Cassie flew through the halls of the TARDIS and into her bedroom, where she flopped onto her bed, sobbing.
"I'm going to miss you," she whispered to the TARDIS, running her hand along the wall. "I'm gonna miss you so much."
He's not going to kick you out, child, the TARDIS cooed gently. You did what you had to do, and he's going to understand that. Cassie pulled the covers of her bed over her and curled up into a ball, tears wetting her pillow. Hush, child, the TARDIS soothed, it's okay.
The Doctor made for the door to follow his daughter, but Rose stopped him. "Doctor, don't you go in there. The last thing Cassie needs is a lecture."
"I wasn't going to lecture her!" The Doctor pulled himself out of Rose's grip. "I'm not mad at her, at all. I can't exactly-"
"Doctor, shut up." Jack walked over to the two of them. "Just leave her be for awhile. She needs some time alone."
The Doctor sat down on the ground cross-legged, and buried his head in his hands, crying softly. His child was crying and there was nothing he could do, and it burned his hearts with searing pain.
"Doctor?" Martha came over to the Doctor and put an arm around his shoulders. "Doctor, it's okay. It's going to be fine. You just have to give her a bit of time. She's just a kid, remember. A brilliant kid, but just a kid." Donna, meanwhile, was walking to the door. "Donna, where are you going?"
"I'm going to try to talk to her. She and I… there's something between us, and maybe I can help."
"Whatever works," the Doctor sighed.
"Cassie?" Cassie heard the knock at the door. "Cassie, it's Donna. Can I come in?"
"Sure," Cassie sighed. "What does Dad want?"
"Oh, this isn't about him. I just want to make sure you're alright." Donna walked in and sat down on Cassie's bed, putting an arm around the young Time Lady's shoulders. "Cassie, he isn't mad at you. He's just not. And what's more, even if he were mad at you, he loves you. God, does that stupid spaceman love you. He could never be mad at you for long - especially when you look so much like your mum." Cassie had no choice but to crack a smile. "But even if you didn't, he loves you so much. You're his daughter, Cassie, no matter what."
Another knock, and this time, it was the Doctor. "Cassie?"
"Come in," she sighed.
The Doctor walked through the door and into his daughter's room. "Cassandra Yvonne Tyler," he said softly. "Oh, you brilliant girl." He sat down on the other side of the bed from Donna and hugged the fifteen-year-old close, cradling her against his chest. "You brilliant, clever girl."
"Dad?" Cassie looked up at the Doctor with confusion.
"I'm so, so proud of you, Cassandra." The Doctor tilted Cassie's face up to meet her eyes, so identical to his.
"But-"
"But nothing," the Doctor said emphatically. "You did something that, in normal circumstances, yes, I wouldn't have approved of. But in these circumstances, with so many lives in danger… it's okay. You did what you had to do, and I'm so proud of you, Cassie. And so's your mum, and all of us. You saved the universe today, Cassie. It wasn't me, or your mum. Not Donna, Martha, Mickey, Jack, Sarah Jane, no one. Today goes to you, Cassandra Yvonne Tyler, and I couldn't be prouder to be your dad. Couldn't be prouder."
"Thanks, Dad," Cassie said with a smile. "But you'll have to thank Gwen, too, when we go down to Earth. She pressed the button."
"You and Gwen," the Doctor agreed. He grinned. "Blimey, Jack's sure to have a field day over this." The two burst out laughing. "Now come on, Cassie. We're waiting for your instructions outside."
"You are?"
"Course we are! You're in the driver's seat, Cassie. This day goes to you."
Cassie grinned. "Right then! Let's get going."
Hey everyone! A shorter chapter, this time. I wanted to have a pause in the story, for Cassie and the Doctor to sort of have a hearts-to-hearts. The next chapter is, of course, on its way!
As always, love and ducks to Rachel and Jubilee, hugs to reviewers, thanks to Eleonora, Noe, Hanul, and Kizzie, and COOKIES FOR ALL!
Love,
Ofelia xxxx
P.S. If anyone can tell me the musical reference I used in chapters 22-23, I'll give them a shoutout in the next chapter!
