rec: and i will no other to follow me where i'm going

[kindkit.livejournal.com]

Story: And I Will No Other to Follow Me Where I'm Going
Author: Aces (wishfulaces)
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 4225
Author's Summary: "Hang about," Fitz had asked once, very early on when this whole thing started. "Didn't you already destroy your planet, once?"
Characters/Pairings: Eighth Doctor, Fitz Kreiner (with some Eight/Fitz), Romana
Warnings: None.

Recced because: The Eighth Doctor was rather screentime-deprived, with just the TV movie, but he did feature in a fascinating series of novels called the Eighth Doctor Adventures. This story is set between the end of EDA canon and the beginning of the new series--which is to say, during the time war that leads to the destruction of Gallifrey. Unsurprisingly, it's a story about things falling apart, and particularly about the Doctor falling apart as he gradually realizes that there's no solution except the worst possible one. Meanwhile, Fitz, the Doctor's companion through fifty EDA novels, tries to hold things together. And dreams.

Aces beautifully captures the feeling of a universe that's collapsing as time turns angry, and she portrays the characters and their emotions with subtlety and depth. The characterization is so good that I think this story will work even for people who haven't read any of the EDAs. And for EDA fans (not to mention Fitz fans) this story provides an ending that feels right, whereas the EDAs themselves just . . . stop.

Here's a little teaser from the very beginning of the story:

That night, Fitz dreamed that the Doctor kissed him.

*

“Coffee,” Fitz muttered as he stumbled into the HQ’s kitchen, aiming directly by scent alone for the pot.

“You should go home,” the Doctor replied without looking up from the papers and data sheets and sticky notes scattered before him on the massive worktable. His elbows rested on the table, his hands were pushed back into his long, curly hair, and the frown between his brows was becoming a permanent set of lines. They were the only ones there; the other agents and soldiers and staff had all dispersed, gone to their duties for the day.

“Not leaving you,” Fitz answered as he poured himself a mug and leaned against the counter, the heat from the coffeepot pooling into the small of his back.

Read, enjoy, and don't forget to leave feedback for the author!

Comments

[kseda.livejournal.com]

Roughly a year on and I can't even begin to speculate how many times I've read this story. Every word of the above recc is true, it is a beautiful and heartwrenching tale for any Who fic reader, but I'd go so far as to call it holy writ for those of us who are fans of the Eighth Doctor and Fitz.

He was just a traveler, caught up in somebody else’s war.

[kindkit.livejournal.com]

I'd go so far as to call it holy writ for those of us who are fans of the Eighth Doctor and Fitz

*nods vigorously* This story is pretty much part of my personal canon. (I say "pretty much" because at times I feel the need to believe in a happier ending. But that doesn't in any way negate the heartbreaking perfection of this ending.)

[doyle_sb4.livejournal.com]

Oh, wonderful! I didn't want two of my recs to be Eight/Fitz fics written for me so I reluctantly left this one off my list - I'm so pleased it's been recced, it's one of my favourites.

[kindkit.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, I was extremely relieved that nobody beat me to the rec! That's already happened with two of my planned recs and it's most frustrating.

For me, it was a tossup between this one and "Simple Progressions," since I didn't want to rec two Fitz-n-Eight stories by the same author. I picked "And I Will No One" because I figured it would have a wider appeal--it ties into the new series and you don't have to have read any particular EDA to understand it.

[eve11]

Oh, this was so heartwrenching. Thanks for the rec.