THE GALLIFREY CHRONICLES, THE FALL OF GALLIFREY

Beta read by Lady Catkin

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Disclaimer if Only Romana would return then I would give up on my mission of wanting to own Doctor who.

"Romana, do you remember me?" asked the Doctor.

"I mean, you kissed me for no reason. Not that I minded" he shrugged, whilst sticking out his bottom lip. "I mean, I always liked kissing you and you were always a good kisser and -" he rambled on and on before she cut him off by kissing him again.

"I do remember you," she said softly, glancing at the Doctor's bewildered look as if he didn't quite believe her.

"I think- ," she started to say.

"Yes?" he softly enquired.

"Would you take me home to Gallifrey?"

"Are you sure?" he asked, folding his hands together and observing her quietly for a moment.

"Yes, I need to remember."

"All right. If you're certain", he said holding out his hand which she took.

He had taken her back home, ordering that the Time Lords gave her space. They had not listened though, predictably. As they exited the TARDIS, crowds of Time Lords had gathered, all eager to see their president again. As she tried making sense of the sea of faces, none of them seemed familiar. She felt suffocated and hemmed in with the crowds, as panic set in as she clutched the Doctor's arm tightly. She felt as though she would be left to the mercy of the throng of Time Lords she neither knew nor remembered.

Suddenly the voice of the Co-ordinator was heard above the swell of inconspicuous chatter.

"Please give the President some room, this is not helping". Mutters were heard and the odd, more vocal objection, but slowly they started to back away and some left.

"Madam President," said Narvin breathlessly as he almost elbowed his way to her side.

"Romana," he tried again, but she glanced at him but gave no recognition of knowing him.

"I don't know you," she whispered "Should I?"

"I am Co-ordinator Narvin of the CIA". His words meant nothing to her and everything felt all too much.

"Braxiatel," she whispered as the other Time Lord she had seen days ago stepped forward.

"I feel-," then she seemed to fall before Braxiatel caught her. He gently lifted her into his arms, carrying her towards the presidential suite. He carried her through to her room in her quarters before placing her softly on the bed and allowing her to rest.

It had been days since then and Braxiatel had departed from the presidential quarters to let Romana settle back in. He didn't know if it was too soon. She was remembering more each day, at least that's what he was told. She had remembered Emmaline but not of her supposed death and Braxiatel had kept the news about Awen from both Romana and Emmaline.

He had to fix it - make this problem go away. He just could not stand to see that look of rejection on Emmaline's face, for her to feel that disappointment. He knew she would feel bad. He would do whatever it took to make sure it did not happen again. Not to mention the fact that his niece was the same age as Emmaline and that alone would make things very difficult.

"Hey," chimed Emmaline, coming into his office, she curled up next to him on the sofa, draping an arm around him.

"I am so lucky to have you," he whispered, nuzzling into her neck and kissing her softly.

"However, it pains me to say, I need to go. We will conclude this matter very shortly," he smiled warmly at her and patted her knee.

"Where are you going?" she wondered idly, taking his hand and weaving her fingers into his.

"Just a small delicate matter I need to take care of," he said, looking her full in the eyes before kissing her once more and departing the room.

"Hmnm," thought Emmaline out loud as she watched him disappear. "Why do I get the feeling you don't want to be followed? That is just too much to resist." Emmaline got up and started to follow him, trying to make sure she was not seen.

Awen wondered what was so great about Gallifrey, that Narvin was so insistent that she belonged there. She had never known Romana or the Doctor, her all so wonderful parents. They were nothing to her and she had no intention of playing happy families either. This place was stagnant and dull, maybe that's why the Doctor left.

She was knocked from her sullen reverie by the sudden interruption of strong hands grabbing her arms and covering her mouth and practically dragging her outside the grounds of the Citadel.

"What are you doing?" she roared angrily at Braxiatel.

"I think it's time you and me had a little chat" he smirked as the Chancellery Guards dumped her unceremoniously on the hard, rocky ground.

Awen raised her eyebrows, placing her hands on her hips after she lumbered to her feet. "I see you got others to do your dirty work for you. Figures" she sniffed.

"And maybe I do not want a chat, whoever you are," she shrugged at him, taking a step away from him.

"You don't belong on Gallifrey. Nobody wants you here so you are leaving."

"And why would I take orders from you?"

"Because if you don't, things will become, shall we say? Nastier for you." His words dripped with subdued, but obvious venom.

"You think I am scared of you?" she replied with a defiant look. "I am a warrior. I do not need Gallifrey. I am Romana and the Doctor's daughter - the real one not the fake one you are-"

"You will never mention her name!" he hissed angrily.

Awen grinned at him with a callous look taking hold of her features.

'Whoever this guy is, I at least know his weak spot. Bad move' she mused wickedly.

Emmaline stood at a distance trying to hear what they were saying, but she only caught words; like 'Romana', and 'real one'. Braxiatel suddenly turned round noticing her.

'Damn' thought Emmaline. 'He's got the intuition of a bat' she cursed inwardly as she attempted to hide behind an obliging tree.

Then it was all clear to her - she could see it in the girl and in Braxiatel's expression, that girl was Romana's real daughter. The tears pricked at her eyes, turning round she heard Braxiatel calling her name, but she ran through the Citadel as the tears fell down her face.

Romana knew this wasn't her world, surrounded by strangers, but some seemed familiar.

The Doctor certainly had not been, although back on her world Narvin was a complete moron and the Doctor looked very different. Very boyish with wild hair and with charm to match.

This Gallifrey looked like her own, but it felt so different. It left her feeling very alone as she walked through the Capitol by herself. She knew right now it did not matter whether this was her Gallifrey or not, but as far as the High Council was concerned she was their President and she could be useful to Gallifrey. That's all she wanted in truth, but if they found out she was not their Romana, then what? They would have her executed before sun down Romana thought silently.

The memory of what happened was hazy at best, but it was coming back to her. Her Doctor had tried to save her. Both of her hearts hurt from being separated from him and she fought inwardly to control her emotions. There was a crack on Gallifrey, a quite large one. She had fallen through it, she had heard the Doctor's panicked screams mixed with her own as she fell ending up in some hell hole, injuring herself in the fall.

Everything was disjointed and upside down still. She felt like she was trying to unpick the intricate tapestry that filled the walls of her memories.

"Doctor," she whispered as a tear fell down her face. She wouldn't be sad though, no. She wiped the tear from her face. She would live and be their president.

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