The Cafe of the Third Eye
Songbird
by
Sabrina Lonewalker
The usual crowd was gathering in the cafe for Allerga's next set of songs to begin. Various races from all over the galaxy came to hear her sing and sometimes, those visitors were from outside this universe. The blond young woman who walked into the cafe then was such a one, from outside this universe.
She remembered that last time she had come here with the Doctor. They had just started travelling together and he had wanted her to see this place. It was the first time she had seen and heard Allegra. She had sung a song that told the Doctor it was worth the risks to have Rose by his side and all of that had proven true.
But now, Rose was trying to find a way back to her Doctor after what had happened at Canary Wharf. She was grateful to Pete for rescuing her from being pulled into the Void itself but seperation from her beloved Doctor was almost more than she could bear. It had been one year since she arrived in the parallel universe and the ache in her heart had not gone away. The silence in her mind was the hardest to take, however.
The silence had Rose concerned and that was why she had been surprised to wander into this place again. She missed the constant hum of the TARDIS at the back of her mind but, something else was missing, something she hadn't even realized was there until it was gone. The music, a melody had been in her mind and now, silence. She hoped Allegra could help her understand so, she smiled as she took the table she and the Doctor had sat at all that time ago. The waitress came to take her order. Once it arrived, Rose thanked her and sat back.
Allegra smiled, knowing Rose was there. She had sensed her arrival earlier. As she checked her appearance in her dressing room mirror, she thought back. Rose had come first with the Ninth Doctor and that had been the last time Allegra had seen him. She checked her outfit, her usual for performing and headed out to the stage. It was unusual for her to choose a song so early but, it popped into her mind as soon as she knew Rose was there.
She took to the stage and smiled at the clientile then, she turned to the band and whispered the name of the song. They nodded and the intro began. Allegra took a look at Rose and then, began her song.
"Songbird sings from the heart
Each word can tear you apart
I sing - you sing along
You find your life in my song"
Rose looked up, confused at first as she thought Allegra was singing about herself but then, as she listened she realized the lyrics went deeper than most people believed.
"When you need the strength to carry on
You've got me to turn to
With the songs that I sing
And the magic they bring
They've helped you be strong now"
Rose listened intently now as she began to put the pieces together.
"The song sets you free
But who sings to me
I'm all alone now
Who sings for songbird"
"Songbird", Rose was thinking, "Is she referring to me or the TARDIS?"
Allegra smiled softly as she continued her song.
"Sometimes
When I' m all alone
I sing my saddest song
Lonely and no one can see
This time the song is for me
I can touch your secret place inside
And still you don't know me"
Rose's face was wrinkled in thought as she tried to unravel this puzzle. She wondered if all of Allegra's songs were this hard to figure out or was it just her this time?
"With the songs that I sing
And the magic they bring
You've learned to be strong now
The song sets you free
But who sings to me
I'm all alone now
Where is my songbird
Where is my songbird
Who sings his song for me?"
The realization hit Rose like a runaway train, "She means the Doctor!" The thought flashed in Rose's mind. The Doctor was her Songbird, it was his song she was missing in her mind. It made her even more determined to get back to him any way she knew how. She finished her drink and got to her feet.
She looked in Allegra's direction and saw the woman smile at her softly. Rose returned the smile and headed out. It was time to stop wallowing in self pity and begin work on going home.
Finis
Author's Chapter Notes:
After Canary Wharf, Rose finds her own way to the Cafe and finds that The Doctor was right about Allegra, she always gives you the nudge you need at the right time.
Songbird is by Barbra Striesand
Songbird is by Barbra Striesand
