Saving the Doctor

Chapter 20

- Bethany -

I open my eyes and find that I'm alone in the console room with the big furry coat draped over me like a blanket.

Great. I fell asleep.

I sit up and stretch, looking around.

"Doctor?" My voice sounds slightly raspy from not being used for however long I was asleep.

I clear my throat and try again, louder this time, "Doc?"

There's no answer and I sigh, standing. I walk to the console, looking at the screen that's showing some read-outs. As my hand touches the edge for me to lean on, the readings suddenly change to Gallifreyan words.

I frown at it, the air around me becoming urgent, but no matter how hard I try, I can't read it. How could I, since I had never learned it?

If my mobile wasn't fried, I could probably find the guide to Gallifreyan I downloaded.

Or maybe it's not fried. And if it is, maybe the Doc can fix it. I'll have to go find him...

But I don't want to get lost in here, even though I know she wouldn't hurt me, the Tardis can be a labyrinth.

As I'm about to take a step away from the console, though, the screen splits and there is new information underneath the previous Gallifreyan message.

I study what she's given me and blink in surprise, taking another look to make sure I'm seeing it right.

Its a key for translating Gallifreyan into English?

I study the column in the middle of the console that contains the Vortex. "What are you up to, girl...?"

I look back down at the screen, trying to quickly translate what I can, the air becoming more and more urgent with each passing moment.

"Okay, okay, I'm trying, just a second." I mutter as I keep working on it.

I've located the first word and the first letter of the word. Let's see...

S.

Okay, 's'. Next letter.

A.

V.

E.

'Save'. Save something? What am I supposed to save?

Okay, on to the next word.

Before I can decipher more than the first letter, though, the message disappears and I hear footsteps on the stairs.

The Doctor comes up to the console and studies the screen. Which is when I suddenly realize that I'm still staring intently at it. Oops.

"Oh. Morning, Doctor." I try to act like I wasn't doing anything, failing slightly.

He studies me, frowning, "What were you looking at?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about it."

He sighs and turns to the console, "What have I told you about threatening people?"

The air becomes irritated/annoyed as I inwardly grin and roll my eyes. He's always jumping to conclusions.

I start making my way around the console out of boredom.

He crosses his arms and studies me from across the platform. "So. What else do you know about me? Go on, you can tell me."

I walk my fingers along the console, ignoring his request with a small smile as I think of all the things I know he has done and will do. How I analysed every word I've heard him say. Every expression, every action. I might know him better than he knows himself.