Tiffany Duke stood in the men’s section, browsing through ties. Aralyn and Natala were across the aisle in the accessories, looking at gloves and hats.

It was early December and Christmas was coming. It was Natala’s first Christmas with Dean, or any boyfriend, for that matter, and she was excited. Aralyn and Cam were back together. But she, Tiffany, was still on her own, without a companion.

Sometimes it was hard. Her cousins always invited her to join them for outings but being the fifth wheel was no fun. She still hadn’t figured out what she wanted to do with her life and sometimes she just felt like she was drifting through the world. Untethered, no goals, and by herself.

“Hallo, excuse me,” a tall, young man popped out from behind the stand, startling her. He held up two bow-ties, one blue, one red. His accent was clearly British. “Which do you prefer?”

Tiffany took a step back. Who on earth still wore bow ties?

“Um, you realize those went out of style about thirty years ago, right? Even my grandfather doesn’t wear them.”

“What’s wrong with bow ties?” he demanded.

He was definitely British, Tiffany realized. She laughed. “Um, they’re just…old.”

“Bow ties are cool,” he mused, studying the ones in his hands.

That’s when Tiffany realized he was already wearing a bowtie, which was odd for a young man in his twenties, which she gauged at him. But his whole outfit was odd, she thought. A purpley-brown frock coat, a white shirt with a red bowtie, black slacks and…suspenders? Was she really seeing suspenders and a bow tie on a guy in his mid-twenties?

He was tall, easily 6’3 or 6’4, she decided, and lanky. His hair was brown, and longish, flopping over one eye. His eyes were an odd color, one she couldn’t pinpoint. They sort of looked blue, but sort of brown…she finally settled on a dark gray. And they were old eyes. His face was interesting, she thought, a long, and angular chin, sharp cheekbones, a slightly large nose.

“Bowties are not cool,” she laughed. “I know, I work in the fashion industry.”

“Ah, but the fashion industry is fickle.” His eyes were lively, and he hadn’t stopped smiling at her.

“If you’re going for a respectable business approach,” she eyes his old fashioned coat warily, “then you need a traditional suit, like those. And ties. Ties are very respectable.”

“Who wants respectable? I prefer fun.” he shrugged and tossed the bowties on the neatly folded shirt display.

Tiffany couldn’t help but laugh. He started flipping through the ties, then turned and rifled through shirts. He couldn’t stand still, she thought. And he was humming.

“Um, are you okay?” she asked tentatively.

“I am fine. Are you?” he asked slyly, his eyes dancing. He grabbed her by the hand and spun her around, surprising her.

She laughed and pulled her hand free. “Um, I’m fine.”

“Really?” he stared hard at her and Tiffany suddenly felt weary. Who was this crazy man?

Tiffany stepped back. If she called for help, Aralyn would be here in seconds, and probably pummel the guy. But…she didn’t sense any harm from him. She sensed…excitement. Intrigue.

"Who are you?” she finally asked.

An alluring smile appeared. "Allow me to introduce myself. Hallo, I'm The Doctor."

“Dr.?” Tiffany asked. “Dr. Who?”

He shook his head. “Just The Doctor.”

She raised one eyebrow. “That’s kind of arrogant.”

“I’ve been called worse,” he shrugged.

Tiffany raised one eyebrow.

“Have you any custard?” he asked.

She just stared at him. “No, I don’t walk around carrying custard in my purse.”

“Pity. Custard is underrated.”

“There’s a restaurant a couple doors down that had a great crème brulee,” she told him. “It’s a type of custard.”

“That’s right, you American’s do weird things to custard,” he muttered. “Do they have fish sticks as well?”

She recoiled. “I doubt it.”

“Pity. You’re missing out,” he shook his finger at her. “But it might be worth a try. Join me?”

She laughed. “Um, no. I have no idea who you are, where you came from or what you’re doing.”

He clapped his hands and spun around, a childish grin on his face. “I’m here to take you on an adventure, Tiffany Duke.”

She took steps backwards. “How do you know my name? Who are you?”

“I told you, I’m The Doctor. And I was sent.”

She sighed. “Did Aralyn send you? Is this her idea of a joke? Or did the twins put you up to this?” She glanced around but didn’t see either of her cousins.

“The TARDIS sometimes send me where I need to be,” he said. “Or when someone calls me, the way you did.”

“The what? And what do you mean, I called you? I’ve never seen you before in my life!”

“I got a clear message on the psychic paper last night. Took her a while to lock onto you.” He held up what looked like a flip open leather wallet, revealing a piece of paper. In her handwriting were the words, Send me someone to show me there’s hope. Tiffany Duke.

Tiffany exhaled and took another step back. “I didn’t write that. That’s my handwriting but I didn’t write that.”

“Ah,” he gave her a sly smile, “but your heart wished it, which is often more powerful than one would think. And the psychic paper heard, and the TARDIS tracked you. She often sends me where I don’t plan to go, but with good reason. So here I am.”

“You’re insane,” she blurted out.

“Yes, I know. I am quite mad but I do have my reasons. Are you ready?” he was fidgeting with the ties.

“Ready for what?” She was annoyed now.

“Our adventure. Anywhere in time and space that you want to go, we will. Name it.”

Tiffany burst out laughing. “The twins are so behind this. I’m going to kick their butts.”

“I assume you’re referring to one of you several sets of cousins, but no, they have nothing to do with this. This is all you. Time to get you out of the shadows you hide in, Tiffany Duke.”

Tiffany eyed him warily. “What is that supposed to mean?”

The gray eyes turned serious as he studied her, walking around her. He wasn’t checking her out in a sexual manner, she realized, more like…he was staring into her head. And her heart.

“You stay in the shadows,” he mused. “Your cousins take the spotlight but you’ve always held back, hiding. Bit scared of things, aren’t you, bit scared of truly being in the spotlight.”

“I am not!”

“The blonde cousin, with the curls. You want to be more like her but you’re afraid. So you’re content to be in her shadow.”

Tiffany folded her arms across her chest. “We all have our roles in the family. I don’t need the spotlight.”

“But you want it. Oh, yes, you do. I can see it in your heart. You’re afraid though. Well then, it’s your lucky day, Tiffany Duke, because I am here to pull you into the spotlight.”

“Excuse me?”

“Time for an adventure.” The boyish, roguish smile was back. “One your cousin can only dream about.”

“You have the wrong cousin,” she said stiffly. “Aralyn is the adventurous one.”

“Why is that?” he demanded. “Why do you think you aren’t allowed to have an adventure, to have some fun, to have excitement? Why do you think you don’t deserve it?”

Tiffany opened her mouth to make a retort and stopped. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I’m just…Aralyn usually seeks out the adventure, I just go along for the ride.”

He held out his hand. “Come with me. This is your adventure only, not your cousin’s. You get the spotlight.”

“No way! I was kidnapped in October, I’m not going anywhere with you. You’re a total stranger!”

His eyes flitted about, and he tapped his fingers on the display. “Not even if I could promise you the most amazing thing you’ll ever see?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard that pickup line before.”

His eyes suddenly turned serious. “Come with me, Tiffany Duke. No harm will come to you and I’ll return to this exact moment in time.”

Exact moment in time? How was that even possible?

She stared at the earnest, puppy dog eyes, the oddly dressed man and felt something in her stir. Not attraction. Curiosity. He was compelling, she thought. She hated to admit that she was intrigued by him. Did she dare wander off with a strange man? She could defend herself physically if need be. But after being kidnapped…she glanced around. Neither Aralyn nor Natala was in sight.

Her own adventure…anywhere in time and space? Really?

“Ten minutes,” she said.

“Come on, then, you!” He swept one hand out in front of her, and fell in step next to her as they walked.

“What’s a…a TARDIS?” she asked.

“I’ll show you. But I want to know about you.”

“I figured you already did, since you knew my name, even though you won’t tell me how.”

“Ah, you brilliant little thing,” he mused, “working it all out. Why did you come with me?”

“Curiosity, I suppose,” she answered.

“Curiosity. Curiosity. One of the wonderful things about you lot, all that curiosity. What are you curious about, Tiffany Duke?”

She shrugged. “Lots of things, I suppose. The world. People. What to do with my life.”

His eyes lit up and he spun around, walking backwards as he faced her. She waited for him to run into someone or a clothing rack but he seemed fine maneuvering through the racks of clothes without seeing where he was going.

“You lot are always asking what to do with your life but you never ask life what to do with you.”

“What?” Tiffany asked, puzzled. She spoke Honey-speak fluently of course, but there was something different about the way he phrased the question.

“In this big, vast, beautiful universe, you lot never ask the right question.”

“What do you mean by ‘you lot’?” she asked. “Amercians?”

He gave her a teasing smile and she realized they had left the store and walked into the mall itself. He had turned down one of the hallways, and around a corner. There, stood a tall, cobalt blue box with Police Call Box in white above the door and a sign posted on it.

A flash of memory came to her.

“Let’s go look!” Aralyn jumped up. Tiffany followed suit but Trixie and Honey were ready to go at that point, and they left the blue box behind when Trixie called to them.

“I’ve seen this before,” she said abruptly.

His grin lit up his face. He wasn’t really good looking, she thought, but he had an interesting face. And old eyes. Very old eyes. This man had really seen things, she thought.

“What is that?” she asked.

“My TARDIS, which your clever little brain remembers seeing, doesn’t it?”

“Why does it say Police Box?”

“It’s the cloaking device. It got stuck on this somewhere around the 50s. Come on.” He snapped his fingers and the doors swung open.

“I’m not getting in that with you,” she said flatly. She wasn’t stupid. There was no way she was going to get into an enclosed space with this man that she had just met.

He faced her, crossing his arms over his chest. “What do you want, Tiffany Duke? Out of life?”

She shrugged. “To be happy, I suppose.”

“But how? What would make you happy?”

“I…don’t know.”

He laughed. Did he ever stop smiling, and looking like he knew all the secrets of the world?

He leaned against the TARDIS, studying her, and then he began to walk

around her again, muttering to himself.

“The stuff all little girls dream of, I suppose,” Tiffany answered, unnerved by his erratic movements. He was like a big puppy dog, clumsy but quick moving. “To be a princess, though that wasn’t hard, given my family. I wanted to be a cowboy. I wanted to be a hero, a doctor. I never could decide.”

“What about travel? Did you ever want to travel?”

“Sure, but I did a lot of traveling. Uh, my family’s kind of wealthy, which I figured you know.”

“But really travel?” he persisted. “Not just across the pond or even Down Under-watch out for the kangaroos though, they’re quite mean and plotting a coup of the humans-but anywhere? Throughout history? Through time itself?”

“Of course. But that’s impossible.”

“Oh, nothing’s impossible when you’re me,” he grinned. He held out one arm in a sweeping gesture towards the TARDIS. “Take a look.”

In for a penny, in for a pound, she thought. She stepped through the doors and gasped at the sight.

“It’s—it’s so big! How is that possible?” She stepped back outside and walked around the box. “How is that possible?” She went back in. “It’s so much bigger on the inside!”

“I know. Isn’t that cool?” He rubbed his hands together with glee as she walked further in. In the middle was some sort of console, the lighting was dim and green, there was a circular pattern all over the walls, and what looked like steps leading down, a ramp leading up and doorways. There were markings and symbols around the top of the column in the middle of the console.

“What’s through there?” she demanded.

“The library, the pool, various other rooms.”

Tiffany walked towards the console, staring up at the huge column in the middle. Her fingers ran lightly over the buttons and levers as she tried to take it in.

“The TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimension In space,” he said proudly. “It will take you anywhere in time and space, anywhere in history, or the future.”

Tiffany turned to him, her eyes wide. “Seriously?”

He nodded and walked towards as the door swung shut. Oddly, Tiffany realized she wasn’t scared. She was excited.

“So where to, Tiffany Duke?” he started throwing switches and lever and a loud, odd wheezing noise started up. The column in the middle had something inside it that started to go up and down.

Tiffany just stared at the column, then turned to him. “Show me something beautiful.”

He grinned again. “I’ve got just the thing.”

As the Doctor moved around the console, flipping switches and pulling levers, Tiffany just stared in wonder. The wheezing stopped.

“Here we are,” he beamed. “Oh, hold on.”

He ran up the stairs and disappeared down a hallway. Tiffany touched the console lightly.

“You are a wonder, aren’t you?” she murmured.

“Here we go!” the Doctor reappeared, carrying some large and furry. “It’s a bit cold here.”

Warily, Tiffany took the coat and slipped it on, following the Doctor to the door. He reached for the handles, then turned and gave her that sly smile.

“Now, providing the TARDIS listened to me – she doesn’t always, sometimes she just does what she wants, most irritating, but if she listened, Tiffany Duke, I give you, the Ood Sphere!”

He threw open the doors dramatically, and stepped back.

Tiffany peered out at the snowy outside.

“Come on, come on, I have Oods for you to meet!” He bounded past her.

Her mind still reeling, Tiffany stepped out into the cold.

“Oh,” she gasped, taking in the snow covered beauty of natural rock bridges, and mountains and hills.

“We’re sometime in the 42nd century,” the Doctor told her.

“What? That’s im—” Tiffany stopped. He had already proven he do could the impossible. “It’s beautiful,” she finally said.

“Ah, here’s our host.” The Doctor moved past her to greet someone, and Tiffany turned to see who.

She almost screamed, and stepped back.

The Doctor turned to her alarmed, waving his hands for calm.

“No, no! Don’t be scared. They’re friendly. They’re very peaceful. Well, other than one time with the hive but who can blame them? If you were being tortured and mind controlled—eh, nevermind. Please don’t be scared.”

“What are they?” Tiffany whispered, staring at it.

It stood around five foot eight, wearing a black suit. In one hand, it carried a small lit up sphere that was connect to a tube running to…its mouth? She thought of a giant, walking, squid, or Admiral Ackbar from Star Wars. It had to green slits for eyes that were blinking calmly at her. She supposed it could classify as humanoid, but the rest of its face was a mass of wavy tentacles. The head was large and slightly bulbous, small ears protruding from the sides. Its hands had five fingers, like a human’s.

“This is an Ood,” the Doctor said happily. “Lovely race of people, all about peace and calm, and tranquility. Their culture advanced a little too quickly, but they are a very simple people.”

Tiffany took a step forward. The sphere in its hand lit up.

“Welcome, Doctor,” said a soft, computerized voice. “It has been a long time since you have visited.”

“Yes, I know, lots going on. Saving the planet, pretending to be dead, etcetera etcetera. This is my new friend, Tiffany. She wanted to see something beautiful so I was hoping you would have a song for her.”

“We are always happy to sing for the Doctor,” the voice said. “Please, join us.”

The Doctor held out his arm, indicating that Tiffany should follow the Ood.

She did so, looking around, as they approached an entire city made of ice. Buildings everywhere, gleaming white in the sun, not showing a drip anywhere. She pulled the fur coat around her tighter.

There was a large area, the town square, she thought, where Ood were gathering.

“It is time for our daily song,” the Ood leading them said.

They formed a large circle, then another within, until they were in series of circles, and holding hands. Those with sphere, attached them to their suits. Others had something similar, but Tiffany could quite see what they. They appeared to put them in the breast pocket of the suit.

“Just listen,” the Doctor whispered, beaming.

The Ood began to sing, and Tiffany inhaled sharply. Her chest tightened and then released, and the wave of emotions began to flow through her. Fear, sadness, joy, exhilaration. She closed her eyes as the haunting, melodic song carried her away.

When it ended, she felt something warm on her cheek and realized she was crying. Sniffling, she wiped her eyes, and stared at the Ood in front of her. They weren’t so scary now, she thought. She felt different too. She felt…peaceful. Hopeful.

As they walked back to the TARDIS, Tiffany was deep in thought, unaware of the Doctor watching her closely.

He snapped his fingers and the door of the TARDIS swung open to allow them entrance.

“Was that beautiful enough?” he asked.

She nodded. “That was amazing. I never knew that such creatures existed.”

“Most humans don’t. And it’s better that way,” he added.

“They’re not so scary after a while. Especially after such a powerful song,” Tiffany mused.

“No, they’re not scary at all. They’re born with their brain in their hand,” he answered. “That sphere they carry-only some have them. The rest, what they carry is their brain itself.”

She gaped at him. “Their brain?”

He nodded. “They’re born carrying their brain around in their hands.”

“But…” she shook her head, “why? How can they defend themselves if their brain is so vulnerable?”

“They can’t. They were enslaved for 200 years until they were freed.”

Tiffany looked horrified. “That’s awful!”

He nodded. “They’re much better off now. That song you heard was the song they sang the day they were released from enslavement. They sing it every day to remind themselves of their good luck to be free again.”

“Wow,” she murmured.

The Doctor began flipping levers and buttons on the console against the wheezing sound started up. Tiffany couldn’t stop hearing the Ood song in her head. What else was out in the universe?

The wheezing stopped. “We’re here,” he said. “Right before you left.”

“Already?” Tiffany was surprised.

The Doctor nodded.

She shrugged out of the fur coat.

“You could stay, you know,” he said suddenly.

“Stay?” she repeated.

“Sure. Join me on the TARDIS. Travel with me. Get into all sorts of trouble and have amazing adventures.” The sly grin was back.

Tiffany’s heart raced. Adventures. In space. And throughout time. Could she say no?

She opened her mouth to accept but then shook her head. “I can’t.”

His disappointment was obvious. “You’re sure?”

She nodded. “My cousin ran off a few months ago and it nearly tore my family apart. She’s back and fine now but…if I were to do that, it would kill my mother. I can’t do that to her.”

“Time machine,” he reminded her. “We come right back to where we started. It’ll be as if you never left.”

“But they would suffer during the duration,” Tiffany said. “And I couldn’t bear that.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

She tiled her head to one side a little and studied him. “You’re lonely,” she said softly.

“Who, me?” he asked. “Of course not, I have friends all over the place.”

He was definintely lonely, she thought. Those eyes…that was the other thing she had sensed. He was old, and lonely.

“Have you had others on board?” she asked.

He nodded. “Some.”

“Where are they?” she asked.

“Are you sure you don’t want to see something else exciting?” he asked with a grin. “How about a star being born—up close and personal.”

She shook her head. “I need to get back home.”

“Yes, right, very well then. Right then, off you pop.” He walked her to the door. “Tiffany Duke, The Girl Who Lived In The Shadows. It’s been a pleasure.”

She turned to him and smiled, then hugged him impulsively. He hadn’t answered her question and she determined it was too painful for him to discuss. He hugged her back with a smile.

“Thank you, Doctor. I needed that trip.”

“Anytime. You know how to reach me.” He gave her a mischievous smile, which faded as she walked out of the TARDIS, and into what appeared to be a dressing room in the store. Oops, he was little off in his placement.

He was going to need to check back in on her, he thought. She walked a fine line between despair and acceptance, and she was going to need another nudge or two at some point. And there were some important people in her family that needed to have an eye on them.

Tiffany laughed as she realized she was in the men’s dressing room. The TARDIS made its wheezing sound and she turned to see it fading in and out of sight, and then it was gone.

She left the dressing room, and found herself near the ties.

“Tiffany!” Aralyn called. Her cousin ran towards her and grabbed her in a tight hug. “Where have you been? Nat! I’ve got her!” she called. “Did you just come out of the men’s dressing room?”

Natala and a security officer were hurrying over.

“I’m fine. I’ve been here the whole time,” Tiffany lied.

“We’ve been searching for you for twenty minutes!”

Oops, she thought. The Doctor was a little off in his timing.

“No, I’ve been wandering around.”

“And you didn’t hear the pages? Are you okay? Have you been drugged or something?” Aralyn was staring into her eyes.

Tiffany laughed. It felt good to laugh, she thought. “I was off in my own world. Really, Ari, I’m fine.”

Aralyn was staring suspiciously behind her. “All right, if you say so.”

“I am. But I’d love a latte.”

After a few more minutes of convincing her cousins she was all right, the trio left, heading into the mall to the nearest Starbucks.

Tiffany glanced once over her shoulder, but there was no blue box or wheezing engine. She wondered if, and hoped she’d see the Doctor again.

***
Author Notes
- Happy birthday to my dear friend, Ronda! I've wanted to do this for a while but needed the right adventure to come along. A huge thank you to Lindsay for editing this!
- Word Count, 4,120

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