Disclaimer: I own nothing.

OMG! What happened to the Rider's precious horse? Is Rogue gone forever?

Surely you guys know the answer to those questions.

Poor Rogue just wasn't fast enough. But how will the Rider handle the loss?

Sit back and find out!

Love always,

Avoline

He stared, his heart frozen in his chest. Maybe he was dreaming. Surely the Vashta Narada didn't get Rogue. It was all just a really bad dream. He would wake up soon enough, still in Jack's arms. Once he did, he would go to the stable and confirm that she was just fine.

"Rider, come on," Jack called, though his voice seemed miles away. A tug on his arm drug him into the TARDIS and the reigns fell from his hand.

"No," he breathed. "No, we can't leave. We can't abandon Rogue. Jack, we can't leave her!"

He struggled against the grip on his arm, but it was useless. Jack pulled him away from the doors, shutting and locking them. Rider flung himself against them, the sound of the sonic pen barely registering in his ears. He slammed against them again, praying that they would give.

Then he realized: Jack had soniced the lock.

The doors weren't opening.

"NO," he screamed, pounding on the wood. "SHE'S STILL OUT THERE! ROGUE!" He felt the floor shift beneath him, and he whirled around to face Jack.

"I'm sorry, baby boy, but she's gone," the older man stated as he struggled to fly the ship. "You saw the skeleton as well as the rest of us. There's no tricks with the Vashta Narada."

"But what if i wasn't her," the blond challenged, stumbling towards the console. "What if it was one of the horses from the village?" Blue eyes met brown, anger in one, sympathy in the other.

"She was the only Marwari there," the brunette argued softly. "I'm sorry, but that was her skeleton. She's gone, baby boy, and there's no way to save her." Rider shook his head.

"You're lying," he croaked, his throat constricted with emotion. "She's not dead. She can't be."

The last thing he remembered was sobbing in Jack's arms.

Rider blinked awake, his head throbbing. He instantly leapt to his feet and ran out of his room (When had he gotten there, anyway?), heading towards the stables. It had to have been a bad dream. Just the thought of him angry with Jack proved that.

Each stall was empty. He took two trips, sticking his head into all ten stalls, before slumping against the door to Rogue's stall. Tears silently streamed down his face, his eyes focused on the floor. She really was gone. Jack wasn't lying.

Jack. Oh, God, how was he handling this?

"I was afraid I'd find you here," a soft voice called. The Time Lord looked up to see his lover standing just three stalls ahead.

"Why did she have to go," Rider whispered. Jack made his way to the grief-stricken man and sat beside him.

"I don't know," he answered. "But I promise, I'll get you another one. I know it won't mean near as much to you as Rogue did, but maybe you can learn to love it like you did her." The blond leaned against the older man, glad for his unwavering strength.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "For calling you a liar." Jack chuckled at him.

"You were still in shock," he countered. "I would have done the same thing, baby boy." Rider smiled.

"I might have to stop and find a bridle once we find a replacement horse," he stated softly. "I left the only bridle on..." He closed his eyes and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"I know," the brunette intoned. "Good thing you didn't sling the saddle on her." The blond nodded.

"Why not me," he muttered under his breath.

"Don't say that," the older man argued. "Rider, if it had taken you, I don't think I would have reacted logically." His hand gripped Rider's chin, forcing their gazes to meet.

"You saved me, in ways not many can say they have. God only knows what would happen should I lose you."