An Original Vampire's Guide to the Universe (Rewrite)

Voyage of the Damned

Then...

The Fifth Doctor's eyes softened, nodding to Tyra "Miss Tyra. Doctor. To days to come."

"All my love to long ago," Ten echoed, watching his former self vanish for good.

"Oh, Doctor," a floaty voice called out "Remember to put your shields up." Just as the Doctor went to press the button, there was the sound of a ship's horn and a big crash that threw both Tyra and the Doctor to the ground when a prow crashed into the console room. Tyra clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the pain to ebb away.

The Doctor gasped "What? What!"

Tyra turned her head and squinted up at him. She raised her eyebrow at the life belt "Weren't we in space?" she breathed, trying to get up with a grimace "How did we crash into the Titanic?"

"Hm? Oh, Ty... Are you okay?" He dropped the life belt, helping her to her feet "So you need some more painkillers? I think you're just about due another dose."

Tyra shrugged lightly "I think I'm alright but... I don't know."

"Have you eaten anything? Or fed?"

"No," she murmured "Not yet."

The Doctor grinned "Well, then. How about we go crash a party?"

Tyra smiled tiredly "I'd be happy to. Do you think it's a good idea though? I mean... Stuff usually happens and..." She broke off in the middle of making a comment about her scars but thought better of it "Never mind."

The Doctor tilted her head up "You can say what you think, alright? If you don't want to go then we're not going."

Tyra bit her lip. She knew that this could be important. The events they ended up in usually were, so she sighed internally and shoved the Doctor towards the door. She really didn't feel up for anything right now but she didn't want to deprive him either. She would just have to suck it up. How bad could it possibly get?

Now...

Outside the Tardis doors, there was a group of people in Edwardian dress who were enjoying a champagne buffet. Tyra instinctively recoiled from the noise, keeping to just behind the Doctor "Are you alright?" the Doctor questioned softly, holding his hand out for Tyra to take. He was hesitant to actually stay here but he had a bad feeling about this. The Tardis wouldn't have taken them here if there wasn't any problem. She loved Tyra and knew as well as he did that she wasn't ready for any adventures yet, so for them to be here... Something was bound to happen "You can stay in the Tardis if you think it's too soon."

Tyra shook her head "No," she murmured, her eyes darting around, hoping that no one would get too close or touch her. She knew it was a bad idea but she didn't want the Doctor to run around on his own. He would – without a doubt – get into even more trouble when left to his own devices.

"Come on," the Doctor whispered, inspecting their surroundings curiously and blinked when a small red-skinned alien hurried past them in a formal dinner jacket "Right..."

Tyra flinched when the tannoy came on "Attention all passengers. The Titanic is now in orbit above Sol Three, also known as Earth. Population, Human. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Christmas."

The Doctor looked down at himself and grimaced "I think we should change. Or rather... I'm going to change."

Tyra glanced down at the leggings and the shirt she was wearing and tugged at the sleeves. She knew that she should change as well but... She really didn't feel like even trying. The people here seemed to be the typical upper-class, rich people. They would hone-in on every single weakness you showed and would exploit it to get what they want. At least, that's what she assumed. She didn't speak up, though. She rarely did nowadays. Every time she tried to even open her mouth, Mikael's voice echoed through her head, reminding her that no one wanted to hear her speak. Over the past weeks, she had tried to get rid of the thoughts of him, only for him to pop up at the most inappropriate of times. Mikael had been thorough, making Tyra thoroughly self-conscious and scared to do the most mundane things. She wasn't totally sure whether she could do half the stuff she had done just a year ago. Walking, talking, looking at people... Just being around these people in here made her skin crawl with anxiety but for the Doctor, she would try. Tyra wanted nothing more than to just curl up somewhere in the Tardis but Niklaus had been right. She wouldn't be able to get better if she didn't at least try. If nothing else, she still had the determination to get better. Being with Damon and Jack a little while back had helped that a lot.