DOCTOR WHO: Arising -- A Nova Sue Prequel (Part 1.5)

Chapter 8: Search for a Song

After (temporarily) losing River, the Doctor asks the Paternoster Gang and the Ponds for help. At the same time, he receives a wonderful surprise through his psychic link.

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The Doctor continued to scream and sob on the TARDIS floor in anguish over what was left of his wife's Flesh body for the next several minutes. He couldn't help but feel like he had truly lost her, that she was gone from him forever—both of them, including his unborn daughter—but in reality that wasn't true. Despite this truth, he stayed on the floor, letting his anger consume him until he was calm enough to act. Eventually, as the TARDIS 'cleaned up' the mess (in reality she had simply made the Flesh puddle disappear from existence), he got up from the floor and set a course for his old friend's house in Victorian London with a single goal in mind—rather, two goals combined into one: save River and his daughter and stop the Silence once and for all.

Once the TARDIS landed in Paternoster Square, 1892, the Doctor immediately rushed to No. 13's front stoop and frantically rung the bell and banged on the door until one of the homeowners answered the door.

Surprisingly, it was Jenny Flint, Madame Vastra's maid and wife, who answered. "Doctor!" she exclaimed, surprised, herself, to see him. "What an unexpected surprise! What brings you here?"

"Jenny!" He gave her a light smile and looked past her shoulder into the house. "Is Vastra home?"

"No, sorry," she shook her head. "She's out hunting at the moment, but she should be back soon. Strax is here with me, though. Why? What seems to be the matter this time?"

"It's River!" the Doctor said, feeling his hearts beating so fast to the point where they felt like they were going to burst. "She's gone!"

Jenny frowned. "Gone? You mean 'missing?'"

He nodded. "Yes! They did it again, Jenny! The Silence—they took River again...and our baby."

Jenny was shocked at this. "Your baby? So you and Professor Song have a child now? That's brilliant, Doctor! Congratulations!"

He replied with a heavy sigh, "Yes, well, now's not the time for celebration. She's in terrible danger; so is River!"

Jenny smiled. "You have a daughter? Even more brilliant!"

The Doctor groaned this time, not having any time for sentiments. "Point is, I need you three again to help me save them. You helped me so much in rescuing Amy last time, and I would really appreciate it if you helped me rescue my wife and daughter this time. Please, Jenny. You lot are the only ones I can trust who can help us. I can't lose them again. River needs you. My whole family needs you. Please." He could feel his guilt eating at him again, and he'd be damned if he were to arrive too late to save his wife and daughter. For all he knew, he may have already been too late at this point, considering how much time he wasted with the Flesh River, all because he didn't want to lose her.

Jenny paused for a few seconds before nodding and responding, "Okay, Doctor. I'll talk to Madame Vastra once she returns home. I'm sure she'll understand and would be willing to help you again. I know I am."

"Thank you, Jenny!" the Doctor sighed in relief, reaching out and kissing her on the forehead in delight before rushing back toward the TARDIS. "Tell her everything once she gets back, and be ready when I get back! I have to tell the In-Laws about their daughter and granddaughter!"

"We'll be ready, Doctor!" Jenny called back to him. "You can count on us!" As he was entering the TARDIS, he heard Jenny call to Strax as she reentered the house and shut the door, "Strax, call Madame Vastra! Tell her to come home immediately! We have an emergency!"