A/N: Sooo happy with the reviews I've been getting. Just want to say, this is the second last chapter. I really want more reviews, or else I won't post the last chap!! Thanks, read on xD

Chapter Six.

The Doctor and Tilly stepped into the TARDIS, laughing and singing Queen songs. It was definitely a night they'd never forget. Suddenly Tilly's face grew serious.

"Doctor," she said, looking into his eyes. "I really appreciated tonight. I just want you to know that it meant so much to me and I can't thank you enough."

"I'm just glad you enjoyed yourself," he answered with a smile that was returned.

"Well, it's pretty late," Tilly said. "I might go to bed if that's okay with you."

"No worries," the Doctor replied, giving her a quick hug. "See you in the morning."

The Doctor paced impatiently around the console. It was almost eleven in the morning and Tilly still wasn't up. It hadn't been that late a night. The Doctor sighed, remembering that teenagers usually liked to sleep in.

"I'm getting old and domestic," the Doctor moaned to the TARDIS. "Here I am worrying because some kid is sleeping in."

He was answered by the sound of a door opening and looked up to see Tilly stagger into the control room. She was pale and sweaty, and looked extremely tired.

"Tilly, what's wrong?" the Doctor asked anxiously.

"I wasn't meant to live this long," Tilly answered quietly, her voice shaking as tears ran down her pale face.

"Hey, don't say that," the Doctor soothed as he came over and placed his arm gently around her frail shoulders.

"But it's true," she whispered tearfully. "My doctor said it was too far advanced, there was nothing they could do. He told me nine months at the most."

"How long has it been?" asked the Doctor quietly.

"Eleven months," Tilly said, so softly that the Doctor had to strain his ears to hear her.

"You've made it this long, you can't give up now."

"But I'm so tired..." she wiped her tears away but they kept coming.

The Doctor wrapped his arms around Tilly's body, holding her close. He felt tears pricking at his eyes but refused to let them fall. He felt Tilly go limp in his arms and looked down. Her eyes were closed.

"No," the Doctor whispered, feeling for a pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief as he felt the steady thumping under his fingertips.

He lifted Tilly up in his arms and carried her back to bed. He lay her under the covers and stroked her sweaty forehead. In all his 900 years of life he had never encountered a situation like this and wasn't sure how to handle it. The best he could do was make sure Tilly was comfortable.

The Doctor smiled in relief as he saw Tilly's eyes open again. She gazed up at the Doctor, looking weaker than ever. She mustered the energy to smile before her eyes closed again. She snored softly and the Doctor stood up. He'd leave her to sleep for a while; it might bring back some energy.

He wandered aimlessly around the console, at a loss of what to do. Several minutes later he heard a shrill scream. He ran full pelt back to Tilly's room to see her sitting up, crying silently as she breathed heavily.

"What happened?" the Doctor asked gently. "Tell me, what was it?"

"I w-woke up," she stuttered. "And you weren't there. I just got scared."

She began to sob and the Doctor took her in his arms, stroking her damp hair and consoling her.

"Shh, it's alright," he said softly. "I just went to give you some peace, but now I'm here."

"That's one of Queen's songs," Tilly said softly and the Doctor pulled away to look at the smile playing on her lips. "Now I'm Here. Very good song, they performed it last night."

"I remember," said the Doctor softly. "You were singing along. You sing beautifully."

Tilly smiled shyly and the Doctor held her close again. He was becoming awfully fond of this girl in the short time he'd known her.

"Now I'm here," the Doctor said softly. "And I won't leave you. I promise."

"Thank you Doc," she whispered into his ear. "For everything."

The Doctor smiled sadly as Tilly drifted back off to sleep.

A/N: Ok, the deal is: If you don't review, I don't post the next chapter. I know I'm mean, but review or else you'll never find out the ending!! Thanks! xoxo