The Decision

So he and I packed, hoped into a car, and just drove. Not entirely sure where we were going. We drove for hours, both of us not complaining of the silence. By sunset, the Chesapeak Bay came into view. We stopped at a little white house. He was the first one to get out; I followed later. Our eyes scanned the horizon, taking in the beautiful hues. Soon his eyes landed on me. It was that same cold stare I've seen before. Uneasiness filled me as he waited for my next move. I was the one that brought us out here in the first place. My feet slowly take me to the back. I turned to look at him before descending the hill. The long narrow dock enters my view.
'Stacy.'
His voice pulls me in. I don't know why, I never met him. I stop right at the edge of the dock. The voice seemingly gone. I gaze out to the horizon waiting. Suddenly, an image of a man in a jacket and bow tie appears beside me. Yet, I can still see the sunset behind him. He stares at me with such sadness.
"Stacy."
I stare at him. His messy hair and green eyes registering deep in my subconcious. He cracks a cheeky smile before speaking.
"Stacy, it's me."
He tells me as if I should know him. But by my expression, he can tell I don't.
"It's me, the Doctor."
My stomach jerks at the mention of the Doctor. I turn back to the house. His gentle smile reaching my eyes. I turn back to the stranger who calls himself the Doctor.
"You are not the Doctor."
His eyebrows raise at this as I turn back to the bay. He comes closer to me. His hand softly touches my skin.
"Stacy, I am the Doctor. Look into my eyes."
Reluctantly, I turn to face him. His green eyes seem to penetrate my soul as if he has known me since birth. I flinch from the emotion and turn back to the horizon.
"Stacy, none of this is real. It's just a dream...a nightmare."
"You're lying."
"You know that's not true."
I close my eyes, not wanting the tears to spill. Deep down I always knew all of this was a dream. I never wanted to admit it to myself. My voice came out in a whisper.
"You promised me, you would never change."
"Only in appearance. I'm still the Doctor."
The reverance in his voice made me cry. My voice came out in choked sobs.
"I have what I always wanted, a life with you. If this is a dream, or even a nightmare, I never want to wake up."
I look back out to the bay, not wanting to look him in the eye. Pink and purple cotton candy clouds lined the sky. I could barely hear his voice when he spoke again.
"That's not an option."
I refused to ask because I was afraid to know. But the Doctor knows me too well.
"You're slowly dying. The longer you stay in this nightmare, the closer you come to death."
"I don't care."
He came closer to me. His body pressed against mine. Our heart beats making a funny rhythm. His breath tickling my ear.
"I do."
His reply sent shivers down my spine. I turned to him, surprised I could even speak.
"But I can't lose him again."
His hand caressed my face catching a falling tear. A tiny smile etched onto his face.
"You're not losing him."
I turned to face him. His green eyes so understanding. I was afraid of my decision, but I trust the Doctor with my life.
"What do I have to do?"
His eyes widened in shock before filling with such despair. That same despair gripped me before I knew what was going to happen. My stomach jerked in anticipation and fear.
"You have to kill him."
I was in such utter shock that my knees collapsed beneath me. His arms wrapped around me before I fell. He lowered me gently to the floor. My mouth was so dry I couldn't speak. I just cried. He just held me so gently, like he used to do. Slowly I calmed, but I couldn't stop the tears.
"You can't ask me to do it. I can't. I just can't."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, but you're the only one able to do it."
My eyes stray toward the little white house. His blue suit jacket lazily swaying in the breeze. He stares at me with sorrowful eyes, as if he knows. But he knows everything, he's the Doctor...my Doctor. A ball forms in my throat as I choke back my tears. My face turns to the ground.
"But I love him."
"I know, but it isn't him. It never was and it never will be."
My tears won't stop. His arms wrap around me in an embrace. Time passed slowly making seconds into minutes and minutes into hours. He gives me a smile and helps me to my feet. I stare at him, my whole body hollow. His hand readjusts his bow tie before being held out to me. I caustiously take it. Our hands touched and I could feel the old spark between us. The thing that brought us together in the first place so many years ago. A smile graces my lips as I look at him. Slowly he disappears from view and I'm alone on the dock. I look upon the hill; the same hollow feeling re-emerges in my chest as I ascend.