Chapter 31 -- Goodbye, Angela

"Sure she's still here?" he asked, as they walked up the dirt drive to the ramshackle farmhouse.

"It was her granddad's. Her mum told me she'd never sell it."

Without another word, they knocked on the door.

A pretty young woman -- the nearly exact image of Angela Steinbrunner, as they'd just seen her forty years before -- stood there.

"Christ," Kyra muttered.

"Help you?" she demanded.

"We're here to see Angela Steinbrunner."

"More reporters?" she demanded. "Here to see the wicked old witch, dyin' at last?"

"Dying?" he snapped, then pushed her out of the way and bolted up the stairs.

The girl grabbed Kyra's arm. "Who are you?"

"We're friends. What's wrong with her?"

"Cancer," she said. "Some friend. Not even the Wicked Witch can cure everything."

"She's not a wicked witch, so shut your nasty mouth," Kyra snapped. "We're not reporters and we're not here to hurt her." Without another word, she followed the Doctor up the stairs.

Angela's eyes opened slowly when the Doctor entered the room. "There you are, handsome. Been wondering when you'd show back up."

"Mom --"

"Let them be, Jasmine."

"Hello, Angela," he said, smiled, and sat next to her. "It's good to see you again. How are things going? I hear you're not feeling to well."

She smiled, then coughed weakly. "Some things not even you can fix, as spectacular as we all know you are. Where is she? Ah, there she is. Never did thank you for that album."

"Oh, it was our pleasure," Kyra said, sat, and took her other hand.

"I've got something for you," the Doctor said. He tugged Angela's hands free. "Close your eyes."

"Get away from her."

"Jasmine, leave them be," Angela ordered, and closed her eyes. After a moment, she smiled. "Oh, wasn't it beautiful."

"What is he showing her?" Jasmine demanded.

"At a guess ....Creation."

"What?"

"Sh."

"The furthest back I've ever travelled."

Angela's eyes opened, and she smiled. She was crying slightly. "Oh, is the Goddess going to be mad at me. I cheated."

"I'm sure she'll understand. After all, you helped me remember so many things...I figured you deserved it."

She tugged her hands free of his and took his face between her hands, concentrating so she could speak to him.

It is the most precious thing, besides my children, anyone has ever shown me.

It was my pleasure.

But...there is a Seer, among us. Something is coming, Doctor, and it's not coming for you.

What is it? How can I stop it?

Not even Abby could see, and she's so very strong. But remember. It doesn't strike at you. It can't kill your heart, but it can do the next best thing. She's in danger.

Who?

Kyra. She's in danger.

I suppose time travel won't stop it.

Not this. From beneath...but so much worse.

Her eyes fluttered closed. "I'm weak now."

"I'm sorry."

"Pfft. Nothing you could do." She reached a hand to Kyra. "Come here, girl."

Kyra sat next to her, taking her hand and meeting her eyes. "So strong. You are so very strong."

Kyra leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I'll take that as a compliment -- from one of the strongest women I know."

"Goodbye, Kyra. Goodbye, Doctor." She sighed. "In the next life, maybe."

"God bless," Kyra said.

"Blessed be," Angela whispered.

The Doctor sighed, reached over, and closed her eyes. "In the next life," he whispered.

"Is she gone?" Jasmine asked, her voice weak.

"I'm sorry," Kyra said. "She was the most remarkable person I've ever known."

"You didn't know her! I've never seen you!"

"You should be proud of her," Kyra added, and walked away.

The Doctor hesitated, then turned back to her. "Make me a promise."

"Depends," Jasmine shot back.

"No, you're going to make me a promise."

After a moment, she nodded.

"That woman -- loved this farm. More than anything. You will not let it go out of your family. I'll be back. To make sure."

"My husband wants to sell."

"Do everything that you can, even if it means leaving him. Do not let this farm leave your family."

She nodded. "For Mum."

"For Angela."

"That I can do."

TBC...