rude_not_ginger | RP for tastefulfashion

Tutting lightly, waving away the remark with a grin. "Now, did I say it was more enjoyable? I don't recall ever saying that."

Certainly spending time with Leela proved to be more interesting than attending a council meeting with stuffy, old senators. Even listening to K9 lecture her was far more entertaining - at least he could play Mozart and Beethoven.

With a firm but gentle grip she held his hand and without even realizing herself at first, she had rest the side of her head against his chest as they danced on.

Her head went to his chest and their embrace was so very close. He didn't often find himself so close to someone so comfortably.

"Stay," he said, before he could stop himself. "With me."

The question was selfish. He needed to think of the timelines. 3/4ths of the universe would be gone if he took her with him. No matter how much he wished he could protect her. She was already part of his timeline. He already knew how her story ended.

"Just...one more trip."

Had he known how terribly she would have wanted to say yes right there on the spot, then perhaps he would not have asked. And the word almost slipped through - closing her eyes for only a moment, the memories of home reminded her of who she was now.

Without even lifting her head, she replied, "I cannot stay, Doctor. You know I can't." She wasn't the same old Romanadvoratrelundar no matter how relaxed and at ease she was here, with him. "One more trip.. it would just lead another, and then another."

Lacing her fingers with his, "I must return return to Gallifrey."

Edited 2008-02-11 06:21 (UTC)

"What about the scenic route back?" he asked, hopefully. "The long ride home?"

No, no, of course not. His time with her was ending, and he knew that would be the end of...well, he couldn't visit her on Gallifrey, that was far, far too dangerous.

"Please?" He almost never used that word. Never used the pleading tone. It was beyond just him fulfilling his loneliness, he had to...they had to...but he couldn't tell her.

He certainly was incorrigible.

They were already toeing the line as it was the longer they remained here. And though this was all wonderful and enjoyable, it could not last forever. To even take the long ride back would definitely stretch matters even thinner.

"Doctor, we just cannot." Looking up at him now, he could see that despite her calm expression her eyes showed that she would have wanted nothing more than to accept his offer, "I have to be back."

It was too soon, there was too little time. He'd only just got her. It wasn't fair. His mind resorted back to an infant-like state (it sounded a lot like his sixth self) and whined loudly that he should have more time. He could see from her eyes she wanted to stay with him. And he wanted her to stay. That should've been enough.

The voice that actually spoke was calmer, more mature. "I should take you back, then."

Then, naturally, his body was controlled by actions that were neither mature nor whiny. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again. Just once more. Old tradition and all that.

It should have been enough. Had time only been a kinder mistress than perhaps it could have been. But to wish on what could have would only keep one from looking ahead.

Romana only nodded her head once to answer him. Wrapping an arm behind his neck and her other hand resting against his cheek, she was kissing him in return. But still, there was something about it that worried her. He was troubled still and he would not say. To ask would pointless - she knew this by now.

"Doctor, we'll meet again," she breathed.

"Of course we will," he replied, though he couldn't make his voice sound like he believed it, no matter how hard he tried. It was as if she had asked him if he was all right. 'Always' was the answer.

He took her hand again.

"Should get you back."

Back to being her own Romana briefly before everything goes to hell. Back to Pandora and destruction and eventually loss. He could let her go. He had to.

Again she could only nod her head. If only she could understand what it was. She was used to secrets by now, but still...

"Perhaps we can visit some place we have before, just for old time's sake," she heard herself adding, hoping it might help. "It would be nice."

Holding his hand now, she suddenly found herself wondering.

"You could... stay, for a little bit, back home I mean. Could take my TARDIS this time and say hello Leela and both K9 units."

He gave her a look. Even if it wouldn't destroy the time-space continuum, he wouldn't stay on Gallifrey. Well, the Doctor she knew wouldn't stay on Gallifrey. He felt homesick, sometimes. This was one of those times.

"A place before might be good. Paris. Haven't been to Paris on purpose in centuries." Just that time in Versailles with Reinette. Back when the TARDIS was very full.

Immediately she swatted his arm, albeit lightly, saying, "Don't give me that look!" The corner of her lips turned up in a half-smile. "I only meant for a few minutes just long enough to say hello." But there wasn't any point to saying much more on the topic - she dropped it.

"Paris would be nice," Romana agreed with a slight nod of her head.

"Should take you in the winter this time 'round," he said. "Christmas. Never did take you to a Christmas, did I?"

It seemed silly, thinking about a time to take her. Delaying the inevitable---but he liked delaying the inevitable. Stopping what he knew would happen from happening. For a while, at least.

"No, you never did. But perhaps it would be nice to see, especially the city blanketed in the snow." There was a hint of a smile to be seen as she spoke gently.

"Nothing for too long, wouldn't want to pull you from your Presidential duties," he said. Though that was exactly what he was doing.

He was so very bad at following the Laws of Time. He wondered, often, why Romana put up with him.

An eyebrow arched but still the smile remained, as if following the same wavelength of thought. "Oh, no, of course not. Going dancing like this is certainly a part of my daily duties."

But she wasn't one to complain especially since she was enjoying herself.

"It should be," the Doctor said, grinning. "Dance with the Doctor once daily. Travel somewhere new every other hour. That's the sort of duties I could live for."

The dance slowed to a stop, and then switched to something jazzy.

"Can I get you a drink?"

Well, the day to day scheduling would have been more appealing had her days been as such. Romana obviously did not say this out loud though.

She was a just a bit parched when she thought about it.

Nodding her head just once, "I believe you can." And then after a beat, "Thank you."

He took her hand again and led her away from the dance floor to where a many-armed bartender was making drinks.

He thought about talking about the time she should have off, and why it was better for her health and all that...but if he pushed it further, she'd say 'no' to even going to France. He wouldn't push it.

"The best sort of dates are the ones that are improvised," he said, handing her a glass with a red, fruity concoction in it.

Tasting the the fruity beverage first, she was quite content with the not-too-sweet flavor on her tongue. A refreshing drink to quench her thirst.

But of course Romana could not help the teasing smile over the glass when she replied, "Then again, whenever I have spent time with you, everything would be rather spontaneous and improvised." With a quiet sip of her drink, her free hand pointed her index finger at him in mock accusation. "Your plans always did go array."

An innocent banter, that was all!

"Not always!" the Doctor replied indignantly (and mostly teasingly). "There was...you know. That one...time."

Actually, he couldn't really think of that one time, but if he were lucky, Romana wouldn't remember what time was that one time, either!

"Mhmmm."

How could she not roll her eyes at him? Well, at least she didn't this time around. Instead she only smiled as if she knew a secret that she would never tell and sipped her drink.

"Whatever you say, Doctor."

Oh, how she was laughing on the inside, really.

The Doctor would not pout. He would not---oh, there he was, pouting. He took a sip of his drink.

"Still. So much more interesting when you go where you don't expect. You can't deny that."

He loved this banter. He'd never admit it, but he did. So much.

Looking at him over the rim of her glass her smile only grew when she caught sight of his pouting. It was always these small signs that told her that she was winning their little verbal matches.

"I never said I was denying it," Romana stated. "As a matter of fact, you do have this habit of making assumptions on my behalf."

"Well, on occasion, but I'm usually right," he said.

With a wide, mischievous grin, he said. "Like...I can assume that you prefer traveling with me to the dull life back on Gallifrey, am I right?"

Oh, now really! Did he go there? Why, he did!

"Mm... I suppose so..." Not one to let another get the best of her the Time Lord only diverted her gaze away to look out on the dance floor instead of him.

RP for tastefulfashion

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