This Field Left Intentionally Blank

After a two week drought I have two chapters in two days? 

What is this fic she’s talking about, you think. Well here is the first part, where my Ninth Doctor Pre-Rose fic all started! I also have a whofic link if you prefer to read fics off tumblr. 

It was bittersweet to surround himself with so many people. The crowd was animated, and their chatter formed familiar background noise. Except for once it only came from around him and not from within. Maybe one day he would learn to accept the silence inside him, but it was not today. The feeling of emptiness was still too raw and new to get used to.

Still he shifted his feet as he waited with everyone else for the motorcade to drive by. With each passing second the temptation to intervene grew, and so did the tickle in the back of his mind. This was a fixed point in time, the Doctor knew. But he wondered if he would be more or less likely to follow the rules now? They were laid down by his people for a reason obviously, and he had fled their non-interference lifestyle long ago. But even in his most rebellious days he never touched a fixed point in time. What was the point in having fun if the universe was collapsing about you?

There really was only one way to find out.

Before he could stop it, his mind played it all out as if his people were still alive. As soon as he stopped the motorcade and warned the secret service what was about to happen, his people would arrive after detecting the disruption in time. He’d be seized and forced to watch as time was put back in place, the chaos spreading around them as if they weren’t even there. Then he’d be brought to trial for crimes against time. The Doctor winced as he remembered the last time he was on trial. It wasn’t even his fault then but he had taken it as a personal offense. He was angry and brash as he danced about the courtroom trying to prove his innocence. Until he realized how much worse it actually was. Until everything stacked against him was threatening to come crashing down -

“Hey mister, you alright?” A child tugged at his coat. He opened his eyes, not remembering having closed them. His cheeks were wet. Probably what caught the child’s attention. He didn’t bother responding. To speak out loud would reveal his very non-American accent. Instead he slowly shook his head, wiping his cheeks to try to hide the fact that he had be crying.

The roar of the motorcycles leading the procession drew everyone’s attention down the street. With each passing car, the tickle in the back of his mind grew stronger. It became a loud buzzing that was too annoying to ignore. If he were to make this trip worthwhile and intervene now would be the moment. All he had to do was weave his way through the crowd onto the street and get an agent’s attention. He knew where Oswald was hiding. It was a shame they didn’t.

The last car with the star attraction drove by and the crowd grew wild. John Kennedy just had a way with people that he could easily charm them, even in states inhospitable to progress. It was all in the smile. Even from his position several people deep, the Time Lord could still see the President’s  white teeth.

Once the presidential motorcade had passed, the connection between him and the moment broke. The buzzing in the back of his mind suddenly grew very quiet. He barely could feel it if he didn’t strain himself. Time around him began to slow down. The crowd surrounding him all turned in unison to face the retreating car.

He knew it was time to go. He pulled the collar of his coat straight up and trudged towards the TARDIS. Eyes cast down to avoid eye contact with anyone. No need to draw attention to himself now.

A shot rang out across the plaza as he put his key into the lock on the TARDIS door. The echos bouncing off the buildings made the shot sound more like thunder than anything else. For a small moment everyone was silent, and then panic broke out as the crowd scattered. Time sped up again as their screams reached him.

Once inside, he moved with long strides up the ramp to the console. He pushed a few buttons to make the time rotor spring to life. He needed to get away as quickly as possible, didn’t matter exactly where, so he set the coordinates for earth orbit. With a loud whoosh they were off, disappearing from the alleyway just as the panicked crowds reached it.

He shouldn’t have been surprised at how many emotions that single point in time stirred up for him. He had to admit that he was proud he managed to resist the temptation to change history. Now it would be up to him to keep time and history in check. But he was more sad and angry than anything else. He didn’t ask for this job.