The Littlest Timelord: Cracks in Time

Chapter 17

Amy sat on the beach with a blanket over her shoulders while Elise stood over by River. "Ah. Bruised everywhere", Amy groaned.

"Me too", the Doctor said.

"You didn't have to climb out with your eyes shut".

"Neither did you. I kept saying. The Angels all fell into the Time Field. The Angel in your memory never existed. It can't harm you now".

"Then why do I remember it at all? Those guys on the ship didn't remember each other".

"You're a time traveler now. Amy. It changes the way you see the universe, forever. Good, isn't it?"

Amy laughed. "And the crack, is that gone too?"

"Yeah, for now. But the explosion that caused it is still happening. Somewhere out there, somewhere in time".

The Doctor walked over to River and Elise.

"You, me, handcuffs", River said, raising her hands, "Must it always end this way?"

"What now?" the Doctor asked her.

"The prison ship's in orbit. They'll beam me up any second. I might have done enough to earn a pardon this time. We'll see".

"Octavian said you killed a man".

"Yes, I did".

"A good man".

"A very good man. The best man I've ever known".

"Who?"

River laughed. "It's a long story. Doctor. It can't be told, it has to be lived. No sneak previews. Well, except for this one. You'll see me again quite soon, when the Pandorica opens".

"The Pandorica". The Doctor laughed and then leaned in towards River's ear. "That's a fairy tale".

"Doctor, aren't we all? I'll see you there".

"I look forward to it".

"I remember it well". River knelt down in front of Elise. "Be a good girl for daddy, okay?"

Elise nodded and lightly tapped River's forehead with her own.

River got a burst of memories and feelings from it and smiled. She kissed the little girl's forehead as Amy walked up to them.

"Bye, River".

"See you, Amy". River's handcuffs started to beep continuously. "Oh, I think that's my ride".

"Can I trust you, River Song?" the Doctor asked.

"If you like. Ha, but where's the fun in that?" River disappeared in a tornado of smoke.

The Doctor turned to stare out across the water.

"What are you thinking?" Amy asked him.

"Time can be rewritten".

When they entered the TARDIS, the Doctor carried Elise to her room. "Okay, little one. Time for bed", he told her.

Elise whined as the Doctor laid her down in her bed.

"No, none of that. Go to sleep", he said.

Elise's big blue eyes filled with tears and her bottom lip quivered.

The Doctor sighed and picked her up again. "I'm sorry about today. I didn't mean to get so upset", he told her as he rubbed her back.

Elise wrapped her arms around his neck.

He grabbed her blanket and her bear and sat down in a rocking chair.

The TARDIS had created a large window that allowed Elise to see the stars.

The Doctor covered Elise with the blanket and stroked her head where it lay on his chest as he thought about how to help her fall asleep the fastest. An idea hit him. "Why are there so many songs about rainbows? And what's on the other side..." he sang.

The song was from an old Disney movie.

He'd have to sit Elise down and watch it with her one day. He gently rocked back and forth as he sang and soon enough, Elise was fast asleep in his arms.

The Doctor carefully stood up and carried her to her bed. "Goodnight Elise". He leaned down and kissed her head, before leaving the room.