Coming Back to Me

He'd never been more happy that some ponies used phones in his life.

"Hey, Ditzy. It's me...look I'm really sorry. I can't...I need...Please call me."

Beep.

"Hello Ditzy...I just wanted to see how you were doing. I went to Space Baltimare today. It had automated sand! You would have loved it...Ditzy, I miss you. Please call me back so we can talk..."

Beep

The Doctor was sure he was going mad. He'd left at least twenty seven messages on her phone within the past few weeks. At least, he thought it was twenty-seven within a few weeks. He'd stopped keeping track.

He was hoping, by some miracle, his phone would ring and her sweet voice would come from the other end. It was all he could do to hold back the tears and keep his voice level when he heard her voice mail.

"Hiya! This is Ditzy Doo. I'm enjoying a muffin right now, so leave a message." had become the greatest words he'd ever heard.

He knew he should leave her alone. Find another companion like he always did. But hearing those words meant she hadn't disconnected her phone. Meant he still had one small piece of her. Meant there was a little bit of feeble hope left.

And he was holding onto it with all his might.

There were nights when the wind was so cold...
That my body froze in bed if I just listened to it right outside my window...

She had managed to supress the memories, putting every reminder in a box. She thought it fitting, him in a box.

But the voice messages were torture.

She didn't know why she listened to them. Didn't know why she couldn't disconnect her phone. Every time she heard his voice her heart broke even more, but she felt such a relief when she heard his voice. Because that meant he was okay. Meant he was still out there.

Meant he hadn't gotten himself killed.

Meant he hadn't regenerated.

Meant he was still her Doctor.

And she hated herself for feeling that way.

There were days when the sun was so cruel...
That all the tears turned to dust and I just knew my eyes were drying up forever...
Fo-o-orever...

Slowly, she made herself strong again. She figured it was time healing the wounds. Rather ironic really, since in a way it was time that had made them.

Work was the only place she felt like her old self again. No Doctor. No reminders. Just her and the citizens of Ponyvilla and endless mailboxes. Paradise.

She'd forgotten how much she loved delivery. How much she loved Ponyville. How much she loved seeing Carrot Top in her garden or Twilight in the library or Lyra and Bon Bon on their bench or Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner. It was brilliant.

I finished crying in the instant that you left...
And I can't remember where or when or how...

Yes, she grew strong again, but it took a long wile.

The Doctor's box grew dusty as the weeks and months passed, but she was stronger. She never saw other stallions in those months, though. She knew no one would ever be as good as him. Knew she could never love anyone like she loved him, and that wouldn't be fair. Part of her hated him for raising her expectations, but she soon accepted it.

A small part of her couldn't bring herself to let him go completely. It was the part of her that wouldn't allow her to throw his box away. That part that made her listen to his voice mails every night. It took a wile, but she eventually grew numb to the pain, and it became comforting to hear his voice.

Slowly, she grew back to her old self. Her mates noticed her getting back to her old self too, but no one said anything when she would stare at the sky, almost searching for something. They were just glad to have their cross-eyed mailmare back.

But I banished every memory you and I had ever made...

~Seven Months Later~

The Doctor galloped into the TARDIS, quickly setting it in motion and grabbing the phone. Clumsily he dialed her number, never used to using hooves to hit the keys. Finally he heard her voice, and the tone.

"Ditzy it's the Doctor. I'm calling to warn you: something is happening. I don't know where or when, but it's close to you. Now, listen to me because it's never been more important. Don't do anything rash if you notice something peculiar. Stay inside. Teleport away with the Time-Vortex manipulator I hid away on your porch if you have to just don't get involved and don't..." his voice cracked at the thought. "Please just be careful. Run and stay away until I tell you it's okay. Trust me, Ditzy. You just need to listen to me this once. Be careful sweetheart...I..Stay safe."