A/N Yeah, don't expect this... I'm way to busy to do a chapter a day, sorry... But anyways, I'm pretty happy with this, and it's a little longer than the prologue. Sadly, these won't start getting longer until the next chapter because that's when the plot flies away! So... enjoy this, because I might update next week, or in 2 weeks. I'm not sure yet :) Band camp kind of keeps me away from the computer for the week (and if I see any "This one time at band camp" jokes in the reviews, I swear... 3)
He nodded; at least someone could understand. "It's the Silence. It's coming for me, for the universe. We thought that it was the Silents, the aliens controlling the humans, but, oh, it's so much bigger than that."
"And if it gets you, there's no hope for the rest of the universe. What you need—"
"—Is to drop off the radar, go into hiding, and the only way that's possible is—"
"—If you die." The finality of that statement hung in the air like an anvil ready to drop. "What do you need me to do?"
The Doctor opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. He repeated this a few more times, each time finding it more and more difficult to form words. They caught in his throat like they were stuck by peanut butter. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Normally, he could say whatever came to his mind, usually without thinking about what he was saying. Now, though, the words and their meaning were stuck. He got to the point where he couldn't open his mouth to even make a sound until he changed what he wanted to say. Eventually, the words that flew out of his mouth were, "can we discuss this in the TARDIS?"
His Ganger—who now preferred to be called David Baker—got up and led the Doctor out of the factory, across the moor, letting the Doctor take them into one of the TARDIS' many spare rooms. Walking to the chairs in the center of the room, he ran his hand across the amber colored walls. Knowing the TARDIS, they might actually have been made out of real amber. There was a small glass tea table in between the two chairs holding an ancient Chinese teapot and cups. The Doctor could almost pretend they were having the tea that filled those cups, talking about the next great adventure, like visiting the talking rain about halfway across the galaxy. David cleared his throat, breaking the Doctor out of his reverie.
"Um, oh, I forgot my fez in the factory… I should go get that…" The Doctor stood up, before receiving a disapproving glare from David.
"Doctor," he warned, "you'll have to tell me."
"I'll be one second," the Doctor begged.
David said nothing, only looked at him, countering the Doctor's puppy dog eyes with a look of disappointment.
"How about some tea, then," the Doctor suggested. Once again, David only looked at him.
The Doctor sighed and sat back down, slowly easing into the large maroon armchair, eyes older than ever before. "Ah, yes, right. Well, you see there's a girl," he started, wondering how much he sounded like a teenage boy, "and she's from my future… and my past—"
"River Song," coaxed David.
"Yes, her. And she's Amy's daughter, but there's something more… It's unclear at this point, but there are people who want to use River as a child because she's part Timelord. I have an idea, but it's a long-shot in the dark…"
"You mean you think they are the Silence?"
"Exactly. You know me so well!"
David smiled wryly and laughed. "Maybe a little too well, eh?"
"Difficult to say, Doctor."
"I told you, I go by David, now."
"Doesn't mean I'm going to stop calling you Doctor, Doctor."
David grumbled about the insensitivity of thousand-year-old Timelords for a few moments before growing serious again. "So," he began, "what do you intend to do to throw them off your trail that has to do with… Right, of course."
"So you see my dilemma." The Doctor sighed resignedly. There was no easy way to say something like this, he could only hope that David knew what he was thinking.
"Yes, you think this is the only way, but the entire principle disgusts you, goes against most of your moral cornerstones."
"Precisely, so I can't possibly—"
"I don't have that problem. I'll do it."
"But you, you're living, with your own life, friends—"
"I can take your place. I'll die, if only because the universe needs you."
A/N So... didja liiiiike it? Didja looooove it? Or did you hate, cause if you did, please be honest, but gentle. AND REVIEW! (Cause guess what, I only got ONE REVIEW last chapter, gosh darn you! Sorry to BlinkingAngel, by the way, because I edited this and reuploaded it, so her comment didn't show up on my new one, so technically two reviews... but STILL! Come on, authors thrive on feedback, you know that!) Ok, I'm done rambling, and in my defense, it's late, and I have to spend 7 hours at my high school for band camp tomorrow! Thanks, and see ya next chapter :)
