
Title: Flipped, Book 2
Rating: heavy T for most contents, but it earns an M for occasional scenes and subject matter
Author: tkel_paris
Summary: David Noble has the biggest challenge of his life ahead - taking care of the new Tenth Doctor. Of course, it's harder because his male friend who was in love with him is now a gorgeous ginger woman... who's caught his eye. Sequel to Flipped, Book 1. Written for tardis_mole.
Required Disclaimer: The summary should be enough to tell you I own nothing.
Dedications: My good friend tardis_mole, for helping me discover my talent at editing and for being an inspiration. You've challenged me to go beyond what I previously thought I would like, and so this is the farthest I've gone from my comfort zone so far. Who knows where I'll go next?
And another important shout-out: sykira, whose LJ post about John Barrowman's comments about how Doctor Who could eventually go was the ultimate spark for this idea. So I suppose that means the ultimate blame for this lies with the Barrowman. I can only imagine what he would think, although I suspect he would heartily approve. :P
Author's Note: Originally spawned from a different idea that split into three, this is a new version of one of those ideas revived as a birthday present. And it's spawned a slightly AU version as a future present. The original prompt from TM boiled down to this: “The Doctor and Donna in a situation that's never been done before.” Ask and ye shall receive, my friend. Enjoy the sequel. :D Happy Belated Birthday, TM! :DDD I really jope you like this. I finally had to start posting because the uncertainty of whether I did well enough was getting to me.
Oh, and if you haven't read Flipped, please go back and do so. As in right now. :)
Special Disclaimer: I refuse to be held responsible for any $2000/₤2000 lattes, spit-takes, fainting spells, workplace/school gaffes, or falling against/from things that might happen if you're not careful while reading this story. Especially in certain chapters. Read at your own risk. (I put this in because I was warned by one of my betas, cassikat, that my emails should come with a spit-take warning. So I'm looking out for y'all. ;D)
Special Chapter Note: This one must've gone through three or four versions. And most were before my betas got their hands on it. I'm still wondering what I got wrong, but I have to keep going.
Chapter One / Chapter Two
CHAPTER THREE: SHOPPING AND OTHER INVASIONS
Shops were places David hated - unless they sold books. He was a firm believer in knowing your size, having a few favorite brands, and then quickly going in to buy what you needed and nothing more. He was a list shopper, and only tried things on if he absolutely had to - to avoid having to return something later. Meant he hated being dragged along as a boy or a teenager when his mother and granny went shopping. He ended up being asked questions he thought there were no right answers to, carrying bags, and - especially when he was younger - being praised by random women for being such a helpful lad.
He hoped he wouldn't be stuck with that again. Although he did have Emily and Nerys' children to watch over, which was always a joy, he wasn't keen on leaving the Doctor alone with his friends for any length of time. Which meant the awkward reality of bringing two little children into shops with them. On Christmas Eve. Still in the car park for the Oaks Shopping Centre, he looked at his friends, hoping they'd change their minds. “You two sure you can handle this? I don't know how well she's going to do.”
Nerys laughed at him. “And you would do a better job of shopping for a woman's needs on your own? I distinctly remember you whining about being the bag carrier for your mum and granny.”
He scowled at her.
The Doctor looked down at her temporary clothing. Emily had grabbed a blue-toned maternity dress that hung wrong in the front, although it showed that this new body didn't have a completely flat stomach. The color was a bit off given her pale, freckly complexion. A black coat had been slung over her shoulders, baggy in some places and too tight around the shoulders since Emily was shorter and smaller. The shoes, thick black boots that were dull and were meant for a different size, pinched the Doctor's feet, and she shuffled awkwardly. “Why couldn't I go barefoot?”
“Because that would've raised more questions, and we can't have that!” hissed David, struggling to swallow the groan that threatened to erupt at any moment. “Well, I'd endure a fair bit for a friend,” he said to Nerys. “And I'm obviously about to! So you're welcome.”
The Doctor pouted slightly. “I'm grateful you could come along. I like the children, they're such a delight, and I always seek out your opinions.”
“Well, I still think it would be better if they were away,” Emily sighed. She turned to the Doctor, lowering her voice further. “The kids will force us to take longer, which I'm guessing your... male habits won't like. And it's going to raise a lot of questions having a man who you say is just a friend giving his opinions on underthings.”
David's face turned distinctly reddish.
The Doctor shrugged. “I'll help keep them calm. And I'm sure David can find things to make them laugh. And believe me when I say I've been through hell and back. How bad can shopping for clothes in a new body be?”
Relieved, David took the children's hands. “Hope those aren't famous last words,” he muttered before clearing his throat and putting on a cheerful tone with the twins. “Come on, little'uns! We'll go and check the toy shops and have some treats at least once today.”
Josh, the eldest, frowned. “What about costume party? You dressed as woman.”
He flushed as Ella giggled at the memory. “Come on!” he ordered. He really didn't want to explain his costume choice to the kids, let alone an alien. And then there was the matter of the feelings he wanted to not explore. At least whenever he started moving, the kids followed. They always wanted to be wherever he was.
The Doctor watched him lead the children ahead of them in the direction of the main entrance, and hurried behind him despite the shoes. She was going to ask about that costume story later on. And she was a Time Lord, so she could handle a little discomfort. “So... what are we about to do?”
“We're going to first get you properly fitted for a bra, and find you a few of them.” Emily had the plan memorized, which was common for her. She was the list shopper in her family, whereas Nerys was much more of an impulse buyer. She was determined to make that work for this trip - Nerys would find things to suggest and Emily and David would yay or nay them. Possibly before the Doctor even got to see the items, depending on how she acted. “Oh, and some proper knickers. Then we'll go to our favourite clothing shops and find you the basics every woman should have: trousers, suit jackets, blouses, skirts, and perhaps a few dresses. And buy some shoes.”
“Hmm. Well, I need pockets in as many of them as possible. Need pockets. Can't imagine life without them.”
Nerys eyed her. “Dresses might not have them.”
The Doctor scowled. “Then I'd have to own a handbag?! Oh, that'll ruin my image as the Oncoming Storm!”
David didn't bother suppressing his laughter. He hadn't thought that far ahead, but he'd never tell on her. “You could call yourself 'Mary Poppins'.”
She smiled widely. “Oh, yes, she was inspired by someone witnessing a Time Lord. It's distinctly possible it was Romana, as careful as she was.”
“Oh, lower your voices!” Emily waved a hushing motion, having spoken as soon as she found her voice. Nerys was too stunned to talk for the moment. “Yes, you'll need one or two. Thank god David helped you get a new card on your old account. We would've had to have used his. I mean, he could cover this, but why should he have to?”
True, he thought. He would have helped the Doctor, and later made her pay him back. He knew she had the money, even if she tried hard to never use it.
Not sure about how any of this worked, the Doctor decided to change the subject. “Fine. But I will have final say on what's bought!”
“As long as we think you won't attract attention for the wrong reasons wearing them,” Nerys retorted. This promised to be a long shopping run.
And it was. But not so much for Nerys, Emily, or the children.
The Doctor felt very awkward going into the first shop. So many mannequins in one place was always something to trigger danger signals, even if there were no other cues that the Nestene Consciousness was back. And never mind the pictures of scantily clad women. Rassilon, how sex-obsessed were humans?! But she did not dare say it in front of the children.
David admitted to himself that this was the part of the trip that he was least comfortable with. He kept the children right beside him, and closer to the more innocuous parts of the shop. When the Doctor gave him a pleading look as Nerys and Emily started to lead her back to get measured for a bra, he gave her a wan smile and a head shake. “You're on your own,” he mouthed.
Besides, he was not sure about how he would react to the sight of his best friend in a bra. Not after this morning.
It was embarrassing having a strange woman wielding measuring tape around her chest. The Doctor managed to pass off the awkwardness as being sensitive to any stranger touching her, and the shop girl acted respectful - if a little confused that such a mature woman would still act like this and not know her bra size.
The Doctor was not aware enough of what it meant to be a women to know to be embarrassed about that, which forced Nerys and Emily to hide amused smiles.
Shopping on December 24th had its own hazards, especially the crowds that ensured at least one of the four adults would be holding hands with the twins. The Doctor knew this and hoped that it would drive them to finish more quickly.
And then the trying on process! She would admit it felt better to have the boobs lifted a little, but she wasn't sure about the underwires. How did women not notice that there were potentials for harm to the nerves underneath? Or was that knowledge yet to become widespread? Unfortunately, it seemed like far too many of the bras had them, and it seemed standard to suggest (rather strongly) that women with her cup size wear an underwire bra. And some bras, no matter how she maneuvered the breasts to attempt to make them fit into the cups, seemed to create extra folds of skin or the illusion of having four smaller breasts. What were the designers thinking?! How could this possibly be sexy?!
She finally had to settle on a few bras. She chose a few sports bras that mercifully did not have underwires and yet kept her breasts mostly still when she tested them by running in place (it could be modified by the TARDIS to keep her boobs from hindering her in any way), and one wired bra that left no lines under her (admittedly unflattering) temporary clothes. Nerys and Emily tried to get her to accept some others, but she flat-out refused. She would explain her reasons later, but she also just took some knickers that fit and did not seem like they would move out of place while running. The nightclothes she outright refused, not liking any of the styles or patterns. The only exception was one bra that she thought gave her an indecent amount of cleavage - Emily managed to convince her that such a thing might come in handy one day, but the Doctor questioned whether she was thinking of tricking despots.
David had to take the twins outside after a while, to keep them calm and entertained with a few slight of hand tricks. They were just starting to get restless, and bothered by the people constantly passing by, when the three women emerged. He frowned, noting how small the bag was. He raised an eyebrow at Emily, who shook her head to tell him to not ask.
He could imagine how much of a problem it was. And yet he knew it probably did not begin to cover the situation. And they had to keep moving, avoiding the larger stores to miss the larger crowds who might be more likely to overhear something sensitive. Which meant more places visited, but David was willing to endure it, which he hoped would ensure the Doctor did.
The next shop experience went much better. The story that the Doctor, who David had dubbed 'Donna Smith' before the Doctor could think of a new name, had lost her clothes in an accident and the ones she had been wearing were ruined to the point of being unwearable received just as much empathy. That the shop girls were not to approach them unless they were approached first was a relief to David - it meant fewer questions would be asked. Especially given his increasing involvement.
Knowing Nerys' shopping habits, he had her take the children's hands so he could help Emily. They had to guess at the sizes at first by pulling out items and holding them up to the Doctor's body. Often pulling them back before she could comment on them, although that didn't always stop her. Though Emily tried to keep things moving just to make sure that the Doctor did not slow them down with a large complaint.
Soon they had her in a fitting room with trousers, jumpers, blouses, and other items. Emily stood nearby to learn whether a different size was needed or if another color was better. She believed in grabbing one item as a test, sometimes in different sizes, and then grabbing others once the first item was confirmed to work. If it came in different colors, then you could usually grab the same size - double-checking that it was truly the same size, since things could be mislabeled and often were when you least needed them to be. And sometimes what looked awful on the mannequins looked great on the body, or vice versa.
The Doctor thought it was what David called a guessing game. But she knew that whining would only make everything take longer, so she just took care to not hurt anything. Where her previous selves had not cared so much about the aftermath of what happened, she had to make as few waves as possible. Especially now that she knew so little about how to act. Something she did not want to admit to, but was becoming more and more aware of.
And there was the little matter of having to step out of the dressing room once she had a new outfit on so her shopping companions could make a judgment on whether it A) worked for her body, and 2) looked good on her. Emily and Nerys (with the twins in tow) were right nearby to make comments, and David could be called back to give his opinion from the entry to the dressing rooms. For the first several outfits, the Doctor felt like chattel on display, but then saw what a difference fit and the right colors made on her. She might have gone for the first items that fit if not for them, and began to soften toward the experience.
Never mind that it was a blessed relief to ditch the boots for the process. It was almost enough to make her look forward to shoe shopping.
Indeed, she began to experiment with strutting a little as she showed off. Her fifth self had stopped a mind control threat at a fashion show once on another world, full of future humans, and had been struck at the ways of moving. It seemed like inviting problems, like the shoes would be just the start of the models' troubles. Now that she was getting more used to moving in this body, at a comfortable pace, she was beginning to enjoy the added sway that her hips could have or the way some of the tops showed off her torso. Maybe being a woman would not be so bad after all. And she knew she had her new favorite trousers from this first store, along with a good jacket. So she bought several of each, not caring that it raised eyebrows. She would need more than one, so the TARDIS could transform the pockets of the rest while she wore one. Not to mention tailor them so they fit better. A couple of nice jumpers added to the collection she was acquiring.
The following store added jeans - which the Doctor adored once she found several that fit her hips, and that took trying on about twenty pairs - and more casual wear to the collection. The next found several pairs of jim-jams that the Doctor liked. Nerys and Emily attempted to get her to try on more frilly items, but the Doctor asked why anyone would wear things utterly impractical to sleep in.
She had to look David's way when he coughed violently over the question for several seconds. And even when he recovered he was blushing as he explained in a tight whisper that those items were meant less to be slept in and more to entice the wearer's bed partner. All said with the twins out of earshot, which did more to tell her that it was about private matters.
The next store capped all the clothing essentials at last - including a long brown coat that she declared would be her signature piece, much to David's amusement since he had noticed in the TARDIS wardrobe a coat that was claimed to be given to the Doctor by Janis Joplin and that the Doctor had tried to get him to wear more than once. She declined most of the costume jewelry suggested to her, but accepted several scarves and belts throughout the day. She felt she could find better things in the Wardrobe, which David did not doubt.
But the Doctor then had to endure shoe shopping, which was nothing like the previous experience of merely going into the TARDIS wardrobe and locating whatever fit the feet that particular incarnation had. It required getting her feet measured (and how those sizes were selected, she wanted to know) before she could actually try anything on. Only if something on display happened to be in that size could she use that. Most of them were too small for her feet. Was that a gimmick to lessen theft odds, she wondered.
But that was hardly the worst part. The worst was how many heels Nerys and Emily foisted on her to try on.
“You what?!” she hissed, trying to not attract attention but unable to not protest this. She tried to keep her voice low. “Have you thought of how damaging those could be to your feet? There is no reason any woman should wear something that prevents her from running if she needs to!”
“They make your legs and rear look better,” Emily said weakly, this time the one responsible for the twins - who giggled over the Doctor's dismay. Probably because they agreed it looked silly.
“And I'm supposed to care what people who are attracted to the female form think?!”
“You'll need several pairs!” Nerys protested.
“What do I need one for?!”
David put a hand on her shoulder and held the other up to his friends. “Ladies, would you take the twins to the side and keep everyone else away? I think I have to handle this one.”
Nerys waved her hand, like saying Good Luck. She seemed relieved to have a moment to do something else, which she decided to use to look for things for herself and Emily. Which ensured that Emily needed to keep close to hold the impulse shopping to a minimum.
As David sat beside her, the Doctor turned her frustrated eyes on him. “You aren't going to try to talk me into owning any, are you? Do human males not care about female health?”
Sighing, he rubbed his face and tried to think of an answer. Any answer to whisper. It took him a moment to collect his thoughts. “Are they impractical? Yes, I agree. No one should wear shoes that hurt them. Are human males visual creatures? Yeah, we are. Sometimes it bites us in the arse. Maybe loads of times.” He cleared his throat. “Now, do I think it's necessary for a woman to own more than a few pairs of heels? No. Especially not nineteen pairs or more.”
It sounded like he had once dated someone who did, but she merely sighed loudly. “So what am I supposed to do?”
He leaned in closer. “Just... find a few different styles that are versatile, and then you can have the Old Girl duplicate them out of tougher materials. One or two pairs of high heels might be needed to make a cover story look better. God knows what kinds of weird messes we might get into.”
Groaning, she capitulated by throwing her hands in the air. “Fine! But I'd rather have some good trainers for every other moment!”
Thinking, he looked around. His eyes noticed one display. “I'll be back.”
The Doctor waited a moment, and was stunned when he came back with several different pairs of his preferred trainers in women's sizes. He grinned and waved for her to try them on, silently quieting the protests of his friends - even though he shared their prayers that no one was watching. The twins oohed and ahhed over the sight of her wearing their favorite uncle's favorite brand. And she loved them - the size was right, and they felt like she could do a lot of running in them. Add a few adjustments inside the TARDIS to make them even better for running, and she would be set!
And so it was dark when they finally finished. Not that that was difficult, as it was December. Leading the way out of the shoe shop, David groaned aloud as he realize just how many bags were at their feet. Loads of bags, even with combining contents. And with one of them going to the car to put some of the purchases away. “Oh, god... please tell me we're done.”
Nerys and Emily laughed at him, and their children giggled with them. “What, how long has it been since you were the bag carrier for your mum and gran?.”
David groaned and started picking up the bags. He blinked. “Where did she go?”
“Finishing the purchase,” Nerys said. “She did well enough, so we decided to let her handle the last one unaccompanied.”
He paled slightly. “Is that wise?” he whispered.
Nerys rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on! You have to let her handle herself. Trust me, she's starting to like being a woman.”
He heard laughter ring their way. The tone of it told him the Doctor was approaching, and he blinked. She sounded... almost happy. It brought several different thoughts to bear. First was a strange sense of feeling like he hadn't been really needed, which he hadn't realized he'd felt throughout his time with the Doctor - at least once he'd accepted that the Doctor really needed a friend. Second was pure shock that the alien had managed to navigate something so foreign as human interaction with flying colors - and as a gender new to the Doctor's experience. Third was undeniable pride that his friend had managed it. Fourth... wasn't clear to him.
“Thanks,” the Doctor said cheerfully, still out of eyesight. “I feel better being properly attired again.”
An unfamilar laugh rang. “My pleasure. Will you need any additional help?” That voice belonged to a saleswoman, who was assisting the Doctor by carrying a third bag.
Grinning widely, the Doctor shook her head. She'd only accepted the help because her knowledge about human strength told her that someone this size probably couldn't manage the bulky bags on her own without raising eyebrows. Besides, she'd been very ill only hours before and didn't want to risk a relapse. “No, my friends are here.”
David's eyes once again widened as the full extent of the transformation hit him. The Doctor certainly looked professional now in her black trousersuit with a berry colored blouse. Although the trainers made an interesting contrast. Any human woman would've worn heels of some sort. He was surprised that Nerys and Emily had let her get away with it, but he had witnessed the matter argued and lost - on their end.
He also hadn't thought the sight of a woman in a suit did things for him. Evidently when they filled it well, it did. Or was it her having ginger hair? Oh, if she'd been human, he would've asked her out in a heartbeat. That was an uncomfortable thought.
The saleswoman noticed David. “Oh, is that your boyfriend? You certainly have him trained well.”
If his hands hadn't been full, he would've rubbed his eyes. As it was, he groaned.
The children giggled at his reaction, and their mothers openly smirked.
The Doctor shook her head hard, hoping her face wasn't trying to mimic her hair. “No, it's not like that. We're just friends.”
The saleswoman narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced as she handed the bag to Nerys. “Well, whatever you two call yourselves, you're lucky to have a bloke in your life who's that helpful.”
Seeing David's face flush even further and his friends looking like they were ready to tease him, the Doctor just nodded. “Yeah, he's a treasure. Um, thank you again, Alison.”
Alison smiled. “Have a Merry Christmas!” And she went back inside.
The Doctor exhaled and turned to face David, holding two other bags out of the way. “Well, what do you think? This a good image for me? I know the shoes might be wrong given tradition, but I need to be able to run. How can anyone run in heels? I'd be counting the seconds until I could take them off for the rest of the day - and praying I never have to wear them again. I now accept the insistence that I own some heels, just in case we need to dress up for some occasion or other. And you know, you missed Nerys making me buy this dress with a scandalous neckline! What need does a woman have for a dress meant to be worn with a push-up bra?”
Nerys thought David was going to have a stroke or something like that, his face turned even brighter. “Trust me, there might be times when you'll need womanly wiles to use. A dress like that is bait for anyone who likes boobs.”
David cleared his throat before the children could ask any questions. “I assume we can manage all these between us?”
The Doctor noted the squeaky notes, but assumed he was just feeling overwhelmed. She'd seen it before in him, and this time was surely understandable and even expected. “Yes. Just let me put on the overcoat.” She put down the bags and removed the light brown woman's coat from on top of other bags and put it on as she spoke. “I like this one. The Old Girl will quickly modify it so I can use it readily. All the pockets for reaching whatever I might need from her. I can't wait to get them inside her so she can make them all bigger on the inside. Shame that I can't wear the one that Janis Joplin gave me - meant for a man. It's what drew me to this one. Although... I could still give the one in the TARDIS to you, David. You'd wear it well. Would you like a coat with pockets like mine? I can have the TARDIS modify them for you.”
David bit his tongue lightly, trying to focus on the last question. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and led them outside as quickly as he dared with the twins following him closely. The crowds were still around, after all. Once outside, he prepared to ask more questions to get his friends off the track that he knew was only delayed by the presence of the crowds.
Only the sounds of music hit their ears, providing a welcome interruption. Brass instruments playing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, it sounded like. He looked and saw a trio of people clad in Santa suits. He frowned. “Never liked those masked Santas.”
The Doctor looked and froze, sniffing the air.
Nerys scowled. “What?”
“Something's wrong,” the Doctor declared. “There's something off about those Santas, I can smell it from here.”
The children's eyes went wide. “You smell them?”
“Yep. I can smell all sorts of things that humans can't.”
David bit back a groan. “Lower your voice!” he hissed quietly.
But the Santas suddenly stopped playing and lowered their instruments seemingly in their direction. Something made David drop the bags and tug the children behind him.
Then flames shot out of the instruments. The women and children screamed, but the Doctor, even as she ducked whipped out the sonic and aimed it at them.
The Santas stopped, shook, and vanished.
The group slowly straightened. Around them, shock and frantic cries surrounded them.
“What were they?!” Nerys gasped.
The Doctor frowned. “Pilot fish.”
“What does a straggler have to do with aliens?” David asked, leading the group to the cars.
“Well, they're properly called RoboForms. They're scavengers, looking to latch on to a bigger thing. Sometimes they become its scouts, going ahead to give a better picture of what's out there. Sometimes they just nab whatever the bigger thing doesn't eat. You have species that work like on on Earth.”
Emily fixated on only one part. “Wait, if you said they latch on to a bigger thing...”
David paled. “Something's coming Earth's way. Any way to tell what?”
“Let's get back to the TARDIS and I can see.”
Despite the darkness, it was not even dinner time yet. Quirk of England being so far to the north during winter. While Nerys and Emily cooked dinner for the entire group (made possible because they stopped at Tesco and helped ensure David had a stocked pantry and fridge after the Doctor's eating binge), the children gathered around David as he found graphical representations of Earth-bound pilot fish - to explain the concept to them. The Doctor had rushed back into the TARDIS to scan the space surrounding Earth.
Teacher mode suited David. He could indulge them in a harmless way that benefited them in the end.
The outside door flew open, and promptly closed. Before David could open his mouth to remind the Doctor about manners, she flew into the room. “Yep, we've got visitors coming tomorrow. And knowing them, they're not just passing by.”
“Aliens?” the boy exclaimed in curiosity. “They been here before?”
“No. Believe me, that's a good thing. The Sycorax are conquerers, and something caught their attention about Earth. For all I know, they've detected me and they want to try nabbing the TARDIS.”
David facepalmed. “How hard is it going to be to send them away?”
The Doctor had a thoughtful face. “Well, if I act quickly, I might be able to shove them away without them ever landing. And yet I can tell that some elements of their visit are a fixed point. I guess it's time for humans to know for certain that they're not alone.”
“What's it going to take then? Can we avoid anyone getting hurt?”
“I'll do whatever I can.”
The Doctor always said that in some form. Sometimes it was all for naught.
And he was right. Since the aliens were ones the Doctor had met before, he worried about whether they would take a woman seriously. And he asked her that.
She laughed. “David Noble, do you think I'm going to let a little thing like suddenly being shorter and having boobs get in the way of saving planets? I'm the Doctor, and they're going to believe it! Besides, I'm not as weak as I look. I could lift you and carry you a bit of a distance without breaking a sweat.”
He risked looking her up and down, hoping his face didn't change color. “Um... that'd give you away as an alien.”
“Depending on the audience and the circumstances, I wouldn't care. And I bet you wouldn't either if you were injured. We are stronger and faster than humans. I've just been keeping most of my abilities back since they weren't needed for the adventures we've had so far.”
He cleared his throat, forcing his eyes to the computer. “Doctor, please be careful. You only just got better, and I don't know if you could have a relapse. And didn't you once tell me that if you're fatally injured during a regeneration cycle you'll die?”
“I'll be fine. I've had two good meals, and the Syronax won't be here before tomorrow morning. I can have a bit of a healing sleep, and then I'll take an even bigger meal. Just in time to stop them from doing whatever they think they can get away with.”
Nerys interrupted. “Could your being here have caught their attention?”
“Based on their trajectory and speed, I doubt that any expelled regeneration energy would've made a difference. Perhaps they thought there might be someone who could protect the planet, and sent the pilot fish as an advance guard. Well, they underestimated me, and they're going to pay a price for that. They'll be lucky if it's just their warrior pride!” She nabbed a few oranges off the counter. “Might need these for later.”
Nerys and Emily only kept silent because neither wanted to know what the alien intended to do with them.
The twins giggled. “Doctor's funny!”
David had to smile over that. Especially when the Doctor beamed at them.
The next morning, David had to watch the Doctor take on the Sycorax as soon as people started walking toward the rooftops. She got the TARDIS aboard and shouted at them from the moment she stepped out.
“Oi! Haven't you checked the intergalactic laws? When did every Level 5 planet become fair game for conquest?”
It seemed to David that this Doctor was as hard as the previous one. He hoped she was more cautious.
Not that it looked that way as he had to watch in silence as she first rattled off the laws being broken, freed the people from the mind control, and then fought an alien bigger than she was. He flinched with every moment where sword met sword. Once she was on the ground, but she was quicker to recover than the alien leader expected and knocked him flat on his back. While human body language couldn't be applied to aliens, David was positive the leader was humiliated as she forced him to admit defeat.
But when the leader got back up, clearly determined to punish the Doctor for claiming the planet, the Doctor - without looking behind her or stopping in her talking about how she could've handled it all in her jim-jams, like Arthur Dent - reached into her pocket and bounced an orange off a pillar. The leader was thrown off the ship by the impact.
David stared in shock. “Doctor?!”
She looked him in the eye. “What was it you said? Sometime you can't give someone a second chance. I knew he couldn't bear losing, and losing to a woman was too much for his little ego to take.”
He had no answer. At least not until the Doctor made contact through a computer message with UNIT, telling them to spread the word that the Sycorax would not be back any time soon. Even then, it was muted.
Chapter Four: Possession and a "Not Amused" Queen
Rating: heavy T for most contents, but it earns an M for occasional scenes and subject matter
Author: tkel_paris
Summary: David Noble has the biggest challenge of his life ahead - taking care of the new Tenth Doctor. Of course, it's harder because his male friend who was in love with him is now a gorgeous ginger woman... who's caught his eye. Sequel to Flipped, Book 1. Written for tardis_mole.
Required Disclaimer: The summary should be enough to tell you I own nothing.
Dedications: My good friend tardis_mole, for helping me discover my talent at editing and for being an inspiration. You've challenged me to go beyond what I previously thought I would like, and so this is the farthest I've gone from my comfort zone so far. Who knows where I'll go next?
And another important shout-out: sykira, whose LJ post about John Barrowman's comments about how Doctor Who could eventually go was the ultimate spark for this idea. So I suppose that means the ultimate blame for this lies with the Barrowman. I can only imagine what he would think, although I suspect he would heartily approve. :P
Author's Note: Originally spawned from a different idea that split into three, this is a new version of one of those ideas revived as a birthday present. And it's spawned a slightly AU version as a future present. The original prompt from TM boiled down to this: “The Doctor and Donna in a situation that's never been done before.” Ask and ye shall receive, my friend. Enjoy the sequel. :D Happy Belated Birthday, TM! :DDD I really jope you like this. I finally had to start posting because the uncertainty of whether I did well enough was getting to me.
Oh, and if you haven't read Flipped, please go back and do so. As in right now. :)
Special Disclaimer: I refuse to be held responsible for any $2000/₤2000 lattes, spit-takes, fainting spells, workplace/school gaffes, or falling against/from things that might happen if you're not careful while reading this story. Especially in certain chapters. Read at your own risk. (I put this in because I was warned by one of my betas, cassikat, that my emails should come with a spit-take warning. So I'm looking out for y'all. ;D)
Special Chapter Note: This one must've gone through three or four versions. And most were before my betas got their hands on it. I'm still wondering what I got wrong, but I have to keep going.
Chapter One / Chapter Two
CHAPTER THREE: SHOPPING AND OTHER INVASIONS
Shops were places David hated - unless they sold books. He was a firm believer in knowing your size, having a few favorite brands, and then quickly going in to buy what you needed and nothing more. He was a list shopper, and only tried things on if he absolutely had to - to avoid having to return something later. Meant he hated being dragged along as a boy or a teenager when his mother and granny went shopping. He ended up being asked questions he thought there were no right answers to, carrying bags, and - especially when he was younger - being praised by random women for being such a helpful lad.
He hoped he wouldn't be stuck with that again. Although he did have Emily and Nerys' children to watch over, which was always a joy, he wasn't keen on leaving the Doctor alone with his friends for any length of time. Which meant the awkward reality of bringing two little children into shops with them. On Christmas Eve. Still in the car park for the Oaks Shopping Centre, he looked at his friends, hoping they'd change their minds. “You two sure you can handle this? I don't know how well she's going to do.”
Nerys laughed at him. “And you would do a better job of shopping for a woman's needs on your own? I distinctly remember you whining about being the bag carrier for your mum and granny.”
He scowled at her.
The Doctor looked down at her temporary clothing. Emily had grabbed a blue-toned maternity dress that hung wrong in the front, although it showed that this new body didn't have a completely flat stomach. The color was a bit off given her pale, freckly complexion. A black coat had been slung over her shoulders, baggy in some places and too tight around the shoulders since Emily was shorter and smaller. The shoes, thick black boots that were dull and were meant for a different size, pinched the Doctor's feet, and she shuffled awkwardly. “Why couldn't I go barefoot?”
“Because that would've raised more questions, and we can't have that!” hissed David, struggling to swallow the groan that threatened to erupt at any moment. “Well, I'd endure a fair bit for a friend,” he said to Nerys. “And I'm obviously about to! So you're welcome.”
The Doctor pouted slightly. “I'm grateful you could come along. I like the children, they're such a delight, and I always seek out your opinions.”
“Well, I still think it would be better if they were away,” Emily sighed. She turned to the Doctor, lowering her voice further. “The kids will force us to take longer, which I'm guessing your... male habits won't like. And it's going to raise a lot of questions having a man who you say is just a friend giving his opinions on underthings.”
David's face turned distinctly reddish.
The Doctor shrugged. “I'll help keep them calm. And I'm sure David can find things to make them laugh. And believe me when I say I've been through hell and back. How bad can shopping for clothes in a new body be?”
Relieved, David took the children's hands. “Hope those aren't famous last words,” he muttered before clearing his throat and putting on a cheerful tone with the twins. “Come on, little'uns! We'll go and check the toy shops and have some treats at least once today.”
Josh, the eldest, frowned. “What about costume party? You dressed as woman.”
He flushed as Ella giggled at the memory. “Come on!” he ordered. He really didn't want to explain his costume choice to the kids, let alone an alien. And then there was the matter of the feelings he wanted to not explore. At least whenever he started moving, the kids followed. They always wanted to be wherever he was.
The Doctor watched him lead the children ahead of them in the direction of the main entrance, and hurried behind him despite the shoes. She was going to ask about that costume story later on. And she was a Time Lord, so she could handle a little discomfort. “So... what are we about to do?”
“We're going to first get you properly fitted for a bra, and find you a few of them.” Emily had the plan memorized, which was common for her. She was the list shopper in her family, whereas Nerys was much more of an impulse buyer. She was determined to make that work for this trip - Nerys would find things to suggest and Emily and David would yay or nay them. Possibly before the Doctor even got to see the items, depending on how she acted. “Oh, and some proper knickers. Then we'll go to our favourite clothing shops and find you the basics every woman should have: trousers, suit jackets, blouses, skirts, and perhaps a few dresses. And buy some shoes.”
“Hmm. Well, I need pockets in as many of them as possible. Need pockets. Can't imagine life without them.”
Nerys eyed her. “Dresses might not have them.”
The Doctor scowled. “Then I'd have to own a handbag?! Oh, that'll ruin my image as the Oncoming Storm!”
David didn't bother suppressing his laughter. He hadn't thought that far ahead, but he'd never tell on her. “You could call yourself 'Mary Poppins'.”
She smiled widely. “Oh, yes, she was inspired by someone witnessing a Time Lord. It's distinctly possible it was Romana, as careful as she was.”
“Oh, lower your voices!” Emily waved a hushing motion, having spoken as soon as she found her voice. Nerys was too stunned to talk for the moment. “Yes, you'll need one or two. Thank god David helped you get a new card on your old account. We would've had to have used his. I mean, he could cover this, but why should he have to?”
True, he thought. He would have helped the Doctor, and later made her pay him back. He knew she had the money, even if she tried hard to never use it.
Not sure about how any of this worked, the Doctor decided to change the subject. “Fine. But I will have final say on what's bought!”
“As long as we think you won't attract attention for the wrong reasons wearing them,” Nerys retorted. This promised to be a long shopping run.
And it was. But not so much for Nerys, Emily, or the children.
The Doctor felt very awkward going into the first shop. So many mannequins in one place was always something to trigger danger signals, even if there were no other cues that the Nestene Consciousness was back. And never mind the pictures of scantily clad women. Rassilon, how sex-obsessed were humans?! But she did not dare say it in front of the children.
David admitted to himself that this was the part of the trip that he was least comfortable with. He kept the children right beside him, and closer to the more innocuous parts of the shop. When the Doctor gave him a pleading look as Nerys and Emily started to lead her back to get measured for a bra, he gave her a wan smile and a head shake. “You're on your own,” he mouthed.
Besides, he was not sure about how he would react to the sight of his best friend in a bra. Not after this morning.
It was embarrassing having a strange woman wielding measuring tape around her chest. The Doctor managed to pass off the awkwardness as being sensitive to any stranger touching her, and the shop girl acted respectful - if a little confused that such a mature woman would still act like this and not know her bra size.
The Doctor was not aware enough of what it meant to be a women to know to be embarrassed about that, which forced Nerys and Emily to hide amused smiles.
Shopping on December 24th had its own hazards, especially the crowds that ensured at least one of the four adults would be holding hands with the twins. The Doctor knew this and hoped that it would drive them to finish more quickly.
And then the trying on process! She would admit it felt better to have the boobs lifted a little, but she wasn't sure about the underwires. How did women not notice that there were potentials for harm to the nerves underneath? Or was that knowledge yet to become widespread? Unfortunately, it seemed like far too many of the bras had them, and it seemed standard to suggest (rather strongly) that women with her cup size wear an underwire bra. And some bras, no matter how she maneuvered the breasts to attempt to make them fit into the cups, seemed to create extra folds of skin or the illusion of having four smaller breasts. What were the designers thinking?! How could this possibly be sexy?!
She finally had to settle on a few bras. She chose a few sports bras that mercifully did not have underwires and yet kept her breasts mostly still when she tested them by running in place (it could be modified by the TARDIS to keep her boobs from hindering her in any way), and one wired bra that left no lines under her (admittedly unflattering) temporary clothes. Nerys and Emily tried to get her to accept some others, but she flat-out refused. She would explain her reasons later, but she also just took some knickers that fit and did not seem like they would move out of place while running. The nightclothes she outright refused, not liking any of the styles or patterns. The only exception was one bra that she thought gave her an indecent amount of cleavage - Emily managed to convince her that such a thing might come in handy one day, but the Doctor questioned whether she was thinking of tricking despots.
David had to take the twins outside after a while, to keep them calm and entertained with a few slight of hand tricks. They were just starting to get restless, and bothered by the people constantly passing by, when the three women emerged. He frowned, noting how small the bag was. He raised an eyebrow at Emily, who shook her head to tell him to not ask.
He could imagine how much of a problem it was. And yet he knew it probably did not begin to cover the situation. And they had to keep moving, avoiding the larger stores to miss the larger crowds who might be more likely to overhear something sensitive. Which meant more places visited, but David was willing to endure it, which he hoped would ensure the Doctor did.
The next shop experience went much better. The story that the Doctor, who David had dubbed 'Donna Smith' before the Doctor could think of a new name, had lost her clothes in an accident and the ones she had been wearing were ruined to the point of being unwearable received just as much empathy. That the shop girls were not to approach them unless they were approached first was a relief to David - it meant fewer questions would be asked. Especially given his increasing involvement.
Knowing Nerys' shopping habits, he had her take the children's hands so he could help Emily. They had to guess at the sizes at first by pulling out items and holding them up to the Doctor's body. Often pulling them back before she could comment on them, although that didn't always stop her. Though Emily tried to keep things moving just to make sure that the Doctor did not slow them down with a large complaint.
Soon they had her in a fitting room with trousers, jumpers, blouses, and other items. Emily stood nearby to learn whether a different size was needed or if another color was better. She believed in grabbing one item as a test, sometimes in different sizes, and then grabbing others once the first item was confirmed to work. If it came in different colors, then you could usually grab the same size - double-checking that it was truly the same size, since things could be mislabeled and often were when you least needed them to be. And sometimes what looked awful on the mannequins looked great on the body, or vice versa.
The Doctor thought it was what David called a guessing game. But she knew that whining would only make everything take longer, so she just took care to not hurt anything. Where her previous selves had not cared so much about the aftermath of what happened, she had to make as few waves as possible. Especially now that she knew so little about how to act. Something she did not want to admit to, but was becoming more and more aware of.
And there was the little matter of having to step out of the dressing room once she had a new outfit on so her shopping companions could make a judgment on whether it A) worked for her body, and 2) looked good on her. Emily and Nerys (with the twins in tow) were right nearby to make comments, and David could be called back to give his opinion from the entry to the dressing rooms. For the first several outfits, the Doctor felt like chattel on display, but then saw what a difference fit and the right colors made on her. She might have gone for the first items that fit if not for them, and began to soften toward the experience.
Never mind that it was a blessed relief to ditch the boots for the process. It was almost enough to make her look forward to shoe shopping.
Indeed, she began to experiment with strutting a little as she showed off. Her fifth self had stopped a mind control threat at a fashion show once on another world, full of future humans, and had been struck at the ways of moving. It seemed like inviting problems, like the shoes would be just the start of the models' troubles. Now that she was getting more used to moving in this body, at a comfortable pace, she was beginning to enjoy the added sway that her hips could have or the way some of the tops showed off her torso. Maybe being a woman would not be so bad after all. And she knew she had her new favorite trousers from this first store, along with a good jacket. So she bought several of each, not caring that it raised eyebrows. She would need more than one, so the TARDIS could transform the pockets of the rest while she wore one. Not to mention tailor them so they fit better. A couple of nice jumpers added to the collection she was acquiring.
The following store added jeans - which the Doctor adored once she found several that fit her hips, and that took trying on about twenty pairs - and more casual wear to the collection. The next found several pairs of jim-jams that the Doctor liked. Nerys and Emily attempted to get her to try on more frilly items, but the Doctor asked why anyone would wear things utterly impractical to sleep in.
She had to look David's way when he coughed violently over the question for several seconds. And even when he recovered he was blushing as he explained in a tight whisper that those items were meant less to be slept in and more to entice the wearer's bed partner. All said with the twins out of earshot, which did more to tell her that it was about private matters.
The next store capped all the clothing essentials at last - including a long brown coat that she declared would be her signature piece, much to David's amusement since he had noticed in the TARDIS wardrobe a coat that was claimed to be given to the Doctor by Janis Joplin and that the Doctor had tried to get him to wear more than once. She declined most of the costume jewelry suggested to her, but accepted several scarves and belts throughout the day. She felt she could find better things in the Wardrobe, which David did not doubt.
But the Doctor then had to endure shoe shopping, which was nothing like the previous experience of merely going into the TARDIS wardrobe and locating whatever fit the feet that particular incarnation had. It required getting her feet measured (and how those sizes were selected, she wanted to know) before she could actually try anything on. Only if something on display happened to be in that size could she use that. Most of them were too small for her feet. Was that a gimmick to lessen theft odds, she wondered.
But that was hardly the worst part. The worst was how many heels Nerys and Emily foisted on her to try on.
“You what?!” she hissed, trying to not attract attention but unable to not protest this. She tried to keep her voice low. “Have you thought of how damaging those could be to your feet? There is no reason any woman should wear something that prevents her from running if she needs to!”
“They make your legs and rear look better,” Emily said weakly, this time the one responsible for the twins - who giggled over the Doctor's dismay. Probably because they agreed it looked silly.
“And I'm supposed to care what people who are attracted to the female form think?!”
“You'll need several pairs!” Nerys protested.
“What do I need one for?!”
David put a hand on her shoulder and held the other up to his friends. “Ladies, would you take the twins to the side and keep everyone else away? I think I have to handle this one.”
Nerys waved her hand, like saying Good Luck. She seemed relieved to have a moment to do something else, which she decided to use to look for things for herself and Emily. Which ensured that Emily needed to keep close to hold the impulse shopping to a minimum.
As David sat beside her, the Doctor turned her frustrated eyes on him. “You aren't going to try to talk me into owning any, are you? Do human males not care about female health?”
Sighing, he rubbed his face and tried to think of an answer. Any answer to whisper. It took him a moment to collect his thoughts. “Are they impractical? Yes, I agree. No one should wear shoes that hurt them. Are human males visual creatures? Yeah, we are. Sometimes it bites us in the arse. Maybe loads of times.” He cleared his throat. “Now, do I think it's necessary for a woman to own more than a few pairs of heels? No. Especially not nineteen pairs or more.”
It sounded like he had once dated someone who did, but she merely sighed loudly. “So what am I supposed to do?”
He leaned in closer. “Just... find a few different styles that are versatile, and then you can have the Old Girl duplicate them out of tougher materials. One or two pairs of high heels might be needed to make a cover story look better. God knows what kinds of weird messes we might get into.”
Groaning, she capitulated by throwing her hands in the air. “Fine! But I'd rather have some good trainers for every other moment!”
Thinking, he looked around. His eyes noticed one display. “I'll be back.”
The Doctor waited a moment, and was stunned when he came back with several different pairs of his preferred trainers in women's sizes. He grinned and waved for her to try them on, silently quieting the protests of his friends - even though he shared their prayers that no one was watching. The twins oohed and ahhed over the sight of her wearing their favorite uncle's favorite brand. And she loved them - the size was right, and they felt like she could do a lot of running in them. Add a few adjustments inside the TARDIS to make them even better for running, and she would be set!
And so it was dark when they finally finished. Not that that was difficult, as it was December. Leading the way out of the shoe shop, David groaned aloud as he realize just how many bags were at their feet. Loads of bags, even with combining contents. And with one of them going to the car to put some of the purchases away. “Oh, god... please tell me we're done.”
Nerys and Emily laughed at him, and their children giggled with them. “What, how long has it been since you were the bag carrier for your mum and gran?.”
David groaned and started picking up the bags. He blinked. “Where did she go?”
“Finishing the purchase,” Nerys said. “She did well enough, so we decided to let her handle the last one unaccompanied.”
He paled slightly. “Is that wise?” he whispered.
Nerys rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on! You have to let her handle herself. Trust me, she's starting to like being a woman.”
He heard laughter ring their way. The tone of it told him the Doctor was approaching, and he blinked. She sounded... almost happy. It brought several different thoughts to bear. First was a strange sense of feeling like he hadn't been really needed, which he hadn't realized he'd felt throughout his time with the Doctor - at least once he'd accepted that the Doctor really needed a friend. Second was pure shock that the alien had managed to navigate something so foreign as human interaction with flying colors - and as a gender new to the Doctor's experience. Third was undeniable pride that his friend had managed it. Fourth... wasn't clear to him.
“Thanks,” the Doctor said cheerfully, still out of eyesight. “I feel better being properly attired again.”
An unfamilar laugh rang. “My pleasure. Will you need any additional help?” That voice belonged to a saleswoman, who was assisting the Doctor by carrying a third bag.
Grinning widely, the Doctor shook her head. She'd only accepted the help because her knowledge about human strength told her that someone this size probably couldn't manage the bulky bags on her own without raising eyebrows. Besides, she'd been very ill only hours before and didn't want to risk a relapse. “No, my friends are here.”
David's eyes once again widened as the full extent of the transformation hit him. The Doctor certainly looked professional now in her black trousersuit with a berry colored blouse. Although the trainers made an interesting contrast. Any human woman would've worn heels of some sort. He was surprised that Nerys and Emily had let her get away with it, but he had witnessed the matter argued and lost - on their end.
He also hadn't thought the sight of a woman in a suit did things for him. Evidently when they filled it well, it did. Or was it her having ginger hair? Oh, if she'd been human, he would've asked her out in a heartbeat. That was an uncomfortable thought.
The saleswoman noticed David. “Oh, is that your boyfriend? You certainly have him trained well.”
If his hands hadn't been full, he would've rubbed his eyes. As it was, he groaned.
The children giggled at his reaction, and their mothers openly smirked.
The Doctor shook her head hard, hoping her face wasn't trying to mimic her hair. “No, it's not like that. We're just friends.”
The saleswoman narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced as she handed the bag to Nerys. “Well, whatever you two call yourselves, you're lucky to have a bloke in your life who's that helpful.”
Seeing David's face flush even further and his friends looking like they were ready to tease him, the Doctor just nodded. “Yeah, he's a treasure. Um, thank you again, Alison.”
Alison smiled. “Have a Merry Christmas!” And she went back inside.
The Doctor exhaled and turned to face David, holding two other bags out of the way. “Well, what do you think? This a good image for me? I know the shoes might be wrong given tradition, but I need to be able to run. How can anyone run in heels? I'd be counting the seconds until I could take them off for the rest of the day - and praying I never have to wear them again. I now accept the insistence that I own some heels, just in case we need to dress up for some occasion or other. And you know, you missed Nerys making me buy this dress with a scandalous neckline! What need does a woman have for a dress meant to be worn with a push-up bra?”
Nerys thought David was going to have a stroke or something like that, his face turned even brighter. “Trust me, there might be times when you'll need womanly wiles to use. A dress like that is bait for anyone who likes boobs.”
David cleared his throat before the children could ask any questions. “I assume we can manage all these between us?”
The Doctor noted the squeaky notes, but assumed he was just feeling overwhelmed. She'd seen it before in him, and this time was surely understandable and even expected. “Yes. Just let me put on the overcoat.” She put down the bags and removed the light brown woman's coat from on top of other bags and put it on as she spoke. “I like this one. The Old Girl will quickly modify it so I can use it readily. All the pockets for reaching whatever I might need from her. I can't wait to get them inside her so she can make them all bigger on the inside. Shame that I can't wear the one that Janis Joplin gave me - meant for a man. It's what drew me to this one. Although... I could still give the one in the TARDIS to you, David. You'd wear it well. Would you like a coat with pockets like mine? I can have the TARDIS modify them for you.”
David bit his tongue lightly, trying to focus on the last question. He took a deep breath to calm himself, and led them outside as quickly as he dared with the twins following him closely. The crowds were still around, after all. Once outside, he prepared to ask more questions to get his friends off the track that he knew was only delayed by the presence of the crowds.
Only the sounds of music hit their ears, providing a welcome interruption. Brass instruments playing God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, it sounded like. He looked and saw a trio of people clad in Santa suits. He frowned. “Never liked those masked Santas.”
The Doctor looked and froze, sniffing the air.
Nerys scowled. “What?”
“Something's wrong,” the Doctor declared. “There's something off about those Santas, I can smell it from here.”
The children's eyes went wide. “You smell them?”
“Yep. I can smell all sorts of things that humans can't.”
David bit back a groan. “Lower your voice!” he hissed quietly.
But the Santas suddenly stopped playing and lowered their instruments seemingly in their direction. Something made David drop the bags and tug the children behind him.
Then flames shot out of the instruments. The women and children screamed, but the Doctor, even as she ducked whipped out the sonic and aimed it at them.
The Santas stopped, shook, and vanished.
The group slowly straightened. Around them, shock and frantic cries surrounded them.
“What were they?!” Nerys gasped.
The Doctor frowned. “Pilot fish.”
“What does a straggler have to do with aliens?” David asked, leading the group to the cars.
“Well, they're properly called RoboForms. They're scavengers, looking to latch on to a bigger thing. Sometimes they become its scouts, going ahead to give a better picture of what's out there. Sometimes they just nab whatever the bigger thing doesn't eat. You have species that work like on on Earth.”
Emily fixated on only one part. “Wait, if you said they latch on to a bigger thing...”
David paled. “Something's coming Earth's way. Any way to tell what?”
“Let's get back to the TARDIS and I can see.”
Despite the darkness, it was not even dinner time yet. Quirk of England being so far to the north during winter. While Nerys and Emily cooked dinner for the entire group (made possible because they stopped at Tesco and helped ensure David had a stocked pantry and fridge after the Doctor's eating binge), the children gathered around David as he found graphical representations of Earth-bound pilot fish - to explain the concept to them. The Doctor had rushed back into the TARDIS to scan the space surrounding Earth.
Teacher mode suited David. He could indulge them in a harmless way that benefited them in the end.
The outside door flew open, and promptly closed. Before David could open his mouth to remind the Doctor about manners, she flew into the room. “Yep, we've got visitors coming tomorrow. And knowing them, they're not just passing by.”
“Aliens?” the boy exclaimed in curiosity. “They been here before?”
“No. Believe me, that's a good thing. The Sycorax are conquerers, and something caught their attention about Earth. For all I know, they've detected me and they want to try nabbing the TARDIS.”
David facepalmed. “How hard is it going to be to send them away?”
The Doctor had a thoughtful face. “Well, if I act quickly, I might be able to shove them away without them ever landing. And yet I can tell that some elements of their visit are a fixed point. I guess it's time for humans to know for certain that they're not alone.”
“What's it going to take then? Can we avoid anyone getting hurt?”
“I'll do whatever I can.”
The Doctor always said that in some form. Sometimes it was all for naught.
And he was right. Since the aliens were ones the Doctor had met before, he worried about whether they would take a woman seriously. And he asked her that.
She laughed. “David Noble, do you think I'm going to let a little thing like suddenly being shorter and having boobs get in the way of saving planets? I'm the Doctor, and they're going to believe it! Besides, I'm not as weak as I look. I could lift you and carry you a bit of a distance without breaking a sweat.”
He risked looking her up and down, hoping his face didn't change color. “Um... that'd give you away as an alien.”
“Depending on the audience and the circumstances, I wouldn't care. And I bet you wouldn't either if you were injured. We are stronger and faster than humans. I've just been keeping most of my abilities back since they weren't needed for the adventures we've had so far.”
He cleared his throat, forcing his eyes to the computer. “Doctor, please be careful. You only just got better, and I don't know if you could have a relapse. And didn't you once tell me that if you're fatally injured during a regeneration cycle you'll die?”
“I'll be fine. I've had two good meals, and the Syronax won't be here before tomorrow morning. I can have a bit of a healing sleep, and then I'll take an even bigger meal. Just in time to stop them from doing whatever they think they can get away with.”
Nerys interrupted. “Could your being here have caught their attention?”
“Based on their trajectory and speed, I doubt that any expelled regeneration energy would've made a difference. Perhaps they thought there might be someone who could protect the planet, and sent the pilot fish as an advance guard. Well, they underestimated me, and they're going to pay a price for that. They'll be lucky if it's just their warrior pride!” She nabbed a few oranges off the counter. “Might need these for later.”
Nerys and Emily only kept silent because neither wanted to know what the alien intended to do with them.
The twins giggled. “Doctor's funny!”
David had to smile over that. Especially when the Doctor beamed at them.
The next morning, David had to watch the Doctor take on the Sycorax as soon as people started walking toward the rooftops. She got the TARDIS aboard and shouted at them from the moment she stepped out.
“Oi! Haven't you checked the intergalactic laws? When did every Level 5 planet become fair game for conquest?”
It seemed to David that this Doctor was as hard as the previous one. He hoped she was more cautious.
Not that it looked that way as he had to watch in silence as she first rattled off the laws being broken, freed the people from the mind control, and then fought an alien bigger than she was. He flinched with every moment where sword met sword. Once she was on the ground, but she was quicker to recover than the alien leader expected and knocked him flat on his back. While human body language couldn't be applied to aliens, David was positive the leader was humiliated as she forced him to admit defeat.
But when the leader got back up, clearly determined to punish the Doctor for claiming the planet, the Doctor - without looking behind her or stopping in her talking about how she could've handled it all in her jim-jams, like Arthur Dent - reached into her pocket and bounced an orange off a pillar. The leader was thrown off the ship by the impact.
David stared in shock. “Doctor?!”
She looked him in the eye. “What was it you said? Sometime you can't give someone a second chance. I knew he couldn't bear losing, and losing to a woman was too much for his little ego to take.”
He had no answer. At least not until the Doctor made contact through a computer message with UNIT, telling them to spread the word that the Sycorax would not be back any time soon. Even then, it was muted.
Chapter Four: Possession and a "Not Amused" Queen