A/N: So, long story short, my Muse Cici decided to run out on me. I searched forever but almost gave up on ever finding her again, until today she returned to me. Apparently she took a hiatus to Hawaii- how considerate to her, right? No worries, she will be duly disciplined. But nevermind that, I am pressing on. I am also slightly encouraged because I am traveling to London this Saturday and I am SO excited! The only other time I've been out of America is when I went to Canada with my English class.

Anywho, on with the show!

The Time Lord and The Dream Lord

By Trinaluv33

~Chapter 25~

The water surged and roared as it enveloped the white-washed hallway. The walls made small noises of stress but otherwise did not weaken. The ancient building didn't even quake as the water looped and swirled through its corridors. The water moved as if it had a mind of its own and it was just making its daily rounds. Doors opened and closed by their own accord.

River fought her way to the surface and spit out the salty water in her mouth. In desperation she latched onto a door hinge that was fortunately in reach.

"Doctor!" she called out. Glancing frantically both ways, she hoped to spot her Doctor somewhere in the vast sea of blue, but to no avail. Not even a red fez floating in the water.

"Doctor, can you hear me?" River closed her eyes, concentrating on not missing a single sound. However, the only noises that made themselves known was the surprisingly peaceful swooshing back and forth of the ice cold water and the creaks of the walls imprisoning it.

The Doctor bubbled to the surface, the world playing colors on his vision. He fought for leverage as a violent wave crashed down upon him, knocking the wind out of him. Water surged into his lungs, quickly making it impossible to breathe. The Doctor would have liked nothing more than to let the world go away for awhile, for the blackness to encompass him in its warm cocoon of nothingness. But he couldn't let that happen, for River's sake. She was out there, in that dark watery abyss, and she would need her Doctor to save her. So with that thought in mind he fought his way to the surface once again. A convenient light fixture in the wall made a perfect lifeline for the Time Lord to cling to.

Black spots filled his vision, but he shook his head to clear them, which really didn't help matters much. Glancing frantically this way and that, the Doctor called out for River until his voice grew hoarse. He had lost track of time as he clung to that lowly light, weariness slowly yet steadily setting down on him. He could feel himself drifting, getting lightheaded. Awareness was key in situations like this, but the Doctor just didn't have the strength at the moment.

Maybe after a little nap... If I just close my eyes for a moment...

The Doctor shook himself sharply awake. He hissed as the sudden movement jarred his broken arm. Hmm. Forgot about that. With the realization of that one pain, the other pains decided they wanted a spot in the limelight too. His leg started throbbing in tune to his head, and the gash on his left arm harshly stung. Oh yeah, and there was that knife wound to his right heart. That one hurt a bit. At least he hit the one that had a heart attack already. How considerate of him. The Doctor rolled his eyes. Not.

He groaned as a wave of nausea hit him. Oh yippee, a concussion too. As he shook off the dizziness that usually accompanied a concussion, he failed to notice the ominous black wave coarsing its way through the hallway towards a certain unaware Time Lord. Before he even could cry out, the wave crashed into him, sending him spinning underneath the abyss. A trap opened and sucked the water-and the soaken Doctor- into a dark shaft. The Doctor was too busy welcoming the darkness to notice the lack of water and the surplus of a hard floor cushuning his fall.

Rory made his way through the intricate hallways. In contrast to the old jail cell the Valeyard had first held them in, this building was high-tech, the glimmering black walls decorated with multi-colored advanced computers inscribed into the wall.

A sharp beep startled him as one of the computers bleeped suddenly. Rory shook off the ominous feeling and resumed his walk. "...Doctor? River?"

Rory sighed dejectedly. "Anyone?" He would almost go as far as to wish even the Valeyard would show up. Almost.

Rory had been walking through the hallways for what seemed like hours. The corridors twisted and turned, yet always looked exactly the same. I sure hope I'm not just walking in circles.

Groaning, Rory slid down the wall and dropped his head in his hands. I can't do anything right. I couldn't even walk across a room without that madman's help. And now he apparently couldn't save his wife's best friend. If Amy didn't already hate him for leaving the Doctor alone in the first place, she definitely was going to hate him now. As far as he knew, he probably wasn't even in the same building as the Doctor and was wasting everybody's time- the Doctor's time.

Time that he didn't have.

Rory stood up and straightened his shoulders, a steel look in his eyes. He once again started his determined stride down the hallway. The time for pity-parties was over. Rory the Roman had work to do.

A/N: So this will be my last update before I go to London. A farewell review would be awesome, hint, hint. ;) I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if I had to force it out of my rebellious Muse. After all, I aim to please.

Please review on your way out! A nice cuppa will be awaiting you, along with a healthy platter of scones!

Luv Trinaluv

Edit: Thanks to the anonymous reviewer who mentioned my error about which heart was stabbed. Without you, I probably wouldn't have noticed my error. Thanks again and sorry for that problem!