13 Novella 1

Truth

Yaz and The Doctor forgave you easily, but you found it harder to forgive yourself.

Jenny was a comfort, even just a smile in your direction warmed you unexpectedly.

Ryan was very apologetic for scaring you and Graham sympathetic for your ordeal that had followed, and you expressed your gratitude whilst keeping a firm distance.

The Doctor had returned the book to its shelf, bound in blue magnetic straps that were impossible to break from, and although the danger was clearly gone, made frequent excuses to check up on Yaz which always made you smile.

You really wish one of them would make a move, but they were just as nervous as each other. It was really quite sweet to watch.

Ryan and Graham agree to stay the night in their old rooms, and late into the evening you find all six of you gathered round a table playing truth or dare with an old pack of cards.

You downed your alcohol gratefully but kept to a reasonable amount. No reason to raise suspicion.

Jenny is one side and The Doctor the other, and you
feel mostly comfortable despite the close contact. So long as no one is touching you.

Across the table you spot Graham and Ryan muttering something and then they catch your eye grinning.

They raise their eyebrows at Yaz and The Doctor who are giggling madly about something the rest of you had missed.

You got the sense their growing closeness had been obvious from a long time ago.

The boys shake their heads and Ryan mouths at you they're still not together? You snort and take a drink to cover it up and he rolls his eyes. It's So obvious you mouth back and he laughs too.

"Hey what are we laughing about?" Asks Yaz and frowns when the four of you burst into more laughter at the two women's faces.

"Nothing you don't already know about..." you say slyly and Jenny snorts next to you, the boys gasping at your choice of words.

Choosing to move on The Doctor turns to Jenny
"Ok let's find out if you really are my daughter" she laughs "truth or dare?"

Jenny thinks then cautiously says "truth"

"Ok... whats the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?" She asks.

Jenny flushes and you find the colour is very endearing.

"Well I have to set the scene. You see I was in a gay bar in the rocky-noroa peninsula playing cards with an ood when I was strip searched for weapons by the bouncer who happened to be a sontaron. Thing is, he didn't find any weapons, but I had been-Er-busy with a girl a couple of hours before and wasn't um, wearing a great deal to start with. Anyway turns out I had switched-clothing-with this girl, which was, well several sizes too small-" she had to stop there because the rest of the table had erupted into fresh waves of laughter as she say glowing brilliantly.

"Brilliant" breathes The Doctor

"Ok your turn" shoots back Jenny, "best kiss?" She asks innocently. Yaz is suddenly listening very intently you notice, but The Doctor grins slyly. "Are we including non-human life forms or..?" She says and you gasp in shock

"You didn't" you respond. She only laughs at you and you can't help but giggle too. You can well imagine The Doctor not really having standards.

"Ok (Y/n), truth or dare?" Asks Yaz impatiently.

"Dare" you answer. Always dare.

"Ah come on you always choose dare" whines Ryan and The Doctor shoots him a look that enrages you unnecessarily.

You weren't fragile. They wanted to hear it, then fine, they asked for it.

"Fine, truth" you mutter.

"Ok," says Ryan thinking hard, ignoring The Doctor.
"Biggest regret?" He asks suddenly and you have to think hard. There are a few. Not ending it properly when you had the chance, not saving your sister but selfishly choosing your own life over hers. Allowing yourself to be abused for years and never protecting Abi nearly enough. Not being able to save your own mother when Jay knocked her senseless for the last time, wasting years in the ward waiting uselessly for your mental health to recover, the turmoil you frequently put your Tardis through... The list goes on.

You look up and see everyone looking at you and expectantly. Well everyone except Jenny who is frowning sympathetically, and The Doctor who is openly glaring warningly at you. You roll your eyes and stick to simplicity.

"Not learning from my mistakes" you mutter without expression. There, let them take from that what they will.

The table is silent until Ryan clears his throat and continues with the game.

You try to enjoy it, but always pick dare from then on. No one challenges you. You sit quietly, trying to fight off the dark thoughts that threaten to overshadow you.

You are slipping, until on your left Jenny slips her hand wordlessly into yours and squeezes. You don't even try to get away.

"Ok Jenny truth or dare?" Asks Graham sincerely.

"Dare" she replies, gripping your hand tighter.

"I dare you to stay" says The Doctor, and everyone falls silent, you holding your breath in one gulp.

You knew what you wanted, if she would just agree. You know nothing could ever happen, there are a thousand reasons why not, but if she would just stay... Well, just so long as you got to see her still.

"I thought you'd never ask" she grins at The Doctor, mother and daughter staring into each others' eyes with growing smiles.

They really were very alike.

You think you liked where this new turn in your life was headed.