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[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor is in a relatively good mood, and it may have something to do with the fact that he's got one of his companions with him. This companion is a fluffy black cat named Mortimer, who is currently lapping up a saucer of milk. The Doctor shakes his head as he watches him.]

Dunno how you can stand the stuff. All the species in all the universe and it has to come out of a cow.

Suppose it's a good thing we restocked the kitchen, though. 'Course, it's gonna have to be restocked every couple of weeks now that we've got so many mouths to feed. [He doesn't sound overly frustrated by this, however. Quite the opposite, in fact.] Remember when it was just you and me? Blimey, seems like forever ago... [he trails off, brooding for a moment. Then he turns his attention to Mortimer again, since the cat is demanding it by plopping down onto Nine's lap.]

Speaking of new companions, d'you think we ought to get another cat? Seems like you could use a feline friend, and maybe one who's mum won't try to claw me to death. No more domestics for me, thanks!

Comments

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

I have been just fine. [meaning...well, he doesn't care to talk about how he's been lately] And I say you gave up. All those months and only now you think about it again? Surely you have a reason besides "being busy".

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

Does it matter, Straxus? I just want another cat. If you've got a problem with it, tough.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't get me wrong, Doctor. I don't have a single problem with your desire for more felines in your TARDIS.

I am only curious as to why. Why now? [he pauses, frowning] Something has happened, hasn't it?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[awkwardly] Nothing happened, Straxus. There was just...but I'm alright. The cat's got nothing to do with it.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[isn't put off by that] There was just...what?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[after a long moment] There was sort of this...thing with Omega. Stuff was said, threats were nearly -- but nothing happened.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

If you don't wish to talk about it, there are...other means. [and it has been something he's been meaning to test anyway.]

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[shakes his head] You don't want to go in there, Straxus. [taps his head] I lost it a bit with Omega, and everything's still...you don't want to. Trust me.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

As I see it, Doctor, you're still "losing it", especially if you think adding another resident to your TARDIS is the prudent thing to do.

[stubbornly] I'm ready when you are.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[quietly] Don't say I didn't warn you. [translation: you've got permission, go for it :|]

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[and so he does, muttering "Contact" under his breath]

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[the Doctor's about to comment on the fact that saying the word is fairly pointless, but then Straxus is in his mind. And it's open -- he's too exhausted to put up proper shields. It's open and raw. Anger, frustration, disappointment, guilt, grief, and painful memories are all tangled up together.

His recent memories are intensely vivid, particularly Diva's confession about raping his TARDIS and his violent reaction, offering his blood to her, Omega discovering the wounds...and the fight that followed. Omega's threats, the Doctor's revelations about the War, his self's intervention, his complete breakdown in front of Brax...it's all there for Straxus to see. To feel.]

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[and boy does he feel it. he mentally prepared himself, but unfortunately, he has underestimated the Doctor's mind. the sheer scale of the emotion and shared pain easily overwhelm his shields, forcing him to break the mental link once he recovers enough from the shock of all that terrible information.

he doubles over involuntarily, sucking in air, feeling rather ill and he wishes he didn't. he wants to run--or is that a feeling he got from the Doctor? something wet drops down onto his robes and it takes him a moment to realise he is crying. to his memory, he hasn't cried since those first few months with Morbius and hastily wipes at his face, his hands shaking.

but what he just learned from the Doctor... of all those things, it's the true fate of the Time Lords and Rassilon's resurrection that scares him the most. the rest pales in comparison to the world he still loves despite everything that has happened in recent months.]

[struggling to speak] You... Tell me that--that it's not true, Doctor. Please...

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[The guilt in the Doctor's eyes triples when he realises what Straxus has seen. He hesitantly reaches for the other Time Lord, tugging him into a hug.] I'm sorry, Straxus, I should've protected you. I tried, but my shields aren't...I'm tired.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[if he weren't still reeling from all that, he would pull away. regardless, he's embarrassed for letting that much emotion show and hopes he doesn't look like he's shed any tears.]

[the Doctor's evasion of his plea is answer enough.]

Then go...go rest, Doctor.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[shakes his head] Not when I'm worried about you, Straxus. [or you know, ever :|]

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[a bit tersely] I will be fine, Doctor. I will recover from this, as I have everything else I've learnt about my future.

You're the one who has to handle the aftermath of all that, and from the looks of your unshielded mind, you haven't. You should rest.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I can.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[he pulls away] You need to try! If you don't do something for yourself... Please.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[the Doctor looks an odd mixture of lost, lonely, and a bit scared when Straxus pulls away] It's bad enough when I'm awake, Straxus.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[puts both hands on the Doctor's shoulders] Then let me put you to sleep, or... I don't know, Doctor. You need help. I can get Braxiatel, if you would like me to.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[stubbornly] Don't bother Brax, Straxus. One breakdown was prolly more than enough for him. But...I wouldn't say no to a bit of help. You'll just have to block the dreams.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[he's slightly surprised that the Doctor's agreement came so easily, but he figures Brax's mention has something to do with it.]

I had already figured that into the plan, Doctor. I should ask, though...would you prefer the traditional method--or should I steal away into your other self's TARDIS for one of the mallets he uses on the console for a swift knock to the head?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[rolls his eyes] I'll take the traditional method, thanks. ...Wonder if you could drop into mine, though...Omega and Dorothy have followed me in before. Might be able to cross into Gallifrey then.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[softly] I might be able to, yes...

[puts a hand on the Doctor's shoulder] Let's see how this works.