Plurk paste

1. The last time the TARDIS saw her Doctor, he wasn't whole.

He still isn't, entirely, but he's far closer than before, sprinting into her sanctuary with his newest love. She doesn't always approve of his choices, but this one has a mind that gleams with a dagger and pulses like a star; this one smoothes healing-calloused hands over her controls with gentle awe.

"I saw her in your mind, but this..."

Her Doctor's hearts are full to bursting with fondness as he stares at them both, steadying himself on the edge of the console. "I know." He doesn't need to say how much he missed her; through him she can sense the span of time in which he was trapped.

Again.

"Oh - " The new one - Bashir, she knows through her Doctor, friend-partner-husband - gasps in surprise as her gratitude arcs into something he can perceive. Her Doctor beams.

2. He has a distant sense that usually you introduce your spouse to your family, show them your home. The TARDIS has rapidly become Bashir's home as well, and he knows every reason Gallifrey is out of the question, at least for a first trip.

Maybe, one day, they'll go and do a proper revolution.

For now, he takes Bashir on a grand tour of his version of Earth, eclectic in a way only a certain sort of time traveller can be: His cottage in Wales, deep in peaceful woods that are perfect to picnic in; Seaton Bay in 1979, for the best fish and chips in the universe; the Glastonbury Festival in the eighties; Neo-Saturnalia in the 120th century; London in various eras, of course, and Stockbridge.

Then end up stumbling into trouble in most of them, but that's part of the fun. (Kate quite vocally likes Bashir better than him, which is rude but fair.)

3. When it comes to the rest of time and space, he's a bit more conflicted. The desperate yearning to share all of it with Bashir - something more solid and lasting than his memories - has built for a long time, but now that the ability is at his fingertips -

Ultimately they don't start with the dangers or the wonders. They start with Trenzalore, in the aftermath of that final battle. Bashir helps him heal the people he left behind, helps him rebuild the place that became another home.

They only stay for a few months, that first time - he is too restless, still, after being contained to one world and time for so long - but they return, every so often, the two Doctors of Christmas.

4. It sparks an idea, old traditions to share anew. They head to Estringokl for Planetfall and decorate the trees, foiling an invasion purely by happenstance. Then, well, it's on responsible to nip into the first Earth-Draconian Friendship Day to make sure all goes well, and nibble on those really tasty fried pies. They do the same for the Ood Sphere's Independence Day, marvelling at the grand ice cities.

After that it's an intergalactic tour of music festivals and science fairs, with only half needing corruption weeded out of them. It leads them to entirely new experiences, even for him; some get bloody or desperate, but that's all right.

Bashir doesn't allow him to lose himself in those moments, and the Doctor anchors him in turn; they take time, afterwards, to find peace and refuge in simple, joyful things.

5. Her Doctor still isn't whole, but he gazes at the universe with unbridled wonder again, a hand clasped tightly in his.

The Flame Festival of Karn has never blazed quite this brightly before. It shimmers in the Doctor's eyes, fierce with enduring love and passionate conviction.

They've done so much he'd never thought possible, why not a little bit more? He can see Kasterborous from here, or at least its ever-glimmering echoes.

"So. How would you feel about renewing our vows?"