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“Two…”
“You don’t have to do this! Tell me what you want!”
“One.”
“All in good time…” He lifted his hand, the Doctor’s eyes widened in horror.
“STOP!” The power, the fear in her voice shook the room, pulling all eyes to her.
“Not her,” It was a demand. No, not a demand, a plea. “It’s me you want. It’s clear as anything you want to rip me to shreds and you can, I’ll endure it. Take me... but leave Yaz alone.” There was a crack in her voice, something that said more than any words could capture.
Slowly, he lowered his hand.
“Anything… for the one you love?”
“Brother-“ Azure began.
“This still fits to our plan,” he countered. “In fact. It makes it easier.” He looked to Yaz. “Say your good-byes to her, Doctor.”
“You’ll let her go?” The Doctor demanded.
“Of course.”
“You’ll leave the earth alone?”
“Anything…” The Doctor refused to flinch as his gloved hand delicately encircled hers. “For my queen.”
She kept her eyes locked with his, letting him see every ounce of her disgust and fury. She’d known from the start; his actions hadn’t exactly been subtle… She turned to Yaz. Swarm couldn’t bite back the snarl, seeing the look in her eyes she gave the human.
One he doubted she’d give him anytime soon.
“Say good-bye,” He leaned to down to the Doctor’s ear. “And tell her the truth.”
The Doctor stared into Yaz’s eyes, wishing for the one thing she always seemed to have so much and yet so little of.
Time. Time with Yaz.
There was one person for every face. One person for two hearts. The Doctor had loved so many and would continue to do so… but each heart had that one. Her Sarah Jane. Her Rose. Her Girl Who Waited. Her Wife.
Her Universe.
“I’m sorry,” She said. “I‘m so sorry. I refused to let you in because… I’m just…” the tears came, but she couldn’t stop them. “I’m a stubborn old git who wouldn’t let you in… and I didn’t want to lose you.”
“Yeah,” Yaz whispered, her own tears shimmering in the temple’s light. “You are.”
“I should have told you everything… I’m not who I thought I was… I was obsessed with knowing the truth...”
“Aren’t you always?” Yaz smiled. She wanted to move, wanted to touch her Doctor’s hand.
“I should have let you in, Yaz… I’m so sorry. I was afraid.”
“You should have… but it’s okay.”
The Doctor smiled gratefully. She knew it wasn’t okay. It wouldn’t be okay for her. But it would be, for Yaz.
“I love you, Yazmin Khan.”
Despite the pain, Yaz smiled. “I love you too.”
That was it. That was all she got before Swarm clicked his fingers. Yaz, Vinder, Dan, all vanished in a heartbeat. The Doctor swallowed her sob, refusing to let them see her in pain. She felt Swarm drape an arm around her, drawing her in close.
“No more tears, my queen,” he whispered, his thumb brushing away the remains of her tears. He guided her away from the place Yaz had once stood. Azure smiled.
“Welcome, Sister,” She grinned. She laid her hand upon the Doctor’s arm. Her coat turned a deep blue, etchings of stars and universes made of crystal formed upon it.
“Oh, thanks. I always wondered what being tacky felt like,” The Doctor said, what was meant to be a jab coming out with far more bile.
“Now, now,” Swarm grinned, catching the Doctor’s chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Play nicely, my queen. You have nothing left to bargain with.”
“You said-“
“And I meant every word,” The arm around her waist pulled her close, nearly crushing her to his chest. “So long as you behave… your planet will be spared.”
The kiss was cold, almost lifeless. Like her lips were pressed against a diamond. She had to find a way out of this mess! She couldn’t live like this! There was still so much to set right! She had to stop these two. End the Flux!
Get back to Yaz.
Still, she forced herself to kiss him back, trying to imagine Yaz’s lips instead of his.