A/N Sorry about the River bashing in the original version of this chapter, it was a bit over the top and I've cut it down. I hope Rose's jealousy makes sense. Please keep giving me reviews, and any episode requests will be greatly appreciated!
Forest of the Dead
'You know, it's hard not to read into the fact that there are so many girls in this room.' Clara said idly. 'It's not very equal-opportunity. You've practically got a harem.'
Amy smiled at that; she'd made a similar conclusion herself when she'd seen all the previous inhabitants of the TARDIS. She'd – embarrassingly – thought his purpose for taking her with him was nefarious, and she'd been down for that. She'd been naïve about the whole thing, and thankfully it had turned out fine and she hadn't done something she'd regretted. Though, looking around – at Rose, married to someone who looked exactly like the Doctor, and Clara, who was giving Eleven heart eyes, she seemed an exception to the rules rather than the norm.
Of course, the Doctor wouldn't want her to give up Rory for him. The Doctor was a – what, 2000, now? – year old alien. He could never give her forever. Rory could. And she loved Rory, course she did – it was always him. She always circled back to him; she'd confused the feeling of infinity she felt when the Doctor was around with love.
She'd grown up a lot since then.
'What's a harem?' Martha asked.
'It's a thing in anime.' Clara said. 'Japanese anime. It's a guy who has like, every guy he meets fall in love with him. Despite him usually being a boring, plain- it's a fantasy thingy. So maybe not quite accurate.'
'Oh, then definitely. Yes.'
'I used to make Rory watch anime with me.' Amy said. 'I lost interest in it when we did World War Two in school.'
'That was nasty.' Rose interrupted. 'My history teacher used to say America "bombed the masculinity out of them". I suppose that was true. Anime was an attempt to make Japan look like the victim.'
'It was kind of hard to enjoy it after that.'
'But Japan were the victim.' Rory said. 'They dropped atomic bombs on them. They didn't deserve that! No one does. They're still dying of radiation poison today.'
'You just weren't paying attention to the other side.' Amy said grimly. 'Japan were… well. I remember pieces. Nanking.'
Rose got a sour look on her face. 'After the War was over – Hitler killed himself, and the Americans were liberating the Jews and that from the camps – Japan refused to surrender. They were willing to let so many civilians die during the invasion – Operation Downfall – that the bombs were the better option.'
'And they deserved it.' Younger Rose said. 'Their disregard for human life…'
'The Americans disregarded human life when they dropped two atomic bombs on their heads! 200,000 people died, in an instant. Vaporised. Men, women, children…'
'They deserved it. They were willing to let so many more die at the hands of the invasion. And the scale of Japanese war crimes…they deserved a hundred atomic bombs. That would probably decimate earth. Never mind. Still! They should have been wiped from the map.'
'I learnt,' Amy said, and took a deep breath. 'I learnt about the Nanking Massacre. Any way you can imagine killing a human being, they did. They made them dig mass graves and lined them up in front of it. Then they beheaded the front row, and made the people behind them push the bodies in the graves, and then repeated it with the next road. They raped any woman they came across. Girls. Then they killed them. Left them in the streets with bayonets sticking out of them. They held contests to see who could kill 100 people first. Etc. Wow, I did not know I remembered that.'
'I am become death, the Destroyer of Worlds.' Clara quoted. 'Bit big for his boots, if you ask me. We're a long away from that. No doubt the great and bountiful human empires will get there, but for now…'
Just as she said that, the TV began its countdown again.
OPENING CREDITS
INT. LIBRARY, STACKS
PROPER DAVE Hey, who turned out the lights? Hey, who turned out the lights?
RIVER uses the squareness gun on the wall behind them.
RIVER This way! Quickly Move!
They climb through the opening. PROPER DAVE
Hey, who turned out the lights?
Hey, who turned out the lights?
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is watching TV and can see what's happening in The Library.
GIRL
Dad! The Library, it's on television now.
Her FATHER is doing the washing up in the kitchen.
FATHER
How many times, darling. The Library is just your imagination.
'Well, he's understanding.' Amy grumbled.
The GIRL changes the channels and the TV shows different areas of The Library. She changes it again and an ambulance pulls up in front of a manor house hospital. The medics open the back doors and take out the gurney. Lying on the gurney, under a red blanket, is DONNA.
'But that- that's Donna! She was dead! Obviously not dead. I'm glad.' Clara said.
GIRL
Donna?
INT. HOSPITAL, DONNA'S ROOM
DONNA is dressed in pyjamas and is sitting on the bed. There is a knock on the door and DR MOON enters. DONNA stands.
DONNA
Who are you?
MOON
I'm Dr Moon. I've been treating you since you came here two years ago.
'Wait…if the girl thinks the Library is in her imagination, how did she get Donna from there to the girl's dream? And if she appeared in the Library as a face, that means the girl must have a face in the Library too…' Rose mused. She was most of the way right, of course. She was always clever, his Rose.
DONNA
(sudden realization) Oh, God-Dr Moon! I'm so sorry. What's wrong with me? I didn't know you for a moment.
MOON
And then you remembered. Shall we go for a walk?
'God, he's not creepy at all.' Amy said scathingly. 'He's not, like, controlling her mind…is he?' She knew what that felt like. Knew how it was to have her memory manipulated. This time, it wasn't her, but it stirred memories she'd rather not think about. Clara looked similarly worried.
MOON
No more dreams, then? The Doctor and the blue box, time and space?
Donna is looking about, confused.
DONNA
How did we get here?
'It's like TV!' Rose said. 'On TV. That'll get confusing. But you know, you're watching telly and you skip around times and sets so it doesn't take too long to get through. I've never really thought…what if time did pass like that? It'd be so bizarre.'
MOON
We came down the stairs, out the front door; we passed Mrs Ali on the way out.
They look back at the building to see another patient walking with a nurse. The sign in front reads: CAL.
'It's that name!' Rory pointed out. 'CAL. From the guy.'
DONNA
Yeah. Yeah, we did. I forgot that.
MOON
And then you remembered. Shall we go down to the river?
Amy shuddered. 'Oh, he's definitely doing something. Changing memories. That's just weird.'
Sudden cut to-
EXT. DAY, RIVERBANK
They are standing beside the river, ducks quacking. DONNA is trying to remember.
DONNA
You said "river"...and suddenly we're feeding ducks.
'Dream checks.' Clara said, voice only shaking slightly. 'She needs to do dream checks. See if what's around her is- if it's real.' She reached for Eleven's hand, and he took it.
LEE
Dr Moon!
DR MOON and DONNA turn to see a man dressed for fishing-LEE.
LEE
Morning!
MOON
Donna Noble, Lee McAvoy.
DONNA
Hello, Lee.
LEE
Hello D-D-
DONNA
Ooh, you've got a bit of a stammer there. (turns to DR MOON) Bless.
Amy found herself cringing slightly at Donna's insensitivity. Her aunt, though a bit absent, had always taught her to show respect to people. Donna was a little careless about all of that. Fun to witness, but a bit abrasive.
LEE
D-D-
DONNA
Oh, skip to a vowel, they're easy.
Sudden cut to-
EXT. DAY, HOSPITAL GROUNDS
DONNA and DR MOON are walking back.
DONNA
How did we leave it, him and me?
MOON
I got the impression he was inviting you fishing tomorrow.
Sudden cut to-
INT. LEE'S ROOM
DONNA arrives at LEE'S room dressed for a date. LEE is wearing wellies.
DONNA
So...fishing?
Sudden cut to-
EXT. EVENING, RIVERBANK
DONNA and LEE are sitting by the river under an umbrella in the rain.
LEE
D-D-
DONNA
Gorgeous, and can't speak a word. What am I gonna do with you?
Sudden cut to-
INT. McAVOY HOME, FRONT HALLWAY
LEE carries DONNA-still wearing a wedding gown-over the threshold.
LEE
Welcome home, M-Mrs McAvoy. (kisses her)
Everyone found themselves laughing at that, at the smoothness of the transition, of Donna's misunderstanding and wearing a dress to fish. But underneath it was the worry. Donna was missing huge chunks of her time, missing conversations, and being told by the creepy Dr Moon the gaps. He could tell her anything, and she could hardly say he was wrong. She was at his mercy.
And that didn't sit right any better than carnivorous shadows.
Sudden cut to-
INT. McAVOY HOME, LIVING ROOM
DR MOON is looking through a photo album while DONNA'S two children run around playing.
DONNA
Stop it. Stop it now. We've got a visitor.
MOON
You've done so much in seven years, Donna.
DONNA
(sighs) Sometimes it feels more like 70. Mind you, sometimes it feels like not time at all.
'Dream checks.' Clara muttered sadly.
DR MOON picks up his briefcase which bears the letters "CAL"
'There again.' Rory said. 'That Lux man is involved. He did seem like a bit-'
'Of a dick, yeah.' Amy finished.
MOON
Can I just say what a pleasure it is to see you fully integrated.
'Integrated?' Rose said. 'Well that's a nice word. Not worrying at all. Kidnaps someone and plays with their perception of memory and time, and when they don't think anything is wrong, say they're integrated. Nutters say that.'
DR MOON'S image flickers and the DOCTOR'S appears.
DOCTOR
No, the signal definitely seems to be coming from the moon. I'm blocking it, but it's trying to break through. (sees DONNA) Donna! (disappears and MOON returns)
MOON
(belches) Oops. Sorry. Mrs Angelo's rhubarb surprise. When will I ever learn?
'Gross.' Amy muttered.
DONNA falls into a chair, shocked.
DONNA
(gasps) The Doctor! I saw the Doctor!
MOON
Yes, you did, Donna. And then...you forgot.
'He didn't!' Rose said angrily. 'How is she going to get rescued if she can't remember who's going to come for her?'
DONNA
(stands, acting like MOON has just arrived) Dr Moon, Well, hello! Shall I make you a cup of tea?
Amy shivered. It reminded her of the Silence. As soon as you looked away, you forgot they were there. That's how Donna looked. It wasn't right to do that to someone!
INT. LIBRARY, STACKS
Over The Library, a large moon appears in the twilight sky. RIVER uses the squareness gun to take them into another reading room similar to the first.
Rory half sat up. 'I wonder…'
RIVER
Okay, we've got a clear spot! In, in, in!
INT. LIBRARY, RED DOMED READING ROOM
They enter the room and the DOCTOR immediately begins checking the shadows.
RIVER
Right in the centre, in the middle of the light, quickly! Don't let your shadows cross. Doctor!
DOCTOR
I'm doing it.
RIVER
There's no lights here. Sunset's coming. We can't stay long. Have you found a live one?
DOCTOR
Maybe. It's getting harder to tell. (taps sonic screwdriver, which is flickering) What's wrong with you?
'Let me know when it answers you.' Rose said, teasingly. 'Or don't, you'll probably add a setting, and that'll be creepy.'
RIVER
We're gonna need a chicken leg. Who's got a chicken leg? (OTHER DAVE hands her one) Thanks, Dave. (throws it into shadow where it is stripped) Okay, we got a hot one. Watch your feet.
DOCTOR
They won't attack until there's enough of them. But they've got our scent now. They're coming.
'Hunted by shadows.' Clara said. 'Sounds like a bad YA novel. Also not something I'd want to try.' Of course, she'd been in the Library, in one of her many lives. She'd fed the echo version of the Great Intelligence to the shadows, and then threw the body off the edge of the world. And she'd began to walk down the steps. That's when she'd seen she had more shadows than she should.
At least, it had been quick. Barely painful. Over as soon as it had begun.
The DOCTOR is in the foreground checking the shadows while the members of the expedition talk behind him.
OTHER DAVE
Who is he? You haven't even told us. You just expect us to trust him.
RIVER
He's the Doctor.
LUX
And who is "the Doctor"?
'You'll die asking.' Bill muttered.
RIVER
The only story you'll ever tell-if you survive him.
'That is so not true!' Rose's voice was high with anger. 'The Doctor left me – and I carried on with my life! I joined UNIT. I fought aliens. And this other lady – he left her, Sarah Jane Smith, and she started to investigate things, aliens, too. She made a difference. The Doctor made her better, and she carried on after him.'
'He left me, too.' Clara said. 'Ish. Forgot about me. But I travelled too, with someone who needed my help. I saved people. When the Doctor was away, or grieving, or busy – on top of a cloud, or a monk – I kept the legend alive.'
'I became a nurse.' Amy said. 'Slightly less impressive, I suppose, but I couldn't sit and do nothing, not while people were suffering. Rory was fighting, I had to help too- somehow. I wrote a book about being in the War. And one about places on earth to see, so people could get out there and experience adventure, like I did. Even without the Doctor. I only wrote the Melody Malone books to avoid blowing Manhatten to hell in a time crunch.'
'I left the Doctor.' Bill said. 'Travelled the universe with my girlfriend. I wanted to see things. I have stories too, and not a lot of them involve the Doctor. The Doctor might be the be-all and end-all of you, but not for us.'
'I became a Doctor myself.' Martha said. 'I was training long before I met the actual Doctor. Then afterwards I joined UNIT, and then Torchwood. Then freelance. Defending the earth.'
'I killed a lot of cybermen.' Mickey said. 'It felt right.'
Younger Rose. 'I became the Bad Wolf. I destroyed the entire Dalek fleet, and the Dalek Emperor. The Doctor might not be able to cope on his own, but we can.'
ANITA
You say he's your friend but he doesn't even know who you are.
RIVER
Listen. All you need to know is this: I'd trust that man to the end of the universe. And actually, we've been.
'Me too.' Martha said.
'Yeah.' Clara. 'I met what was potentially my great-grandson. Hazard of time-travelling!'
ANITA
He doesn't act like he trusts you.
RIVER
(nods) Yeah, there's a tiny problem-he hasn't met me yet. (walks to the DOCTOR who is holding the sonic screwdriver to his ear) What's wrong with it?
DOCTOR
There's a signal coming from somewhere interfering with it.
RIVER
Use the red settings.
DOCTOR
It doesn't have a red setting.
RIVER
Well, use the dampers.
DOCTOR
It doesn't have dampers.
RIVER
It will do one day. (holds her screwdriver out)
'Surely, as you knew that, you'd know he doesn't have them yet. It's pretty obvious to figure out. Or were you just showing off that the future Doctor gave you a better screwdriver than he currently had? Are you stupid?' Rose spat.
DOCTOR
(takes it from her and stands) So, some time in the future, I just give you my screwdriver?
RIVER
Yeah.
DOCTOR
Why would I do that?
RIVER
I didn't pluck it from your cold, dead hands if that's what you're worried about.
DOCTOR
And I know that because...
'Well, she is an archaeologist.' Amy said.
RIVER
Listen to me. You've lost your friend, you're angry. I understand. But you need to be less emotional, Doctor, right now.
DOCTOR
Less emo-I'm not emotional!
Rory shifted, kind of uncomfortably, at that. 'Listen…Melody. Not everyone is bred a psychopath. By normal standards the Doctor is not being emotional.'
'Oh, that explains everything!' Rose snapped. 'A psychopath. No wonder you only think about yourself.'
RIVER
There are five people in this room still alive. Focus on that. Dear God, you're hard work young.
Ten grabbed Rose's arm to stop her lunging at River.
DOCTOR
Young? Who are you?!
LUX
For Heaven's sake! (stands and walks towards them) Look at the pair of you! We're all gonna die right here, and you're just squabbling like an old married couple.
Amy burst out laughing at that – it was somewhat true, at least in that aborted reality, but what happened in an alternate and collapsing timeline, stayed in the alternate, collapsing timeline. Namely, her committing murder. But also marriage at the end of reality.
Some of the tension in the room eased, just a little.
RIVER
Doctor... One day I'm going to be someone you trust completely. But I can't wait for you to find that out. So I'm going to prove it to you. And I'm sorry. I'm really...very sorry.
RIVER whispers in the DOCTOR'S ear. When she's done, he can only stare at her, stunned.
RIVER
Are we good? Doctor...are we good?
DOCTOR
(softly) Yeah. (little louder) Yeah, we're good.
RIVER
Good. (takes screwdriver and walks away)
The DOCTOR takes a few moments to collect himself before returning to the problem at hand.
He'd known, in that moment, that she was his future wife – that was the only reason she'd know his name, the only reason he could think to give it to her. And so they must have fallen in love.
The foreknowledge of that had been every bit as damning for him as reading Amy and Rory's name on their graves.
DOCTOR
Know what's interesting about my screwdriver? Very hard to interfere with, practically nothing strong enough... Well, maybe some hairdryers, but I'm working on that. So, there is a very strong signal coming from somewhere, and it wasn't there before, so what's new, what's changed? Come on, what's new?! What's different?!
'You just love doing that.' Clara sighed. 'Asking around the room so you can look all the more impressive when everyone's stumped except you. And you say I've got egomania.' She was joking, of course. The Doctor had the self-esteem of the ugly duckling. Sometimes. Sometimes he got caught up in megalomania and fancied himself a god, and that's when he needed a human to smack some sense back into him.
OTHER DAVE
I dunno. Nothing. It's getting dark.
DOCTOR
It's a screwdriver. It works in the dark. (looks up) Moonrise. (to LUX) Tell me about the moon. What's there?
LUX
It's not real. It was built as part of The Library. It's just a doctor moon.
'Oh, right!' Rory said. 'That guy – the therapist – he's part of the computer? Makes sense why he can delete memories.'
DOCTOR
What's a doctor moon?
LUX
A virus checker. It supports and maintains the main computer at the core of the planet.
Everything was clicking into place. Clara knew. The girl was the computer. She lived a normal, simulated life, and her brainwaves were used to power the computer. He humanity sacrificed for the Library. But at least, maybe – she had the Library to keep her occupied.
She frowned. It didn't quite add up. Maybe this girl – maybe she wasn't real. An AI. An avatar. But she still thought she was alive, and when she found out she wasn't.
DOCTOR
(tests with sonic screwdriver) Well, it's still active-it's signalling, look. Someone somewhere in this library is alive and communicating with the moon. Or possibly alive and drying their hair. No, the signal is definitely coming from the moon. I'm blocking it, but it's trying to break through-
RIVER
Doctor.
The DOCTOR turns and sees a projection of DONNA.
DOCTOR
Donna!
The projection disappears.
RIVER
That was her. That was your friend. Can you get her back? What was that?
DOCTOR
Hold on, hold on, hold on. I'm trying to find the wavelength. Argh! I'm being blocked!
ANITA
Professor...
RIVER
Just a moment.
Rose groaned. 'You think they'd have learned not to ignore people trying to get their attention after what happened to that lady, Miss Evangelista.'
ANITA
(teary) It's important. I have two shadows.
RIVER
Helmets on, everyone. Anita, I'll get yours.
ANITA
Didn't do Proper Dave any good.
RIVER
Just keep it together, okay?
ANITA
I'm keeping it together. I'm only crying. I'm about to die. It's not an overreaction.
'I liked her.' Amy said. 'And even if I didn't – she doesn't deserve to die.' But it was inevitable that she would, the shadows stripping her flesh.
'She's being very brave.' Martha said.
'It's a good idea, tinting the helmets.' Clara admitted. 'That way, the others won't see her die, and they'll be removed enough from her death that they'll believe they have a chance to survive.'
RIVER puts ANITA'S helmet on for her as the DOCTOR faces her.
DOCTOR
Hang on. (uses the sonic screwdriver to block her visor)
RIVER
Oh, God, they've got inside.
DOCTOR
No, no-I just tinted her visor. Maybe they'll think they're already is there and leave her alone.
'Ever the optimist.' Amy said fondly.
RIVER
You think they could be fooled like that?
DOCTOR
Maybe. I don't know. It's a swarm-it's not like we chat.
'I refuse to believe there is anything in the universe you can't talk to.' Younger Rose said. 'You can talk five billion languages. You always make an offer for peace.'
OTHER DAVE
Can you still see in there?
ANITA
Just about.
DOCTOR
Just-just-just stay back. Professor, quick word, please.
RIVER
What?
DOCTOR
(squats) Down here.
RIVER
(squats beside him) What is it?
DOCTOR
You said there are five people still alive in this room.
RIVER
Yeah, so?
DOCTOR
So... (whispers) why are there six?
They turn to the opening where another suited figure stands. "PROPER DAVE" has found them.
PROPER DAVE
Hey, who turned out the lights?
'How did we not see that-' Amy gasped. It was like being back in the tunnels under the Byzantium – realising that, instead of being surrounded by Aplan statues commemorating the dead, they were in the depths of thousands of weeping angels. A sinking terror.
DOCTOR
Run!
They all run from the room. "PROPER DAVE" follows.
PROPER DAVE
Hey, who turned out the lights?
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is watching on TV as "PROPER DAVE" chases the others.
PROPER DAVE
(on TV) Hey, who turned out the lights? Hey, who turned out the lights?
The GIRL changes the channel to see DONNA bringing in some tea.
DONNA
(on TV) Here you are, Dr Moon.
INT. McAVOY HOME, LIVING ROOM
DONNA is surprised that DR MOON isn't there. Her daughter, ELLA, comes running up.
ELLA
Mummy, I made you! (she holds up a figure made in clay)
DONNA
Oh, that's nice, Ella. Where's the face?
ELLA
I don't know.
DONNA
(sets down tea) Did you see Dr Moon? Did he leave?
LEE appears in the doorway.
CHILDREN
Daddy! (they run to him)
LEE
(gets down) Hello, you two! Come here. Big hugs. (they hug him) Big Daddy hugs.
ELLA
Look what I made.
LEE
Oh? It's Mummy?
DONNA
It hasn't got a face. Did you see Dr Moon?
'Maybe it hasn't got a face because Donna's face is on one of those creepy statue things.'
LEE
No. Why, was he here?
DONNA
Yeah, just a second ago. You must've passed him.
DONNA walks to the window in time to see the black train of an old-fashioned woman's gown disappear behind some trees.
Of course it wouldn't take long for her computer-simulated reality to start falling apart. But if Donna had a Doctor Moon, she must be in the same world as the little girl. Clara hoped she could find her. Perhaps the Doctor would rescue both of them.
LEE
You all right?
DONNA
Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine, it's just...
LEE
Just...
DONNA
Nothing. (hugs him) It's been a long day, that's all. I'm just tired.
Sudden cut to-
INT. McAVOY HOME, MASTER BEDROOM
DONNA is in pyjamas and confused as to how she got there.
LEE
You okay?
DONNA
I said I was tired. And... (slowly remembers) we put the kids to bed and watched television.
Lee nods along with her. They hear the creaking of the front door mail slot.
DONNA
Was that a letter?
LEE
It's midnight.
DONNA
Go and see what it is.
LEE goes downstairs and DONNA looks out the window. She sees a veiled woman all in black walk slowly across the street.
LEE
(returning) The world is wrong.
DONNA
(looks at him) What?
LEE
For you, weird enough. (reads) "Dear Donna, the world is wrong. Meet me at your usual play park 2:00 tomorrow."
'And you know it's wrong.' Ten said quietly, and sadly. 'Come on, Donna. Wake up.'
LEE hands her the note and she walks to the window. LEE comes up behind her. They both look out to see the woman walk away.
DONNA
Nutter.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is on the couch, hugging her legs.
GIRL
Don't go. Please don't go.
'How does she know everything that's going on?' Rory asked.
EXT. DAY, PLAYGROUND
DONNA arrives with JOSHUA and ELLA. She sees the mysterious woman sitting on a bench, the veil covering her face.
DONNA
(to children) All right, you two, off you go. No fighting.
'Yeah, they're going to fight.' Clara said. 'Children always do.'
The children run off laughing and DONNA walks towards the woman.
DONNA
(sits on bench) I got your note last night. "The world is wrong"-what's that mean?
WOMAN
No, you didn't.
DONNA
I'm sorry. What?
WOMAN
You didn't get my note last night. You got it a few seconds ago. Having decided to come, you suddenly found yourself arriving. That is how time progresses here, in the manner of a dream. You've suspected that before, haven't you, Donna Noble?
It was a disconcerting thought. They were all of them used to time passing in a linear, slow progression, and of it fleeing before their eyes when they travelled in the TARDIS, but the idea of being simply unable to grasp or control it was a horrifying one.
DONNA
How do you know me?
WOMAN
We met before. In The Library. You were kind to me. I hope now to return that kindness.
'I knew I recognised the voice!' Amy said triumphantly. 'It's Miss Evangelista.'
DONNA
Your voice...I recognize it.
WOMAN
Yes, you do. I am what is left of Miss Evangelista.
INT. LIBRARY, CORRIDOR
The group is running along a raised connecting corridor between two buildings.
DOCTOR
Professor, go ahead. Fine a safe spot.
RIVER
It's a carnivorous swarm in a suit! You can't reason with it.
DOCTOR
Five minutes!
'Told you.' Rose said. She was proud of him, though – proud that the Doctor would risk himself to give these creatures a chance, aggressive as they would seem. He believed the potential for good, or at least, neutrality, was in everyone. It was something humans sometimes lacked.
RIVER
Other Dave, stay with him. Pull him out when he's too stupid to live. Two minutes, Doctor!
RIVER, ANITA and LUX leave. "PROPER DAVE" arrives.
PROPER DAVE
Hey, who turned out the lights?
DOCTOR
(runs up to it) You hear that? Those words? That is the very last thought of the man who wore that suit, before you climbed inside and stripped his flesh. That's a man's soul trapped inside a neural relay, going round and round forever. Now if you don't have the decency to let him go, how 'bout this? Use him, talk to me. It's easy, neural relay. Just point and think. Use him, talk to me.
PROPER DAVE
(advances) Hey, who turned out the lights?
DOCTOR
The Vashta Nerada live on all the worlds in this system but you hunt in forests. What are you doing in a library?
OTHER DAVE
We should go. Doctor!
DOCTOR
(to OTHER DAVE) In a minute! (to "PROPER DAVE") You came to The Library to hunt. Why? Just tell me why?
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
(stops) We...did not...
DOCTOR
Oh, hello.
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
We did not-
DOCTOR
Take it easy. You'll get the hang of it.
'Yeah, it's not like it takes humans a couple of years to master language.' Rose said grumpily.
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
We...did not...come here.
DOCTOR
Of course you did. 'Course you came here.
'Jumping to conclusions, Doctor.' Clara sighed. 'I thought you'd know better by now.'
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
We come from here.
DOCTOR
From here?
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
We hatched here.
DOCTOR
But you hatched from trees-from spores in trees.
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
These are our forests.
DOCTOR
You're nowhere near a forest. Look around you.
PROPER DAVE/VASHTA NERADA
These are our forests!
DOCTOR
You're not in a forest. You're in a library. There are no trees in a...library.
'Of course, spaceman.' Donna said. 'Books are made from trees. We learn that when we're four. Martian education is rubbish.'
OTHER DAVE
We should go. Doctor!
DOCTOR
Books. You came in the books. Microspores in a million million books.
OTHER DAVE
We should go. Doctor!
DOCTOR
Oh, look at that. (looks out at The Library) The forests of the Vashta Nerada, pulped and printed and bound...a million million books, hatching shadows.
OTHER DAVE
We should go. Doctor!
DOCTOR
(turns to OTHER DAVE) Oh...Dave. (walks to him) Oh, Dave, I'm so sorry.
Another one dead. With such a small group – it was rare for the Doctor to lose so many. Even Clara had fared better when she'd taken over his job that time the TARDIS shrank. And still, the Lux guy was alive. If anyone should be eaten by shadows, it was him.
No, that wasn't true. But millions of vashta narada. The Doctor couldn't fight that. He just had to get them out alive. And that wasn't working very well.
The lights in the neural relay are blinking and there's only a skeleton inside the suit. Both advance on the DOCTOR, trapping him.
PROPER DAVE
Hey, who turned out the lights?
OTHER DAVE
We should go. Doctor!
DOCTOR
Thing about me, I'm stupid. I talk too much. Always babbling on. This gob doesn't stop for anything. Want to know the only reason I'm still alive? Always stay near the door.
'At least you know what's up, Doc.' Graham teased.
The DOCTOR uses the sonic screwdriver on a trapdoor beneath him and falls through. Both DAVES look down and all they see is the long drop to the ground. The DOCTOR is clinging to a girder beneath the corridor, the sonic in his mouth.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is watching on the couch, smiling at the DOCTOR'S escape.
The companions found themselves grinning too. The greatest mistake anyone could ever make was letting the Doctor talk. Either he talked his way into stopping you – or you found yourself falling in love with him.
EXT. DAY, PLAYGROUND
DONNA and MISS EVANGELISTA are walking along the edge of the playground.
MISS EVANGELISTA
I suggested we meet here because a playground's the easiest place to see it-to see the lie.
DONNA
What lie?
MISS EVANGELISTA
The children. Look at the children.
DONNA
Why do you wear that veil? If I had a face like yours, I wouldn't hide it.
MISS EVANGELISTA
You remember my face, then. The memories are all still there-The Library, the Doctor, me. You've just been programmed not to look.
DONNA
Sorry, but...you're dead
There are flashes of MISS EVANGELISTA'S skeleton.
MISS EVANGELISTA
In a way, we're all dead here, Donna. We are the dead of The Library.
DONNA
Well, what about the children? The children aren't dead. My children aren't dead.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Your children were never alive.
DONNA
Don't you say that. Don't you dare say that about my children!
MISS EVANGELISTA
Look at your children. Look at all of them-really look. They're not real. Do you see it now? They're all the same. (All the children in the park are the same girl and boy even down to the clothes) All the children of this world-the same boy and the same girl over and over again.
DONNA
Stop it! Why are you doing this? Why are you wearing that veil?
DONNA pulls off the veil to reveal the once lovely face of MISS EVANGELISTA now distorted and warped. DONNA screams.
'Oh, my god!' Martha pressed a hand to her mouth. 'That's- oh, the poor woman! I think I would rather have died for good.'
INT. LIVING ROOM
On the couch, the GIRL screams and buries her face in a pillow. She peeks at the screen and lets out a sob when she sees MISS EVANGELISTA.
'She feels guilty.' Ten said sadly. 'She wasn't able to save her, not perfectly. And she thinks she should be able to. But of course she can't. No one can save everyone.'
INT. LIBRARY, YELLOW DOMED READING ROOM
It's night on The Library. RIVER uses her sonic screwdriver to test the shadows.
RIVER
You know...it's funny, I keep wishing the Doctor was here.
ANITA
The Doctor is here, isn't he? I mean, he's coming back, right?
RIVER
You know when you see a photograph of someone you know but it's from years before you met them, and it's like they're not quite...finished, they're-they're not quite done yet? Well...yes, the Doctor's here. He came when I called just like he always does. But not my Doctor. Now, my Doctor... I've seen whole armies turn and run away, and he'd just swagger off back to his TARDIS and open the doors with a snap of his fingers. The Doctor...in the TARDIS-next stop: everywhere.
'Quite an accomplishment, to swagger in tweed.' Amy said. She remembered the second time she'd met the Doctor, when he'd come back – when he'd stood before an army of snowflake-eyeballs, an army of beings willing and ready to burn earth to a crisp without a flicker of remorse – and told them to run, and they had. Despite the bowtie, he'd been impressive.
DOCTOR
Spoilers! (joins from other side of the room) Nobody can open a TARDIS by snapping their fingers. Doesn't work like that.
RIVER
It does for the Doctor.
DOCTOR
I am the Doctor.
RIVER
Yeah. Some day.
'Get out.' Rose spat. She stood up, glowering down at River. Martha stood at her shoulder, and she had a hand on her shoulder, almost seeming to be holding her back, not that she could do much.
'Rose, leave it.' John said hastily. 'It doesn't matter.'
'She has no right to say those things.' Rose's voice was trembling. 'You are the Doctor. You are more the Doctor than this…Eleven will ever be. You can't just lay down and let her talk to you like that! You deserve better than this woman. Even the Daleks have more respect. You saved the universe! You saved earth countless times. You saved every planet in this universe, I reckon, and who is this- archaeologist to judge? She called you! She couldn't do it herself. And when you show up, she dares to say-' Rose cut herself off, breathing heavily. 'Get out of this room. If you ever talk to my Doctor again, I will return you to the earth.'
'Rose!' Ten said. 'Leave it! She was right. I let a lot of her friends die. She was grieving.'
But Rose shook him off. There was a hint of yellow in her eyes. 'He's my Doctor. He's the Doctor. Anyone who thinks otherwise…' The accent was dropped from her voice, and it sounded – higher, ethereal. 'Is long dead.'
River vanished in a burst of blue, and appeared at the other side of the room.
Rose collapsed backwards into her husband's arms. Clara bolted upright.
'What the hell was that!' Her words were echoed by the other Doctors.
'Bad Wolf.' Ten said, dumbfounded. 'But that- that's gone! I took it from her.'
'Those things leave a trace.' John said. 'They can't ever really leave. When she gets upset…Bad Wolf returns to defend me, still.' He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
'Of course.' Ten said. 'Rose Tyler. How I missed her.' He stroked a strand of blonde hair from her face. 'I could always rely on her. She was always so kind – to everything. Even me. She taught me love- ahem.' He ran a hand through his hair. 'Sorry.'
'It's nothing.' John said. 'She'd have married you, if you'd asked. And you her.'
'Yeah.' But he couldn't have. Rose deserved an ordinary life with a man who could grow old with her. It had been the hardest thing, to leave her on that beach. The worst.
'Will she be okay?' Eleven said, softly. He came over to examine the woman, placing a hand gently on her cheek, then ran a quick scan with his screwdriver. 'She should wake up soon. But maybe we ought to take her to her room. Let her lie down properly.' At a nod, the other two Doctors – well, one Doctor, one metacrisis, but basically still the Doctor – hoisted Rose up, and they carried her into the corridor. The door slid smoothly shut behind them.
River mussed with her hair a bit and sat back down. 'I bet you liked her, too.'
DOCTOR
(walks to ANITA) How are you doing?
RIVER
Where's Other Dave?
DOCTOR
Not coming. Sorry.
ANITA
Well, if they've taken him, why haven't they gotten me yet?
DOCTOR
I don't know. (sees she still has two shadows) Maybe tinting the visor's making a difference.
ANITA
It's making a difference all right. No one's ever gonna see my face again.
DOCTOR
Can I get you anything?
ANITA
An old age would be nice. Anything you can do.
DOCTOR
I'm all over it.
'I do like her.' Younger Rose said, sadly. 'But she got to see things, in her life, I hope. She got to see space. I always admire people who go where others have died. They're proper brave. They want answers. They want to give the families of the dead closure. That's one of the most selfless things I can think of.'
ANITA
Doctor-When we first met you, you didn't trust Professor Song. And then she whispered a word in your ear and you did. My life so far, I could do with a word like that. What did she say? (chuckles when the DOCTOR doesn't answer) Give a dead girl a break. Your secrets are safe with me.
'Safer with her than with River.' Clara said scathingly. She would never forgive her for opening the Doctor's grave. It had worked out in the end, but when the Doctor was on the floor, screaming – she'd never felt such a white-hot hatred for someone.
DOCTOR
Safe. Safe. You don't say, "saved". Nobody says, "saved", you say, "safe". The data fragment-what did it say?
LUX
"4022 people saved. No survivors."
RIVER
Doctor?
DOCTOR
Nobody says saved, nutters say saved, you say safe. It didn't mean safe. It literally meant...saved!
'Yeah, like, religious types.' Amy muttered.
EXT. DAY, PLAYGROUND
DONNA and MISS EVANGELISTA are walking in the park.
DONNA
What happened to your face?
MISS EVANGELISTA
Transcription errors. Destroyed my face, did wonders for my intellect. I'm a very poor copy of myself.
Clara was abruptly reminded of Madame Vastra. She wore a veil because she looked unusual – different – but that didn't mean she wasn't able to do what needed to be done. Perhaps it even made it easier.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL watches DONNA and MISS EVANGELISTA on TV.
DONNA
(on TV) Where are we? Why are the children all the same?
MISS EVANGELISTA
(on TV) The same pattern over and over saves an awful lot of space.
DONNA
(on TV) Space?
The GIRL is scared.
MISS EVANGELISTA
(on TV) Cyberspace.
GIRL
(jumps off couch and yells at TV) No, don't tell! You mustn't tell!
Pity swirled in Amy's chest. This girl – this child – trying so hard to keep things together, to keep everyone safe. She was too young for such responsibility. Amy quite wanted to shoot whoever had left her in that situation.
INT. LIBRARY, YELLOW DOMED READING ROOM
The DOCTOR is at a terminal.
DOCTOR
See? There it is! Right there! A hundred years ago, massive power surge, all the teleports going at once. Soon as the Vashta Nerada hit their hatching cycle, they attack. Someone hits the alarm, the computer tries to teleport everyone out.
RIVER
It tried to teleport 4022 people?
DOCTOR
Succeeded. Pulled 'em all out. But then what? Nowhere to send them. Nowhere safe in the whole library with Vashta Nerada growing in every shadow. 4022 people, all beamed up and nowhere to go. They're stuck in the system, waiting to be sent-like emails. So what's a computer to do? What does a computer always do?
RIVER
It saved them.
The DOCTOR runs to a table, pushes books out of the way, and draws on its surface.
DOCTOR
The Library. Whole world of books. And right at the core, the biggest hard drive in history. The index to everything ever written. Backup copies of every single book. The computer saved 4022 people the only way a computer can. It saved them...to the hard drive.
Younger Rose pulled a face. 'Didn't you say that humans spent a million years as downloads anyways, Doctor?' She asked. 'After the machine uprising.'
EXT. DAY, GAZEBO
MISS EVANGELISTA
Your physical self is stored in The Library as an energy signature. It can be actualised again whenever you or The Library requires.
DONNA
The Library? If my face ends up on one of those statues...
MISS EVANGELISTA
You remember the statues?
DONNA
Wait, no-Just...Hang on. (puts fingers to temples) So...this isn't the real me? This isn't my real body? But I've been dieting!
A few giggles at that.
MISS EVANGELISTA
What you see around you, this entire world...
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL continues to watch on TV.
MISS EVANGELISTA
(on TV)...is nothing more than a virtual reality.
EXT. DAY, GAZEBO
DONNA
So why do you look like that?
MISS EVANGELISTA
I had no choice. You teleported, you're a perfect reproduction. I was just a data ghost caught in the wi-fi and automatically uploaded.
'Of course, a massive library from the future has a Wi-Fi.' Clara sighed.
DONNA
And it made you clever?
MISS EVANGELISTA
We're only strings of numbers in here. I think a decimal point may have shifted in my IQ but my face has been the bigger advantage. I have the two qualities you require to see absolute truth. I am brilliant...and unloved.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is becoming teary-eyed.
EXT. DAY, GAZEBO
DONNA
If this is all a dream...whose dream is it?
MISS EVANGELISTA
It's hard to see everything in the data core, even for me, but...there is a word...
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL looks very sad.
EXT. DAY, GAZEBO
MISS EVANGELISTA
...Just one word..."CAL".
'What is CAL?' Rory asked. 'It's – it's everywhere. And how can it be dreaming?'
INT. LIVING ROOM
Upset, the GIRL changes the channel.
ELLA
(on TV) Mummy, my knee!
EXT. DAY, PLAYGROUND
DONNA rushes to ELLA who has fallen.
DONNA
Oh, look at that knee! Oh, look at that silly old knee. (hugs ELLA)
MISS EVANGELISTA
She's not real. They're fictions. I'm sorry, but now that you understand that, you won't be able to keep a hold. They are sustained only by your belief.
DONNA
You don't know! You don't have children!
MISS EVANGELISTA
Neither do you!
DONNA walks away with the children.
INT. LIVING ROOM
MISS EVANGELISTA
(on TV) Donna, for your own sake, let them go!
GIRL
(yells at TV) Stop it! You'll spoil everything! I hate you! You're going to ruin everything! Stop it!
Her FATHER hears her and comes from the kitchen.
FATHER
Sweetie, what's wrong?
GIRL
Shut up! (presses button on the remote and her FATHER disappears) Daddy! No, Daddy! (throws down remote)
INT. LIBRARY, YELLOW DOMED READING ROOM
An alarm blares.
LUX
What is it? What's wrong?
COMPUTER
Auto-destruct enabled in twenty minutes.
'Why does it have an auto-destruct if it's a little girl in there!' Amy yelled.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is lying on the couch, her face tear-stained as she watches the TV.
ELLA
(on TV) Mummy, what did the lady mean? Are we not real?
JOSHUA
(on TV) Where are we going?
DONNA
(on TV) Home.
Sudden cut to-
INT. McAVOY HOME, LIVING ROOM
DONNA, and the children arrive home and everything is bathed in a red light. An alarm is blaring.
JOSHUA
That was quick, wasn't it, Mummy?
ELLA
Mummy, what's wrong with the sky?
DONNA looks out the window, horrified.
'Oh, dear god.' Martha whispered.
INT. LIBRARY, YELLOW DOMED READING ROOM
The DOCTOR and RIVER are at one of the terminals.
RIVER
What's maximum erasure?
DOCTOR
Twenty minutes, this planet's gonna crack like an egg.
LUX
No. No, it's all right. The doctor moon'll stop it. It's designed to protect CAL.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is curled up on the floor crying.
MOON
Now you really must stop this, you know. You've forgotten again. It was you who saved all those people. And then...you remembered.
GIRL
Shut up, Dr Moon! (uses the remote and DR MOON disappears)
'I suppose that answers that question.' Clara said quietly. 'He was helpful.'
INT. LIBRARY, YELLOW DOMED READING ROOM
The terminal shuts down.
DOCTOR
No, no. No, no, no, no! (climbs up and uses the sonic screwdriver to open the top)
COMPUTER
All Library systems are permanently offline. Sorry for any inconvenience.
LUX
We need to stop this. We've gotta save CAL.
DOCTOR
What is it? What is CAL?
LUX
We need to get to the main computer. I'll show you.
DOCTOR
It's at the core of the planet.
RIVER
Well then... Let's go!
RIVER aims her sonic screwdriver at the seal in the middle of the floor and it opens, showing a blue beam of light.
RIVER
Gravity platform.
DOCTOR
I bet I like you.
RIVER
Oh, you do.
The four of them step onto the platform and it takes them down to the core.
INT. McAVOY HOME, LIVING ROOM
DONNA is sitting on the couch hugging ELLA and JOSHUA.
JOSHUA
Mummy, you're hurting my hand.
DONNA
You just-you just stay where I can see you. You don't get out of my sight.
ELLA
Is it bedtime?
Sudden cut to-
INT. McAVOY HOME, CHILDREN'S BEDROOM
DONNA pauses tucking the children into bed. She sits on the side of ELLA'S bed.
DONNA
Okay... That was lovely, wasn't it? That was a lovely bedtime. We had warm milk, and we watched cartoons, and then Mummy read you a lovely bedtime story.
ELLA
Mummy, Joshua and me, we're not real, are we?
DONNA
Of course you're real. You're as real as anything! Why'd you say that?
JOSHUA
But, Mummy, sometimes, when you're not here, it's like we're not here.
ELLA
Even when you close your eyes, we just stop.
DONNA
Well, Mummy promises to never close her eyes again! (When she looks back at the beds, the children are gone) Oh, my God. No, please! (falls to her knees) No, please! No! No, no! No, no! (sobs)
Amy closed her eyes. She knew all too well how that felt – to lose a child. Even if the ones you held in your hands were not your real child, it hurt. It was a deep aching failure, a grief and a loss and an ache so deep you just – screamed sometimes. Rory helped, of course, he held her as she sobbed, and he told her there is nothing she could have done, nothing anyone could have done. He rubbed her shoulders as she cried so hard she puked, as she blamed herself, even him. The Doctor. It was the Doctor's fault. It wasn't.
He didn't mean for it to happen. He didn't ask for an elaborate and convoluted plan to be hatched to take him down. He didn't mean to make such an impact that people started plotting to remove him from the universal stage. Perhaps it was her fault; she expected so much from him, and he acted crazy. Got too big. And they stole her baby from her.
The Doctor tried his best. He didn't die, much as he probably would have liked to. He gave River the same second chance he gave everyone, the chance to be good. She'd squandered it to become a trigger-happy thief, and Amy struggled to think of her as her daughter. Hearing how she was – hearing how she insulted a man she didn't know at all, how she put their Doctor, bowtie Doctor, on an unattainable level just like Amy had – just how she'd paid the price to do, after the Doctor left her and Rory after that hotel – well, hearing that, Amy wondered if she even could have done a good job parenting River – Melody, if she'd been able to keep her.
But Rory. Rory would have helped her. Rory would have made Melody perfect. The Doctor graciously called her the Girl Who Waited, but it was Rory that was patient. He was always there. 2000 years, outside a box. She saw that in his eyes, when he thought she wasn't watching. A life in the Roman Army. The things he'd seen in there still gave him nightmares. He tried to hide it, but he couldn't quite get over it. She tried to be there for him as he was for her, but she never seemed to do it right. He'd had a family, when he was a Roman, a wife, and a son. She couldn't have children – she couldn't make him a father again. She'd wanted him to leave, to find someone who was deserving of him, but that had been giving up. They had to admit it. They were both changed by what they had been through, together and apart. They had to work through that, and there was no shame in it.
INT. LIBRARY, COMPUTER CORE
COMPUTER
Auto-destruct in fifteen minutes.
DOCTOR
(looks up) The data core. Over 4000 living minds trapped inside it.
RIVER
They won't be living much longer. We're running out of time.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL is curled up on the floor crying.
GIRL
Help me. Please, help me. Please! Please, help me.
INT. LIBRARY, COMPUTER CORE
The DOCTOR finds a terminal. They hear the GIRL'S voice.
GIRL
Help me. Please, help me.
ANITA
What's that?
RIVER
Was that a child?
DOCTOR
The computer's in sleep mode. (taps keyboard) I can't wake it up. I'm trying.
INT. LIVING ROOM
The GIRL lies on the floor, electronic toys whirring around her. A wind blows through sending papers flying. It terrifies her even more.
INT. LIBRARY, COMPUTER CORE
RIVER
Doctor, these readings.
DOCTOR
I know. You'd think it was...dreaming.
LUX
It is dreaming-of a normal life, and a lovely dad, and of every book ever written.
ANITA
Computers don't dream.
GIRL
Help me. Please, help me.
LUX
No, but little girls do. (pulls a lever in a cabinet)
LUX runs into the next room and the others follow. A node turns around and it has the GIRL'S face.
NODE
Help me. Please, help me. Help me. Please, help me.
RIVER
Oh, my God.
ANITA
It's the little girl. The girl we saw on the computer.
LUX
She's not in the computer. In a way, she is the computer. The main command node. This is CAL.
DOCTOR
CAL is a child! A child hooked up to a mainframe! Why didn't you tell me this? I needed to know this!
LUX
Because she's family! "CAL"-Charlotte Abigail Lux. My grandfather's youngest daughter. She was dying, so he built her a library and put her living mind inside, with a moon to watch over her, and all of human history to pass the time, any era to live in, any book to read. She loved books more than anything. And he gave her them all. He asked only that she be left in peace. A secret, not a freak show.
DOCTOR
So you weren't protecting a patent, you were protecting her.
LUX
This is only half a life, of course...(strokes her face) ...but it's forever.
DOCTOR
And then the shadows came.
CAL
The shadows. I have to...I have to save. Have to save.
DOCTOR
And she saved them. She saved everyone in The Library. Folded them into her dreams and kept them safe.
ANITA
Then why didn't she tell us?
DOCTOR
Because she's forgotten. She's got over 4000 living minds chatting away inside her head. It must be like...being, well, me.
Rose took in a breath. She knew what that felt like, all too well. To look into the Time Vortex and see all of space and time, laid out before her like the ground rushing past as you fly in an aeroplane. Only she knew everything about every blade of grass, every bug, every person, every building. She knew the history and what would happen. It was too much. And it didn't stop.
Having a human brain had helped. It immediately forgot a lot of it, buried some more. But the Doctor didn't have that defence. He may have more cortexes in his brain than her, but she didn't know how he remained in the now. If she'd stopped focussing for even a moment while she was the Bad Wolf, she became almost catatonic, her mind gone with the tsunami of everything.
No wonder he was always running.
RIVER
So what do we do?
COMPUTER
Auto-destruct in ten-
DOCTOR
Easy! (runs back to terminal) We beam all the people out of the data core, the computer will reset and stop the countdown. Difficult. Charlotte doesn't have enough memory space left to make the transfer. (goes to banks of wires) Easy! I'll hook myself up to the computer, and she can borrow my memory space!
It made sense, Clara thought. The Doctor had used the electricity buzzing through his brain to create new copies of himself, over and over, to force his way through the diamond wall in his confession dial. Of course, brain like his, would have almost infinite memory space.
RIVER
Difficult. It'll kill you stone dead!
DOCTOR
(working on wires) Yeah, it's easy to criticize.
RIVER
It'll burn up both your hearts and don't think you'll regenerate!
DOCTOR
I'll try my hardest not to die. Honestly, it's my main thing.
Rose chuckled. 'It really is.'
RIVER
Doctor!
DOCTOR
If I'm right, this'll work. Shut up! Now, listen, you and Luxy Boy, back up to the main library. Prime any data cells you can find for maximum download. And before you say anything else, Professor, can I just mention, as you're here, shut up.
RIVER
Oh! I hate you sometimes! (starts to leave)
DOCTOR
(at terminal) I know!
RIVER
Mr Lux, with me. Anita, if he dies...I'll kill him! (leaves)
ANITA
(to the DOCTOR) What about the Vashta Nerada?
DOCTOR
These are their forests! I'm gonna seal Charlotte inside her little world, and take everybody else away. The shadows can swarm to their hearts' content.
ANITA
You think they're just gonna let us go?
DOCTOR
Best offer they're gonna get.
ANITA
You're gonna make them an offer?
DOCTOR
And they'd better take it, 'cause right now I'm finding it very hard to make any kind of offer at all. (stops and looks at her) Because you know what? I really liked Anita. She was brave even when she was crying, and she never gave in. And you ate her. (uses sonic screwdriver and the visor clears to show a skull) But I'm gonna let that pass as long as you let them pass.
ANITA/VASHTA NERADA
How long have you known?
DOCTOR
I counted the shadows. You only have one now. (looks at blinking neural relay) She's nearly gone now. Be kind.
ANITA/VASHTA NERADA
These are our forests. We are not kind.
DOCTOR
I'm giving you back your forests, but you are giving me them. You are letting them go.
ANITA/VASHTA NERADA
These are our forests. They are our meat. (shadows extend towards the DOCTOR)
DOCTOR
Don't play games with me. You just killed someone I liked-that is not a safe place to stand. I'm the Doctor and you're in the biggest library in the universe. Look me up.
The shadows halt while the DOCTOR stares down the skeleton. The shadows retreat.
It was – odd, when the Doctor did that. Pulled rank, Amy liked to call it. Her Doctor did it a lot – said he was the one that monsters had nightmares about. He was the Doctor. He was a Time Lord. Occasionally on adventures, they'd come across a species old enough to remember the Time War. They counted the hearts and fled.
She didn't know how she felt about it. It was a horrible reminder that the Doctor had a history before she became a companion, a long and dangerous one fraught with strife. It was hard too look past the goofiness and the floppy hair, but sometimes the bones peeked through. The anger, born from those years of self-hatred and guilt. All 900 years of space and time. 10 years she'd been with him, and what she'd seen…100 times longer than that… she couldn't imagine. Of course he had a reputation.
ANITA/VASHTA NERADA
You have one day. (the suit collapses)
The DOCTOR turns back to the terminal. RIVER rushes in and kneels by the suit.
RIVER
Anita!
DOCTOR
I'm sorry. She's been dead a while now. I told you to go!
RIVER
Lux can manage without me...but you can't. (gets up and punches him, knocking him unconscious)
'We've all wanted to do that.' Amy muttered.
-LATER
RIVER is sitting in a special chair connecting wires.
COMPUTER
Auto-destruct in two minutes.
The DOCTOR comes to lying on the floor handcuffed to a pillar.
DOCTOR
Oh, no, no, no! What are you doing? That's my job.
RIVER
What, I'm not allowed to have a career, I suppose?
Twelve grinned to himself. He'd come face to face with River's career on the crashing space-ship over Darillium.
DOCTOR
Why am I handcu-Why do you even have handcuffs?
RIVER
Spoilers.
Clara shot the Doctor a look, eyebrows raised. He didn't meet her eyes.
DOCTOR
This is not a joke. Stop this now. This is gonna kill you! I'll have a chance, you don't have any!
RIVER
You wouldn't have a chance and neither do I! I'm timing it for the end of the countdown. There'll be a blip in the command flow. That way it should improve our chances of a clean download.
DOCTOR
River, please, no!
RIVER
Funny thing is, this means you've always known how I was going to die. All the time we've been together, you knew I was coming here. The last time I saw you -the real you, the future you, I mean-you turned up on my doorstep with a new haircut and a suit. You took me to Darillium to see the Singing Towers. Oh, what a night that was. The towers sang...and you cried.
COMPUTER
Auto-destruct in one minute.
RIVER
You wouldn't tell me why, but I suppose you knew it was time-my time, time to come to The Library. You even gave me your sonic screwdriver-that should have been a clue.
Both screwdrivers and RIVER'S diary are on the floor, just out of the DOCTOR'S reach.
RIVER
There's nothing you can do.
DOCTOR
Let me do this!
RIVER
If you die here, it'll mean I've never met you.
DOCTOR
Time can be rewritten!
RIVER
Not those times. Not one line. Don't you dare. It's okay. It's okay, it's not over for you. You'll see me again. You've got all of that to come. You and me, time and space. You watch us run.
DOCTOR
River, you know my name.
COMPUTER
Auto-destruct in 10...
DOCTOR
You whispered my name in my ear.
COMPUTER
...9, 8, 7, 6...
RIVER places a circlet on her head to connect her to the computer.
DOCTOR
There's only one reason I would ever tell anyone my name-
COMPUTER
...5...
DOCTOR
There's only one time I could...
COMPUTER
...4...
RIVER
Hush, now.
COMPUTER
...3, 2...
RIVER
Spoilers.
COMPUTER
...1
RIVER connects the cables and there is a blinding light.
'Well, that's that then.' Martha said sourly.
NT. McAVOY HOME, FRONT HALLWAY
DONNA is sitting on the stairs when LEE arrives home.
LEE
Donna! What's happening?
DONNA
I don't know, but it's not real. Nothing here is real. The whole world, everything-none of it's real!
A white light surrounds them.
LEE
Am I real?
DONNA
Of course, you're real. I know you're real!
The light becomes stronger and they are pulled apart.
DONNA
Oh, God-Oh, God, I hope you're real.
LEE stutters her name as he is pulled further away.
DONNA
I'll find you! I promise you, I'll find you!
INT. LIBRARY, RECEPTION
LUX is working at a terminal when he hears a man's voice.
MAN
Excuse me.
LUX looks up to see a room full of people.
MAN
What happened? How did we get here?
LUX
(walks to MAN and cups his face) Look at you. You're back! You're all back! He did it! (laughs and hugs people) You're all back! Look at you!
'Maybe he wasn't so bad.' Martha said grudgingly. 'He seems happy they're alive. That's something.'
EXT LIBRARY, BALCONY
LUX runs down to the balustrade and looks out over the busy library.
LUX
Look at that. Oh, look at that, he did it. 4022 people...safe!
INT. LIBRARY, COMPUTER CORE
The DOCTOR, still handcuffed, stares heartbroken at RIVER'S off-screen body.
INT. LIBRARY, SHOP
The newly saved people line up to use the teleport.
PA
Please be patient. Only three can teleport at a time. Do not state your intended destination until you arrive in your designated starliner.
DONNA joins the DOCTOR who is leaning against the wall by the door.
DOCTOR
Any luck?
DONNA
Wasn't even anyone called Lee in The Library that day. (stands beside him) Suppose he could have had a different name out here, but let's be honest-he wasn't real, was he?
DOCTOR
Maybe not.
DONNA
I made up the perfect man-gorgeous, adores me, and hardly ever speaks a word. What's that say about me?
DOCTOR
(absently) Everything. (DONNA looks at him offended) Sorry, did I say "everything"? I meant to say "nothing". I was aiming for "nothing". I accidentally said "everything".
PA
Stand right in the middle of the teleport, please.
DONNA
What about you? You all right?
DOCTOR
I'm always all right.
DONNA
Is "all right" special Time Lord code for..."really not all right at all"?
DOCTOR
Why?
DONNA
'Cause I'm all right too.
They look at each other, understanding perfectly without words.
DOCTOR
Come on. (takes her hand and they head out)
"LEE" stands on the teleport and sees DONNA from the back. His stammer prevents him calling her name. He is teleported away.
'No!' Amy cried out. A kind of visceral pain took her. She imagined- if Rory- she never saw Rory again. Well, she didn't have to imagine. But still-
EXT LIBRARY, BALCONY
The DOCTOR leaves RIVER'S diary on the balustrade and rests his hand on it.
DONNA
Your friend...Professor Song. She knew you in the future but she didn't know me. What happens to me? Because, when she heard my name, the way she looked at me-
DOCTOR
Donna...this is her diary. My future. I could look you up. What do you think? Shall we peek at the end?
DONNA
Spoilers...right?
DOCTOR
Right. (lays RIVER'S sonic screwdriver on top) Come on. (walks away) The next chapter's this way.
RIVER
(v.o.) When you run with the Doctor, it feels like it will never end. But however hard you try, you can't run forever. Everybody knows that everybody dies, and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of the all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever, for one moment, accepts it.
The DOCTOR runs back and picks up RIVER'S sonic screwdriver.
DOCTOR
Why? Why would I give her my screwdriver? Why would I do that? Thing is, Future Me had years to think about it, all those years to think of a way to save her. What he did was give her a sonic screwdriver-why would I do that? (slips open a panel to reveal a neural relay) Oh, oh, oh... Look at that! I'm very good!
DONNA
What have you done?
DOCTOR
(shows DONNA the relay) Saved her. (runs off)
INT. LIBRARY
The DOCTOR runs back through The Library to get to the core.
DOCTOR
Stay with me! You can do it! Stay with me, come on! (leaps over cart) You and me, one last run!
INT. LIBRARY, YELLOW DOMED READING ROOM
DOCTOR
Sorry, River. Shortcut.
The DOCTOR disables the gravity platform with the sonic screwdriver.
COMPUTER
Platform disabled.
The DOCTOR dives into the hole.
INT. LIBRARY, COMPUTER CORE
RIVER
(v.o.) Everybody knows that everybody dies...
The DOCTOR arrives at the terminal.
RIVER
(v.o.) But not every day.
The DOCTOR inserts the screwdriver and uploads RIVER into the data core.
RIVER
(v.o.) Not today.
The node of Charlotte smiles at him and the DOCTOR smiles back.
EXT. DAY, "HOSPITAL" GROUNDS
RIVER is wearing a loose white gown and her hair is unbound. She looks down at herself, confused. CHARLOTTE and DR MOON walk up to her.
CHARLOTTE
It's okay. You're safe. You'll always be safe here. The Doctor fixed the data core. This is a good place now. But I was worried you might be lonely so I brought you some friends. Aren't I a clever girl?
'Clever boy.' Clara murmured.
MISS EVANGELISTA
Aren't we all?
RIVER turns to see MISS EVANGELISTA, PROPER DAVE, OTHER DAVE and ANITA walking towards her.
RIVER
Oh, for Heaven's sake, he just can't do it, can he? That man, that impossible man. He just can't give in! (she hugs them all)(v.o.) Some days are special.
Some days are so, so blessed.
INT. LIBRARY, RECEPTION
The DOCTOR strides into reception and stops in front of the TARDIS.
RIVER
(v.o.) Some days, nobody dies at all.
The DOCTOR snaps his fingers and the TARDIS doors open. He smiles and joins DONNA inside.
Clara was grinning, almost uncontrollably. 'She was right, Doctor! You did it- that is so cool-'
RIVER
(v.o.) Now and then, every once in a very long while, every day in a million days, when the wind stands fair and the Doctor comes to call...
The DOCTOR snaps his fingers and the TARDIS doors close.
INT. CHILDREN'S BEDROOM
RIVER closes her diary.
RIVER
...Everybody lives. (leans over and kisses CHARLOTTE goodnight before looking over at two other children-ELLA and JOSHUA. She walks to the doorway and takes a last look, before turning out the light.
Clara thought about that speech. It was true – when the Doctor came to call, people had a much higher chance of surviving. She wished the Doctor believed that – and she was starting to suspect that River had something to do with him not believing that. If she hadn't met River as a non-corporeal ghost, she'd have knocked her teeth out.
Everybody knows that everybody dies, and no one knows it like the Doctor.
He'd seen it. He'd seen so many people die on him – his entire planet, gone in a moment, ten billion Time Lords blowing away, like smoke. If even they could die – why take humans with him? They were fragile. They hurt him, over and over. And yet he remained the optimist. He gave them chance after chance – especially her.
She had been lucky to meet the Doctor. They all had. She was lucky to have him – and in quite a few instances, he was lucky to have her.