13 Novella 2

Funeral

TW: mentions of suicide

Yaz watches as The Doctor's grin recedes slightly.

"Get Jenny" she hisses from the corner of her mouth, and Yaz turns to do so.

She senses something is wrong as she runs from the console room, long dark hair swinging loosely down her back, but realises pretty quickly that she has no idea where Jenny's room is.

She is spared the problem as she turns a corner and runs straight into him.

"Morning Yaz" he laughs then stops, catching her expression.

"What it it? Is it The Doctor?" He asks urgently as Yaz nods wordlessly, leading him back to the console room.

The pair stop as they take in The Doctor, pale as a sheet, knuckles white from one hand gripping the phone and the other clutching the console.

Yaz's stomach drops as she reads her expression of deepest shock and sadness. This was bad. She takes a step forward, but the Time Lady doesn't react.

"Doctor?" She hears Jenny ask "mum?" He adds when she doesn't respond.

"Thank you for letting me know" The Doctor says absently, before placing the phone back on its bracket.

Yaz and Jenny have no more than a second to get to her as she tips forward as if in slow motion.

They lunge and grab an arm each, and lower her gently to the ground where she kneels, head bowed in utter shock.

"Doctor what happened? Who was on the phone? Doctor please!" Begs Yaz anxiously, and the blonde swallows shakily.

"Yaz, Jenny, there's something you need to know" she says seriously without blinking.

Both hold their breath.

"It's about (Y/n)" she says, but neither react.

"Last night... they found her in her room." She stops and shakes her head in emotional turmoil.

"I'm sorry" she whispers, all remaining strength leaving her voice, unable to go on, but they understand.

They had feared it every day since they left you at the hospital six months ago.

They rarely spoke about you anymore, it hurt too much.

They had made a deal that they would check on you in a year maybe.

But this, this was too much.

All three end up slowly on the floor, holding the hands of who knows. Yaz sobs dryly and Jenny bows his head.

Only The Doctor sits still, blank faced with grief, crossed legs drawn up to her chest, ready to blame herself until the end of time.

                               *           *           *

Yaz stands staring at her reflection, but not really seeing herself.

She smooths down her black dress with clammy palms and breathes.

She leaves her room, listening to her heels tap against the warm floor and makes her way to the main deck where The Doctor stands, blank facedly flicking the occasional switch.

She wears a black tux with a bow tie, and her hair is neat and brushed to the side. She doesn't look up, and Yaz is grateful.

Jenny is leaning uncomfortably against a pillar, looking smart in a sharp black suit.

"Ready?" Says The Doctor expressionlessly, finally looking over at Yaz with a brave face.

The girl nods in response and stumbles to hold a pillar as The Tardis takes off.

Yaz knows where they're going of course, but it doesn't seem real she feels, as The Tardis lands with less fuss than usual.

Actually she's been quieter than Yaz has ever seen her since (Y/n)... Yaz shakes her head and is first out the door.

She steps into green grass and spots a small gathering in the distance. It is a chilly day with a light breeze that feels nice on their pale skin.

The others follow Yaz out, shutting the door quietly behind them and making their way silently over to the concession.

Barely ten people, Yaz notes with a pang.

You had lost a lot of friends along the way.

The trio stand a little way back, listening to the breeze and the minister talk slowly. It doesn't mean much. He didn't know you at all.

He finishes and a coffin is lowered into a hole that isn't filled. Some words are said by the crowd before a final hymn, then people begin to leave.

Yaz looks around a little and sees two white graves to the left of this one. Your mother and sister. Yaz sniffs, and feels a warm hand entangle her own. She wipes her eyes, aware of Jenny with his face screwed up in the corner of her vision.

The Doctor is grieving silently.

Finally it is just the trio and another man. He was relatively short with uncombed facial hair and grey eyes.

Something about him doesn't resonate well with Yaz and she takes a blind step back.

He kneels down and whispers something to the grave, before standing and moving to the white grave of your sister.

He smiles, but it makes Yaz feels uncomfortable.

He strokes this grave, and Yaz wants to be sick.

Without warning Jenny's fist flies past her face and sinks deep into the man's.

He stumbles and roars, attacking Jenny with all his strength.

"No stop it! JENNY STOP!" Screams The Doctor but the men are fighting properly. They roll on the floor until The Doctor sends a well aimed kick into the middle of them and they break apart, breathing heavily.

Yaz stands in shock as Jenny opens his mouth furiously, saying only one word.

"Jay" he hisses and the man freezes. Suddenly it clicks for Yaz and The Doctor, whose faces turn cold.

"How do you know my name?" he replies in anger, blood trickling down his lip.

"I know who you are" says Jenny with a menacing look. "I know who you are, and what you did to her. Oh you thought you could get away with it, and you did for so long. That girl, that girl meant the world to me, and now she's dead" he says, voice cracking.

"You're Jay." Says The Doctor in disbelief, holding Jenny back, also breathing heavily.

"She deserves what she got, insane slut. She had it coming" he growls with a thin smile before turning and walking away, wiping his hand across his chin.

Jenny goes to follow but The Doctor pulls him back, such was her Time Lord strength.

"Let him go, he's not worth it. Remember why we're here Jenny. For (Y/n)" she finishes, face softening.

He looks for a second like he's going to fight her, then shakes his head and walks defeatedly back to your grave.