Der Tod:

Gib deine Hand, du schön und zart Gebild! Bin Freund, und komme nicht, zu strafen. Sei gutes Muts! ich bin nicht wild, Sollst sanft in meinen Armen schlafen!

Death:

Give me your hand, you beautiful and tender form! I am a friend, and come not to punish. Be of good cheer! I am not fierce, Softly shall you sleep in my arms!

-Franz Schubert, Der Tod und Das Mädchen

Elisabeth awoke with a start. "Shouldn't have fallen asleep last night," Elisabeth grumbled as she stretched out on the chair. She heard the clang of a teacup being placed in front of her.

"Some tea?" The Doctor offered, dropping in a sugar.

Elisabeth nodded. "What time is it now?"

"Seven o'clock in the morning." He answered, stirring the tea and sliding it closer to her.

She sipped, scanning her weary eyes across the room. "She's not got long now, has she?"

"Seventeen hours. We brought her upstairs at midnight." The Doctor said, his tone rather flat. "But you know, I'm rather curious about something."

"Yes, Doctor?"

"How and why, do these marks appear on the people who are about to face their death?"

They heard a bump from upstairs. "Where's Jack?"

"Still asleep in the guest room."

"And where did you sleep last night?"

The Doctor crossed his arms. "I didn't."

Elisabeth started up the stairs. "I think she's up. She must be feeling horrible, after last night."

Sofia's nervous hands grappled at the sheets, tossing them aside. Once Elisabeth had entered her room Sofia decided to stop moving, and present herself as calm and natural.

"Good morning," Elisabeth greeted. "Is there something you're looking for?"

"A bandage. I had one on last night, and it's gone. I-"

Elisabeth proceeded to sit on the far edge of Sofia's bed. "I'm sorry."

"You all know, don't you?"

Elisabeth nodded.

"Well, can't you do something about it? The Doctor. And his time machine. Can't he undo these events?" Sofia pleaded. She stopped to compose herself, before issuing an apology. "And I'm sorry for my behaviour, last night." She gritted her teeth. "I, I'm sorry for what I've said to the Doctor. I'm afraid I might have offended or alarmed him."

"He's seen and heard many weird things. I'm quite sure what you've said couldn't have affected him that badly."

Sofia managed a smile. "He was definitely more than a little flustered, when I offered that-" She cut herself off. "No, it wouldn't be right."

Elisabeth's smile dropped slightly. "Oh." She stood, crossing over to the cupboard. I think let's get you something to wear before we get you downstairs. We've got to make good use of what time you've had left, right?" She tried to sound as optimistic as she could, but dropped the thought. She couldn't even be optimistic about her own future. It didn't make a lot of sense to stay hopeful for another person's cause. She flung open the doors. "It's rather full, in here."

"They aren't all mine." Sofia explained. "Some of them belonged to-"

"I'd just like to ask, where did you put your husband's clothes then, when he was alive? It's far too cramped to squeeze any more clothes in here." Elisabeth asked. "I hope I'm not being insensitive."

"There's no point in me hiding anymore, is there? I'll be dead before the day is over."

"Don't say that. I'm quite sure we can attempt to prolong your life."

"I didn't have a husband, Elise. I was lying." Sofia said, moving to her vanity. She took a locket from her jewellery-box, and flipped it open. Inside sat two engravings, of two separate women. The first was an engraving of Elisabeth herself, and the second...

"I told you about Gretchen." Sofia started.

"You never married, did you?" Elisabeth said, before she could stop herself.

Sofia shook her head, a sardonic smile upon her face. "We eloped."

"And she's gone too?"

"Gone." Sofia rested her cheek on her palm. "And now it's my turn to join her."

"Why did you tell us that you had a husband in the first place?"

Sofia took a moment to think. "It wasn't normal. If you were to be a more closed-minded individual you would have shunned me."

"It's different in the future." Elisabeth wondered whether she should have said that, after the Doctor's reminders that disclosing the future or fate of a person or civilisation was heavily dangerous. But should it matter now? The woman was dying anyway. She'd take the secrets of the future to the grave.

"It's hard, being in love." Sofia mused. "It's the best thing in the world, honestly. You wouldn't know how great it was if you haven't tried."

"I'm not a romantic person, so I don't know-"

"Give it a try. Trust me, you'll like it."

Elisabeth sighed, changing the subject. "I'll just leave the clothes on your bed and head downstairs."

"The local people say that she calls herself Me." Jack announced. "The brunette. The other one, they say she's named Carol or something."

"Caroline." Elisabeth looked up from the table. "It's a strange coincidence, but I know it can't be."

"Where's the wallet you had on you when you joined me?" The Doctor asked.

Elisabeth slipped it out of her pocket. "It belongs to her, doesn't it?"

The Doctor took the wallet, examining the credentials. "There's some psychic influence here." He passed his fingers over the clear pocket that held Caroline's identification card, and the image seemed to vanish, leaving behind nothing but a blank sheet of paper.

"That's not possible." Elisabeth mentioned.

Jack smirked. "You've got lots to learn. Psychic paper usually fools everyone, unless you're very special."

Elisabeth crossed her arms. "Then you're saying I'm not special then?" She teased.

"Didn't I say you'd have to be very special to see through these kind of things? You're still special and unique, I promise-"

"Now if you've finished flirting with her, Jack," The Doctor sighed, cutting Jack off. "We're going to have to find Caroline and Me. I'm almost sure they're behind this. It might seem like the black magic the villagers are speaking of, but I think it's something I've read about before. Quantum shades."

"Why would anyone use something like that?" Elisabeth rested her cheek on her palm.

"Protection, perhaps? Or they might think themselves to have authority over life and death," The Doctor explained. He rose to his feet, bounding towards the door. "Come on. We've got to find a solution to this, can't we?"

The two girls made no attempt to be discreet. They were at the square at noon, phantoms dressed in gleaming black. The bell at the chapel tolled as the party of four drew closer to the two girls. The mysterious duo said nothing, and let them approach.

"Good afternoon, ladies," The Doctor started, composed and polite. "I suppose you have something to do with the deaths recently?"

"You're as smart as when I last met you, Doctor." The brunette, Me, gave a knowing smile.

"We've met?" The Doctor enunciated.

"We've met before," Me stated. "That's probably in your future however, and I can't reveal much to you."

"When did I meet you?"

"Several years before the Great Fire of London. You told me it was the Terileptils."

"I-"

Me cut the Doctor off. "You lied."

"So we definitely must have met before. It was pure instinct, honestly, leading me to you. Almost like a flip of a coin, to be honest."

"Doctor, I know this is great and all, catching up with old friends," Elisabeth started. "We've still got to negotiate with them."

Caroline stepped forward, her glimmering green eyes staring into Elisabeth's soul. "This is about Sofia, am I right?"

"Y-yes, Sofia." Elisabeth could feel herself drifting and disengaged again. She rubbed her eyes, taking a heavy breath. The world almost seemed to spin, and honestly, she really didn't want to know whether there were going to be long-term implications of collapsing here there and then.

Jack placed his hand on her shoulder in an assuring manner. "Are you alright, Elise? You look a bit spaced out."

"She needs to stay grounded," replied the Doctor, slipping his own hand into hers. His chilly touch was enough to jolt her to her senses. She clutched on, swallowing a lump in her throat before continuing.

"Is there a way to prevent death from the Raven?" Elisabeth asked, shaking off the Doctor's grip.

"Not in this stage of our bond with the Quantum Shade, no." Me shook her head. "But you could pass it onto another person, and that person will die in your place. You know, Doctor, this is an awful waste of your time. If I were you I'd take up my companions and leave immediately. You don't know who's hot on our trails, and yours."

"Who is, then?" Jack prompted. "You know you can't just leave me hanging."

"The Doctor told me about you, Captain Jack Harkness." Me spoke up. "He said you were one of the immortals. What a pleasure to finally meet you for once. I've been following him over the years, making sure he doesn't destroy the universe in his wake."

"Never mind that," The Doctor cut in, urgent. "You said that there was someone pursuing us."

"The lover of chaos. Thought you might be surprised to see an old enemy again." Me said. "Of course, she'll want us all dead, but Caroline and I are under the protection of the quantum shade."

"How do you know she's coming?" Jack asked.

Caroline stepped forward, clutching a scanner. "DNA tracker."

"That's rather impressive," The Doctor marvelled. "Rather advanced for the eighteenth century, I'm impressed."

Caroline snorted. "You know nothing."

"Who exactly are you tracking?"

"The Master." Caroline plainly said, fiddling with the controls. "She's on to us. Closing in on us. We have to leave soon."

"How are you keeping yourself hidden? The Master would find you in seconds."

"The quantum shade's protection. But it isn't infallible. We still have to work for it, and even so it can't cover our tracks completely." Me explained. "We planned on taking your soul too, Doctor, seeing as it's so valuable, but it would completely disrupt the fabric of space and time."

"That's nice and all, but how the hell did you take DNA samples from the Master? That I would like to know." Jack said.

Me hesitated before answering. "Caroline."

"How?" The Doctor asked.

Elisabeth turned to him. "Doctor, we still have to resolve Sofia's problem. Every minute we waste is a minute wasted of her life."

"Caroline is her offspring."

"Her? The Master?" The Doctor exclaimed, not really understanding the concept. "I thought offspring of a Time Lord was declared illegal."

"Time Lords can regenerate in more ways than one, Doctor. A cross-gender regeneration is definitely not out of the question. And oh, breaking the rules...you know just as much as my Mother does." Caroline explained.

"Oh please, could we just do what we came here for?" Sofia cried. "Please, I'd do anything. Just spare my life."

"We cannot do anything at this stage in our bond with the quantum shade." Me confirmed.

"Can't you just offer us an explanation, or even an apology?" The Doctor pleaded.

"You're not going to like our explanation. We targeted people who we knew that likely would not go on to continue the population of the human race, and also those who had already served their purpose. It would not make a difference in the future population if they were to die." Me explained. "It would not be fair to take away the life of a person who would go on to produce more lives, and sustain the population on Earth."

"It wouldn't be fair, hence or otherwise, to end the lives of any other individuals." Elisabeth said, avoiding Caroline's gaze. So this was what it was like, in all the science fiction novels. Running into yourself was never a good idea to begin with.

"I'd give you anything. I'd offer myself to your service. I'd offer all my earthly riches." Sofia begged. "Anything that if you would just spare my life."

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do. The death's locked in. There isn't any way to escape."

"Instead of taking lives, why don't you use the quantum shade's ability for other purposes? To defend?" Jack suggested. "I mean, there's no point in just killing people off. It might be justice to use them on criminals instead."

"Is there another way?" The Doctor prompted. "Is there a way for you both to survive and remain undetected without the protection of the quantum shade?"

"The death's locked in, but I'm sure there is a way to transfer the shade." Elisabeth stated, clutching her fists.

"It only works if it's voluntary." Caroline said. "You can't run from it forever."

Elisabeth stepped forward. "Let me take it," she choked.

The Doctor pushed her back, giving her a stern look. "Elise, I know you want to help, but I can't risk you dying."

"I'm going to die anyway, Doctor. One way or the other. I'd like to face my death before I ruin anything else for anyone."

"You've got to stop blaming yourself for everything. Please, don't do this, Elise." The Doctor's fingers closed around her shoulder. "I don't want to-"

"Am I not in control of my own life, Doctor?" Elisabeth whipped around. "Do you not trust me with my life?"

"You've been very reckless lately. You've nearly gotten yourself killed almost thrice in the last week." The Doctor observed. "Is there something wrong?"

"I couldn't save them. It was the guilt, Doctor, I swear!" Elisabeth cried.

"The Doctor's right. You can't blame yourself." Jack affirmed. "I'm sure at least for the Doctor and I, we'd be disappointed if you chose to die here and now."

"The question is, Jack," Elisabeth retorted, "whether Sofia chooses to give it up or not."

The party turned to Sofia, waiting for her response. Sofia gulped, squeezing out a few tears. Jack sighed, putting his arm around her shoulders. "She's conflicted now."

"It's my fault then, that she feels conflicted. She should have the opportunity to live her life."

"Then you should have the opportunity to live yours." The Doctor stated, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Nobody has to die, do they? I'm certain there's a way to reverse the process."

"There's no hope left for me. But there's still hope for Elisabeth." Sofia whispered, wiping the tears from her face. "It is my death, I am destined to die. Then I will go softly knowing that I will be with my loved ones again."

"Death might be kinder than this place," Me mused. "I wasn't allowed to die, because of your meddling, Doctor."

The Doctor showed a look of pain. "I'm very sorry, for that; but I can't do anything about it as it has already become a fixed event in history. Well, your history. Linear history. It still happens in my future."

The bells tolled again as the great chapel clock stroked one. The tattoo on Sofia's forearm shimmered, like ink flowing across a page. The number came into view again, this time 011.

"I've not got long now, guess I have to make the most of my time left." Sofia said, resolved but grim.

"And we have to move fast. The Master will be here soon." Caroline restated.

"How soon is soon?" The Doctor inquired.

"Twelve hours. If you are to stay with Sofia until her death, you must then leave immediately."

"What harm is he going to do to us? We're stronger that we look." Jack smirked. "The Master's no match for me, I've taken him on before-"

"The Master is a lady now, insists on being called a Time Lady. She's got a few surprises up her sleeve. Don't think that just because you've seen one of his incarnations, you've seen them all." Caroline said.

"Would you have arranged a funeral for me, if I were in the same position?"

The Doctor kept silent.

"Doctor?"

The Doctor paced the room before stopping short, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose. "I can't think of losing you."

"That's not a very you thing to say. You're not sentimental. You don't dwell too heavily on past events." Elisabeth clasped her hands, leaning back into the wooden chair. She shifted, uncomfortably.

He sighed. "It's a bit different. I lost a friend once, and I made the decision to pledge that I wouldn't lose another one as long as I live. I will go to whatever lengths I can to see my friends alive."

She swung her left leg over her right, picking at the threads of her black jeans. "You can't guarantee my safety, I'm afraid. You know how I feel about myself."

"I know. And I'm sorry for that."

"Excuse me?" She protested, looking up at him through her fringe. "I don't need your sympathy, Doctor."

"If you could give up all the emotional burden and live well, that would be enough for me."

"And now I have to meet your expectations? Who on earth do you think you are?"

"You speak so often about not meeting your own expectations. Why not let go of those unrealistic expectations for a change? Be a bit more optimistic, will you?"

"I'll try." She threw out, nonchalantly.

"That's the spirit, Elise." He folded his hands. "And now we wait."

"Is that all we can do? Just wait? Is there anything else we could do?" Elisabeth spoke up anxiously.

"The moment has been prepared for." The Doctor mused, turning his attention to the window. "You know, Sofia and Jack get along awfully well."

Elisabeth let the corners of her mouth relax. "I wish I-" She cut herself off. "Oh, never mind. I let my mouth run away sometimes, it becomes a bit of a problem with me."

"You are free to speak your mind, if you wish." The Doctor said, walking over to the fireplace, watching, mesmerised as the smoky embers flittered out into the November air. The glow illuminated the left half of his face, allowing his hair to shine like strands of gold. Elisabeth coughed, snapping herself from a half-baked fantasy.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I was distracted. Just slightly." Elisabeth stammered. "I didn't mean to stare, I swear-"

"You didn't mean to." The Doctor repeated. "There's no need for you to apologise."

"A thought of mine is, what if I had lived just an ordinary life?" Elisabeth wondered. "I don't remember my life before I stumbled aboard into this magical adventure."

"Magical, is that the word?" The Doctor's face lit up. "That's how you think of it?"

"I love the adventure. It's the guilt that gets me later on."

Elisabeth didn't take her eyes off the glowing fire as Jack and Sofia entered the room.

"She says she's ready, Doctor." Jack stated. "She says it's time for us to say our goodbyes."

"Well, then." The Doctor straightened up, rubbing his palms together. He took a breath. "I trust you've had a fufilling life."

"It's been great." Sofia plainly said, but Elisabeth could feel the wavering tone in her voice. It felt weak, and breathy, as if the life was already draining out of her as she spoke. How close was she now, to the bridge between life and death?

"Your happiness was taken from you." Elisabeth lamented. "Don't you feel that?"

"Don't worry, I'll be with her soon." Sofia crossed the room and laid a hand on Elisabeth's arm. "You take care of yourself, please."

"You too."

"I can feel them. They're on the other side. All my loved ones - family, friends. Gretchen. They're there. And they're calling." Sofia's hand wavered as her voice trailed off.

"You're not going anywhere yet. There's another twenty minutes to midnight." Jack teased, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Why didn't you walk into my life earlier? I could have married you if I could," Sofia played along, holding onto a last few moments of bliss.

"It isn't too late, I mean," chuckled Jack, and he leaned down to kiss her on the cheek.

"But you know what will happen afterwards, right? You won't get a funeral because there's nobody around to arrange it. It'd be terrible, Doctor. Don't you think we could stay just a while longer?" Sofia pleaded.

"I'm sorry. But you remember what Caroline said. I think they're already on their way out of town."

After he spoke the room was silent, save for the noises travelling throughout the night air. The merrymaking of the drunkards of the pub, the clanging of dishes in a sink, the mutterings and wailing of animals. It felt just like any other night. The group of four, kneeling and huddled against the warmth of the fireplace.

And now someone was going to die.

The bells tolled, spelling out a heavy death sentence as one day passed into another.

"It'll be here now," breathed Sofia. She stood, looking around. She took a step, and then two. "I will face this alone."

"You don't have to do this alone. We'll face it together." Elisabeth turned around. She was aware now of the movement by the window, the feathers that ruffled against the curtain.

The raven crowed once, then twice.

It seemed to happen in slow motion. The bird leapt from its post, leaving behing a river of ink. Sofia took in the full sight of Death coming for her, and closed her eyes.

One second. The bird swooped, its eyes as dark as obsidian.

Two seconds. Elisabeth blinked, and almost missed the instant the bird collided with her. In a flash the bird was gone, and Elisabeth thought it was gone.

Three seconds. Smoke. Everything was smoke around them, pouring like a nightmare from Sofia's lips. They heard one last caw as the smoke billowed out into the night.

Sofia swayed on her feet, toppling over onto her back.

The Doctor was the fastest to react, catching her before she reached the ground. He laid her gently to rest, folding her outstretched arms over her body. Elisabeth bent down, eyes fixed on the body.

He bowed his head as he stood, facing his two companions. "I trust you know what comes next," He instructed.

Nobody protested in the darkness of the night. The TARDIS mysteriously disappeared just as it had come, and life went on as usual.