Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry about making you wait so long for the update! I got into Merlin and Supernatural and just completely forgot about this! So, I'm picking up where I left off. Enjoy!
River made her way to the TARDIS med bay, utterly terrified. Finding herself in front of the
computer, she typed in all of the Doctor's known symptoms: Fever; Chills; Hallucinations; Dizziness;
Fatigue; Headaches; Shortness of breath; Difficulty breathing. She added his species, age, and gender,
then let the computer do its work. Though it took only a few minutes, it seemed like hours to River. She
needed to know what was wrong with her husband and she needed to know now. Pacing the floor, she
finally heard the "ding" of the computer. Her heart dropped to the floor when it read: NO PROBABLE
MATCHES.
She let out a soft cry of frustration, tightening her hands into fist. She had seen the Doctor. She
knew there wasn't much time. It all just seemed to simple, he couldn't actually go like this, could he?
He would regenerate, right? Still, as she thought about it longer, she decided to go back to the library
and see if she could get information there. Plus, she'd get to be near him, and that in itself was enough
to get her walking that way. Once again, River found herself in front of the door, trying to muster the
willpower to open it. She knew he'd still be lying there, so weak, so defenseless. Yet, that same thought
is what made her turn the knob and make her way across the room once more. Clara was still there,
dabbing at his forehead with a cloth. She looked up hopefully at River, who just shook her head.
Coming closer, River saw that the Doctor was awake, and slightly more coherent. "River..." He
whispered hoarsely.
"I'm here, Sweetie. I'm here."
"There's nothing you can do for me, River." The woman pursed her lips and shook her head,
eyes brimming with tears.
"There's always something. There has to be."
"Not this time, River. I know what's wrong with me, it was bound to happen eventually. I knew,
since the very first day, I knew." He reached out his hand, which River gripped tightly. He stroked it
with his thumb. Tears streamed down Clara's cheeks as she watched in silence. "I love you." His voice
cracked softly.
"You'll regenerate. You'll live, you'll be fine." The hope she had faded with every word she
spoke, as the Doctor's expression revealed the truth. "No. No, you can't-you can't die. I won't let you."
"River..."
"Shut up." Her voice was low and pained, her lips shaking as she fought off her tears. He did as
she said, his hearts breaking into a billion pieces as he watched her try to keep from falling apart.
"What is it, Doctor? Why are you so sick?" Clara asked, voice hoarse from crying. The Doctor
smiled despite his pain.
"When I took the TARDIS so long ago, I knew what the cost would be. No man, or Time Lord,
could be strong enough to handle the time energy for more than a thousand years. It seemed like such a
long time, like I'd never have to worry about it. Well, I guess it shows you how old I really am... My
body isn't strong enough anymore. It's giving up. My life had a time limit and it's finally been reached.
I just thought... that when the time actually came, I'd be ready. That I'd be alone, I'd never dreamed of
having anyone else with me except my granddaughter. I figured that once she was back on the right t
track, I'd stop traveling, go vacation somewhere and live out the thousand years in peace, ready to die
when the time came. That was before I'd begun to interfere, before I knew that I could save people. I'm
so sorry. I'm so sorry..."
River broke. She clasped her hand over her mouth to stifle her sob and ran out of the room.
Clara approached the Doctor again, mouth open slightly in her shock as tears welled thickly in her
eyes. He smiled at her. "You know, I thought you were going to be my last mission, Clara. The last
thing I ever fought to discover. And I was okay with that. I never thought about how it would affect
you. I didn't think about you at all. And for that I am so, so sorry. I can never do anything to make it
okay. I was just so curious, I'd never encountered anything like you. You intrigued me more than I ever
had been. Guess that'll be it then, 'my life's final cliffhanger.' I really am sorry for what I've done to
you, Clara. I should have let things be, and not interfere for once in my life."
"Shut up, will you? You're not going to die." Her hands clenched into fists.
"Clara-"
"No. Now just, stay here. I'm going to check on Professor Song."
Author's Note: Do you guys like it? Please review and let me know what you think! As I've said before with my other stories, constructive criticism is ALWAYS welcome. I strive to be a better writer, and I could use your help! I'm also taking any requests for other stories, from any fandom I have listed in my bio, maybe even a few others that I don't. I WANT TO WRITE SONGFICS BUT I DON'T HAVE AN INSPIRATION YET. So help me out! Anyways, if you like Merlin you should check out the stories on my page! If you read all the way to here, congratulations! You're awesome.