For those who have waited six weeks for the conclusion...
Part 7
She promised that she would keep her alive. The Doctor intended to keep that promise.
With the Spirit trapped in the protactinium, it was safe for her gang to come out. Through the weird structure built solely by Ryan and Lise, she announced, "Mission accomplished, gang!"
The TARDIS doors burst open with Lise leading, and the other three trailing behind. Their anxiety was written all over their faces. Yaz appeared more jumpy, Ryan and Graham, despite their efforts to keep a straight face, had worry in their eyes, but Lise was the most concerned of them all. She ran and kneeled next to (Y/N), instinctively feeling for her heart beat.
The Doctor crouched down, fishing out her stethoscope from her coat pocket. She listened on in search of any sign that told them (Y/N) was alive. The tension was felt as everyone held their breaths. Finally, the Doctor took off her stethoscope.
"She's alive."
Graham let out the loudest sigh of relief while Yaz helped Lise up. The Doctor got onto her feet, hoisting (Y/N)'s arms over her shoulder. Ryan offered to help her, but she refused. After all, it was her responsibility to look after (Y/N).
"Don't worry Ryan," she said with a smile, "I can handle it, though I might need some help with the TARDIS doors."
With that, the gang headed back to the TARDIS to allow (Y/N) to recover.
—
It's been about a week since the incident, and (Y/N) was still unconscious.
Everyday, the Doctor would come in to check on her. Once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once at night, though she would usually stay by her side the entire night. Although Lise rejected the offer to return home, Yaz managed to convince her to go.
"Think about it this way," she said, "We could come back one second later and (Y/N) could be awake!"
The protactinium was securely stored in a room in the TARDIS, as the Doctor hoped to wait until (Y/N) was awake to throw it in the supernova together. She wanted her to witness the fruit of her labour, and the reward for her bravery. She was not only brave in facing the Spirit, she was also brave in trusting four complete strangers with her life. The Doctor admired that.
With Lise and the Spirit settled for now, the gang just had to focus on moving forward, but it wasn't easy.
(Y/N) didn't make much noise the first few days. She lay peacefully in bed, with a fluffy blanket on as Graham wanted her to be comfortable. But by midweek, it was obvious that the memories were coming back to her, just as Lise had said. Her soul was reforming, and it became certain she didn't live an easy life.
It started in the evening, when Ryan was heading for a shower. He decided to check in, only to find her thrashing about in bed with her eyes closed, screaming for help. He immediately called for the others.
The Doctor tried to calm her down, but she couldn't hear her in her unconscious state.
"(Y/N), it's okay. Nothing's wrong, you're safe. If I dare say, you're in the safest place in the universe. Nothing can get to you here. You're alright, (Y/N). I promise."
It took time, but eventually (Y/N) stopped screaming. She slipped back into her deep sleep of recovery, and that was just the beginning.
The screaming and thrashing pursued into the second week, and then the third, and then the fourth, it soon became a month. The gang travelled less and less, for the Doctor was far too worried to leave (Y/N)'s side by then. They landed back in Sheffield with the TARDIS parked just outside Yaz's apartment so Graham, Ryan and Yaz could keep themselves occupied while the Doctor worked on (Y/N).
