13 Novella 4

Book

You are surprisingly breathless when you wake, despite having slept more soundly than you have done in a month.

You open you eyes and sit up, clutching your tight chest. Wincing, you roll forward and gasp a little.

"Morning (Y/n), how do you feel? I was thinking- (Y/n) what's wrong?" Says The Doctor, putting down
a tray and approaching warily.

"Chest... hurts" you gasp as she pulls out a stethoscope and touches it to your chest.

"I think the water may have affected your lungs." She says lowly, pulling the plastic mask off the stand and putting it on your face. You sense the rush of oxygen and relax, feeling your chest release gratefully.

"Better?" She asks and you nod, pulling the mask off.
"Well that's going to be a bit of a problem until your lungs can adjust, does anything else hurt?"

"No, I'm fine" you say and she eyes you doubtfully.

"You're not fine, and you don't have to be. Not for a while yet, and that's ok. But you need to keep moving." She says and you know she's right.

"So we're going somewhere?"

She looks at you and you know what that look is.

"You can't leave me behind! Doctor please..." you beg and she shakes her head.

"You aren't strong enough" she says firmly and you scowl.

"Please... I'll be good, I won't wonder off and the second I don't feel well I'll tell you...." but she's still shaking her head.

"We won't be long, you can get some more rest. I promise if you're better you can come with us on the next trip" and you know there's no changing her mind.

"We can maybe do some more therapy later?" She suggests and you shrug.

"Ok, well we won't be long, stay safe" she says and you roll your eyes, certain she has removed anything and everything that you could possibly turn into a weapon from your reach.

Sighing, you roll over and try to get some rest.

They are gone only a couple of hours, and like you suspected, many doors were locked except the library, your bedroom, and the console room.

Both Missy and Jenny tried to stay behind but you made them go, telling them you needed some peace and quiet.

You visit the library for most of the time, reading half way through an old red volume of children's stories.

It made you smile, there was no mention of princes and princesses, it was all; The story of the Ood who couldn't talk, Three Silurians take a trip, The emperors wife, Six hundred and six adipose, The Krafayis who got left behind and so on.

They were comforting and sweet, but almost none had happy endings you noticed. After an hour or so you stand and stretch, running your fingers along the spines until one book catches your eye.

It's a regular book, but clearly from Earth origin.

You pull out the aged yellow book and read the cover: Melody Malone.

You frown and take it back to the maroon couch, slightly breathless from the small exertion- The Doctor was right, that was going to be a problem -and begin to thumb through.

The Afterword catches your eye, written in a slightly different font, one word sticking out against the others. You skim through, certain phrases staying with you.

Afterword by Amelia Williams: Hello old friend, and here we are....Rory and I will be long gone...we will love you always...you might be alone, which you should never be...don't be alone Doctor... tell her a story...tell her she will fall in love with a man who will wait two hundred years to keep her safe...tell her this the story of Amelia Pond, and this is how it ends.

You stop and sit back in your heels, trying to understand.

This, this was definitely aimed at The Doctor, but maybe one of their old faces. Did it matter? Probably not but you were curious.

So The Doctor knew this woman, Amelia Williams, then... what happened to her? The Doctor was old, very old- you knew Yaz had not been travelling with her long when you met her.

So how many friends had she had? She never mentioned any of them, and if this Amelia was human, which she probably was, did The Doctor have to watch her die?

This thought saddens you more than anything in your own pitiful life.

You had lost your sister, but you couldn't imagine living for hundreds of years now, with that weighty knowledge consuming you.

And Missy... and Jenny... they were going to watch you perish too one day.

Hearing them calling, you stuff the book under your shirt and head out to meet them.

"Oh there you are! Library again? Missy I've got her!" Says Jenny with a smile.

"Yeah I like it there" you say, head elsewhere.

"Come on, you must be hungry" she says, offering her hand. She won't hurt you. She would never hurt you. Surely...

She sees your contemplation and smiles.

"There's no pressure, when you're ready" she says, dropping her hand.

It's this that makes you stride forward and slip your hand into hers. She gave you the option.

You let her lead you into the kitchen where the others are already seated and Yaz begins to tell you all about their latest adventure. You try to listen, but all you can think about is the book tucked under your shirt.

"And then we had to start running again, all because someone had to have the last word!" She finishes, booping The Doctor on the nose who smiles fondly in response.

"Sounds great" you say, as Missy looks at you in light concern. So maybe your absence was a little obvious.

"Sorry I'm a little tired" you say, backing out your chair with a scrape.

"You'll come with us tomorrow?" Asks The Doctor and you nod with an effort of a smile.

"Of course. Can't wait" you say, and head off to your room. You know at least two people are following, and turn when you reach your door to see them.

"Goodnight (Y/n)" says Missy first and you frown.

"Aren't you- aren't you staying?" You say confusedly and they exchange glances.

"We didn't think you would want- we thought you might like some time alone?" She replies and you frown.

"But we'll stay if you like" smiles Jenny and you shrug.

"Well not if you don't want to..." you say, feeling off.

They both break into smiles and follow you into your room. You hold your breath when Missy goes to help you into bed, but she is gentle and caring.

Of course, you can see from the image of yourself she has no intention of hurting you. You feel bad for even thinking it.

"Sleep now my love" she coos softly and you snuggle down.

"My girls" you say as they stroke your hair and waist.

They would never hurt you.