Prologue: The Promise
There was only one thing that she needed. In her final moments, Elisa Salt was in need of one man. He of course, was there, petting back her hair from her face.
"No..." he breathed. "You weren't supposed to die. I...I was going to save you."
Elisa looked up at her Doctor, and gave him a sad smile. "You...save yourself. I'm done for."
"No, don't say that. Never say that. I'll make it up to you. I'll save you. What-what can I do?"
"Nothing," Elisa growled out. She was sick of him trying to save everyone. He couldn't save everyone. It broke her heart to see him so upset.
"No. No. No. I can do something." The Doctor's voice rose, and his face scruntched angrily. "Tell me! What can I do?"
Elisa looked at her Doctor and closed her eyes. She dreaded saying it, for if she said it, it would become real. Too real. "Take care of my...daughter."
The Doctor's eyes widened, and he shook his head. "But you don't-Oh." His eyes softened. "Oh..."
Elisa's eyes grew wet as she thought of her daughter. "Don't count on the wicked, Doctor. Just...make sure she's not lonely." A tear fell from her eyes, and the Doctor quickly wiped it away, but once one fell, many followed after. The Doctor's eyes grew sadder as the life faded away from his sobbing friend.
The Doctor felt helpless. He couldn't heal her, and she was fading fast. He's failed her. "I'm so sorry," he whispered.
"Just...eh...promise. Promise me."
"I promise. Anything for you, my dear." He brushed her hair down with his shaky and clammy hands. With that, Elisa Salt died in the arms of her Doctor. And when she was gone, Doctor couldn't hold back the tears and regret.