1 – Conversation with an Archangel

The Tandocca Trail led them to the Medusa Cascade…and then…nothing.  He didn’t know what to do.  His planet Earth was still missing…still lost.  All those he loved, all those who had been a part of his life for even a little time were in a place not their home.  He had absolutely no way of finding them…absolutely no way of getting them home.  He heard Donna asking questions, crying at the loss of her family, but he suddenly was unable to respond.

“Hello, Doctor,” the voice said in the middle of his head.

“Hello?  Who is this? Why are you in my head?” he asked in his head, “Are you the Dream Lord? Why am I talking to myself?”

“You’re not talking to yourself, but I am not your Dream Lord,” The voice replied, “I am Metatron, Archangel of the Lord.”

“Which Lord?  ‘Cause if you’re-” he stopped and thought about that, “Wait!  Did you say Archangel?”

“Yes, child,” the apparent Archangel said, “I am Metatron.  I am an Archangel of God, the Father of all.”

“Um, sorry, but I don’t believe in God, gods, goddesses,” he said bitterly, “The Time Lords were the most godlike I know and they’re all dead.”

“Just because you personally don’t believe in us doesn’t mean we don’t know and believe in you,” the angel said benevolently.

“O….kay…” the Doctor replied, irritated by this distraction when he should be finding a way to find Earth, “Why are we having this conversation in the first place?”

“I need a Vessel and I’ve chosen you.”

“A Vessel? You want to possess me?” the Doctor asked incredulously.  The nerve of some people…angels…

“In a matter of speaking.  Let’s call it more like hitching a ride.”

“Wot?!”

“The Father is gone.  Heaven is falling apart at the seams.  I must hide from my brothers and sisters or be murdered.”

“By your brothers and sisters? Really?” he asked shortly.  This sounded more like his life on Gallifrey.  His brothers and sisters had also wanted him dead…or wanted him to take over.  He had, but not in the way they had expected.

“Yes, really, Doctor.”

“Why?”

“I sat on the throne next to God.  I was his scribe, the keeper of the Akashic record or ‘Book of Life’.  But he left.  My brothers and sisters who vie for the throne see me as an obstacle to His power.  Still, others wish me to take that throne.  I want none of it.”

“Why me?”

“You have the ability…your species has the ability to let me live in you yet not overwhelm you as we do with the human race.”

“They are a frail lot,” the Doctor agreed.

“Yes, they are.”

“So when would this need to happen?” he asked.  He couldn’t believe that he was seriously considering…this offer.  But there were terms…conditions…

“The sooner, the better.  But soon is all relative, as you know.”

“Yes…Yes, I do.”

“There are things we can do together…great things,” Metatron said.  Then to hit home, he said, “You would never be alone again.”

“Never?  I never am alone.  I obviously have my companions,” he said smugly.

“And they all leave,” Metatron said in the same smug tone, “I would not.”

“But I have my companions now.”

“And when they leave?  For they will eventually leave…”

The Doctor sighed and then responded sadly, “I know.”

“I will watch.  I will wait.”

Suddenly, he heard the mobile ring…Martha’s mobile.  He was suddenly able to move and he suddenly had a way to find Earth.  Searching his brain for Metatron, he felt the Archangel’s wing brush his face.  There would be time for further conversation later.

Next Chapter: Chapter 2 – The Loss of Companions