The bullet struck him in the chest before I could blink. Almost in slow motion I saw him falling, and then I was running, running to catch him, running to help him, it no longer mattering if he was wrong, if he was insane, he was my responsibility, and we needed each other. The last two Time Lords in existence. No, no, no... He had to be fine. I reached him, I cradled him in my arms, his limp form unnaturally heavy, like a corpse... No, no, no! He had to be alright! He had to be!
A sweat sheen was beginning to form on his forehead. He looked up at me with those dark beautiful eyes, life fast fading, and whispered my name. No, not Doctor, not the name I have chosen, but my real name. Few know it, even fewer can pronounce it. And then he winks at me. I am so shocked I have to bend over his face to listen to what he says next. "I'm coming back, Theta. Keep my signet ring."
Then the rest he says slightly louder. "Guess what..." He gasps out. "I win, Doctor. I win." One of his hearts is gone. The other flutters painfully faintly. "No. No, Master. Please. Regenerate, please!" I plead with him, but I know when I see a stubborn man. He closes his eyes. I touch my forehead to his. I love you. I whisper through the psychic link. I know you do. He says. Cocky bastard.
Then, as his last heart fails, I hear a faint: I love you, Theta. And only then do I allow myself to cry.