Soul's Shadow (Doctor Who - SI)

Part XVII (II)

"You are home, little one," grumbled the Master. It was the first thing he said.

"I don't think that's what she means," said Donna.

I shook my head and tried to swallow the heavy lump in my throat. There were words, right on the tip of my tongue. Words that refused to come out, now that everyone was staring at me.

The Doctor broke the silence for me. His smile was warm. "Well, I can't keep you here against your will. Although I have no idea where you even live, to be honest."

"What would you want in that hole anyway?" The Master dropped his bag and towered above me, the stare as dark as it could get

"I... I..."

"Fine, just fuck off, then."

"Master!" I grabbed his sleeve before he could storm away. "I don't want to leave."

"You said there is no one to return to."

"Just leave her be, you grumpy alien." Donna shoved him aside. "Who do you want to visit?"

I looked between them and exhaled. "I want... I just want to see my dad. That's all."

His look drilled burning holes into me, but then softened. Relief. That idiot had really thought I would just up and leave him. I shot him a dark look back, hoping it would signal my disapproval of that thought.

"I just want to see him. It's been... a long time."

"Well, then let's go!" The Doctor, happy as ever, bounced around the console, preparing the time machine for travel. I went to him to tell him where to land and off we flew.

The journey was quick and somehow too smooth. In my mind it was improper that nothing tried to hold me back. Not time, not the vortex, not some crazy anomaly that sat exactly where I needed to go. No, there was nothing in my way, nothing to keep me from taking this step I had avoided for so many years.

"You never told me anything 'bout your family, Lucy." Donna let go of the jump seat.

I sighed, struggling for words. "There is nothing to..." I shook my head. "No, there is too much to tell."

"You can go whenever you want." The Doctor nodded to the door and squeezed my shoulder. "And don't let that grumpy face over there tell you what to do. If you want to stay, then you're free to."

"Certainly not." I scoffed.

The Master lightly shoved him aside. "Don't try to get rid of her again."

"Oi! I'm not! You'd get her back anyway."

"You bet I would."

I smiled at that comment. There was no way he would just let me go. Not before the drums were gone and maybe... no. I stopped the thought immediately. He had made sure that I knew that this was all just for fun, to pass the time, to enjoy the ride. There wasn't anything else to it, no matter how much the thought... hurt. It shouldn't hurt. I didn't even want this to be more. I...

...was stalling.

Behind those doors lay a past I had buried. A past I had decided to leave for good, never to return. Donna nudged me gently.

"I can come with you, if you want. You know, if it's too hard to face'em alone."

I swallowed and wondered if I should accept.

"We could all come," offered the Doctor.

"Iiiii... really don't think that's a good idea." I eyed the Master, seeing him smirk. "J... just give me a minute. I wasn't prepared to be here so... suddenly."