The Impossible Story (Doctor Who Fan Fiction

The Long Song

As they walk in the Doctor grasps Clara's hand a little tighter. This gives Clara her first thought that maybe the content Doctor was still in there somewhere. If only she could see that ear to ear grin then she knew that this would all be ok. No, grin surfaced though. The last time they were here they hurried in just in time so picking a seat was easy. This time there was more choice as not everyone had filed in yet.

'So, where would you like to sit close up or far away,' hoping to distract him again.

'You choose. You're the boss,' he unconsciously commented.

'Ok, then we will go right in the middle,' when she heard him say "you're the boss" her eyes softened and she repeated 'I am the boss'. The Doctor gripped her hand a little tighter signaling agreement.

They sat down just a few minutes before the performance began. Both sat there lost in their own memories of that night. The lights dimmed and in the center of the auditorium a much older Merry Gejelh stands ready for the performance. The music starts and she begins her all to familiar song.

Rest now my Doctor.

Rest now, hardship is over.

Live. Wake up. Wake up.

And let the cloak, of life cling to your bones. Cling to your bones.

Wake up, wake up.

Live, Wake up. Wake up.

Clara is overwhelmed with the song. She remembers the first time Merry sang it and then it hit her something was different. The last time Merry had sang warrior not Doctor. Did they change the song in honor of him? As Merry finished the chorus a skinny man wearing clothes similar to what the old Doctor wore came out and started performing.

You're not a god. You're just a parasite eaten out with the jealousy and envy and longing for the lives of others. You feed on them. On the memory of love and loss and birth and death and joy and sorrow.

Clara looks at the performer and she remembers those words. Those were the words the Doctor used to try and repel the old god. He gave it everything he had and she squeezed her Doctor's hand tighter. He was a million miles away though. Lost in thought of that day.

I walked away from the last Great Time War. I marked the passing of the Time Lords. I saw the birth of the universe and I watched as time ran out, moment by moment, until nothing remained. No time. No space. Just me. I walked in universes where the laws of physics were devised by the mind of a mad man. I've watched universes freeze and creations burn. I've seen things you wouldn't believe. I have lost things you will never understand. And I know things. Secrets that must never be told. Knowledge that must never be spoken. Knowledge that will make parasite gods blaze. So come on, then. Take it! Take it all, baby! Have it! You have it all!

The sadness in his speech that day tore her apart as it was tearing her apart again. That version of the Doctor wanted to save the world. She wasn't so sure about this one. She looked over at the Doctor and saw him intently watching. Then she whispered 'My Doctor....?'

'I didn't realize,' the Doctor mumbled because he is in slight disbelief. 'A place that I didn't destroy. A place that valued me. Never thought I would see that again,' the Doctor whispered.

'Well, maybe that's why they changed the lyrics and added your speech? Because, to them you were more important than a warrior.' The Doctor wasn't buying it. Another performer came out looking very much like Clara and she had a leaf in her hand that disappeared while she spoke.

Well, I brought something for you. This. The most important leaf in human history. The most important leaf in human history. It's full of stories, full of history. And full of a future that never got lived. Days that should have been that never were. Passed on to me. This leaf isn't just the past, it's a whole future that never happened. There are billions and millions of unlived days for every day we life. An infinity. All the days that never came. And these are all my mum's.

Clara was just as stunned as the Doctor when hearing that they included her bit. The thoughts of her mum always brought a sadness with them. Gone before her time and when she died so did a part of Clara. She still couldn't believe it had been nearly fifteen years.