Up, Up, and Away

Chapter 20

Graham

The Doc pulled the TARDIS out into the street, and as we all began to pile in, Ryan took off running back towards Marge's apartment.

"What are you doing, son?" I called. Ryan didn't respond, and he disappeared down an alleyway. When he returned, he was carrying a huge, fluffy cat, covered in snow.

"I saw him turn the corner, couldn't just leave him to freeze," Ryan explained. The Doctor grinned and rushed over to offer her coat to the orange cat in my grandson's arms. Ryan wrapped the animal in her coat and gently rubbed off the snow. Yaz stroked the cat's nose.

"Can we keep him?" Ryan asked enthusiastically, eyes wide and smile big. One look closer made him revise his statement.

"Her?"

"How could I turn down those eyes?" The Doc asked, bending down to eye level with the cat. She smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Aw, well shucks, Doctor," Ryan crooned, teasing.

"Not yours," she chided, rolling her eyes. Ryan pretended to be offended, and pulled the cat closer to his chest.

"What should we name her?"Yaz asked, taking the pet from Ryan's arms. She cradled it like a baby.

"Anna," the Doctor responded immediately. We all chuckled a bit, confused.

"Where did that come from?" I asked, receiving only a shrug from the Doc.

"Oh, I don't know. Just chose," she answered. I had a feeling it wasn't a random decision, but I didn't want to pry.

"Well, I like it," Ryan concluded, scratching its ears as it purred.

"Me too," Yaz smiled, nudging the Doctor with her elbow. The two seemed to have worked through any awkwardness that existed earlier.

"Aye," I agreed.

"Welcome to Team TARDIS, Anna," the Doctor whispered, obviously thrilled about the addition.

"Welcome to the fam," Yaz corrected. The Doctor looked like all her wishes just came true, and she nudged Yasmin back.

"Kiss up," Ryan mumbled, rolling his eyes. Yaz pursed her lips, but didn't respond.

We all began to pile into the TARDIS, out of the cold, but the Doctor didn't start driving the box yet. She simply took Anna from Yaz's arms and perched herself on the railing, petting the cat behind the ears.

"Where to now?" She asked. We all looked at each other, uncertain how to respond, even though I was pretty sure we all knew what the answer was.

After not getting a response immediately, the Doctor began to throw out suggestions.

"We could do the waterfalls of Apaladia, the unicorn sanctuary on Valuca, even the Great Cupcake Competition of 1996!"

"Why have I never heard of that one before?" I asked, curiously.

"Oh, top secret government business. Technically nobody should be able to remember it, but you know me. Found a way around the memory modifier," the Doc answered. I didn't even try to hide my shock.

After another awkward bout of silence, Ryan finally spoke.

"How about... Sheffield?" He said hesitantly. The Doctor furrowed her eyebrows.

"You want... to go home?" She asked, obviously baffled as to why we would want to go back to Sheffield.

"Not forever, if that's what you're thinking. I just need... a need a rest from all of this. From losing people," Ryan explained, scratching the back of his head. I nodded and slapped a hand on his shoulder.