Pick A Star, Any Star

Summary – Reinette's thoughts after the Doctor leaves at the end of 'Girl in the Fireplace', and what she thought when she wrote that letter.

A/N – Ok, I'm going to make a series of these. They will all be stories about characters' hidden thoughts through various episodes. It will be the 'Thoughts between the lines' series. Hope you enjoy this one too!

"Pick a star, any star."

My heart soared when the Doctor said those words. I rushed to the window, looking out at the clear night sky beyond. I had seen in his mind that there was so much more to life than what I knew, and I would love the chance to see more of it.

Returning to my rooms, I did as he said and packed a small suitcase with clothes. While I didn't know what I would find on other worlds, I tried to pack sensibly. They were nothing like the strange clothes I had seen the Doctor's friends wearing, but I would be able to move around in them easily if needed.

I must have sat for hours, waiting, watching the flames slowly go out in the fireplace. I did not doubt my Doctor. He had never lied to me, and I had seen the truth in his eyes when he said that I should wait two minutes for him. He had told me more than once that the fireplace link to his world didn't always work well, a loose connection. I was sure that he would try to come back if he could. Something must have gone wrong.

Over the next few days and weeks, it became less and less likely that he would return. My bag was still packed, ready to go. I would wait for him.

I think everyone in Versailles noticed that I was different. That part of me, the part that loved the Doctor and would wait forever for him to return, was sad, lonely, even lost. However, I still went about my duties as I did before. I was with the King when he asked. I enjoyed my life and everything in it. Yet my Lonely Angel was still there, living in my hopes and dreams.

Eventually I began to forget him. I would always remember how he acted and everything he had done for me. My feelings would always be there. But his face and his voice, they only existed in my dreams.

Even years later, I always remembered what I had learned from the Doctor. If ever there was someone I didn't recognise in Court, or if anything unusual happened, I would look to the nearest clock to check to see if it was broken. He had told me that the robots were all gone now and would not be returning, but it made me feel safer to check. It made me feel closer to him.

My dear Doctor,

The path has never seemed more slow and yet I fear I am nearing its end.

Reason tells me that you and I are unlikely to meet again, but I think I shall not listen to reason. I have seen the world inside your head and know that all things are possible.

Hurry though my love. My days grow shorter now, and I am so very weak.

Godspeed, my Lonely Angel.

It was only after I became ill that I wrote my letter to him. I knew I was getting weaker, and that I probably wouldn't survive, but there were still things that I needed to tell him. Even when I was confined to bed, and the days grew shorter and darker, the vague hope that I would see him again, that I shouldn't listen to reason, kept me going.

I asked the King to give him the letter should he ever see the Doctor after I was gone. It is my greatest hope that he does receive it someday. That he understands how much I love him, and that my heart would wait eternity.

Goodbye, my Lonely Angel.

There, I've written another one. I do have a list of possible ideas to write, and maybe one day I'll get round to writing them.

Again, let me know what you thought, and if you have any ideas for others, I'd like to hear them.