The Doctor had found her signal, but when he followed it all found was an empty room. The TARDIS was picking up traces of itself and River was looking at the screen carefully.
"Another TARDIS?" She asked him.
"Same one, though earlier in its time stream," he responded, and had to rub at his head as memories resurfaced. They were memories that came from a time when he was a broken man, well, a more broken man, and he wore leather.
He knew that it was him, the ninth version, that had Emily right now. Memories were sliding into place, with little more trouble than he would imagine for being locked.
He had liked her at once, didn't know her of course. He remembered her shouting at the TARDIS, so much like her mother, he knew now.
Where had he taken her though? Those memories were still fuzzy.
"Doctor? Are you saying another you picked Emily up?"
He looked over at her, his River, so smart. "Yes, the ninth me, to be exact. The TARDIS was pulled off course; she knew that she was needed. He took her to get chips, I just can't remember where."
"You can't use the TARDIS to find the previous one?"
He could but that wasn't as easy as it sounded, and he felt like if his memories were clear he would know that he didn't do that. Why?
Because if he tracked it, he would land near it. That could lead to trouble.
"Earth!" he shouted. Of course, he would take her back to Earth.
He remembered now, very clearly. He felt his hearts stutter.
They needed to get there now.
He started flipping switches bringing him back to two years before Emily was even born. That was where he had taken her, and if he was right they should still be eating.
He had to get to her before the Angels did.
DW
Emily stabbed at the chip, sliding it into her mouth. The Doctor had eaten his quickly; apparently this body did enjoy them, and was doing a very good imitation of a puppy to get some of hers. She was full really, but this was a bit amusing for her.
She had managed to make him smile, and though the details were few she knew that he lost something important. He was hurting but a smile was a start.
She turned her head, looking out the window. She even moved her fork out of the way, pretending she didn't notice him stab at her small pile.
She knew this spot well, though he told her this was before she was born so they wouldn't run into a version of her. He mumbled about paradoxes, and she ignored him. It seemed like the best option.
There were these statues outside, on top of the building. Angels. Creepy, but Angels all the same. She didn't' remember them, but maybe they were gone by the time she was around.
They probably took them down because they scared people. She watched as the Doctor stabbed at her pile again, and glanced back. His fork was still in her chips, and he wore an expression that resembled guilt.
She stared for a moment, and then laughed. He looked relieved, and pulled his fork to his mouth. "Go on, take them."
She slid it over, letting him finish them off. He devoured them quickly, and leaned back looking satisfied. "I was right," he concluded.
She looked at him, "About what?"
"You are all right?"
She smiled again. That was apparently a compliment. "Thanks."
He sighed, a look of sadness filing his features again. "Well, Emily. I suppose we better find another version of me."
She wished that she didn't have to go. When she got through to him, he was actually nice to talk to. She could tell that those rough edges were covering something fragile, and she wished that she could help him through this time.
The version she had met first, was different. He was kinder, but he also looked healed. Maybe not completely, but she suspected whatever happened to him might be a wound that would always bear a scar.
This one's wound was still open.
He stood, offering her a small smile.
She followed him out, looking up at those weird statues again. Except they were gone.
"Doctor?"
He stopped at once, "What?"
She pointed, this seemed important. "There were statues there, but there aren't now."
He looked up, following her finger. "What kind of statues?"
She thought she detected a hint of real worry in his hard tone. And perhaps concern for her.
"Angels."
He grabbed her hand, "We need to get you to the TARDIS."
"What about you?" She protested, dragging her feet. It didn't seem to slow him, much stronger than he looked.
"It's about you," he told her, softly.
"What's about me?"
He stopped again, looking her over. He reached out to touch her cheek, like the other one had. "I don't know, but something is coming. A storm and you are at the heart of it."
Emily frowned. Why her? What was she?
He dropped his hand. "I can see-"he stopped and drew in a breath. "Trust me?"
That was cheating, and they both knew it. She would do what he asked now, because she did trust him.
She nodded, and he pulled her along again. She tried to keep up, but he set a fierce pace. She kept looking around, confused why statues would get him so upset.
Sure they were disappearing, but that probably wasn't that weird for someone who could travel in space and time.
He stopped suddenly, and she saw that their path was blocked. Four of those statues were standing in front of them, eyes covered, still as…well stone.
He held her hand tighter, and spun only to stop again. There were statues blocking their way back.
"Turn around," he commanded, and she did. Those statues were closer, arms outstretched. "Don't blink. Just watch them."
So she did, confused and scared. But he asked her to do it, so she did.
"Doctor?"
"Emily," he sounded worried now, really worried. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," she forced strength into her voice. She thought of what her mother would do. She was the strongest person Emily knew. She had been with the Doctor once, what would she say? "Get us out of here!"