The Doctor Will See You Now

Pip !

She was on her hands and knees, head in the back of a cupboard, when the trailer door opened.

"Hi?" A muffled greeting got her attention.

"Be with you in a mo!" She called out, "Just hiding the last of the coffee supplies. This place has more thieves than Belmarsh!"

"Well, telling me isn't going to help keep it secret, is it now?" Suddenly, the voice was clear and recognisable.

The second she heard the voice, she pulled up, banging her head off the top of the cupboard.

"Owwwww!" She crawled back out, tears stinging, hand clutching the top of her now bruised head.

As she clambered to her feet, she turned, and the owner of the voice smiled. "PIP!!!" A pair of arms engulfed her, and she smelt the familiar scent of a man who could make the flowers grow just by smiling. "I had NO idea you were working this one. How wonderful!"

Tom pulled back, holding her at arm's length. "You're looking great! Well, banged heads aside, that is." He gently took her hand away, inspecting the potential damage. "No permanent damage to you - or the cupboard, I'm happy to say! Nothing much changes, eh love?" He let her hand go, almost reluctantly, as if he was enjoying the feeling as much as she definitely was.

Ruth grinned sheepishly. "Guess not! How are YOU, Mr Bigshot Actor? I wasn't sure you'd remember me?" She sat on one makeup chair, and Tom took another. As she sat, she massaged her scalp gently, the stinging subsiding as she concentrated on staying upright in the presence of such handsome concern.

"Awww, Pip as IF!" He sounded almost offended, then he smiled."I'm great, thanks. I'm looking forward to this project. It's a great book, you read it?" He stood again, taking his jacket off and slinging it on the little sofa at the back of the room. He folded himself back into the makeup chair, facing the mirror.  Picking up a comb, he proceeded to give himself a bit of a tidy up. He looked at her in the mirror as he did so. She got up and took the comb from his, continuing to run it through his hair.

It was as soft and silky as she remembered. She felt herself losing concentration as she ran her fingers through it. He had a short goatee beard, which he'd lose for the production, and she thought he'd never looked more handsome.

Tom watched her as she finished up, resting her hand on his shoulder.  "There, all smart.  No makeup today, just a table read and a walk through of the sets." She looked at the schedule on the wall.  Filming began in earnest tomorrow.

Tom reached up and held her hand, his fingers locking with hers.  Her stomach lurched, and she smiled down at their hands.

"It's been so long, I really apologise, darling. I made all those promises, and yet... well, I promise not to let it happen again." He looked at her, his beautiful soft gaze washing her in a warmth she'd not felt in too long.

"It's ok, I understand, honestly." She smiled, and the lightness in her voice hid the sudden pain in her heart.

"Thanks, love." he stood and kissed her cheek. "Wouldn't hurt my little Pip for the world." He winked and walked out.  She watched him go, the door closing softly behind him.

As reunions went, it hadn't been that bad.  As far as realising her feelings weren't dimmed by the passage of time went? It really couldn't have been worse.

Tom walked across the lot towards the main production office. Besides himself, Jeremy, Sienna, and Luke were due to have a short readthrough of the scenes they were doing first and then look over the set.  As he walked, he found himself repeatedly looking back towards the makeup trailer. He couldn't explain why, really. There was just something odd about his reunion with Ruth. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. He just felt odd.

"Tom! Mate! How are you!" Luke Evans' voice boomed over the distance, and Tom smiled, thoughts of Ruth and their meeting put to one side.

"What's fresh with you?" He asked."Fought any more Tolkien Dragons recently?" Tom held out his hand, and the two men shook then hugged.

"Aw mate, you have NO idea! Let's go in, I think Ben's keen to get going. We can go for a pint and a catchup later, yeah?"

"Sounds good."  Tom patted Luke's shoulder. "I have a feeling I'm going to need it. Have you read the bit about the dog? Challenging to say the least, eh?"

Ruth was packing up for the day when there was a tentative knock at the door. 

"Come in?" She called as she popped the last of the wig forms back onto the shelf.  The 1970s might be notorious for a lot of things, platforms, and flares included, but it was the hair that would prove to be the most work.  All those sideburns and shaggy haircuts. It was going to be hard work.

The door opened, and a petite auburn-haired woman popped her head round the door. 

"Hi! Are you Ruth?" She smiled and came in.

"Yes, that's me." She paused, curious.

"I'm April, April Jones. Pleased to meet you. We noticed your lights still on. We're off to the pub for a drink. Fancy coming?" She opened the door further, and Ruth could see a small group of people, both actors and crew, waiting.

"Sure. Why not?" She nodded and grabbed her bag.  Snapping off the light, she trotted down the steps and joined the little throng.  "So, where we off to?" She asked April as they all made for the exit gate.

April smiled as she flagged down a taxi, "Well, apparently there's a great little boozer in the next town.  I've got the directions, the rest are joining us after their meeting."

April, Ruth, a lighting guy named Paul, and a runner called Graeme all piled into the taxi.  Another four commandeered a second. As they drove off, Ruth turned to the rest.  "So, who else is coming then?"

April sighed and blushed "hopefully my future husband!" She said wistfully. 

"Oh, April, he doesn't even know you yet!" Paul laughed."Give the guy a chance."

"Oh, who?" Ruth's interest was piqued.

"Who else?" Came his fed up response, "Tom bloody Hiddleston."

Ruth felt a stab to her heart that shocked her to the core.  She let out a little.'Oh!'.

"I know, isn't he just perfect?" April gushed. "I'm so glad he'd single.  I'd just hate to think I'd have competition!"

Ruth sat silently.  Competition. Yeah, if only Tom would see there was any. But you just didn't fancy your little sister, did you?