DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything

A/N: So sorry it's taken this long guys. I'm tying up all the loose ends to my fics so please bare with me. Your patience is appreciated.


Rory let his lips linger for a moment over The Doctor's lips. The only noises now were their own deep breaths, thrashing out from both their over-exerted lungs. The kiss had left his mouth with the bitter taste of blood, and there were tears starting to shine in his eyes. He was crying for the man that only a few hours ago he had hated with immense passion. His emotions began to splurge, oozing from his every pore, causing his mind to feel everything all at once in one swift explosion of thoughts.

One moment ago he'd been looking for The Doctor - then he'd been knocked out. When he'd first set out to find The Doctor he knew that he would find The Doctor in a terrible state. However nothing in the entire universe could have prepared him for what his eyes would lay on when he awoke from his unconsciousness. The man he had woken up to was no longer The Doctor - just his shell - his hollow and cracked shell.

" Doctor -" Rory knelt to The Doctor's height. He saw only a brief flicker of comprehension pass by on the Timelords features, but that soon trickled away from his ancient eyes, leaving nothing but a frightened sorrow, " I'm going to get you out of here - I promise. " Rory twisted his fingers through The Doctor's, " We always get out of these things." Rory tried to assure The Doctor. However it was hard to comfort someone when all you can feel is a wretched helplessness.

The corners of The Doctor's mouth twitched in a moment of gleeful nostalgia, " Those were the days."

Rory shook his head, " Don't say that. We will get out of this. The TARDIS - is er close by." Where exactly in accordance the TARDIS was to where he and The Doctor were was a complete mystery to Rory.

The Doctor's eyes widened like an animal caught in headlights, " Get out Rory - you have to get out of here." The alien pushed him away.

Rory grinded his teeth together, " There is no way in hell that I'm leaving you. " He was adamant that both he and The Doctor were going to get out of this place, wherever this place was, and would come out of this whole situation alive.

The Doctor screwed his eyes firmly shut, " They'll kill you if you don't leave."

" I'll take my chances." The young human male replied rapidly. He felt oddly protective over his friend. Yes, he decided, The Doctor was his friend, if not more that that tiny word described. Though his feelings were completely hazy and confusing, and only a few hours ago he had wanted to kill him with his bare hands, he felt more connected to the raggedy man than he had ever done.

" I'm old - maybe it's time - maybe this is how it should be for me. Not for you though Rory - go - the TARDIS will take you back to Leadworth. She'll know what to do." Rory's heart stopped beating for a moment. The memory of his life in Leadworth danced before his eyes like a fast fading dream. For a long while on the TARDIS he had always assumed that a life in Leadworth with Amy was what he'd wanted, what his heart and soul deeply desired. Now, in this life and death situation, in a place so far away from his home, with a man that was practically a danger magnet, he couldn't imagine ever going back to his dull and mundane life.

He felt guilty for thinking that because one of the reasons he had left Amy was because of their constant arguing about having kids, a thing that would have meant a settled life, and a boring nurse career, and probably only a few small sea side trips to occasionally escape from Leadworth. But for some reason all of that had changed. He felt a different man, a stronger man, someone who thrived on the lifestyle The Doctor led, someone who wasn't going to give up quite so easily.

"No." He replied firmly, "Not without you. I've come too far to turn my back on you. " Rory was amazed by how withered his own voice sounded, strained with so many emotions, and crumbling in defeat. The nurses hands went to The Doctor's restraints, "Don't fight it Doctor. Save your strength." There was no point in saying that as whatever fight that The Doctor had owned was now completely drained.

His nimble fingers got to work and before long Rory had released his friends arms from his restraints. As he moved to do the same to his feet Rory he looked into The Doctor's eye. As Rory gazed into The Doctor's eyes it was like looking on at an ocean after a storm : beautiful yet devastating.

"You look like you've given up." He stated softly, voice full to the brim with sorrow.

"Maybe I have." The Doctor replied, "As I pointed out - maybe it's time I gave up. My time."

"I don't believe that for a moment." Rory said in determination, pulling The Doctor's restraints from his feet, "I won't believe those words - no matter what you say to convince me. Please try and let me save you. Do this for me."

" Why is it so important to you for you to save me?" The Doctor's question clung to Rory's ears tightly.

The question clung tighter and swirled round Rory's mind like a thick poison for what seemed like an eternity, "Because - sometimes I think even you need saving - and because you saved me."

"There's still time. You can still head back to Leadworth - back to safety." The Doctor was struggling with his words, sounding more and more like a confused child rather than the cosmic know it all that had defeated whole races.

Rory shook his head, placing his arm under The Doctor's body, "I don't want to go back." The younger man lifted the beaten down version of The Doctor up, supporting his lower back and taking on board a large majority of his weight.

" Why?" The Doctor gasped, his lungs refusing to take on board enough oxygen.

" Amy. You love Amy. " The Doctor's words were lost to Rory as he put all his focus into getting himself and The Doctor out. Something that was probably easier said than done, " Don't you?" The Doctor pressed.

"Of course I do." Rory said, only half listening. He wanted to avoid this subject of home for as long as possible. His brow was creased as he began plotting out an escape.

"Then go back to her."

"I can't do that."

"Why?"

"I love Amy but I think I'm in love with someone else."

"Who?"

Rory didn't justify that question with an answer.


Please leave a review. Feedback is always appreciated x