Star Bound

Aria's Breakdown Part 1- Just the Beginning

The Doctor's Point Of View

A thought lingered in my mind that I blanked out for a moment.

That's not right. That's a- well, that's a human thing to do.

Maybe that month staying with Aria and Jack got to me a little bit.

I ponder the fact longer and realize that faking my broken TARDIS to stay with them was so naive, so not-doctor like, so ridiculously human.

Is my subconscious trying to tell me I should settle down?

Look at me now! I'm on a date! With a human girl!!!

Good god.

I set my fork down and turn to the window, looking down at the sand being pushed and pulled by the waves below.

"Is something wrong doctor?" Aria cocks her head.

"Oh! Uh- No. You?" I respond, flustered.

She stares at me blankly for several moments, a distant, almost sad look in her eyes.

"Aria?" I ask.

"Huh?! Oh yeah! I'm fine." She says unconvincingly.

We both look down and pick at the remainder of our food.

"I think we are both done." I stand up abruptly, holding out my hand for her.

She blushes and stands up.

I take her small in mine gently, and walk to the balcony, not bothering to pay the tab.

I lead her down a staircase, onto soft sandy ground.

I sit down at the edge of the water and she follows my example.

Her silence bothered me, it seemed unlike the Aria I knew.

"We will have to come back here some time with Clara for a holiday sometime." I say, trying to ease the tension.

Her eyes flicker with dejection, and she flashes me a sad smile.

Great one doctor, Mr. Romance seems appropriate. Bringing up another girl wile on a date with one.

"Clara would love it here." She says softly.

I bite my lip, what did she mean by that?!

Her mention of Clara triggers my blushing. I flash myself a disgusted look. Get your feelings in check doctor, on girl at a time. What is it with me and companions?!

"Yeah, she would." We're the only words that managed to come out of my mouth as I battled my feelings.

I turn back to Aria, even her name, like the rest of her, is beautiful. Ariena.

It just now occurs to me I never once asked her last name.

"Aria, I have a odd question for you."

"Yes?"

"What's your last name?"

"Oh, I don't have one I suppose. Harkness, if you like. But it's first names that matter. Remember that."

I ponder the thought and wonder what she means by that.

She turns away from me, looking at the sunset, getting distant again. This isn't the same outgoing, funny girl I was with earlier.

She flips her hair out of her gorgeous face, the warm breeze streaming it behind her.

Orange sunlight wrapped around her like a blanket, her eyes sparkling like the sea in front of us.