first draft: As Simple As That

[dbskyler]

Anyone who's watched this journal knew it was just a matter of time . . . and here it is, the extremely problematic, yes-I'm-embarrassed-to-post-this first draft of As Simple As That.

Strangely enough, looking at it now I'm amazed at how much made it into the final version. And the beginning isn't too bad, although I do think it bounces too much between suddenly fluffy and suddenly angsty moments -- the overall tone got much more even after I switched to the Doctor's POV. As for the end . . . ack, cringe.



The mood in the TARDIS was as festive as Sarah had ever seen; everyone seemed giddy with happiness, embracing everyone else with no distinctions made between old friends and new as they all celebrated the Earth being back where it belonged. The Doctors – both of them – were right in the thick of it, giving and receiving hugs and bouncing from person to person as if they couldn't get enough. Sarah was hugged by the Doctor in blue first, the one who was the product of some sort of technobabble that had apparently involved Donna and a form of regeneration energy. For a moment she wondered if he even knew who she was – did he have all of the Doctor's memories? – but the smile on his face as he released her was tender and knowing. Sarah went on to Rose next, and then to Mickey, continuing on around the room until Donna tore her away from Jack and she found herself face-to-face with the other Doctor – the real Doctor, she couldn't help amending – who swept her up in his arms and spun her around in joy.

"So," she said when he put her down again. "Davros."

"Davros," he agreed, rocking back on his heels, his smile turning just a shade ironic.

"I didn't think it was possible for him to be more insane than when we first met him, but somehow he managed it," she said. "You do know he was insane, right?"

He gave her a puzzled look. "Of course. Of course I know. Brilliant; a genius, even – but insane. Had to be, to want to destroy the universe like that. Not just our universe; all universes, all the dimensions in existence. He was stark, raving mad. As mad as they come. Madder. And?"

She smiled knowingly at him. "And you can't believe what mad people say. You realize that, don't you, Doctor?"

His face froze and his eyes turned dark, and quickly she reached out to stop him from turning away. "He was insane," she repeated earnestly. "And he was wrong. Davros made the Daleks, but you didn't make monsters as he did. We're not your weapons, no matter what he said."

His eyes slid away from hers. "Martha threatened to blow up the Earth," he said. "And you and Jack were ready to blow up the Crucible."

"Yes," she said. "And I won't lie to you, Doctor. If it had really been a choice between killing us and the Daleks, or letting Davros set off the Reality Bomb and destroy absolutely everything. . . well, honestly, is that even a choice?"

He paused, then admitted quietly, "I suppose not."

"As for Martha, I don't know her at all, but I do know that threatening something and actually doing it are two different things. She was bargaining with what she had. You can't blame her for that. And you certainly can't blame yourself."

He looked down and tried to pull away, but she held on, not letting him go. "You don't know," he said softly then. "You're only human; you don't know any better, but I do. I know the consequences in a way you can't even imagine. I'm a Time Lord."

She laughed. The Doctor looked sharply at her, an expression of irritation on his face that reminded her so much of an earlier incarnation she had known, she ended up laughing even harder. "That line didn't work on me thirty years ago, and it's not going to work on me now," she said. "You may be a Time Lord, but you're not that special. Sorry," she went on, feeling not in the least apologetic, "but you don't get to have sole responsibility for our welfare. You're not the only savior of the Earth, Doctor. Even if you are rather good at it." She smiled at him affectionately.

The ghost of an answering smile slipped across his face, but then he sobered again. "What Davros said about people dying in my name . . . it's true, Sarah. I have so much blood on my hands -- you have no idea. People like Harriet Jones, who gave up her life for me . . . "

"Harriet Jones gave up her life for the Earth, not for you. Try again, Doctor."

He looked taken aback, and she had to struggle not to laugh again. Then he went very still, and his eyes were so haunted that she took pity on him, reaching out to take both his hands. "Doctor," she said gently, and waited for him to look at her. "I know you've had people die for you. I know, because I would die for you myself. In a heartbeat," she said, raising her hand to forestall his attempt to interrupt. "And I suspect the same is true of everyone in this room. And do you know why?"

He stared at her, then gave a very slight shake of his head.

"It's not because you're a Time Lord, or Earth's protector, or any other such nonsense. It's because we're your friends, Doctor. It's as simple, as powerful as that. We're your friends. And if we'd do anything for you – even die for you – it's only because you would do the same for us, and we know it. So stop thinking the burden is yours alone, because it's not. We'll always be there for you -- all of us, every one. If you need us, we'll be there, no matter what."

He looked at her, then slowly a smile came over his face. "My children of time," he murmured.

"If you like," she said, smiling back at him. "Personally, I think I'm far too old now to be labeled the child of anything."

"You're not old," he said reassuringly.

Her smile turned wicked. "Not compared to you, I'm not," she agreed. "But you're right, we are like a family. A large extended family, brought together by you," and she looked around at all the other people in the room. "For instance, I knew about Jack Harkness, but I never realized he had traveled with you. I may actually cooperate with Torchwood now, assuming he can leave the guns behind in Cardiff."

"Just watch out if you do," said the Doctor. "Jack's trustworthy in most respects, but he has a problem with personal space. He doesn't have any. But no," he said then, "on second thought, never mind. I think you're the one person I don't have to worry about when it comes to Captain Jack."

"What, because of my age?" she asked. "Jack's already flirted with me once, I'll have you know."

"Because you're Sarah Jane," he answered with a grin. "And as charming as Jack can be, you'd see through him in an instant. Because that's who you are. You're Sarah Jane, and you're brilliant. Have I told you that lately?" He wrapped his arms around her for another hug.

"No," she said, hugging him back. "Tell me again."

"You're brilliant," he said, squeezing her tightly. "Absolutely, positively brilliant."

"Thank you," she said. "I think you're absolutely, positively brilliant, too."

He pulled back to look at her. "But I thought you said I was no one very special," he said with a smile.

"You're not," she teased. "And that's what makes you so brilliant."

He held her close again. "Would you really die for me?" he asked softly.

"What do you think?" she whispered.

"I think that when it came right down to it, you'd let me perish. Because you're a mother now, and you'd never leave Luke on his own."

"Ooooh!" said Sarah, pulling out of his arms. "Not fair!" And she gave him a little slap on his chest.

He grinned, unrepentant. "I'm right; you know I am."

"Well," she said, laughing, "I suppose it would have to be a package deal. I'd only save you if it meant saving the Earth as well. That way I could die for both of you."

He looked at her warmly. "Well, if that's all I'm going to get, then don't even bother. Just go ahead and live, instead."

She laughed some more, and then Jack came up behind them and put his arms around both their shoulders. "What have you two been talking about over here for so long?"

"Oh, nothing important," said Sarah, still laughing. "Dying for the Doctor, that's all."

"Well, count me out," said Jack. "I'm never doing that again!"

The Doctor rolled his eyes while Jack grinned. Sarah looked from one to the other, realizing there was a joke there somewhere that she wasn't getting.

"Don't ask," said the Doctor, grabbing her hand and leading her back towards the main group. "Just . . . don't."

They rejoined the party -- for that's what the impromptu celebration had become, a full-fledged party -- and Sarah smiled as the Doctor was immediately pulled into a conversation with Rose and Donna. She stood back and looked at the crowded console room, full of all these special people who were the Doctor's friends. Then she thought of the ones back on Earth who weren't here, but were just as special nonetheless -- the Brigadier, and Harry, and Benton; and other people he'd known in the past, names she'd heard mention of like Liz Shaw and Jo Grant, and names she'd never heard but knew that he knew and would never forget; and all the people he hadn't met yet, some of whom could be somewhere on the Earth right now, looking up and thinking of him.

They really were like a family, a very special family. The children of time.

"Penny for your thoughts, Miss Smith," said Jack, coming up to her again.

She turned to face him, and smiled into his handsome face. "Call me Sarah, Jack," she said.