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The doctor had been stood outside her building for the last several minutes. It was ridiculous, he should leave now. He didn't even know if she was inside or if she'd be back before he was someone else. He’d almost made a move back to the tardis when he froze.
She was there, he could tell. He would know her blind, from the feeling of her presence alone. Then he heard her, her angelic voice came from around the corner and he thought he may keel over then and there. She was talking to her mother on the street. This was a mistake, how could he be so idiotic to come here.
And then there she was. Inej Ghafa was walking past him, she didn't even glance his way, she didn't know him yet.
He doubled over as he was again reminded of how close he was to needing to regenerate, unless he planned to die of radiation for good.
“You alright?”
His eyes shot up at the sound of her voice. She was looking at him, her dark eyes fixed on him with polite concern
“Too much to drink?” She asked, a quirk in her smile and a chuckle evident in her voice
“Something like that” he heard his own voice answer, his voice as cold and rough as it had been when she knew him, the voice she managed to love
“Might be time for you to head home” she suggested, her perfect features falling so easily into a kind smile.
“Yeah… I know” his voice was harsh to his own ears but her smile didn't change. She turned to leave but something in him couldn't let her be “what year is it?” His voice shoved itself out despite his own better judgement, but then again, when did his common sense make any sense when it came to Inej. He truly was a fool.
She turned back and the street light was reflected in her dark eyes, snowflakes caught in her dark hair. She looked like the saints she loved so dearly. She laughed at his question, the sound was addictive and he was a hopeless addict going through withdrawal. “saints, you really have had a lot to drink, huh?”
He couldn't find any words, she had stolen them along with any hope he had of carrying on the same
“It's January first, 2005” she answered. In so very little time she would meet him and up root her life to follow him across time and space. So soon she would wind up being forced into working for a monster and then he'd come along and ruin anything good left in her life. But after all that she would tell him she loved him on bad wolf bay and he wouldn't manage to say it back.
“I… I think you're going to have a great year. A really great year” he felt like he was lying to her, finally resorting to telling her honeyed lies instead of the horrible truths he met her with, but he couldn't find it in himself to regret it when she flashed a proper shining smile his way. It would’ve been less effective to punch him in the throat.
“Thanks” she beamed and it felt like an actual sun shining on him. She turned and rushed inside. He watched her go, feeling whatever shriveled remains of his hearts go with her.
He didn't get long to stay there, his body was dying and he needed to get back to the tardis to regenerate.