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jenny is not a monkey... or a child (ilovetherunning) wrote in colligo_threads,
@ 2010-11-16 17:26:00

Entry tags:

jenny, the doctor (10), the doctor (11)

WHO: Jenny, The (Tenth) Doctor, and The (Eleventh) Doctor
WHAT: Most. Dysfunctional. Family. Reunion. Ever.
WHEN: Right after this.
WHERE: Just outside the Grand Library, to start.
RATING: TBD
STATUS: In Progress

For months, Jenny had been looking for her father. Well. That wasn't entirely true. For the first few weeks, Jenny had just been looking at the universe in general. However, most everywhere she seemed to go, she would hear tales of the Doctor. The Doctor had saved this world, the Doctor had stopped this threat, the Doctor was absolutely brilliant and deserved his own solar system, on and on the stories, and feelings behind them, went until finally Jenny decided she'd heard enough and was ready to see for herself. So she'd started looking for him - really looking. Anywhere that seemed to be in trouble, any place that might need a bit of help, she was there. Looking for her father yet always seeming to be either one step ahead, or behind, him.

The times she was a few steps ahead, she didn't mind it so much. Usually she'd wind up being the one to help in that instance, and she found the more she did it the more she liked it. There was something rewarding about fixing seemingly impossible problems of others. A bit frustrating at times, because apparently not everyone in the universe believed you were actually there to help when you first showed up, but certainly worthwhile. And she liked to think that, each time she waved goodbye to the people she met and took off to the stars once again, that eventually her own stories would begin to circulate. Not because Jenny cared about the fame but rather because, if she had her own tales, there was a better chance of the Doctor seeking out her.

Of course it never happened that way. She continued her travels, weeks turning into months, adventures piling up until she felt at times as though that's all she ever did. Along the way she learned a few things about life, about living in a cosmos that was far more brilliant than anything she could ever imagine. She learned how to think instead of act, how to use her mind instead of her fists. She wasn't quite as anti-violence as her father but she certainly did her best. She also continued her travels without ever slowing down, hoping that one day her searching would come to an end.

And then she was here. In a strange place that she'd never heard of, minus her ship, and quite confused as to how she'd come to be there in the first place. And in a matter of mere seconds, her search was over. Her father was here - not just one, but two of them - and although Jenny didn't quite understand how, she wasn't going to second guess her luck just yet. No, for now she would simply sit on the stairs just as she'd been told, not daring to move, and wait for her fathers to get there.

Blue eyes watching as two squirrels scampered across the bottom of the library stairs, fighting for an acorn that both seemed determined to keep, Jenny decided that her fathers really needed to hurry. If she had to sit there, in that one spot, for much longer, she was certain she would go mad from boredom. As it stood she was already reduced to watching animals fight for morsels. Another five minutes and there was a very good chance she'd either be joining them, or doing her best to patch up their differences, because anything was better than sitting so very still.

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amadmanwithabox
2010-11-16 11:11 pm UTC (link)

Jenny was alive. Jenny was here and alive and apparently she hadn't been dead at all. It was thrilling and the Doctor felt a strange sort of giddiness. There was a part of him, part that could never just accept that good things might just be good and not have some sort of strings or pain attached, that wondered if maybe she was a product of the weirdness of this place, an alternate Jenny who hadn't died. Maybe when everything sorted itself out again, as it tended to do, she'd be gone and he'd be left to mourn her again. But he ignored that part of himself for now and just focused on how glad he was to have her there. Because he had missed her terribly.

He'd taken the TARDIS, both because it was quickest and because he figured Jenny would want to see her. And, if he was perfectly honest, he wanted to get there first, before his other self. His other self had time to know Jenny, and she had time to know him. He hadn't, not as this version. It was strange how jealous he could be about his last incarnation, more than with other incarnations. His tenth seemed to have everything worked out and everyone liked him, even though he knew he'd been an arrogant arse. But everyone still liked him. He didn't even really like himself much, but he still couldn't seem to measure up to that one. But it didn't matter much. He was just glad to see his daughter again.

The TARDIS materialised on the steps of the library, and the Doctor barely kept himself from running out. "Hullo," he said cheerfully, giving Jenny a little wave. Then he couldn't hold back any more and he was pulling her into a tight hug. "You have no idea how good it is to see you again."

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ilovetherunning
2010-11-16 11:36 pm UTC (link)

Jenny had very nearly given up, nevermind that it had only been maybe five minutes that she'd been waiting, when something finally seemed to be happening. A noise she didn't quite recognize yet still felt familiar all the same. A noise she'd heard described during her travels. A noise that could only mean one thing.

Scrambling to her feet just as the TARDIS materialized, Jenny was grinning broadly when the door opened and the new version of her dad stepped out. Practically bouncing from foot to foot in excitement, she gave her own wave and bright grin, and then practically fell into the hug she was so anxious to embrace him as well. Arms wrapping around him, Jenny's smile was still present even as her eyes slid closed and she simply enjoyed a second of feeling like she belonged somewhere again.

That had been the hardest part during her travels. Going from place to place, with nowhere to call home, and no one she knew. She had never really belonged, not anywhere, and knew she never really would... except when she was with her father. With him, in his arms, by his side, she knew she'd found somewhere she was meant to be. And after so many months of searching for that feeling, Jenny was loathe to release him so quickly.

Of course she knew she had to. Standing on the steps of a library with a blue box, hugging a man who looked young enough to be her brother, was only going to earn them attention. Jenny didn't really care about things like that but she also didn't want to create an uncomfortable situation with the locals if she could help it. Proper manners when interacting with different worlds was very important. That was one of the first lessons she'd learned when she'd struck out on her own. That, and never trust someone who claims they'll watch your ship for you. Which was a story for another time and didn't need to cloud up her thoughts at the moment.

Finally pulling away, though really just enough to look up at the Doctor without it being at an awkward angle, Jenny's smile grew. "I'm so happy I finally found you," she replied, relief evident in her tone. Then she paused, her grin seeming to brighten even more, if that were possible. "That's her then, right?" she asked, gaze flickering past him to the TARDIS. The stuff of legends, truly. The most important blue box in the universe, in fact.

"She'll travel around the city but not out?" she asked, not even waiting for him to respond before tacking on a curiously excited, "I bet she's magnificent inside. Of course she is, she has to be. Give me a tour sometime? Not now, I don't guess, since we're waiting on the other you and it'd be a bit rude, I think, to not be here when he gets here, but soon? I'd really love to see her."

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amadmanwithabox
2010-11-17 02:03 am UTC (link)

He didn't really want to let Jenny go, but he knew that it would be difficult to have a conversation while hugging her. Of course, that was hardly going to stop him from trying...or at least holding on a little while longer. He'd missed her and he'd felt horribly guilty, both for pushing her away and for not being able to save her. Knowing that she had lived and that there was a chance he would see her again outside this place was more of a relief than he could ever express.

"I'm so happy to have you back," he said, hugging her again quickly. He felt like he was probably coming off like a complete spaz but he did'nt care. He was just so glad that she as there and all right and alive back in their own universe.

"That's her," he said fondly, patting the side of the TARDIS. "That's the TARDIS." He was enthusiastic about her eagerness regarding his ship and he couldn't really hide it. "She'll travel around Colligo, but she won't leave and won't move through time. But she's still brilliant and I'll be happy to give you a tour whenever you like...well...not now. Right now we need to wait for well...me. Other me. Him. But I know she'd love to have you look around." He noticed himself running up and gestured. "And there he is. Right on time. Sort of."

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_ten_
2010-11-17 02:27 am UTC (link)

The tenth Doctor could run. He was good at running. He was tall and thin and quick and running was something this body was very well suited for. But he couldn't remember the last time he'd ran like this, with every cell in his lanky body straining to go faster, harder, to push forward and just get there because he was terrified of losing her again and he wouldn't lose her again... And then he rounded a corner and she was there, standing with his other self and talking.

Both his hearts threatened to explode from his chest, and it wasn't just the exercise that had caused it. Losing Jenny had broken him. Destroyed him completely as he'd had to relive a pain that he'd vowed not to experience again after Rose. He pushed forward, jaw set and twisted into an intensely desperate expression, long legs flying over the concrete and rubbish and puddles until finally, finally he reached her and could throw his arms around his daughters petite, blond frame. She was here. He had her back. She hadn't gone.

"I'm here," he gasped, holding her. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm here." He caught his own eye over Jenny's shoulder and gasped in another breath of much needed air, pressing his face briefly into her shoulder. He could feel her two hearts beating against his own, and thought he might die from the relief of it all. After these last few days, with his Rose being replaced by one who was so alike and yet so horribly different... He had needed something like this.

The Doctor peeled himself away eventually, reluctantly, long fingers wrapped gent;y around her upper arms. He was aware of the other Doctor, knew how uncomfortable they were around each other but, just for now, was willing to put that aside. Instead a familiar bright, almost painfully enthusiastic grin ripped his features in two, lighting up his face cheerily as he stared into her face. "Hello you!"

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ilovetherunning
2010-11-17 03:02 am UTC (link)

Jenny had just enough time to pull her attention away from the TARDIS and turn toward the stairs. Then she was being pulled into another hug and, once more, that feeling of belonging washed over her. She instantly hugged this version of her father back; her eyes slid closed as they had before, the smile on her face an odd mixture of thrilled and peaceful. She had told him over the message board not to apologize and was all set to say the same thing to him again, here, but was stopped by the smile that filled his face. It was enough to make both of her hearts all but skip a few beats and she knew, just knew, that things would be different this time. Better. Yes, she understood with the other version here that meant this version was already gone, back home. However right now, in this place, she had him with her and that's what mattered.

With a light laugh, nose scrunching up a bit, she replied brightly, "Hello yourself!" Then she paused, glancing to the side at the eleventh Doctor. "And yourself." She paused, frowning not in displeasure but rather in confusion. Quickly her gaze cut between the two men.

"How's that work, anyway? Why's this place so special you both can be here?" she questioned curiously. It wasn't making sense to her, didn't add up. Granted there was a lot that didn't make sense to Jenny - she hadn't been alive more than a few scant months, after all - but she was a ridiculously fast learner and had a far sharper mind than most anyone she'd met thus far (save her father, of course), and if there was one thing she knew for fact it was that if something that shouldn't be possible turned out to be possible, there was always a logical explanation behind it. It was just a matter of figuring out what it was. And 'just because' really wasn't an answer she was ever willing to accept.

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amadmanwithabox
2010-11-18 04:23 am UTC (link)

The Doctor always felt uncomfortable around his other self, but he could make an effort for Jenny's sake. There was a lot he would suffer for her sake, even tolerating his own company. It felt strange to be competing with himself for the affections of his daughter, but Ten was the one she had known and he worried that he wouldn't measure up in her eyes. Still, he would try not to make it an issue, because he didn't want Jenny to feel like she had to choose one or the other.

"I honestly have no idea," he admitted. He hated when he didn't know how things worked. "It isn't the first time I've interacted with myself, but it's not a common occurrence and it can be rather disastrous at times." He looked at Ten pointedly. "Belgium." One word said it all. "But we seem all right here, and there's two of the old girl too...that happens even less often."

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_ten_
2010-11-18 10:27 am UTC (link)

The tenth Doctor slipped his hands into his pockets, standing with his legs a shoulders width apart and absently swaying from one side to another, wide grin still splashed over his features as he watched Jenny. Somewhere in his mind he was vaguely aware that the other him was there - it was like that, when they met. Like there wasn't really enough space for everyone in the room. Even if they were outside. By the Library. In the cold.

He caught the other Doctors eye, mouth opening in a silent 'aaah' before he nodded meaningfully. "Last time I met another me there was a complete collision" he told Jenny. "The TARDIS' merged completely, which plays havoc with the heating. It was like a sauna in there for days. Well, I was by a sun. Weeellll... It used to be a sun..."

He frowned for a moment, lost in his own memory and staring off into some middle distance before he crashed back to reality, perky smile lighting up his face, hands still wedged stubbornly in his pockets as he worked to keep himself from rambling. As long as both of him were here, he should probably at least try to keep things polite. And he knew how much he hated having his thunder stolen. Even if it was by... himself. God this could get very confusing very quickly. All the personal pronouns flying about...

"Me and Adric went into the Forest?" He offered perkily, speaking more to the group now. "Seemed a good place to start. People always like hiding things in forests. We were looking for a compensator, something holding it all together. And there's something with a hell of a big energy signature back there." Some time during his words, one hand had flown up to rub the back of his neck thoughtfully.

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ilovetherunning
2010-11-20 09:47 am UTC (link)

Jenny's blue eyes darted between the two versions of her father, listening intently to everything they both were saying and filing it away for later use. There wasn't much point, after all, in discussing things like the hows and whys right now. If they didn't have any answers, her bouncing ideas off of them wasn't going to clue them in any faster. No, she'd just have to take a moment to get her bearings and, within the next few hours, start exploring herself. Maybe, with a fresh pair of eyes, they'd be able to come up with something. And if not, she was certainly looking forward to the adventure of at least trying.

At the last bit, however, she paused. "Adric?" she echoed, "who's Adric? Is that another of your friends that travels with you?" Then she immediately perked up again. "Ooh, a forest! I do love a good forest! And mountains, only just there don't seem to be any of those here, and trying to hide something at a peak would make things a bit easy, yeah?" Mind whirling, Jenny rocked forward a bit on her balls of her feet. Her gaze cut between the two men, to a group of locals making their way past. Frowning thoughtfully, she looked back to her fathers.

"Are they normally like this? So calm and unobtrusive?" she asked in puzzlement. "Aren't people supposed to be put out when their city's overrun with outsiders who want nothing more than to tear it stone from stone in search of a way out?" She shook her head, clearly not pleased with such an idea as calm, placating locals. "How..." She searched for the right word, and finally settled on one of the worst she had in her vocabulary.

"Boring."

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