01. And now for something completely different

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor is smiling happily and humming a Beatles song to himself.] Ah, The Beatles. Earth has produced quite the preeminent collection of musicians, though few compare to The Beatles. Oh, but I can't forget Miles Davis and John Coltrane, now, can I? Different favorites for different genres. I couldn't very well compare a rock 'n' roll band to jazz luminaries, it's hardly an even playing field. So to speak.

[Glancing at the food and drink he's precariously balancing in his hands, the Doctor ponders what he's currently holding.] I don't have the affinity for bacon sandwiches that Ace does, but chips are rather nice on occasion, and I must say, I do enjoy these chocolate malts. Far more delicious than carrot juice.

[At last, he realizes he's not on a street, or anywhere near Harry's Café, the place he only just left. It's hard to determine when exactly the scenery changed, but this is most certainly not where he's supposed to be. It's different, and he supposes it should be disconcerting, but with no sign of an immediate threat, he allows himself a moment to appreciate the view.] Well, this is peculiar.

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[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[He would be more distracted by the malts then the sudden arrival on an astral plane, wouldn't he? Should have specified that anyone but a clueless Time Lord would recognize her annoyance. To make things a little clear lets have some crossed arms and a 'Gordon Bennett you are a clueless git' expression.]

Give or take a month? Try give or take six month, Professor. Six months on that bloody planet without a break.

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[His slight smirk starts to fade, because he does recognize the 'Gordon Bennett you are a clueless git' expression by now]

Has it really been that long? Six months isn't much time by my standards, but that would seem to be a rather long absence for you, wouldn't it? I must have lost track of...Time. It does happen occasionally that I misplace Time, and forget Time, and disregard Time, though I never lose it completely. It's my business, as you know quite well by now.

[It's possible he's rambling more than usual to hopefully distract her out of her apparently irritable mood. He's dubious that it will work]

I was on my way to see you, but I had to make a quick detour.

[It would've been a quick detour if he hadn't spent two hours chatting with John]

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[Damn it all, he had to go and get that distracted woobieish look on his face, and now her ire is fading a little. It's so hard to stay mad at him when he life isn't in danger or betrayal's not an issue and she has missed him so hard these last months. There might be a little bit of a smile on her lips, but it's accompanied by an eye-roll. No, she's not grown out of those yet]

Six months on Gallifrey. When you dropped me off you couldn't stay a full six hours. Yeah, it's been a long time. A long time in one place, a long time without more adventure then a run affords me, and a long time missing... my old life. [And you, you boffin, but she's not about to say that outloud]

What's in the bag?

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[He's missed her far more than he realized, so rather than protest that he most certainly did stay at least six hours (which he did not, actually), he simply takes the opportunity to enjoy seeing her again. Also, he's been through a few mental & emotional beatings recently, and he may be wearier than he will let on]

I trust...well, I hope you've been adjusting all right, Ace. It's such an extreme transition to make, and my intention by leaving so...abruptly, as you might call it, was to ease your assimilation.

[Glancing at the food and handing her the bag]

This was the purpose of my detour: a few bacon sandwiches, chips, and a chocolate malt. I know there's an appalling lack of culinary delights on Gallifrey.

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

Bacon sandwiches? [And her attention switches to the bags. She's starving for decent food. Naff Gallifreian food machines - what does she care for nutritional balance when there is no flavour?

She's tempted to pour out the bag and attack the food, but shows enough restraint to only take out one chip. Her eyes roll back in her head - it's almost orgasm-worthy.]

That home planet of yours is in desperate need of a fish and chip shop.

[She ignores the question of adjustment for the moment. The food is much more interesting.]

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor hands Ace her chocolate malt as well, taking a sip from his]

I'm only too aware of that, Ace. I did leave Gallifrey for a reason. Many reasons.

Obviously we're not on Earth or Gallifrey at the moment, however. Have you any idea what this place is, Ace? Who else is here?

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[And now there's chocolate, which makes Ace forget her complaints about Gallifrey - for a moment.]

Yeah, the reasons to leave are obvious enough. Can't see you living in a place like that.

Takes a bite of sandwich and a sip of her malt before answering. And a chip, noticing there aren't as many as there should be. A little frown.]

This place is called the Plane. Sort of an astral nexus of multiple universes and things, so far as I can tell. I've met people here that were you, and will be you, and others I never knew before. On the up side the TARDIS is here, though she's a woman not a ship.

[The playful frown of the missing chip variety deepens]

The Master is here. The one the killed Kara and another regeneration.

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[He would remark on how fascinating it all is to him, despite the redundancy of that, but thought of the Master stops him cold]

Another regeneration? The youthful one without a beard?

[He pauses, his face darkening as recent memories come to the surface]

I met him recently. I've been traveling while you've been on Gallifrey. The Master...our paths crossed, you might say. They crossed rather unexpectedly, rather fortuitously, and rather...

[Deep breath as he tries to shrug it off]

We had tea. He hasn't harmed you, has he, Ace?

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

You've met him before? [This is new to Ace. She's met the Master that killed Midge and Kara and the one on Duchamp 33, but not this young one. Not this one that she can almost identify with a little and hates even more now that she knows the Professor has seen him without her to be there for him.]

Gordon Bennett, I knew this was a bad idea. You need me t' be with you, Professor. You need me to watch your back.

[She's suddenly lost all interest in the food. She also brushes aside his concern about her.] No, he hasn't ared to try a thing.

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[Does Ace's reaction surprise him? No. But he's certainly not about to agree with her]

Ace, there's no need for you to be with me at all times. I met him, yes, and while it wasn't an emotionally pleasant experience, I wasn't physically harmed.

[He smiles sadly, but taps her nose]

This is the path you're meant to be on, and I'll see that you finish it. And in the meantime, I'll pop off to get you real food from time to time.

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[The nose! oh, but she's missed that touch - any touch from him but that sign of affection most of all. But she's also still worried about the Master thing and not entirely sure that he wasn't hurt by it. He said specifically that he wasn't physically harmed but there are so many other ways to hurt.

She'll ask him about it again, but not now. For now she wants a few minutes just to be with her best mate.]

I care sod all for the food, as much as I might moan about it. i miss my home and my friend, and would rather a visit for the purpose of a visit then an intergalactic delivery service.

[Frowns a little] i know well enough that I need to stick it out at the Academy now that I've started, but bloody hell, can't you pop along the timeline and go pick me up now?

[sigh]

[timewill-tell.livejournal.com]

[Another smile as he taps her nose again]

Yes, perhaps I should visit more frequently. I hadn't realized...well, I thought it might be far more advantageous for you if I were scarce while you adjusted to Academy life.

[Obviously, he was oblivious to the fact that he might have been needed even more precisely because Ace was dealing with a new environment and new situation by herself]

Even for something so seemingly innocuous, I couldn't meddle with Time. I can, however, visit you. I'm sorry for being so absent before, Ace.

[aces-are-rare.livejournal.com]

[Looks up at him through furrowed brows, her voice dripping with sarcasm.] Yeah, because my life always goes along so smoothly when we're apart.

[If this was a movie this would be the appropriate place for a montage of Ace alone and in dire straights - jail cells, tied to chairs, being interigated by Jager, attacked by various monsters, etc]

You better be sorry.

[There's little to no ire this time, though, and her voice is a little rough with emotion. The nose touches have triggered something and she can no longer deny herself - she throws herself at him, burying her face in his waistcoat.

Her voice is muffled]

Missed you.