EVERYTHING HAS ITS TIME
Chapter Six As they went further into the funfair, the Doctor and Sarah Jane separated from the others who went to ride the bumper cars. They walked beside each other through the crowd of fairgoers, enjoying each other's company. While they walked, Sarah Jane thought about what the Doctor had told her about Rose and Donna and what happened to them. She hadn't known Donna for very long and she was sorry that she had to lose her memory to survive, but she hadn't known her as long as she'd known Rose and her heart ached knowing that she was trapped in another universe where she'd be unable to see her. While they walked, she thought back on the day she'd first met Rose, how much antagonism there had been at first before they finally came to an understand and became friends. While she thought back on that day, she suddenly remembered something Mickey had said while they were together with the Doctor. She looked up at her friend and sensing her eyes, he glanced at her and smiled. "Doctor, I've been thinking, that day at the school when I met Rose. I remember when we were walking together that I heard Mickey make this comment about the misses and the ex being together. Were you and Rose…in a relationship?" The Doctor's jaw clenched, something that wasn't lost on Sarah Jane. She stopped him and put her hands on his arms. "Look, I'm about to die so whatever you say to me will be taken to my grave," Sarah Jane said. "And I promise I won't tell anyone else while I'm living, I just want to know the truth." The Doctor studied her for a moment and then he looked around and guided her over to a nearby bench. They sat down and the Doctor sighed as he clasped his hands in front of him and looked down at them. He didn't speak for a moment and then he nodded. "Yeah, we were," he said softly. "I won't tell a soul," Sarah Jane said. "Thank you," the Doctor said. "May I ask why you took Rose back to the other universe, the real reason, I mean. I know you said that clone had to be looked after and I understand your not wanting him around but is there more to it?" The Doctor sighed and kept staring at his hands. "I couldn't give her what she needed, Sarah," the Doctor said, finally looking at her. "She wanted a serious commitment and I couldn't give it to her." "Why not? You don't think you're worthy of love?" Sarah Jane said. The Doctor considered that for a moment. "Sometimes I wonder about that," he finally admitted. "Doctor," Sarah Jane said as she touched his arm, "you are worthy enough to be loved. Don't ever think you aren't." The Doctor smiled warmly at that and gave her a loving look. Sarah Jane squeezed his arm. "So…no one else has your hearts then? You're just going to remain single your entire life," Sarah Jane. "I'm not meaning to be nosy but you know, I've always worried about you and I want you to be happy and have someone you care about and who cares about you. A lover, not just a companion." "Well…actually," the Doctor said, looking down at his hands again. "There is someone. At least I think she's my lover, she's being way too vague for my liking. But whenever I try to ask her for information, she keeps saying, "Spoilers" to me. But she implied that she was my future wife." "Really? Who is she?" Sarah Jane said. "Her name is River Song, I met her in my last life. She knew me but I didn't know her and then I met her again just recently and she acts all mysterious and won't tell me how she's related to me. But she keeps on calling me sweetie and acting like we're lovers but she won't clarify if we are or not, it's frustrating." "And do you care about her in that way?" Sarah Jane asked. "I care about her as a friend but until she tells me more about herself, I'm not going to fall head over heels in love with her, no," the Doctor said. "She keeps telling me that she can't tell me right now who she is so I have no idea if she's even telling the truth. For all I know, she's a future enemy. She was in prison for killing a man but I don't know much about that event either. Sometimes, Sarah, time travel is frustrating." "You're telling me? You're the one that dropped me off at Aberdeen," Sarah said with a twinkle in her eye. "I'm sorry, alright," the Doctor said while she giggled. "I admit I was in a humongous hurry that day and I shoulda checked the coordinates and I didn't. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." "Actually, I'd never seen Aberdeen before so I had a bit of a sightseeing trip before I got back to Croydon, so thanks," Sarah Jane said, patting his arm. "I'm just glad you landed on Earth." "Course I landed on Earth, Sarah, I'm not that thick," the Doctor said with a twinkle in his eye. Sarah Jane gave him a playful shove and he chuckled as he put his arm around her. He slowed down and Sarah Jane slowed with them when they saw a Ferris Wheel up ahead of them. The Doctor smiled at his companion. "Fancy a ride on the Big Wheel?" he asked her. "I'd love to," she replied. They headed for the queue and Sarah Jane jerked her head up when she heard Rani call to her. They waved at them when Rani, Clyde and Luke's Ferris Wheel car came down and went backwards, heading back up to the top again. While they waited, the Ferris Wheel slowed and stopped. Suddenly, Sarah Jane jerked her head up when she heard Rani let out a shriek. "Damn it, Clyde, quit rocking it!" they heard her yell while Clyde and Luke laughed. "So…more than a handful at times?" the Doctor asked her. "You have no idea," Sarah Jane said as they Ferris Wheel started up again. "Still, I couldn't picture myself doing things without them. They've been a great help to me and Luke…" The Doctor put his hand on her shoulder when she got a bit misty eyed. "He's a good boy, Doctor. He'll make you proud," she said in a choked voice. "I know he will and if he doesn't, well, I'll just have to beat him into submission," the Doctor said. Sarah Jane chuckled while the Doctor winked at her. The Ferris Wheel stopped and began letting people off and on. The two of them moved up until they got on. Rani, Clyde and Luke stopped when they got through the exit and stood and watched them as they headed up. They stopped two more times to let people get on and off and then the ride started. Sarah Jane breathed the cool night air and looked around. In the distance she could see Big Ben and the London Eye across the Thames before the wheel started back down. As she rode, emotion overcame her and she began to cry softly. As she sobbed, she felt the Doctor's arm slide around her and he moved closer. "Sarah?" he said. "I'm sorry, I'm trying to be brave about this, but…" "You're scared," the Doctor said. Sarah Jane nodded and the Doctor moved closer. "I'm sorry," Sarah Jane said, wiping a tear from her cheek. "For what? I would be worried if you weren't afraid of dying," the Doctor said gently. "Most people fear death, even the bravest ones. You're brave, Sarah, but this is something new and you're going somewhere where there's no return, not to mention you're worried about your loved ones. There's no need to be ashamed, if you need to cry, cry. Cry, get angry, be afraid, be human, Sarah, that's what you are. I won't mock you; I'd be more worried if you faced your death with no emotion at all." "I'm glad you're letting me die in the TARDIS, with you there, I won't be as frightened," Sarah Jane said. The Doctor smiled and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Don't worry, I'll make your death an easy one, I promise you that. Think of it as repayment for all the times you helped me," he said. The Ferris Wheel slowed and stopped. They were at the top of the ride and they looked around. Then suddenly Sarah Jane shrieked when the Doctor grabbed the restraining bar and began to rock the car. "Doctor!" she said as she heard the teenagers laughing. "You know I seemed to recall and old song from the 1970's called Don't Rock the Boat," the Doctor said. With a gleeful look, he began to rock the car while he sang out, "Don't rock the boat, don't rock the boat, baby. Don't rock the boat, don't tip the boat over!" "Doctor, I swear to God, if you make me vomit, it's going all over your shirt and bow tie," Sarah Jane said. She laughed when the Doctor gave her a horrified look as he put his hand over his bow tie. "No, anything but that," he said before he gave her a cheerful grin. As they went around, they noticed Amy and Rory walking up. They waved at them and Amy and Rory waved back before they went up again. As they reached the top, the Doctor groaned and Sarah Jane looked at him. "What is it?" Sarah Jane asked. "I see a roller coaster at the back. I bet Pond came all the way back here to find me to force me on it," he said. "Force you? Can't imagine anyone forcing you to do anything," Sarah Jane said, amused. "You don't know Pond like I do," the Doctor said as the Ferris Wheel slowed and stopped so the attendant could let people on and off. "Thanks to you, I have an excuse not to get on it." "Who says? I might fancy a ride on it," Sarah Jane said. "No, I'm begging you, don't go!" the Doctor said with clasped hands while Sarah Jane laughed. The attendant reached them and the Doctor helped Sarah Jane out of the car before he jumped down from it. The teenagers and Amy and Rory met them at the exit. Amy had a plastic bag of pink candy floss in her hand and she handed it to Sarah Jane. "Got this for ya. I figured you might like a bit of candy floss," she said to her. "Actually, I would. I love candy floss, thank you, Amy," Sarah Jane said. She started to tuck her unicorn under her arm when Rory offered to hold it for her. She thanked him and he took the plushie from her while she opened the bag and shared the candy floss with her friends before pulling off a large chunk. "Doctor, guess what?" Amy said. "You found a roller coaster," the Doctor said. "Yup and guess what…" Amy said. "I'm not riding it. I'm with Sarah and Sarah is deathly afraid of roller coasters and I don't want to leave her side and…" "Actually, I like roller coasters," Sarah Jane said. "I might go on it myself and…" They laughed when the Doctor slammed his hand over Sarah Jane's mouth and Sarah Jane shook with laughter after he removed it. The Doctor sighed and threw his hands up. "Fine, we'll ride the roller coaster, just so you can see me do it and put this whole I will not ride roller coasters rubbish to rest. Lead the way, Pond, and we'll follow you," he said. Amy nodded. She took Rory's hand and the two of them headed towards the back while everyone followed them.
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