thetenspot: Ten Kisses
1. The baby in the cot raised her arms, gurgling happily, eager for attention. Sleepy eyed, and smelling of talcum powder, she could have been any baby in the world. There was no indication that she was a Time Lord. That she was special. Her mother, tears running in rivulets down her pale cheeks, kissed her beloved daughter on the forehead before disappearing out of the door and out of her life. Susan would remember, dimly, light perfume and a warm smile and a soft voice. She wouldn't remember the goodbye kiss.
2. "Very well," said her grandfather, exasperated, but caving quickly in the face of his granddaughter's wild enthusiasm. "We will be staying on Earth for a while. You may enroll in your school, my dear."
Susan threw her arms round his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
"Oh, thank you, grandfather!"
3. She'd only been at Coal Hill School for a few days. Although the pupils suspected she wasn't quite right, they had no idea how strange she was. They were still willing to accept her as one of their own.
He was tall and skinny, loud and vivacious, if not particularly handsome. He lent Susan a record by the Beatles and kissed her behind the science block before the bell rang to hurry the pupils to their first lessons. She felt so grown up.
After the lesson, she tried to kiss him again. But he'd heard her outburst about the decimal system and she remembered too late that she was supposed to be being normal.
4. She and Ping Cho cuddled together in their tent, sharing body heat and secrets in the cold darkness of the Himalayas. Susan was surprised when her new friend nuzzled even closer, so that their bodies were flush, but didn't protest. Perhaps friends were supposed to do things like that? Apart from Barbara and Ian, she'd never had one before, after all.
She was drifting off to sleep when Ping Cho tilted her head slightly, pressing warm lips against Susan's. Appropriate behaviour for a friend or not, the Time Lady did not protest.
5. "You do not need to keep apologising, my dear," her grandfather said, "I have accepted your apology. We've left the Sensorites far behind us."
"Oh, I know," said Susan earnestly, "But I want to make sure you know that I'd never leave you. You're my grandfather and I love you. I love travelling with you."
That last statement was a lie and they both knew it, but speaking it made them both feel a little better. He wrapped his arm around his Susan's waist and hugged her close, brushing his lips against her temple. For now, they were together. Who knew what tomorrow would bring?
6. "I really thought you were going to die, Barbara!" Susan wept, burying her face in the older woman's shoulder.
"But I didn't, Susan," Barbara soothed, stroking her hair, "That's all that matters."
Susan looked up at her friend and former teacher, who she loved like a mother, and nodded weakly. The horror they'd all felt when they thought when Barbara lay dying, the poisonous DN6 racing through her blood stream, couldn't be put into words.
Barbara knew this and, ever comforting, kissed her forehead to spare her from having to speak.
7. He was strong and handsome and brave, and Susan could hardly believe that he was sitting beside her. In the midst of all the death and destruction, somehow she'd found David. His arms were warm, but his lips were perfectly cool. She could see the firelight reflected in eyes, and though she would burn up along with it.
This wasn't her life. Her life could never contain such a truly perfect moment.
8. Her hearts were hammering in her chest as she looked up into David's eyes. His hands felt a little sweaty - nerves, she expected - but she was glad of such imperfections. She didn't want him to be infallible. It was enough that he was real.
"I now pronounce you man and wife."
He slipped the ring onto her finger and she threw her arms around his neck, kissing him hard before the priest had had a chance to give them permission.
Their wedding guests cheered, but she was too lost in his embrace to even notice.
9. "One day," she told Barbara, "My grandfather will come and visit us. He'll take us to see the stars. The three of us. We'll see the universe. Silver trees in orange skies, and twin suns, and more stars than you could ever visit in an entire lifetime. You'll see."
The baby gurgled happily and Susan laughed, kissing her daughter on the nose before laying her down to sleep. David, watching from the doorway, pulled her close the instant she left the room.
"I love you."
Susan smiled, looking up at the familiar face, and brushing a lock of hair from his eyes. "I know."
10. She kissed him goodbye while he slept, her silent tears drying on his cheeks. Goodbyes were never easy, but this was the worst she'd ever had to endure. She'd said goodbye to Gallifrey, and her Grandfather, and Barbara and Ian.
This time, however, Susan left her heart behind. She knew he'd continue to treasure it.
Word Count: 882