quirkysmuse: (drwho-general)
quirkysmuse ([personal profile] quirkysmuse) wrote2011-08-25 01:16 pm

Doctor Who, "Poor Little Paradox" Eight, Charley | rated g

Fandom: Doctor Who (classic)
Title: Poor Little Paradox
Author: Paynesgrey
Characters/Pairings: Eighth Doctor, Charley Pollard, slight Eight/Charley
Rating: G
Word Count: 328
Spoilers/Warnings: No warnings. Spoilers for the Eighth Doctor Audio Adventures, Storm Warning specifically.
Notes: I just finished Season 1 of the BFAs with the Eighth Doctor, so this was kind of something inspired by the end of Minuet in Hell. Written for the "burn" drabble theme at [livejournal.com profile] who_contest.

Summary: The Doctor has some grim thoughts about Charley.



He tries not to think about it, on how she’s not supposed to be here. Charlotte Pollard should be dead, her life burning out as just another casualty in the R101 crash.

You stupid old man, he chides himself. He had to go and interfere. He had to save her life. He constantly second guesses himself. Maybe he’s seeing this all wrong. Perhaps it isn’t as bad as he suspects.

Maybe he was even supposed to be there to save her. Time may not even notice that he’s created a paradox, that Charley travels around with him unknowingly as far greater threats come for her, worse than death. How important to the order of the universe could Charley really be?

He’s afraid he’s cursed her. Still, it’s easier for the Doctor to deny anything wrong in it, even ignore it while he distracts her and whisks her away to explore other planets, other futures and pasts, and the beautiful sights within the depths of space.

No, he’s the fool. Poor Charley is just the victim, and as long as she stays with him, she’s worse off. The evidence is becoming clearer too, and Charley’s not stupid. She’ll realize soon enough herself what he’s really done - what she is.

Can he take her back? Surely not. He can’t undo the mess he’s already created. Perhaps he will only make it worse.

“Oh, Doctor, you really are a stupid old man,” he mutters to himself. Charley is sleeping peacefully in her room within the TARDIS, blissfully unaware of the internal dilemma he’s facing.

“And she won’t know, not yet, and hopefully not ever,” he promises himself, and he suddenly feels silly. “I’m always talking to myself,” he scoffs. “It really is a bad habit.”

But his bad habits are nothing compared to what he’s done to Charley. Is she better off dead? He has doubts, but the Doctor still doesn’t think so. The Universe, however, may disagree with him.

[identity profile] a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com 2011-09-03 07:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Ohh, I loved this! The poor dear - these dilemmas face him on a constant - only proving again and again that no matter how godlike he seems, he is far from being one.

*HUGS*

[identity profile] quirkysmuse.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much for reading! :)

[identity profile] eriphi.livejournal.com 2011-09-04 08:42 am (UTC)(link)

I came at this totally fresh, no prior knowledge at all, and, do you know, it still stands as a beautiful, sad little peace. Well done.

[identity profile] quirkysmuse.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you very much!

[identity profile] derekmetaltron.livejournal.com 2011-09-06 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Great little missing piece for Eight here! I do hope you enjoy the Second Season of Eight stories - all great but 'Chimes Of Midnight' and 'Season of Fear' are in particular excellent.

[identity profile] quirkysmuse.livejournal.com 2011-09-06 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to more audios, definitely. I love Paul McGann's voice. :3

[identity profile] derekmetaltron.livejournal.com 2011-09-06 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I do as well, he's got a great voice for audio. I'm up to 'Terror Firma' in the Eight & Charley stories so I can tell you it's all been pretty great so far. 'Caerdroia' is particularly fun if you like the various aspects of the Eighth Doctor.

[identity profile] quirkysmuse.livejournal.com 2011-09-06 02:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay! I'm glad to hear someone else is listening to them. I knew writing this I'd barely get many people who knew about Eight and Charley. Glad to hear the other audios are good too.

[identity profile] arwen-elen.livejournal.com 2011-09-07 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
Love the Eigth Doctor. Love this :)

[identity profile] quirkysmuse.livejournal.com 2011-09-07 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!

[identity profile] howlcastle.livejournal.com 2011-10-01 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I like how this shows his fear, not for himself and not just for his actions, but for Charley herself. That is always Eighth's greatest strenghts I think. Being able to see the bigger picture..but turn his cheek and see the individual as well. Cool story.

[identity profile] quirkysmuse.livejournal.com 2011-10-02 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you!