Firefly/Doctor Who crossover fic: A Different Kind of Companion: A Lesson in History (2/9)

[locker_monster]

Title: A Different Kind of Companion: A Lesson in History (2/9)
Rating: PG
Characters: Ten, Inara
Timeline: Post "The Runaway Bride" for Doctor Who and post "Serenity" the movie for Firefly
Summary: After an unplanned detour to Earth's past, the Doctor and Inara must stop the creation of a disruptive paradox.
Disclaimer: Only in some wacky alternative reality would I own Doctor Who or Firefly.
A/N: The long-awaited sequel to "A Different Kind of Companion". A huge thanks goes out to my beta, browncoat_2x2 , who is made of awesome.

Chapter One.





It was clear the Doctor wasn’t listening to Inara. He stared at the buildings in front of them with a look of shock on his face she hadn’t seen before. For someone as well travelled as the Doctor she thought there were very few things left in the universe that could surprise him. Or perhaps the location wasn’t the cause of his surprise. Inara hadn’t noticed it before, but now as she examined the structures more closely she realized they bore a remarkable resemblance to some of the architecture on Londinium.

What had the Doctor called this place? Loudon?

Her chance to ask for a clarification never presented itself as the Doctor suddenly turned and sprinted back to the TARDIS, muttering to himself the entire way. Inara could even hear him from outside the time machine, as she turned herself to follow his progress through the open doors. The Doctor immediately went to the console and brought around the screen to consult the data displayed.

A piece of paper flapping in the light breeze beside the TARDIS caught Inara’s eye. Text was visible on the paper. A loose page from a book? She walked over and picked it up, the Doctor’s annoyed ramblings playing like background music at a function; she knew it was there but it wasn’t something she needed to pay attention to. Instead, she was more focused on the piece of paper. It looked like a news report of some kind. Whatever means was used to print the text onto the paper it came off on Inara’s fingers, leaving behind black smudges. Clearly there was an advantage to having all news presented in electronic form.

But through her annoyance, she noticed one thing. With the paper in hand, she returned to the TARDIS.

She entered in time to see the Doctor bang on the console with a mallet. The resulting smash echoed across the silent room. Idly, Inara thought Kaylee would be horrified to see the Doctor treat his ship in such a way.

“Problems?” Inara asked politely, coming up beside the Doctor.

“Something pulled the TARDIS off course.” The Doctor returned the mallet to a bag hanging off the console, full of other assorted tools. “A signal of some kind, but it’s weak, like it’s being scattered.” He pointed to the screen, but the only thing that made sense to Inara was a flashing light indicating a point, or so she assumed. “We’re an ocean away from where we should be.”

“It’s the right year.” The Doctor, anxiously running a hand through his hair, looked over at Inara. She presented the piece of paper. A news story gave the date, but it hadn’t been the thing to peak her interest. The Doctor had brought her here before, but she hadn’t known the spelling of the city’s name then. Now it was printed right at the top of the report. “Is this city related to Londinium somehow?”

Her question seemed to momentarily distract the Doctor from their current dilemma. “A distant cousin I suppose. This country eventually becomes part of America, one of the co-founders of the Alliance. Actually, Londinium is the old Roman name for London. Imagine that. This city lives on in another galaxy.”

The Doctor’s awe held out for a second before he turned back to the screen, determination furrowing his brow. He let out an annoyed sigh. “The TARDIS can’t pinpoint the origin of the signal. We’ll have to find it on foot.”

Inara placed the paper down on the console, silently wishing for a cloth or handkerchief to clean her hands with. “I take it this signal doesn’t belong in this century.”

“You’re catching on.” Seemingly from thin air, the Doctor produced a polka-dotted handkerchief and handed it to Inara. He grinned happily, the mystery invigorating him. “I’ll make a time traveller out of you yet.”

The simplicity of the time gave London the feel of a planet on the border of being a Core world. There were tall buildings to marvel at, but the technology was basic. In their short walk to find the signal, Inara saw domestic ground vehicles, clouds of black smoke belching from the back end, a square machine with a large horn attached that produced tinny music, and a box-shaped device with a hole in the front held by a man who offered to take their picture. As they walked by Inara politely refused.

All the while, the Doctor kept his attention on his sonic screwdriver, the blue light on the front blinking faster or slower to indicate if they were nearing the signal. After they had found the source, Inara planned to ask him if they could stay here instead. This city was a part of history. How could she ignore the chance to actually experience all it had to offer?

Slowly they headed away from the river and moved down streets to a block of buildings. The area had an industrial feel to it. The windows lacked the touches of a home and the outside of the buildings were less maintained.

“Here.” The Doctor had the sonic screwdriver pointed at one of the buildings. The blue light was pulsing so fast there was barely a gap between flashes. A light was on and visible through the front window. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.

“What will you do when you find the signal?” asked Inara. She followed the Doctor as they made their way across the street.

“Turn it off, of course.” Without stopping to knock, the Doctor headed inside.

They entered an ante room though it was bare of any ornamentation. Another door led into the next room. Open a crack, a shaft of light escaped. With the air of a man used to going where he pleased, the Doctor opened the door and stepped across the threshold. Inara offered no qualms; her travels with a thief and smuggler had made Inara immune to the notion of breaking social niceties.

The next room was a single open space. Work benches and tables were cluttered with material, pieces of machinery, and scattered papers. Pinned to the walls were drawings, all displaying the inner workings of various machines. Inara thought of the engine room back on Serenity.

She began to ask the Doctor if he knew what this all was when a side door opened and man with curly brown hair dressed in a white lab coat entered the room. A pair of glasses with dark lenses sat on top of his head. He regarded them silently.

“Oh, hello.” Rushing up to the man, the Doctor held out his hand. “I was wonde–”

“You’re early,” the man said in a clipped tone, ignoring the Doctor’s offering of a handshake. “I was expecting the first group to arrive at noon.”

“Right, of course, noon.” The Doctor slipped his hands into his pockets. “My watch must be broken. But better early than late I suppose.”

“You will wait until noon for the demonstration.” The man turned and headed back into the side room. “I shall not display my death ray any sooner.”