Touch The Sky: Doctor Who/Studio C [Book 3]

A Little Place Called Home

A Little Place Called Home

(Original Interlude)

Matt had a few things to pack-they'd stopped off at his apartment again after the Ood, when it became apparent he wasn't planning on going home for good anytime soon. His laptop, a few extra sets of clothes, and a couple personal items that he couldn't get on the TARDIS or the nearest asteroid bazaar had been packed into a backpack and a single duffle, making the Doctor nudge Donna and say she ought to learn a bit about packing light. Now, he re-sorted everything he'd originally had in the two bags, along with a couple trinkets he'd picked up in the last two and a half months.

His wallet-which he left on the TARDIS unless they were planning on heading to twenty-first century Earth-went into his pocket, opposite the Master's watch. He still hadn't managed to get rid of that, for some reason, and every time he thought about leaving it be, he couldn't help but want to keep it close. He'd been mildly surprised that no one seemed to have discovered it during his illness, but no one had said anything about it.

"She's going home, isn't she?"

Donna's voice reached him from the half-open door and Matt spun toward her. "Yeah," he said after a long moment.

"I'm sorry," she offered.

"No, no," he said, stepping to the side so she could see his bags. "I'm going with."

Her eyes widened. "Oh." She peered at him for a long moment. "I didn't realize you were... that close again."

"Well..." he said with a half shrug.

Donna smirked. "Was that why you didn't want me tagging along out at the lake?"

"Shut up," he said with a roll of his eyes.

There was a long pause as the mood sobered. "We'll miss you," Donna offered.

"Yeah. I'll miss you too." He hoisted one bag over his shoulder. "Don't kill the Doctor."

"As long as he behaves himself," she said with an impish grin. "I'll call."

"You better," Matt told her. "And visit. We're not that far from your mother and grandfather, I don't think." His eyes went distant for a moment. "Come when the baby's born," he invited.

"I'd love to." She stepped toward him, giving him a brief hug. "Stay out of trouble."

"Yeah, right."

They both chuckled for a moment and Matt picked up his second bag, wondering for a moment why it was so much heavier than he expected. He didn't have time to dwell on that, though, because Mallory's voice came drifting down the hallway from the console room. "Doctor, what have I said about landing inside my apartment?"

Matt and Donna exchanged glances, the former giving a fond shake of his head as the Doctor's muffled apology came to his ears. With another adjustment of his bags, Matt headed into the hallway.

The TARDIS doors were slightly ajar, allowing him the tiniest glimpse into Mallory's apartment, and he fought back the nervous twist in his chest. This was the first time, he realized, they were going to truly be together without anyone else around as a buffer. It had been Cyndi and Donna the past six weeks, the Doctor in the month together before the Year, plus Mark and Jack through the weeks at Wester Drumlins. Mallory might be used to it being just the two of them, but for Matt, it was uncharted waters, and he pasted a smile on his face to fight back the sudden nerves.

Her gaze flickered over to his, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was already regretting her invitation. A moment later, though, Mallory took a deep breath and turned her attention back to the Doctor. "Don't be a stranger," she told him, wrapping her arms around him. "Not you, either," she added to Donna.