''Romana, are you asleep?''
''Yes, Doctor.''
''But you're talking to me now.''
''Multitasking, Doctor.''
''Well... I'm back...'' She hears weariness in his voice. His need for contact. Physical and emotional. His need for her.
''Oh, get into bed.''
It isn't a bed. But she practically hears his relieved smile, along with the sound of him undressing.
She feels his lips between her scapulae. His hand caressing her skin under her nightgown.
''Doctor...''
''No, it's not like that. I'm... I'm just making sure you're real.''
It is a statement that carries more weight than it has ever done. For it is not just symbolic or psychological.
She sits up, pulling the gown over hear head. Then, with nothing between them, they snuggle up together, flesh against flesh.
His touch relaxes her a little, she feels some of her tension pour into him. And some of his into her. They are sharing this burden.
''Everything is ready for tomorrow.''
''Good.'' She keeps her voice steady, soothing, because the last thing he needs is to feel her own anxiety. Everyone is afraid of Rassilon. Even the Doctor.
''We'll have to go underground. Literally. They mean business.''
They meet on the hard cot as equals, huddling their naked bodies close together for warmth and comfort. Their embrace is one of long-time lovers, who knew each other's bodies well and trust each to leave flesh and mind in the hands of each other.
She lies awake for a while, after he has fallen asleep, enjoying the weight of his head on her breast, playing with the curls on the back of his neck. Actual lovemaking has become more and more of a rarity, but these moments are somehow more intimate than intercourse. The moments where they desperately reach out to make sure that the other is sill solid. Because both of them may disappear from existence at any moment and, depending on what Time wants, there is no guarantee that they will remember each other.
She hesitates before asking him. ''Susan?''
''I found one of her. I think it was my Susan, but it's hard to tell these days.''
''You know her. It must have been her.''
''Yes, I think so. She had to leave quickly. Some Ancient was keeping an eye on her and would have used her for their own benefit if we didn't separate quickly.''
''You'll find each other. You found me. The actual me.''
He nuzzles into her. Breathes in her particular scent that tells him that she's truly his Romana and not a Romana from another universe.
''Rassilon knows what we're up to by now. He knew when he deposed me.''
Surely, they're comitting suicide. But then again, so is everyone, these days.
They are quiet for a while. Running their hands over each other's bodies.
''I should never have brought Leela here," he says. ''No matter how clever she is, nothing could have prepared her for this.''
''Doctor, if anyone had ever told the inhabitants of a level seven civilization that the only thing standing between them and being erased from existence were two naked people from the most advanced civilization in the known Universe sharing body heat under a blanket in a cave, what would they think?''
''That depends. I suppose there are stranger religions out there.''
They kiss, hold each other tighter and await the dawn.