Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who.
Here we are, folks! The last chapter of Riven. Thanks so much for all your support and your reviews - you guys always inspire me to keep writing. Enjoy! =)
The next few days went by slowly. Rory spent many of the passing hours asleep, as the mix of the pain from his injuries and the medicines they gave him left him exhausted. Amy rarely left his side, and only when the Doctor and Martha forced her to eat, sleep, or shower.
It was with great relief that they saw Rory's injuries begin to heal, despite their severity. Due to Martha's careful attention, he suffered no infection and within three days' time, the burn on Rory's side had begun to fade.
Jack and Mickey stopped by every so often whenever they had finished projects at Torchwood. They had made it their mission to clean up the facility where Rory was held captive and were kept busy cataloguing all of the weapons and technology they confiscated. Torchwood was making certain that empaths would no longer sneak under their radar again.
The Doctor, flighty person that he was, kept himself busy flitting between Torchwood and pacing around Rory's room. Amy could only tolerate his nervous pacing for so long before she kicked him out of the room.
It was some time in the afternoon of the fourth day that Rory was coherent enough to talk. His sleepy grey eyes found Amy's and he smiled. "Hey."
"Hey yourself," she grinned back. "How are you feeling?"
"Better than the last time I spoke more than three words."
She laughed. "Can I get you anything?"
"Some water would be nice."
She grabbed a small, plastic cup on the nightstand beside his bed and held it up to his lips. When he had satisfied his thirst, he glanced around the room. "Where is everybody?"
"Oh, busy doing this and that. I got tired of their hovering, so I sent them away."
"How long has it been since we came back?"
"Four days."
"Hmm."
Amy wrapped her fingers around his and squeezed lightly. "Your burn is fading and Martha doesn't think the bullet wound will leave a prominent scar."
Rory didn't appear to be listening to her, his eyes locked on the ceiling, a troubled expression on his face.
"What is it? What's wrong?"
His gaze shifted to her. "Benjamin. He and his family...did they...?"
Amy bit her lip and shook her head.
"I thought as much, but...I'd hoped..."
"I know, Rory, but...it wasn't your fault."
"That's not entirely true, is it?"
"Yes it is. They only wanted you because you had all of those memories of being a centurion, but even that wasn't your fault. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine for dragging you onto the TARDIS and getting myself killed for my efforts. So don't you go blaming yourself."
A soft smile crossed his face. He brought one of his hands up to her face and brushed his thumb across her cheek. "My Amy, so fiery. I won't blame myself then, will that make you happy?"
"Only if you mean it."
"I do."
"Ponds!" The Doctor burst into the their room, clapping his hands together in excitement. "You're both awake! How are you, Roranicus?"
"I'd be better if you'd stop calling me that," he responded dryly.
"I can't help it. The name suits you." He hopped up on the edge of the bed, swinging his legs off the side with abandon. "When you're quite well and Martha gives the go ahead, you won't believe what I have planned for the two of you."
Amy quirked an eyebrow. "This isn't going to turn out to be like one of your anniversary presents, is it?"
"No, no! Of course not! I've thoroughly scouted out these areas to ensure that you will both be able to recuperate in peace and quiet while your ten-star resorts will provide you with all of the comforts you need."
Rory couldn't keep the smile off of his face at the Doctor's enthusiasm. "Doctor, they only have five star resorts. That's as high as you can go."
"Maybe on your planet," the alien responded with a mischievous grin.
Amy tilted her head towards the door, where she could just make out Martha, Jack, and Mickey peering in. "Don't you want to stay here for a little while, Doctor? Catch up with your friends?"
The Doctor followed her gaze and smiled at the observers. "Well of course I do. That's why I'm sending you to your resorts without me, since disaster always seems to follow me. You might actually get a shot at true peace."
Rory laughed. "Now I feel bad for the others. If you do drop us off somewhere, I demand that you leave us with some form of communication so that we can contact you if we run into trouble."
"And," Amy held up a finger, "you have to promise to answer if we call."
The Doctor tugged at his bowtie uncomfortably. "When did you two get to be so bossy?"
"Since I become your mother-in-law," Amy quipped.
As their laughter died away, Rory spoke up hesitantly, "Doctor, if you don't mind, before we take our trip, could we make one last stop?"
Rory waited by the TARDIS door. "Are you certain we're at the right time and place?"
"I'm certain, but we've only got one chance at this. If we miss this, we can't come back here because we'll be stepping into our own time stream. Are you ready?"
Rory glanced at Amy.
She gave him a brief smile and a nod.
"Yes, Doctor, I'm ready." He turned back to the door.
The Doctor glanced at his monitor again. "Okay then. In three, two, one...open the door!"
Rory jerked the door open and set foot in a small bedroom. The change startled him and, for a moment, he forgot what he had come to do.
"Rory?" A timid voice directed his attention to the corner of the room. Benjamin and his family were huddled in the corner, clutching at each other. "H-How did you get here? I just...left you...at the front door."
"I'll explain later, but for now you have to trust me. Get inside here." He gestured for them to jump into the TARDIS.
"But -" Ben's mom started to object.
"Listen, if you don't come with me now, those people out there are going to come back and kill you. Please, come."
Benjamin sniffed, but extricated himself from his parents' arms. "But...but I left you. I betrayed you."
Rory's face softened. "I know, it's okay. You didn't have a choice. Please, we have to go now."
They heard the Rory in the other room shouting. The family stared at him in confusion.
"Come on!" He hissed.
Benjamin nodded. "Come on, mom, dad, he knows what he's doing. He'll take care of us."
They all bundled into the TARDIS just as the door to the bedroom flew open. The empath standing in the doorway stared at Rory in astonishment. "H-How?"
"Spoilers," Rory grinned and shut the TARDIS door.
Thank you for reading! I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!