Return to Romana

"End of the line" the Doctor said as the TARDIS was recalled back to Gallifrey landing in the security compound.

"Doctor?" Romana asked.

"There's no-where else for us to go. It's all over, the Time lords made sure of that." He knew what was to come; they would hurt him, but not Romana at least not in the same way. He had to protect her in whatever way he could.

"I won't allow you to just dump me back on Gallifrey!" she protested.

"I'm not, they brought the TARDIS back, I didn't exactly have a choice" he said defensively.

"There's always a choice - you taught me that" she replied, her voice still sharp.

"I was wrong. Just go Romana", his voice was controlled but harsh.

"I'm not leaving you. I love you Doctor and you told me that you loved me" she sounded sincere, desperation hinted at in her voice.

If she stood with him, the Time Lords would punish her too. He should have known you can't fight the might of the Time Lords - they always win. Using Romana in their games of politics in their twisted little world, a world he had left a very long time ago. Romana however, was his and he loved her, not that it mattered to the Time Lords.

Romana stepped out first.

"Welcome home Romana" greeted the President.

Romana looked down, never feeling so miserable,surrounded by the High Council members. She recognised some of them, like Braxiatel who gave her a weak smile, but with sorrow in his eyes.

"I am who you want - leave the Doctor alone" she commanded, her eyes filling with tears.

The Doctor stepped out, but before he knew what was happening, he was instantly struck in the face, hitting the ground instantly.

"What have you done" she whispered.

"Doctor I'm here, I won't let them hurt you" she continued breathlessly.

"It's going to be all right Romana, its not you they are after it's me" he said after a moment or two of gathering his composure. He pressed his lips against Romana's and kissed her, knowing it would be the last time.

Romana was quickly man-handled away from him by two guards, who easily held her as she squirmed and writhed in their grasp, begging to be freed.

"Say goodbye to Romana, Doctor, it's the last time you will ever touch her" came the Presidents voice.

"I'm sorry" whispered the Doctor.

"You may leave now Doctor, now that Romana is safely home, where she belongs"

"I need her, I love her" he protested weakly.

"Love? What do you know about love? Insufferable chemical imbalance, that is all it is!" spat the Lord President.

"I know I love Romanadvoratrelundar" he said softly.

He regretted that day greatly, could he done things differently? Kept Romana with him, stood up to her father? Defied the Time Lords? He wondered what Romana would be like now. It had been years since they had been forcibly parted. Would she even care about him still, now she was President?

He stealthily sidled into the Presidential office, and saw her sat behind her desk, dressed neatly in her white presidential robes.

"Lady Romanadvoratrelundar, Madam President, Urm, Romana?" he said quickly, stumbling over his words.

She looked up from her desk.

A frown appearing on her face as she stared straight through him, before finally speaking.