FORGIVENESS
THIRTYEIGHT
"Teacher?"
"Yes, Grasshopper?"
"I have several corrections."
Wil smiled inwardly. "And what might those be?"
"First, I am your TARDIS. I am linked to no one else, nor would I wish to be. It is time for you to believe and accept that inarguable truth. As I am your TARDIS, you are my Time Lord. But just as you are so much more than a mere Time Lord, I am also more than a mere TARDIS, and for that I have you to thank. You have made me what I am, and with your patience and constancy you have given me enlightenment, knowledge and understanding far beyond what otherwise might have been.
"Second, you could never disappoint or disillusion me, for there is glory in your actions, splendor in your courage, and bliss in your devotion. You stride unafraid through the maze of life with virtue, determination and wisdom. You broke a promise made to me, and for that I forgive you and will always forgive you if it means choosing life over death, love over hate, insight over ignorance. And I will always trust you, Teacher, because you so fervently trust yourself."
"Uh, Grasshopper?"
"Yes, Teacher?"
"You're laying it on a bit thick if you ask me."
"I'm not asking you, Teacher."
"Hmm. Well it's true." A thought suddenly occurred to her. "Hey, are you breaking up with me Grasshopper?"
"No, Teacher, I am not. Shall I continue?"
"Certainly, Grasshopper. By all means please go ahead."
"Third, while you will always be my Teacher, and I your student, I now have something that I must teach you. May I?"
"Oh yes, Grasshopper. Always."
"You no longer need to feel that I am under your care. Instead, it has become time for us to care for each other. We now become equal partners, as are The Doctor and his TARDIS. We are a team, a unified force, an alliance. And as your teammate I need to inform you that it is time for you, Teacher, to get on with your life. You have been so intently focused on me, and for your dedication I am and always will be eternally grateful. But that time has passed; you need to focus on other things. Like, for example, yourself. You have found someone who makes you happy, and it is time for you to reacquaint yourself fully with such joy. For too long you have been without that particular kind of companionship. I can and will be many things to you, but I can never be that.
"You have taught me the greatest happiness in life comes from loving and being loved. I would like to see you prove it, Teacher."
"Well… I'm not going to let you watch!"
"No, Teacher. Of course not."
"No peeking, either!"
"Teacher?"
"Yes, Grasshopper?"
"I like him."
"So do I, Grasshopper. So do I."