Disclaimer: The Doctor Who ideas, main characters, and places all mentioned in the BBC show do not belong to me. They belong to BBC. The only things that belong to me are the new characters and the story line. Enjoy.

Doctor Who: Magus's Mirrors

Epilogue: Happily Ever After

"Well," the Doctor exclaimed from the door of the TARDIS, looking out over the strange planet they had just saved. "That could have been worse."

"How could it have been worse?" Emily asked with a small incredulous laugh. "We get stuck inside of a fairy tale and we begin to think it's real. I don't know about you, but I don't think I could have lasted another day doing chores for those bloody step sisters. Luckily it began half way through the story. Am I right?"

The Doctor gave her no response; he simply looked out over the once desolate town, now swarming with inhabitants going about their daily lives as though nothing had happened within the past few hours.

Emily noted the uncomfortable silence and changed the subject. "I wish I could have said a better good-bye to D-Tri though." She remembered the small wave they had shared before he ran off inside his house with his mother.

"Sometimes it's better not to get too attached," the Doctor commented, staring at his shoes.

Emily watched him closely. "You knew her, didn't you?" she asked. "The girl who was Briar Rose in the story."

The Doctor stayed silent, choosing not to answer. Emily didn't change the subject this time.

"Doctor," she started. "I have half a mind to ask you to take me home right now. But I don't want to go. When I was in that fairytale, there were short times I was beginning to feel like I belonged there. People were there, that I recognized from home." She kept her eyes on the Doctor with a long and serious stare.

"That world was meant to be perfect for you," he replied, finally looking at her. Emily couldn't ignore the sadness in his eyes. "The world was made to be perfect for you. All fairytales end in 'happily ever after' don't they? The whole situation wasn't trying to harm its inhabitants. It was trying to make things better for them."

Emily thought this over long and hard. She didn't quite know what to say to his response. As much as she like the stories, she knew she couldn't actually live in them. She also dare not tell the Doctor about everything that had happened in her world. It wasn't the sight of him as the prince that made her want to stay, after all. It was the sight of him as the prince that made her determined to continue looking for a way out.

"So?" he asked, watching her closely.

"So what?" Emily replied, quite confused.

"Do you want to go home?" He hastily added, "I mean, it's your choice. I'd like for you to stay. I enjoy your company. But if you want to go home, I wouldn't hold it against you."

Emily watched him closely a small smile coming to her face. "As much as I would like to stay," she replied, "I miss my home. I had a lot of time to think while I was trapped in the morror. My family and friends miss me, they need me."

The Doctor watched Emily, and she could see a sadness in his eyes, but I couldn't afford to cost him more time when the universe needed him.

"I couldn't have freed all those people without you," the Doctor said quietly, gazing deep into Emily's eyes. She knew it was his way of thanking her.

"I'll miss you Doctor," she replied. He gave her a nod before making a small motion for her to get into the TARDIS. Emily hesitated, only for a fraction of a second, wondering if she was doing the right thing before following him in.

He closed the TARDIS doors behind them. After a few seconds, the strange blue police box disappeared from view as it flew, once again, into the depths of time and space.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. Again, sorry about the delay in the middle of the story.

So we come to an end of Magus's Mirrors. For now, there won't be a third part, but that is subject to change depending on how many readers and reviews the story recieves. If there is a sequel, however, it won't be written until after the New Year starts. Thanks again for reading!