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toxic_cornSeries: Kristy and The Doctor
Title: Chapter Five - Epiphany
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
toxic_corn and nutmeg610
Rating: R for some graphic violence.
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 Five - Epiphany
It sounds like you guys have a lot of fun. Can I come, too? I promise not to pick up my drunk future husband at a bar. ;)
- email from Mallory Pike to Kristy Thomas
Kristy grinned at Mallory who was practically vibrating she was so excited, clutching her dog-eared copy of Misty of Chincoteague
"And you know all the rules?" The Doctor was saying, sternly. "Stay close to Kristy or me, if you get lost stay in one place, don't wander far from the TARDIS, do not mention the future to anyone-"
"And if the strangers offer you candy do not get in the van," Kristy added.
The Doctor frowned at her. "Kristy, this is serious. If you recall last time-"
"Believe me, I recall last time," Kristy interrupted him. She gave him a look that told him to chill out.
"It's okay, you guys. I just want Marguerite Henry to sign my book and that's it. I'm not going to start telling her who won the World Series last year or the outcomes of presidential elections." Mallory beamed at them, trying to look as trustworthy as possible.
"Just so we're clear," The Doctor said, making Kristy roll her eyes. He set the coordinates for Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the 1960s and managed to miss the action or at least ignore it.
"So how long will this take?" Mallory asked and then blushed. "I mean, I'm not trying to rush anybody, I was just curious when we'd-"
"We're here!" The Doctor practically skipped to the doors and threw them open. Kristy and Mallory shrugged at each other and followed him outside to stare at a barren, smoky landscape. From a distance came yelling and explosions.
Kristy raised her eyebrows. "Do you actually know how to use this thing or were you just making stuff up as you go along in some feeble effort to impress me?"
"I do! It's just... the TARDIS must be malfunctioning or-"
"Right. Blame the machine."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "That kind of attitude is not helping."
"So um. Where are we, then?" Mallory asked, reminding them of her presence.
"Not sure," The Doctor said, looking around. "I don't think it's Earth."
"I'll look around and scout the place out," Kristy volunteered, and headed off to the right to a massive rock pile.
"Be careful!" The Doctor called after her, then turned to Mallory. "Right. Why don't you go back inside and-" He was cut off by the high pitched sound of a bomb about to land. Alarmed, he pushed Mallory down and covered her body with his when the bomb hit the rocks and millions of shards flew through the air.
"Oh my God!" Mallory exclaimed, voice muffled.
The Doctor rolled off of her. "Are you all right? Were you hit?"
"No, it just-" Mallory's eyes went wide with horror. "Oh my god, Kristy!"
Scrambling to his feet, The Doctor ran to the rocks. "Kristy!! Kristy!!!" He stumbled but caught himself and let out a breath of relief when he could make out Kristy's figure through the dirt cloud that had formed in the air. "Kristy, are you alright?!"
She came closer and his relief turned to sick horror when he saw that where her arm should've been on the right, there was nothing but a stump. She was stumbling along, carrying her arm as blood gushed out of the wound in her shoulder.
"I... don't think I'm okay," she said, shakily, and fell to her knees.
The Doctor ran to her side, stripping off his jacket to wrap around her, hoping to stave off the worst of the bleeding. The rock fragments and shrapnel had cut an artery and now time was of the essence; if he didn't get her to a hospital soon, she'd bleed out and die.
"Hold on, hold on," her murmured, scooping her up into his arms.
"Kristy? Oh!!" Mallory gasped, turning pale when she saw her friend.
"Get her arm," The Doctor snapped. "Get it and follow me; we need to move now!!"
Mallory gagged a little but screwed up her courage and picked up Kristy's arm. No doubt having seven brothers and sisters had prepared her for gross accidents; she had had to play nurse to her brothers during their daredevil phase, after all.
As The Doctor carried her, Kristy's eyes rolled back into her head. "I'm just going to go to sleep now..."
"No, no sleep!" He shook her gently, terrified. "You've got to stay awake until we get to the hospital, ok? Kristy?"
"Hurts," she said in a little voice. "Want to go away."
"I'm going to make it better, I promise." The TARDIS wasn't that far away, now. He picked up his pace a little.
"Said you'd... protect me..." Her voice was starting to fade and both his hearts pounded loudly in his ears.
"And I will. Kristy?" Her eyes had closed and he shook her again, this time harder. "Wake up!"
She whimpered. "But it's warm there."
"Hold on; we're almost there." His vision blurred and he blinked angrily; he didn't have time for this.
His tone must've given him away because she blinked a few times, as if she were trying to focus her eyes, looking up at him. "Are you crying...?"
"Might be," he muttered.
"Don't... don't cry. Not over... I can't move my arm." She frowned in confusion.
The TARDIS was just ahead and luckily the door was opened, even though he'd told Mallory as one of the rules to always shut the TARDIS door and she'd been the last out. At least now he didn't have to fiddle with keys. "We're here. C'mon now. Inside."
"You're the one carrying..." But she blacked out before she could finish her sentence.
Once Mallory was on board, The Doctor set Kristy gently on the ground and ran to the controls, setting the coordinates.
"Where are we taking her?" Mallory asked, tears spilling down her pale, frightened face.
The Doctor tried to give her a comforting look but it ended up looking grim. "To the ER of course."
~*~
In moments, The Doctor and Mallory were running into a futuristic, high tech hospital, shouting for help. They were able to get it right away by flashing The Doctor's psychic paper that showed Kristy to be the daughter of an important ambassador.
The Doctor stood outside the operating room, watching the surgeons trying to slow the bleeding to reattach Kristy's arm. He leaned his forehead against the glass, unable to look away.
What if they weren't able to help her? What if she died right there on the table? He'd never see her smile again, hear her laughter. She wouldn't wake him up in the mornings playing her music too loudly, or suggest silly trips to planets she thought she was making up only to find out that much to her surprise such places really existed. She wouldn't be there to squeal excitedly and hug him or play with her hair or challenge him or keep him company...
A tear slid down his cheek and another as he realized too late that he was in love with his companion. Pushing off the glass, he went outside for air, suddenly breathless from the force of his epiphany.
~*~
Hours later, the head surgeon, Dr. Tam, came out into the hallway. His face was inscrutable and his scrubs were covered in blood.
"Is she...?" Mallory asked, not daring to complete her sentence.
Dr. Tam smiled. "She's fine. We were able to reattach her arm."
Mallory let out the breath she'd been holding and The Doctor sagged in relief. "Oh, that's bloody wonderful news. When can we see her?"
"Right now, if you'd like." Dr. Tam smiled at their twin looks of shock. "We're taking her to a recovery ward right now. Follow me."
"Wow, future medicine is impressive," Mallory whispered to The Doctor as they followed Dr. Tam to the recovery ward. The Doctor nodded in agreement, his heartbeats accelerating at the thought of seeing Kristy.
If it was possible, their surprise increased three-fold when they walked in the door and found Kristy sitting up in bed, chatting with the orderly who had wheeled her in. She'd pulled down the sleeve of her hospital gown, revealing the neat stitching on her shoulder.
"I mean, this beats scars from bar fights or whatever. The next time some random douchebag starts to tell me a motorcycle wipe out story, I can show him this and say I got my fucking arm blown off. Automatic win!" She poked at her stitches and glanced over at him and Mallory, smiling brightly.
"But are you in any pain?" Mallory asked, looking shell-shocked.
Kristy beamed at them. "No, I think I'm a little drugged up. Dr. Tam is an awesome doctor."
Dr. Tam said quietly to The Doctor, "The medication I gave her will make her hyper for a few more minutes and then she should sleep."
Nodding, The Doctor went to Kristy's side and sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed. He reached out and gently took the hand from her uninjured arm in his. "Kristy, I wanted to talk to you about what happened, but this might not be a good time if you're under medication."
"You can tell me anything," Kristy said, wide-eyed. "You're my best friend, since my best friend doesn't need me anymore."
"Alright. So when I-- hold on a minute... Mary Anne?"
"My name's Kristy. Remember? Did the blast get you, too?" She slid her hand out of his loose grip and cupped his chin in her hand, tilting his head from side to side. "Maybe Dr. Tam should look at you."
"No, I mean, you said your best friend didn't need you anymore. You're talking about Mary Anne," he said, concerned.
Kristy nodded, looking a little sad. "Yeah, that's the one. I miss her."
"I know you do." He thought a moment. Do you want, I mean, I could drop you off to visit for a while, and if-- when, when you want to come back, you can give me a ring on your phone."
"Nope." She patted his hand, suppressing a yawn. "Not leaving you. Tell me what you were going to say."
"Oh, before? It can wait. You need your rest." He stood up and kissed her on the forehead, allowing his lips to linger there a second too long.
"Heeeyyy, c'mon. That's not fair. Now I'm all curious." Even doped up and falling asleep, she managed to look a little put out but it had none of her usual oomph behind it; she looked like a kitten playing at being a tiger.
"Well, a few hours rest and you won't be curious anymore," he said, giving her a cheeky grin.
Kristy lay back down, nestling under the covers. "Yes, I will. You always say interesting things."
"Well, I can't deny that. Rest now; I'll be around." He smoothed a hand over her hair and took a step back from the bed.
Her eyelashes fluttered before she found a comfortable position for her head on the pillow. "Okay. Tell me when I wake up, okay? Because you're awesome." And with that, she fell asleep.
The Doctor watched her for a moment then sighed softly. She was safe. He turned and jumped in surprise to find Mallory there, having forgotten all about her.
"Let's go to the cafeteria for something to eat," she said, giving him a sympathetic look.
~*~
Hours later, Mallory curled up to sleep on the extra bed in the ward. Kristy's "ambassador's daughter" status had earned her a private room and the hospital staff had wheeled in a cot for the distinguished daughter's friend. The Doctor sat in the chair next to Kristy's bed, watching her sleep. With every breath she took, he let himself relax a little more.
He watched her come slowly awake and stir before opening her eyes slowly. "Thirsty," she said in a dry little voice.
"I anticipated that." He waited until she'd sat up before handing her a glass of water.
"Ohhhh, you're the best." She accepted the drink gladly and gulped half of it down in seconds, then burped politely into her hand. "How long was I asleep?"
"Just about three hours," he said. He knew that it was exactly three hours, twelve minutes, and twenty-six seconds but didn't want her to roll her eyes at him. He just didn't think he could handle that right now.
"It felt more like a million." She struggled to put the glass back on the bedside table with her injured arm but the arm didn't seem to want to cooperate.
The Doctor reached out and took the glass himself, setting it down safely. "Here; let me."
"Thanks. Dr. Tam says I'll need physical therapy to get my arm back working properly." She sighed, frustrated. "And it's my pitching arm too."
He nodded, starting to feel nervous. "I... wanted to speak to you earlier about something, but you looked so worn out--"
"Right. Let's hear it," she said, but then looked wary. "It's not going to be a guilt trip speech about how I have to be more careful, is it?"
"No, no. I just wanted to..." He paused to take her hand, hoping to draw from her strength and keep his voice from shaking. "I'm so sorry I broke my promise to you."
Puzzled, Kristy frowned at him. "When did you do that?"
Was she being deliberately obtuse? He gave her a look. "Uhhh, just a few hours ago, when I failed to protect you and your arm was blown off?"
For a moment, she seemed unsure of how to respond, fish-mouthing at him until she managed to get out, "Oh my god, are you... you're blaming yourself for this??"
The Doctor laughed mirthlessly. "I promised you that I'd protect you, and I didn't keep that promise. Now I understand how Chad felt when Mary Anne took off. If I were him I wouldn't want anyone to be under my care."
"Don't say that."
"It's true. I make promises I can never keep." Ashamed, he looked away from her and shook his head.
"Oh for- Doctor, you've protected me countless times. Billions upon millions upon kajillions of times. And the one time something happens, you automatically assume you're some irresponsible ass? How does that- That doesn't even make any sense. This wasn't even your fault!"
"Even so, harm came to you, and I couldn't stop it."
"No, you couldn't. You of all people should know you can't control everything."
He gave her a look that said But I can damn well try! but didn't say anything, just squeezing her hand before letting it go.
"Besides," Kristy said, "I knew the score when I decided to come along with you. I'm aware of the dangers and I don't think Mallory is. So I'm glad you were with her during the blast and not me."
The Doctor sighed at that reminder. "You're right; Mallory didn't know the dangers. I shouldn't have put either of you at risk like that."
"Please don't say that."
"I already did."
"Doctor... you're my best friend and I trust you more than anyone in the universe. You didn't put anyone at risk; you had no idea this was going to happen and none of it is your fault." She made a grab for him with her weak arm but couldn't connect and sighed in annoyance.
"I thought that Mary Anne is your best friend."
"I can have more than one." She smiled and reached for him again. "You're the best friend I can hang out with every day."
He nodded but still looked pensive. "Even if you don't think it's my fault, I can still be sorry."
"Okay, then be sorry. And I'll forgive you," she said gently and held her arms open to him. "Now can you have pity on the one-arm-functioning girl and come over here so I can hug you?"
Smiling a little, he moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "There; happy?"
"Not yet." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. "There we go. Happiness."
The Doctor hugged her back, a small smile on his face. "Good."
Kristy drew back to smile sweetly at him. "So when can we leave? The hospital thing's starting to get a little old."
Rolling his eyes at her words, he couldn't help but be glad to see her old spirit back. "Well did you still want to visit Mary Anne?"
She looked away from him. "I don't think that's a good idea. I thought we both agreed that it wouldn't be."
"We agreed that both of us going wouldn't be a good idea. Not just you."
"I'm not leaving you," she said, frowning at him.
Warmth spread through him to hear her say something like that. "But you miss her." Lightly, he added, "And you see me everyday."
"Yeah, I do miss her but... She has Chad and Dawn and lots of other people around her to make her happy. You don't have anybody. So I'm staying with you."
Staying out of pity? Yes, that certainly did wonders for his ego. "I've spent lots of time traveling alone before. Come now; if you don't go now, you'll regret it later."
"You're not going to ditch me there in some misguided attempt to keep me safe, are you?" she asked, looking at him shrewdly.
"No, just giving you the opportunity to see your friends again." He pulled a TARDIS key out of his pocket that he'd had made months ago but hadn't gotten around to giving her yet. "Here; I think it's high time you have this. I'll keep the TARDIS away from Shelten's prying eyes, and just explore around L.A. while you visit. Then when you're ready to leave, just let yourself in." He pointed a finger at her warningly. "But no picking up strays. I've had that problem in the past, and it always leads to trouble."
"Oooooh, a key; do you have a toothbrush for me, too?" She gave him a teasing smile as he placed it on her palm.
"Oh, haha. You ready to go?"
"Hold on. Do you have my cellphone? I want to call her first."
He reached into the nightstand drawer and pulled out the phone he'd managed to collect from her personal effects. "Here you are. I'll go see about getting you released."
From her cot, Mallory stirred awake. "Kristy, are you up?"
"Hi, Mal."
"Hi. I carried your arm."
"Thanks, Mal."
The Doctor grinned a little at them. "Mallory, would you still like to meet Marguerite Henry?"
"Yes, please." Mallory sat up, rubbing her eyes. "But I lost my book back on that planet so I have nothing for her to sign."
"I'll see if they have a copy in the gift shop after I'm through talking with the hospital staff," The Doctor promised and slipped out of the room.
Kristy and Mallory looked at each other a long moment.
"I'll carry your arm for you someday, Mal," Kristy said with a nod. "Maybe even your leg."
Mallory nodded back. "Holding you to it."
< Chapter Four - Back to the Eighties : Chapter Six - Wide-Eyed Wanderer >
Title: Chapter Five - Epiphany
Author:
toxic_corn and nutmeg610Rating: R for some graphic violence.
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.
It sounds like you guys have a lot of fun. Can I come, too? I promise not to pick up my drunk future husband at a bar. ;)
- email from Mallory Pike to Kristy Thomas
Kristy grinned at Mallory who was practically vibrating she was so excited, clutching her dog-eared copy of Misty of Chincoteague
"And you know all the rules?" The Doctor was saying, sternly. "Stay close to Kristy or me, if you get lost stay in one place, don't wander far from the TARDIS, do not mention the future to anyone-"
"And if the strangers offer you candy do not get in the van," Kristy added.
The Doctor frowned at her. "Kristy, this is serious. If you recall last time-"
"Believe me, I recall last time," Kristy interrupted him. She gave him a look that told him to chill out.
"It's okay, you guys. I just want Marguerite Henry to sign my book and that's it. I'm not going to start telling her who won the World Series last year or the outcomes of presidential elections." Mallory beamed at them, trying to look as trustworthy as possible.
"Just so we're clear," The Doctor said, making Kristy roll her eyes. He set the coordinates for Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the 1960s and managed to miss the action or at least ignore it.
"So how long will this take?" Mallory asked and then blushed. "I mean, I'm not trying to rush anybody, I was just curious when we'd-"
"We're here!" The Doctor practically skipped to the doors and threw them open. Kristy and Mallory shrugged at each other and followed him outside to stare at a barren, smoky landscape. From a distance came yelling and explosions.
Kristy raised her eyebrows. "Do you actually know how to use this thing or were you just making stuff up as you go along in some feeble effort to impress me?"
"I do! It's just... the TARDIS must be malfunctioning or-"
"Right. Blame the machine."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "That kind of attitude is not helping."
"So um. Where are we, then?" Mallory asked, reminding them of her presence.
"Not sure," The Doctor said, looking around. "I don't think it's Earth."
"I'll look around and scout the place out," Kristy volunteered, and headed off to the right to a massive rock pile.
"Be careful!" The Doctor called after her, then turned to Mallory. "Right. Why don't you go back inside and-" He was cut off by the high pitched sound of a bomb about to land. Alarmed, he pushed Mallory down and covered her body with his when the bomb hit the rocks and millions of shards flew through the air.
"Oh my God!" Mallory exclaimed, voice muffled.
The Doctor rolled off of her. "Are you all right? Were you hit?"
"No, it just-" Mallory's eyes went wide with horror. "Oh my god, Kristy!"
Scrambling to his feet, The Doctor ran to the rocks. "Kristy!! Kristy!!!" He stumbled but caught himself and let out a breath of relief when he could make out Kristy's figure through the dirt cloud that had formed in the air. "Kristy, are you alright?!"
She came closer and his relief turned to sick horror when he saw that where her arm should've been on the right, there was nothing but a stump. She was stumbling along, carrying her arm as blood gushed out of the wound in her shoulder.
"I... don't think I'm okay," she said, shakily, and fell to her knees.
The Doctor ran to her side, stripping off his jacket to wrap around her, hoping to stave off the worst of the bleeding. The rock fragments and shrapnel had cut an artery and now time was of the essence; if he didn't get her to a hospital soon, she'd bleed out and die.
"Hold on, hold on," her murmured, scooping her up into his arms.
"Kristy? Oh!!" Mallory gasped, turning pale when she saw her friend.
"Get her arm," The Doctor snapped. "Get it and follow me; we need to move now!!"
Mallory gagged a little but screwed up her courage and picked up Kristy's arm. No doubt having seven brothers and sisters had prepared her for gross accidents; she had had to play nurse to her brothers during their daredevil phase, after all.
As The Doctor carried her, Kristy's eyes rolled back into her head. "I'm just going to go to sleep now..."
"No, no sleep!" He shook her gently, terrified. "You've got to stay awake until we get to the hospital, ok? Kristy?"
"Hurts," she said in a little voice. "Want to go away."
"I'm going to make it better, I promise." The TARDIS wasn't that far away, now. He picked up his pace a little.
"Said you'd... protect me..." Her voice was starting to fade and both his hearts pounded loudly in his ears.
"And I will. Kristy?" Her eyes had closed and he shook her again, this time harder. "Wake up!"
She whimpered. "But it's warm there."
"Hold on; we're almost there." His vision blurred and he blinked angrily; he didn't have time for this.
His tone must've given him away because she blinked a few times, as if she were trying to focus her eyes, looking up at him. "Are you crying...?"
"Might be," he muttered.
"Don't... don't cry. Not over... I can't move my arm." She frowned in confusion.
The TARDIS was just ahead and luckily the door was opened, even though he'd told Mallory as one of the rules to always shut the TARDIS door and she'd been the last out. At least now he didn't have to fiddle with keys. "We're here. C'mon now. Inside."
"You're the one carrying..." But she blacked out before she could finish her sentence.
Once Mallory was on board, The Doctor set Kristy gently on the ground and ran to the controls, setting the coordinates.
"Where are we taking her?" Mallory asked, tears spilling down her pale, frightened face.
The Doctor tried to give her a comforting look but it ended up looking grim. "To the ER of course."
In moments, The Doctor and Mallory were running into a futuristic, high tech hospital, shouting for help. They were able to get it right away by flashing The Doctor's psychic paper that showed Kristy to be the daughter of an important ambassador.
The Doctor stood outside the operating room, watching the surgeons trying to slow the bleeding to reattach Kristy's arm. He leaned his forehead against the glass, unable to look away.
What if they weren't able to help her? What if she died right there on the table? He'd never see her smile again, hear her laughter. She wouldn't wake him up in the mornings playing her music too loudly, or suggest silly trips to planets she thought she was making up only to find out that much to her surprise such places really existed. She wouldn't be there to squeal excitedly and hug him or play with her hair or challenge him or keep him company...
A tear slid down his cheek and another as he realized too late that he was in love with his companion. Pushing off the glass, he went outside for air, suddenly breathless from the force of his epiphany.
Hours later, the head surgeon, Dr. Tam, came out into the hallway. His face was inscrutable and his scrubs were covered in blood.
"Is she...?" Mallory asked, not daring to complete her sentence.
Dr. Tam smiled. "She's fine. We were able to reattach her arm."
Mallory let out the breath she'd been holding and The Doctor sagged in relief. "Oh, that's bloody wonderful news. When can we see her?"
"Right now, if you'd like." Dr. Tam smiled at their twin looks of shock. "We're taking her to a recovery ward right now. Follow me."
"Wow, future medicine is impressive," Mallory whispered to The Doctor as they followed Dr. Tam to the recovery ward. The Doctor nodded in agreement, his heartbeats accelerating at the thought of seeing Kristy.
If it was possible, their surprise increased three-fold when they walked in the door and found Kristy sitting up in bed, chatting with the orderly who had wheeled her in. She'd pulled down the sleeve of her hospital gown, revealing the neat stitching on her shoulder.
"I mean, this beats scars from bar fights or whatever. The next time some random douchebag starts to tell me a motorcycle wipe out story, I can show him this and say I got my fucking arm blown off. Automatic win!" She poked at her stitches and glanced over at him and Mallory, smiling brightly.
"But are you in any pain?" Mallory asked, looking shell-shocked.
Kristy beamed at them. "No, I think I'm a little drugged up. Dr. Tam is an awesome doctor."
Dr. Tam said quietly to The Doctor, "The medication I gave her will make her hyper for a few more minutes and then she should sleep."
Nodding, The Doctor went to Kristy's side and sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed. He reached out and gently took the hand from her uninjured arm in his. "Kristy, I wanted to talk to you about what happened, but this might not be a good time if you're under medication."
"You can tell me anything," Kristy said, wide-eyed. "You're my best friend, since my best friend doesn't need me anymore."
"Alright. So when I-- hold on a minute... Mary Anne?"
"My name's Kristy. Remember? Did the blast get you, too?" She slid her hand out of his loose grip and cupped his chin in her hand, tilting his head from side to side. "Maybe Dr. Tam should look at you."
"No, I mean, you said your best friend didn't need you anymore. You're talking about Mary Anne," he said, concerned.
Kristy nodded, looking a little sad. "Yeah, that's the one. I miss her."
"I know you do." He thought a moment. Do you want, I mean, I could drop you off to visit for a while, and if-- when, when you want to come back, you can give me a ring on your phone."
"Nope." She patted his hand, suppressing a yawn. "Not leaving you. Tell me what you were going to say."
"Oh, before? It can wait. You need your rest." He stood up and kissed her on the forehead, allowing his lips to linger there a second too long.
"Heeeyyy, c'mon. That's not fair. Now I'm all curious." Even doped up and falling asleep, she managed to look a little put out but it had none of her usual oomph behind it; she looked like a kitten playing at being a tiger.
"Well, a few hours rest and you won't be curious anymore," he said, giving her a cheeky grin.
Kristy lay back down, nestling under the covers. "Yes, I will. You always say interesting things."
"Well, I can't deny that. Rest now; I'll be around." He smoothed a hand over her hair and took a step back from the bed.
Her eyelashes fluttered before she found a comfortable position for her head on the pillow. "Okay. Tell me when I wake up, okay? Because you're awesome." And with that, she fell asleep.
The Doctor watched her for a moment then sighed softly. She was safe. He turned and jumped in surprise to find Mallory there, having forgotten all about her.
"Let's go to the cafeteria for something to eat," she said, giving him a sympathetic look.
Hours later, Mallory curled up to sleep on the extra bed in the ward. Kristy's "ambassador's daughter" status had earned her a private room and the hospital staff had wheeled in a cot for the distinguished daughter's friend. The Doctor sat in the chair next to Kristy's bed, watching her sleep. With every breath she took, he let himself relax a little more.
He watched her come slowly awake and stir before opening her eyes slowly. "Thirsty," she said in a dry little voice.
"I anticipated that." He waited until she'd sat up before handing her a glass of water.
"Ohhhh, you're the best." She accepted the drink gladly and gulped half of it down in seconds, then burped politely into her hand. "How long was I asleep?"
"Just about three hours," he said. He knew that it was exactly three hours, twelve minutes, and twenty-six seconds but didn't want her to roll her eyes at him. He just didn't think he could handle that right now.
"It felt more like a million." She struggled to put the glass back on the bedside table with her injured arm but the arm didn't seem to want to cooperate.
The Doctor reached out and took the glass himself, setting it down safely. "Here; let me."
"Thanks. Dr. Tam says I'll need physical therapy to get my arm back working properly." She sighed, frustrated. "And it's my pitching arm too."
He nodded, starting to feel nervous. "I... wanted to speak to you earlier about something, but you looked so worn out--"
"Right. Let's hear it," she said, but then looked wary. "It's not going to be a guilt trip speech about how I have to be more careful, is it?"
"No, no. I just wanted to..." He paused to take her hand, hoping to draw from her strength and keep his voice from shaking. "I'm so sorry I broke my promise to you."
Puzzled, Kristy frowned at him. "When did you do that?"
Was she being deliberately obtuse? He gave her a look. "Uhhh, just a few hours ago, when I failed to protect you and your arm was blown off?"
For a moment, she seemed unsure of how to respond, fish-mouthing at him until she managed to get out, "Oh my god, are you... you're blaming yourself for this??"
The Doctor laughed mirthlessly. "I promised you that I'd protect you, and I didn't keep that promise. Now I understand how Chad felt when Mary Anne took off. If I were him I wouldn't want anyone to be under my care."
"Don't say that."
"It's true. I make promises I can never keep." Ashamed, he looked away from her and shook his head.
"Oh for- Doctor, you've protected me countless times. Billions upon millions upon kajillions of times. And the one time something happens, you automatically assume you're some irresponsible ass? How does that- That doesn't even make any sense. This wasn't even your fault!"
"Even so, harm came to you, and I couldn't stop it."
"No, you couldn't. You of all people should know you can't control everything."
He gave her a look that said But I can damn well try! but didn't say anything, just squeezing her hand before letting it go.
"Besides," Kristy said, "I knew the score when I decided to come along with you. I'm aware of the dangers and I don't think Mallory is. So I'm glad you were with her during the blast and not me."
The Doctor sighed at that reminder. "You're right; Mallory didn't know the dangers. I shouldn't have put either of you at risk like that."
"Please don't say that."
"I already did."
"Doctor... you're my best friend and I trust you more than anyone in the universe. You didn't put anyone at risk; you had no idea this was going to happen and none of it is your fault." She made a grab for him with her weak arm but couldn't connect and sighed in annoyance.
"I thought that Mary Anne is your best friend."
"I can have more than one." She smiled and reached for him again. "You're the best friend I can hang out with every day."
He nodded but still looked pensive. "Even if you don't think it's my fault, I can still be sorry."
"Okay, then be sorry. And I'll forgive you," she said gently and held her arms open to him. "Now can you have pity on the one-arm-functioning girl and come over here so I can hug you?"
Smiling a little, he moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "There; happy?"
"Not yet." She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. "There we go. Happiness."
The Doctor hugged her back, a small smile on his face. "Good."
Kristy drew back to smile sweetly at him. "So when can we leave? The hospital thing's starting to get a little old."
Rolling his eyes at her words, he couldn't help but be glad to see her old spirit back. "Well did you still want to visit Mary Anne?"
She looked away from him. "I don't think that's a good idea. I thought we both agreed that it wouldn't be."
"We agreed that both of us going wouldn't be a good idea. Not just you."
"I'm not leaving you," she said, frowning at him.
Warmth spread through him to hear her say something like that. "But you miss her." Lightly, he added, "And you see me everyday."
"Yeah, I do miss her but... She has Chad and Dawn and lots of other people around her to make her happy. You don't have anybody. So I'm staying with you."
Staying out of pity? Yes, that certainly did wonders for his ego. "I've spent lots of time traveling alone before. Come now; if you don't go now, you'll regret it later."
"You're not going to ditch me there in some misguided attempt to keep me safe, are you?" she asked, looking at him shrewdly.
"No, just giving you the opportunity to see your friends again." He pulled a TARDIS key out of his pocket that he'd had made months ago but hadn't gotten around to giving her yet. "Here; I think it's high time you have this. I'll keep the TARDIS away from Shelten's prying eyes, and just explore around L.A. while you visit. Then when you're ready to leave, just let yourself in." He pointed a finger at her warningly. "But no picking up strays. I've had that problem in the past, and it always leads to trouble."
"Oooooh, a key; do you have a toothbrush for me, too?" She gave him a teasing smile as he placed it on her palm.
"Oh, haha. You ready to go?"
"Hold on. Do you have my cellphone? I want to call her first."
He reached into the nightstand drawer and pulled out the phone he'd managed to collect from her personal effects. "Here you are. I'll go see about getting you released."
From her cot, Mallory stirred awake. "Kristy, are you up?"
"Hi, Mal."
"Hi. I carried your arm."
"Thanks, Mal."
The Doctor grinned a little at them. "Mallory, would you still like to meet Marguerite Henry?"
"Yes, please." Mallory sat up, rubbing her eyes. "But I lost my book back on that planet so I have nothing for her to sign."
"I'll see if they have a copy in the gift shop after I'm through talking with the hospital staff," The Doctor promised and slipped out of the room.
Kristy and Mallory looked at each other a long moment.
"I'll carry your arm for you someday, Mal," Kristy said with a nod. "Maybe even your leg."
Mallory nodded back. "Holding you to it."
< Chapter Four - Back to the Eighties : Chapter Six - Wide-Eyed Wanderer >
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Date: 2007-03-16 04:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-16 05:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-16 04:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-16 05:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-16 06:31 pm (UTC)*dances* \0\ /0/ \0\ /0/ \0\ /0/
Can't wait for more!
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Date: 2007-03-16 06:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-16 06:49 pm (UTC)NOW I WONDER HOW LONG BEFORE SHE FALLS FOR HIM???????
:D
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Date: 2007-03-16 06:43 pm (UTC)LOL @ Dr. Tam... was it Simon or a relative? Like a great-great-grandson? If it's Simon, you really should have edited it to be her leg that got blown off. We would have loved you even more, if that's even possible!
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Date: 2007-03-16 06:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-17 02:41 am (UTC)So cute.
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Date: 2007-03-17 03:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-17 01:28 pm (UTC)Is The Doctor going to give Kristy a hamster as a get well gift?
I do have one question though... how do cell phones work over so much time and space?
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Date: 2007-03-17 07:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-06 10:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-06 11:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-07-03 05:12 am (UTC)love realization!!!!!!! now comes angst y/n?
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Date: 2007-07-03 05:29 am (UTC)(There's angst but it doesn't last TOO long.)
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Date: 2007-07-03 03:33 pm (UTC)(YAY!)
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Date: 2008-01-10 09:14 pm (UTC)WHOOT
..*giggle*