Ticking Clocks (Doctor Who Fanfic)

Filled With Secrets

"Where are we going, then?" Nyxie asked sullenly from the other side. "Taking me back where you found me?" 

"No." the Doctor snapped. "I plan to keep an eye on you." 

Nyxie watched him angrily stomp around the TARDIS, slamming levers and punching buttons. Surely she hadn't made him this mad? 

He muttered something under his breath about insolent little girls. Nyxie scowled at that, but continued watching him. His blue-green eyes seemed dark and moody, but still had their kind, funny twinkle. His bowtie was coming undone, and he reached up to fix it quickly before hitting another lever and spinning a dial with so much force that it stuck. 

"Doctor, calm down!" Nyxie squeaked. 

"I AM calm." he hissed. "Shut up." 

"Doctor, please, I don't know what I did to infuriate you so much!" Nyxie protested. 

"It's not you. It's me. And partly you, but mainly me." he growled. "Well, actually, mainly you and partly me." 

"Then tell me why!" Nyxie advanced on him cautiously, making sure to stay out of arm's reach, to ensure that he wouldn't trap her again. 

He hesitated, then replied stubbornly. "No." 

"Maybe later, when I know a bit more about you." he added as an afterthought. 

Nyxie looked at him defensively. "You won't want to tell me anything if you know any more about me than you do now." 

The Doctor's eyes gleamed. "Oh, I don't know, Nyxie." 

His eyes softened. "Come here." 

Nyxie frowned distrustfully at him, but eventually came over. He put his hands on her shoulders and whispered in her ear. 

"Nyxie, we all have secrets." 

"I know." she whispered back, feeling goose bumps appear on her arms where he touched her. 

"Well." The Doctor gave her a cocky grin, stood back and raised his eyebrows. "Ready to see the world, then?" 

She opened her mouth to reply, but suddenly, something black and smoky materialised in the corner of the TARDIS. 

"Get back, Nyxie!" ordered the Doctor. 

Nyxie, frozen, did not heed his warning until it was too late. Once again, the mysterious, beautiful girl lay mangled on the floor. 

The Doctor gathered her up in his arms and swept back her hair. "Oh, Nyxie." he whispered. "The girl filled with secrets and too obscure to save herself."