April, 1938
The day Rory died, he completely lost his appetite, only picking at the food Gabrielle brought him. And Gabrielle surprised herself by how she held back her tears when she could move in his presence. She'd started to see the signs in early March. As the date when a human's younger self would be sent back in time approached, paradox energy – unseen and undetected even by the angels at that point – began to build up and slowly compromise the elder version's health, until the elder version died when the two were face-to-face. Gabrielle had become all too familiar with it in recent months, and with Rory, the first human to arrive and her only human friend, she wondered how she could possibly get through it.
His energy level had been failing for weeks, so she'd brought a lap desk with her, so when he was up to it, she would type her messages to him while sitting next to him on the edge of his bed. After she took his last dinner away, she came back to the room and blinked the lights. Lying in bed, Rory opened his eyes and saw the pained look on the angel's face. He nodded, then shut his eyes and let her help him to a sitting position. Then she sat next to him and perched her typewriter on the lap desk.
Rory didn't mince words. "It's going to be tonight, isn't it?" he said and looked away.
The typewriter rattled briefly. No cough, but he glanced back.
Gabrielle had written, _Yes. Just a few hours now. I'm sorry._
"Don't be. I'll see Amy again. Of course, she'll still be young and beautiful, and I'm old and wrinkled. Think she'll stand the sight of me?"
_Of course. You're as handsome as you ever were._
"And you're a rotten liar." He chuckled and blinked. Gabrielle's expression changed to a sad smile. "And I have to apologize in advance," he said. "If I jump off the roof this time, this place blows up and you go too. Sorry about that."
_It's quite all right, Rory. I understand._
They sat there.
"Not very talkative tonight."
_I don't know what to say. I can't find the words._
"Then I'll say something." He put his hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "You've been a good friend all these years. Without your company, I might have gone mad. And I figure the other angels have given you crap for that, but you stuck to your guns. I respect you for that. So thank you. For everything."
_You are very welcome. And thank you for showing me friendship and kindness when you had no cause to. I have enjoyed your company and I will miss you._
Rory heaved himself off the bed. Although a little rocky on his feet, he managed to stand up. "We started this with a hug. That's how we should say goodbye." He spread his arms and closed his eyes.
Gabrielle put her writing supplies aside, stood, and hugged Rory back. She didn't try to stop the tears as they shook out of her. Then his body sagged. "Going to need a little help here." He kept his eyes shut as she helped into bed and pulled the blankets over him. She hesitated, dimmed the lights to be safe, then leaned down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she collected her typewriter and writing desk and turned to leave.
"One person," Rory rasped. "One person in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. That's all it takes."
Gabrielle lowered the lights and didn't look back as she left.
8
8
Gabrielle did busywork in her office. She checked and double-checked the typewriter, putting in a clean sheet of paper and a new ribbon.
The lights blinked as Lucielle entered the office. ((Rory's younger self went up just a few minutes ago. And just now a man and a woman arrived by car. They had some kind of tracking device-))
((That would be the Doctor and River.))
((They just went up.))
The Statue of Liberty's titanic footsteps shook the room.
Lucielle had trouble containing her excitement. ((Not long now.))
((I'm glad someone's happy.))
((Oh, stop! Are you really going to get all blubbery during the hunt?))
((It's not a hunt. This is a massacre.))
((Oh, please. And are you really going to lug that stupid thing to the roof?)) Lucielle meant the typewriter.
((Rory said I brought it,)) Gabrielle said, ((so I have to, and I want to. I want it to be different with him. He deserves it.))
((Have it your way. Then you get to bury him with his little wifey.))
((That's right. And then I'm out of here.))
((Excuse me?))
((I can't stand this place anymore, Lucielle. It's wrong. That's all there is to it. I won't be part of it anymore. You can stay if you like. But I'm leaving.))
((And what will you do? Go back to Londiniu—er, LONDON?))
((Maybe. Or maybe I'll go to one of the cemeteries around here. Good hunting in Queens, I hear.))
((Well, if you're going to do that, why not perch youself next to Aye-Mee and Roar-ee's grave?))
((I might just-))
Purple lightening crackled in the room and the floor shook.
Lucielle stammered, ((What the – paradox energy? Can't be. It never gets visible.))
((It does feel worse this time,)) Gabrielle said. ((Maybe-))
An angel called from the hall: ((Everybody. Up the stairs. NOW!))
Gabrielle collected her typewriter and brought up the rear as (in between light flashes) the angels raced up the interior spiral staircase. She'd made it to the first landing when an energy bolt flashed down past the steps.
((That sounded like a Sontaran pulse rifle,)) Gabrielle said. Rory hadn't said anything about someone with an energy weapon. ((Who's shooting?))
An angel from farther up the stairs shouted: ((Gabrielle! She's gone insane!))
((Who's gone insane?)) Gabrielle called back. ((Who's-?))
Then the building shook and she felt the electric fire of a time paradox run through her as white light exploded around her and began to swallow her…
…and then…