Hello everyone!

Sorry this chapter isn't as long as the last. I promise the next one will be even longer.

Enjoy the chapter!


Chapter 54

Madison tried to keep her breathing even as she felt the pull of time slowly ticking by. She didn't know how long the Doctor would take to reach the bottom of the motorway. There were fifty layers of traffic, going down miles. Even with the Doctor working fast, she didn't think he would reach the bottom in a short time. Would Martha already be in the fast lane by then? What trouble would she be in? Would she perish? A shiver ran through Madison at the mere thought. No, she couldn't allow herself to think like that. She must focus on imagining the Doctor and Martha both alive and well. Even if her worried state of mind was beginning to contemplate all the ways both of them would die. Again, she shivered.

Meanwhile, she heard Valerie and Bran quietly discussing things with each other. She picked up bits and pieces. Mostly it was them wondering if the Doctor would make it somehow, and making up theories of what dangers the Time Lord would face along the way. Bran mostly made up wild theories of the Doctor's adventure while Valerie seemed to be the more sensible one. At some point, they must have realised that speaking about Madison's partner right in front of her while excluding her from the conversation was rude behaviour. Not that she minded all that much. She would rather stay quiet within her own thoughts, focusing on the more positive outcomes for this day and not the negative ones that her mind seemed to try to steer her mind towards.

"So, you and the Doctor, how long have you both been together?" Bran suddenly questioned her, making Madison slowly open her eyes and turn her head towards him.

"Hmm, that is a good question. I would say . . .," she tried counting in her head the actual time with the Doctor and not the years spent apart. "Over two years now? Possibly going on a third year for us. It's hard to keep track of honestly given our lifestyle."

"How did you two meet?" Valerie asked next.

Chortling, Madison shook her head fondly. "Would you believe me if I said he blew up the shop I worked for?" She laughed at the two's expressions of disbelief. "I know. It was a rather abrupt meeting. I was being surrounded by invading aliens, ready to kill me, when he suddenly appeared, grabbed my hand, and told me to 'run'. And I've been running with him ever since."

"That sounds like quite the story," Bran said after a moment, chuckling.

It was by this point that there came a noise from above them. Madison glanced up, frowning as she thought she recognised the sound of footsteps on the metal roof of the car. Then, here came a screech of metal and sparks began to fall from above. Madison leapt to her feet while Valerie and Bran remained rather calm about the situation unfolding.

"Just what we need! Pirates!" Bran complained over the sound of the metal being sliced open with some sort of drill.

"Does this happen often?" Madison questioned hurriedly, getting out of the way of where the person above was coming from.

"Oh, we've seen our fair share," Bran told her. "As long as we give them some of our supplies, they're mostly harmless."

"I'm calling the police!" Valerie yelled out in warning to whoever was forcing their way inside.

Finally, the hatch from above fell away, landing with a thud on the floor. Soon, a cat woman appeared, wearing grey nun clothing, holding a silver gun with green glowing parts. The cat woman pointed the gun at the three of them. "The Doctor, where is he?" she demanded.

The moment the cat woman spoke, Madison recognised the voice. Though the face was different from what she remembered—a voice is never forgotten by a Mer. Even if the memory of that day had been fuzzy at best given Madison's condition that day. But it had to be the same woman. Novice Hame from the Sisters of Plenitude. She had been the caretaker of the Face of Boe, from what Madison could recall. She only remembered Novice Hame being there when the Doctor, Rose, and Cassandra had discovered the human cloning farm. Most everything else had been told to Madison second-handedly by the Doctor and Rose when trying to piece together what had happened that day.

"Novice Hame?" Madison questioned, trying to be polite in asking as she did have some doubt about her memory being correct or not.

The cat woman hopped into the vehicle, face set with fierce determination. Though this changed when Madison said her name. There was a moment of confusion before the woman seemed to suddenly recognise the Mer. "You. You're a companion of the Doctor," Novice Hame said. The woman looked Madison up and down in astonishment. "You haven't changed at all."

"No. Neither has the Doctor," Madison replied. Curious now, she tilted her head as she observed Novice Hame carefully. "Judging by your own appearance, it must have been many years since the Doctor and I have been here." Backpedalling swiftly, Madison knew how that must have sounded. "Erm, not that I'm saying you're ageing poorly."

Novice Hame smiled softly, bowing her head. "You're too kind."

"You know this woman?" Bran asked Madison then, apparently over his shock by now.

"She needs to fix our roof," Valerie remarked sternly, still seeming upset by the cat woman's entrance.

Madison only gave the two a nod before diverting her attention solely on Novice Hame. She tried to get a sense of what the cat woman was up to, but there was nothing of ill intentions from what she could feel. Was the cat nun merely here to require the Doctor's help? "You said you were looking for the Doctor. What for? What are your intentions?" Madison questioned carefully then.

There was a moment where Novice Hame's eyes shifted warily towards Valerie and Bran—who were watching the nun intently—before her eyes looked back at Madison. "There's no time to explain. I need to find the Doctor. Without his help, we are lost," said the cat nun.

Sensing that the nun would not speak in front of others, Madison gave a nod of understanding. "Very well. Then I suggest you start by going down." Madison motioned for the cat nun to step aside as she pulled back the rug from the floor and opened the hatch on the floor. The fumes from the open top and now the open bottom did not help Madison's lungs. She began to cough hard but pushed herself to speak. "He went down from car to car . . . in search of our missing friend. You might be able to catch up with him if you're lucky. Though I'm not certain if you can find him in the same car."

"I have a scanner locked on his biosignature. I will find him," Novice Hame said, voice full of determination once again.

Madison thought for a moment, debating on whether or not she should go along with the cat woman. But in feeling how her lungs were burning already, and that two in this type of situation would only slow down the process of finding the Doctor, she knew it would be best to remain behind. Even though the mere thought of that pained her as she wanted to help with the dilemma New New York appeared to be facing. Though, there still might be one thing she could do for Novice Hame.

"When you do find the Doctor, tell him that, as a Mer, you have my blessing. He'll know what that means," Madison told the woman as Novice Hame sat down with her legs dangling over the edge of the open floor.

"I will," replied the cat woman with a firm nod.

"Good luck," Madison sighed as she watched the nun drop down onto the car beneath them and began going through the process of making her way through the next vehicle. Madison hurriedly closed the door on the floor soon after, already coughing too hard to keep it open. She felt Bran moving then behind her, seeming to be working on fixing the open way from above. She stumbled over to where she remembered the oxygen mask was, pushing it to her face and breathing in deeply the fresh air it provided.

"Now what do you think that was all about?" Bran wondered aloud as he used some sort of metal tool to seal up the broken door.

"I'm not certain. But I feel that it's something quite dire judging by Novice Hame's emotional state," Madison spoke, her voice muffled with the clear mask on.

"Oh? Are you an empath?" Bran asked then, seeming suddenly excited as he grinned at her. Uncertain for only a moment, Madison soon nodded in confirmation. This seemed to please Bran greatly. "Ha! An empath in my car. Who would have thought." He finished with his repairs, sealing up the vehicle completely before going back to his seat. "We have a few empaths around the motorway. Always useful to have around."

"It must be hard, though, being on the motorway, surrounded by so many people," Valerie remarked.

"It can be difficult, yes. But you learn to tune out all the background noise," Madison said, placing away the oxygen mask once she felt she could breathe again. She stared off at nothing for a moment, frowning as she contemplated what she should be doing next. She felt useless at the moment just sitting here. She would rather be moving and working on a plan of action.

"Don't need to be an empath to know that you're worrying again," Bran noted after a minute, earning Madison's attention once more. He gave her a kind smile. "Don't you fret now. Your husband will be just fine, if he's the type of man I think he is. The resourceful type."

"Yes, you're right," sighed Madison, shaking her head lightly. "I just can't help but feel useless in this situation. I don't like sitting idly by while others are in need of help. It's not in my nature."

"Oh, I hear you. If my Valerie or children ever needed me, I'd be half out of my mind if I sat by doing nothing. But sometimes, the best thing you can do is to wait and be patient."

With a smile and nod, Madison knew Bran was right. She needed to be as patient as possible in this situation. Even if the idea of sitting down again to do nothing felt tortuous.

XxXxXxXxXx

Her body and mind fought with each other over whether or not she should be pacing or sitting. Running after the Doctor, Martha, and Novice Hame, or waiting for their return as she had promised. At some point, Bran and Valerie tried to speak with her about her and the Doctor's past, but Madison remained firm in not divulging too much to them. They must have sensed that she would not speak too openly, so the topics changed to the motorway neighbours and how things worked around a bartering system many had come up with over time. Madison tried her best to listen and learn of how these people lived underground, trapped. However, her mind always wandered back to Martha and the Doctor's well-being. Eventually, conversations remained between Valerie and Bran while Madison remained on the floor staring into space. Her hand absently petting the kittens that had crawled into her lap, cuddling up together on top of the Doctor's coat which she laid over her folded legs.

When there came a thunderous noise, followed by the shaking of the car around them, Madison finally felt her spirits lift as she just knew that something new was happening. Something most likely involving the Doctor. Bran and Valerie began to panic for a moment, alarmed by the sound and vibrations through the air. Madison gathered up all the kittens into their basket, bringing them over for Valerie to hold close.

"Bran, we need to look up. Whatever's happening, it's coming from above us," Madison said, waiting as patiently as she could as Bran got up from his seat and opened the hatch on the car's roof. She went over to stand beside him as he stared up in amazement. It was the roof to the motorway. Possibly even the entire undercity itself.

"Of all the cats in the kingdom," breathed Bran.

Madison herself was smiling wide as sunshine began to pour into the motorway. "Look at that, Bran. Your children will finally be able to see sunshine and touch the ground." She smiled as Bran laughed in delight. Valerie looked as though she were ready to cry with joy.

"But how is this possible?" Bran wondered aloud as they watched the roof open wider and wider.

"Knowing the Doctor, he found a way," Madison responded easily. She watched as Bran went over to his wife and children, celebrating with them as sunlight beamed brightly down upon them all. Though she was swift in coming over to be with the family when she saw the Doctor's face appearing in their computer screen. The feeling of elation was the only way to describe her joy in seeing him safe and sound.

"Sorry, no Sally Calypso, she was just a hologram," spoke the Doctor into a large microphone. There were all sorts of computer systems behind him from where he stood. In some sort of dimly lit room. "My name's the Doctor. And this is an order. Everyone drive up. Right now."

"Is he serious?" Bran questioned.

"He is. Do as he says," Madison spoke as the Doctor continued to instruct everyone to move upwards and outwards. "You wanted to get to New New York for a new life, and this is your chance. Don't hesitate to take it."

With a firm nod, Bran gripped the steering wheel tightly in his grasp, pulling up a lever beside him. "Everyone hold on!"

Madison almost fell backwards as the vehicle went almost straight upwards. She had to grip onto the back of Valerie and Bran's seats as they went swiftly up. She could see through the grimy window in the front more cars following along with them. Everyone was doing as the Doctor said. Escaping the undercity towards freedom at last.

"Oi! Car four-six-five-diamond-six. Martha! Drive up!" Madison heard the Doctor saying over the sound of the vehicle shaking and the engine revving. "You've got access above. Now, go!"

Her heart began to beat rapidly, realising with a start that the Doctor had not gotten to Martha as she had been hoping. Their companion was still down in the fast lane, possibly in danger. Closing her eyes tightly, she muttered under her breath, "Please, Martha, be safe. Come back to us."

"Don't worry, Maddie. She's on her way up. She's safe," came the Doctor's voice suddenly. Her eyes snapped open, no longer seeing the Doctor on screen but still heard his voice coming from the computer systems. He must have patched in directly to Bran and Valerie's car by Madison's guess.

"Did I tell you, Doctor, you're not bad, sir? You're not bad at all," laughed Bran.

"You keep driving, Brannigan. All the way up. 'Cause it's here, just waiting for you. The city of New New York, and it's yours," instructed the Doctor, sounding pleased by the cat man's words. "Though, before you go off, chasing your new dreams, how about you stop by the city's Senate and drop off Maddie? Can't go leaving behind my partner. And my coat. I love that coat."

Rolling her eyes playfully, Madison spoke up. "You're coat is fine, spaceman."

"And I hope you're fine, too, cowgirl," he responded back just as smoothly. "Now, hang on, got to get in touch with Martha. See you soon as the Senate." There was a sound of static then as the Doctor must have turned off communications with them.

"I said it, a magnificent man he is," Bran chuckled as he steered the vehicle through the bright air of the city.

Madison could see skyscrapers passing them by, with the bright blue sky and the sun shining brightly above them. She wondered what the sight must have looked like to those who had never seen the sky before. She could feel large amounts of emotions, joy more than anything. Though nothing she could truly grasp onto as her mind was built to detect the negative emotions. Not so much for positive ones. But it was hard not to feel the newfound happiness that everyone was experiencing. After decades of being trapped underground, finally they had their freedom. It only made her wonder, however, of what would become of these people now that they were free. What of those already living in the city? Were there people still around? Or was this planet abandoned, and for good reason, too? She felt wary, suddenly, at the thought of what occurred to cause all of this to happen in the first place. But she knew she would receive her answers soon enough as Bran had the vehicle lowered down onto a landing area in a massive building.

"Here's where the coordinates the Doctor sent ends," Bran told Madison, turning in his seat to face her. Valerie did the same. "Will you be careful out there?"

"I should say the same to you two," Madison responded, smiling kindly at the two. "I do hope your future is brighter than it was before. No more motorways for a while, yes?"

"Wouldn't even dream of setting foot on one again," Valerie said firmly.

"Only open skys for us from now on," Bran promised.

Madison gave her goodbyes as she exited the vehicle through the sliding side door. She stepped carefully onto the landing pad, knowing she was high up in the air. The wind blew strong where they had landed, pushing against her body as she walked around the car and headed for the opening which she hoped would lead her inside. Though heights had never been much of an issue for her, it still did not mean that she enjoyed them. At least the air was clean here, allowing her to finally breathe easily. Her breath caught in her throat the moment she set foot inside the dark space that was the Senate. Or, at least, it had been.

The room was vast, with high seating arrangements far above. With a platform in the centre below, meant to host the speaker of the Senate while the rest would watch. There was none to be watching now as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and finally saw what made up the Senate. Skeletons, lying all around in the seats above. In the centre platform, there was another skeleton, with mummified flesh still attached in some places, lying on its stomach with arms still outreached. As though the poor soul had collapsed right there and died in moments. There was some rubble scattered around the room as well, indicating the building was showing signs of decay. It seemed her second notion of something terrible happening decades ago had been true. Though she wished dearly she had been wrong.

She turned when she heard footsteps coming up behind her. Soon, Martha stepped into the room, smiling widely when seeing Madison. Though quickly that smile vanished when the young woman saw the skeleton Madison stood by.

"Oh, my god," breathed Martha in shock. "What happened here?"

"I'm not certain. I believe the Doctor may have those answers for us," Madison said, walking over to Martha in quick strides. She pulled the young woman into a tight hug, feeling the final waves of dread fading away. "I'm so glad you're alright. They didn't harm you, did they? I know I felt no ill will from them, but I could always be wrong. Then there was the danger from the fast lane, which I never did figure out. What was down there? How did you—"

"Um, Maddie, no offence, but could you let go? It's hard to breathe right now," she heard Martha gasping.

Madison swiftly let go and stepped back, listening to Martha inhale sharply. Her face felt as though it were on fire by this point, realising she had held on too tightly and was rambling on again. "Sorry. I . . . I was worried about you."

"I can tell," Martha laughed in good humour, giving Madison a smile which spoke of easement. "And no, Milo and Cheen, they treated me nice. Can't say they're the brightest, but they're good people." Martha glanced around by this point. "Where's the Doctor? He said to meet here, yeah?"

Humming, Madison searched for the Doctor with her mind, knowing he had to be close. It was by this point that she felt him, realising that he had been clouding their connection to keep her from feeling his sombre spirit. She was swift in turning on the spot, marching around the corner to find him. She wanted to be there to comfort him from whatever troubled him. And when she did round the corner and saw him sitting on the ground, she knew immediately what had him sullen and woeful.

There, around broken glass, an empty tank, and tangled wires, was the Face of Boe. Her heart sank as she heard the struggling breaths from the head, knowing that being outside of his tank meant that he would be without his life support system. Surely a massive head like him needed one. She saw Novice Hame on the other side of the head, closer than the Doctor. Her hand out reached and touched the large face as though she and he were old dear friends. And perhaps they were.

"Oh, no. Face of Boe, what's happened to you," Madison said, walking swiftly over. She kneeled beside where the Doctor was, feeling her heart sink as she heard the rasp from the old face.

" Nothing that was not meant to happen," answered the old face within their minds. His telepathic presence was not as strong as she once remembered. Was it simply her recalling it incorrectly, or was he truly fading away? She felt her heart constrict as the Doctor slowly took her hand, giving it a hard squeeze.

"What's that?" she heard Martha saying from behind.

"It's the Face of Boe," answered the Doctor as Madison could not feel her voice at the moment. Sensing Martha's hesitation, the Doctor nodded his head towards the head. "It's all right, come say hello. And this is Hame," he gestured towards Novice Hame, "she's a cat. Don't worry." The Doctor was quiet for just a beat as Madison heard Martha stepping closer. "He's the one who saved everyone, not me."

"My lord gave his life to save the city," Novice Hame spoke then, her voice sombre as she stared at the head in grief. "And now he's dying."

"No, don't say that. Not old Boe, plenty of life left," the Doctor argued, though there was no strength in his words. Even he too must realise what was to happen next. Madison could feel it. The sense of death upon the horizon. And there was nothing they could do to stop it. Not this time. Madison glanced over when Martha came beside her, crouching low, still staring at the Face of Boe in awe.

" It's good to breathe the air once more," whispered the Face of Boe.

"Who is he?" Martha questioned curiously.

Madison went to say his name, but she paused, wondering for a moment who is the Face of Boe. Though she had only met him twice—the second time hardly counting at all—she still felt this vague sense that she had known him for much longer than that. As though they had been friends for a vast amount of time. And yet . . . she hardly knew him. She had no idea what his race of people was, or if he was meant to be a head in a tank, or if the 'Face of Boe' was even meant to be his name in the first place. She recalled him telling her to call him 'Jack' when it was only the two of them. It made her wonder if this was merely a nickname for him, or another meaning behind the name entirely.

The Doctor answered for both of them. "I don't even know. Legend says the Face of Boe has lived for billions of years." Seeing how the Doctor's eyes were solely on the head now, he said, "Isn't that right? And you're not about to give up now."

" Everything has its time," the head answered tiredly. " You know that, old friend, better than most ."

Madison could feel it now. The weariness; the tired old spirit of Old Boe. If he had truly lived for as long as the legends say he has . . . she would think death would be a blessing by this point. She reached out and touched the side of his face, his large left cheek. His skin felt like rough leather against her fingers as she stroked his face, trying to give him some comfort before leaving this universe.

"The legend says more," Novice Hame spoke quietly.

"Don't'. There's no need for that," the Doctor said in a quick response.

Madison could feel the Doctor's desperate hope for the Face of Boe's survival today. But his tone was lacking any bite to it, keeping low and quiet. He must know as well that this would be the last moment for Old Boe. Even if they would still meet him again in the future, he would never see them after today. How painful of a thought that was, knowing they would still be meeting someone they had watched die. It made her close her eyes tightly as Novice Hame spoke up again.

"It says that the Face of Boe will speak his final secret to two travellers."

"Yeah, but not yet. Who needs secrets, eh?" said the Doctor. Madison glanced at him briefly, seeing how his eyes locked onto the Face of Boe, in search of any hope against death's arrival.

" I have seen so much. Perhaps too much," spoke the Face of Boe. " I am the last of my kind as you are the last of yours, Doctor. And you, Madison. "

Madison bowed her head when hearing her name spoken. Her heart was heavy with this said aloud. "I'm sorry. But . . . at least you'll be with your kind again soon," she whispered gently, hoping to bring the face some words of comfort. "You won't be alone ever again after today. I promise."

" Do you think I will be a part of your people's seas once I'm gone? " asked the Face of Boe quietly.

"Maybe. The universe is one vast ocean of memories shared amongst all kinds. It gives us life and that life we must all return one day. But I do not believe it will be the end. Only just the beginning for us when we depart," Madison answered softly, still petting his cheek in comfort.

There came a sigh from the Face of Boe and she could feel almost a smile given back to her. "Then, may the tides carry me home."

There was a moment of shock for Madison before she relaxed, knowing that if she and the Face of Boe truly were as close as he said they were, then it only made sense that he would know this saying. The farewell of love and care given from one Mer to another. And as the last Mer, Madison knew she would give this message to any whom she loved with all her heart. "May the tides carry you home," she spoke in her native tongue. She saw the soft look from the Face of Boe, knowing he knew what she had said. She felt a hand rest on her shoulder and looked over to see the Doctor looking grave as he held onto her.

"Don't go. Please," whispered the Doctor.

"There is so much I wish to say, yet there is only one truth that both of you must know," said the Face of Boe, letting out a long breath. His final words spoke aloud. "You are not alone." With one last exhale, the Face of Boe slowly closed his eyes and was no more.

Madison bowed her head, letting go of his cheek as she turned to face the Doctor. Tears silently fell down her cheeks as she heard the quiet sobs of Novice Hame. He opened his arms for her then, allowing her to curl up into him and hold onto him tightly. She felt movement beside them, seeing Martha coming over to embrace them both. Then, Madison looked at Novice Hame, holding out a hand to the cat woman. The nun seemed to hesitate before gradually accepting the invitation, coming into the comfort against the grief of a passing friend.

XxXxXxXxXx

Madison walked slowly with the Doctor and Martha through the alleyway of the undercity. It had been an hour now since the citizens trapped for decades underground had been released to the outside world. Almost immediately after the Face of Boe's passing, people began to flood the senate, questioning what had happened to the world and what they should do next. Novice Hame took up the role as leader tentatively at first, but—as Madison had said through encouragement— she was indeed best suited for the position. And with that, the Doctor had Madison and Martha silently leave the senate as Novice Hame seemed to be bringing order to the citizens of New New York. Madison had wondered how they were meant to get back to the TARDIS, but now that the quarantine had been lifted, the lifts to the undercity had been opened once again.

The trio had been silent on their way down to the undercity. Neither one of them had spoken much since they had entered the lifts. Madison noticed Martha in particular being quiet compared to she herself and the Doctor, who made some small talk as they remarked over the new change on New Earth.

"All closed down," the Doctor noted as they entered Pharmacy Town. The pharmacists' vending areas had been boarded up with hurried signs placed on the doors, telling everyone of their departure.

"Good," mumbled Madison. "Hopefully this new society will no longer create these drugs. I would hate for another virus to harm them even further." She lightly kicked one of the empty boxes nearest to the abandoned pharmacist stand. After listening to the Doctor's explanation of what had happened to the entirety of New Earth's population, she shuddered to think of more people using these so-called 'moods'.

"Hopefully," the Doctor agreed after inspecting one of the empty stands. He walked over to Madison where she was standing in the centre of the open area. "New New York can start again. And they've got Novice Hame."

"Hmm. Yes, I believe she'll be a good leader. She seemed to have learned much from the Face of Boe. Perhaps his wisdom through her can guide society into a new light," said Madison, watching as the Doctor came to stand in front of her, hands in his pockets and rocking on his feet. Though his mood appeared lighthearted at the moment, she could feel the quell of sadness just below the surface. It was just a faint sense she felt, and she knew he was trying his best to hide it from her. But with their connection, it was difficult for either one of them to truly hide from the other. She wondered if he would allow her to help soothe his sadness later in the TARDIS. Whether that be with her mental abilities, or in other ways.

Her attention shifted towards Martha next, who stood away from the two of them. She could see something troubling the young woman as Martha gazed at them both. She could tell that there was something Martha wished to say as when the young woman caught Madison's eye, there was an exchange of sorts between them. A tilted head from Madison and a stiff nod from Martha. Ah. Seemed Martha had finally reached her end with the two of them. It was bound to happen at some point.

"Come on, time we were off," the Doctor said, bringing Madison's attention back to him. It seemed as though he was unaware of Martha's firm eye on him as he started to walk away. Though when neither Madison nor Martha made a move to follow, he halted and turned back around, brow furrowed in confusion as he looked between the two. "What?"

"What did he mean, the Face of Boe? You are not alone?" Martha blurted out in question.

"I don't know," the Doctor answered with a slight shake of the head.

When seeing Martha's eyes flickering to Madison, the Mer gave her own small shrug. "I'm not certain, either."

In truth, Madison had also wondered about this last message from Old Boe. It seemed strange, leaving behind a message that was rather . . . cryptic. Vague, even. If she was on the verge of death and needed to leave a last message, she would have been more specific in details. But that was just her. It did make her ponder, however, if the message meant something as grand as the possibility of . . . No, that was impossible. The Face of Boe couldn't possibly have meant that they were not the last of their kind anymore. The Doctor had said that Time Lords were linked. He would have sensed if there were others out there. And as for Mer-kind . . . Perhaps the message had been meant as more of a warning? Or a code? A parting gift of reassurance? It puzzled her to no end, and she hated to get her hopes up that it meant anything more than a last goodbye.

"Well, it had to mean something, right?" Martha asked, looking between the two of them once more.

"Maybe. Or . . . maybe not. No way of knowing now, really," the Doctor said, shifting on his feet in an inpatient manner. "Doesn't matter, in the end. Back to the TARDIS, off we go." The Doctor turned once again. Madison shifted to follow but stopped short when seeing the hard expression on Martha's face. With a sigh and a nod given to the young woman, Madison remained in place. Right. Here and now it is.

She waited patiently in place as Martha grabbed an abandoned, dirty chair, set it down and sat with her arms and legs crossed. Madison then cleared her throat when seeing the Doctor not noticing their lack of movement, making the Time Lord stop in his tracks and turn back around. He frowned heavily, brow once again furrowed as he looked between the two.

"Right . . . Are we staying a bit longer then?" he asked rather cautiously.

"Till the two of you talk to me properly, yes," Martha spoke, her brow raised as she saw the sullen look the Doctor gave back to her. "I'm getting tired of us not talking. Not just with me, but even you two hardly talk to each other. This dance we're doing of back and forth," Martha motioned a twirl with her finger, "is getting old, don't you think?"

It was quiet, then. A pregnant pause. Madison then let out a sigh, her gaze wandering over to the Doctor. "She's right, you know," she said softly, seeing the tension from the Time Lord slowly ease. His defiant stance against this finally receding.

"Right," he murmured, barely loud enough to be heard over the sound of issuing steam from the nearby pipes. Clearing his throat, hands stuffed deeply into his pockets, he adjusted himself to stand straight with an even expression on his face as he stared at Martha. "What do you want to know?"

There was a moment where Martha appeared shocked for just a second. As if she had not expected such an easy give to her demand for answers. But this left just as quickly as it came, with Martha back to business once again. "He said 'Last of your kind'. What does that mean?" Her eyes flickered between both Madison and the Doctor.

Neither one of them answered her immediately. And before either of them could, there came a distant sound of soft singing. A song, filled with light and joy; slow and steady as it was sung. It radiated through the air around them, even though the song was only just barely heard as it was sung off in the distant city, far above them. It brought a tear to Madison's eye as she and the other two listened to the singing. It made her realise how special these people of New Earth truly were. Brought together by faith and hope, locked together in the same situation for decades. These people had something that her Earth did not. A shared experience which brought them closer than ever before. And in hearing their voices united . . . it made her heart weep in knowing she would never have this. Not truly. For her people were . . .

"I lied . . . earlier, I mean. 'Cause I liked it. I could pretend. Just for a bit, I could imagine they were still alive. Underneath a burnt orange sky," spoke the Doctor then, turning Madison and Martha's focus away from the singing and back to him. Madison could see how the Doctor's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed heavily. A moment of him struggling to form the words which he knew he needed to say. Madison walked over to him then, taking his hand and holding on firm in the only way she knew how to comfort him through this. Though he did not meet her eye, he let her know that he appreciated her solace as he continued to speak.

"I'm not just a Time Lord. I'm the last of the Time Lords," he said calmly, softly, with a tone filled with quiet sorrow. There was a moment when Martha appeared wanting to say something. Her eyes stared at the Doctor with true sympathy. But she remained quiet, and the Doctor pressed on. "The Face of Boe was wrong, there's no one else."

"What happened?" Martha finally said soon after his words.

There was a moment when Madison felt that the Doctor might not continue. That he might end it there and retreat into the TARDIS without another word spoken. She squeezed his hand in comfort, trying her best to send encouragement to him through their connection. Brown eyes met green as he looked at her then. The motion of his eyes wavered for just a second before he blinked, gave a nod that he was alright, and let go of her hand as he walked over to a pile of discarded trash to pick out two foldable chairs for him and her. When the two of them sat down across from Martha, Madison did not hesitate to take his hand again. She thumbed his skin in soothing circles, trying her best to continue to give comfort in some way, shape or form. It seemed to help, in some small ways, as the Doctor's grip tightened over hers, holding on for warmth between them.

"There was a war. A Time War. The last great Time War," the Doctor began to explain. His voice subdued as he spoke. "My people fought a race called the Daleks, for the sake of all creation, and they lost." There was a moment when the Doctor's eyes drifted away from Martha, gazing off into nothingness. "They lost. Everyone lost." His eyes slowly looked back at Martha once more. "They're all gone now. My family. My friends. Even that sky."

"Oh, you should have seen it, that old planet," the Doctor went on, his gaze shifting away once more to stare at nothing in particular. His eyes were warm as he smiled sadly. "The second sun would rise in the south and the mountains would shine. The leaves on the trees were silver. When they caught the light every morning, it looked like a forest on fire. When the autumn came, a breeze would blow through the branches. It sounded like a song . . ."

By this point, his eyes were misty and his lips quivered ever just so slightly. Madison scooted over to him, to be closer. Her grip on his hand tightened as she leaned her head against his shoulder. Her mind reached out to him then, caressing his own the best she could. She didn't wish to interrupt him. Only to allow him to feel calm and serenity as he spoke of his old home. She could feel his sorrow for his lost planet. His woes were always far too great for her to remain idly by without at least trying to comfort him. Tears of her own slowly trickled down her cheeks. Overwhelmed by his grief, his anguish.

The Doctor continued on speaking of Gallifrey. Of crystalline parks scattered throughout the Citadel for people to find tranquillity. Of towering skyscrapers glittering so dazzling that it was hard not to look away. Of grass so red it was like a sea of crimson when the wind would blow through the blades, making them move like waves. This and so much more he spoke of Gallifrey. More than she ever remembered him saying before. It warmed her heart knowing he was finally finding some peace, the heartbreak lessening ever so slightly, so that he may be able to speak on his lost planet. She hoped, in speaking about it all now, it would help heal him even further.

When he finally trailed off, coming to a stop in his words, Madison could tell that he was done. There was no more he could bring himself to say. Not today. Not now when the wounds felt so fresh.

"I know this won't mean much . . . But I'm sorry . . .," Martha said quietly after a long moment of silence between them all. The Doctor gave her a nod, seeming to appreciate her sympathy. Though he did not look her fully in the eye, still seemed to be lost with his memories of the past. Martha's gaze soon shifted towards Madison. "And . . . you're the last of your kind, too?"

"Yes," sighed Madison, still feeling the Doctor's grief, now mixed in with her own. She could see the question within Martha's eyes, so she began to explain. "It wasn't a war. Simply . . . a species quietly going extinct through the years. There were never many of us, to begin with. When humans began to hunt my kind, our numbers dwindled. Soon, we evolved to be on land . . . and we slowly disappeared amongst humans over time. As far as I'm aware, I am the last Mer in existence."

"You'd mention your parents before. What happened to them?"

". . . They died of the Spanish Flu in 1918," Madison spoke sadly.

There was sympathy again from Martha as her eyes grew sad. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Thank you," Madison replied with a small nod. Her mood was low by this point, feeling exhausted mentally.

The Doctor must have sensed this as he told them quietly that it was time to go. The solemn demeanour from them all remained as they walked together to the TARDIS, entering the ship without much word to one another. When the Doctor sent the ship off into the Vortex, he sniffed his suit with a grimace, quickly declaring that he needed to change as the smell of car exhaust was too strong to ignore. He disappeared with a swish of his coat around the corridor before either Marhta or Madison could make a response. With a sigh, Madison looked over at Martha.

"It's alright. You need to check up on your boyfriend. I get it," Martha said before Madison could even voice her concern for the Doctor. The young woman must have sensed it, too. The sadness seemed to radiate off of the Time Lord in waves. Even a human would be able to tell that his emotional state was unwell.

"I'll be just a moment," Madison promised the young woman, giving a brief nod before walking swiftly down the TARDIS corridor.

The TARDIS must have been worried for her Time Lord as well as it did not take Madison long to get to their room. As she stepped through the doorway, she saw the Doctor sitting on their bed, staring at the window with the moving image of Gallifrey. His suit jacket was off, lying on the side of him on the bed. His necktie loosened but not taken off just yet. His shoes had been undone, but still on his feet. His posture was slumped as he stared at the rolling waves of red grass and snowcapped mountains. The orange sky was beautiful hue against the white of the mountain tops. Madison gently sat beside him, staring at the holographic window as well. It was truly a breathtaking image.

"I wished you could have seen it as well," the Doctor spoke up then in a murmur, earning Madison's attention. "You would have loved it."

Instead of saying anything in response, she instead took his hand into her own, holding it tenderly in her lap. She threaded their fingers together, feeling the way the Doctor's thumb drew circles over the top of her hand. His normal habit whenever they held hands. He turned to face her after a moment; his eyes full of longing as he cupped her face. Soon, he pressed his lips against hers, leaning into her for a gentle embrace. She matched his movements, dancing with him as their lips pressed and pulled against each other. Soon he was invading her mouth, mapping the inside and encouraging her to join him with his tongue. She did, letting go of his hand so that she might use both of hers to weave into his hair. Before long, she was laid back into their bed with the Doctor pushing his body up against hers.

There was no heat behind the kiss or the way his body pressed on her. Only the need for feeling loved and cared for. Only for the connection which was embraced between them. She could feel his mind within hers as she weaved hers into his. Their thoughts, feelings, and everything in between were shared. Nothing was left unspoke, unfelt. As she took his rolling pain into herself, she sent soothing waves back to him to quell the soft storm that lingered within him. She could feel him sagging against her; going limp as he let out a soft moan of relief. Soon, they pulled away from one another. Both mentally and physically. The Doctor hovered over her, smiling softly down at her. She returned his smile, ignoring the headache which had been left behind by trying to heal him. Helping him at been worth the pain. It always was.

"Thank you," he whispered.

She smiled, bringing him down for another kiss. She then pulled him against her, wrapping her arms around him in a strong hug. A small sigh left her, satisfied by being able to help him and with the feeling of him hugging her in return. "I'm happy to help," she whispered into his ear. "And thank you, for sharing stories of Gallifrey with me and Martha. I truly loved hearing of your home planet."

"I should tell you more about it. About my life there," he sighed, turning them over so that they could lay on their sides, facing one another. He held one of her hands, taking up the gesture of thumbing her skin. "People are right when they say I don't talk enough. Well, I mean, I do talk. Too much, sometimes . . . But never enough about myself. And if anyone deserves to know more," he lifted her hand, giving it a strong kiss, "it's you."

"I never wanted to push you on this. I wanted you to come to me about these things on your own time. I would like to know, though. I want to know everything about you and your past," Madison admitted, bringing his hand over so that she could kiss it as well. She sighed sadly. "I do admit, I feel as though there is a barrier between us when it comes to our past selves. Martha is right, neither one of us is good at speaking to each other. Let alone to others."

A small hum in the back of his throat, he soon smiled at her. "Then, maybe, every night, before you go to bed, I can tell you a thing or two about my past. About Gallifrey. So there's no more barriers."

She returned his smile, feeling her heart swell with joy. "Then, I can promise that, too. I'll tell you whatever you wish to know."

"Then, it's a deal."

Both of them gave a small chuckle before scooting closer, holding each other close for a long while. Before long—as if both knew they shouldn't keep Martha waiting—each of them moved apart, getting up from their comfortable bed. It was then that she helped him get undressed and then dressed into a new outfit. His blue pinstripe suit with red tie and matching red chucks. She smiled when he gave a small little spin for her once he was fully ready. It reminded her of when he first changed faces, trying on a new look for himself to match the new face and personality. It made her love him even more as he winked at her and walked over to give her another long hug.

"I love you," she breathed, eyes closed as she rested her head against his shoulder.

"I love you, too. My cowgirl. My partner. My life," he sighed, nuzzling his face up into her hair.

"My spaceman. My beloved. My soul," she whispered, her eyes welling up as she smiled. "My life is tied to yours and yours to mine. I will never let you go, for you are always in my heart," she spoke then in her native tongue.

"Mmm, don't know what you said, but that sounded nice," he chuckled fondly.

"It's a wedding vow for Mer and a promise."

"Hmm, wedding vow. About that." He pulled away from their shared embrace. A thoughtful frown upon his face. "Bran and Valerie thought we were married."

"Yes . . . I noticed how you didn't correct them when they mentioned I was your wife."

"Well . . . You didn't correct them, either."

". . . No, I didn't." There was an awkward pause between the two of them. Both of them stared at the other in hopes there might be some sort of clarification between them. Finally, Madison spoke, "Did you want me to—"

"No, not really," he said quickly, shaking his head. "I . . . sort of like it having people think we're married." He scratched at the side of his face, tugging on his earlobe.

A smile tugged at her lips as she nodded. "I sort of like it, too."

"Did you . . . want to, I mean, possibly . . ."

She could see the nervousness in him as he kept rubbing at his ear. Shaking her head fondly, she grabbed his free hand. "Doctor, I'm perfectly happy to simply be life partners. Unless you wish to have marriage vows, I'm content with how things are for now."

With a thoughtful hum, the Doctor stared at her, regarding her. "Do you ever want to get married? Weren't you with David?"

"No, David and I decided against marriage as explaining our age differences as he grew older would have been too difficult." She rubbed circles on the hand she held, staring down at it. "But with you . . . I suppose it could be different. I won't lie, I have thought about it. Especially after our separation. I would like to . . . someday. Not today, but, yes, I would like to marry you." She glanced sheepishly at him then. "As long as that is agreeable with you, of course."

He dropped his hand from his ear, having a wide smile now with eyes alight with joy. "Well, then, I think that's settled. Kiera, last of the Mer, I will happily marry you in the future as long as you will have me."

A small giggle escaped her before she could stop it. Not that she wished to. Her chest swelled with joy, blissfully happy with the idea of her and the Doctor getting married one day. "Then, Doctor, last of the Time Lords, I will gladly marry you as well, as long as you will have me."

"Always," he promised.

"Without a doubt," she promised as well.

She knew they were grinning like fools, but she felt that neither one of them cared. They were both just happy with their agreement. He soon took her hand, intertwining their fingers as he pulled her to follow him out of the room and into the next adventure.


So, I hope it was a good chapter. Despite it being shorter than most.

And for those curious, yes, this was technically a marriage proposal between them both. So, maybe marriage for them in the future? Maybe, or maybe not. It's up in the air at this point. ;)