( TSM ) so what's the point in getting your hopes up when all you're ever getting is choked up.

[thatoldthatkind]

[ He's got a thing for farewell tours. Originally he had one before he was off to see River Song shoot him--which he got out of. Before that? His tenth self went about to see everyone he knew. However, now? This seems a bit final. Probably because it is. He hasn't got a clue if he'll see Queen Serenity again before Trenzalore. It is something he has been debating while he stares at the console, waiting on those Wednesdays for Clara to show.

Which is why he quickly turns the dials and the switches. The time rotor lifts up and down. Then the engines cut and he slowly turns to look at the doors. The Doctor inhales sharply before fixing his hair and coat, striding to the doors. Hopefully when he opens them he won't find a host of Senshi pointing their weapons at him.

That happened once.

It was very, very embarrassing.

Not to mention hard to explain to them why he was sneaking in to see their Queen. ]

Comments

[neoqueen]

You don't have to do anything for me, Doctor. That's not how friends work, and you know it.

[ Serenity just laughs softly, giving his arm a squeeze before pulling away. ]

That sounds delicious, actually. I haven't had my afternoon snack yet.

[ That would be her subtle hint that it's time to go back to her office under the pretenses of snacks... which isn't unheard of from her. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

[ The Doctor shrugs slightly at that. Sometimes he really wonders if he does know how friends work. Considering how many leave, or die, or he leaves behind. ]

You still have afternoon snacks? [ Color him amused. He gestures for her to lead the way. ]

[neoqueen]

Of course! [ She giggles while taking the lead this time. ] You can't rule a whole entire galaxy without eating in regular intervals.

[ She has a whole entire stash hidden somewhere in her office for such an occasion. Sometimes she shared with Small Lady, other times she hoarded up all for herself...

Perhaps she'd take a bit from her stash before they left on whatever adventure it was. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

I am surprised Rei hasn't gotten onto you about that. [ He does recall crashing into the party a few times to see Rei telling Usagi about her weight. Which, is rather rude, and he is glad that they seem to have gotten past their childhoods. ]

[neoqueen]

She usually does when she catches me.

[ The trip back to her office doesn't take too much longer. Serenity just has to keep her cool so it doesn't look like she's too eager to get back to the office and onto the TARDIS. ]

But, her words hold no meaning if the snacks are manufactured with the proper nutrients to keep one healthy.

[thatoldthatkind]

[ The Doctor turns and stares at her. ]

You? Talking about healthy food? Maybe you've done a bit more growing up than I thought. [ And that does make his hearts pinch just a bit. ]

[neoqueen]

Of course not. It's just something to say so that the senshi think that my eating habits better.

[ She winks playfully as they finally move through the hallways and are met with her office doors opening up once they get there. ]

But, we have created food that, while they taste delicious, have the proper vitamins and also keep one from getting fat as well as preventing cavities. It's amazing!

[thatoldthatkind]

[ At the wink the Doctor simply looks forward with a soft expression on his face. Usagi - Serenity - has grown up entirely. She's got a child who has her own senshi. She's the queen her mum always wanted her to be, and a husband that loves her equally. So, yes, is it any wonder he thinks there is not much of a need for him in her life anymore?

At least he knows she'll be in perfect and capable hands. ]

It sounds like Ami might of had a hand in that one.

[neoqueen]

Doctor...

[ Now that they're in the privacy of her office, Serenity waits until the doors are closed behind her before she finally makes a comment on the few things she's noticed during this visit. ]

Is something the matter?

[ Perhaps she was just being paranoid, but she could feel something was.. different. ]

[thatoldthatkind]

What? No! No, no, no. Not at all. What makes you think that?

[ Yes. ]

[neoqueen]

You've been acting... off, Doctor.

[ Serenity detaches herself from holding onto the Doctor's arm and makes a slow beeline for the door of the TARDIS. ]

I don't want to assume anything, but, if anything is wrong, you can tell me...

[thatoldthatkind]

Have I? Funny. I'll have to fix that.

[ He wrings his hands nervously. Oh, Usagi. How you've become very perceptive. ]

This might be the last time we see each other, Serenity. Or, at least, the last time for a very long long time. Not sure if I'll be able to make it again before the end.

[neoqueen]

[ That sounded so definitive. So.. final. Serenity has heard that tone of voice before and before she can actually stop herself, her hand reaches over to tightly hold onto his wringing hands. ]

Before the end of.... what, exactly?

[thatoldthatkind]

Me. [ The Doctor raises his sad old eyes to her. ] Not me as in this face. Me as in all of it - the Doctor. I've run out of regenerations, and I see how it ends for me. I've been to my grave. Which, by the way, you should never ever do as a time traveler.