Breaking Bonds [7] (The Parallel Series) ✓

The Time Lords, the Widow, and the Wardrobe - Four

The dome shook causing them all to grab on tightly. "What's happening?" Lily asked.

"No idea." The Doctor shrugged as the Stone took Lily and Cyril's hands. "Do what I do. Hold tight and pretend it's a plan." The Doctor and Jenny grabbed onto the wall of the dome while the Stone, Cyril and Lily grabbed onto the throne Madge was sat on. The Doctor blinked as the Time Vortex suddenly appeared in the window.

"This is amazing." The Doctor stared out the window.

"Where are we?" Cyril asked.

"Technically, we're not anywhere." The Doctor shrugged.

"But if you really want to know a location we've flown into the Time Vortex." The Stone cut in. "You have what you wanted." The Stone looked at the King and Queen. "You've escaped the acid rain, they can burn your old home and you'll be safe out here but these people helped you, and they're in mine and the Doctors protection. Now help them. How do we get home?"

The Queen reached and placed a hand on Madge's shoulder, talking through her. "Think."

"Sorry?" The Doctor frowned. "What?"

"She must only think."

Stone blinked. "That's why they said I wasn't ready."

"What do you mean?" Jenny frowned.

"Madge you have to think."

"Think what?" She asked.

"Think of home." She looked at the woman before turning to the Doctor who nodded in understanding. "Just picture it, feel it! You have to really feel it. Can you do that? Your mind is controlling this vessel. You can fly us all back for Christmas."

"My head is full of trees, Stone. Can't you fly us home?"

"That's the thing." The Stone shook her head. "I don't have a home, not really, just an old box but that's never in the same place twice. My home's always moving and changing but you." She laughed. "You have a house. And not that I'd ever mention it ever again, I'm older than I look, I can't feel the way you do, maybe a couple hundred years ago but not any more."

The Doctor gently took the Stones's hand and looked at Madge. "You need to feel it, Madge. Everything about home that you miss until you can't bear it. Until you almost burst."

"Till it hurts." She replied. "Is that what you mean, Caretaker? Till it hurts."

"Yes. Yes."

Madge swallowed and took the telegram out of her coat pocket. "Well then, home in time for Christmas!"

The dome shook and the five stumbled before making their way over to the window. "What's happening?" Lily asked. "Where are we going?"

"Show them!" The Doctor told Madge "Show them!"

"Oh my." The Stone laughed in disbelief. "The Time Vortex. Your mother is flying a forest through the Time Vortex."

"Be a little impressed." The Doctor added. "What are you going home for? What's pulling you there? Please, try. Please, think."

They all looked at the window as what the Time Lords could only assume to be Madge's late husband.

"Reg!" Madge whimpered.

"Daddy!" Cyril cheered.

"My Reg!"

"That's it, focus on Reg." The Doctor looked at Madge. "Be careful, but focus on him."

"Oh, I don't know."

"How did you meet?" The Stone asked. "Tell me how you met Reg."

"He followed me home." Madge cried. "I worked in the dairy. He always used to follow me home."