Sweetie, please let me go
The Doctor is left alone with the Solitract, who takes the form of her wife.
âRiver,â the doctor breathed. River looked just like she had that day on Trenzalore, with her white clothes, puffy hair, and all-knowing smile, draped languidly over a white chair. And it had been so long since they had spent that beautiful night on Darillium. The Doctorâs hearts felt like they were trying to punch holes through her chest.
âOf course it would be you. Well, even though you arenât really River Song,â the doctor said, âyouâre just the Solitract trying to convince me to stay in this world. You brought Erik and Grahamâs dead spouses back to them. I guess it makes sense to bring back mine.â
âMaybe,â River acknowledged, nodding. âOr maybe Iâve found a way to come back. You couldnât really expect death to hold me back, could you?â
The doctor smiled sadly, crinkling her nose and cheeks as she stepped closer to her wife. âRiver, you faded long ago on Trenzalore. Iâm so, so sorry, but you arenât real. You died an even longer time ago.â
River uncrossed her legs quickly and crossed the hallway to fill the space between the two women.
âLetâs not worry about stupid things like life and death. You, of all people, should know that death isnât the end, especially for your time-traveling wife. I have to say, I love your new body. Itâs⌠refreshing and looks like fun,â she winked. âHow about you and I go try a few things?â
The Doctor took a step back, trying to ignore that âRiverâ smelled exactly the way she remembered: absolutely intoxicating. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
âYouâre not River Song. Please, just let me go back to my universe. Why didnât this form show up with Grace and Trine when I entered this world? Why now? You wanna know what I think? I think, deep down, you know that this form couldnât keep me here. Iâve had a long time to mourn River and move on since I saw her last. She always thought I didnât love her back, but I did. So much it hurt to even think about saying goodbye.â
The doctorâs voice faltered for a moment and then continued.
âMy past lives might have spent hundreds of years here with you.â
âAnd you wonât?â River asked, âtheyâre still youâ.
âI know how guilty they felt. They blamed themselves for your death. Iâve moved on. I have three new friends and I have a duty to protect them. So please, Solitract, River, sweetie, please let me go.â
There was a long silence.
River nodded and raised her hand as Grace and Trine did, white light emanating from her palm. The last thing the Doctor saw in the Solitractâs universe were the tears rolling down her wifeâs cheeks.