"Two days," Dean grunted with boredom. "Two days we've been stuck here. Clearly, they need a better rescue system."
"Starship Hotels hardly ever fail," Brian shook his head, dismissing the worry that seemed to fill the room. "The engines are-"
"Yeah well the engines failed, you son of a bitch. If Starship Hotel's engines worked, we'd still be on the ship, instead of here with limited supplies and power."
"I'm just saying, there wouldn't normally be a reason for more sufficient rescue systems to be in place, as they'd be pretty pointless."
"I only brought it up because if we're still here in a few days, we'll have to trek our way over to The Doctor's ship. How hospitable is the air on this planet, Doc?"
"The expedition would be unpleasant," The Doctor replied. "Food would be in low supply, as it would be difficult to preserve properly. The air is breathable, though a slightly different mix than the air back on Earth, so will take some adjusting to."
"Would you say about four of us should go? Just in case the rescue team arrive?" Amy shrugged. "I'm happy going."
"I'm out," Rory sunk back into the seat, laughing gently. "I swear there's something in this air-"
"Probably is. That's why you've probably been so tired. The air is quite different, and not everyone is unaffected by it," The Doctor explained. "I do not wish to partake in the journey either. As far as my affliction goes, physical exertion as extreme as tackling the treacherous terrain of Abydos could greatly worsen my condition much earlier-"
"None of us can fly the TARDIS, Doctor!" Dean protested. "I don't mind going."
"Count me out," Brian's voice could be heard. "This suit was expensive."
"I think this," Sam paused to his injured arm, "Rules me out, although I'd have volunteered had I not suffered this injury."
"Us too," Steve and Carol pointed to their own injuries.
"Molly? Julia? Beth? Oliver?" Dean turned towards them.
"I don't mind going along," Oliver nodded with approval.
"I... No," Julia nodded. "I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not."
"If Beth wants to go along, then I don't mind, although I am not opposed to taking part," Molly smiled.
"You go ahead," Beth grinned in response. "I'm not fussed."
"So... Amy, Molly, Dean and Oliver?" Sam looked around the room, receiving nods of approval. "Sounds good."
"What about flying the TARDIS?" Dean's anxiety hadn't settled. "None of us can fly the TARDIS..."
"We're going to just have to try- and that's not to say that The Doctor can't give us some guidance from now until then. Had Sherl-" Amy paused, realising the hesitant looks that spread across her friends' faces. "Sorry. I shouldn't have-"
For what felt like the millionth time in those past few weeks, the room was filled with silence. The strangers were confused, unaware of the happenings of the others. Whilst all but The Doctor and Molly knew of Sherlock's better fate, they still missed the man greatly, and by just the mention of his name, they were greatly saddened. Dean wandered off to the other side of the room, almost vanishing out of sight as he tried to regain himself. Amy proceeded to sit down again, shrinking away from the glares that the others were so desperately trying not to direct.
...
"This wasn't what we agreed, Castiel," Sherlock stared at angel, looking slightly distraught. "You said that you would take me back- not hole me up in some world of fantasy!"
"You are dead," Castiel began to speak.
"I think I realised that when I jumped off the building."
"This is where you belong now."
"You're trying to tell me that you're not going to bring me back?" Sherlock glared at him, his eyes widening with fear. "Speak without riddles or hesitation, Castiel. Do not equivocate! Tell me the whole truth!"
"I will resurrect you when it is the right moment. Your friends are still mourning. Going back now would be greatly detrimental-"
"I don't care, Castiel! I demand you to take me back right at this moment! I will not return to them, I promise. I wasn't planning to. I will go into hiding, like what I planned to do."
"You are messing with fate here, Sherlock. You died, therefore, theoretically you should remain dead. I have no obligation to take you back. I might never. Messing with the current happenings of Earth could have great consequences. I am an angel of Earth, not of the universe. If I take you back, Moriarty may have to return too, and... we do not want that, do we?"
The scene around the two changed suddenly, appearing now as a graveyard. Sherlock's eyes gazed upon his name, written in gold on the black gravestone. He turned his head to see John, uniformly marching towards him with his head facing the ground.
"He cannot see or hear us. We are still in heaven," Castiel stated, before vanishing.
Sherlock wandered behind the trees to watch from afar, as he watched John break down for just a second. His heart sank, and even more than before he wanted the stupid angel to just take him back. John proceeded to regain himself, walking away calmly towards Mrs Hudson.
"John..." he whispered gently, stepping back towards his grave and kneeling in front of it. "I don't want them to grieve me... I want them to move on. I-... JOHN!"
And for a minute, Sherlock breaks down too, cursing and screaming and letting his angry tears wet his eyes. The absence of the others was unsettling, as he wondered just how easily they'd left John behind. He followed John, both out of curiosity and his pain. He continues screaming, knowing fine well that other man is nothing more than a projection of the truth, and that he won't be able to hear him. He cursed at Castiel, his lips quivering with the overwhelming terror and fury.
