After their plane lands Ace takes them to a pub that isn't frequented by 20 somethings too often. "What is this place?"
"This Middle Ages."
"Nyssa, Adric, the Doctor and I went to the Middle Ages at one point."
"Everything seemed possible back then didn't it?"
"Not everything."
"The Doctor wouldn't have cared if the two of you got together, minus seeing you two shaking up. So as long as you kept that behind doors, he wouldn't have cared one bit."
"Remember this the 80s, it was illegal in many places like Australia."
"Well, it's 2023 now. While some places seem to be going backwards, you will be safe with me. I am bi after all." Their drinks arrive, "now drink up."
After a few drinks, "Ace, how does it feel to be in love and not afraid to express it?"
"Different, but a good different. It also helps that I am not afraid to be myself, and I mean my whole self around him. You have seen it all of course, but it's different with Graham. He loves my Nitro and my bat."
"You like his bat too."
Ace spits out her sip, "I think you've had enough."
"Please no, this is helping me not think of Nyssa, plus you're still on your first."
"I am going to be driving us home. I want to be clear minded when I am driving." Tegan tries to take back her drink, Ace slides it farther away knowing that Tegan would be hungover the next morning. She has heard a bit by the Mara and wanted to make sure Tegan had up her defenses. After Ace pays the bill she gets the both of them out to the car. "Tegan."
"Yes."
"Believe me when I say this; I will not rest until you have Nyssa back."
"Thank you."
"Your son even wants to meet her."
"He grew up hearing stories about her."
"I know. He might swing by."
"What, no, I am his mum, he can't see me like this."
"What pining after someone. He grew up with it."
"I was."
"Married twice he knows that, but he also remembers how your voice and face softened whenever you talked about Nyssa."
"I thought I masked them well."
"Not from your son or your best friend." They arrive at Ace's. "Go up to your room, I'll get your bag."
Tegan walks up to find the bed turned down with some Advil and water. "What?" Ace walks in to find Tegan staring at everything. "How?"
"Graham probably did all of this to take care of you."
"Why?"
"He cares about you. Now go to bed, I packed some clean pajamas for you." Ace gives her a hug then heads to her room to find Graham already asleep. She changes and lays down keeping an ear out for her friend.
"Tegan," in dreams people's most inner desires come to light. "I am here Tegan."
"Nyssa?"
"Yes, it's me." Tegan in her dream moves closer to the woman. "I am here for you."
"Last time it wasn't you," Tegan reaches her hand out and Nyssa holds it, the Trakenite pulls her in. Both try to hold back tears.
"You said something about the Doctor being a woman."
"I did, though she still liked to keep things from everyone. Can you believe she fell for an assistant, well now they are called companions."
"You?"
"What," Tegan is taken back by Nyssa's suggestion. "No, it was for her current companion. I may have been married a few times, but my heart has always been yours."
"A few?"
"Twice, though one of them made it so I could adopt my son."
"You have a son?"
"I do, John-Nathan. He's my light."
"I am glad to hear that you have some form of happiness."
"What about you?"
"I can't say?"
"Why not? You are here aren't you. You feel so real." Tegan runs her hand along Nyssa's arm.
"Want me to show you?"
"Please," Nyssa leans closer to Tegan as the two share what Tegan thinks to be their first kiss.
"See?"
"Mhmm." Nyssa runs one hand along Tegan's cheek.
"Where are you Tegan?"
"With my best friend and her fiancé. What about you? I want to find you."
"I am right where you are Tegan. I always have been. In your heart and in your mind."
"But not physically."
"What do you call that kiss?"
"Everything I dreamed of, but I still somehow know that you aren't real. I not only want you to be real, I need you to be." Tegan lays her head on Nyssa's shoulder. "I will find you; if it's the last thing I do."
"You don't need to find me, I am right here."
"You're not. You're the Mara, tempting me with my greatest desire."
"I am not the Mara." Nyssa moves closer to Tegan again.
"You were back in Australia at the playground. Since the first time when you were in delta wave augmenter, and the Mara decided I was the best target and then to when I had to wear those headphones and you tried not to leave my side; it has always been able to see my dreams. I thought I locked you away, but I didn't."
"Tegan, my love," the dream Nyssa wipes a stray piece of hair from Tegan's forehead, "I am here. Is there anything I can do to prove it to you?"
"No you can't. Just know that I love you and have for 40 years."
"Wow 40 years."
"I rejoined you two in early 1983 earth time, and you left not long after."
"What year is it for you?"
"It's July 2023."
"We can be together."
"Just until I find the real you. The real Nyssa of Traken, Keeper of Traken. Now please let me find you so I can hold you for real, kiss you for real. I want to talk to you beyond my dreams. I have been doing that long enough, though you now show up on how I would picture now. Not with the really curly dark hair.
"I can't go."
"Nyssa," Tegan takes her hands, "I will find you even if it takes calling the Doctor again."
"The woman Doctor?"
"Maybe."
"Or one after her. I think she regenerated."
"Tegan Jovanka, I love you."
"I love you too, Nyssa of Traken." Tegan turns around in her sleep as a tear slips down her cheek not knowing when she will Nyssa in the flesh.
Tegan stays asleep this time not being visited by the Mara that looked like her.