first_in_time | Zagreus Sits Inside Your Head (for Splendid

Barbara looked out at the view as Ian put the last of their things in the car. From the front door of the little Bed and Breakfast, she could see beautiful rolling hills for miles. The last of the morning was being chased away as the sun rose higher in the sky, thawing everything out. Even the cows seemed more active on one particular hill.

"I wish we could stay for a little longer," she sighed to Ian, turning her back on it all so that it might be easier to leave. Her arms folded, one hand still held on to the key they were yet to return. "I don't suppose your car has a secret time traveling device so we can spend an extra few weeks here?"

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From:

first_in_time

"We'll find out eventually I suppose," she replied, "particularly if we listen to the radio; they often give updates on the time, date and weather."

Barbara put out her hand out for help from the ground and dusted off the back of her dress. With any luck, they'd have come back just before they left, unlike when they got home from the TARDIS.

From:

splendid_roman

As Ian helped Barbara up he considered that he was as probably as dusty and dishevelled as she was. "We'll put the radio on," he promised. "And stop at the next services."

He was glad he'd put everything away and locked the car before he'd gone off into the forest in search of Barbara. It at least meant no one had stolen the car while they'd been gone.

Everything continued to stay normal while he unlocked the car, got in, started it up and turned the radio on. He was half expecting the car to turn into a carriage pulled by pigs or something like that.

From:

first_in_time

She remained on high alert until Ian had pulled away and began down the road but nothing happened. No burst of light, no music, no mice soldiers or anything out of the ordinary. Her hand found Ian's leg once she was sure that nothing was going to happen.

"I think you might be right," she said at last, "I think we might be back."

From:

splendid_roman

"And not long after we left, either." The radio had given today's date and the time was only an hour later than his watch said it was. And they had been in Wonderland a while.

"I wish I knew what it had all been about."

From:

first_in_time

"Me, too but I don't think we ever will," she replied and squeezed his leg gently. "So long as it doesn't happen again."

From:

splendid_roman

"I hope not." He sighed. "I thought we'd left all that sort of thing behind us when we left the Doctor."

From:

first_in_time

"But if we're definitely out, we can always hope that we never have to face anything like it again," Barbara said to him, "and on the bright side: no Daleks."

From:

splendid_roman

He smiled. "No Daleks is always a good thing."

Having reached the services, he pulled off the road and parked the car. "I wouldn't mind a cup of tea while we're here." It would make a nice change from everything they'd just been through to stop and relax for a bit.

From:

first_in_time

She smiled at him. "That sounds lovely."

Before Ian could get out of the car, Barbara pulled him back toward her for a lengthy, enjoyable kiss. They hadn't quite finished their honeymoon yet, even if they'd had a detour to somewhere rather unusual.

From:

splendid_roman

He put a hand on her cheek and smiled when they parted. "Are you sure we have to go home?" More time spent with just him and Barbara sounded far more appealing.

From:

first_in_time

"I'm positive," she said quietly and placed a hand at either side of his face to keep him close to her so that she might sneak in a few extra kisses before they got out of the car. "And besides, our families are probably wondering just where we've gotten to. If any of them have tried to contact us in the last week."

From:

splendid_roman

He sighed. "I suppose we should let them know not to buy any more wedding outfits." He got another kiss in before reluctantly letting Barbara go and getting out of the car. Although he took her hand to walk from the car park to the services.

From:

first_in_time

"I'll find us a table," Barbara said once they were inside and squeezed his hand before letting it go to sit at a table in a corner by the window.

She watched the cars drive by while waiting for Ian to fetch their tea and maybe something sweet to share, and thought on all that had happened. Could they have really visited the TARDIS? If so, how did the TARDIS manage to re-enact an old story? Barbara guessed that she'd never find out the answers to those questions.

From:

splendid_roman

Ian returned not long after with some tea and a slice of cake. It was bigger than he really wanted, so he'd picked up two forks as well.

"What should we say to our parents?" he said, as he poured the tea from the pot. "I suppose we can't just turn up and say 'by the way we got married'."

From:

first_in_time

"We should probably sit then down and tell them that we love them very much," Barbara began but wasn't sure where to go after that. "Perhaps telling them outright might not irritate them as much than if we dance around the point." Unfortunately, Barbara knew she'd do that regardless. "Would you like that pleasure of breaking the news? I'll hold your hand for support."

From:

splendid_roman

He nodded. "They might notice the rings, so perhaps we should just tell them." There wasn't really any other way to put it and it wasn't as if it was bad news they needed to break gently.

"I'll tell my parents, you can tell your mother." He didn't really want to be there at all when Barbara told Joan, but he was sure it wouldn't go well, but he had married Barbara, so he would have to put up with Joan for a long time yet.

A forkful of cake and a sip of tea made him feel better though.

From:

first_in_time

"Yes, I think it might be better if I handled my mother." Although Barbara wanted nothing more than a happy family, she knew that Joan would probably attempt to strangle Ian on the spot if he said anything. Barbara picked up her tea and cradled it with both of her hands. "I might be able to warm her to the idea. If I can't, I'm sure she'll forgive us in time."

From:

splendid_roman

"There's not much she can do about it. She'll either have to like it or lump it." He had a feeling it might be the latter though. "It's only a wedding, it's not that important really." He sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

From:

first_in_time

Barbara sipped from her tea again. Ian had a point but it was an interesting way to put it.

"I certainly hope she doesn't 'lump it'. I hope the same for your parents, too."

From:

splendid_roman

"I'm not sure how much my mother will like it. She was looking forward to the wedding." And for some reason seemed to think he would be interested in hearing what parts of her outfit she'd bought.

He cut some thin slices off the cake, hoping his mother wouldn't be too upset. "Maybe we should make sure not to stay long and give them time to get used to it."

From:

first_in_time

Barbara couldn't say that her mother was looking forward to the wedding as much as Ian's. There was a part of her, Barbara could tell, that wanted to see Barbara wed and settled down but another part of Joan wished that it wasn't Ian. So Barbara ate a piece of the cake instead of saying much.

"We could meet in a public place?" she offered after a moment. "It may keep some of their explosions to a minimum."

From:

splendid_roman

"That might be a good idea." He didn't think any of them would want to make a scene in public, no matter what their feelings were.

"But that's for tomorrow," he said, trying to find a happier topic of conversation as he sipped his tea. "Let's enjoy being married and no one else knowing for another day." He smiled at Barbara.

From:

first_in_time

"It's still nice to have a plan," she reasoned and gave him a smile of her own, "but...I also quite like having this little secret." Her foot brushed against him under the table. "It's quite thrilling, don't you think?"

From:

splendid_roman

"It is a bit." He grinned and reached for her left hand so he could brush his thumb over her wedding ring. "Maybe when I go back to school I won't tell them I got married in the holidays and see if anyone notices."

From:

first_in_time

"I hope they notice," she replied, watching his fingers on her ring. "I want every one to notice even though I'm enjoying our secret. I love you and every one should know."

Barbara twined their fingers together so that she could lift his hand and hold it against her lips.