Outside the church...
Vincent set up his easel and sat down to paint.
The Doctor bent over and put his hands on Vincent's shoulders. "And you'll be sure to tell me if you see any, you know, monsters."
"Yes. While I be mad. I'm not stupid."
"No, quite. And, to be honest..." He squatted down beside Vincent. "not sure about mad either. It seems to me depression is a very complex..."
"Shh. I'm working."
"Well, yes. Paint. Do painting!"
Later...
Vincent had outlined the top of the church and was painting the sky.
"I remember watching Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel. Wow! What a whinger. I said to him, 'If you're scared of heights, you shouldn't have taken the job.'"
"Shh!" Amy reprimanded The Doctor.
Later...
There was more detail on the church and Vincent was still working on the sky.
"And Picasso. What a ghastly old goat. I kept telling him. 'Concentrate, Pablo, it's one eye, either side of the face.'"
"Quiet." Lexi reminded The Doctor.
Later...
It had grown dark. Amy and Lexi were standing by Vincent on either side of him as he kept painting. The Doctor was squatting, bored.
"Is this how time normally passes? Really slowly. In the right order." The Doctor got up. "If there's one thing I can't stand, it's an unpunctual alien attack." He walked behind Vincent, facing away.
Amy went and joined him, leaving Lexi at Vincent's side. "Are you ok? You seem a bit, if I didn't know better, I'd say nervous."
"There's something not right and I can't quite put my finger on it."
"There!" Vincent exclaimed, causing Lexi to look alarmed and The Doctor and Amy to turn around. "He's at the window!"
"Where?"
"There, on the right."
"As I thought. Come on. I'm going in."
"Well, I'm coming, too."
"No." The Doctor held a hand up to stop him. "You're Vincent Van Gough. No."
"But you're not armed."
"I am."
"What with?"
"Overconfidence, this" The Doctor tapped the case. "and a small screwdriver. I'm absolutely sorted. Just have to find the right crosactic setting, and stun him with it. Sonic never fails. Anyway, Amy, Lexi, only one thought, one simple instruction - don't follow me under any circumstances." He signaled Vincent to keep an eye on them.
"We won't." The twins answered.
The Doctor gave a thumbs-up and headed towards the church.
"Will you follow him?" Vincent asked the twins.
"Of course." The twins answered.
Vincent looked at them. "I love you."
Just outside the church...
The Doctor stopped, set down the case and took out the same device he used earlier. He strapped it on and set the controls. With a smile, he entered the church.
Inside the church...
The Doctor entered slowly and cautiously. He could hear a low growling. The Doctor kept checking the mirror and pulled out the sonic screwdriver.
Outside the church...
Lexi and Amy were pacing as Vincent watched the window.
"Has he moved?" Lexi asked.
"No, just shifted to the next window. But, wait! He's turning now."
Inside the church...
The Doctor approached the window and kept checking the mirror. He didn't see the Krafayis where it was supposed to be.
"Damn. He's moved."
He put the mirror down and looked up. The Doctor didn't see the Krafayis's arm as he swiped him. Suddenly, The Doctor went flying.
Outside the church...
Lexi, Amy and Vincent heard The Doctor's cry.
"Doctor!" The twins headed for the church.
"Amy! Lexi!" Vincent rushed after them.
Inside the church...
The Doctor used the sonic as he retreated.
"Doctor!" The twins exclaimed.
The Doctor screamed out. "Argh! I thought I told you two... Never mind. We'll talk about it later. Quick, in here."
They climbed inside the confessional, with The Doctor and Lexi on one side and Amy on the other. They could hear the Krafayis moving about outside.
"Absolutely quiet." The Doctor whispered.
Lexi slid the door over the grill between them and whispered. "Amy, can you breath a little quieter, please?"
"No!" Amy lifted the curtain. "He's gone past."
"Shh."
The Krafayis growled, blowing in the grating on Amy's side of the confessional, causing her to scream.
"I think he heard us." The Doctor speculated.
"Ya think?!" Lexi tapped him on the side of the head.
The Krafayis then took our part of the grating on The Doctor and Lexi's side.
"That is impressive hearing he's got."
Another section of the confessional was ripped out.
"What's less impressive are our chances of survival."
Amy and Lexi were screaming.
"Hey, are you looking for me sonny?!"
Amy peered out and saw Vincent brandishing his chair like a lion tamer.
"Come on. Over here. Because I'm right here waiting for you." He motioned to Amy, The Doctor and Lexi. "Come on. Quickly! Get behind me."
The Doctor used the sonic. "Doing anything?"
Everyone backed out.
Outside the church...
Vincent still held the chair in front of him defensively. The Doctor looked around wildly.
"Where is he?"
"Where do you think he is, you idiot? Use your head."
The Krafayis walked towards them. The Doctor stood by Vincent and used the sonic again.
"Anything?"
"Nothing. In fact, he seemed to rather enjoy it." Vincent informed.
They moved apart.
"Duck!" Vincent told The Doctor. The Doctor ducked. "Left!"
The Doctor moved to his left and the Krafayis swatted him away and he was slammed into a wall.
"Right, sorry."
The Doctor sat up with a groan, holding his side. Lexi and Amy rushed over. Vincent came over with the chair to help defend them.
"Your right, my left."
"This is no good at all. Run like crazy and regroup." The Doctor scrambled up.
"Oh, come on, in here." Lexi exclaimed.
They all ran into another church building.
Inside the church...
Together, they began to push the door closed. Vincent saw the leg of the Krafayis was keeping it open. He stamped his foot down on it and the creature yanked it back. They closed the door and stood with their backs against it.
"Right. OK. Here's the plan. Lexi, Amy, Rory."
Lexi banged her head against the door in frustration at The Doctor's slip up.
"Who?" Amy asked completely bewildered.
"Sorry, um, Vincent."
"What is the plan?"
"I don't know, actually. But in future, I'm just using this screwdriver for screwing in screws." The Doctor put away the sonic.
"Give me a second. I'll be back." Vincent ran off.
"I suppose we could try talking to him."
Lexi snapped her head to look at The Doctor. "Talking to him?!"
"Well yes. Might be interesting to know his side of the story." The Krafayis then growled. "Yes, though maybe he's not really in the mood for conversation right at this moment." The Krafayis then growled and banged on the door. "Well, no harm trying. Listen. Listen!" The growling stopped. "I know you can understand me." The Doctor faced the door. "Even though I know you won't understand why you can understand me. I also know that no one's talked to you for a pretty long stretch, but please... listen. I also don't belong on this planet. I also am alone. If you trust me, I'm sure we can come to some kind of, you know, understanding. And then, and then, who knows?"
The window directly opposite them suddenly shattered as the Krafayis found a way inside. It roared and displaced things as it moved about. Vincent returned with his easel. "Over her, mate!"
The Doctor, Lexi and Amy moved behind him.
"What's it up to now?"
"It's moving around the room. Feeling its way around."
Amy, Lexi and Vincent moved behind a sarcophagus.
"What?" The Doctor asked from behind a column.
"It's like it's trapped. It's moving round the edges of the room." Vincent informed.
"I can't see a thing." Amy complained.
"I am really stupd." The Doctor said in realization.
"Oh, get a grip! This is not a moment to re-evaluate your self-esteem." Lexi told him.
"No, I am really stupid and I'm growing old. Why does it attack, but never eat its victims?" The Doctor moved to the sarcophagus. "And why was it abandoned by its pack and left here to die? Why is it feeling its way helplessly around the walls of the room? It can't see, it's blind. That explains why it has such perfect hearing!"
"Which unfortunately also explains why it is now turning around and heading straight for us." Vincent hurriedly informed.
Vincent stepped forward, the sharp ends of the easel held out as a weapon.
"Vincent. Vincent, what's happening?" The Doctor asked.
"It's charging now." He motioned with his hand. "Get back. Get back!"
Vincent moved forward and impaled the beast on the easel. The Krafayis bellowed in pain and anger. Still holding the easel, Vincent was suspended above the floor. He let go and fell to the floor. The Krafayis collapsed. To The Doctor, Lexi and Amy, the easel was suspended, but Vincent could see where it penetrated the creature's chest.
"He wasn't without mercy at all. He was without sight. I didn't mean that to happen. I only meant to wound it, I never meant to..."
The Doctor knelt beside the body. "He's trying to say something."
"What is it?"
"I'm having trouble making it out, but I think he's saying, 'I'm afraid. I'm afraid.'" He reached out to stroke the body. "There, there. It's ok. You'll be fine. Ssh." It was then that the Krafayis took its last breath and died.
"He was frightened... and he lashed out. Like humans, who lash out when they're frightened. Like the villagers who scream at me. Like the children who throw stones at me."
"Sometimes winning - winning is no fun at all." Amy and Lexi said together before they both turned around and left.
Outside, Field, Night...
The Doctor, Lexi, Amy and Vincent laid down on the ground with their heads together. Vincent reached out first for Amy's hand and then The Doctor's.
"Hold my hand, Doctor. Try to see what I see. We are so lucky we are still alive to see this beautiful world."
The Doctor reached out for Lexi's hand. Lexi then reached for Amy's hand with her other one.
"Look at the sky. It's not dark and black and without character. The black is in fact deep blue." He pointed with his hand intertwined with The Doctor's. "And over there, lighter blue." Vincent let go of Amy's hand and made a sweeping motion. "And blowing through the blueness and the blackness, the wind swirling through the air and then, shining, burning, bursting through - the stars. Can you see how they roar their light? Everywhere we look, the complex magic of nature blazes before our eyes."
Lexi looked on at the sky in awe. It's as if she just saw Starry Night come to life before her very eyes. It was so lovely and moving how Vincent described things. She sniffled tears of joy.
"Oh, Lexi dear. Whatever is the matter?" Vincent asked concerned.
"Nothing." Lexi smiled. "Nothing at all. I don't think anyone could ever say something quite as lovely as that."
The Doctor kissed Lexi's hand.
Vincent smiled. He gripped The Doctor's hand tighter and pulled it to his chest. He looked at Amy's closer, savoring the feel of her fingers.
"I will miss you terribly."
Inside, Vincent's cottage, Morning...
"I only wish I had something of real value to give you."
The Doctor giggled as he held one of Vincent's paintings. It was 'Self Portrait with Straw Hat'.
"Oh, no, no. I could never accept such an extraordinary gift."
"Very well. You are not the first to declined the offer." He held out his arms. "Amy, the blessed. Lexi, the wonderful."
The twins both hugged him at once and gave him a kiss on either cheek.
"Be good to yourself and be kind to yourself." Lexi told him.
"I'll try my best."
"And maybe give the beard a little trim before you next kiss someone." Amy rubbed her cheek and laughed.
"I will. I will. And Amy, if you tire of this Doctor of yours, return, and we will have children by the dozen."
"Eek!"
"Doctor, my friend." Vincent took his hand. "We have fought monsters together and we have won. On my own, I fear I may not do as well."
The Doctor hugged Vincent tightly, sad because he knew what was coming.
Outside, Vincent's cottage...
The Doctor, Lexi and Amy were walking away.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Lexi perked up a tiny bit, but was beat to the punch by Amy.
"I was thinking I may need some food before we leave."
Okay, Lexi wasn't expecting her to say that.
"Well, no, you're not thinking exactly what I'm thinking." He faced the house. "Vincent!"
Shirtless, brush in hand, Vincent stuck his head out the window.
"Got something I'd like to show you. Maybe just tidy yourself up a bit first."
Outside, Auvers-Sur-Oise, Alley, Day...
The Doctor, Vincent, Amy and Lexi walked through the village towards the TARDIS.
"Now, you know we've had quite a few chats about the possibility there might be more to life than normal people imagine?"
The Doctor stopped with a sigh as he saw the TARDIS covered in bills.
"Yes."
"Well, brace yourself, Vinny."
The Doctor used the key to slice the crack between the doors before opening it. He, Lexi and Amy stood in the doorway as Vincent got his first view of the TARDIS interior. He stuck his head out and then examined the exterior. He then stepped back inside.
"How come I'm the crazy one and you three have stayed sane?"
Inside the TARDIS...
The Doctor took off Vincent's hat and tossed it to the side. They walked to the console.
"What do these things all do?"
"Oh, a huge variety of things. This one here," The Doctor turned a knob. "for instance, plays soothing music." He, Amy and Lexi all danced around a little. "While this one makes a huge amount of noise." A bit of distorted sound erupted. "And this one makes everything go absolutely tonto." Everything shook a little.
"And this one?" Vincent pointed to a random control.
"That's a friction contrafibulator!"
"And this?"
"That's ketchup. And that one's mustard."
"Mmm. Nice!" Vincent gripped The Doctor's shoulders. "Come on. Back to the café and you can tell me about all the wonders of the universe."
"Good idea. Although, actually, there's a little something I'd like to show you first." He set the TARDIS in motion.
Outside, Paris, Day...
The last of the posted bills were burning off the TARDIS as the door opened and The Doctor, Lexi, Amy and Vincent stepped out.
"Where are we?" Vincent asked in wonder.
"Paris. 2010 AD. And this is the mighty Musee D'Orsay, home to many of the greatest paintings in history."
"Oh, that's wonderful."
Two boys then walked by with portable electronics. One of them was playing "Chances" by ATHLETE. Vincent stared.
"Ignore that. I've got something more important to show you." The Doctor told Vincent.
Inside, Musee D'Orsay...
They entered the museum. Vincent was overwhelmed by the grandness of it. Amy and Lexi led the way past some Monets and Rodin's 'The Kiss'. The Doctor had to drag Vincent from the 'Water Lillies'. They then entered the Van Gough exhibit. Vincent saw his paintings in a Paris museum when they had only just hung in his home. The Doctor held out his arms. The Doctor then saw Dr. Black and walked over to him.
"Dr. Black, we met a few days ago. I asked you about the church at Auvers."
Amy and Lexi brought Vincent closer.
"Oh, yes. Glad to be of help. You were nice about my tie."
"Yes. And today is another cracker if I may say so. But I just wondered, between you and me, in 100 words, where do you think Vsn Gough rates in the history of art?"
"Well, big question. But, to me, Van Gough is the finest painter of them all."
Vincent eyes were red as he began to tear up. Lexi rubbed his arm comfortingly.
"Certainly, the most popular, great painter of all time, the most beloved. His command of color, the most magnificent. He transformed the pain of his tormented life into ecstatic beauty. Pain is easy to portray, but to use your passion and pain to portray the ecstasy and joy and magnificence of our world - no one had ever done it before. Perhaps no one ever will again. To my mind, that strange, wild man who roamed the fields of Provence was not only the world's greatest artist, but also one of the greatest men who ever lived."
Vincent began to cry outwardly. The Doctor noticed and went to him.
"Vincent. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Is it too much?" The Doctor gave him a comforting hug.
"No. They are tears of joy." Vincent went to Dr. Black and gave him a Gallic kiss. "Thank you, sir. Thank you." He hug him again.
"You're welcome. You're welcome."
"Sorry about the beard." Vincent went back to The Doctor, Lexi and Amy.
Dr. Black slowly walked away and quickly turned, wondering if the man he saw was truly Van Gough. The man was gone. Dr. Black just shook his head.
Outside, Olive Grove, Day...
The TARDIS materialized. Vincent stepped out first.
"This changes everything. I'll step out tomorrow with my easel on my back a different man. I still can't believe that one of the haystacks was in the museum. How embarrassing."
"It's been a great adventure and a great honor." He shook Vincent's hand and then hugged him.
"You've turned out to be the first doctor ever actually to make a difference in my life."
"I'm delighted. I won't ever forget you." The Doctor then headed to the TARDIS.
"And you are sure marriage is out of the question?" Vincent asked Amy.
"This time." She hugged him and then whispered in his ear. "I'm not really the marrying kind." She kissed him on the cheek and then went to go stand next to The Doctor so Lexi could say her goodbye.
"Oh, Vincent my friend." Lexi said with smile as she embraced him in a hug. "I will miss you."
Vincent pulled away to look at her. "And I you. But you have The Doctor."
Lexi tilted her head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I've seen the way he cares for you. You'd have to be a blind idiot not to see it. He better hold on tight to you."
Lexi glanced over at The Doctor. He was talking to Amy. Lexi turned back to look at Vincent. "Maybe you're right. I don't know. But, I will tell you one thing. Keep painting."
"Ah, yes. Speaking of that, I've seen you look at my painting Starry Night a couple of times. And the way you teared up at the way I described it in the field, you must really love it. Don't you?"
"I'm not gonna lie to you, it's my most favorite painting you've ever done. There's just something about it..."
Vincent embraced Lexi one last time as he spoke. "Well then, I'll be sure to leave a message with it for you."
Lexi pulled back and looked at Vincent, not really sure what else she should say. She just simply leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek and then walked back to the TARDIS. "Come on. Let's go back to the gallery right now." She told The Doctor. Amy nodded rapidly in agreement.
Vincent took his pipe from his pocket and watched the TARDIS dematerialize. With a smile and a shake of his head, he walked away.
Outside, Paris...
Amy exited the TARDIS with a big smile. The Doctor was more indulgent. Lexi stepped out with a smile, but she knew in her heart that Vincent would still leave the world in that horrible way she knew he would. She didn't want to make Amy sad, though. Amy skipped ahead.
"Time can rewritten. I know it can. Come on!"
Inside, Musee D'Orsay...
Amy climbed the stairs to the exhibit. "Oh, the long life of Vincent Van Gough. There'll be hundreds of new paintings."
"I'm not sure there will." The Doctor and Lexi said tigether. They both glanced at each other.
They walked past the Monet exhibit, The Doctor and Lexi were walking more slowly, following in the wake of Amy's exuberance.
"Come on!" Amy rushed into the exhibit and looked around at the same paintings.
"We have here the last work of Vincent Van Gough, who committed suicide at only 37." Dr. Black explained to some people.
Amy closed her eyes in grief, her hope shattered.
"He is now acknowledged to be one of the foremost artists of all time. If you follow me now..."
"So, you two were right. No new paintings. We didn't make a difference at all."
The Doctor walked to Amy leaving Lexi where she stood. "I wouldn't say that. The way I see it, every life is pile of good things and and things. Hey," The Doctor brought her in and hugged her. "The good things don't always soften the bad things. But, vice versa - the bad things don't necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant." The Doctor released her, but held her head. "And we definitely added to his pile of good things. And if you look carefully..." He led her to 'The Church at Auvers' and motioned for Lexi to follow. "Maybe we did indeed make a couple of little changes."
Amy and Lexi peered closer at it. "No Krafayis."
"No Krafayis."
While The Doctor studied the church, Amy moved to the center of the exhibit. Something caught her eye and she moved with a purpose across the room.
Lexi glanced over at 'Starry Night', which just so happened to be next to the painting The Doctor was looking at. She went and looked closer at bottom left corner, by Vincent's signature.
For Lexi.
Lexi then looked at the information plaque next to the painting. It said a little bit about where the painting was made and the usual bits. At the end of the paragraph of information was a quote in italics.
"I give you the starry night as a token of my friendship since you were such a great friend to me. I never forgot you Lexi."
Lexi put a hand over her mouth and giggled softly to herself. The Doctor noticed this and walked over to her.
"What are you so happy about."
When Lexi didn't reply, The Doctor looked at the lower left corner of the painting. His eyes widened. He quickly looked back at Lexi. She pointed at the information plaque for The Doctor to read.
The Doctor's eyes scanned over the paragraph and stopped when he got to the quote. I giant grin spread across his face.
Dr. Black walked up to The Doctor and Lexi. "You know, this painting is actually quite interesting. People have wondered who this Lexi girl was. No one really knows for sure, but I do think she must have been a wonderful person." With that, Dr. Black walked away.
"Oh, she is." The Doctor turned around and gave Lexi a hug.
"This is so strange. I didn't think I left that big of an impression on him."
The Doctor pulled away and looked at her. "Oh, Pond, you are so much greater than you give yourself credit for."
"Ha, thank you, Doctor... Wait a second. Where's Amy?"
The duo glanced around and saw Amy looking at 'Still life: Vase With Twelve Sunflowers'. They walked over to her and noticed that on the vase, right above Vincent's signature it said For Amy. The Doctor gave a whistle.
"If we had got married, our kids would have had very red hair."
"The ultimate ginger."
"The ultimate ginge."
The Doctor and Lexi laughed and Amy smiled.
"Brighter than sunflowers."
"The Pond Twins, changing and affecting history. That is amazing." The Doctor put his arms around the twins' shoulders as they stood there looking at the sunflowers.
A/N: What did you think? I feel that I couldn't write this where Vincent would flirt with Lexi too. The reason being, Vincent noticed how The Doctor and Lexi were with each other. He wouldn't want to get in the way of that. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it. Oh, if you have the time, you should go check out my new story Rise Like A Phoenix From The Ashes. Until next time...