13 Novella 2

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TW: violence/ suicide

Her hand in The Doctor's again, Yaz looks sadly at Jenny's slumped form.

She really thought it was going to work.

The Doctor is deep in thought, contemplating Jay.

No wonder you had freaked out upon Jenny suggesting that name. The memories it must have brought up. She should have seen it, should have done something, should have saved you. Instead she let it all happen.

The Doctor drops her head, unable to look at your grave any longer.

Jenny kneels, staring intensely at the oak coffin down in the bleak hole. Oak. Same wood as your bedroom door. Jenny suddenly thrusts his fist into the ground and turns to the women behind him. It was necessary. It had to be done.

"I think it's time to go" says The Doctor quietly, ready to turn.

"No" replies Jenny firmly. The Doctor pauses, having seen this coming.

"Jenny please. There's nothing we can do. We can't change the past, believe me I've tried" she says carefully.

"Time can be rewritten" he responds.

"Not this" she says firmly. "This is a fixed point. (Y/n) died, Jenny. That happened. We can't change it."

Jenny sits back on his heels, hating himself.

"Then I guess I'll just have to change the future" he says, calmly drawing out a pistol from his pocket.

"Jenny no. I know what you're thinking, it's hard I know but please this isn't the way. I can't lose you too" she says desperately.

"And I have absolutely no intention of going anywhere" he replies. Making the realisation, she gasps, but her has already raised the gun to his head.

"Jenny don't! You don't know that this will work! She's gone! It was all my fault, don't let me lose you too" she cries in anguish, Yaz standing silent and afraid at her side.

"I'm not going anywhere, just changing. And I'm bringing (Y/n) back with me" he says, pulling the trigger.

* * *

You shriek in shock and pain, sensation flooding through your veins like poison. You shake and writhe, agony consuming your senses.

You have no idea of time, direction, place or planet.

All you know is that you are burning, and burning alive.

"(Y/N)!" Someone screams your name but they are too far away. You shriek some more and feel something solid wrap around your hand. Bright light behind your eyes and the feeling of being lifted, then dropped.

"(Y/n) it's ok! Breathe you're safe!" Your eyes fly open and you roll onto your side, entire form shaking.

You are lying on soft grass, and there is a bite to the fresh air. So you weren't still in the hospital... then where were you? Outside? You blink in panic and someone's face looms into view.

"It's ok I've got you" they say brushing your face softly with the their warm hand. Too warm.

"Doctor?" You say groggily.

"Yes welcome back (Y/n), this must be a bit of a shock to you..." she trails off patiently.

"It's really you" you whisper and sit up. Yaz and The Doctor are crouched at your side, smiling anxiously.

"You came back?" You say in wonder, but their smiles vanish and you connect some more dots. "No wait, I was in the hospital... I... I died" you finish in a horrified whisper.

"Well yes, but no" says the time lady carefully. "You died a couple of days ago. We came to your funeral to say goodbye" she smiles softly. "But" she says haltingly, looking slightly stunned.

"But?" You ask, sitting up properly.

"But Jenny couldn't bear to lose you for good. He waited day after day for your return, when I told him what you'd done, he brought you back."

"How?" you say in blanket shock.

"He died. He extended his regeneration energy to reach you, and it brought you back. He couldn't bear to live in a world without you (Y/n)"

You digest this slowly.

He brought you back.

He was the reason you attempted Suicide once, and he brought you back.

"So he died too?" You ask, voice breaking.

"Well... no, not exactly" comes a feminine voice from a distance. The Doctor smiles and shifts out the way, and you watch as a woman with shoulder length curly brown hair and green eyes gets clumsily to her feet.

Her clothes are several sizes too big, and she trips in her huge shoes, then giggles.

"Hi (Y/n)" she whispers, after straightening up.

"Jenny" you breathe and she smiles like the day breaking. She takes a step forward and you don't hesitate.

Jumping to your feet, you run a few steps in her direction while she closes the distance.

She catches you in her arms and you grip her with all the strength you can find. Never again would you leave her behind.