A/N: Thanks to all who reviewed! You guys mean the world to me. Without your support, I probably would have never been convinced to continue this story. Now, I could go into detail with some whimpy excuse, but I'm going to be the better person and just continue the story. Allons-y!
The Time Lord and The Dream Lord
By Trinaluv33
~Chapter 26~
The first thing the Doctor noticed as he blearily returned to consciousness was pain, everywhere. His head throbbed, making him want to hurl. It wouldn't have been so bad if his head had been throbbing in beat with his other weary joints. The Doctor yearned once again to be welcomed into the blissful realm of unconsciousness, but something kept him awake, something he was forgetting- something important. It was on the tip of his tongue, but too far for him to reach. What had he been doing, anyway? He vaguely recalled something about a Tardis, looking for a Tardis. His Tardis? Did he lose his Tardis again? That would be truly unfortunate! How would he save-
Who was he supposed to save? Surely he needed to save someone. He was always saving people. Although, with the way he was feeling, he may be the one who needs saving.
The Doctor was so cold. Was his clothes wet? Why was he wet? He felt as if he just washed up from an ocean- no, not an ocean. A lake? Perhaps a pond? No, a river!
"River!" The Doctor bolted upright, so fast it made his head spin sickeningly. He struggled to his feet, swaying dangerously. Black and white spots invaded his vision, and he crashed to his knees.
There lay the Doctor, sprawled on his stomach, his pale cheek resting against the cold, black grating of the floor. He could feel the darkness beckoning him once again, but something kept him awake. Maybe it was his desire to save River... or perhaps it was the evil laughter echoing from across the room.
River carefully let go of the door frame, lithely landing on the still-wet floor. It had taken almost twenty minutes for the water to drain away, the majority of which River spent worrying about the Doctor. She started down the corridor, only to stop and spin around the other direction. Was that what she thought it was? Down the corridor to the end was another hallway, where a slice of brilliant red could be seen.
River broke into a run, nearly slipping on the water-ruined tile. "Doctor! Doctor, are you-"
As she rounded the corner, her heart sank. Tentatively she picked up the lone fez, soaked through. The colors bled on her fingers as she angrily berated herself for over reacting.
"No, of course not. It could never be that easy, could it?"
With a sigh she set the odd apparel on the ground. It was beyond use now, anyway. At any other time, she would have been happy about that, but all she felt now was an intense sadness.
She knew full well that the odds were against the Doctor, given his various injuries and blood loss. As she continued to wander down the corridor, she found herself wondering if the Doctor even knew how to swim. Surely sometime during his 900+ years he would have learned how to swim.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something that made her spirits lift. A coy smile slipped onto her face as she took off in a sprint.
Something old, something new. Something borrowed-
... Something blue.
A/N: Oh, how a chapter can look so much longer on paper... Feel free to leave a review! Although, I would never bribe anyone, but hey, looks like I have this random plate of cookies. I'm not hungry, though, so feel free to take a few! ;)
Luv Trinaluv