★★★4

[didorothy]

[Sam is still bloody and bruised from his fight with the monsters. Gene Hunt's camel hide coat is in his arms, pressed close to his chest.]

Lapis, Lazuli. You said you sold anything. I have something I want to buy.

Comments

[didorothy]

Summer of 1973. I was four.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[he looks suddenly very serious; his voice is quiet]

Tell me what happened. Time travel is an expertise of mine, I may be able to help.

[didorothy]

I don't... I don't know. I was hit by a car in 2006. David Bowie was playing on my iPod. And... somehow, I woke up in 1973, in this jacket and these boots, and I... I don't know if I'm in a coma, or mad, or back in time... I don't know if I should care that Gene died when he's just - might be just something I made up... [runs a hand through his hair] I'm sorry. I don't know what happened.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[he steps closer, shaking his head; there's no shift in his features to suggest things clicking into place]

There's no need to apologise, Sam - it sounds dreadfully confusing, even to me.

[a pause]

I doubt your world is merely a mental construct, at least completely. Was Gene...killed by someone you've seen on this Plane?

[didorothy]

He was.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[softly]

If someone from another universe can - interact with him as well...

[didorothy]

[looks up at the Doctor, uncomprehending]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[a pause, as he considers]

The rest of us aren't figments of your mind, Sam. We come from entirely different realities.

I realise you can't be certain of that, but it does help me a bit.

[didorothy]

To be honest, I don't... know what I want to believe, anymore.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[softly]

The truth is generally the best option.

[didorothy]

[nods, pressing his lips together, eyes distant, frown evident]

[but that snaps, and he looks back to the Doctor]

Sorry. You're right, of course.

Could you... tell me a bit about Gallifrey? While I have accidental time travel under my belt, I haven't ever gotten off-planet.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[raises his eyebrows]

Generally.

[then he smiles, slightly]

Well. It's quite beautiful, really. Silver leaves and red grass beneath an amber sky, magnificent cities beneath shimmering domes...

[didorothy]

It sounds lovely.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[wan smile]

In some ways.

You miss home, don't you? I haven't for a long time.

[didorothy]

Why not? If you don't mind me asking. I just don't... [looks down at the coat and then back up at the Doctor]

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

Understand? No, I suspect many wouldn't.

I left my world for a reason, and my distaste has only intensified since.

[didorothy]

I'm sorry.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

Don't be. I'm quite happy with the life I have now.

[didorothy]

That doesn't mean... Forget it. Sorry.

Ahh... [runs a hand through his hair] I reckon I should get back to ... 'fighting monsters.' [lets out a short laugh] This is madness.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[chuckle]

You apologise entirely too much.

[raises eyebrows]

I think you should rest a bit first. They're powerful, adaptable - you don't need any disadvantages.

[didorothy]

I'd rather not.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[you get a stern frown, Sam]

You're no use to anyone dead.

[didorothy]

[have defiant glare, Doctor]

I won't get myself killed.

[miseardae.livejournal.com]

[said frown deepens as he crosses his arms]

And how do you know that, Sam? Do you make a habit of killing monsters?

[didorothy]

[folds arms]

I like to think that fighting crime in Cuban heels is a pretty good prep course for it.