12;

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[Oh, look who it is. Not bustling, not running around, not talking. Just quietly there.]

[He's been scarce on the Plane lately, his current situation making him anything but social. As it is, he's here now, staring at the post he has on the Plane, waiting for a promised letter. Feel free to interrupt.]

Comments

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[now he just continues staring at you]

I could hit you, too. Donna was quite good at that.

[still staring at you in disbelief]

You really want me to hug you for giving me a key? Honestly?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[waves it off]

It was only a question! Blimey!

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[gives the Doctor a look]

A daft one.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[continues ignoring]

See you in the morning? Second sunrise all right?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[still giving the Doctor that look]

Do you need one?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[quickly]

No!

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

You sure? I mean, I could just close my eyes and pretend it's someone else if you're really that in need of one. I won't even hold it against you that much.

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[appears to consider the offer, but then waves him off]

I'll see you in the morning.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[sees this consideration]

All right, no one's around. Quick, one, two, three, hug. And we never speak of it again. All right?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[look says: this is absolutely ridiculous. Then he sighs]

Oh, all right. But never speak of it again.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

I don't plan to.

[sighs and looks around to make sure no one is there, and awkwardly goes in for the hug, an awkward pat-pat on the back]

There. There. Thanks for the key.

I don't know, am I meant to say anything else?

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[equally awkward pat-pat, but the Doctor is secretly loving the hug! Don't expect him to admit it, though]

Nope, nope. I think that's...yeah, that's it.

Right, see you in the morning.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[pulls away, looking around again to make sure no one was watching them.]

Right. See you in the morning.

[and he's not sure how to exit now so he just gives an awkward wave]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

Right.

[heads off in the direction of the hotel, then heads to the side, waiting for Handy to go inside]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[He gets inside his room and goes to dial room service. Before he can do that, he finds a device and a pile of cash on the dresser. He looks at it all, confused for a moment, although part of him probably all ready knows what it is. He hesitates and then picks up the device.]

[rude-not-ginger.livejournal.com]

[And cued to his biosignal, the device turns on, emitting a hologram of the Doctor]

Considering you haven't properly chosen a name yet, I've tried starting this recording six times using variations on 'me' and 'human me' and 'my Companion', but none of them work out. As it is, I know you know this is for you.

And considering you are me, you probably know what this is. I've left. The Master's challenged me in a different part of the universe for Lucy's life and I can't let you get involved in this. You've put yourself at risk for me too much as it is.

Now, stop yammering and yelling. Yes, you were right. Yes, I can't let it go. I'll make it up to you a billion times over, I promise.

If all goes well, I'll be back in no time. Pick you up, we'll go back to traveling. If not, I've set the TARDIS's Emergency Program Two to land her back here in your room. The biodate imprintor should be automatically wiped and ready for you to prime it. I imagine a transition would be easier for you, considering you're me---well, human me---well---no, no, promised myself I wouldn't start that up again.

If I don't come back, have a fantastic life. I mean it. It's the only one you've got, make sure you never stop living it.

And...thank you.

[and as it blips out, Handy might be able to hear the whirr of the TARDIS engines fading]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[He's sitting on the edge of the bed now, looking at the space where that holographic Doctor just was. He hears the whirr of the TARDIS fading. He doesn't react in one way or another. There is a slight tightening in his chest but he doesn't allow anything else. Not the yammering or the yelling. He should've expected this much. He looks at the empty space and he's still holding that holographic device, so the recording begins again. He stares at the holographic Doctor, before getting up and walking through the hologram towards the dresser. He puts the device back on the dresser where he got it, and the Doctor disappears. He moves back to the bed and lies down, staring at the ceiling. Still not allowing himself to react in one way or another, despite that tightening in his chest and that knot that is forming in his stomach. Now he is just stuck waiting.]