Chapter Text
Tegan hoisted the satchel full of papers over her shoulder. It was heavier than she had expected, and as she unlocked the door to her house she felt an ache begin to set in. Rabbits. Kate had asked her to fill in a report on an earlier event, but right now she was far too tired. I’ll do it later. At least she had coffee with Ace to look forward to the next day. She hoped that Ace would have more things to tell her about her charity. She was hosting an event in a couple of weeks time, and apparently there were lots of shenanigans going on behind the scenes…
Apparently this was not to be, the couple in question having made up. Tegan found her attention waning as Ace talked. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy the other woman’s stories, just that she had slept badly, and the adventure from yesterday really had taken its toll on her. Adventures at my age, it’s my own fault really. She sighed a little, then immediately reassured Ace that yes, she was listening. At least she hadn’t had any nightmares in over a month. She let her gaze drift out the window just in time to see a woman with curly brown hair hurry past. She felt a painful squeeze in her gut and snapped her head back to face Ace.
“What was that?”
“What was what?”
“You look like you saw a ghost, Teegs!”
“I- it doesn’t matter. Just thought I saw someone I knew. What were you saying again?”
Ace returned to her chattering and Tegan tried her best to pay attention, to put all thoughts of Nyssa out of her mind to little success.
“...and so then that was all sorted. Tegan you’re not listening to a word I’m saying are you?”
Tegan snapped out of her reverie about Nyssa’s eyes. She thought about lying but Ace’s face told her it would be pointless.
“Penny for them?”
“Oh nothing much.”
“Right… Well I’ve been wittering on about my lot, how was your week? How was dinner with that guy? Mark…something.”
“Peter.”
“Right! Peter. You two hit it off?”
“He’s…nice, I suppose.”
Ace sat back in her chair and sighed. “Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one putting in the work at these gossip sessions. Seriously though, are you alright Tegan? Not like you to be so quiet!”
“I’m fine. Honestly.”
The truth was that Peter had been a lovely man, respectful, she supposed attractive? Yet the Australian had felt uncomfortable from the beginning, there had been no spark at all, and she felt bad for how brash she had become by the end of the date. Neither of them had proposed a second. Maybe I’m not a lesbian, maybe I’m just a bad person. Couldn’t even be civil. Tegan shut down that train of thought, closing her eyes and taking a breath. When she opened them, her best friend was fixing her with an odd expression, maybe pity? Tegan couldn’t bear that, and so she launched into some meaningless story about Kate and Osgood. Telling it meant she didn’t have to think about anything more painful.
Chapter 2
Summary:
Posting 2 today bc the first one is really short, and basically just to establish how Tegan is feeling. I have about half of this written and will probably not have a posting schedule bc I’m hopeless at that sort of thing so maybe subscribe if you’re interested?
Chapter Text
Ace sat across from her friend, her brow furrowed. Tegan was devoting a lot of energy to telling some old story, and Ace was using the time to study her friend and think. The boisterous facade didn’t mean that she had forgotten how distraught the Australian had appeared only a few moments before. Like someone had punched her. Ace was pretty sure she knew the reason, too. Ever since her confession about her time on the TARDIS, Tegan had become more and more volatile, more on edge. That conversation had ended with a long talk about Nyssa and their adventures, and it had felt like Tegan was entrusting her with something precious and meaningful. But now the usually gobby Australian was increasingly clammed up on the subject, and jumpy every time she saw a brunette. It pained Ace to see her so forlorn. She couldn’t imagine how it must feel to realise something like that about yourself, and be helpless to do anything about it. If only there were some way to help her out.
Ace finally closed her laptop, letting out a deep breath. Event planning really took a lot of effort. She allowed herself a moment of respite, the first real one since coffee with Tegan. She rubbed at her temples idly, before retrieving her mobile from her bag to make the call. She knew that her line of questioning might lead to a dead end, but she felt she owed it to Tegan to try. The idea had come to her yesterday. She knew that Tegan was far too stubborn to go to anyone about her realisation, but Ace herself was not. She had always loved to meddle, particularly if said meddling could achieve positive results.
“Hello, Kate Stewart’s phone?”
“Hey, Osgood. Is Kate there?”. Ace pulled a store-bought flapjack out of her bag and unwrapped it, balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder. She had missed lunch, and was starving.
“Uh, yeah. She’s working on lunch. Hold on a second.” There was a scuffling sound, a whispered exchange, and then Kate’s low tones were heard.
“Hi Ace, what can I do for you?”
“I- uh, if it’s a bad time I can call back?”. Ace quickly scarfed her snack as she awaited a response. Kate seemed to mull the question over before responding.
“Not a bad time, just that we’re on a day off. So, if it’s official UNIT business, it would be nice if it could wait?”
“It’s not work-related, if that’s what you mean?”
“Alright then, fire away.”
“Did you ever hear of a planet called Traken? Or a space hospital, Terminus.”
“Um…no. Can’t say that I have. Os?”
“No, sorry.”
“Can I ask why, Ace?”
Ace sighed before answering. Not the answer I was hoping for. “Just…was hoping to get in touch with someone is all.”
“Have you asked Tegan?” Osgood piped up. “She travelled for a long time, I think. Maybe she would know?”
“I kinda can’t. I’m trying…well…trying to sort something out for her. Only the person I want to speak to is someone I have no way of contacting. Thanks anyways guys.” Ace made to put down the phone, but was stopped by Kate calling her name. A whispered exchange then took place on the other end before the blonde spoke again.
“Is this person someone the Doctor would know how to get in contact with?”
Ace’s heart leapt. “Yeah, I would think so. Why?”
Kate’s tone was serious. “We have a number for him. Or the TARDIS, we aren’t certain. It’s quite old, mind, so it may be disconnected. But if you think it’s worth a shot, it’s all yours.”
Ace hurriedly stated that she would very much be interested, jotting down the number Kate recited onto the edge of an old envelope, before thanking the couple and ending the call. She sat there, buzzing with both anticipation and anxiety. What if it doesn’t work? What if it does? She felt she had to at least try, for Tegan. Despite her don’t-care attitude, beneath the surface Ace considered herself a romantic, and she desired this opportunity wholeheartedly for her friend.
Chapter Text
Ace was swept off her feet with work for the rest of the day, and it wasn’t until she returned home that she had time to even consider this next stage of her plan. She sat at her kitchen table, twiddling her phone in her hands in the twilight. She realised she had no idea what she wanted to say. How do you speak to someone you haven’t seen in decades? Much less ask them a favour. But Ace knew she wasn’t going to give up. She had come this far, no point in turning back now. And in anycase, there was a strong chance that the number wouldn’t even go through. Ace steeled herself, before pressing the call button. The phone rang for an agonisingly long time, long enough for her to convince herself that this was the end of the line. She was just about to hang up, when a click sounded and a voice spoke.
“Hiya, this is the Doctor’s voicemail…”
The voice sounded female, and had a northern tinge. Ace’s heart was racing. She was so busy formulating a message in her head that she forgot to zone in to what was being said.
“...not here right now, probably off doing summat heroic. Anyways, you’d think what with being a big-headed clever-clogs alien…”
There were sounds of a commotion in the background of the recording, followed by a familiar vworping.
“...know how to set up an earth phone. But instead I get stuck doing it. Go on then, leave a message after the tone.”
A beep sounded in Ace’s ear and she started, flustered at having to articulate herself.
“Hi, Professor. It’s Ace. Ace McShane. I was wondering if you would be able to pay a visit to an old friend of yours, Nyssa of Traken. I wouldn’t ask, only it’s not for me, and I don’t know if you’re even gonna hear this anyways…um, yeah. This is my number also, so…if you ever wanted to talk…er…” Ace knew she was rambling. “Uh, bye then. Ooh, and thank you. For everything.” She put down the phone before she could say anything she might regret, or anything sappy. The plan was out of her hands now.
Chapter Text
Nyssa sat at her desk on the space station Terminus. It was late, and the large office was dimly lit by yellow overhead strip lights. She ran a hand through her curls, and then over her mouth to stifle a yawn. She knew that logically she should be sleeping, but sleep was not something that came easily to the Trakenite. Hadn’t for many years. So, here she was, reading this month’s progress report. Eventually her head began to droop, and so she rested it on her fist. She still had no intention of sleeping yet. However, she found herself reading the same sentence over and over. However, she found herself reading the same sentence over and over. She found herself…it was something about the budget for bathroom supplies? She pushed herself up with an effort, stood, walked across the threshold of the office to her substantially smaller living quarters. Nyssa went into the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face. As she lifted her head, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. Stars, I look exhausted. She pushed back a greying curl that was attempting to poke its way into her eye and gave herself a weak smile. She turned away, resigning herself to the fact that she would have to sleep.
Nyssa didn’t mind sleep itself, it was what came with it that made her anxious. She rarely made it through the night without some form of terrors. Although less frequent these days, still just as upsetting as they had been when she was young. Back on the TARDIS they were a weekly occurrence, nightly after the loss of her father. But back then she had had Tegan by her side. Beautiful, brilliant Tegan, who had pushed their beds together to better be able to console her. Tegan, who had held her, rocked her, yet given her space when she needed it. Tegan who she had abandoned-
Yet she didn’t regret it. If she hadn’t gone, Terminus would still be the way it was back then. She had needed to go, because she knew she could make a difference. And she was right. These days the place was sanitary, properly staffed, and the patients recovered. There were also no more of those horrid symbols on the walls.
Staying on Terminus had also brought her two wonderful daughters. She missed them painfully now they were all grown, but she understood their need to get out and see the universe. Probably better than most people. She missed Lasarti too, sometimes, late at night. But their relationship had been rocky at best, stifling at worst.
Still, Nyssa didn’t regret staying, not one bit. What she did regret, however, was leaving. A contradictory statement, yes, but a true one nonetheless. She still missed her TARDIS family, and the way the Doctor would say something infuriatingly cryptic, how Tegan would verbally jump him, and she and Adric would watch from the sidelines, Adric occasionally offering a sharp jibe that would get his head bit off. Poor Adric .
Nyssa had liked being on the sidelines, mainly because it afforded her the chance to properly observe Tegan without being noticed. She had learned the Australian’s micro expressions, and that what she said (or rather shouted) was often hiding something deeper she was struggling to express. It was this depth of feeling that had drawn Nyssa to her. Tegan was so brash, so outspoken and confident, yet also so self-deprecating. Some of the things the other woman had confessed to thinking about herself when it was just the two of them, they broke Nyssa’s heart. She made it her mission from then on to show Tegan how much she meant to her. She took her hand whenever possible, and went as close as possible to admitting her feelings in every compliment she threw her way. Sometimes, she had felt almost sure Tegan felt the same way. When the Australian threw her arms around her, enveloping the Trakenite in her sweet perfume, she felt the happiest she had ever been.
Then Nyssa had read a book on Earth culture, looking for hints on Earth romance, and had found a section on ‘homosexuality’. She resolved to get over her ‘stupid crush’ there and then, but spent the night sobbing softly in a bathroom, far away from anyone who might overhear.
Nyssa shook herself. There was no good in making herself miserable all over again. She changed quickly and got into bed, then lay staring at her ceiling. Truth be told, late at night, she missed Tegan far more than her ex-lover. She often wished that the other woman’s arms were around her, keeping her safe, keeping her anchored. If only-
Nyssa sat bolt upright, ears straining. I’m dreaming. Surely that can’t be…?
The familiar sounds of the TARDIS landing crescendoed as the ship itself materialised in the corner of the room.
Chapter 5
Notes:
You may have noticed that there’s a chapter count now! I’m getting close to the end of the story (I think) and so it’s my estimate for the moment. Hope you like this chapter!
Chapter Text
The TARDIS door opened a crack, and a thin fissure of golden light swung across the room. The majestic illusion lasted only a fraction of a second, before a dark-haired head popped around the door frame.
“Doctor? Where are we?”
The woman’s voice had an odd, thick accent. She hadn’t noticed Nyssa sitting in her bed, but her eyes were sweeping the darkened room and she surely would. The Trakenite awkwardly cleared her throat.
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! Have we landed in your bedroom? Doctor!” The head retreated into the box, leaving the door ajar.
Nyssa crept towards it, as though she were afraid it would only be an apparition, that it would disappear the second she got too close. She reached out a trembling hand, and felt solid blue wood beneath it. She pushed, and stepped inside.
Nyssa blinked in astonishment. The interior of this TARDIS was nothing like she had ever seen before, with gigantic crystalline structures in place of white walls. On a raised dais was what she supposed must be the console. There stood the dark haired woman, engaged in a heated conversation with an older-looking blonde woman. This second woman’s outfit was odd, but familiarly so.
“Doctor?” enquired Nyssa.
The woman pivoted, and then let out a triumphant huff of air. “I told ya, Yaz. We are definitely in the right place!” She sprung forward and wrapped her arms around Nyssa, who wasn’t expecting it and stiffened slightly. The Doctor pulled back, smiling. “We never used to do that did we? Sorry, just excited I guess. Nyssa of Traken! You haven’t changed a bit.”
“Can’t say the same about you!” laughed Nyssa.
“Ah yes. I’m a woman now! Wadd’ya think, does it suit me?”
“I like it.”
A moment passed, the two just staring at each other. Then the Doctor skipped her way back to the console. Does she ever stay still? It was odd, to see someone you used to know, looking so fundamentally different, and yet know this was the same person. Nyssa was beginning to get used to it, though.
“Nyssa, this is Yaz. She’s my…well, my companion? Associate?”
“Friend, dummy.” Yaz stepped forward, smiling warmly. “I take it you knew the Doctor before?”
“A long time ago, yes. Back when she was a he.”
Yaz frowned slightly but didn’t comment on this before moving to stand closer to the Doctor, who spun around to lean against the controls, facing Nyssa.
“So, where to?”
Nyssa blinked. This was real. She was being offered a chance. To go home. Well, not home, her home was long gone. There was one obvious answer to where she’d like to go. However…
“Doctor…”
“Yes?”
“I’m still in my nightdress.”
Chapter 6
Notes:
Technically posting two chapters in the same day, but it doesn't feel like it for me because I stayed up so late finishing this that it feels like two separate days :’)
Enjoy!
Chapter Text
“Anywhere in time and space, take your pick!”
The Doctor was leaping around the console room like a mad woman, throwing switches seemingly at random as they hurtled through the vortex. Nyssa smiled to herself, remembering how her Doctor used to mess around with the controls, swearing that he knew exactly what he was doing. That led her on a train of thought through to Castrovalva, and a certain someone in a heated console room, and she had to rapidly drag herself back to the present. She was leaning against one of the pillars, a small case of her possessions by her feet. Nyssa owned little of sentimental value, unsurprisingly, and this had made for light packing. Among others, she had brought a small wallet with two photographs in it. One of her children, when they were small, sat on a crisp white bed cuddling with her. The second: a candid of her TARDIS family in their fancy dress, outside the TARDIS. It was one of the only times she had ever seen Adric properly muck about. He was always so in his own head. We had that in common.
Nyssa became aware that the Doctor was awaiting a response, and had been for some time. “Uh, I was thinking about Earth? Early 21st century?” She suddenly felt embarrassed, as though they would think she were playing it safe or something.
“Good choice. Good old Earth. Do you have a specific date in mind?”
“I-” Nyssa hesitated. She wanted to find Tegan, certainly. But how much time should have passed? Would the Doctor even be able to get the landing right? Nyssa didn’t even know how old she was herself, not by Earth standards, but she guessed over fifty. Luckily, her brewing anxiety was halted by the Doctor herself starting to speak.
“If not, I apparently received a call from an old friend of mine. Must’ave been while we were answering that distress call coupla days ago. Name’s Ace. Don’t know when she was calling from exactly, 2010s-20s? Hard to tell from a voicemail. Could drop ya with her?”
“That would be perfect, actually.” Nyssa smiled, but she had something else she wanted to ask the Doctor.
“Uh, when I left…I mean…this place has infinite rooms and so I was just wondering if-”
“Yeah, your room still exists, if you wanna go see it. Gotta sort out some stuff here anyways. Yaz, y’know that room with the white door, just past the library? That’s it.”
“Come on then.” said Yaz, grinning warmly at Nyssa. “It’s a bit of a trek, mind…”
Yaz was hovering in the doorway, as though the room were some shrine that she needed to be granted access to. In many ways the bedroom was. It was almost unnerving, really, to see it after so many years, and yet have it be almost exactly as she left it. It was as though the TARDIS had frozen it on the moment of Tegan’s departure, a snapshot of what once was. Nyssa’s bed was neatly made, Tegan’s rumpled as always. Both women’s makeup was laid out on the dresser. There were fragments of experiments adorning various surfaces, and a variety of outfits and mementos in the wardrobe. Nyssa flitted about the room, exploring and rediscovering this place that was once her home. Yaz stayed silent, feeling that this moment was more meaningful to the older woman than she could understand.
Nyssa broke the silence by turning to her, her expression somewhat wistful, and beckoning her over to the dresser. “Do you know, the day Tegan wore this was one of the worst of my life.”
Yaz didn’t know how to respond to that. The other woman held up a small bottle of dark nail polish. She then turned it over in her thin hand as she continued.
“We lost someone that day. Our friend. More like my brother, if I’m honest. He was so young. Tegan took it off that same night, scrubbed so hard her fingers went red.” Nyssa took a deep breath. “Sorry. My time here was…not so much difficult as… up and down. I do remember though, that earlier that day she was complaining something rotten about the shade, how dark it was. I thought she looked lovely.” The older woman pocketed the bottle.
“Tegan?” asked Yaz, her curiosity piqued. This person sounded…interesting.
“We travelled at the same time. She was my…best friend.” Nyssa made as if to say something more, but then seemingly clammed up, instead heading to leave. She turned back in the doorframe. “Thanks for showing me this again.”
Yaz resolved to ask the Doctor about those two. It seemed like there was a story there. “No problem.”
The two women headed back to the control room, the door swinging shut behind them.
Chapter 7
Notes:
Hellooo, I am exhausted but wanted to post so have a chapter! This one is quite short, but we’re getting towards the long awaited reunion so bear with me x
Chapter Text
The charity event was in full swing. Various important and wealthy people had come up to Ace, shaken her hand, gushed and so forth. The woman in question was now standing at a high, round table in a corner, drink in hand. From this perspective, she had a clear overview of the room, while still being close to the bar, should she need to socialise. It looked as though the outcome of this evening would be positive, with a large number of pledges and ideas being thrown around in conversation. Ace herself was exceedingly bored. She was tired of being polite to entitled and fortunate business people, and she was longing for her own bed. Only another hour to go.
She allowed herself to zone out, a polite mask on her face to deter any odd glances. She wondered, as she had every day since she placed it, about the outcome of her message to the Doctor. Had it been heard? Had it worked? To be truthful, Ace didn’t exactly know what she would do if it had. Would Tegan be glad to see her old…friend? Or would too much time have passed between them. Ace may have been invested, but she also knew that in reality, love is not like in movies and TV shows. Still, there was hope.
As soon as she got home, Ace dismantled her suffocatingly formal attire, untying her tie to let it sit loosely around her neck and removing the jacket of her suit. She put her hair up in a short ponytail to get it away from her face and immediately felt calmer. She went into the bathroom to wash her hands, and was just heading to the kitchen when there was a knock at the door. Ace glanced at it, then at her watch, and then back at the door once more. It was almost midnight- who on Earth would be calling on her at such a late hour? She had almost convinced herself she was imagining things when the knock sounded again, this time a little louder, a little more forcefully. Ace was no scaredy-cat, so she slowly made her way back down the hall. However, she also wasn’t insane, so as she reached for the doorknob, she hovered her hand over the handle of her trusty old baseball bat, which sat in the umbrella stand.
On the doorstep stood a woman, slightly older than Ace herself, with very curly greyish-brown hair. Even in the dimness of the light Ace could tell that she was very pretty. She noticed that her clothing was anachronistic and spotted the suitcase at her feet. Yet still she dared not ask.
“Hi…I am Nyssa of Traken. You’re Ace, right? I was told…you sent them to find me?”
Ace shook herself mentally. This was real. It worked! “Hiya, yes! Come on in!”
Chapter Text
Both women had settled themselves in the living room, Nyssa on the sofa and Ace in an armchair to her left. There was a slight atmosphere of awkwardness, neither of them quite sure what to say to the other. Ace had, of course, gone through the usual formalities, offering Nyssa something to drink, and the other woman had graciously accepted a tea, which was now warming her hands. Nyssa had tried tea a couple of times with Tegan, and had not thought much of it, but she was grateful for it now as it allowed her something to do with her hands. Also an eyeline, as she could feel Ace’s eyes boring into her. She looked up, and both women went to speak at the same time, chuckling softly. “You first.” offered Nyssa.
“Alright”, smiled Ace. She sat forward in her chair, and Nyssa fought the urge to sink into her own. She had never liked being the centre of attention, and all of Ace’s was on her. “I don’t really know where to start. This may sound odd, but I didn’t really think my message would work. I mean, I wasn’t sure it would reach you. I know what the Professor is like, and I didn’t have a lot to go on, really. I mean, I don’t actually know very much about you, to be honest.”
“The Professor?”
“The Doctor. I always called him Professor.”
“I see. Forgive me, but I don’t quite understand what’s occurred? You got in contact with the Doctor to talk to me, but what for? If you don’t know who I am, why bother?”
Ace shuffled in her seat. “I have this friend… they talk a lot about you… that is, she mentions you a lot. Then she kind of stops talking. She…I mean… I think she misses you a lot.”
Nyssa felt like her chest was tightening. It seemed like Ace wanted to tell her something, but she was clearly treading on eggshells, as though she wasn’t sure how much she could say. It’s her right? Stars, I hope it’s her. After all this time? I wonder, does she…?-
“Hey, are you alright?”
“Sorry, just spaced out a little. This friend of yours, does she have a name?” Please let it be her.
“Tegan. Tegan Jovanka.”
Nyssa’s hand flew to her mouth. It was as though up until this exact moment she hadn’t allowed herself to believe it. That she could see Tegan again. Part of her felt like any moment she would wake up in her cold bed on Terminus. She felt her cheeks heat up as her eyes prickled and she fought to remain in control of herself. She could feel Ace’s concerned eyes on her, and so she spoke, albeit shakily. “Y-You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear that name again.”
“I can take you to her. Not tonight obviously, but soon. Thing is though, she doesn’t know you’re here. Need a way to break it to her gently.”
“You didn’t tell her about this.” It was a statement rather than a question.
“Like I said, I wasn’t sure it would work. But you’re here now. And I need to know, because she’s my best friend. I need to know what your intentions are. Towards Tegan I mean.”
“I- I wish to see her again. It’s been… so long. Too long. I… missed her. More than you can imagine.”
Nyssa found herself searching for the right words. She needed Ace to trust her. She wasn’t about to get this close for nothing. Tegan was her… friend. Her best friend, even. Family. And something much stronger than that. Ace was waiting, and Nyssa didn’t know how to sum up for this relative stranger all the ways she felt about Tegan, and all the things she had missed about her. However, some flicker of this dilemma must have flicked across her face, as Ace’s posture grew less combative. The other woman spoke.
“I can’t speak for Tegan herself, and I would never try to. But she’s been having a tough time of it, and I can tell that your relationship is somewhat complex. I just don’t want her to get hurt.”
“I would never hurt her! I- I love her. Always have done. Even though we’ve been separated for so long. I care for her so much, and it… it broke my heart to leave her. Even though I had to. Please…Will you let me see her?” Nyssa’s outburst had begun passionately, and now she felt herself once more on the verge of tears.
“Perfect! All I needed from you. Let’s get this show on the road. Although, not tonight, you look knackered. I have a spare room, let me show you to it.” Ace leapt up out of her seat, surprisingly energetic for the late hour, beaming. She held out a hand to help Nyssa up, who accepted it graciously. Once stood, Ace shook the hand briefly before dropping it, leading the other woman out into the hallway.
Ace had just opened the door to her guest bedroom when her phone rang. She excused herself to Nyssa, shutting her in and heading to her own room. She picked up on the fifth ring, after sitting herself down on the edge of her bed. “Hello?”
“Kate Stewart here. We-”
“Jesus, don’t you lot sleep? What can I do for you?”
“Had a close-call today, lots of paperwork to do.” Her voice became tender. “I sent Os home, though. She needs the rest.”
Ace smiled softly to herself at that.
“Anyways, we registered a spike in artron energy at your place. Is there any issue, do you need us to send someone over?”
“No, no issue. Just a visit from a friend. A friend who may need documentation. I don’t know how long she plans to stay, but I think she’s essentially a refugee.”
“I see. Well, that can be arranged, of course. But you’d have to bring her in, there are protocols for this sort of thing.”
“Yes, of course. Tomorrow, though, she looks exhausted. You should go home, too, Kate.”
There was an audible sigh on the other end of the line. “I know. I know. Alright, Ace, see you tomorrow. Is 9:30 alright?”
“Ten?”
“Okay. Goodnight.”
“Bye Kate.” Ace waited for the call to end and dropped her phone onto the bed. She let herself rest for a minute, just sitting still. Then she stood up, and got ready for bed.
Chapter 9
Notes:
Hi all, sorry for the larger than normal gap between updates, I have been quite busy! We’re nearly at the end of this fic! I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter Text
Ace wasn’t a big breakfast person, but she offered her limited options (toast and coffee) to Nyssa, who declined softly. Now that they were both well rested, and it was daytime, Ace allowed herself to properly consider the woman sitting across from her in the kitchen. They had a little time before they needed to leave for UNIT HQ, and Nyssa had produced a well-thumbed copy of Alice in Wonderland from her case. Ace felt perhaps it would be better not to ask. She thought of the case. So small, for such a long life. Does she have so little to call her own? Nyssa appeared to have packed exceedingly light, sporting the same maroon trousers as the day before (paired this time with an off-white tunic top, and a small spiral pendant hanging from her neck). Her outfit was seemingly ordinary, if flattering, but Ace couldn’t help but feel that the woman had a sense of alien-ness about her, something inexplicably ethereal. Maybe it was her hair. Despite having slept at another person’s house, Nyssa’s curls were still perfectly formed in their short halo around her head. Her eyes were also very bright in colour, giving her a look of perpetual curiosity. Maybe that’s just how she feels about being on a different world. Ace’s train of thought was cut short as Nyssa sensed her eyes on her, shooting her a questioning look. Ace dropped her gaze back to the emails she had previously been pretending to read, and saw the time. “We should probably head out.”
Nyssa’s stomach was churning, and she was glad she hadn’t eaten, for fear it might come back up again. Ace had escorted her to a large castle, the Tower of London, which had been impressive in itself, but now that they were in the inner sanctum, the place seemed even more daunting. There had been numerous security checks, and she had been handed a small plastic pass to wear. The whole thing made her feel stifled, as someone who had grown up in open spaces and had to become accustomed to the stark hostility of a space hospital. After what seemed like an age of walking corridors, Ace pushed on a large wooden door and ushered her into a room. Inside was a large round table, surrounded by plastic chairs and with a projector hanging from the ceiling facing the wall. Sat at what she recognised as a simple computer sat a brunette woman in a lab coat. Another woman stood nonchalantly, leaning with her hands on a chair nearby. This was who spoke first. “Hello, my name is Kate Stewart, Chief Scientific Officer of UNIT. This is Osgood, my second in command.”
“Hi.” The other woman said timorously.
Nyssa turned to Ace, a sudden wave of nervousness coming over her. Ace scanned her face and nodded reassuringly, turning to the other two. “This is Nyssa of Traken, friend of the Doctor, last of her kind. She’s a scientist, and has been working on a space station to help the sick. She’s the one I asked you two about. And she’s here now.”
Upon hearing that Nyssa was a scientist, Osgood had shot her a look of enthusiastic interest, which was met by a small smile.
“A friend of Tegan’s, I recall? Do you want us to bring her in?”
Ace turned to Nyssa, as if to say It’s your call. Nyssa took a deep breath. “Yes please. I’d-I’d love to see her again. After all these years.”
Kate smiled reassuringly at her. “Alright then. I’ll make the call, and you and Os can get started on all the bureaucratic business. Are you hoping to stay here long?”
“Yes, I…I haven’t anywhere else to go. I haven’t anywhere else I want to be.”
Chapter Text
A stack of pages fell to the floor, and Tegan bent down with a frustrated groan to retrieve them, just narrowly missing her head on the edge of the desk as she got up. She shuffled the papers back into order and placed them down (a little more forcefully than she had intended). The Australian liked to be kept up-to-date when it came to politics back home, and a new bill set to be passed went against everything she stood for. So, here she was at 10:30 in the morning, making her way through article after article, researching for the earful she was hoping to give to whoever was behind this. However the further she read, the more angry and upset she became. After righting her desk she set back to it, but was therefore incredibly grateful when her phone rang.
“Hello, Tegan?”
“Hi Kate, what can I do for you?”
“Could you come in please? As soon as possible?” Kate’s tone was casual, but it had an edge to it.
“...Why? I mean I can but what do you need me for?”
“I-I’m not good at this sort of thing…Let me get Ace on.”
“Ace is there?” Tegan’s question went unheard as there was the scuffle of the phone being handed over. She felt a small spike of apprehension in her stomach. The noises on the other end died out, and Ace’s voice sounded.
“Hey Teegs. Can you come in?”
“Kate just asked me that! Ace, what’s going on? Is something wrong?”
“No! No, it’s a good thing. I mean, I think. I hope it’s a good thing. Listen, we have…an old friend of yours here, extraterrestrial type. May or may not have been my doing.”
“Who…?”
“I found her, Tegan. I found Nyssa.”
Tegan dropped the phone.
Seconds passed, and still she stood frozen. Squawks came from the fallen device, and still she did not move. Nyssa was here. On Earth. After all this time.
Tegan closed her mouth and slowly bent to pick up the phone.
“...still there?! Tegan are you okay?”
“I-I’m here.” Her mouth was dry and her voice a little raspy. “I’m okay. Ace…are you sure? You aren’t playing a trick?”
“Nope! One curly-headed woman, sat next door. Tegan…you don’t sound okay? Do you want us to send someone for you?”
“I…yeah. Yes, please. Thank you, Ace.” Ohmygodohmygodohmygod
The two women said their farewells and ended the call. And Tegan was left with a fifteen minute wait, with nothing but her own thoughts to keep her company. Not ideal. She’s here. She’s really here, Ace wouldn’t lie, I know that. Not about this. Oh my god. What do I say to her? What’ll she…be like? Will she still…like me? I’m older, but not much else has changed. Still abrasive as anything. And surely she’s still too good for this world. Oh, Rabbits.
This internal monologue kept itself up all the way to the Tower, and Tegan kept having to remind herself to breathe. She was wearing a necklace with a small pendant, and alternating between rubbing it and scraping the chain across her neck helped her feel grounded, less unreal.
Everything seemed to pass in an agonisingly slow blur until finally she stood alone, a few feet from the door to the room. The room where one person she had ever felt true, unconditional love for was. Tegan felt like she was either going to throw up or fall straight through the floor and keep on falling forever. She took a juddering breath and entered.
Ace and the others greeted her, but Tegan’s eyes were locked onto the head of grey-brown hair facing away from her. She needed her to turn, her nerves couldn’t take it. The woman stood, and turned. And Tegan’s knees felt like they were going to give out, it felt like all the air in the room was gone, she took a shaking step forward and Nyssa dashed towards her, enveloping her in her arms, her scent, a cloud of hair. They clung onto each other, as though petrified that they would separate and lose each other again. Nyssa was kissing her temple, muttering…something. Repeating Tegan’s name, punctuated with itsokitsokitsoks, as Tegan became aware that she was crying. Nyssa herself was shaking now, and so Tegan dug herself in, balling her hands in the back of the other woman’s top. They could have stayed stuck on each other like that forever, in their own little bubble universe, if it hadn’t been for the rather pointed slamming of the door as the others gave them space. Both women jumped at the intrusion, pulling away slightly, but still remaining in contact, Tegan grasping both Nyssa’s hands in her own, holding them close to her chest. She could feel tears still making their way down her cheeks, but Tegan took a deep breath and ground out, “I thought I lost you.”
“I know. And I’m so sorry. And I don’t know if it even means anything, but I’m here now. If…you’ll have me?” Nyssa’s own eyes were full of unshed tears, and Tegan realised her statement must have come off as a rejection. She quickly wrapped her arms around the other woman’s waist, pulling her flush against her, her hand coming up to gently cup the back of her head. “I didn’t mean it like that, I just meant that I missed you so. All this time and you haven’t changed a bit!”
Nyssa laughed weakly at that, and some light talk passed between the two of them for a couple of minutes, brief overviews with hardly any detail, Tegan’s hands still on Nyssa’s hips, hardly any space between the two. It was Tegan’s turn to talk, and she mentioned her husband, and her dismissal of him came with a pair of deprecating comments about herself. Immediately Nyssa’s brow was furrowed, and her hand came up to cup Tegan’s cheek. “What?” Asked Tegan, genuinely curious.
“You still say things like that about yourself. Oh, Tegan, you should never say things like that about yourself. You are still as beautiful as the day I met you, especially on the inside.”
Nyssa’s voice was so tender, so genuine. One hand was still on Tegan’s face, the other on her shoulder. Their faces were so close. Is she going to kiss me? Do I want her to? Tegan knew deep down that she did, but as Nyssa’s eyes flicked to her lips she felt the decades of repression and fear clamp down on that impulse. She dropped her hands from Nyssa’s body and stepped away, clearing her throat as she went to let the others back in. She didn’t turn back until there were multiple people in the room and Kate had started to talk. If she had turned, she would have seen the utter misery that painted itself across Nyssa’s face only for an instant, before her polite mask lowered itself as the others rejoined them.
Notes:
I know, I’m terrible, please hear me out it’s not over yet!!!
It needed a little angst ok? But I will fix it. Next chapter is final chapter :)
Chapter 11
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
“...So then the only matter that remains unfinished is where Nyssa will be staying. We can provide UNIT accommodation, but it would be very modest and would require another set of forms to be-”
“She can stay with me!” Tegan blurted out. Nyssa turned to her and saw that the Australian’s features were somewhere between nervous and hopeful, and so she smiled softly. “I’d love that, Tegan. If you’re sure?”
“Of course I’m sure. It’ll be…just like old times.”
Nyssa grimaced internally at that, but outwardly nodded. She kept her mask on, she was polite to all of Tegan’s lovely friends. But inside she was dying to get away, to be able to…to do what? She wasn’t really sure. Just like old times. Unfortunately much too much like old times for Nyssa. She had been ecstatic to see Tegan, to hold her in her arms. There had been a moment, when they were chest to chest and she had felt Tegan’s breath hitch, had seen the question in her eyes. We would have kissed. But Tegan had pushed her away, like she always used to. Back then Nyssa could have shrugged it off as not knowing, as a product of her times. But this was now, many decades on, and Nyssa was tired of it.
Tegan kept shooting her concerned glances on the ride to hers, reaching out to take her hand. Nyssa withdrew, mumbling something about motion sickness (a blatant lie) and no more was said.
Tegan took Nyssa on a house tour, offering her refreshment first (declined). Meanwhile Nyssa’s frustration at Tegan’s denial of what had passed between them festered in her gut. She managed to reign it in, almost successfully. Then came the question of sleeping arrangements. Tegan didn’t have a spare room, and spoke of sleeping on the sofa while Nyssa took the bed, even as her eyes pleaded the question she was forcing herself not to ask.
And that was when Nyssa snapped. “Tegan, what are you trying to do? Because you keep saying one thing and doing another, or thinking another!” She stepped into the other woman’s space, arms out in desperation. “You know I can read you like a book and yet you keep trying to shut me out, just like you always did! What are you so afraid of?!”
Tegan stood, gaping slightly. Then in one swift movement she moved, as though she were acting purely physically before her brain had a chance to catch up with her. She stepped up to Nyssa, took her face in both hands and kissed her. The kiss was hard and abrupt at first, but melted into something soft and tender. It lasted mere seconds, however, as Tegan staggered back, her face red, horrified. “My god I’m sorry” she gasped out, her hand coming up to her lips. “That’s the last thing you need from me, I’m so sorry.” She went to step even further away, and Nyssa felt a pang in her chest. She acted on impulse, darting forward and catching the other woman’s free hand in her own. She spun her around to face her, paused for only a split second to take in the whirlwind of emotions on her face before she brought her lips to hers.
It began as a close-mouthed peck, light, barely there but enough to wipe Tegan’s mind clean. Nyssa pulled back and kissed her again, another feather-light touch, and on the third it was Tegan who closed the gap, and the two were melded against each other, hands breaking apart to find shoulders and hips. Nyssa pressed her hands against Tegan’s collarbones, and the other woman pulled back instantly, searching her face. Nyssa grinned at her, the sparkle in her eyes allaying any worries. She took a moment to catch her breath, absentmindedly running a hand through Tegan’s hair. Then she leaned in to kiss the other woman’s cheek before speaking softly.
“This is exactly what I need from you.”
Notes:
And then they talked, properly, and were gay and suchlike :))
Hope you enjoyed this story, it was honestly so much fun to write and so I hope it was just as fun to read!
trenzaloures on Chapter 2 Thu 29 Aug 2024 03:08PM UTC
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MaxKowarth on Chapter 4 Tue 24 Sep 2024 06:27AM UTC
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es_99_einsteinium on Chapter 5 Thu 05 Sep 2024 12:07PM UTC
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stopmyhearts on Chapter 5 Thu 05 Sep 2024 05:45PM UTC
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MaxKowarth on Chapter 11 Wed 25 Sep 2024 05:57AM UTC
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GaiaBicolosi on Chapter 11 Fri 27 Dec 2024 12:36PM UTC
Last Edited Fri 27 Dec 2024 12:37PM UTC
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Hannahuuumm on Chapter 11 Tue 04 Feb 2025 11:53PM UTC
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