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“Thanks for the lift.” Patting the TARDIS on the wall, Nova shot a mischievous glance at the Doctor. “I’m giving this place three stars.”
He gaped. “Only three?! I took you to a supernova!”
“Mostly for the pun,” she pointed out, grinning. “I’m just saying, Professor X’s ship was cooler.”
“You— what—“ The Doctor sputtered in inarticulate outrage for a few seconds. Finally, he landed on, “Professor X is a television show!”
Realizing he looked genuinely affronted, Nova laughed and held out placating hands. “I’m messing with you, Doctor. The supernova was, well, super, and the TARDIS is too.”
“She certainly is!”
“You don’t need to be jealous of a fictional character. Anyway, Professor X once had to hold his door closed with rope when the lock failed.”
She expected him to join her in laughing at the absurdity.
“Um,” said the Doctor, avoiding her eyes.
“…Oh, no.” Nova facepalmed. “That’s happened to the TARDIS too, hasn’t it.”
“There were extenuating circumstances…”
“Uhuh. That’s what the Professor would’ve said, too.” She sobered. “Really, though. Thanks. For the trip, and… everything.”
“Least I could do after all your help,” he said. “Even if you don’t remember most of it.”
The Doctor paused.
“…You’re super, Nova.”
When she’d finished groaning, she smiled. “I used to watch the vids to try to escape from my life. This escape route is better.”
“I should hope.” The Doctor seemed to hesitate. Then he added, almost diffidently, “You know, if you wanted, you could come with me. I promised one trip, but we don’t have to stop here…”
For a moment, Nova imagined it. Staying with the Doctor, traveling in the TARDIS, seeing the universe. Having adventures, like her favorite stories brought to life…
But, no.
She shook her head. “I need to go to my family. I’ve got the credits to give us a real fresh start, this time. All of us.”
The Doctor nodded. Accepting her answer. She almost wished he’d ask again; try to convince her to change her mind.
He didn’t.
“You should find someone else to travel with you, though,” Nova added, on impulse.
He frowned at her, some unreadable tangle of emotions crossing his face.
Then the Doctor shrugged, casually, like he didn’t really care — not that Nova believed it. “I’ll think about it,” he said.
Professor X never traveled alone, she thought, but had sense enough not to say.