Chapter Four

After they were finished with their picnic, they took everything back to the TARDIS and Alison changed back into her nightgown, slippers and jacket while the Doctor put everything away. While he was doing that, he grabbed two perception filters from his lab since he wanted to take Alison back into her house and make sure she was tucked in and safe before he left. By the time he was done, Alison was back in the console room, sitting on the jump seat.

"Is there anywhere else you wanna go?" the Doctor asked.

"Not really, I'm kinda tired now," Alison said, rubbing her eye.

The Doctor gave her a sympathetic look and nodded as he kissed her cheek.

"Then I'll take you back home and you can get some sleep," he said to her as he programmed in the coordinates.

"Thank you for taking me."

"Thank you for coming."

"What are you gonna do now?" Alison asked as she swung her legs back and forth.

"Dunno. I usually just go to random places but…"

"But what?"

"Well, you know that Ood, the one who predicted my death. He's calling to me to come to him," the Doctor said as he paused at his controls.

"How come?"

"He wants to see me and I'm scared to go because I know it's something to do with my death."

"Doctor, are you coming inside with me when we get back home?"

"I'd like to. I have these…magic keys that'll make us invisible."

Alison's eyes widened.

"Really?" she said.

"Yes, but we have to be very quiet because if we talk loudly, Julie will be able to see us."

"Okay. I'm glad you're coming inside with me because I have something I wanna give you that'll help you not be so scared anymore."

The Doctor wondered what it could be as he finished starting up the TARDIS and took it into the vortex.

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The Doctor slowly opened the front door and peered into the darkened kitchen.

"Okay, follow me and remember, be quiet or Julie'll see us," he whispered to Alison.

"Okay," Alison whispered back.

Alison took the lead and led him to her bedroom. They noticed that Julie was still on the couch watching Lost as they snuck by her and went to Alison's room. Alison opened the door and the Doctor looked around at the cheerful little room with floral wallpaper and small pictures of animals, Spongebob, Scooby Doo and Strawberry Shortcake that had been taped to the walls. His hearts ached when he saw the ugly hospital bed where a pretty children's bed should be. Alison walked over to the bed, grabbed Lamb Lamb and held it out to the Doctor.

"This is Lamb Lamb. I want you to have her cause she helps me when I get scared and I think she'll help you too," she whispered.

"Oh, Alison, no, I couldn't," the Doctor said.

"No, I want you to have her cause you can look after her when I'm gone. Mommy said Lamb Lamb can't come to Heaven with me and she'll help you be brave like she helped me be brave. Please?"

This time the Doctor couldn't help the tear that fell down his cheek as he nodded and took the little white stuffed lamb from her. He smiled when he noticed it was worn in places and he could tell it had been loved and carried for many years. He held it close to him.

"I'll take good care of it for you," he whispered.

"Good cause I think you need a friend and Lamb Lamb's been a good friend," Alison replied.

As he put Lamb Lamb in his pocket, she got back into the bed and the Doctor helped tuck her in and put her books down at the foot of it. He poured her a glass of water and helped her drink it. Once she was finished, he took the perception filter off her neck.

"Better take back my magic key," he said. "Knowing you, you'd use it to get into all sorts of mischief."

She giggled and kissed his lips.

"Doctor, can I ask you a favor?" she whispered.

"What?" he whispered back.

"I know you don't like people dying but will you come back when I going to die and be with me so I can see you again?"

The Doctor swallowed hard at that but he knew that it would mean so much for Alison to have him there so he nodded.

"I promise I'll be with you on the day you go to Heaven," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Good. You be good in the meantime and go have some fun and don't let those Ood people push you around. You show those bossy bullies who's in charge!"

The Doctor giggled at that and nodded.

"I'll do that," he said, winking at her.

He kissed her cheek and put her nose against it.

"Goodnight, Doctor, I love you."

"I love you too, Alison. Get some sleep now. Pleasant dreams."

Alison let out a little yawn.

"Okay, see you later," she said, closing her eyes.

"You too, my little spit brother," he said, laying his hand on her head.

He kept it there for a few minutes, watching quietly until she drifted off to sleep. When he knew she was fast asleep, he gave her another gentle kiss on the cheek before he quietly made his way to the front door. Once he was outside, he used the sonic screwdriver to lock it and then walked back to his TARDIS. When he was inside, he walked over to his console and rubbed the rim.

"Old girl, I need your help," he said, trying not to let his voice crack. "I need your help so I can keep a promise to Alison. I need you to find out what day she dies and take me there so I can be with her."

(Twenty Four days later…)

The TARDIS powered down and the Doctor swallowed hard as he reached into his trouser pocket and fingered Lamb Lamb. He checked the date and noticed that even though it had been minutes for him it had been a little over three weeks for Alison. His hearts hurt and he again thought about how unfair it was that she had been given so little time to live when others more deserving of death lived on. Shaking that thought from his mind, he bolstered his courage while the TARDIS stroked his mind and gave him support. Then once he was sure he would be able to endure what was to come, he walked outside, put the perception filter back on and headed across the street to bid his friend goodbye.

Unlike the other day, the mood inside the house was somber the moment he snuck in. He could hear a female crying and he fought hard to keep his own tears from flowing as he made his way towards Alison's bedroom. He paused at the hallway and saw a woman, who he assumed was Alison's mother, crying while she sat on a sofa surrounded by other people and who he thought was her husband since he was holding her close and kissing her. He could see Julie sitting on a chair beside the TV quietly watching everything. She was the only one who was calm but he could still see the pain in her eyes. Forcing himself to turn, he made his way down the hallway to Alison's room. He opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when no one was inside except her. But his hearts lurched when he saw how deathly pale she was and heard her death rattle and he forced his feet to take him towards the bed where his friend lay dying. He sat down beside her and hoped he wouldn't wake her but the pressure on the bed made her eyes open and she stared up blearily at the Doctor. The Doctor's hearts warmed when a small, weak smile spread over her face.

"You came," she said in a whisper.

"I promised I would. I wouldn't let my spit brother down," he said, trying to keep calm.

"I missed you. I kept watching the alley over there for the TARDIS," she said in between rattling breaths. "But I knew you'd come today cause Nana told me I was gonna die."

The Doctor swallowed hard and nodded.

"I'll be here as long as it takes, I'm not going anywhere, Alison," he said. "But I have the magic key on so only you can see me, so don't give me away."

"Okay," she whispered.

The Doctor took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

"Want some water?" he whispered.

"A little."

The Doctor took the water glass and helped lift her head up. Alison managed a couple of sips before she thanked the Doctor. He sat it back down and took hold of her hand again, watching and keeping vigil as Alison closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep again.