DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by the BBC. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

PART 7

"So, any idea what she 'as in mind?" Ryan asked.

Yaz shrugged as she, Ryan and Graham continued their journey back to Park Hill, Yaz having returned from work at the same time the guys were coming back from the weekly shop. "No idea. I'm guessin' she's found a new planet t'see?"

Graham shook his head. "Nah, love. You said the Doc had a special surprise for you."

"She might've meant for all of us, Graham," said Yaz. "We're a team, remember."

Ryan chuckled. "Maybe, but some members are more equal than others - right Grandad?"

Yaz gaped as Graham gave a cheeky nod. "Guys, come off… " The policewoman pouted, but it soon faded when the TARDIS came into view. There it was, as always, waiting for them on the Park Hill estate. Yaz had to go home and change out of her uniform, but could not resist a quick visit to the police box to let her girlfriend know she was back and safe. Not to kiss her madly, of course.

Ryan and Graham were unsurprised when Yaz made a beeline for the blue box and decided to go with her to catch a quick hello from the Doctor before the two women disappeared inside… likely for an hour or three.

Once they reached the TARDIS, however, it was clear something was up. Yaz, not slowing down, almost bumped into the blue doors when they remained closed. "That's weird," said Ryan, while Yaz frowned deeply. Since she and the Doctor became a couple, the time machine always automatically opened for Yaz. Ryan and Graham still had to knock, but they were cool with that: they rarely visited separately anyway.

But now, nothing. Yaz raised her hand and rapped on the door. "Doctor?" No response. She shared a concerned look with her friends, who were equally puzzled. Trying again, she again got no reply. The policewoman attempted to open the door herself, but still it did not budge. She even fished out her key - another privilege of being the Time Lady's girlfriend - but let out a gasp when it did not fit. "The lock's changed… "

"Y'wot?" said Graham. He stepped forward and knocked on the door, slightly harder than Yaz. "Hey, Doc? It's us! Is somethin' wrong?"

Yaz's worry grew as there remained silence. Trying again with her key, she had trouble ignoring the fear enveloping her. Had someone tampered with the TARDIS? Was her lover in danger? She could not imagine the Doctor intentionally keeping her - them out.

Eventually, before Yaz could all-but bang on the door, a quiet voice came from within the police box. "Yaz… stop." The Doctor, speaking through the external comm system.

"Doctor, what's goin' on?" Yaz asked desperately. "Let us in."

"I… I can't."

Yaz's eyes widened, as did Ryan and Graham's. "What… ?"

"Yaz, please… step away from the doors." The Doctor's voice sounded pained.

The young woman shook her head vehemently. "Not a chance. Doctor, let us in. Tell us what's going on."

The next words shook Yasmin Khan to her very core. "No, Yaz. I won't."

Ryan gently pulled Yaz away from the box. "Doctor, if this is a joke it ain't funny."

"It's not a joke, Ryan. I've never been more serious in my life."

"C'mon, Doc, open the doors," said Graham.

"No." A pause. "Never again."

Yaz's jaw hit the ground. "What?"

"Yaz, I'm sorry… but… this has to end."

Her eyes were already watering. "What are you talkin' about?"

The Doctor choked the words out. "I have to go."

"Go?! Go where?!" Ryan demanded.

"Away. I… I have to be on my way now."

"Not without me!" Yaz snapped. "Never without me! What… what the fuck is this?! Doctor, let me in! If you love me, let me in right now!"

"I do love you, Yaz," sighed the Doctor. "That's why I have to leave."

"No! I've told you, I accept the danger! All that matters is that we love each other and we protect each other!" Yaz's heart was already threatening to break.

"Yaz, please… don't make this any harder than it has to be." The bluntness of those words cut through the policewoman's fear, and her breath caught. After a brief moment, the voice within the box continued. "This was a mistake, I know that now. I can't give you what you need, Yaz. You deserve better than me. You all do. It… it's time for you to go back to your lives, free of a silly old fool like me keep getting in the way."

"No… all I want is you… " Yaz sobbed, tears now streaming down her cheeks.

"Doc, for God's sake… " Graham pleaded, "at least open the bloody doors."

"Graham O'Brien," came the response, "you take care of Yaz and Ryan now, OK? You've been like a rock to me… helping me focus, reminding me of the big picture when I lose my concentration. You… you're one of the strongest people I've ever known, and… you've made Grace proud."

The old man cried silently, dumbfounded.

"Ryan Sinclair… "

The lad shook his head. "Doctor… don't… "

"I can't tell you how happy it's been to see you grow, to see you face adversity head-on again and again, and overcome it. You've been an inspiration to me, Ryan. I just know that, whatever you do, you'll be brilliant. Like Graham, your gran would be so proud of you."

Ryan unsuccessfully stifled a choke.

"And my dear, dear Yasmin Khan… "

"No, you're not doin' this…" whimpered Yaz.

"All… all those things… everything I said about Graham and Ryan… goes a hundred, a billion - an infinity times for you. You gave me so much, Yaz. You taught me to open my hearts again, to feel love for the first time in… I couldn't even tell you how long… "

"If that's true, then please don't do this," Yaz yelped. "Please, just let me in!"

"This is for the best, Yaz." The Doctor's voice was noticeably hoarser now. "Really it is."

"No… no… "

"When I saw the universe through your eyes," the Time Lady continued, "it was like everything was brighter, everything meant so much more. To see the wonder in your eyes, made me feel happier than I've ever been. But no matter what it was that caused that wonder in you, no matter how amazing the universe was… all I could ever see was the wonder of you. You're the best person I've ever met, Yaz. Your kindness, your bravery, your determination… your love… means more than I can ever say. Y… you'll be in my hearts forever… "

Yaz's face was one of pure agony; it paled in comparison to that in her soul. "P… please… "

"I'll always love you, Yaz. With all that I am."

Yaz suddenly screamed, and Ryan had to actively hold her back. "I can't live without you!"

Had Yaz been able to see inside the TARDIS, she would have seen the Doctor's own agonised face: eyes closed, tears running continuously, and mouth clamped shut to stem the anguish.

There were another few unbearable seconds of silence, before the voice from within spoke again… one final time. "Goodbye, my team, my gang, my Fam… and my love. I'll remember you, always."

Then, to Yaz's horror, the familiar groans arrived. She, Ryan and Graham watched in stunned disbelief as the TARDIS faded away. Within heartbeats, it was gone.

And so was Yaz's control. She sank to her knees and screamed - a loud, enormous roar or pure agony. Almost feral, it erupted from the very depths of Yasmin Khan's broken heart…

TO BE CONTINUED