[005]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting by his favourite tree in the forest, staring down at a letter that his grip is spectacularly creasing. he looks very upset, which is strange, as Oliver's experiment had kept him from independent emotion for more than a week. luckily for him, the experiment is finally over. which should, of course, be a very happy thing indeed!]

[unfortunately, while he's super-excited to be able to see colour again, that excitement has been rather demolished by the emotional impact of just what he's been up to recently--especially in terms of what he's shared with people. not to mention things he agreed to without thinking. he's not sure what to say to some people after all that. and then to compound it all, he had to receive this letter...]

[Oliver sighs, lost in thought. too lost in thought to notice anyone approaching him, in fact. clearly, this means that's exactly what someone should do]

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[he shouldn't have asked]

So you're just planning on dying anyway...

[he turns away, furious under the surface. his tone is far crueler than he might mean it to be] No, you're right, I shouldn't go. I can't sit by and watch someone just give up like that.

[oliverplus]

[that hurts right to his core. his expression crumbles] Doctor...

[bit_impossible]

[he whirls back around] Let me ask you this, Oliver Day: Why? Why won't you fight? I'm not asking you to kill Robespierre; I'd never ask such a thing. But why won't you even try?!

[oliverplus]

What would be the point? I'm not going to kill him. I won't! And if time runs out, we both die! What would I be fighting for?

[bit_impossible]

[shakes his head slightly; simply:] Yourself. For Annajin. For Chloe. For any friends you've made here.

[oliverplus]

[oh, that hurts, Doctor. looks away, unable to meet his gaze] If I live, Robespierre dies.

[bit_impossible]

You do remember what happens to him in the end, don't you? You think a far better man should die in his place?

[oliverplus]

I... [hesitates, not sure what to say to that] I told you, he's not the same Robespierre. And I can't kill him, Doctor. I won't!

[bit_impossible]

Blimey, Oliver, would you just listen? Did I ever say you had to or should? No! And just because he has magic, doesn't mean he isn't the same sort of person behind it all.

[oliverplus]

Then what are you asking me to do? To live, I'd have to kill him!

[bit_impossible]

Something. Tire him out until he collapses and can no longer fight. Maybe even give him some kind of chemicals to make it seem like he died. If Juliet can do it, so can he.

Just something than simply allowing yourself to die.

[oliverplus]

[frowns, struggling to comprehend what the Doctor is asking. it's hard for him to believe it, but he's starting to feel like, for once, the Doctor is the one who's hesitating--who won't face what has to be. he steels himself, trying not to be cut to pieces by the Doctor's expression. he has to do this; he knows it] But trying anything like that means time might run out. We might both die.

[bit_impossible]

[he knows asking those things of Oliver will do no good; he wouldn't ask that of anyone, and knows he's grasping at straws in a situation he has absolutely no control over. and it drives him mad]

I know, I know. [frustratedly runs a hand through his hair] I know. [he looks away for a moment, to take a breath]

[gently] Oh, Oliver Day. I won't watch you do this. I can't. I've lost--[so many]--you twice before. I won't see it happen for a third time.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver struggles to hide his own sadness, to lock it away inside. he tries to give the Doctor a look that is accepting, instead of frightened and lonely. at the very least, he's relieved that the Doctor understands] I know. [pauses, forcing himself to say the words in as reassuring a tone as he can manage, knowing it's a lie] It's okay.

[bit_impossible]

[softly] No, it's not.

But I'm going to promise you something. I'll still be waiting for you. I'm still going to take you away from Gondovan. I said I would, and I intend to keep that promise to you.

I'll be right here, this very spot, waiting for you. You've waited long enough for me, so it's time I waited for you.

[oliverplus]

Doctor... [pauses, unable to speak through the lump in his throat. nods, closing his eyes briefly as he fights back the emotions that threaten to overflow. when he finally speaks, his voice is choked] Thanks. I'll...see you here. When I get back.

[bit_impossible]

[puts his hands on Oliver's shoulders again] Go bravely. [he tries for a smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes]

[oliverplus]

[softly, trying very, very hard to look brave] I will.

[bit_impossible]

[hugs him again and softly--so softly, that perhaps Oliver might not hear it--says:] I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I'm so sorry.

[oliverplus]

[hugs him back. it's up to Ten whether he thinks Oliver heard him or not] Thanks again, Doctor. You've...well, you've done a lot for me. I'll see you soon. [gives him a brave smile as he pulls away, but turns quickly, not wanting the Doctor to see that his eyes are glistening]