(Amy's Choice, Part 1 of 2)

Darkness. Darkness. Dar—wait, birds chirping?

David's eyes fluttered rapidly as he began taking in his situation. He was lying face down on a cool, possibly marble-like, floor and from the sound of it—completely alone. So Rory had been taken elsewhere, maybe to a different place entirely if this was the episode David was thinking of at the moment. He used his hands to shift himself up and off the ground—still blinking furiously. 'This isn't…this isn't how the episode went. So where the hell am I?' David thought groggily, body swaying slightly as he peered around.

"Where the hell are you…indeed, David," a voice whispered through the dark.

David spun around in alarm, spying the short, balding man with a red bow tie. His eyes sharpened immediately, body tensing in alert.

"Hello, David. I'm the Dream Lord," the man said smugly.

"Mmph, nope. Definitely not 'lord of my dreams', and if that's the case—I want my money back. Not at all what I was expecting," David said with nervous sarcasm, face crinkling slightly as the Dream Lord came closer.

"Always with the jokes. Maybe to hide the self-hatred?" the Dream Lord simpered mockingly as he looped his hands behind his back, "Such a bitter and angry man you are, David."

"Oh god, admit it. You're one of those people that other people never invite to parties—aren't you?" David muttered, backing up slightly. His hand bumped the wall hard.

"Ooh, careful now, David. Wouldn't want you to get hurt here," the Dream Lord said with an ominous grin, "You do know where here is right?"

David shot him a glare and looked to the wall his hand had bumped against…oh…not a wall. It was a…bookshelf. 'Oh my god,' David thought as his eyes widened in fear.

"This is…The Library," David replied, voice barely breaking a whisper as his eyes darted towards the nearest shadow.

"Yes. You know this place well. But then again, you seem to know an awful lot about this universe," the Dream Lord chuckled, tilting his head slightly, "A Stranger amongst the strands of time—in a universe that notices when things DON'T belong."

"Sorry. Is this all you're good for? Making people dream vivid dreams and then yak their ears off?" David bit out, mind still racing, "Because wow—not impressed at all."

"Careful, David. I made this just for you. While the others will wake up from time to time in the alternate places I've put them—you won't," the Dream Lord fired back, slowly moving backwards towards the dark, "Unless, of course, you figure out the truth lurking in this place."

And with that, the Dream Lord was gone—melting into the shadows wearing nothing but a sinister grin.

"That's it? Seriously? I've had FORTUNE COOKIES with more information in them!" David shouted into the emptiness, hands raking his hands through his hair in frustration.

That's when he noticed it, or rather, heard it. The sound of lights plinking out in the distance. 'Oh…damn,' David mentally gasped as he turned heel and ran away from the fast approaching darkness—no doubt saturated with Vashta Nerada. Using his newfound speed, David ran past long bookcases and made several turns before things started looking familiar. Internally he grimaced as his sharp eyes caught movement ahead. It was an ornate wooden door beginning to close. 'No, no, no, they're sealing the doors—WAIT!' David thought wildly as he closed the gap quickly—bursting through the door and hurtling himself into the moonlight.

The man who had been closing it paused, his mouth hanging slightly open and eyes darting to the back of the room in confusion. David's chest heaved as he snapped his fingers loudly and pointed to the door with urgency. The man shook his head quickly—dispelling the confusion—and finished sealing the door. David would have breathed a sigh of relief but a sudden commotion caught his attention. It sounded like a thousand hurried, confused, and intrigued whispers. But it wasn't coming from a thousand people—just a small group. David knew where he was…and especially the episode. He straightened slightly, breath now stonily even, and twisted around to face the room occupants. It was an expedition team along with River Song, Donna Noble, and…him.

The tenth doctor.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

AN: It's short for a reason, but primarily because the second part is so huge. I don't think I can appropriately deliver an apology worthy of forgiveness (regarding the lateness)—so I'll do this. I'll make a promise.

No matter how long it seems (and if you're willing bear with me) know this: I will not abandon this story. It's in the home stretch and I'll be damned if I turn into a phantom author (a.k.a. someone who posts and then completely disappears, never to return).

General FYI: This episode has been sitting in my skull for a long time. I hope everyone likes it (and it's not confusing—if it is, let me know after part 2, I'm happy to explain further). Ah, and just an FYI, this is a dream, so a certain character won't have seen David before, etc.

So, shortness aside…I hope you like this bit...