Day 23 of the ficathon, ladies and gents. Nine more days to go...I'm glad, I can't take much more of this.
The next time he hears the voice from nowhere is their wedding night. She's asleep in his arms, and he lies in silent happiness listening to her breathe (if he's being honest, it's the quietest she's been in weeks, what with wedding plans and all). His warm, tranquil drowse is just turning into sleep when she speaks.
"Doctor?"
He comes fully awake, carefully suppressing the start as his tranquility departs abruptly. Surely not here, he thinks. She's dreaming about someone else tonight? But he listens for whatever is coming next, desperate not to miss a word.
"I have to admit that a metacrisis mental explosion would be a highly unpleasant way to die. I will grant you that. That bloody well hurt. On the other hand, you have no idea how good it felt to break through and be conscious for a few seconds. This subconscious lark is really not much of a substitute."
Well, that's maddeningly unhelpful. Most of those words sound like they were made up for some cheesy sci-fi program.
"I wish I knew what you were up to that day. Everyone in town suddenly turned into a blond bloke with bad 5:00 shadow? 'S got "Doctor" written all over it. The news was one big muddle, no way to tell what had happened other than that it was something big."
He supposes she must mean the day that the wi-fi malfunctioned (he always thought that was an odd explanation…but what else could it have been, after all?).
"And don't think that I don't know what you're up to with that lotto ticket. That had you written all over it as well, and I'm not sure I approve. Anyway, I have to tell you something about Shaun. I'm not saying you were right to change me, mind, but…"
Baited breath. If she's talking to other blokes in her dreams, at least she's talking about him.
"Blimey, this is embarrassing! Well, you probably aren't out there anyway…I love him, Doctor. He's kind and honest and he sees the things most humans don't look for. I love him more than Donna does, honestly. She doesn't know how to love the way I do, not really. You taught me that much…not like that, spaceman, I told you once how I felt about aliens and I meant it. But... traveling with you, I learned a fair bit about what matters."
He's simultaneously elated, relieved, and deeply, sincerely confused.
"I think I can speed up the process. You know, of her growing up. I'm already in the subconscious, and I think I can break through into the consciousness in a few places. I'll be very careful about the memories, o' course. None of that will come back. But I think I can sneak through some confidence, some trust. It'll make it easier that she's in love. She's more opened up than this version of her has ever been before. She'll think it's that Shaun's good for her, and she'll be right, but it'll be you and I, too."
This sounds vaguely sinister. Who's planning to change his Donna?
Not that he wouldn't like to see her with a little more confidence. She never seems to realize how brilliant she is... Still, who is this strange woman and what is she doing in his wife's head? Now that he's awake, images from bad horror films are flashing through his head. Surely demon possession isn't a likely option?
"Granddad will be pleased. He always knew where the gaps were, and he may even realize that I'm pushing through a bit. He knows more than he lets on."
Wilf? Certainly Wilf is a wiser man than his funny little ways might lead you to believe, and not one to stand for anything that might hurt his little girl.
"Anyway, Spaceman, I've got to let Madam go back to her regular scheduled program. She's got a dream about Shaun due through in a minute or so, and I like to watch those. In fact, I write the scripts for some of them."
And with that, she falls silent.
Bemused, pleased, and oddly reassured, he settles his lovely, extraordinary wife a little closer in his arms. If the lotto ticket really does come to something, he'll ask Wilf what's going on. Otherwise, it's simpler just to let himself drift off, content. They have a whole life ahead of them, and he'll take whatever's coming when it comes.
Reviews are always welcome, whether critiques or compliments.
The final installment will be published in two days; I'll hope to see you there.