13 Novella 2

Shot

You gasp and clutch your side but actually it doesn't hurt that much.

You look down but there is no blood and you just feel a bit bruised. But the gun definitely went off, so-

Someone screams and you find yourself lying on your back gasping.

You push yourself into a sitting position, realising someone must have collided with you at the sound of the gunshot.

It is then that you look down and feel your world disintegrate. Lying on her side, breathing heavily, face screwed up in agony while her hand clutches her left ribs, is Jenny.

"DOCTOR!" You scream, your throat almost tearing from the volume.

"Jenny!" Screams The Doctor, and you see her throw herself to her knees beside you, applying immediate pressure to her daughter's wound.

She mutters seriously as you grab Jenny's hand and hold it in you own.

There wasn't enough fear in the world to keep you away from her.

You couldn't lose her, she was too pure, and too young, and too perfect. She wasn't going to die, not today, not with you.

"Do something!" You yell at the time lady but she simply shakes her head, continuing with the pressure.

"Oh my god what happened?" Yaz returns and you feel her take in the scene. There is a sharp intake of breath and a heavy blow as Yaz goes to restrain Michaels, still apparently aiming the gun, and hear her kick the weapon across the deck.

The Tardis thrums in worry and you feel her vibrate slightly in sympathy.

The Doctor pauses her efforts and sits back on her heels, face pained and worn.

"Jenny I am so, so sorry my love" says The Doctor, voice husky, releasing the pressure on the wound.

"No what are you doing? Doctor help her!" You beg but the time lady has leaned back.

You look down at the girl and watch as her eyes flutter closed.

Sobbing incoherently, you stroke her delicate face, whispering quiet comforts.

Behind you Yaz holds The Doctor's hand as tears roll silently down their cheeks. You grip Jenny with all your remaining strength, finally resting your head against her chest, listening to the last beats of her heart until there is nothing but silence.

You can't breathe. It's like Abi all over again, and you were so sick of losing people.

Your family were taken from you, and now Jenny.

Your touch was poison.

You recognise deep racking noises, only to find they are coming from you. The pain, it was uncontrollable and all consuming.

You want nothing more than to lie down next to her and succumb.

"(Y/n)?" Someone says quietly, but you barely hear them. You don't even look up.

"Bring her back" you say blankly.

"(Y/n)" The Doctor's voice breaks and she swallows. "(Y/n) I'm sorry, I can't. She's gone"

"No" you say quietly.

"(Y/n) come with me" says The Doctor reaching down to take your hand.

"Don't touch me!" You say venomously and her hand drops. You don't have the energy to feel bad, knowing she had just lost her daughter and her pain probably compares to yours still.

"It's ok, it's ok" says Yaz gently, clearly in shock, pulling The Doctor into her and laying her blonde head on the human's shoulder.

You ignore them and look back down at the pale body of the woman who died twice.

Yaz holds The Doctor as she stares blank faced, fighting emotion.

"There were things I never told you, you know" you say softly, brushing back her hair, breath catching on the occasional hiccup, blocking out the women beside you.

"I trusted you from the moment I met you, I just didn't know how to show that. The day you found me on the bathroom floor, I was sad because I knew I was too broken for someone as pure as you." You sniffle and wipe your face, then smile with a watery grin.

"Do you remember when I was possessed? And The Doctor told me to focus on something happy and hopeful? I chose you. I probably should have told you earlier, not that you would feel the same way, it's just nice to hear people care about you, isn't it?" You say with a sigh.

What you wouldn't give for her to reply.

"I'm really going to miss you" you whisper, and, for the first time in however long you can remember, you voluntarily lean down and close your eyes to place a kiss on her forehead.

"Goodbye Jenny" you say, closing your own eyes.

Your heart physically ached, like it was being squeezed in a vice.

You had no intention of going anywhere for some time yet.

"I'm so sorry Doctor" you say, turning to her.

She nods but doesn't say anything, eyes glued to Jenny, and you realise just how much this must be hurting her.

Twice now she has lost her daughter. Twice now she has had to watch her daughter die. Twice now she hasn't been able to stop it.

Yet... you felt you now knew more than ever why The Doctor was always unarmed.

"It's ok (Y/n)" she says quietly. "This world is huge and impossible. There is so much good, and just as much bad. There are coincidences and destiny. It was just my luck that I got to meet her one last time. She had grown so much. I didn't even realise. My daughter. I've never been prouder."

She sits up and shuffles towards you warily, dry eyed. She was being strong for you.

She opens out her arms and you don't hesitate to crash into them.

The usual fear of contact swirls deep in the pit of your stomach, but this wasn't just about you. This woman had saved you so many times. She had helped you so much, and now was the time to think beyond yourself.

In the corner of your eye you see Yaz gently place her jacket over Jenny. You bury your head in the Time Lord's shoulder and she squeezes you securely.

You open your eyes again, blinking through the tears, and see Yaz stiffen suddenly.

"Um Doctor?" she says uncertainly. The Doctor breaks away and turns to her, confused by her tone. "Doctor what's happening?" She gasps taking a step back.

"Oh my god" you utter in pure shock.

"No, that's impossible" says The Doctor with wide eyes. Then- "(Y/n) no!" As you fling yourself to Jenny's side and squeeze her hand, watching as the golden glow spreads like a fine mist from her rapidly restarting heart.