THE LAST TIME LORDS OF GALLIFREY
Disclaimer I own Aleena, everything else belongs to the BBC and Big Finish Beta read by Sunnykisses Please review "I wish I could have saved her. I will never forgive myself for that." The Doctor spoke of Romana before he carried Aleena back to her play room. It was a beautiful and spacious room with relaxing, pink tinted walls. The room had everything Aleena could ever want. There was an activity gym in the middle of the room, a baby swing, baby bouncer and even soft toys. She had everything except a mother. The Doctor laid Aleena down gently on a play mat and sat watching her wiggle around for a while until Aleena grabbed his sonic. "No!" The Doctor laughed, taking his screwdriver back and gently pinched her nose. She squealed in happiness. "One day, you and I can make your own sonic. Or maybe like your mother you will make your own all by yourself" He promised. Aleena pointed to the picture in the room of Romana as if she knew who they were talking about. "Yes, that is your mummy," he nodded, stroking her soft cheek, and sat her in his lap, letting her hold his sonic. It seemed to make her happy. Sometimes it was just good to hold her, to feel Romana in this beautiful little girl. He told her stories of the adventures he had with her mother, all the good times, never the bad. She didn't have to know about the bad times. Not yet. "Let's go see daddy," The Doctor finally stood up and carried her through the hallways. They were filled with paintings, and he let her look at some before finally coming to the large homely office. There were a few marble busts of other Time Lords against one wall, at a second glance it looked like he had recreated the office from Gallifrey. Romana's office. The walls were adorned with Gallifrean symbols embedded into the gold plated walls. In the centre was a beautiful photo of Romana and Brax with Aleena. It looked like it had been taken sometime after Aleena's birth and the Doctor noticed how beautiful Romana looked, neither of them knowing she would be dead in weeks. "I think someone wanted to see their daddy." Brax came up and took Aleena into his arms, holding her close. The two brothers stared at the family picture in silence for a while. "I loved her you know. I didn't seduce her. Romana she was something special, it just…happened, she was very young." "Too young." The Doctor retorted quickly. He caught his brother's eye and sighed. "I wasn't happy when I found out. I understand now." "You do?" Brax raised his eyebrows. The Doctor nodded. "When I saw you with her…the way she smiled. She was so happy." "I hope she was." Brax shook his head. "I'm sorry I couldn't save her." The Doctor finally whispered. Brax put Aleena down in a play gym before turning towards the Doctor. His eyes had turned dark. "How hard did you really try, Doctor?" The Doctor was surprised at the sudden accusation. "I did my best." "If that was your best, I would hate to see your worst. So tell me, Doctor, what exactly did you say to her?" He took a threatening stop towards his brother. The Doctor's shoulders tensed. He didn't like where this was going. "I want to know what her last words were. You told me she changed. What the hell did you do to her?" "I didn't do anything." The Doctor said evenly. Brax let out an exasperated cry. "Exactly! You didn't save her. You did nothing!" His hands balled up into fists. "Brax-" The Doctor started. "No!" Brax screamed. "Don't even start that!" He grabbed his brother and slammed him against the wall. The Doctor's head hit the wall with a loud snap. Painfully, the Doctor groaned. Brax raised his fist. "Punch me if it makes you feel any better." The Doctor said slowly, the two of them were breathing heavily now. "It won't bring her back." "Punch you? I want to kill you for ruining my life! You left Aleena without a mother. Why don't you explain to her how you killed Romana, because that's what you do, Doctor, you take perfectly good people and you destroy them! Romana would never have done what she did if it wasn't for you. You have no idea how dangerous you made her!" Aleena started to cry. The Doctor was afraid of what Brax would do if he went to comfort her, so he stayed where he was. Pinned by Brax to a wall. "Stop crying, Aleena," Braxiatel ordered, looking over at her sternly.. The Doctor stayed silent. He knew Brax had to get his anger out somehow. He was grieving and badly, he had known since being here that Brax's life was falling apart around him. They had never being close, but he had never expected this to happen. Brax was right; this was all down to him, that's what it always came down to. He was a coward for letting Romana stay, for not putting up more of a fight. Aleena's screams suddenly became different. Brax felt it within their psychic link. He turned around to see Aleena on the floor, as if she had tumbled over and immediately rushed over to her and picked her up. "Please go." He whispered to his brother, his voice cracking. The Doctor left without a word, turning around to watch Brax rocking his daughter gently. Her cries got quieter and she began to whimper softly against him, as if she knew she was now safe. He kissed her head softly and stayed with her for a long time, soothing her blonde curls. She lay quiet in his arms. The Doctor knew it was time to leave. Aleena and Brax had each other now. His brother's painful words kept swirling in his mind until he could barely handle it anymore. It was all down to him. He remembered the last night he was with Romana, as regret and pain welled through him. He had spent the night with her, and for that one night it was like she was his once more. It was a week before the war broke out upon Gallifrey. He sensed how weak she was. Brax and Aleena were gone. She was so alone. He hated not knowing what to do. Not knowing how to help her. The Doctor knew she couldn't handle being away from her child and Brax. "I want to forget." she whispered. "Please, Doctor." The Doctor opened his mouth, hesitating on his words. Before he could speak, Romana kissed him. For a moment, the Doctor forgot Romana was no longer his, the passion overtook him and he was kissing her back, wrapping his arms around her as the familiarity he once had with her washed over him. "I love you," She whispered. "I never stopped." The Doctor groaned, shaking his head. This was so wrong. Brax would never stand for this. As a tear slipped down her cheek he pulled her close. "Aleena," Romana pulled back, crying.. "I know she is safe with Brax. You have to promise me you will watch out for Brax if anything happens to me. Please. "I promise," he placed a gentle kiss on her soft cheek before he departed. He knew it had been wrong, taking advantage of her when she was hurting. He still didn't understand how Brax could agree to leave her. "So," Donna said coming into the room and breaking his silent thoughts. The Doctor hadn't seen much of her all day, and the sight of that fiery red hair made him smile. "Are you convinced he fixed me?" She asked, settling next to him as they both leaned against a wall. The thought of his brother pained the Doctor, and he looked away. The Doctor hated to admit it when Brax did something better than him. He had no doubts that Brax was smarter than him, but his brother had something of a god complex at times. "Do you miss the adventures we used to have, Donna?" The Doctor asked instead of answering her question. "Are you asking?" She answered coyly. "Well," He shrugged. "We certainly aren't wanted here." Donna frowned. Brax had been very hospitable towards her, she couldn't think of a time when she felt unwanted. "What'd you do, Spaceman?" She cut to the chase. He almost laughed. "It's what I didn't do." He explained. He gave Donna a look that meant he didn't want to talk about it. She nodded, walking closer towards the TARDIS. She felt the familiar door and sighed. "I was going to be with you forever, Doctor. Travelling." "Donna you are my best mate, I'd be honoured to travel with you again." He said truthfully. He would start afresh with his best friend by his side. Donna beamed and stepped into the TARDIS, the Doctor at her heels.
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