Chapter 2~ Art Gallery

«Theta? Koshie? I will find you.» A little girl with long blonde hair and big blue eyes sparkling in delight shouts, running around a house, looking for someone. She looks like a 6 years older: she wears a white dress, no shoes, her long hair is loosen and she's squeezing a little teddy bear to her chest. She runs in the red garden, the two Suns shining above them. She looks everywhere, even under a little box of wood but of course finds nothing. She then turns around and finally spots someone behind the tree.«Ha ha!» she shouts in triumph and starts jumping up and down clapping her little hands together happily.«Den for Koschei.» she laughs.From behind the tree emerges a 9-year-old-looking boy dressed all in black, with black hair combed backwards with gel and deep blue eyes.«Come on it's not fair! I'm sure you cheated!» he whines pointing his finger at the girl accusingly.«Just admit it. I won.» she says putting her arms on her hips, triumphant. The boy roles his eyes faking to be annoyed even though there is a smile playing on his lips «Okay, victory is yours Cris.» he admits, throwing a hand in the air. The girl nods proudly. «Yeah. I know.» she giggles. The boy laughs and runs to her shouting «Oh, you had it coming, young lady! Now I'll catch you!»The girl starts laughing and runs away. They run around the garden, the girl running as fast as she could but, having shorter legs, still slower. So she decides to hide behind the orange tree. She peers from behind it, wondering if the boy left but then«Boo!» she hears behind her.She looses equilibrium and starts falling down but the boy catches her.She looks up: blue eyes, black hair, bow tie and shorts. She stares at him and he stares back with a sweet smile.«Den for Theta!» she laughs out.«Oh, is that your way if paying back then?» he asks, sarcastically but smiling a little, as he helps her up on her feet. Once she's safely standing on the ground she grins.«Nope! This is!» she says as she stands on her tip toes and places a kiss on his cheek. Theta freezes on the spot, a blush making its way on his cheek and neck. He is slightly older that the little girl, it is evident. But it also is evident that he likes when the little girl pays that kind of attention to him. He started mumbling something, while scratching the back of his neck, trying to say something but stuttering and ending up blushing even more. The girl watches his containing a smile to curl on her little lips, when she notices Koshei running out in the distance, out of the corner of her eye. She gasps the quickly grabs the hand of the poor blushing boy and «Run!» she whispers to him, as she pulls him behind and the two run to hide and continue their game.

~~~

A big glorious city is standing in the middle of many hills, surrounded by a circular transparent wall, looking like a big soap bubble. At first it can look just like defenseless glass but actually, it's a big perception filter that is almost unbreakable. And right there, on one of the many hills covered with beautiful red grass, lies a boy and a girl, looking at the beautiful city they call home. The boy is sitting down and the girl is lying on his knees, playing with a flower she found earlier.«Tell me a story, Theta.» she speaks suddenly, looking up at him.Theta smiles: It's always that sweet smile full of care and love. Love he feels towards the girl who is lying on his knees.«Aren't you too old for stories?» he asks her, amused.She grins and putts the flower she've been holding, behind his ear.«I will never be too old for that.» she says, grinning. The boy laughs throwing his head back to look at the orange sky. He can't be happier than here, now, with his soulmate by his side. Not just 'soulmate' because they love each other, but soulmates in the whole word of its meaning. When a Time Lord borns he already has a soulmate. It's a destiny. She is his destiny. He doesn't know though that all this will soon fade. Disappear like it never existed... But now, here on planet Gallifrey in the Constellation of Kasterborous, it is all just about the two of them. He looks back at her, with such care and love.«Emmm...» his eyes flicker up, in thoughts. «Let me think...»«Think you genius.» says the girl looking away. «Was that sarcasm?» asks the boy looking at her.She doesn't look at him but laughs «Okay, then. I have a story!» he changes the argument. The girl looks at him. «Once upon a time, there was a boy. A Time Lord. And he was terribly in love with the princess of his kingdom.» the girl smiles. «And they decided that, once they're grown up, they'll run away in time and space with their time machine.» he says playing with her long hair. «Which the girl won't ever let him fly since he still didn't pass the test.» the girl says.«Oh, come on! I was just tired that day, you know I'm perfectly capable to fly a TARDIS!» the boy whines.«You burned our school, Theta.» The girl replies.«That is not true!... Just the first floor.» he says, blushing.She can't bare but laugh as she pecks his cheek. He relaxes and once again his lips curve into a smile. The girl lies back on his knees and they drift back into a comfortable silence. «Cris?» Theta calls, after a while. She looks at him. «What is time for you?» he asks. Cris looks at the beautiful red city below them and thinks.«You know...» she eventually speaks «Everyone always assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually, from a non-liner, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of...» she designs a ball in the air and then looks up at him «...Wibbly-Wobbly Timey-Wimey stuff.» He explodes in a laugh throwing his head back like a child. Theta was sooo childish. Then he looks down at her and, smiling, mutters «Cris, I love you.» She smiles. «I love you too.» she says.

~~~~

I opened my eyes.Silence all around me and... I smirked.Hello there my old friend ceiling! I could barely see it, because it was really dark. That kind of dark where you can't even see the tip of your nose.

I looked at the clock on my bedside table: 2 am.

I fell back on my pillow and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to free my head from the previous images, my subconscious send me. The beautiful city, the orange sky... Him... It's been six year since my last encounter with him. That's correct. Six. Long. Years.

I ran a hand through my hair, letting a huffed breath I didn't know I was holding. What I knew I was holding back, were tears. The only times you could see me cry, weren't when I was hurt. Or when the kids of the orphanage laughed at me and the teachers thought I was mad.

No, it was after I had dream. Just the thought of how long it's been since I last saw him and the fact that my dreams were slowly fading.

Oh, yes. I should probably tell you, now I had my dreams rarely, not every night like I did before. Let's say, I knew everything from the first to the eighth regeneration, then I saw just little flashes. Something really small, like a cryptic vision. And it drove me insane.

I held back the frustrated tears that accumulated themselves on the edge of my eye, ready to fall down from it.

Even if I did blink and left them proceed falling, they wouldn't. Because I was lying down on my back and the tears would simply proceed slowly sliding down my cheek. Sometimes I didn't understand the point in gravity.

I dropped my arms by my sides and sniffed in, letting out a short and suffocated lament.

Then decided to put a stop to the cries.

"C'mon! Be a man, Elizabeth!" I thought. Or was it a voice in my head. Not that it made any difference.

Since there was no way I was going to fall asleep again, I jumped down from my bed, slipped on a pair of jeans, wearing a shirt with no sleeves.

I tied my hair in a ponytail letting some strands off, then walked out of the door. Light flashed into my eyes, blinding me for a few seconds.

When my eyes got used to it, I walked through the hall and then down the stairs.

I tiptoed past the guard who was an old man and was sleeping, snoring terribly. After that, I reached the kitchen.

I took out the vanilla ice cream from the fridge and a big spoon. Then walked into the playroom for little kids.   I liked staying there because of the colorful walls that made me feel comfortable.

I sat down on the carpet, in front of a table, and turned on the tv at an American comedy. Since I was too lazy to change the channel, I opened the big plastic jar of ice cream and slipped the spoon into it. I then brought it to my mouth.

As soon as my tongue went in contact with it, I shivered, the coldness sending me shivers throughout my whole body. I swallowed that bet and took another bit of ice cream. I was about to eat it but, after staring at the spoon for some seconds, I realized I wasn't in the mood to eat.

I threw the spoon back into the jar then took a pencil and a paper from my jeans. I always had a pencil and a folded paper with me, just in case.

I leaned my head on my arm and started drawing the first thing came into my mind: Doctor and Crystal lying on the ground and looking at Gallifrey.

How lucky was that girl to make him smile. I knew now why he was so broken. He lost her in the war... The only person he truly loved.

I mumbled a melody while carefully drawing the two Suns and the hill. Then the beautiful orange city and, finally, the Doctor and Crystal, happily chatting. The drawing was soon done and I decided to check the clock on the wall. 2.30am. I snorted, bored, and looked at the flashy screen of the tv.

Avengers. I loved that movie.

I leaned on my arms, interestedly watching the movie, when suddenly I heard the sound of an open and a closed door. I frowned. No one visited at this hour and none of the kids where allowed to leave the orphanage. I turned off the tv and silently stood up, the footsteps moving down the hallway.

I grabbed the spoon from the jar and bravely tiptoed to the doorframe. If you're wondering, no, I wasn't the slightest scared.

I tiptoed to the kitchens doorframe and carefully tried to peer in the hallway. I saw a man, who was turning his back to me. With that I jumped out from my hide place with the spoon ahead and one hand in the air, like in those old Musketeers movies.

«On guard! Don't you dare moving! I have a spoon and I'm not afraid to use it on you!» I threatened him.

His hands flew up in up surrounded.«Okay, okay. I'm no treat, I promise. Put down your spoon.» he said.

I looked at him, suspiciously: he still wasn't facing me, plus the light was horrible so I could see nothing of him.

«Who are you?» I asked raising a brow.

«I'm an inspector.»

«Inspecting what in the middle of the night?»

«Go and ask that to my boss.» he replayed. It did sound convincing... Not to me thought. He was clearly lying. But I still lowered my spoon a little.

«Oh, yeah? Where is you license?» I asked.

He rummaged in his trench coat then taking out something. He then handed it to me still turned around.

I took it in my hands and then the blood in my veins froze. I could recognize that paper everywhere. It was the psychic paper. I smirked, deciding to play a little.

«Em... It just says you love vanilla ice cream.» I said.

«What??» he spun around to face me, ripping the psychic paper off of my hands.

He had chocolate brown eyes and brown fuzzy hair. I only once saw this him in my dreams, but that was enough for me to remember him forever.

My hands flew in my pockets «Nah, just kidding. Hello Doctor.» I grinned.

He looked up at me, his brown eyes meeting mine «How do you know my-?»

«Shhh!» I cut him off putting a finger to my lips as he started to talk louder. He did shut up, but send me a questioning look. I nodded my head towards the other room, where the " "guard" was currently sleeping.

He followed the direction with his eyes then nodded understanding, looking back at me. I made him a sign to follow and so he did. We silently walked to the kitchen: I stood at one side of the room and he on the other, near the door.

«Who are you?» he asked me.

I grinned.

«You don't get to ask that often, do you? The clever clever Doctor, who knows everything about everything.» I said still grinning. He looked serious though.

I dropped my grin «Oh, sorry. I forgot this version of you is... Pushy. What are you doing here, anyway?» I asked in confusion.

«I am the one who asks questions here.» I snorted at his statement.

Suddenly my eyes lit up, an idea coming to my mind. «What do you think of a game? An answer for answer?» I suggested.

«I am the Doctor. Humans don't command me, I-»

«Yeah, yeah, whatever. Do us both the pleasure and shut up.» I snapped. He did as I said, slightly surprised.

«I give you answer for an answer. Deal?» I asked approaching him and handing my hand to him. He didn't shake it straight away and just stared at it.

I snorted again, slightly.

«Will you shake it? 'Cos it's starting to hurt.» I said supporting my hand on the other.

He, still insecure, shook it.«Fantastic! Oh, talking about it, my first question! How-»

«Wait a minute.» he interrupted me «Why d'you get to ask the question first?»

I shrugged one shoulder «Cause you're the gentleman. At least I suppose...» I replayed. He watched me suspiciously.

I sighed in annoyance rolling my eyes «Would you like to start?»

«Well... I-I-I...» he stumbled on words, thinking. The room fell into a momentary silence, until his eyes flickered to mine and I gave him an encouraging look.

So he decided to answer «I give it to you. Just this once.» he replied with a slight smirk.

I grinned widely then I clapped my hands backing up «Here we go then! How many days since your regeneration?» I asked. His smirk dropped replaced by confusion which drew across his face.

«How do you-?»

«Ah!» I rose a finger to stop him «Remember our deal? So what about the regeneration?»

He rolled his eyes slightly then looked up, thinking. I admit it, he was seriously good looking. He had, might I say, great fuzzy brown hair and those brown eyes, still really young.

«Quite a lot.»

«But where is-?»

«Ah!» he cut me off this time, raising his finger in mid-air as I did before «Remember our deal?» he asked with a teasing grin. I rolled my eyes but gave him a sign to go on.

«Okay. Have we met or will we meet?»

I smirked looking away from him.«Um... No, we haven't... Well, actually once. When I was 11 you saved me from the dummies invasion.»

«Oh, so you are that little girl? Wait, I got it... Eleanor?» he asked.

«Elizabeth.» I corrected him feeling slightly disappointed, but I wasn't hoping for much. I mean, he met me once.

«Oh. Y'know, I have a friend named like that too.» he told me.

I nodded «Interesting. Okay, next question: why are you here? There are no alien invasions, so why coming into an orphanage in the middle of the night?»

«Actually, the TARDIS brought me here. I don't even know why, considering that, as you said, there are no invasions here...» He then caught my look. «Oh, the TARDIS is a-»

«Time-And-Relative-Dimension-In-Space, yeah I know...» I singsonged with my hands in my pockets and feeling just a bit guilty for creeping him out.

His brows were frowned once again «My turn again, how do you know all these things?» he then asked.

I gave one nod «Okay, then! I'll show you. But you have to promise not to freak out.» I pointed a finger at him.

He nodded «Fine.»

«And, I'm warning, it will be creepy, probably.» I warned.

«I'll do my best.» he said. I grinned at him. With that, trying to be as much silent, I ruled him upstairs in my room. Before opening the door I looked behind me, like to be sure if he was still there. He was. So I opened my door.

The light was already on. I let him in first then then closed the door behind me, and began watching him curiously, my hands behind my back, my head slightly titled to the side.

He walked all around my room looking at my drawings, in awe.

«But-but that's me. And that's Rose! And Jack! And... Who is this woman?» he asked me indicating the woman in my drawing.

«Oh, her name is Martha. I guess you'll meet her later.» I told him. He turned to look at my drawings again.

«This is incredible!» he muttered amazed.

I raised a brow, in suspicion «Are you okay?» I asked.

«Yes, sure. Why?»

I shrugged «Well, cause this place can make you feel... You know... Weird? Stalked?»

«Naah, I'm fine. This is brilliant!» he said, looking at some colorful drawings.

I grinned wider.

«But how would you know this?» he inquired, frowning.

«My dreams.» I told him, with a shrug.

«Oh, okay. So... Technically, you can see everything that happens to me?»

«I'm not sure now. Cos you just asked who is Martha. So I guess I can see everything: future and past of yours.» I said, turning away from him, and walking around my room. He looked back at one of the drawings on the wall near my desk, just as I looked at him. This was all just so awkward and amazing at the same time. I mean, The Doctor was in my room and hell if he was real! In your face Mrs. Caroline!

I still have one question in my mind though, why did the TARDIS bring him here?

«And what is this?» he snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up to meet his gaze.

«What?» I asked.

«This.» he pointed his finger on a drawing. I looked at it and a huge grin speared across my lips.

«It's a bow tie! Bow ties are cool!» I said with a smile, approaching and taking it off the wall.

«No, they're not.»

I looked at him like if he said a swear word, and glared at him. «Don't you dare.» I said, no more note of playfulness in my voice. He, understanding that he said something wrong, looked around, in embarrassment and trying to find another subject.

«So... -he cleared his throat awkwardly- how is this related to me?» he asked, returning to look at me.

I shrugged, turning around and carefully putting the drawing back on the wall «Oh, noting. I just really love bow ties.» I shrugged, smiling.

«Oh... Okay. And... How often do you have these dreams?» he asked. I thought for a bit.

«Not that often now. It happens sometimes.»

«And what was the last one?» he asked still holding my drawing in his hands.

«Emm... The one after your regeneration.» I lied this time. I didn't want to sadden him, and I knew it would've happened if I would've told him about Crystal.

«And when was it?» he asked.

I smirked. «I see you are not really good at the game of questions and answers, are you?»

He rolled his eyes.«Okay. I apologize. What'd you want to ask?» he said in defeat, hiding a little smile in the corner of his lips.

«Where is Rose?» I asked curiously but straight away regretted I did. The sparkle disappeared and a saddened expression speared on his face. He suddenly turned around, not saying a word, and approached a wall.

He took one of my drawings off of it and then, approaching me, showed it. It was of Rose falling into the vortex. I looked at him saddened. «I'm sorry, Doc, I shouldn't have asked it. I'm really-»

«Don't worry. It's not your fault.» he said putting my drawing back on the wall. His eyes were sparkling with hurt and I could ask see sadness in them.

He stared in nothingness, deep in thoughts. I watched him, feeling guilty. It was my fault he was sad.

The room stood in complete silence for some long seconds that seemed never wanting to end up.

I watched him, wanting to tell him how much I am sorry for touching the argument. But I knew he didn't want consolation. I could feel it.

«It's starting all over again... I am alone again...» he spoke silently.

I smiled, sadly and sheepishly, scowling slightly «Tell me about it.»

He looked up at me, frowning in confusion «What d'you mean?» he asked.

I pressed my lips together, then shrugged «I don't... have any friends.» I said looking up in his eyes, then smiled sadly and fell my bed, in a straight sitting position.

He frowned even more «Why is that? You are really nice.» he said, sitting next to me.

I laughed weakly, watching the floor. Then looked up at him as I spoke «People don't like people that are different from themselves, Doctor. And with this dreams, I am all other than normal.» I answered, smiling at the end.

«Tell you what, 'normal' is boring.» he said, leaning behind on his arms. I chuckled, looking back down on the floor.

«Tell me about yourself.» he said after a pause of silence.

I laughed «I'd love to, but I have nothing to say.»

«There is always something to say.» he encouraged.

«Well, not on me. I don't know where was I born. I don't know who I am, who are my parents. Let's just say I don't know anything.» I told him.

«What do you mean?» The Doctor asked again.

«I was found in an alley here in London, when I was 5: the medicals said that probably something happened to me before so I lost my memory. I started living here, in the orphanage but the same day I came, the dreams came too and I became the freak. No friends. No family. No memory. The end.» I finished, dramatically, smiling at myself as I thought of it. He didn't answer straight away.

«I'm sorry.» he eventually to say.

I shook my head «Don't say sorry for things you didn't do.» I answered smiling. He studied my face, but I wasn't really able to read his and to tell what was he thinking. Then suddenly he took out his psychic paper.

Something appeared on it but I didn't want to look. 'Cause I knew he was about to leave and the only thought of it made a sharp pain shoot through my whole body.

«I need to go, now.» he said putting it back in his trench coat.

«Okay, then!» I said, jumping up on my feet. «I'll walk you to the TARDIS?» I asked, hopefully.

«Fine for me.» he grinned, jumping on his feet too. I grinned too. With that we exited the room. Then we walked down the stairs. We passed near the guard who was still snoring.

We both laughed at him after we went out of the building. We joked in different ways and then we arrived to the TARDIS. The Doctor put a hand on it and gave it a pat.

«Here we are. The TARDIS.» he introduced.

«She is beautiful.» I said, looking at the magic blue box. I carefully placed my hand on her, and ran my hand down it. She was made of wood and I knew it, though, I was afraid I would break her. She looked so fragile to me, even though I knew how much she went through. She and the Doctor.

I noticed him looking at me, from the corner of my eye.

«Do you want to come in?» he then asked. I looked at him with excitement.

«Can I?» I asked wide eyes and grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

He smiled. He was about to open the door for me, when «No wait!» I said causing him to frizz. I grinned at him and jumped in front of the doors, slightly back. I sighed deeply, The Doctor watching me curiously.

Then I snapped my fingers. Suddenly the TARDIS doors flew open. I grinned widely, my eyes then flickering over at him. He was looking surprised. Did I just spoil something? Ops.

«Wow... I... didn't know it was possible... I guess she likes you.» he said sounding surprised.

I raised a brow at him, with a teasing grin «You surprised?»

«If I am? Yes.»

I chuckled. «Someone's jealous.» I said in a playful singsong voice.

He looked at me frowning and defensive «I'm not!» he said.

I grinned «Yes, you are.» with that, not waiting for an answer, I stepped in. My grin became wider as I looked at the bigger-on-the-inside box with a console in the middle and the so lovely jumpy seat.

«She is just the same I imagined it.» I said in awe.

The Doctor, meanwhile, entered too, closing the doors behind. He then took off his trench coat hanging it on a railing and walked to the console. «Oh, come on! Can you show just a bit of surprise?» he asked.

I rolling my eyes «WOW! It's bigger on the inside! How is that possible? I never expected THAT! Are you a wizard? Oh, did you attend Hogwarts? Can you show me your wand?» I asked with a fake-curiosity.

He grinned «Better.»

«Thanks.» I answered smiling and continued looking around.

He chuckled silently working on the consoles while I was still walking around. I touched the round things, running my fingers on them, carefully.

I them spin around to look at him «What are the round things?» I inquired.

He looked up at me, leaning on the console for support. «No, idea.» He dragged the words his eyes on the round things. I giggled like a little kind and returned to the round things.

«Seriously Doc, I have no words to describe you how beautiful she is.» I said giving her a soft caress. She groaned gently under my touch and that made e giggle again.

«Glad to hear it.» he called out and I could sense he was grinning like the madman he was. I turned to the console and, in one jump, I was beside it, opposite to the where the Doctor was standing.

«I know you are.» I stuck my tongue out on him.

«Don't you dare sticking your tongue at me, young lady!»

I leaned on the console, teasingly «Make. Me.» I smirked.

«Oh, you shouldn't have done that.» he said with a smirk.

«Oh, is the big bad Time Lord  going to eat me?» I teased.

«For dinner! Beware!» he said and started running after me.

«Someone please save me! Aaaaaah!» I shouted running and laughing. Suddenly I felt some strong arms on my waist which lifted me in the air.

I let a scream leave my mouth when the Doctor put me up. He then started to tickle me. I started laughing really loud.

«Doc! S-Stop it! P-Put me- haha- down!» I laughed out.

«No way!» he said, spinning me all around the console.

«Doc! Down! Now!» I shouted.

«Okay, okay.» he said and put me down.

I, at first, looked at him with a pout but when he started apologizing I exploded in a laugh.

«Does that mean you aren't mad?» he asked after observing me for some seconds.

«Oh, I wouldn't wish for an enemy to see me mad.» I told him.

He nodded «I'll keep that in mind.»

I snickered. But then my grin faded because I remembered. Our time was running out.

«Now we both need to go.» I said, pressing my lips together tightly. He nodded, remembering too.

«Be safe, Ellie.» he told me.

I scowled slightly «It's easy here, Doc.» I told him.

He took my head into his hands and kissed my forehead.

«Don't be alone, Doctor. Find someone.» I told him.

«Yeah, but at what cost. I will loose them one day.»

I smirked slightly. «It's worth it, though.»

His eyes flickered to the ground, meaning he had nothing to say because I was right. I smiled, my lips pressed together.

I then approached him and, standing on my tip toes, kissed his forehead, knowing he needed it.

When I pulled back, he was smiling slightly, still looking down. «Bye.» I said and turned around walking to the doors.

«See ya.» he said, his hands in his pockets, as he slowly walked back to the console. I knew he wasn't into goodbyes.

I opened the door and I was about to close it when «Elizabeth?»

I looked in to see the Doctor looking at me with his hands in his pockets. I looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

«I will come back for you. I promise.» he said. I smiled sadly.

«Don't make promises you can't keep, Doctor.» I said, then smiled, closed the door, walked into the orphanage and lied down on my bed hearing the TARDIS disappearing.

~~~~

Hi guys. I'm sorry if this chapter was long, sad and a bit boring but I had to write it to explain how the Doctor discovers about Elizabeth's dreams. I still hope you liked. Bye have a nice day.

Sofie.

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