This is really for me, my way of quickly accepting the 12th Doctor as the Doctor.

It's not meant to fit into canon by any means. The companion for this fanfic is the only regular companion the Doctor has had since his 9th form. Just for the sake of this story, we especially have to ignore Rose and River (both of whom I adore).

The title comes from the phone call in the story, obviously, but it's also inspired by Regina Spektor's "The Call."

I met the Doctor. I travelled with the Doctor. I began to fall in love with the Doctor; I certainly felt something for him. Then he died saving me... after I saved him. He changed. I had to get used to it, but I continued travelling with him. My love for him had changed; he was my best friend. I promised to spend eternity travelling and saving the universe with him. Eventually, he died and changed again. He became even more youthful than before. It took longer to get used to the new him, but I managed because it was worth it. So many adventures; so many lives saved. With and without me. He aged a couple of centuries.

One night, I was terribly sick with a head cold. He told me there wasn't a cure, so I made him stay with me for my comfort. Just friends. And then later, he kissed me. A good firm kiss. I stared as we parted. He said that he did have a cure and had just administered it. OK, sure. So I ignored it.

A few months later, he surprised me with a question. Would I marry him? I'd already travelled with him for so long; I'd already promised to spend my life with him. He was my best friend, my favourite person in the whole of creation. Of course I'd marry him.

I understood the risks. We faced villains every day. We risked our lives every day to save those of others. I treasured every moment I had with the Doctor, knowing it could possibly be the last. Though it was less than an hour for me, several centuries passed for him. He aged so much. He dreaded the end, knowing it was his last. I was heart-rended for him. And for me, of course. My husband was near his final end. Then, the Time Lords intervened and gave him another life. Neither of us was really prepared for it; especially me.

He looked so much older, now. So different. Still far younger than 2,000, but older than before. It was hard to cope. It was so hard for me that it never even occurred to me that it was hard for him. Not until about thirty-four hours later, when I received a phone call from him; his younger self, that is. I didn't think I'd ever hear that voice again. He told me to not be afraid, and that the old man in the blue box was more afraid than I could imagine. He said that after he changed he'd need me more than ever. I looked at his old face as his young voice continued to speak. The connection I needed was being formed. The phone call ended, and I made my way toward the Doctor. I stared right into his eyes as I approached, trying to complete the connection.

"You look at me and you can't see me," he said. "Do you have any idea what that's like? I'm not on the phone; I'm right here. Standing in front of you. Please just... just see me."

God, he needed me. And I needed him. That was all I needed to hear. I planted on him a longing kiss. He felt so different, but it was him. And it was the most romantic kiss we'd ever shared. We reluctantly ended the kiss, still holding onto each other. My eyes remained closed as I pressed my face to his chest.

"Thank you," I finally said.

"For what?" he asked.

"Phoning."

After a good while, I finally lifted my head and looked into his eyes.

"It's been a very long day," I said with a smile. "Do you want to call it a night?"

He smiled widely.

"I'm all yours."