DISCLAIMER: Still don't own Doctor Who. Still don't make any money from this. But if he doesn't stop leaving TARDIS prints in my flower bed, we're gonna have words…
SUMMARY: Something goes horribly, horribly wrong in the Parallel Universe and the Doctor's not there to save the day.
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Not too long ago but far, far in the future, the Last Time Lord stood on a planet far from his adopted home world. The planet was uninhabited for the moment which suited his needs perfectly. Centuries from the moment the little blue box materialized there, humans would find this paradise hidden in the black. Perfectly situated close enough to a sun for warm and cold seasons, it was so very close to Earth-like. That is, if you could ignore the pale lavender oceans and skies, the blue-green clouds, and the orange grasses, you'd swear you were Earth-bound.
In this paricular instance, this planet that would be known as Eden's Gate would play host to the funeral of Doctor John Cameron Storm.
Captain Jack Harkess, Mickey Smith, Rory Williams (Pond), and the Doctor build a pyre fit for a king on a beach overlooking the largest ocean on the planet. John's body was placed reverently atop it a few hours before dusk.
Rose stepped up, tears streaking her face and shoulders shaking with her sobs, and placed a soft kiss to her husband's forehead. "Rest, my love. Be at peace." Her perfectly pronounced Gallifreyan goodbye chimed in the wind.
The Doctor wrapped his arm around her waist after placing a similar kiss to his brother's forehead. "Goodbye, Brother." He led Rose up the hill from the beach to the field of orange where a pavilion had been set up for the mourners, well-wishers, friends, and family.
Jack and the Doctor walked back to the pyre, each carrying large torches which they placed at either end. Flames leap at the dry timber, quickly spreading and engulfing the entire structure. The Doctor waited a few moments to ensure everything was as it should be before he and Jack made their way back to the pavilion.
The group watched as the sun touched the horizon and continued to drop into the ocean, leaving the beach lit up with flames. Laughter, tears, snorts of derision, amazed scoffs, and irritated grumbles drifted up during the following hours as stories, tall tales, and blantant lies abounded.
The Doctor sat back and watched his family gather. Rose, Amy, Rory, Mickey, Martha, Jack, and surprisingly, Professor River Song had come together to celebrate John's short life.
He watched Rose sit back sighing and rubbing her swollen stomach. Now at six months, Rose's pregnancy was progressing normally for a Gallifreyan woman. Strangely, it tended to draw others to her, and brought out only the good in everyone she came in contact with. It had been amazingly peaceful these last few months. Now, seeing Rose and River smiling and laughing together like old friends, hearing the varied laughs from those he loved so dearly, feeling his daughter move and grow inside Rose's body… It brought such a spread of warmth to him, it was staggering.
Thankfully, River had confessed everything to him once Rose was home. Needless to say, he was … beside himself in shock. But Rose, in her infinite patience with his batty self, just rolled her eyes, shoved him out of the TARDIS, and proceeded to become best friends with the Time Lady.
Rose looked to the Doctor, her husband, bond-mate, lover. She grinned in pure joy and knew… just knew... it was only just beginning.
THE END
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