Telling Brian
Drax Three
We returned to Drax Three two months ago. We were all one year older than when we left. Amelia was 17, but we had to pretend that she was actually a year younger, since we didn't want any attention to our time traveling.
Amelia had just gotten home from school when we heard the Tardis. I was cleaning up the kitchen with Jack. Lia put her bag down at the door and ran into the kitchen just as the Tardis finished materialising and The Doctor stepped out.
His expression was sad, angry and disappointed. "You knew." Were his only two words.
I swallowed, guessing what had happened. Manhattan. "You went to Manhattan, didn't you." I said softly. The Doctor didn't say anything, but Lia and Jack were looking between The Doctor and I, trying to figure out what was going on. "Doctor, you know that I couldn't stop it. It would cause a paradox. You know how dangerous they are. We can't afford to restart the universe twice."
"You could have done something." The Doctor said in a dangerously low voice, even Jack took a step closer to me.
"It's like the Library." I said to Jack, tears threatening to fall. To The Doctor I said, "I couldn't have stopped it."
Jack froze at the mention of the Library. "Susan, what happened?" Jack asked. Lia was looking between the three of us, wondering what the hell was going on.
The Doctor held out a piece of paper that looked like it was torn out of a book. "This is your letter." I took the page with shaking hands and clutched onto the letter. The Doctor turned around without another word and started walking back to the Tardis.
"Wait," I called. The Doctor stopped, but didn't turn around. "What about Brian? Did you tell him?"
Without turning around, The Doctor said, "You tell him." The Doctor then stepped back into his Tardis and dematerialized.
"Susan?" Jack asked. "Susan, what's happened?" I didn't answer, just continued to stare at the spot the Tardis once was. "Susan, please tell me." Jack pleaded.
I drew in a shaky breath and said, "Amy and Rory are dead." Then I collapsed, hearing a faint shriek of "Mum!", then darkness.
I awoke in my bed, next to a sleeping Jack. I looked over at our alarm clock and it said two fifteen in the morning. I sighed and slowly, careful not to wake Jack, got up. I put on my glasses and saw that the note from Amy to me was on my nightstand.
I took the letter, stood up and walked out of Jack's and my room to my study. I switched a small desk lamp on and began to read.
Afterword Revised, by Amelia Williams
Hello, my dear friend. I know what you are thinking. How this is all your fault. I'm here to tell you that it's not. There's nothing you could have done. I just wanted to let you know that we are happy. Rory and I, in 1946. I've become a writer, I know, that doesn't sound like me, but it helps me cope. We've adopted. Anthony Brian Williams. We've both got jobs and the start of a family. Don't worry, we'll be fine and I don't blame you, even for a second. Give Lia hugs from Rory and I.
With Love, Amelia Williams
At the end of Amy's letter, tears were streaming down my cheeks. I heard a creak of floorboards and looked up from my desk to find Jack. Jack didn't say anything but took me in his arms and guided me back to our bed.
I zapped in with my vortex manipulator. I had told Jack and Lia that I wanted to do this alone. Amy and Rory's house was just the way they left it, except they weren't there. I walked slowly into the living room to see Brian watering some plants.
"Susan." Brian said, surprised. Then he saw my expression. "What happened?"
I let out a breath. "I'm sorry, Brian. I'm so sorry."
Brian set down his watering can and stared at me. "What are you talking about?"
The doorbell rings. "I would answer that." I said softly.
Brian goes to the door and answers it to find a man dressed in an old fashioned suit. "Mr. Brian Williams?" The man asked in a New York accent.
"Yes. How did you know I was here? This isn't my house."
"This is for you." He holds out an envelope with Dad written on it.
Brian stared at the envelope then looked back at the man. "I don't understand."
"You should read it. I'll wait." Brian goes into the living room and sits on the couch, taking out the letter. The man turns to me. "You must be Mrs. Harkness. I must say it is an honor to meet you." The man holds out a hand. "The name's Anthony."
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