Doctor Who_ Hope - Mark Clapham [110]
Thats a decision for another day, said Miraso. To go out into the universe, or build a better world on our own.
Its a big decision, said the Doctor. Which only proves my point its not the options available that make you who you are. Its the quality of the decision you make.
So what youre saying is, its not what youve got, its what you do with it? said Miraso.
Well, something like that, said the Doctor. We all have our potentials, our opportunities, our limitations and our failings. Its who we are and what we choose to do that matters in the end.
You know, said Miraso, looking out across the city, I think you might be right.
I very well may be, said the Doctor, as if hed surprised himself. As he followed Mirasos gaze, drinking in the scene, he unconsciously rubbed his chest, following a line with his finger.
And out across the rooftops, a wind began to rise, and these gusts of wind began to blow the smoke away, dispersing it far out to sea.
They met for the last time on the Pier, as the sun went down over Hope. The Doctor and Fitz were already in the TARDIS, waiting to leave. Hasty goodbyes had been said to Miraso, Powlin and the others, all of whom had been frankly far too busy to pay any attention. There was only one more farewell to go.
Anji sat on the railing, watching the red sky reflected in the sea, and worried that she would be stood up. It was a stupid feeling, she knew this wasnt a date. A date signified a potential beginning, while she was waiting for an ending.
When he arrived, the only thing she could think of was that he was perfect, just how she imagined he would be. But that would have been an inappropriate thing to say, so she said the second thing to come into her head instead.
Your skins turning back to normal, Anji told Dave II awkwardly.
Whereas the original Dave would have attempted some kind of witty comeback, this one just frowned at her. He leaned against the railing, and Anji was struck by how different he was from her Dave, his unselfconscious and confident manner, his tendency to lapse into thoughtful pauses. Not like her Dave at all.
This wasnt her Dave. This was a new Dave.
You wanted to see me, Dave II said eventually. It was a statement, and he didnt seem reluctant to be there, but neither did he seem affected by her presence. He just seemed curious as to why he was there, what she wanted him for.
Im leaving today, said Anji, choosing her words carefully. And I wanted to speak to you before I left. I wanted to tell you a few things about Dave Young, who you might call Dave I. Youre a clone of that Dave, and I wanted you to know why I wanted there to be another Dave out there.
And so Anji told the new Dave about the old Dave. She talked about getting together, and occasionally breaking up, and how she had loved Dave even when he had constantly frustrated her, about their life together, and finally about how Dave had died, leaving her alone and with his own life cut short far too soon. Throughout everything she said, Dave II listened, not interrupting but fascinated by what she said.
Dave deserved a second chance, she concluded. And so here you are. A second Dave. A second chance.
Anji, said Dave, and for a second it was like her Dave talking to her, the same insistent tone. Then the moment passed. Im not him. I wont be able to live the life he would have lived.
I know that, said Anji. Just live the life you want to have. And let it be a long one. Thats all I want, is to give you a chance to live.
Dave smiled.