"Doctor!" Ellie came running into The Doctor's room and stopped by the doorway, out of breath. The Doctor turned his head around from where he was sitting and put down the carefully freshly painted toy.
"Ay ay, Cybermen again?" The Doctor asked, getting up. It was an effort now, his ankle giving him some jip. He exhaled when he had managed to finally stand up, clutching onto his walking stick. He looked up to Ellie and realised for the first time that tears were pouring out of her eyes. He knew what was happening. He felt a lump rising in his throat and he looked down to the ground.
"How long?" The Doctor choked out, wobbling on one foot. He felt extremely uncomfortable being so old. Every joint ached and no matter how he moved, everything hurt. He was tired now but he needed to protect Christmas.
"Minutes. He asked for you," Ellie explained and The Doctor limped towards her. He wrapped his arms around her comfortingly and rested his hand on the base of her neck.
"Okay, Ellie. Okay," he gave her a watery smile and gently kissed her on the forehead. Ellie smiled weakly and then walked out. He followed her frustratingly slowly. He felt like a young man trapped in an old person's body. He would give anything to run away from a monster or show Clara how clever he was. Oh, how he missed his Impossible Girl. He missed the Universe. The endless surprises it could throw at him. Still, he made his bed. He was now lying in it. He approached an old house with lights draped around the outside. Ellie knocked on the door and Samuel opened the door, his eyes watering.
"Dad's upstairs," Samuel explained and The Doctor nodded. Samuel held his daughter, Ellie, as she cried into his shoulder. He slowly made his way up, step by step. It annoyed him. Why couldn't he move faster? He wanted to yell and scream…but not right now. The Doctor walked into the room, seeing the lump in the bed move. The Doctor moved over to him and pulled up a chair.
"Hello Doctor," the old man wheezed and then coughed.
"Hello mate," The Doctor sighed, wiping a few escaped tears away. He reached over and placed his hand on top of the old man's.
"I'm going to die," he sighed, closing his eyes in exhaustion.
"You don't have to," The Doctor said, his voice breaking.
"I do, Doctor. You know that more than anyone. I'm okay with that. Promise me one thing, though," The old man said, life slowly escaping him. It was an effort now, but he didn't mind.
"What?" The Doctor asked, tears flooding out of his eyes.
"Count me as a victory," he sighed and then closed his eyes, life draining out of him. The Doctor let out an audible sob and then leaned over and pressed a kiss to the old man's forehead.
"I will, Barnable. I promise," The Doctor said, stroking his cheek. He exhaled and got up with effort, turning to leave. When the Doctor stayed in Christmas, people around him appeared and disappeared. He outlived everyone. From that day on, The Doctor never left his chair. He felt centuries turn but he still believed that Barnable was going to visit him. He only stopped believing when he asked for Barnable one last time, and a small voice replied "Clara,"
Thanks for reading and please leave a review, it makes my day! I just read this to my sister, and she got a bit confused. Just to clarify, Ellie is Barnable's granddaughter and Samuel is his son.
Please Review!