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toxic_cornSeries: Kristy and The Doctor
Title: Chapter Eleven - Daytripper
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
toxic_corn and nutmeg610
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Ann M. Martin, Scholastic Books, and the BBC. Sometimes ABC even. And NBC. Okay, practically no one is ours, okay? We aren't collecting any money so pretty please don't sue? We're both broke college students.
Summary: Kristy Thomas has been doing well since her days as president of the Babysitters Club. She's about to graduate from the University of Connecticut and her best friend's finacee can get her a place in the LAPD. It looks like her future is set until a strange man in a magic blue box shows up and changes everything...
Authors' Note: Yet another pairing in the crack series. We found the idea of The Doctor having to put up with the blunt, bossy Kristy to be funny and from there the story grew. If you think that now we are officially certifiable, you're most likely right. This follows the other stories in the crack series: Your Boyfriend Snorts Cocaine, Mary Anne and Wanna Get It On, Dawn?
Catch up on earlier chapters at the organizational post.
Chapter Eleven - Daytripper
Congratulations, Mrs. Callis! As our gift to you, we're gonna take you aaaanywhere you want to go in time. You just pick a place!
- email from Kristy Thomas to Dawn Schafer-Callis
"Washington D.C., February 11, 1964," The Doctor announced, bouncing excitedly around his controls. "Washington Coliseum: Site of The Beatles' first concert ever in America!"
Dawn squealed, clapping her hands. "This is such an awesome present, you guys! I can't wait to see how young they all look!"
"And alive," Kristy added, but Dawn was too excited to give her a look.
Clunk. The lights flickered and the TARDIS tilted, making them all lose their footing.
"Umm, does that always happen?" Dawn asked nervously.
"No. Doctor, what's going on?" Kristy stumbled again, nearly toppling over and The Doctor pulled her protectively to his side.
"Uhh, bit of a malfunction, no worries," The Doctor said. He fiddled with the controls, only letting go of Kristy when she gently removed his arm so he could work two-handed.
"He'll figure it out," she told Dawn confidently. "He's a genius." But she gave The Doctor a worried look, not liking the sounds their home was making.
"I'll just need to set her down for a few to assess the problem," The Doctor announced.
Kristy nodded and clutched the console, trying to keep her stomach down. She normally wasn't this queasy even when the ride got bumpy.
After another minute of nauseous spinning, the TARDIS landed a little roughly. "There!" The Doctor exclaimed in satisfaction. "Just needs a cool off. Meanwhile, I've brought us to an expert mechanic to see what the problem is. Not that I can't fix it, but I'd just like a second opinion."
They'd all taken hardly a step out of the TARDIS when they found themselves looking down the barrels of three cocked and loaded guns.
Startled, Kristy raised her hands in the universal sign for surrender. "Oh, wow. You really do find trouble, Doctor."
"It's not like I try or anything," The Doctor insisted. "Really."
Dawn really looked at the gunmen and her eyes widened. "Kevin?!"
For the first time, Kristy took a close look at their surroundings. It was a small dining room/kitchen made even more crowded by their presence as well as that of the TARDIS. And the people holding guns on them at that very moment were people she'd encountered before.
"Oh, I made that mistake already. No, that isn't Kevin. And that's not Chad or Mary Anne, either."
Spotting the doppelgangers, Dawn jumped back in alarm. "Ok, are we in some freaky parallel universe because this is freaking me out!"
"It's... the future. Maybe they're relatives or something." That explanation felt weird and Kristy frowned but kept her cool so Dawn could hopefully calm down.
"S-So is that--" Dawn nodded at the Kevin look-alike. "My great great great great grandson???"
"I don't know. Maybe." Kristy addressed him. "Hi."
"Hello again," the man replied, lowering his gun. "You seem ta always pop up, dontcha? See ya found yer fancible fella." He nodded at The Doctor.
"Yeah, he was right where you told me to look." But then she frowned and directed her next remark to the woman standing next to the man. "Actually, where you told me to look. Thanks."
The man nodded. "Well, uh, that's good then. But y'all mind tellin' me what the gui is going on here?"
Looking worried, The Doctor looked back at the TARDIS. "The TARDIS didn't translate that. Well, that's on the fritz."
"Um, our ship broke. You guys have a mechanic who can help, right?" Kristy looked around the assembled group, more than willing to let polite chit chat be pushed aside. Dawn was looking worried and antsy and The Doctor just looked perturbed at how his trusted machine and home was acting up yet again.
A friendly looking, round-faced girl shot up eagerly out of her seat. "Ya came ta the right place! What's the trouble?"
"Um. Broken. The Doctor can show you," Kristy said lamely, pointing at The Doctor. "I'm Kristy by the way, and this is Dawn."
"Kaylee! Nice ta meetcha!" The girl followed The Doctor inside the TARDIS, leaving everyone to stare awkwardly at one another.
Suddenly, Dawn grabbed Kristy's arm and hissed while looking at River, "That one looks like Mary Anne would if she smoked crack."
Aware that everyone could hear her, Kristy blushed and hissed back, "Dawn! Her name's River and she's a little... um. Different. But she was really nice to me when I was here so mellow out."
"Ok, I'm sorry! I'm just... really confused an-- and a little scared. I want to go home and see Kevin."
From inside the TARDIS, Kristy could hear Kaylee crowing about how big it was inside. "Once he's got the ship working again, we can go and do just that. Just hold on."
Biting her lip, Dawn nodded bravely and Kristy squeezed her arm in encouragement.
"So last I heard, you were kissin' on Mal for some reason." Jayne blurted, looking between Kristy and the Kevin look-alike.
Kristy blushed and gave Dawn an apologetic look as she glared at her and then both wondered why they were reacting that way; the man wasn't really Kevin. Unsure of how else to handle this situation, Kristy didn't respond to Jayne and went to the table to sit next to the place next to River Kaylee had vacated. She nodded to Dr. Tam who sat across from her and said hello to River.
River twisted her hands together. "Greetings, time traveler. You've come with your friend and love by accident. And he doesn't know yet. Neither do you." She gave a tiny smile. "You'll be scared at first, and that's ok."
Not knowing what else to say to River's cryptic remark, Kristy diplomatically said, "Well. That's... good to know. As long as everything ends up okay," and gave a lock of the girl's tangled hair an affectionate tug, making her grin.
Dawn cautiously approached them. "Um, hi River. I'm Dawn."
"She's Mary Anne's sister," Kristy explained.
"Hello," River said politely.
"You sound just like her. All quiet and high-pitched." Dawn smiled and then bit the inside of her cheek as her eyes filled up with tears.
Alarmed, Kristy hurried to change the subject. "Um. It looks like we showed up in the middle of dinner. In your dining room." She looked over at Mal and managed to keep a blush down. "Sorry about that."
"Nah, actually, we was jus' finishin' up. An' it's Jayne an' the Albatross' turn ta clean up. Play nice. " He gave the two a paternal glare of warning.
"Oh! Do you guys want some help? We can help." Kristy stood up, looking around at the dirty dishes.
"Hell, iffen we got help, ya don't need me none." Jayne started to inch towards the door.
"Jayne," Mal snapped and then addressed Kristy. "That's right sweet of you but seein' as how you're company and you didn't actually eat anything, you don't need to help."
Looking restlessly back at the TARDIS, Kristy said, "Oh....kay. Um. Is there anything else I can do?"
Jayne snorted. "Bet Mal can think up a few things, judgin' by the stories he's been tellin' bout you."
"Excuse me??" Kristy demanded, staring wide-eyed at the captain.
"Wha--? I... nuh uh!" Mal pointed at Jayne threateningly. "Jus' do what I ruttin' told ya ta do an' stop spreadin' rumors!"
Rolling his eyes, Jayne asked the female gunman who had long since holstered her weapon, "Zoe, ain't he been talkin' her up since the other day, always in front 'a 'Nara?"
"You have taken up story-telling as a hobby, sir," Zoe said mildly.
Mal glared at her. "Traitor." Turning to Kristy, he quickly tried to do some damage control. "Hell, I weren't making up lies an' go se. All's I been sayin' was the truth."
"Good. Let's keep it that way." Kristy glared at him in annoyance.
Jayne sighed, having satisfactorily stirred up shit for the day. "C'mon, Moonbrain; best clean up 'fore that vein in his forehead goes pop!"
River nodded her agreement with this plan. "He wouldn't fly around the room like a balloon though, just suffer cranial bleeding and die."
When Dawn looked a little appalled, Kristy felt the need to explain. "It's... just her way."
"Uh huh, sure. Umm, w-what should we do now?"
"I guess we just sit and w-"
Suddenly, the TARDIS started whooshing, badly startling River and Jayne as they cleaned up. Kristy jumped up and ran to the doors, starting to pound on them but stopping when the ship started to fade.
He was leaving. He wasn't supposed to leave her.
"Kristy?" Dawn stood up slowly. "Tell me our ride didn't just leave us trapped in the future."
"On a spaceship!" River sing-songed from the kitchen.
"I-In a sp-space..." Looking faint, Dawn plopped back down into her chair. "Oh my lord."
Hardly daring to believe it, Kristy stared at where the TARDIS had just been. "He'll come back. He wouldn't leave me."
Devastated, Dawn looked up at her. "But what if he can't? What if he can't fix it?" Starting to cry, she continued on, "Oh, God! I'll never see Kevin again! O-Or Mary Anne or my parents, or Jeff, or Lizzy Grace, o-or even Chad!" Crossing her arms on the table, she continued to cry into them.
Though she was just as upset as Dawn, Kristy knew she has to take on her role as leader and set a strong example. She went to her friend and wrapped an arm around her. "He'll be back. They're probably just testing the ship out right now and they'll be back in a few minutes. It'll be okay, Dawn."
Dawn wiped her tears. "I'm gonna hold you to that. But thirty years from now, if we're still living on a spaceship, I'm going to turn towards you and bitchslap you so hard..." She laughed mirthlessly. "Just warning you now, so you can prepare yourself..." Trailing off, she hugged Kristy tight.
Kristy hugged her back just as tightly. "Okay. But I'll slap you right back; no one twisted your arm to come along on this little trip." She added, "I'm glad you're here, though. Last time I got stranded in the future I was by myself and it was scary."
"Yeah, I'll bet." Dawn sniffled. "But we have each other."
"Yeah," Kristy agreed and kissed Dawn's forehead.
"Aww, yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about," Jayne said, shattering their moment of sisterhood which earned him two glares from Kristy and Dawn and a pinch in the arm from River. Scowling, he dumped the remaining dishes in the sink and stormed out of the room. "I'll be in my bunk."
Dawn stared after him in wonder. "Ok, they look like Mary Anne and Chad, they sound like Mary Anne and Chad, but they sure don't act like Mary Anne and Chad do together." She shook her head. "What a trip."
Kristy giggled and looked around at the remaining crew. They all looked confused and she sobered.
"Wait," Mal said. "Did he just leave with Kaylee."
"Just on a trial run," Kristy assured him. "He'll be right back, you'll see."
Mal didn't look so sure. "He'd better be. I need my mechanic."
Dawn ended up breaking the tension by standing up and looking out the window in the ceiling. "Wow. Kinda hard to believe we're in space. Just looks like looking out a skylight."
"I can show ya the bridge if ya want. Ya can see out ta the black from there," Mal offered.
Giving him a slow, pretty smile, Dawn said, "Wow, yeah. I'd love to see that."
"This way." Mal started to lead her out the door but then glanced at the fancy, perfectly made up woman who was sitting at the table, quietly talking to Zoe. She had been quiet through their whole arrival and seeing how striking she was, Kristy wondered why she hadn't noticed her before. The glance prompted him to turn toward Kristy. "You comin' along? It's one of the prettiest things anyone can see."
She wasn't all that interested, having seen space dozens of times with The Doctor; in fact, just last week they'd stayed in a future hotel on the moon where the whole roof had been made of glass and she'd been able to make love to him and literally see stars and supernovas.
But she had a feeling she shouldn't leave Dawn alone with Mal, not when she was vulnerable and missing Kevin. "Sure, I guess."
The girls followed him as Dawn said, "It's Mal, right? Is that short for Malcolm?"
"That it is."
"Mal... what?"
"Mal Reynolds, Captain of Serenity at your service," he answered in a playful tone.
"Ooo, Serenity; that's pretty. My friend Sunny has a tattoo on her hip that says Serenity in Chinese."
Kristy had fallen back and rolled her eyes at their conversation. It didn't take long for them to reach the bridge and soon Dawn got her first look at space, completely in awe.
"Wow," she said breathlessly and then just stared for awhile before pulling out her camera phone. "There's not a snowball's chance this'll come out, but I have to try."
As Dawn snapped a picture, a sudden wave of dizziness made Kristy's knees give out and she clutched at the pilot's chair to keep from toppling over.
"Hey, feeling space sick? That happens sometimes." Mal went to her side and pressed a concerned hand to her back.
Dawn turned and saw how pale Kristy looked. "Kristy! What's wrong? Are you gonna be sick?"
"No, I just... um. I must have a... a bug or something." She shook a little, pressing a hand to her face.
"We got a Doc on board. Best be ya see him," Mal said.
Nodding in agreement, Dawn went to Kristy's side. "C'mon, you look like you need to sit down. Where's this doctor at?" Dawn asked Mal.
"Infirmary, down a level. I'll take you." Mal started to lead the way, all captain-y.
"No, wait. I'm fine. It's passed. Whatever it was." She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remaining feelings of nausea.
"Please, Kristy. Just have him take a look?" Dawn asked, features pinched with worry. "The feeling could come back, and I'd feel better if I knew you were in the clear."
"Okay, sure. Let's go," Kristy acquiesced, sighing heavily.
~*~
After a quick physical and some blood drawing, Kristy looked for a distraction, hoping not to get sick again. She helped the crew with some of their work in the cargo bay, played a game of hoopball, and now they were back up in the little dining room, playing a game called Tall Card. She wasn't quite getting the hang of it, but Mal sat by her side to help her. He tended to lean too close and once twisted a strand of her hair around her finger playfully but she gently discouraged him.
At any other time, she would've been flattered by the attention, but she didn't want to play flirty little games now. Not when she had The Doctor. If he was ever coming back.
"So is this a good hand?" Kristy asked Mal, showing him her cards.
Mal cupped a hand around her ear and whispered, "Sure is, jus' play it cool an' keep bettin'."
Raising an eyebrow, Kristy dropped a bag of M&M's she'd been carrying in her purse along with some other candy bars as refreshments at the concert they'd been planning on attending.
Jayne blinked. "What the gui's that?"
"More chocolate!" River exclaimed from where she was sitting with Inara, watching and not playing.
"Yep. And that's the good kind with peanut butter with chocolate wrapped around it. You'd like it."
Jayne practically drooled, making Kristy giggle and say to Mal, "I think he's in for a while."
"Think you'd be right." Mal grinned at her.
Soon it was down to Kristy and Jayne, everyone else folded.
"What if he has something better?" Kristy whispered to Mal.
Mal looked at Jayne carefully. "He don't; he's bluffin'."
They both put their cards down and Kristy didn't know what to make of what they had, but apparently hers were better because Jayne slammed his fist on the table and swore in Chinese, starting to pout.
Kristy jumped in surprise and Dawn smirked at how much Jayne looked like Chad. "Go, Kristy! You've sure got beginner's luck! I suck at this game."
"Maybe Mal can help you during the next hand. Jayne can help me instead," Kristy suggested, looking at Jayne.
He didn't look too keen on the idea but said, "I'll help ya if ya share some 'a them winnings with me."
"Fair enough." She looked to Mal hopefully. "Switch?" Maybe apart, he'd stop the flirting that was starting to get on her nerves. Plus Dawn glared at her with every flirty remark or gesture he made.
"Yeah, sure." Mal slid into the chair next to Dawn, who smiled dreamily at him for a moment before sitting up straighter, apparently pulling herself together.
Jayne dealt the cards and Kristy showed him her hand. "Well?"
"Hmmm." He considered them a moment and then whispered in her ear, "Get rid 'a the two an' five."
His beard brushed her jaw and she started to giggle at the tickly sensation. "Oh my God!" She discarded the two and five and rubbed her jaw.
"What?" Jayne asked, looking puzzled.
"Mr. Tickly Beard!" Kristy announced, still giggling.
Jayne grinned slowly and then stroked his beard. "Ladies can't resist it," he said, winking.
Kristy playfully shoved his shoulder. This felt familiar and comfortable, like the way she and Chad used to interact when they'd watch sports together. Thinking of home caused a wave of sadness to wash over her and she turned back to her cards.
For some reason, Inara smirked at Mal, who pretended not to see as he wrapped an arm around Dawn. "Let's see whatcha got here, darlin'."
Dawn melted into his touch and Kristy raised an eyebrow. "Wow, getting a little grabby there, Captain." She sent a look to Jayne. "And here I thought I was special."
"Nah, Mal's jus' going through a horny streak, ain't he, 'Nara?" Jayne grinned wolfishly and Dawn shrugged off Mal's arm.
Clearing his throat, Mal threw down two cards. "Two."
Dawn pushed back her chair. "I'm going to try and call Kevin again, though maybe this antenna booster isn't any good." She dialed as she walked away from the table and a moment later said in a relieved voice, "Kev? Ohh, hi! N-No, I'm good..." She looked back at Kristy with tears in her eyes and moved off to have her conversation in private.
Kristy's giggles dried up. "I don't really want to play any more."
"Aww... an' I was gonna win me more chocolate," Jayne whined.
"Just take it." Kristy pushed the pile of candy at him.
Dr. Tam entered the room just then. "Kristy? I really need to talk to you."
"Um, okay." She had a bad feeling about this.
"Let's talk in the infirmary."
She followed him out of the room, where they passed Dawn out in the hall talking to Kevin. The two girls shared a quiet little wave and then Kristy and Dr. Tam went down to the infirmary.
"Have a seat," Dr. Tam said as soon as they were inside.
Kristy perched on the end of the examining chair, feeling tense. "Ohhh boy. This can't be good if I need to sit down."
Picking up his clipboard, Dr. Tam ran his finger down the page. "I tested your blood, twice to be certain, and it appears the cause of your nausea, dizzyness, faintness, etc. is that... you're pregnant."
For a moment, she thought she'd heard him wrong. Then her jaw dropped. "But... I can't be."
"You most definitely are," Dr. Tam said, looking at his notes. "A few weeks along too."
"That... that can't be right" She shook her head. I'm not- You ran them twice?"
He nodded seriously. "Yes, I wanted to make sure there was no room for error before I told you. Are you... ok?"
"I'm fine. I just... I'm fine." Kristy stood up shakily.
"You'll be scared at first, but it's okay," River said from the doorway.
"Mei mei, it's not polite to eavesdrop," Dr. Tam admonished her.
"It's okay, I was just leaving," Kristy said and bolted for the door, practically knocking River back. She ran up to the empty bridge and settled into the pilot's chair where she immediately burst into tears.
Pregnant. She wasn't ready for this! She and The Doctor had only been together as a couple for about three months now, they still had so much they needed to do together before they could welcome another life. And she didn't have a real job or a normal life to offer a child... and the father was gone somewhere and she didn't know if she was ever going to see him again.
Jayne suddenly stomped onto the bridge. "Alright, Moony, what'd ya do with my--" Seeing who it was, he froze in place. "Oh, uh... wrong person."
Kristy sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "Oh, uh, hi. Um. Allergies. What are you looking for?"
Looking uncomfortable, Jayne looked like he wished he was anywhere else. "Crazy girl done hid my gun catalogue, an' I been searchin' all over for it."
Realizing she was sitting on something, Kristy shifted and pulled out a glossy catalogue with a big gun and Chinese print on the front. "Is this it?"
" Yeah, that ruttin' thief..." Jayne stepped forward and took it from her.
"She just does it to get your attention." Remembering some of the things she used to do to get The Doctor's attention, she felt more tears form in her eyes and pulled her knees up to her chin.
"Well I dunno why she'd wanna go an' do that." His brows crinkled in thought before he cleared his throat and added, "But, uh, look here; it's like ya said: he's coming back. He's gotta; he's got Kaylee with him, an' Kaylee can fix anything. So ya can stop yer cryin'. Don't need two cryin' girls on this ship."
"I- I know. He-he'll c-c-" Crying in earnest, Kristy covered her face.
Jayne looked around in a panic, as if expecting someone else to pop out and take care of this uncomfortable situation for him. "Oh hell, don't! I-I'd get Mal but yer friend's bawlin' too an' he's with her an' I dunno what ta do... Look, ya want some chocolate? I got some I'm savin'."
"No, I don't want ch-chocolate. Just go away."
Offended, Jayne snapped, "Well, fine. Don't say I never try." He huffed a moment and turned to leave. But then he paused and said, "He's coming back. Jus'-- ya know that."
"Wait?" Kristy said guiltily.
"What?"
"Thank you for trying." She both looked and sounded like a little girl as she sniffled into her hand.
Jayne looked around to make sure no one was watching and went to her side, handing her a packet of M&Ms. "Here; fer later."
Touched by the simple gesture, Kristy rose up on her knees and hugged Jayne around the middle.
"Uhhh, right." He awkwardly patted her on the back. "So, yer welcome... an' all that."
"Keep the candy, Jayne. When he comes back, I can go get more." She sat back down and gave him a watery smile. "Maybe if we visit again, I'll bring you some."
That perked him right up. "Yeah? Aww, hell, that'd be like my birthday an' New Years' came the same day!"
She giggled and sniffled again, settling sleepily into the chair once more.
Jayne watched her, shifting awkwardly, then grabbed a blanket out of the storage locker to set in her lap. "Bridge is always cold."
"Mmm." She wrapped the blanket around her and fell asleep.
~*~
Dawn was in the engine room, gathering her thoughts together when a familiar loud whooshing filled the air. Gasping, she leapt to her feet and ran to the dining room as the TARDIS materialized.
Everyone else ran in after her as the door opened and The Doctor stepped out, Kaylee right behind him.
"Oh, wow! The past was so... so nice!" the mechanic said, beaming.
"Oh my god! I thought I'd never see you again. I'm not sure whether I want to hug you or slap you!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Errr, handshake?" The Doctor held out his hand and then stumbled back when Dr. Tam ran into the room and swooped Kaylee up into his arms for kisses. Dawn laughed and hugged him instead.
"Well, glad I avoided a slap then. Where's Kristy?"
"I... I don't know," Dawn said, frowning.
Jayne popped M&M's into his mouth. "She's on the bridge."
The Doctor gave Jayne a look. "Are you eating her candy?"
"She gave it to him, it's okay," Dawn said as Jayne grinned with chocolatey teeth.
River came into the room then, leading a sleepy-looking Kristy. Seeing The Doctor, she immediately woke up and ran to him, leaping up into his arms. "Don't you ever leave me again!"
"Ahem hem!" Dawn cleared her throat loudly.
"Or us! Don't you ever leave us again!"
"I didn't do it on purpose," The Doctor protested.
"I don't care! No leaving!" She started to kiss The Doctor all over his face, making him smile.
"Yes, it looks like she can't resist you at all, Mal," Inara said dryly.
Mal ignored her and tugged on his suspenders. "So where'd ya whisk our lil' Kaylee off to?"
"We ended up a few years in the past. Soooo, while we were there, I thought I'd pick up a surprise for Dawn..." The Doctor went to the doors and threw the door open, revealing-
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! KEVIN!!!!!" Dawn tacklehugged her husband, knocking them back a few steps, though they managed to stay upright. Laughing and crying, she said, "I love you! I-I missed you so much!"
"Missed you too, Sunshine," Kevin said, giving her a kiss.
"Well. Now that we have the whole party plus one all together and the TARDIS in working order thanks to Miss Frye-" The Doctor nodded to Kaylee who giggled and bobbed a curtsy. "I believe we have a concert to attend?"
"OOO, yeah! Did you hear, Kevvy? We're going to see The Beatles!"
"Well, groovy."
"Thanks for putting up with us." Kristy said to Mal.
Mal was staring slack-jawed as Kevin, as was most of the Serenity crew. "Huh? Oh, weren't no trouble. But, uh... guess y'all should be off now. 'Specially the guy wearin' my face."
"This was my face first!" Kevin protested.
"He's right, sir," Zoe said.
Mal gestured around. "My ship!"
Everyone rolled their eyes.
Kristy snorted. "Yep, too weird. Time to go!"
The Doctor held the door open for her. "Agreed. After you, darling dearheart."
Kristy blushed, remembering that she was going to have to have the talk with him later. "Bye everyone! Jayne, you be nice to River, or I'll never bring you any chocolate again!"
"Awww, even when I was all nice to ya while you were bawlin'?" Jayne whined.
Apparently she was going to have to have the talk with The Doctor much sooner now. "Thanks, doofus! I'm never bringing you candy ever! "
" What the gui? You said-- aww, hell!" He looked down sadly at the tiny bag in his hand.
"Good riddance, Jayne." She nodded at everyone else. "Goodbye." With that, she stomped into the TARDIS.
A little shocked, The Doctor cleared his throat and stood back, holding his arms out toward his ship. "Kevin? Dawn?"
~*~
Once they were on their way, Dawn and Kevin settled into one of the many rooms to get reacquainted. The Doctor glanced at Kristy while he fiddled with the controls and barely opened his mouth when she launched right into explaining her behavior.
"Why was I so unreasonable back there? Because I'm a pregnant woman and we're notoriously unreasonable right? Yeah! I'm pregnant! I'm... pregnant!"
The Doctor gaped at her. She couldn't be serious... No, she was serious. "But... that- We're two different species! It's impossible!"
"I know that, Mr. Wizard, but it happened any way! Simon tested my blood twice."
"Who in the bloody hell is Simon?"
"Dr. Tam! The nice man who sewed my arm back on? He's Kaylee's boyfriend."
"Ooooh... wonder how we keep running into him..."
"Yeah, that would be fascinating if I could bring myself to you know, care."
"Calm down, Kristy."
"No! I'm carrying an alien baby and.... and I can't do this! It's scary and weird and... my mom's going to kill me!"
"Please just... relax," The Doctor said, looking pensive.
"Ohhh, I did not think this through. I used to think things through, you know! I was an awesome planner! When the hell did I lose that?" She started to pace, wringing her hands.
He reached out for her. "It will be alright. Just take a breath and let's talk about this."
What he said sank in and she stopped, taking a deep calming breath. "Sorry. Got the tears out of the way and I guess it was time for angry ranting."
The Doctor swallowed, thinking of his child gestating inside of her at that very moment. "I didn't think this was possible; a... hybrid baby. But it is, and we just have to accept that."
"I guess so."
He touched her chin. "I know you can do this. You can do anything."
"Look at me! I'm not a mom! I... travel around with an alien and I don't pay taxes or drive a minivan or have a husband and a mortgage and... I'm not ready for this."
Gently, he smoothed her hair down. No, you aren't. But you will be by the time he or she's ready to greet us. You're not alone; I'm here."
"Yeah." She sighed softly. "I'm just so worried I'll screw this up."
"Shhh, you won't." He hugged her comfortingly. "You may make mistakes, but who doesn't? You'll know what to do when it counts."
She nodded, looking up at him trustingly. "Okay. As long as you're here to help me." A troubled expression crossed her face. "I don't even know how I'm going to tell Mom about this."
The Doctor sighed, knowing what tricky creatures mothers could be. "Is she the type to wield a frying pan? If so, I think it best if I not stand within thirty feet of her."
"You should probably stay out in the TARDIS and keep the engine running. Maybe I can ask Dawn if I can borrow her ring for awhile; that might take some of the heat off."
He smiled softly. "I don't think you could pry that ring off her with a crowbar."
Kristy giggled. "Right. Maybe I can fashion something out of tinfoil."
The Doctor tightened his hold on her. "Did you... want to get married?"
"I, um. I used to have these fantasies about marrying you." She blushed a little. "They were kind of stupid."
"Fantasies are never stupid. Well...depends on whose having them I suppose, but, you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know." She laughed a little.
He looked away awkwardly. "So, what did you want?"
"Oh, it was this huge wedding in the backyard at home and Mary Anne was my maid of honor and Karen, Dawn, Claudia, and Stacey were bridesmaids, and Watson gave me away and you had this cute tux that kind of made you look like James Bond and-"
"That's pretty detailed."
"It was what I went to sleep thinking about sometimes. When um, when the shapeshifter gang had me, I had these really vivid dreams about it."
The Doctor clenched his jaw tightly and nodded. The thought of what they'd done to her still made him angry, even after all this time and seeing her safe and sound every day.
"It helped me get through. I think at one point I thought it was real..."
He gave her another squeeze. "That's in the past now."
"I know." She hugged him back. "I want to go lay down. I'm tired."
Reluctantly, he let her go. "That's a good idea. I'll let you know when we arrive."
"Okay." She went off to their room and The Doctor watched her, feeling as if he'd missed something.
< Chapter Ten - Two Years : Chapter Twelve - Robot Invasion >
Title: Chapter Eleven - Daytripper
Author:
toxic_corn and nutmeg610Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Ann M. Martin, Scholastic Books, and the BBC. Sometimes ABC even. And NBC. Okay, practically no one is ours, okay? We aren't collecting any money so pretty please don't sue? We're both broke college students.
Summary: Kristy Thomas has been doing well since her days as president of the Babysitters Club. She's about to graduate from the University of Connecticut and her best friend's finacee can get her a place in the LAPD. It looks like her future is set until a strange man in a magic blue box shows up and changes everything...
Authors' Note: Yet another pairing in the crack series. We found the idea of The Doctor having to put up with the blunt, bossy Kristy to be funny and from there the story grew. If you think that now we are officially certifiable, you're most likely right. This follows the other stories in the crack series: Your Boyfriend Snorts Cocaine, Mary Anne and Wanna Get It On, Dawn?
Catch up on earlier chapters at the organizational post.
Congratulations, Mrs. Callis! As our gift to you, we're gonna take you aaaanywhere you want to go in time. You just pick a place!
- email from Kristy Thomas to Dawn Schafer-Callis
"Washington D.C., February 11, 1964," The Doctor announced, bouncing excitedly around his controls. "Washington Coliseum: Site of The Beatles' first concert ever in America!"
Dawn squealed, clapping her hands. "This is such an awesome present, you guys! I can't wait to see how young they all look!"
"And alive," Kristy added, but Dawn was too excited to give her a look.
Clunk. The lights flickered and the TARDIS tilted, making them all lose their footing.
"Umm, does that always happen?" Dawn asked nervously.
"No. Doctor, what's going on?" Kristy stumbled again, nearly toppling over and The Doctor pulled her protectively to his side.
"Uhh, bit of a malfunction, no worries," The Doctor said. He fiddled with the controls, only letting go of Kristy when she gently removed his arm so he could work two-handed.
"He'll figure it out," she told Dawn confidently. "He's a genius." But she gave The Doctor a worried look, not liking the sounds their home was making.
"I'll just need to set her down for a few to assess the problem," The Doctor announced.
Kristy nodded and clutched the console, trying to keep her stomach down. She normally wasn't this queasy even when the ride got bumpy.
After another minute of nauseous spinning, the TARDIS landed a little roughly. "There!" The Doctor exclaimed in satisfaction. "Just needs a cool off. Meanwhile, I've brought us to an expert mechanic to see what the problem is. Not that I can't fix it, but I'd just like a second opinion."
They'd all taken hardly a step out of the TARDIS when they found themselves looking down the barrels of three cocked and loaded guns.
Startled, Kristy raised her hands in the universal sign for surrender. "Oh, wow. You really do find trouble, Doctor."
"It's not like I try or anything," The Doctor insisted. "Really."
Dawn really looked at the gunmen and her eyes widened. "Kevin?!"
For the first time, Kristy took a close look at their surroundings. It was a small dining room/kitchen made even more crowded by their presence as well as that of the TARDIS. And the people holding guns on them at that very moment were people she'd encountered before.
"Oh, I made that mistake already. No, that isn't Kevin. And that's not Chad or Mary Anne, either."
Spotting the doppelgangers, Dawn jumped back in alarm. "Ok, are we in some freaky parallel universe because this is freaking me out!"
"It's... the future. Maybe they're relatives or something." That explanation felt weird and Kristy frowned but kept her cool so Dawn could hopefully calm down.
"S-So is that--" Dawn nodded at the Kevin look-alike. "My great great great great grandson???"
"I don't know. Maybe." Kristy addressed him. "Hi."
"Hello again," the man replied, lowering his gun. "You seem ta always pop up, dontcha? See ya found yer fancible fella." He nodded at The Doctor.
"Yeah, he was right where you told me to look." But then she frowned and directed her next remark to the woman standing next to the man. "Actually, where you told me to look. Thanks."
The man nodded. "Well, uh, that's good then. But y'all mind tellin' me what the gui is going on here?"
Looking worried, The Doctor looked back at the TARDIS. "The TARDIS didn't translate that. Well, that's on the fritz."
"Um, our ship broke. You guys have a mechanic who can help, right?" Kristy looked around the assembled group, more than willing to let polite chit chat be pushed aside. Dawn was looking worried and antsy and The Doctor just looked perturbed at how his trusted machine and home was acting up yet again.
A friendly looking, round-faced girl shot up eagerly out of her seat. "Ya came ta the right place! What's the trouble?"
"Um. Broken. The Doctor can show you," Kristy said lamely, pointing at The Doctor. "I'm Kristy by the way, and this is Dawn."
"Kaylee! Nice ta meetcha!" The girl followed The Doctor inside the TARDIS, leaving everyone to stare awkwardly at one another.
Suddenly, Dawn grabbed Kristy's arm and hissed while looking at River, "That one looks like Mary Anne would if she smoked crack."
Aware that everyone could hear her, Kristy blushed and hissed back, "Dawn! Her name's River and she's a little... um. Different. But she was really nice to me when I was here so mellow out."
"Ok, I'm sorry! I'm just... really confused an-- and a little scared. I want to go home and see Kevin."
From inside the TARDIS, Kristy could hear Kaylee crowing about how big it was inside. "Once he's got the ship working again, we can go and do just that. Just hold on."
Biting her lip, Dawn nodded bravely and Kristy squeezed her arm in encouragement.
"So last I heard, you were kissin' on Mal for some reason." Jayne blurted, looking between Kristy and the Kevin look-alike.
Kristy blushed and gave Dawn an apologetic look as she glared at her and then both wondered why they were reacting that way; the man wasn't really Kevin. Unsure of how else to handle this situation, Kristy didn't respond to Jayne and went to the table to sit next to the place next to River Kaylee had vacated. She nodded to Dr. Tam who sat across from her and said hello to River.
River twisted her hands together. "Greetings, time traveler. You've come with your friend and love by accident. And he doesn't know yet. Neither do you." She gave a tiny smile. "You'll be scared at first, and that's ok."
Not knowing what else to say to River's cryptic remark, Kristy diplomatically said, "Well. That's... good to know. As long as everything ends up okay," and gave a lock of the girl's tangled hair an affectionate tug, making her grin.
Dawn cautiously approached them. "Um, hi River. I'm Dawn."
"She's Mary Anne's sister," Kristy explained.
"Hello," River said politely.
"You sound just like her. All quiet and high-pitched." Dawn smiled and then bit the inside of her cheek as her eyes filled up with tears.
Alarmed, Kristy hurried to change the subject. "Um. It looks like we showed up in the middle of dinner. In your dining room." She looked over at Mal and managed to keep a blush down. "Sorry about that."
"Nah, actually, we was jus' finishin' up. An' it's Jayne an' the Albatross' turn ta clean up. Play nice. " He gave the two a paternal glare of warning.
"Oh! Do you guys want some help? We can help." Kristy stood up, looking around at the dirty dishes.
"Hell, iffen we got help, ya don't need me none." Jayne started to inch towards the door.
"Jayne," Mal snapped and then addressed Kristy. "That's right sweet of you but seein' as how you're company and you didn't actually eat anything, you don't need to help."
Looking restlessly back at the TARDIS, Kristy said, "Oh....kay. Um. Is there anything else I can do?"
Jayne snorted. "Bet Mal can think up a few things, judgin' by the stories he's been tellin' bout you."
"Excuse me??" Kristy demanded, staring wide-eyed at the captain.
"Wha--? I... nuh uh!" Mal pointed at Jayne threateningly. "Jus' do what I ruttin' told ya ta do an' stop spreadin' rumors!"
Rolling his eyes, Jayne asked the female gunman who had long since holstered her weapon, "Zoe, ain't he been talkin' her up since the other day, always in front 'a 'Nara?"
"You have taken up story-telling as a hobby, sir," Zoe said mildly.
Mal glared at her. "Traitor." Turning to Kristy, he quickly tried to do some damage control. "Hell, I weren't making up lies an' go se. All's I been sayin' was the truth."
"Good. Let's keep it that way." Kristy glared at him in annoyance.
Jayne sighed, having satisfactorily stirred up shit for the day. "C'mon, Moonbrain; best clean up 'fore that vein in his forehead goes pop!"
River nodded her agreement with this plan. "He wouldn't fly around the room like a balloon though, just suffer cranial bleeding and die."
When Dawn looked a little appalled, Kristy felt the need to explain. "It's... just her way."
"Uh huh, sure. Umm, w-what should we do now?"
"I guess we just sit and w-"
Suddenly, the TARDIS started whooshing, badly startling River and Jayne as they cleaned up. Kristy jumped up and ran to the doors, starting to pound on them but stopping when the ship started to fade.
He was leaving. He wasn't supposed to leave her.
"Kristy?" Dawn stood up slowly. "Tell me our ride didn't just leave us trapped in the future."
"On a spaceship!" River sing-songed from the kitchen.
"I-In a sp-space..." Looking faint, Dawn plopped back down into her chair. "Oh my lord."
Hardly daring to believe it, Kristy stared at where the TARDIS had just been. "He'll come back. He wouldn't leave me."
Devastated, Dawn looked up at her. "But what if he can't? What if he can't fix it?" Starting to cry, she continued on, "Oh, God! I'll never see Kevin again! O-Or Mary Anne or my parents, or Jeff, or Lizzy Grace, o-or even Chad!" Crossing her arms on the table, she continued to cry into them.
Though she was just as upset as Dawn, Kristy knew she has to take on her role as leader and set a strong example. She went to her friend and wrapped an arm around her. "He'll be back. They're probably just testing the ship out right now and they'll be back in a few minutes. It'll be okay, Dawn."
Dawn wiped her tears. "I'm gonna hold you to that. But thirty years from now, if we're still living on a spaceship, I'm going to turn towards you and bitchslap you so hard..." She laughed mirthlessly. "Just warning you now, so you can prepare yourself..." Trailing off, she hugged Kristy tight.
Kristy hugged her back just as tightly. "Okay. But I'll slap you right back; no one twisted your arm to come along on this little trip." She added, "I'm glad you're here, though. Last time I got stranded in the future I was by myself and it was scary."
"Yeah, I'll bet." Dawn sniffled. "But we have each other."
"Yeah," Kristy agreed and kissed Dawn's forehead.
"Aww, yeah. That's what I'm talkin' about," Jayne said, shattering their moment of sisterhood which earned him two glares from Kristy and Dawn and a pinch in the arm from River. Scowling, he dumped the remaining dishes in the sink and stormed out of the room. "I'll be in my bunk."
Dawn stared after him in wonder. "Ok, they look like Mary Anne and Chad, they sound like Mary Anne and Chad, but they sure don't act like Mary Anne and Chad do together." She shook her head. "What a trip."
Kristy giggled and looked around at the remaining crew. They all looked confused and she sobered.
"Wait," Mal said. "Did he just leave with Kaylee."
"Just on a trial run," Kristy assured him. "He'll be right back, you'll see."
Mal didn't look so sure. "He'd better be. I need my mechanic."
Dawn ended up breaking the tension by standing up and looking out the window in the ceiling. "Wow. Kinda hard to believe we're in space. Just looks like looking out a skylight."
"I can show ya the bridge if ya want. Ya can see out ta the black from there," Mal offered.
Giving him a slow, pretty smile, Dawn said, "Wow, yeah. I'd love to see that."
"This way." Mal started to lead her out the door but then glanced at the fancy, perfectly made up woman who was sitting at the table, quietly talking to Zoe. She had been quiet through their whole arrival and seeing how striking she was, Kristy wondered why she hadn't noticed her before. The glance prompted him to turn toward Kristy. "You comin' along? It's one of the prettiest things anyone can see."
She wasn't all that interested, having seen space dozens of times with The Doctor; in fact, just last week they'd stayed in a future hotel on the moon where the whole roof had been made of glass and she'd been able to make love to him and literally see stars and supernovas.
But she had a feeling she shouldn't leave Dawn alone with Mal, not when she was vulnerable and missing Kevin. "Sure, I guess."
The girls followed him as Dawn said, "It's Mal, right? Is that short for Malcolm?"
"That it is."
"Mal... what?"
"Mal Reynolds, Captain of Serenity at your service," he answered in a playful tone.
"Ooo, Serenity; that's pretty. My friend Sunny has a tattoo on her hip that says Serenity in Chinese."
Kristy had fallen back and rolled her eyes at their conversation. It didn't take long for them to reach the bridge and soon Dawn got her first look at space, completely in awe.
"Wow," she said breathlessly and then just stared for awhile before pulling out her camera phone. "There's not a snowball's chance this'll come out, but I have to try."
As Dawn snapped a picture, a sudden wave of dizziness made Kristy's knees give out and she clutched at the pilot's chair to keep from toppling over.
"Hey, feeling space sick? That happens sometimes." Mal went to her side and pressed a concerned hand to her back.
Dawn turned and saw how pale Kristy looked. "Kristy! What's wrong? Are you gonna be sick?"
"No, I just... um. I must have a... a bug or something." She shook a little, pressing a hand to her face.
"We got a Doc on board. Best be ya see him," Mal said.
Nodding in agreement, Dawn went to Kristy's side. "C'mon, you look like you need to sit down. Where's this doctor at?" Dawn asked Mal.
"Infirmary, down a level. I'll take you." Mal started to lead the way, all captain-y.
"No, wait. I'm fine. It's passed. Whatever it was." She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remaining feelings of nausea.
"Please, Kristy. Just have him take a look?" Dawn asked, features pinched with worry. "The feeling could come back, and I'd feel better if I knew you were in the clear."
"Okay, sure. Let's go," Kristy acquiesced, sighing heavily.
After a quick physical and some blood drawing, Kristy looked for a distraction, hoping not to get sick again. She helped the crew with some of their work in the cargo bay, played a game of hoopball, and now they were back up in the little dining room, playing a game called Tall Card. She wasn't quite getting the hang of it, but Mal sat by her side to help her. He tended to lean too close and once twisted a strand of her hair around her finger playfully but she gently discouraged him.
At any other time, she would've been flattered by the attention, but she didn't want to play flirty little games now. Not when she had The Doctor. If he was ever coming back.
"So is this a good hand?" Kristy asked Mal, showing him her cards.
Mal cupped a hand around her ear and whispered, "Sure is, jus' play it cool an' keep bettin'."
Raising an eyebrow, Kristy dropped a bag of M&M's she'd been carrying in her purse along with some other candy bars as refreshments at the concert they'd been planning on attending.
Jayne blinked. "What the gui's that?"
"More chocolate!" River exclaimed from where she was sitting with Inara, watching and not playing.
"Yep. And that's the good kind with peanut butter with chocolate wrapped around it. You'd like it."
Jayne practically drooled, making Kristy giggle and say to Mal, "I think he's in for a while."
"Think you'd be right." Mal grinned at her.
Soon it was down to Kristy and Jayne, everyone else folded.
"What if he has something better?" Kristy whispered to Mal.
Mal looked at Jayne carefully. "He don't; he's bluffin'."
They both put their cards down and Kristy didn't know what to make of what they had, but apparently hers were better because Jayne slammed his fist on the table and swore in Chinese, starting to pout.
Kristy jumped in surprise and Dawn smirked at how much Jayne looked like Chad. "Go, Kristy! You've sure got beginner's luck! I suck at this game."
"Maybe Mal can help you during the next hand. Jayne can help me instead," Kristy suggested, looking at Jayne.
He didn't look too keen on the idea but said, "I'll help ya if ya share some 'a them winnings with me."
"Fair enough." She looked to Mal hopefully. "Switch?" Maybe apart, he'd stop the flirting that was starting to get on her nerves. Plus Dawn glared at her with every flirty remark or gesture he made.
"Yeah, sure." Mal slid into the chair next to Dawn, who smiled dreamily at him for a moment before sitting up straighter, apparently pulling herself together.
Jayne dealt the cards and Kristy showed him her hand. "Well?"
"Hmmm." He considered them a moment and then whispered in her ear, "Get rid 'a the two an' five."
His beard brushed her jaw and she started to giggle at the tickly sensation. "Oh my God!" She discarded the two and five and rubbed her jaw.
"What?" Jayne asked, looking puzzled.
"Mr. Tickly Beard!" Kristy announced, still giggling.
Jayne grinned slowly and then stroked his beard. "Ladies can't resist it," he said, winking.
Kristy playfully shoved his shoulder. This felt familiar and comfortable, like the way she and Chad used to interact when they'd watch sports together. Thinking of home caused a wave of sadness to wash over her and she turned back to her cards.
For some reason, Inara smirked at Mal, who pretended not to see as he wrapped an arm around Dawn. "Let's see whatcha got here, darlin'."
Dawn melted into his touch and Kristy raised an eyebrow. "Wow, getting a little grabby there, Captain." She sent a look to Jayne. "And here I thought I was special."
"Nah, Mal's jus' going through a horny streak, ain't he, 'Nara?" Jayne grinned wolfishly and Dawn shrugged off Mal's arm.
Clearing his throat, Mal threw down two cards. "Two."
Dawn pushed back her chair. "I'm going to try and call Kevin again, though maybe this antenna booster isn't any good." She dialed as she walked away from the table and a moment later said in a relieved voice, "Kev? Ohh, hi! N-No, I'm good..." She looked back at Kristy with tears in her eyes and moved off to have her conversation in private.
Kristy's giggles dried up. "I don't really want to play any more."
"Aww... an' I was gonna win me more chocolate," Jayne whined.
"Just take it." Kristy pushed the pile of candy at him.
Dr. Tam entered the room just then. "Kristy? I really need to talk to you."
"Um, okay." She had a bad feeling about this.
"Let's talk in the infirmary."
She followed him out of the room, where they passed Dawn out in the hall talking to Kevin. The two girls shared a quiet little wave and then Kristy and Dr. Tam went down to the infirmary.
"Have a seat," Dr. Tam said as soon as they were inside.
Kristy perched on the end of the examining chair, feeling tense. "Ohhh boy. This can't be good if I need to sit down."
Picking up his clipboard, Dr. Tam ran his finger down the page. "I tested your blood, twice to be certain, and it appears the cause of your nausea, dizzyness, faintness, etc. is that... you're pregnant."
For a moment, she thought she'd heard him wrong. Then her jaw dropped. "But... I can't be."
"You most definitely are," Dr. Tam said, looking at his notes. "A few weeks along too."
"That... that can't be right" She shook her head. I'm not- You ran them twice?"
He nodded seriously. "Yes, I wanted to make sure there was no room for error before I told you. Are you... ok?"
"I'm fine. I just... I'm fine." Kristy stood up shakily.
"You'll be scared at first, but it's okay," River said from the doorway.
"Mei mei, it's not polite to eavesdrop," Dr. Tam admonished her.
"It's okay, I was just leaving," Kristy said and bolted for the door, practically knocking River back. She ran up to the empty bridge and settled into the pilot's chair where she immediately burst into tears.
Pregnant. She wasn't ready for this! She and The Doctor had only been together as a couple for about three months now, they still had so much they needed to do together before they could welcome another life. And she didn't have a real job or a normal life to offer a child... and the father was gone somewhere and she didn't know if she was ever going to see him again.
Jayne suddenly stomped onto the bridge. "Alright, Moony, what'd ya do with my--" Seeing who it was, he froze in place. "Oh, uh... wrong person."
Kristy sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "Oh, uh, hi. Um. Allergies. What are you looking for?"
Looking uncomfortable, Jayne looked like he wished he was anywhere else. "Crazy girl done hid my gun catalogue, an' I been searchin' all over for it."
Realizing she was sitting on something, Kristy shifted and pulled out a glossy catalogue with a big gun and Chinese print on the front. "Is this it?"
" Yeah, that ruttin' thief..." Jayne stepped forward and took it from her.
"She just does it to get your attention." Remembering some of the things she used to do to get The Doctor's attention, she felt more tears form in her eyes and pulled her knees up to her chin.
"Well I dunno why she'd wanna go an' do that." His brows crinkled in thought before he cleared his throat and added, "But, uh, look here; it's like ya said: he's coming back. He's gotta; he's got Kaylee with him, an' Kaylee can fix anything. So ya can stop yer cryin'. Don't need two cryin' girls on this ship."
"I- I know. He-he'll c-c-" Crying in earnest, Kristy covered her face.
Jayne looked around in a panic, as if expecting someone else to pop out and take care of this uncomfortable situation for him. "Oh hell, don't! I-I'd get Mal but yer friend's bawlin' too an' he's with her an' I dunno what ta do... Look, ya want some chocolate? I got some I'm savin'."
"No, I don't want ch-chocolate. Just go away."
Offended, Jayne snapped, "Well, fine. Don't say I never try." He huffed a moment and turned to leave. But then he paused and said, "He's coming back. Jus'-- ya know that."
"Wait?" Kristy said guiltily.
"What?"
"Thank you for trying." She both looked and sounded like a little girl as she sniffled into her hand.
Jayne looked around to make sure no one was watching and went to her side, handing her a packet of M&Ms. "Here; fer later."
Touched by the simple gesture, Kristy rose up on her knees and hugged Jayne around the middle.
"Uhhh, right." He awkwardly patted her on the back. "So, yer welcome... an' all that."
"Keep the candy, Jayne. When he comes back, I can go get more." She sat back down and gave him a watery smile. "Maybe if we visit again, I'll bring you some."
That perked him right up. "Yeah? Aww, hell, that'd be like my birthday an' New Years' came the same day!"
She giggled and sniffled again, settling sleepily into the chair once more.
Jayne watched her, shifting awkwardly, then grabbed a blanket out of the storage locker to set in her lap. "Bridge is always cold."
"Mmm." She wrapped the blanket around her and fell asleep.
Dawn was in the engine room, gathering her thoughts together when a familiar loud whooshing filled the air. Gasping, she leapt to her feet and ran to the dining room as the TARDIS materialized.
Everyone else ran in after her as the door opened and The Doctor stepped out, Kaylee right behind him.
"Oh, wow! The past was so... so nice!" the mechanic said, beaming.
"Oh my god! I thought I'd never see you again. I'm not sure whether I want to hug you or slap you!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Errr, handshake?" The Doctor held out his hand and then stumbled back when Dr. Tam ran into the room and swooped Kaylee up into his arms for kisses. Dawn laughed and hugged him instead.
"Well, glad I avoided a slap then. Where's Kristy?"
"I... I don't know," Dawn said, frowning.
Jayne popped M&M's into his mouth. "She's on the bridge."
The Doctor gave Jayne a look. "Are you eating her candy?"
"She gave it to him, it's okay," Dawn said as Jayne grinned with chocolatey teeth.
River came into the room then, leading a sleepy-looking Kristy. Seeing The Doctor, she immediately woke up and ran to him, leaping up into his arms. "Don't you ever leave me again!"
"Ahem hem!" Dawn cleared her throat loudly.
"Or us! Don't you ever leave us again!"
"I didn't do it on purpose," The Doctor protested.
"I don't care! No leaving!" She started to kiss The Doctor all over his face, making him smile.
"Yes, it looks like she can't resist you at all, Mal," Inara said dryly.
Mal ignored her and tugged on his suspenders. "So where'd ya whisk our lil' Kaylee off to?"
"We ended up a few years in the past. Soooo, while we were there, I thought I'd pick up a surprise for Dawn..." The Doctor went to the doors and threw the door open, revealing-
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! KEVIN!!!!!" Dawn tacklehugged her husband, knocking them back a few steps, though they managed to stay upright. Laughing and crying, she said, "I love you! I-I missed you so much!"
"Missed you too, Sunshine," Kevin said, giving her a kiss.
"Well. Now that we have the whole party plus one all together and the TARDIS in working order thanks to Miss Frye-" The Doctor nodded to Kaylee who giggled and bobbed a curtsy. "I believe we have a concert to attend?"
"OOO, yeah! Did you hear, Kevvy? We're going to see The Beatles!"
"Well, groovy."
"Thanks for putting up with us." Kristy said to Mal.
Mal was staring slack-jawed as Kevin, as was most of the Serenity crew. "Huh? Oh, weren't no trouble. But, uh... guess y'all should be off now. 'Specially the guy wearin' my face."
"This was my face first!" Kevin protested.
"He's right, sir," Zoe said.
Mal gestured around. "My ship!"
Everyone rolled their eyes.
Kristy snorted. "Yep, too weird. Time to go!"
The Doctor held the door open for her. "Agreed. After you, darling dearheart."
Kristy blushed, remembering that she was going to have to have the talk with him later. "Bye everyone! Jayne, you be nice to River, or I'll never bring you any chocolate again!"
"Awww, even when I was all nice to ya while you were bawlin'?" Jayne whined.
Apparently she was going to have to have the talk with The Doctor much sooner now. "Thanks, doofus! I'm never bringing you candy ever! "
" What the gui? You said-- aww, hell!" He looked down sadly at the tiny bag in his hand.
"Good riddance, Jayne." She nodded at everyone else. "Goodbye." With that, she stomped into the TARDIS.
A little shocked, The Doctor cleared his throat and stood back, holding his arms out toward his ship. "Kevin? Dawn?"
Once they were on their way, Dawn and Kevin settled into one of the many rooms to get reacquainted. The Doctor glanced at Kristy while he fiddled with the controls and barely opened his mouth when she launched right into explaining her behavior.
"Why was I so unreasonable back there? Because I'm a pregnant woman and we're notoriously unreasonable right? Yeah! I'm pregnant! I'm... pregnant!"
The Doctor gaped at her. She couldn't be serious... No, she was serious. "But... that- We're two different species! It's impossible!"
"I know that, Mr. Wizard, but it happened any way! Simon tested my blood twice."
"Who in the bloody hell is Simon?"
"Dr. Tam! The nice man who sewed my arm back on? He's Kaylee's boyfriend."
"Ooooh... wonder how we keep running into him..."
"Yeah, that would be fascinating if I could bring myself to you know, care."
"Calm down, Kristy."
"No! I'm carrying an alien baby and.... and I can't do this! It's scary and weird and... my mom's going to kill me!"
"Please just... relax," The Doctor said, looking pensive.
"Ohhh, I did not think this through. I used to think things through, you know! I was an awesome planner! When the hell did I lose that?" She started to pace, wringing her hands.
He reached out for her. "It will be alright. Just take a breath and let's talk about this."
What he said sank in and she stopped, taking a deep calming breath. "Sorry. Got the tears out of the way and I guess it was time for angry ranting."
The Doctor swallowed, thinking of his child gestating inside of her at that very moment. "I didn't think this was possible; a... hybrid baby. But it is, and we just have to accept that."
"I guess so."
He touched her chin. "I know you can do this. You can do anything."
"Look at me! I'm not a mom! I... travel around with an alien and I don't pay taxes or drive a minivan or have a husband and a mortgage and... I'm not ready for this."
Gently, he smoothed her hair down. No, you aren't. But you will be by the time he or she's ready to greet us. You're not alone; I'm here."
"Yeah." She sighed softly. "I'm just so worried I'll screw this up."
"Shhh, you won't." He hugged her comfortingly. "You may make mistakes, but who doesn't? You'll know what to do when it counts."
She nodded, looking up at him trustingly. "Okay. As long as you're here to help me." A troubled expression crossed her face. "I don't even know how I'm going to tell Mom about this."
The Doctor sighed, knowing what tricky creatures mothers could be. "Is she the type to wield a frying pan? If so, I think it best if I not stand within thirty feet of her."
"You should probably stay out in the TARDIS and keep the engine running. Maybe I can ask Dawn if I can borrow her ring for awhile; that might take some of the heat off."
He smiled softly. "I don't think you could pry that ring off her with a crowbar."
Kristy giggled. "Right. Maybe I can fashion something out of tinfoil."
The Doctor tightened his hold on her. "Did you... want to get married?"
"I, um. I used to have these fantasies about marrying you." She blushed a little. "They were kind of stupid."
"Fantasies are never stupid. Well...depends on whose having them I suppose, but, you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I know." She laughed a little.
He looked away awkwardly. "So, what did you want?"
"Oh, it was this huge wedding in the backyard at home and Mary Anne was my maid of honor and Karen, Dawn, Claudia, and Stacey were bridesmaids, and Watson gave me away and you had this cute tux that kind of made you look like James Bond and-"
"That's pretty detailed."
"It was what I went to sleep thinking about sometimes. When um, when the shapeshifter gang had me, I had these really vivid dreams about it."
The Doctor clenched his jaw tightly and nodded. The thought of what they'd done to her still made him angry, even after all this time and seeing her safe and sound every day.
"It helped me get through. I think at one point I thought it was real..."
He gave her another squeeze. "That's in the past now."
"I know." She hugged him back. "I want to go lay down. I'm tired."
Reluctantly, he let her go. "That's a good idea. I'll let you know when we arrive."
"Okay." She went off to their room and The Doctor watched her, feeling as if he'd missed something.
< Chapter Ten - Two Years : Chapter Twelve - Robot Invasion >
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Date: 2007-05-02 07:05 pm (UTC)Love how they ended back on Serenity and Mal was being Mr. Flirty XD
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Date: 2007-05-02 07:13 pm (UTC)YAY!
This is my absolutest favorite chapter we've written!
AND ZOMG, SHE'S PREGNANT WITH THE DOCTOR'S LOVE-CHILD!!!! ISN'T THAT AMAZING???!!!! ;)
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Date: 2007-05-02 07:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-02 07:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-02 09:16 pm (UTC)*scurries away to post Dawn/Kevin*
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Date: 2007-05-02 10:04 pm (UTC)No other words.
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Date: 2007-05-02 10:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-03 12:14 am (UTC)This SO rules!!!
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Date: 2007-05-03 02:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-03 09:41 am (UTC)Great chapter! Alien baby! Yay! They're going to be so cute as parents!!
Mooooooooooooooore!
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Date: 2007-05-03 06:25 pm (UTC)(is this getting annoying yet?) ;)
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Date: 2007-05-03 07:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-03 07:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-04 06:18 am (UTC);)
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Date: 2007-06-07 02:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-01-11 04:46 pm (UTC)....omg She's preggers....
I blame you for getting me addicted OMG! great great! *claps*
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Date: 2008-01-12 01:25 am (UTC)Addiction you say? There's another Chad/Mary Anne story if you're interested.
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Date: 2008-01-12 06:01 pm (UTC)ooooh!
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Date: 2008-01-12 08:10 pm (UTC)