Tales of a Time Lady (A Doctor Who Fanfiction)

7: Chapter 1: Aquantus

"Voilà! 20th century Pairs at night. Never believed you'd see it?" The Doctor said smugly, Axe and Marie gasping at the beauty of the city. Jay of course had seen it before, but it always took her breath away. "When those lights hit the tower just right, this city sings."

"And oh, what a song." Jay closed her eyes and swayed with an invisible breeze. They found a cute restaurant in the heart of the town, surrounded by the hustle of nightlife. The Doctor ordered snails, claiming they were the best he's ever had. Axe ordered something he couldn't understand and the soup intrigued Marie and Jay. Marie was thrilled by the fact she and Jay had something in common. A long conversation about soup followed. Jay was close to punching someone when it dragged on forever. The food soon came, the Doctor poking the snails with a stick he found.

"Strange. Must be under new management."

"Eat up Doctor." Jay and Marie laughed as they sipped soup. Axe taken back at first by his suspicious meal, but instantly fell in love.

"Don't care what it is, it's magic either way." He smiled and pilled his fork with the strange meat. The Doctor slurped a snail.

"Marvellous!" He cried, standing and taking another. "Waiter!" He grabbed the nearest one. "Where is the chef? He and I are about to get acquainted!" He marched off.

Jay raised an eyebrow. "Eat up, we are about to be thrown out." Five minutes later, they were kindly asked to leave. The Doctor had sauce chucked on his shirt.

"Hate to see what would have happened if you insulted him." Marie commented, amazed at what the Doctor can provoke people to do.

"He asked if he was alien. Said the snails were made so brilliantly, they seemed of Orthine descent." Jay smiled.

"That would be a compliment." The Doctor pointed out while cleaning his shirt with a cloth. "He did not think so."

"I think a Frenchman being called an alien by a Englishman would be quite rude." Jay laughed. She frowned slightly and rubbed her chest. No one noticed.

"Time Lord." He corrected, waiting for Axe who had lagged behind. They walked along the rivers, Marie and Axe fashioning a little paper boat and sailing it. Jay and Doctor watched, and smiled.

"It's weird, but it has never been so peaceful."

"Jinxed it now."

Jay chuckled. "I don't believe in jinxes."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Jinxes are powerful stuff. I'd start."

"But really", she persisted, "Don't you think?"

He considered then smiled. "Yes. But stop stressing and waiting for something to happen! Enjoy it." Marie and Axe had taken off their shoes and dipped their toes into the water. The Doctor followed enthusiastically. Jay smiled and joined. Soon the Doctor was pushed into the water, by a very sneaking Jay.

A face staring at her.

Two hands reaching out for her.

A voice, evil and familiar, froze her.

She was running, and he followed, finding her every place she hid, knowing every move she made until, a dead end. She shook in fear and cried out as he crept closer-

"No!" Jay screamed and woke. She quickly checked herself and surroundings. Hands, head and legs. Check. Her bedroom in the TARDIS. Check. She collapsed on to her pillow, breathing heavily and sweating. She silently cried, arm over her eyes, chest rising and falling. She suddenly felt a terrible pain in her chest and grimaced. Jay breathed, waiting for the pain to shift. "Bloody jinxes." When it did, Jay slipped her dressing gown and quietly left her room, heading for the console. The Doctor and Marie slept in other rooms, as part of their agreement of staying here for a couple of days. Jay knew that the TARDIS was fine, perfectly functioning. The Doctor just needed an excuse to keep an eye on the place.