PLAGUE

TWENTYTWO

"Huh?"

"I want you to leave me here."

"What? No! Impossible!" He sat up, crossed his legs and faced her.

"Why not?"

"Because I don't leave people behind. Not this way. Not you. Not ever."

"But I wish it."

"Why?" he pleaded, not comprehending.

"I need to be alone for awhile, maybe a long while. I'm not sure where I belong, or what I want to do and I need time to think."

"You can think back in Cardiff. You can be alone there, too. It can all be arranged."

"No, I can't. Besides, Doctor, you do know what I am, don't you?"

He shook his head but she saw the light of realization behind his beautiful brown eyes. It was only the acceptance that was missing, but she knew it would come in time.

"I'm not sure there's room for both of us in that galaxy, maybe the entire universe. I understand you feel terribly alone some times, but I can't be the cure for that. I'm not sure in my present state that we're meant to co-exist, Doctor, we are too much alike. You know this, so does your TARDIS."

The acceptance still wasn't there, she kept trying.

"It's okay; really, I knew it was part of the bargain I made to save your life. You are as precious to me as I am to you. You are, you know, precious – the only other remaining Time Lord…

"But now at least there's two of us," she smiled. "We'll be that much harder to exterminate completely! Besides, what I said is true – I really don't feel like I belong on earth. Maybe eventually I will, but for now this is where I want to be. Some day, when I'm ready, I'll ask you to bring me back. And if you really need me, you'll know where to find me, right?"

She waited, watching his face.

"Jack is gonna kill me."

"No I really don't think he will, Doctor. He won't be happy at first but eventually he'll end up being relieved. You see, he doesn't really know what to do with me…" She shook her head.

"Look, I cramp his style. He can't reconcile the divergent feelings he has for me, the poor, conflicted man. I mean, he loves me and cares about me and wants to protect me, but nevertheless he wants to include me on his team, assign me to dangerous missions, and put me at risk. The ambiguity tears him apart."

She pulled her knees up to her chest, encircling them with her arms.

"He's a study in contradictions. When he sends me out into the field, he worries I'll get hurt; when he keeps me at the base, he worries I'll become bored and disappear. I don't fit his model of a nice, tidy, black and white universe. Where Jack wants definitive answers, I present only endless questions…" She paused a beat.

"Besides, he's also scared to death of me, God knows why," she raised an eyebrow.

"I guarantee you once he gets over the initial shock, he'll be grateful. Of course, in the meantime, he may punch out your lights – I'd watch out for his left hook if I were you."

He rose to his feet and she followed. "Are you certain?" he asked. But she saw the acceptance had finally taken hold.

"Yes," she took his face in her hands and softly kissed him. He softly kissed her back and she could taste the salt of his tears.

Pulling away, she added, "I love you. Never forget it."

"Come with me." He had to try one last time. She shook her head, smiling.

He briefly closed his eyes, "I think I'm going to miss you."

She gazed at something over his right shoulder. "I'm not leaving you entirely; go to your ship – I'm a part of her now. You'll have to ignore the both of us when we tell you not to do something stupid.

"And don't be surprised, I did a little redecorating while you were asleep."

The Time Lord turned his head and saw his TARDIS nestled amongst the glimmering silver trees. He smiled at the sight. Then he thought of something, "Hey, did you just call me stu…"

When he looked back, she was gone.