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Everybody knew that Cassandra was going to die soon, and she didn’t protest at all against it.
“I can take you to the city.” The Doctor insisted. Rose was crouching right beside him. They were both looking at her very concerned.
Cassandra declined the offer. “There’s no need. Everything’s new on this planet. There’s no place for Chip and me anymore.” She gazed down and looked forlorn for a moment, then looked back up and smiled a little. “You’re right, Doctor. It’s time to die, and that’s good. My time has come.” Her voice carried the slightest hint of fear, as anyone’s voice would in the face of death.
The Doctor couldn’t help but empathize with her. She was bad and did bad things, so some could argue that the Doctor shouldn’t do what he was thinking about doing, but she was dying. She had been running from death for such a long time, but now she was being courageous in accepting it. The Doctor had spent his whole life running, not from death but running nonetheless.
“Is there anything I could do?” The Doctor asked. “I have a time machine. Where would you like to go?”
Cassandra looked surprised at first. “A time machine.” She said in wonder. Then realization dawned on her. She gasped. “You’re a Time Lord aren’t you!” She stared at him wide-eyed. “I’ve heard myths about you! I’ve always wondered if they were true. It does explain the drastic change in your looks.”
The Doctor nodded. “Yes, I am a Time Lord.”
Cassandra was amazed. “But the myths say that all of them mysteriously died. How can you be here?”
It was the Doctor’s turn to look forlorn, “There was a terrible war, and a terrible decision had to be made. I was the only survivor.” He really didn’t like thinking about it, as the grief of those memories would drown out any happy thoughts, but he would talk to her, because why not answer a dying woman’s questions?
Cassandra looked at him with empathy. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain.” She was right. Those memories were harrowing.
The Doctor nodded in acknowledgment. “Thank you. Now,” he asked again, gladly changing the topic, “is there anywhere you would like to go?” He could at least do this for her.
Cassandra was silent for a moment, thinking. Then she turned to Rose. “You remember the video that was playing when you first walked into the room where you saw me, of that party?”
Rose nodded her head, “Of course. You said it was the last time anyone told you you were beautiful.”
Cassandra smiled a little, “When I was designing Chip, I made him look like the kind stranger who said that, as a reminder of him. However, after the stranger told me that, he immediately collapsed and I called for help. When he was brought to a nearby hospital I accompanied him. The hospital then told me that he was not in the system. The facial scanners didn’t recognize his existence. ‘It’s like he popped in out of thin air.’ The staff told me. I was confused then, but now I think I understand.”
The Doctor nodded, seeming to get what Cassandra was hinting at. But Rose was confused. “Understand what?”
“I think that stranger was future-me -Now-me, sorry,- traveled back in time to tell myself I was beautiful for the last time.”
Rose turned to the Doctor. “Doctor, is she right?” she asked.
The Doctor nodded. “It’s a possibility. But if we’re wrong and go there… that could cause many problems.” He turned towards Cassandra. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” She responded.
The Doctor stood up. “Alright, so that’s where we’re going.” Rose stood up as well and they both helped Cassandra up. Supporting her on both sides, they made the long walk back to the TARDIS.
Cassandra gasped when she entered. “So they are bigger on the inside, just like the myths said!” She looked around in wonder.
“Careful,” Rose warned. “You need to save your strength for when we get there.” With Rose’s help, Cassandra made her way to the rails where she slid down to the ground to sit while the Doctor went away to get a chair so she could be more comfortable.
When the Doctor returned, he asked, “When and where was this party?”
“Old Earth, the country of Thrace, the city of Baseinwell, at the pub ‘Like It’s Hot’, in the year 4,999,824.” She answered as Rose helped her get comfortable on the chair.
It must seem strange to Cassandra for Rose to show such kindness to her after all she’s done. The Doctor thought, but to him, it was normal. Rose was just kind that way. It was how he could tell that Cassandra was controlling her body in the first place.
The Doctor put in the coordinates and the TARDIS took off.
(You all remember what goes on next)
The Doctor and Rose were back on the TARDIS after dropping Cassandra off. The Doctor immediately asked, “Where to next?”
“I dunno,” Rose mumbled, then yawned. “All that running we did made me kinda tired.”
The Doctor immediately understood her. “Alright, we can relax for a bit here in the TARDIS. There’s a room with a sofa and telly. Do you want to go there?”
“Sure, yeah…” Rose yawned, then passed out on the floor. The Doctor immediately bent down towards her in fear. He checked her pulse, then asked the TARDIS to do a scan.
Scans show extreme exhaustion. The TARDIS systems replied. All she needs is rest.
“What?” The Doctor was confused. “But we’ve only been awake for 36 hours- ohh. TARDIS, how long is the sleep cycle of a human?”
24 hours. The TARDIS answered.
“24, not 72 like it is for Time Lords.” The Doctor looked down at Rose, then thought, Wow, I was really pushing her beyond her limit. I’m so sorry Rose. He then scooped her up in his arms. She was surprisingly light.
She woke up for a moment, still half asleep. “Hm… Doctor?”
The Doctor looked down fondly and shushed her.” Sh... You need to sleep. I’m so sorry I didn’t realize I was pushing you beyond human limits.”
“It’s m’kay…” She half mumbled and turned her whole body more towards him and looped an arm around him for better support, nuzzling her face into the warmth of his side. His face heated a little, then he thought to himself, It's just for the warmth-- It's just more comfortable. He was desperately trying to avoid thinking about the other possibilities.
He brought her into her room on the TARDIS and set her on her bed -- NOPE not gonna think about that either!
(Okay okay I'll stop now)
He walked away to let her sleep and tried to distract his mind with other things. He did some cleaning and found some Sudoku books from five regenerations ago. They were dusty but sturdy, and he solved puzzles while letting Rose catch up on sleep. Once she had woken up from her nap they set off to adventuring once more.