SPACEMAN AND THE MOON ― doctor who

nine ; age of steel part two

chapter nine ; the age of steel

✰☾✰

LUNA RACED DOWN THE STREET, GRASPING THE DOCTOR'S HAND TIGHTLY as the Cyberman marched after them. Her heart thumped heavy in her chest and her knees felt week but the adrenalin pushed her further, and the Doctor's quick glance at her gave her another push. She fought the urge to stop and catch her breath, timing her breathing with each move further.

The Doctor pulled her behind a group of dumpsters and the others followed behind, Rose clutching Peter's hand as they all sat down. Luna found herself almost atop the Doctor's lap due to the confined space and would have otherwise made a joke, if she wasn't heaving for breath. He rubbed her back gently, whispering quietly in her ear. She could do this, she was doing great, take deep breaths.

Luna nodded after a moment, glancing at Rose's cold stare, before looking back at the Doctor. "Sorry," she mouthed. A smile settled on his lips and she shook his head, bringing her closer and kissing her head.

"Don't." He whispered quietly, looking up and taking out his sonic as he aimed it at the group of Cybermen. They turned swiftly and began marching off and Luna let out a deep breath of relief.

Slowly, the group stood and watched the Cyberman continue on their way, the Doctor grasping Luna's hand tightly. She leaned into his touch, berating herself for having sweaty hands. Stupid running.

"Go," the Doctor whispered and the group slowly left the dumpsters, moving back down the street.

✰☾✰

"I ran past the river. You should have seen it. The whole city's on the march. Hundreds of Cybermen all down the Thames," Jake told them as they regrouped.

Luna glanced behind him, a smile growing on her face when she spotted Mickey, but her heart fell a moment later. As selfish as it seemed -- she hoped it wasn't Ricky.

"Here he is! Which one are you?" Jake asked with a smile.

"I'm sorry. The Cybermen. He couldn't..."

"Are you Ricky?" Jake asked. "Are you Ricky?"

Luna's heart fell and she bit her lip, holding her breath for the answer. Please, she begged, don't be Ricky.

"Mickey, that's you isn't it?" Rose asked carefully.

"Yeah." He answered heavily, shoulders falling. Luna heard a gasp behind her and turned to see Leia had covered her mouth, tears falling down her cheeks. Rose rushed up to Mickey and pulled him into a hug.

Luna let go of the Doctor's hand and moved back to Leia, looking into her eyes and grabbing her hands. "You okay? He died for...he didn't die in vain."

Leia nodded, closing her eyes and pulling her hands back. "I'm fine, let's just end this shit already."

"Leia's right," The Doctor spoke up finally. "We can mourn him when London is safe, but now, we move on."

Luna moved back next to him, stealing glances at her parallel sister. She was so different from her Leia, so controlled and militant. She wondered if her parents went the same way -- if everything was the same between them. Luna glanced up at the Doctor, flooded with relief to see him already staring at her. As she stared into his eyes she knew she didn't need to know what happened in the other universe. It didn't matter. That wasn't her universe, this was.

Interlocking their fingers, the Doctor turned his head, and the group continued on, marching up a hill towards the Battersea Power Station.

"The whole of London's been sealed off, and the entire population's been taken inside that place," The Doctor nodded to the station. "To be converted."