Yowzah Oneshot Collection (3)

102(G)

                Listen to the Rain

                   merlins_sister

It was the quiet that upset her most of all. Well, she could hear the rain, but that was about it. The corridor outside her cell was empty of life. If she didn’t know better she would be convinced that she had been left on this rock to die, which, considering the length of her sentence, she had been.

She gripped the side of her bed tightly so she could feel the metal underneath her mattress. She was not going to cry. She was stronger than that. She knew when she made her decision to kill Donahue that this would be the consequence. Even though she had done so, killed one of her oldest friends, to save so many, she knew this would be the price she as an individual would have to endure. Because that was the thing with changing timelines, you ended up with no evidence that your actions were justified, just a body and the blood on your hands.

She took a deep breath to calm her emotions, forcing herself to focus on the empty shelves next to her. Well, nearly empty. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what was in the jar. The lack of stimulation was going to be an issue, but she could make do with her memories. At least those of the good times.

She felt the tears fight for release again.

And then there was the Doctor... her beloved Doctor. Who had looked at her as he realised what she had done, despite his insistence that he would find another way, as if he did not know her at all. There was no way she was going to see him again. He hadn’t even shown up for her trial. She had thought he would have at least wanted to see justice done. But nothing.

She thought that was probably going to be the hardest thing to bear.

The rain was coming down more gently now, a hiss against her window. It had the possibility of becoming soothing. She would work on that. At the moment though she was distracted by the echo of footfall coming down the corridor. Two people by the sounds of it... men... one military, one not.

She stood up as the sound became louder, slowing as it reached her. She turned to face the guard who appeared at the corner of the bars.

“Dr Song, you have a visitor,” the guard said, glancing to his side slightly. “Your court appointed psychologist.”

River didn’t remember anything about being appointed a psychologist at her hearing.

“My...” she started, her voice stilling as the Doctor came into her line of sight. River forced herself to recover quickly. “Of course, Doctor. How could I have forgotten you?”

“Dr Song,” the Doctor said, his tone betraying nothing. He turned to the guard. “Thank you. You can go now.”

“Orders are to not to leave her with visitors,” the guard replied, glancing at River.

“I’m sure I’m quite safe with Dr Song,” the Doctor replied. “And even in prison she is entitled to some confidentiality.”

Taking one more glance at River the guard replied, “Five minutes then.”

River listened to the guard’s footsteps resonate back up the corridor, her eyes never leaving the sight of the Doctor standing in front of her. He, on the other hand, kept his eyes on the retreating form of the guard. When they finally turned to her she asked, “So, finally come to see justice done?” She fought hard to keep the anger out of her voice, to sound nonchalant, to sound like the old River.

She knew she had failed miserably.

He didn’t say anything for a moment. But then they were back to where they had left off.