That’s
because you’re a coward.
'No!
That’s because you’re a coward.'
The
ringing of the Cloister Bell was deafening.
This
isn’t real. This cannot be real. What have you done? What have
you...
'…done?
Nothing. I’ve done nothing. Except unlock the door you wanted to
open. Flung it wiide open. Welcome to my worst Nightmare.
Don’t you like the view?'
What?
No! Stop it! Stop it! We left Gallifrey burning!
'Oh
yes! Yes we did!'
We
left Romana burning.
'We
left them all burning!' the Doctor grated.
We
left them… left them… left them all burning. I — I — I saved
you. I saved you. I — Doctor, stop. You won’t go back there. You
can’t go back there! If it weren’t for me you would have burned
with them. I kept you running. I keep you running. I’ll never stop
running! I don’t want to go back there! This isn’t real. You
can’t fool me. You can’t fool yourself. You can’t!
'Who
said I was fooling?” the Doctor said, throwing wide open the
telepathic relays to remember… everything.
They
flew into the maw of the Nightmare Child.
No!No!NO!
'No,'
the Doctor whispered as he slid down against a bulkhead, covering his
head with trembling hands, rocking, rocking, rocking.
The Tardis burned,
inside and out, and so did he.
'Doctor?
Doctor? Where’ve you got off to now? Doctor!'
Donna’s voice boomed over the open com system.
D-Donna…
S-she’s… b-back.
'Yes,
she is!' the Doctor grinned, bounding from the Cloister Room, running
through long, empty corridors. He skidded to a stop in the primary
control room and threw his arms around his friend as she came through
the door. 'Donna!'
'Gah,'
Donna said, pushing him away. She looked him up and down critically.
'What a sight you are. Did you sleep at all?'
'No.'
'And
didn’t shower either. Blimey!'
I’m
still here, Doctor…
'No,'
the Doctor replied, stepping aside as she breezed into the Tardis,
tossing her hat onto the coat rack beside the door. She shoved a
grocery sack into his arms. Once more the scent of lavender filled
the air. 'I had a lot on my mind.'
Cheeky…
'Well
you missed Tea. Granddad brought in this gorgeous bottle of French
wine he‘s had put up since Christmas,' Donna said, rounding on him,
hugging herself. 'Shut the door then, it’s getting cold. Oh, that’s
right, you don’t notice.'
'Not
so much, no,' he said wearily, glad to see her. So very glad to see
her.
Cold,
Doctor. Remember the little boy, so cold; remember the burning, the…
'I
brought more of mum’s bread — and the lavender honey butter you
fancied. I should have brought the rest of Gramps’ bottle around
for you, too.' Donna turned and looked at him.
'Seriously.
Are you all right? Did… something happen after I left? What aren’t
you telling me?'
'I’m
fine Donna. Really.'
'Is
that Time Lord code again for terrible? Yeah. Thought as much… All
right,' she said slowly. 'Fancy tea, then?'
'I’d
love tea,' the Doctor told her, tired at last from silencing the
beast within. He looked into the sack. Lavender tea. Just the thing.
I
hate tea…
'Don’t
be getting ideas, though,' Donna said over her shoulder. 'I’ll not
be playing “mum” to you,
Spaceman.'
I’ll
be waiting for you Doctor. I’ll be waiting in your dreams.
'I
know,' he said softly. Why
do you think I never sleep?
written
by
MEG
MACDONALD
copyright
2013
artwork by
COLIN JOHN
copyright 2013
artwork by
COLIN JOHN
copyright 2013
also from the pen of Meg MacDonald...
