DW fic - Collided Together (1/?)

[grlgoddess]

Title: Collided Together (1/?)
Author: grlgoddess
Characters: Eleven, Four, Romana I, River Song
Rating: G
Word Count:1119

Summary: Two TARDISes are drawn to a barren planet at the same time. It really shouldn't be possible, Romana protests, and River realises Romana still has a lot to learn. The Doctors get along far too well, but will they ever get to have their picnic?

Disclaimer: According to the rules of Doctor Who canon this totally happened. Totally.

AN/Warnings: Written for the eleven_romana ficathon.

Takes place in an unknown point in River's timeline, post S5 for Eleven, mid Key to Time season for Four and Romana, as well as pre-S4E4&5 (Which isn't as complicated as it sounds, promise). Excessive epithets due to multi-Doctorness, but I've tried to keep it as simple as possible.



"Doctor, we don't have time for whatever it is you're doing, we have to look for the next piece of the Key to Time."

"Yes, yes, but there's this anomaly..." he let his sentence drift off as he turned back to the controls.

She sighed, exasperated by his inability to stay on task, but still a little intrigued. "What kind of anomaly?" She joined him at the console and switched on the display.

"Some sort of rift is being formed, not far from where we are now."

"Doctor, we don't have time to go off after whatever minor anomaly catches your eye."

He just flashed her his mad grin, and changed their coordinates to aim for the center of the storm.

"We really don't have time..."

"Nonsense! We have a time machine. All the time in the universe." The TARDIS groaned to a stop, and he opened the doors. "Now are you coming or not?"

"K-9," she said to the tin dog. Really, the things the Doctor got her into.

"Mistress?" he chirped in reply.

"Stay here, and keep an eye on the TARDIS," she instructed.

"Mistress," he acquiesced, sulking only a little bit.

"Good boy," she said, and left the ship with the Doctor.

~~~

The TARDIS lurched to a stop, and only the bulbous glass at the center moved for a few seconds until the passengers were able to rise to their feet.

"That's it. Next time, I'm driving," River declared, brushing herself off. The Doctor pouted for a moment, before pretending she hadn't said anything.

"Let's see what's out there," he said, walking to the exit. She smiled, indulgent, and followed after him.

~~~

The planet was barren. Twisted, skeletal shapes dotted the plain. Craggy rocks jutted out against the distant horizon. The sun was directly overhead, but dim. Everything was a dull brown shade, and the swirling dust cast a gray gloom on everything. In the distance, they could see something familiar, a tall oblong box that stood out in the natural landscape. If they looked hard through the dust discolouring their view, it looked almost blue. Two people stood in front of it. Their curiosity more than piqued, they walked toward the other box.

As soon as each group was close enough to make out the features of the other, the older Doctor (who looked much younger) ran up to his younger self (who, of course, looked older), and took his hand into an enthusiastic handshake.

"See," he gloated, speaking to River over his shoulder, "It wasn't my driving! Clearly, whatever anomaly that brought us both here must have obstructed the TARDIS landing!"

"I'd be more inclined to accept that excuse if you'd actually noticed something was obstructing the landing when it was happening..."

"Details, details," he waved her off gleefully, still shaking his past self's hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again! And Romana!" He turned to the companion and swept her in an overzealous hug.

"Heel boy," River said, pulling him off of the obviously uncomfortable woman.

"Right, sorry," he said, still beaming.

"Doctor?" Romana asked, off-balance.

"Yes?" both men responded.

"Both of you? That's ridiculous!"

"Ridiculous? Of course not," the younger Doctor said.

"Of course it is! Meeting past selves is strictly forbidden. There are consequences, Doctor."

"Consequences," the older Doctor scoffed, "There aren't any real consequences."

"Of course," his past self interjected, "I don't know why anyone would want to do it willingly, useless bunch."

"I wouldn't say useless," the older Doctor said, "It can be nice, sometimes, to catch up, have some tea. Except that one time, on Roch Alione, that wasn't all that great..."

"Was that the one when the two with umbrellas went - ?"

"Yup. And the cricket-slash-roomba - ?"

"And that music!"

"Atrocious. What was I thinking?"

"I've no idea. Good thing that Yuhermahm showed up when it did though."

"Oh yes! Otherwise things would've gotten really out of hand!"

Romana seemed shocked at this casual discussion of something she had thought to be fundamentally wrong, impossible even. River seemed more exasperated at having to deal with two of him at once.

"Catching up aside, can we focus on the problem at hand now?" River asked, bringing the Doctors out of their collective recollection.

"What problem?" the older Doctor replied.

"The problem where we really shouldn't be here, you two especially," Romana said.

"And we weren't trying to get anywhere near this sector. You're a terrible driver, you're not quite that bad," River added.

Both Doctors looked terribly offended at the insult to their TARDIS piloting skills.

"Has he even tried to read the manual yet?" Romana asked River.

"I threw it into a black hole," the older Doctor said, half proud, half shamed by the two womens glares. "But that doesn't matter," he said, getting back on track, "There's still a reason we're here."

"There's no point in just waiting for them to show up, that bit usually takes a while," the other Doctor said.

"A picnic!" the older Doctor said enthusiastically.

"Excellent idea!" the younger agreed, and without bothering to consult with their companions, they wandered off to their respective TARDISes to get supplies, muttering about alien food concoctions.

"Does he ever really change?" Romana asked.

"Basically? Not at all," River replied.

She sighed. "I don't know if that's a good thing or not."

"Neither do I. But it keeps the universe interesting."

"I'll be glad to leave this all behind, as soon as we get the key to time. It's utter madness with him!"

River smiled knowingly, "I remember that part. But after the first couple of successful revolutions, some foiled plots, and one truly amazing planet, you're hooked."

"Even though he's completely insufferable?"

"That only makes it better. You'll never be able to forget him."

"Oh I don't doubt that. Especially as every few years there seems to be some new political scandal on Gallifrey revolving around him."

"You've done your research then?"

"On the Doctor? Of course. It wasn't hard to find, he does get involved in a lot of noteworthy events."

"Did you look into his companions as well?"

"His companions?"

"You'd be surprised at just how much information the Time Lords keep about the Doctor and everything around him. And with good reason."

"What are you talking about?" Romana said sharply.

"Spoilers, sorry. Trust me though. You'll find it fascinating. But that's ages away for you. Right now, just try to remember to live in the moment. Nothing in the universe is anything like traveling with the Doctor, dangers and frustrations included. I've looked."

Romana didn't look entirely convinced, but before she had a chance to make River clarify anything, an explosion rocked the ground beneath them.

Comments

[scifi-mel.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed that very much!!! Looking forward to more! Even with the awkwardness of having to write which doctor was talking I found it very easy to tell from what they said I think you really captured them both very well. I also love the idea of Romana and River meeting. Thank you!

[honeynoir.livejournal.com]

Amazing! Romana I, Four, Eleven and River in the same place at the same time... Love the Doctor(s) running off while Romana and River are sensible. I also really enjoyed the little details about the different TARDIS(es). And you included K9! <3

Romana seemed shocked at this casual discussion of something she had thought to be fundamentally wrong, impossible even. River seemed more exasperated at having to deal with two of him at once. This describes them perfectly.

[clocketpatch]

Nice! I'm not always a fan of River, but I like how you've built up her mystery in this. I also love Eleven's response to being marooned with bad guys probably (definitely) on the way - picnic!

:D