Saving the Doctor

Chapter 21

-Doctor-

I sit on the bed, contemplating what Bethany has just told me.

How can she think I'm a hero? That I'm 'fantastic'? If I were as 'brilliant', as she says, I would have been able to find a way to save them. Instead I destroyed them. Killed them. All of them. My home. My people. She really must be mistaken.

And yet...

A few times I've seen her watching me. As though she sees something I can't. And I don't understand what it could possibly be. She couldn't be...in love with me...could she?

No, no. Impossible.

Although...she is from my future, and she claims to know everything about me. When someone learns a lot about another person, they tend to become closer to them. Many times, even falling in love with them. Perhaps she is in love with me...

Perhaps...in the future...she means something to me?

The sound of pounding footsteps interrupts my thoughts and I look up at my door as it bursts open.

"Stop!"

-Bethany-

I stare at the Doctor, trying to catch my breath, but also kind of embarrassed.

I guess she didn't mean to save him right this instant...oops.

He just stares at me, looking confused.

How am I going to explain that I thought he was about to try and kill himself...?

"Uh...nevermind...sorry 'bout that...see ya."

I turn and make a beeline for the console room.

Well, now I feel stupid. He's going to want an explanation for that and what am I supposed to tell him?

The Tardis must have meant something else by that message, but what?

'Save him'

What does that even mean? Is it something dangerous? Is his actual life going to be in danger? Or am I supposed to save him from the Pit of Despair he's falling into?

Haha. Pit of Despair. I do love the Princess Bride...but I'm getting off the subject.

I sigh and flop down into the chair, studying the console and the column that reaches to the ceiling. "What am I supposed to do? You really aren't giving me much to work with here."

The Tardis whirs softly and the air around me feels somewhat apologetic. As though the Tardis is sorry that's all the information she can give me.

"It's okay, girl. Don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll figure it out right on schedule."

The Doctor comes up the stairs, and I sink in my seat, sure that he's going to want an explanation from me now. He doesn't say anything about it, though. He just goes to the console and leans back against it, studying me.

I just want to hide, but I don't want to make how awkward I'm feeling too obvious, so I stay put and just watch him.

He eventually speaks, but the words that come out of his mouth aren't the ones I thought I'd hear. "We're parked in a safe spot for now. But the Tardis doesn't want us to leave and I'm assuming it's because of whatever the Cobbleen have planned. So. The only way I can see to leave is to figure it out and then maybe she'll free us."

"Sounds like she's holding us hostage the way you say it."

"Well, she may as well be. We don't want to be here, but she's forcing us to stay. I do believe that's the definition of being held hostage, isn't it?"

"Well...yeah, I suppose so...but she must have a good reason to be keeping us here, right? I mean, she would never do anything to hurt us. And if it were dangerous to stay here, she would leave to protect herself."

I hate to think of her as the enemy.

He thinks a moment, studying me again and making me feel a bit self conscious. He nods after a moment. "You're right. She would. Well, come on, then, driver." He turns to the console, "Let's see what we can find, shall we?"