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saiilorstars · 4 years

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Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 24: Angelic Detour

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: The Weeping Angels have attacked and trapped Minerva, the Doctor and Martha in 1969. They have to try to live a normal life for the time being. Of course, there's a reason why Minerva's so angry with the Doctor and Martha. Plus, there's a birthday coming up...

// Story Masterlist //

Late September, 1969.

"You idiot! You did this to us on purpose?" I smacked the Doctor on the arm and Martha did the same to his other arm. We were both equally angry with him right now.

The three of us walked down a dark street of London...in 1969. This was nowhere near the place we wanted to go to and yet this was the place we would be stuck in for God knows how much time.

"At least he had the audacity to wait for me to get back," Martha shook her head, "Because letting a Weeping Angel send us back to 1969 together was so much better."

"I was trying to keep us together!" The Doctor tried making a defense but Martha and I smacked him again.

"Wouldn't it have been smarter to run?" Martha raised an eyebrow at him.

"Couldn't exactly do that!"

"What do you mean!? It's what you always do!" I shouted, attracting some of the attention of the people walking past us.

The Doctor, Martha, and I had had a good run of trips lately, and then came the damn statues. Martha and I found ourselves in an old mansion in 2007, courtesy of the Doctor who didn't even bother to tell us the purpose of that destination...until now. We'd found ourselves surrounded by 'Weeping Angels' and were touched by the same one...thanks to the Doctor. Next thing we knew, we were in London, 1969.

"But this sort of already happened," he reached inside his coat's pocket and pulled out a file, "According to Sally Sparrow, the Doctor, Minerva Souza and Martha Jones get sent back to 1969 by Weeping Angels," he read off the file.

"It's called rewriting history!" Martha shouted.

"But if we didn't do this, this Sally woman could be harmed, and is that something either of you are okay with?" He looked between us with a knowing look. "Hm?"

"I have my humanity," I grumbled, the answer being of course I'd get stuck in 1969 to avoid the harm of Sally, even if I never met her.

"A bit too much, mind you," Martha mumbled, "You're too sweet."

"Sue me for being too kind," I shrugged.

"It'll be fine," the Doctor assured, "We'll all be fine. Just as long as we follow everything on this," he gestured to the file, "Just fine."

"I'm mad at you," I declared. Even if this had to happen, he could've at least had the courtesy to tell Martha and I in advance so we wouldn't have been so terrified of those damn statues.

"You'll get over it!"

"Just like I may be 'too' sweet, I may be too angry."

"Oooh, I'd like to see some of that," Martha smirked, "I've never seen Minerva actually, properly mad."

The Doctor seemed a bit uneasy but this time I was seriously pissed off. And not just with him...Martha too. I learned a secret the two shared, and it was something I didn't expect to be hidden. But they did...

I was making my way to the console room, to continue our adventures...when I heard shouting.

"Kaeya WIPED her memories CLEAN? Doctor, don't you see?" Martha was shouting, making rounds around the console as she fumed, "She PURPOSELY did it! After everything that happened, she cleaned Minerva's head because she was coming back and wanted a chance with YOU," she pointed at the Doctor.

I raised an eyebrow, about to walk in and find out what the hell she was going on about...but I decided to stay back. If I came in, everything would stop and I wouldn't get my answers. So I hid in the corridors, listening intently to what they had to say.

"I can't...I can't believe Kaeya would do something like that. She wouldn't...perhaps it was the necklace's way of preventing pain," the Doctor was saying.

"What kind of pain would be so great that she had to forget everything?"

"A heartbreak," he breathed.

"Doctor, I'm telling you, Kaeya did this," Martha walked up to him, "When we were hiding, and we visited the TARDIS, Minerva had the necklace on and...Doctor, her EYES flashed BLUE. That's when she felt the watch being opened."

"Blue?"

"Yeah, and who had blue eyes?"

"...Kaeya."

"She possessed Minerva, and when she was done she wiped her head clean. How can you love someone like that? She's utterly selfish!"

"She doesn't do that...she can't. There-there has to be something else to it, something we don't know," the Doctor turned away.

Everything fell silent, but my mind raced with the questions. Had Kaeya had taken my memory away? What for? Why?

What had I done to make Kaeya want to take my memories away? I had done what she asked for. I delivered her message: she was alive. Why had I still been punished? I was furious. Furious with Kaeya...I had literally done nothing to get her hatred. So what had happened?

But apart from that, I was fuming because the people I cared about, who were supposedly like a family...hid that secret from me. I had my memories wiped clean and they didn't tell me by who. They knew who had done it and they kept quiet, acted like it had been just an accident from all the chaos.

I was hurt.

And hurt led to anger.

~0~

London, 2007.

A dirty blonde woman, Sally Sparrow, jumped a fence leading to a private property, cautiously looking around for anyone who could catch her. She made her way into the house, kicking some boards down with few struggle. Once she entered, she found a torch and started looking around, occasionally snapping pictures of her surroundings. She noticed a certain wall where the paper had begun to peal and walked for it, pulling it back to find the word "Beware" written down. She tilted her head and pulled more, finding the phrase, "The Weeping Angel'. With another pull, she found 'Oh and duck! Really duck! "

"Huh," she set her camera down and with both hands pulled again, she found, "Sally Sparrow. Duck, now!"

She heard glass break from behind and immediately ducked as a large stone hit the wall where she was just a second ago. She stood up, mouth dropped at the sight, and turned to the window, using her torch to see who the hell had just done that.

There was only a angel statue.

Confused, she returned to the wall and removed the last strip of paper which read, "Love from the Doctor...and Minerva and Martha."

~0~

Early October, 1969.

"You're seriously not gonna add us to the message?" I frowned, watching the Doctor finish the last piece of the message he had written for Sally Sparrow. We were in the same mansion from 2007, only 1969...still.

"Oops, I forgot," the Doctor tilted his head at his message as he stood back.

"Give me that," I snatched the paint brush from him and moved up to the wall to add in my name and Martha's, "Rude."

"You're still angry?"

"You got us stuck in 1969 on purpose," Martha reminded, both of us still crossed, only Martha was slightly less than I. Of course most of my anger towards her and the Doctor stemmed from their little secret, "That doesn't just go away."

"I already explained my reasons!"

"Didn't care two weeks ago, don't care now," I stood up and handed him the paint brush.

"Let's just get out of here," Martha sighed, "We've got our jobs to attend to."

"Please don't remind me," I shook my head, "Out of all the jobs I've ever heard, this one is the worst. Everyone is demanding with their stupid clothes."

"Just have patience with them," Martha said.

"The only good thing is I've been able to make friends in that job that can help," I turned away from them. I could fake my way around my anger talk but my expressions were harder to control.

"I offered to get a job," the Doctor reminded, Martha and I immediately shaking our heads.

"NO!" We shouted, making him flinch.

"It was agreed," Martha began.

"We get jobs and you get us out of here," I finished for her.

It had been two weeks since the Doctor had gotten us to 1969. It hadn't been that hard to find us an apartment that first day, thankfully that landlord was sweet, well that and the fact he had a thing for Martha. She got us the first month free of rent! And thanks to the landlord, Michel, he had introduced me to a job at a department store...which sold clothes for children...very loud, very demanding, very fussy children. Martha on the other hand, had found a job at a flower shop. It was nicer, peaceful, and most importantly not stressful.

"I'm working on it," the Doctor replied, gesturing to the wall behind, "As you can see, it'll take some time."

"Let's just go, we can maybe stop by for an ice cream," Martha suggested, tensing at the glare I was giving the Doctor.

When she said she wanted to see just how angry I could be, she didn't actually mean it. The fact that it had been two weeks and I was still giving glares around was surprising to her. They were both surprised at my anger still lingering after so much time. But what could they expect after learning they were still hiding I deserved to know? Martha knew about Kaeya wiping my memories clean and she didn't utter a word to me. If she was my best friend, why didn't she say anything? She kept it a secret with the Doctor. Two months of my life are a complete blank and neither of them have had the audacity to tell me who was responsible for my memory loss. Neither of them told me it was Kaeya. She did this. After everything I had done for that woman, she took my memories.

The only question remained, why hadn't Martha and the Doctor told me anything?

~0~

Mid-October, 1969.

"Minerva?" Jerome, one of my co-workers, called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I was standing behind the counter, supposed to be working out some numbers for this week's sales...and yet...I was thinking about the Doctor...and Kaeya...and Martha...and my memories.

"Minerva? How's the calculations?" The blonde man walked up to me, glancing down at the notepad which was half-empty, "Oh..."

"Sorry," I closed the notepad and set the pen down.

"Head in the clouds again?"

I nodded, "Perhaps..."

"You're always getting lost in your thoughts," he remarked, shaking his head in a playful disapproving manner.

"There's a lot to think about." That certainly didn't come close to everything that was going on.

"I can see, but mind my wondering," he set his elbows on the counter and rested his chin on his hands, "What's got a pretty girl so sad?"

"Sad?" I blinked, "Why would you think I'm sad?"

"It's in your eyes," he pointed, "Every time you get distracted, thinking...your eyes get really sad."

I sighed, "My eyes say a lot of things, apparently." Truthfully, I didn't want to think of my eyes, because it reminded me of the Doctor's words and to think of the Doctor reminded me of his little secret with Martha, which then reminded me of Kaeya and what she had unjustly did to me.

"Who hurt you?"

"My friends," I swallowed hard, looking down, "They kept something from me and I found out. I've been waiting for them to tell me about it, you know, give them the chance to do it...but they haven't said anything." I had no idea why I was telling him this with so much ease. But then I thought about Martha, my supposed best friend, and how she was always my confidant. Anything about the Doctor and Kaeya that conflicted me I told Martha about. But now that she was in on it, so...who was I to tell?

Jerome was nice. He was the first one that spoke to me on my first day on the job. I knew he had a crush on me, it was pretty clear after Martha pointed it out and all its signs, but he never made a move...he acted as a friend, a better one than the two I lived with.

"And they haven't told you?" he asked.

'No. I don't think they ever will."

"Don't get sad," he reached for my chin and lifted my gaze up, "Hey, I got an idea. How about you and I go out for some lunch today?"

"You and I?" Well so much for the 'never made a move' thing.

"Yeah, I don't think it's a secret I like you. And I think I've been a coward for enough time," he said and I had to smile at that, "I know you love coffee, perhaps I could buy you one?"

"No...I can't," I shook my head, a date was the last thing I needed right now, especially not with the person I actually liked.

"Oh c'mon, perhaps dinner then?"

"I don't know..."

"Tell you what, I'll give you all day to think about. I was going to visit Michel anyways, and since he lives upstairs of your place, I'll drop by to hear your final decision," he winked.

"But Jerome-"

"Think about it," he stood straight, his hazel eyes gazing down at me, "I promise I won't make you sad like your friends have."

I sighed as he walked away. I didn't want to go out, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings either. He had been so sweet to me and I didn't have the heart to flat-out turn him down. Plus...maybe I was considering his date offer. It was clear the Doctor would never set eyes on me and I couldn't wait on him forever...and an innocent date perhaps couldn't hurt me and my sadness.

So why was I still so hesitant to accept the date?

~0~

I was placing clean dishes on the counter to dry out, waiting on Martha to return with our dinner ingredients for tonight. My mind had been filled with the usual thoughts that troubled me, but now it held whether or not I would accept Jerome's offer to go out tonight. My mind screamed yes, but my heart said another thing. The only one I wanted to go out with was currently in his room trying to work on some stupid contraption that could help us leave 1969 and his name was...

"Minerva, where's the toaster?" the Doctor questioned, making me flinch me in the process where I nearly dropped the plate I held to the floor, "Oh, sorry," he walked over and took the dish from me.

"What do you need a toaster for?" I snatched the dish away from him.

A little confused with that snatch, he eyed me for second, "Just...something I need. Are you okay?"

"You tell me," I muttered, placing the dish on the counter along with the rest.

"Um, I don't know, that's why I'm asking."

"As if you don't know," I scoffed, grabbing a towel to wipe the water that had spilled from several dishes.

"I don't, what's going on?" he frowned, reaching for my hand to stop me from moving.

"Don't!" I jerked my hand away from him, "I'm angry with you! Don't you see!?"

"Still? Minerva, give it a rest! It's been nearly a month since we arrived-"

"Exactly!" I cut him off with a small shout, "We've been here one month and you haven't said anything. How dare you!"

"Haven't said what?"

"And not to mention the past months we've spent traveling after 1913 so that's about three freaking months," I threw the towel to the sink and crossed my arms, "That's three months that you haven't said anything to me."

"Okay, I'm confused-"

"And I'm not? Doctor, there are two months of my life that I don't know about yet you do," he was now completely silent, knowing exactly what I was talking about, "You and Martha know how I lost my memories and neither of you have told me anything!"

"It didn't matter..." he mumbled so low I barely heard.

"Apparently it did because Kaeya took all those memories away from me!"

He looked up, completely stunned that I knew about it, "You...you...know?"

"I heard you and Martha talking about it! And just so you know, yes, I am angry. I am very angry with you and Martha."

"We were only trying to avoid you getting upset while y-you were w-weak," he tried to explain, yet stuttering in his final words.

"No, you were trying to hide your girlfriend's dirty work! She stole my memories! You didn't tell me she did nor tell me what happened in those two months."

"I was trying to keep you away from a pain-"

"No you were trying to hide Kaeya's work, keep her image clean. Well let me tell you something," I stepped up, the anger threatening to turn into hot tears in my eyes, "You and Martha don't get to decide what I know. I demand that you tell me what happened that made Kaeya steal my memories. Did I anger her? Did I anger you? Martha?"

"No," he shook his head, "You didn't."

"Then what did I do!?"

"It doesn't matter-"

"Yes it does! For once this does! It matters to me this time and you are purposefully keeping it away from me. How dare you? We promised to tell each other everything and you're breaking it!"

At that moment, we heard the front door opening, "I got the pasta, Minerva!" Martha called, the door closing behind her. She walked in and set the bags on the table, glancing at us for only a second, "What's wrong?"

"Kaeya stole my memories, that's what's wrong," I answered, seeing her eyes widen.

"You...remember?" she whispered, walking up beside the Doctor.

"You're supposed to be my best friend and you kept that away from me? What's wrong with both of you!? I trust both of you to be honest with me and this is what I get instead?"

"You don't understand," Martha sighed.

"You're right, which is why I told the Doctor that I demand to know what Kaeya stole from me." But all I got was silence, the two simply exchanging glances. "WELL?" You might as well hear the crickets because nothing was being said.

"Unbelievable, neither of you will say anything. I need to get out of here," I moved around them.

"No, wait," the Doctor grabbed my arm.

"Are you gonna explain?" I inquired, looking from him to Martha. Nothing. "I'm getting out of here," I jerked my arm away from the Martian.

"Where are you going to go?" Martha asked, both of them following me into the living room.

"...on a date!" I exclaimed the first words that popped into my head, the offer Jerome made sounding like paradise because it got me out of the house for hours.

"A date?" Both of them repeated, surprised.

"Yeah, I got asked out on a date and I'm gonna go," I informed them. It wasn't exactly what I'd been thinking of doing but it was the first thing that came out of my mouth so now I was going to do it "I don't want to be anywhere near either of you! And since I can't exactly go to my grandmother's I guess some hours will have to do."

"You can't do that," the Doctor frowned.

"Oh yes I can!"

"No," he stepped up, having the audacity to be angry about it.

And since it got a kick out of him, I was most certainly going out tonight, "I'm going on a date, getting away from you and Martha."

"Who are you going with!?"

"A co-worker, Jerome."

"HIM?"

"Yes!"

"Minerva, you can't go with him."

"And why the hell not?"

"Because...because he's..." it seemed like he was biting his tongue with great struggle, "...he's not..."

"I can do whatever I want. And right now, you two are the last people I want to see," I turned for the hallway and walked for my room, biting my own tongue to keep my tears from escaping.

Both of them looked so hurt, but neither of them compared to me. I felt so betrayed...like they had chosen Kaeya over me. How could they do that to me? Even the Doctor. Sure, he loved her but did that mean he'd choose her even though she'd done something bad? Is that what love was?

~0~

I was picking up my hair into a ponytail when there was a knock on the door. I actually commend them for not trying sooner. Maybe they were that guilty.

"Minerva? Can I please come in?" Martha asked politely.

I wore a knee-length red, black and white plaid dress with thin straps. It was a tad shorter than what I was used to but apparently it was a common type of dress for night outings in this era. Still, I wore a thin, long-sleeve white turtleneck jumper underneath. I also wore knee-length socks and red mary-jane shoes. I thought I looked ridiculous, honestly. This was one odd era...

"This is your room too, Martha," I reminded coldly, maintaining my gaze on the mirror in front of me when she came inside.

She and I shared the room and left the Doctor with the other one. It was a nice room with a rather comfy bed and vanity desk. There was a clothing wardrobe which we both shared, having some clothes we bought with our job money. It was nice...too bad my roommate was a secret-keeping-betraying best friend.

"You look nice," she commented quietly.

"Mhm."

"I'm sorry," she walked up, standing behind me, looking at the mirror since I wouldn't turn to her.

"You know, I would kinda expect this from the Doctor seeing as he freaking loves Kaeya, but you? You say all these things about Kaeya and yet you keep something like this from me?"

"It's more complicated, that's all..."

"Complicated how?" I turned to her, my hair all picked up now.

"It's not my story to tell," she whispered.

"What the hell does that even mean!?" I shouted. She flinched and stepped back.

"Just please don't go out, stay with us."

"And then what? Neither of you are gonna tell me!"

"Maybe the Doctor will, but he's really upset right now and-"

"Oh and I'm picking up daisies because I'm so freaking happy!"

"Minerva he's jealous," she smiled brightly as if it was the best thing in the world.

"No he's not, he's angry because I don't want to listen to him."

"Don't let your anger blind you. He's raging out there," she pointed back, "Because he's jealous, Minerva. He's bloody jealous!"

"I don't have time for this," I walked past her, "This time your hopeful words aren't gonna work on me. I have a date to go to which will hopefully help me forget yours and the Doctor's betrayal."

"I'm sorry..."

I shook my head, shutting my eyes to keep away the water, and walked out.

~0~

Poor Billy Shipton landed with a thud against a wall, in 1969, after just being in a parking lot with a couple Angel statues.

"Welcome," Martha greeted with a soft smile, the man's head quickly snapping to see her and the Doctor a couple feet behind, "It's okay, it's best if you stay down," Martha put a hand on his shoulder, glancing back at the Doctor for him to speak.

"Where am I?" Billy looked around, seeing it was now dark and not raining as it had been only a second ago.

Martha awaited for the Doctor to speak, only for him to turn his head from them, she sighed and looked at Billy with her soft smile, "It's the year 1969," she began her explanation, though knowing only the Doctor could explain it well. But seeing he was still peeved over Minerva she knew better than to wait for him to talk.

"1969?" Billy blinked.

"It's not as bad as it goes. My best friend Minerva said this is the year of the moon landing, she's clever like that. She remembers things so well."

"Let's not talk about her right now, shall we?" the Doctor said sourly, now approaching the pair with a device that was currently clicking and beeping.

Martha rolled her eyes, knowing Minerva was all he wanted to talk about. The man had been fuming after Minerva had left, saying who the hell this 'Jerome' man was and where did he come from and why Minerva was with him and not them. She tried reminding him that Minerva was angry and hurt they kept what Kaeya had done a secret. She even went as far as saying that he had some fault for not organizing his feelings for Minerva and Kaeya. Because if he wasn't so confused he would've told Minerva straight away about their love adventure in 1913 and would've told her how she'd made his human version fall in love with her in less than three days. Minerva would've been thrilled to know she'd gotten some of his feelings out because it would only mean that the original version, the Doctor himself, had already fallen for her as well.

But the man was just too conflicted...apparently.

Martha secretly thought the Doctor was just afraid to admit he'd already chosen her best friend faster than he'd even realized.

"How did I get here?" Billy asked, watching how the Doctor remained silent yet again, looking furious for some reason.

"The same way we did," the Doctor replied, " The touch of an angel. Same one, probably, since you ended up in the same year. I wouldn't get up though," he warned as Billy started up again, "Time travel without a capsule, nasty. Catch your breath, don't go swimming for half an hour."

"I don't...I can't..."

"Fascinating race, the Weeping Angels. The only psychopaths in the universe to kill you nicely. No mess, no fuss, they just zap you into the past and let you live to death. The rest of your life used up and blown away in the blink of an eye. You die in the past, and in the present they consume the energy of all the days you might have had, all your stolen moments. They're creatures of the abstract. They live off potential energy."

"You're talking at light speed again," Martha remarked, smiling with joy.

"What in God's name are you talking about?" Billy blinked, looking both he and Martha as the craziest people he's met.

"We were tracking you down," the Doctor explained, "Though I thought Minerva would be around to help..."

Martha smirked, "She could've been with us if you would've told her about Kaeya straight away. Honestly, your 'confusion' is gonna drive Minerva away from you."

"I don't need your warnings," he rolled his eyes, he had enough problems to face with and the last thing he needed was a set of reminders.

"Can you believe it?" Martha glanced at Billy who was just completely lost, "You had a crush on Sally Sparrow, right? That's what the file said. Would you let a pretty girl like that get away from you?'

"No," he replied instantly, only understanding that part out of everything.

"Exactly. And it's already starting with the fact Minerva's on a date," Martha said, smirking again, "And you know, you say you're confused, yet the fact you're practically fuming and bursting with jealousy tells me you may not be so confused anymore."

"Is anyone going to explain to me where I am?" Billy looked around, his head hurting from all the confusion.

The Doctor looked at Martha for a good minute, trying to come up with something to say to her, could it really be true? He shook his head, he had to get her and Minerva out of 1969 before he decided on anything. Their safety was first. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to Martha or Minerva...Minerva...

Again, he shook his head and practically forced himself to focus on Billy and the task that had been appropriated to him, "Normally, I'd offer you a lift home, but somebody nicked my motor. So I need you to take a message to Sally Sparrow. And I'm sorry Billy, I am very, very sorry. It's gonna take you a while."

~0~

Minerva's POV.

I sat on the couch, sniffling and sniffling away. My "date" had finished up early, seeing as I just could not be with someone I simply didn't like. Jerome deserved better than that. He was so sweet throughout the whole time, wanting to know what was wrong yet not pushing me to speak. But as much as I wanted to have fun, I couldn't...not when the two people about in my life and I were angry with each other. I had returned home early, wanting to try again and talk, but found the apartment completely empty. They'd gone somewhere without me. So I started to think about everything, as usual, and started crying...

It was getting to be too much...

But then I heard the door opening, and Martha's voice emerging with the Doctor's.

"Minerva, you're back," she gasped lightly, she and the Doctor rounding around the couch.

I quickly wiped my tears and sat up straight, "Y-yeah, I came back early."

"Did you have fun?" she tried to act as if she had been on board for the date from the beginning. Could she not see some of the tears that lingered on my face?

"Yeah, ecstatically fun..."

The Doctor sighed, setting that contraption of his on the table and moving to sit beside me, "Martha, can you leave us for a moment?"

"Are you sure? What are you gonna do?" She seemed a bit surprised for some reason.

"Something," he eyed her, the two sharing a silent moment that only left me confused.

"Okay, I'll be in our room..." she looked at me, "...and I'm sorry, Minerva. Really," she turned and walked away.

"If you're not gonna tell me anything then go away," I scooted away from the Martian.

"Come here," he tried pulling me back.

"No," I shook my head, "You do that and somehow make me all happy again. Not this time. And I know I say that every time I'm crossed with you but this time I mean it. You can't smooth-talk yourself out of this. I demand to know what happened that made Kaeya want to steal my memories."

"I'm gonna tell you what happened."

I glanced at him, carefully looking for any detail in his face that would show he was lying...but I found none, "Really?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

Quietly, I scooted back, putting my hands together on my lap and looking down. I didn't want to blush, I didn't want to fall for his little soft looks, I didn't want him to win me over with some stupid cute manners. No. Not this time. I wanted to know what happened. "You can start now," I mumbled.

"First of all, I don't want you to be angry with Martha. If there's anyone you should be angry with, it's me and only me. I asked her not to say anything. She was only being a friend to me."

"What happened?" I whispered, tired of asking a question that I shouldn't even have to ask about. It should be a given that I should know about it.

"You met someone...and...he fell in love with you."

My head snapped up, eyes wide with shock, "What?"

"You met someone, but you made it clear that you just wanted to be friends...but you were just that amazing that he couldn't help it and he fell in love with you."

"Who...who was it?" I was more than shocked to hear such a story, but even when I looked at the Doctor, I couldn't see any sign that he was lying. Someone...had actually fallen in love with me? Even thinking about it sounded all wrong.

"Um, he was a teacher of the school we hid in. Nice man, good, um, his name was Jack."

"Oh..." I gotta say I was a bit disappointed, yet I didn't know for what exactly, "...did, did I hurt him? Is that what I did? I hurt an innocent man!?"

"No! No! You didn't hurt anyone," he quickly assured, seeing me tense up at the possibility, "He was in danger that last night we were there..." he started smiling, "...but you took care of him."

"And you? Did I take care of you too? Or did I abandon you and Martha?"

"You took care of all of us, Minerva, don't worry."

I nodded, believing it, "So...why did Kaeya steal my memory? Why can't I remember any of that stuff?"

"In the end," his gaze fell for a second, "Words were said, things were done, hearts were broken."

"Oh my god I broke his heart," I put my hand over my chest, feeling horrible. I knew what that felt like, I practically lived with it...and for me to go and do that to some poor man... "I am despicable," I shook my head.

"Don't say that," he said softly, actually looking like I had done nothing wrong and was just a little white dove.

"Doctor, I broke someone's heart, okay? I knew that I would be leaving and yet I let that poor man develop these feelings for me. Is that why Kaeya took my memories? Because I was guilty?"

"She took your memories so that you wouldn't be in pain. She wanted to help you avoid that."

"So she took...pity on me?" I frowned, not sounding so sure that was correct.

"No, not pity..."

"Well, whatever it was, she had no right to do that," I shook my head, my anger diminishing with him and Martha. I wasn't angry with Kaeya either, simply upset she'd taken that liberty that didn't belong to her, "I have a right to remember all these things, no matter how hard it was."

"I know and I'm sorry for that," the Doctor sighed.

"Is there any way to remember those two months?"

"I don't think there is..."

"Oh..." I looked at my hands again, not sure if I should feel guilt for something I couldn't even remember. The fact stood that I had broken someone's heart and I couldn't even remember them.

"But, he's fine, Minerva...he's okay," the Doctor tried to ease my guilt, "He was fine."

"Really?"

He nodded, "Yes. He understood in the end and he was just fine. Now c'mon, no more crying and no more angry Minerva, I don't like her very much."

I smiled dimly, "Me neither..."

"So we're okay now? No more anger?"

"We're good. I just really hope I'll remember one day. I owe it to Jack to remember him." I would've asked to return and find the man but I couldn't dare look him in the face and tell him I couldn't remember him. I couldn't do that to him.

"So you don't have to go on anymore dates to get away from us."

I raised an eyebrow, recalling Martha's words before I left, "Did my date bother you?"

"What!? No!"

"Cause you seem fairly upset..."

"Of course I was upset, you were angry with me. I don't like that."

"Me neither," I admitted shyly. It felt all wrong, but he wouldn't know that. The ego was grow.

"You know what, to make this a little better, why don't we go out for some pastries?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah, we'll get Martha and go have some desserts together."

"And skip a proper dinner?" I pretended to gasp.

He shrugged, "I'm bad like that."

I laughed, "Alright Oncoming Storm, calm down. You'll get a massive toothache if you keep that up," I wagged a finger, about to get up when I noticed his contraption again, "Okay, what the hell is that?" I pointed, plopping back down.

"Hm?"

"That," I pointed at it again.

"Oh!" he reached for it, "It's my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff!" he held it between us, twisting it around for me to see.

"Timey wimey?" I raised an eyebrow, the Doctor nodding like a child, "Ding when there's stuff?" he nodded again, flashy grin on his face, "They should really reconsider the whole 'Oncoming Storm' name," I shook my head, not helping the chuckle I let escape.

"Oi, it's very effective."

"Mhm," I took the device into my hands, "So what are the side effects?"

"Why do you suppose there are some?" He tried playing offended.

"Because you're you. So what is it?"

His face morphed into a pout fairly fast, "It can boil an egg at 30 paces..." he mumbled.

"Whether you want it or not?"

"Yes...hens are not pretty when they blow."

"You're an idiot," I started laughing, feeling him snatch his contraption away.

"Can't be that big of an idiot if it was able to track down Billy Shipton."

"He's here now?" I stopped laughing, knowing we were one step to getting out of here.

"Yeah, and he's got the message and is gonna help us record those Easter Eggs."

"That's great," I stood up, "And you know what? We should go out on a pastry spree to celebrate. I'll get Martha and maybe change a bit," I tugged on the turtleneck I wore, "This isn't very comfortable."

He set the contraption beside him and stood up, "I imagine. I'll wait here, then."

I looked at him for a moment before hugging him, "Thank you."

"What's this for?" he sounded surprised yet still hugged back.

"For telling me what happened, thank you."

"Don't..."

"No, really, thank you. Even if it's bad, I want to know what happened."

"...I'm sorry," he tightened our hug.

"For what?" I pulled away.

"Just...sorry," he looked very sincere that I just nodded and accepted it.

"I'm gonna go get Martha and then we can go, alright?"

"Okay."

I smiled again and turned away, hurrying off for Martha. I burst inside, Martha immediately getting off the bed and hurrying up to me, "Minerva, I'm really sorry," she began, "The Doctor told me not to say anything because he was con-"

"Martha, it's okay," I took her for a surprise hug.

"It...it is?"

"Yeah, I get it now. Completely," I pulled away.

"Really?" she seemed confused yet shocked.

"Yeah. Kaeya just wanted to rid me of my guilt, even if she had no right to do so but I guess it was with a good intention. But the Doctor explained everything. He told me of Jack, the man that fell in love with me."

And suddenly her shock and confusion turned into what one could say was irritation, "Jack?"

"Yeah. That poor teacher I somehow managed to make him love me. I feel terrible for it."

"'Jack' fell in love with you..." she nodded, looking to the side inn thought.

"Yeah, and the Doctor told me he asked you not to say anything. But truthfully, I wasn't actually angry, I was hurt. I thought you chose Kaeya over me..."

"WHAT? Minerva, you know I don't have very good feelings towards the woman," she reminded me, taking my hands, "You're my best friend."

"I know and I feel awful about what I said earlier...so sorry," I hugged her again.

She sighed, "It's alright. I'm sorry too."

"So the Doctor suggested we go get some pastries for dinner," I pulled away and headed for the clothing wardrobe.

"Really?" and there came her usual, teasing tone that I had truthfully missed.

"Yeah, so get your jacket and let's go. I just want a sweater or something," I pulled out a white cardigan, "I hate turtlenecks."

"So this is like a date," she smirked.

"No, because it's us three," I pointed at her.

"Now that you're not angry with us, you should really know how jealous the Doctor was," she made her way over, inspecting the white cardigan I had taken out, "Fuming, I tell you. If you and Jerome hadn't left so quick, he would've been punched in the face."

"Oh come now, Martha, let's not exaggerate," I tried hiding my smile. Now that my head was clear, it was trying to picture the Doctor in his 'fuming' state. I shouldn't be...but I was...

"You know it's true," Martha wagged a finger.

"We were angry with each other, and..."

"And nothing, he was jealous and that's that. And we can work with jealousy."

"What are you thinking of?" I frowned, slightly afraid of her antics with all this jealousy talk.

"Your birthday."

"Martha, that's still a couple weeks away."

"Try two weeks," she tapped my head, "How do you forget that?" But don't you worry, I am gonna find something completely extravagant for you to wear, and it'll make his mouth drop to the ground, possibly the center of the earth."

"Oh Martha," I blushed and moved around her, going for the bathroom we had in the room, "One simple dress won't change anything."

"Hm, you'd be surprised. That's how mum and dad met, actually, don't tell them I told you that," she quickly shook her head, "But I'm serious."

"Tell you what, I'll leave that all up to you because I know there is no power on earth that would get you to reconsider."

"Leave it to your best friend," she shrugged, smiling proudly.

~ 0 ~

I now wore a closed, buttoned up, white cardigan with long sleeves. It was much better than the stupid turtle-neck I had on earlier. Never would I wear those again. Martha and I returned to the living room where the Doctor promptly awaited for us.

"I'm telling you both this right now, I want chocolate," Martha announced, "I don't care what it is, cupcakes, cake, brownies, just make it chocolate."

"Yes ma'am," I saluted to her.

"Shall we go, then?" the Doctor gestured to the door.

"Yes," we both answered him with grins.

We made our way down to the streets which were crowded with people. Martha moved beside me, cautiously watching for the first bakery we found that was open and not too crowded.

"Oh, look," the Doctor grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a shop, "They have kittens," he pointed happily.

"Doctor, I'm allergic to kittens," I reminded, although the ones in the basket were actually really adorable. It was a pet shelter, apparently, and the kittens were set up near the display glass.

"I'm not taking you inside," he shrugged, "Just showing you."

"They're adorable," Martha remarked, ignoring us for a second, "Tish had one...then she let it get free," she frowned, "She had one job. Close the door."

I chuckled, "Oh Martha."

"It was adorable! She was named Sparkles."

"Sparkles?" the Doctor and I repeated, both giving her looks.

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" She put her hand on her hip, her expression warning us to be very careful with how we answered.

"No!" We quickly shook our heads.

"Mm, let's just go," she nodded for us to continue, which we quickly did to avoid her sharp look. A moment later, she moved beside me again, whispering some words to me, "Good way of not getting lost," she smirked, eyeing us for some reason.

The Doctor and I were still holding hands.

Martha chuckled when she no doubt saw my face. I hadn't even noticed when that happened.

"Hold down the bluuuush," Martha sing-sang quietly...but I still elbowed her on the side.

Then I glanced at the Martian who was busy looking at the passing shops. I smiled softly and looked straight ahead, for once allowing my blush to continue. This was this was just such a nice moment that I wish would never have to end.

~0~

Late October.

"I'm back!" I called as soon as I entered the apartment, the Doctor and Martha sitting on the couch doing their respectful activities.

"Oh, what you got there?" Martha eyed the big, red squared present I held in my arms.

"Early birthday present from Jerome," I informed as I walked over, setting it on the table, "I wanna open it now!"

"He gave you a present?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, not sounding too fond of it.

"Mhm, he said he and his family we're going out on some one-month trip so he gave me my present in advance," I clapped my hands together, "Can I please open it now?"

Martha chuckled, "It's your birthday present. You can open it whenever you want."

"Oh that's right." And so I started ripping off the wrapping paper, until I could see a box underneath. I gasped at the sight of my new game, especially when I realized just what game it was. "Oh my god!"

"What is it?" Both friends asked. Of course they wouldn't know about it.

"Oh my god..." I passed a hand down the box, "...I haven't seen this in years. It's Wahoo." I looked up with a grin.

"Yahoo?" Martha raised an eyebrow, before sneezing.

"No, Wahoo," I corrected, holding up the game board box for them to see it better. "And bless you by the way. It's this game my grandfather and I used to play when I was a kid. It's so much fun. Oh I can't believe he remembered..."

"You told him about the game?" the Doctor asked.

"Yeah, we were talking and somehow it just came up," I sighed contently, "I love it. Absolutely love it."

"Well how about we play a game, then?" Martha suggested, chuckling when I immediately nodded. "But you'll have to explain to me how to play because I've never seen one of those in my life."

"No problem! Doctor, you wanna join?"

"No," he shook his head, a bit fast too. My excitement faded away as he stood up quickly too. It was almost like he couldn't wait to get out of here.

"Why not?"

"Um..." he stared down at the game board, "...no thank you."

But more than that, he just seemed upset. "Please?" I tried again, hoping that my sweet smile might change his mind. Martha did say - and even the Doctor occasionally -that I could get him to agree to anything whenever I used that smile. "I really wanna show you how to play. Pleeeeease?"

He met my gaze for the longest of minutes. My sweet smile remained as strong as I could make it until finally...

"Fine," he sighed.

I beamed. Before he could change his mind, I reached over for his hand then grabbed the game board to head over to the kitchen. Martha quickly followed behind. I set the game up on the table and carefully placed each marble on their designated row.

"There," I let the dices drop over the board. "Alright, first I'm going to get us some drinks because this can last a while. Be back!" I shot them a wink and hurried out of my chair.

Martha showed up a few seconds later. She had a face that made me worry for my ears because she definitely had something to say. "You know why he's upset, right?" She whispered, coughing slightly.

"No," I shrugged. I poured some orange juice into the three glasses on the counter (because none of us were interested in drinking). "And do you want some aspirin? That's not sounding too well."

"It's just a lousy cold going around," Martha waved me off, coughing a little harder, "But you're too oblivious for your own good, Minerva." She patted my arm, "He's upset that Jerome gave you a present you love."

"So? I'm sure you would've given me a present I would've 'loved'."

"Yeah, with the difference being I'm not after you and Jerome is. He has a crush on you and clearly gave you the game as a way to sneak into your heart," she crossed her arms, "Something the Doctor over there is very much disliking."

"If only he knew he already snuck into my heart," I sighed, sadly smiling. It was the saddest irony of all that he would probably never see.

Jerome might have given me a present that I loved, but I loved more the fact that I got to share it with someone I really cared for. One special Martian who could not understand the concept of the game.

~0~

"Minerva? Minerva!?" Someone shook me gently before coughing quite loudly.

"Mm, what?" I scooted away from my coughing roommate.

"Happy Birthday!"

I opened my eyes, suddenly remembering it was indeed the 31st of October. Halloween...and my birthday. I sat up, seeing Martha grinning widely but with her eyes a red and watery from her cold she acquired a couple days ago.

"Happy birthday!" She threw her arms around me, "Happy birthday, oblivious, clever girl!"

I patted her back and chuckled, "Was this an insult or a compliment?"

She pulled back and grinned, "A compliment of course!"

I shook my head and got out of bed, heading for the wardrobe, "Well thank you."

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" She hopped off the bed and quickly ran over, smacking my hand off the handle piece. "No!"

I rubbed my hand, a small frown on my face, "What?"

"I need you to shower so I can curl your hair," She grabbed the sleeve of my nightie and pulled me for the bathroom.

"You realize we don't have a curler right?"

"I've got pins to die for!" She opened the door and pushed me inside then returned to the drawers. She pulled out a new white nightie with a white-silver robe.

"I'm gonna wear pajamas all day on my birthday?" I raised an eyebrow, my hands out for the new pair of clothes.

"Just until it's time to go out tonight. I thought we could spend the day here," she walked over, coughing into her arm.

"You know we don't have to even go out tonight," I watched her sadly, "You're sick and-"

"I'll be fine," she waved me off and handed me the clothes, "Now go shower."

I sighed and did as told, going to shower as my best friend ordered.

~0~

"All set," Martha stepped back, allowing me to finally stand up, "I should get a medal because I calculated the right amount of bobby-pins needed to hold up all that long hair of yours."

Martha had pinned up all my hair with about three packs of bobby-pins. There were only a few strands that fell to the sides of my face, but overall she did do a good job considering the amount and length of my hair.

I closed my robe and headed for the door, my stomach grumbling since an hour ago, "Can we please eat now?"

She chuckled, following behind, "Alright, alright, what do you want?" She sneezed.

"Bless you."

"Thank you."

"I think I'll make you something," I shook my head, "Maybe chicken soup."

"No, no, you can't cook on your birthday."

"What? Do my hands magically stop working because it's my birthday?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Sit," I plopped her down on a chair of the kitchen table, "How about some nice french toast?"

We heard the door opening as I walked to the cupboards, a small smile escaping my lips as I thought of how the Martian would greet me. So I felt it odd that silence fell over, save for a pair of footsteps...until a pair of hands covered my eyes.

"Guess who?"

I smiled bigger, "Um...a ridiculous, banana-loving alien?"

"No..."

I could just imagine his pout behind me, "A Martian?"

"You just know how to ruin this, don't you?" the Doctor lowered his hands and spun me around, allowing me to see his big grin, "Hello."

"Hi," I replied, a stupid blush already working on my face.

"It's a nice day, isn't it?" He looked out the window above the sink.

"Yeah, looks sunny."

"Hm, that's nice..." he stuffed his hands in his pockets, acting oh-so-casual as he moved around me.

That's when I saw a bag on the table that Martha was eyeing silently. Poor thing was so sick she didn't even have enough focus to make her usual pep talks about the Doctor and I.

"What's this?" I walked for the table, first of all placing a hand on Martha's forehead, "No fever yet. Still in business" She smiled, "But this bag smells pretty nice..." I leaned on the table, peering over the bag and getting a whiff of strawberries, "Mmm."

"Well I thought I could make some nice breakfast..." the Doctor began, but flinched when Martha and I yelled out a 'NO'.

"Sorry, but...we don't want an accident," I turned to him, offering him a kind smile. He could save the world but he failed miserably at cooking.

"We're just teaching you how to use a blender right now," Martha added.

"Let's not argue kids," I gestured them to calm down.

"Not today," the Doctor agreed, pulling another grin, "Because..." His grin turned into a playful smile.

I couldn'thelp the huge grin that broke across my face upon his look. "...it's my birthday?" Alright, maybe I liked the extra attention I was about to get today. Dud that sound selfish?

The Doctor nodded and rushed up to hug me. I laughed when his arms winded around my waist for a spinning hug. "Happy birthday!" He exclaimed.

"Thank you!" I said when he set me down. We turned back for the table and the first thing I saw was Martha smirking at us. Of course when her coughing fits returned, she didn't have the opportunity to comment.

"So I brought breakfast," the Doctor gestured to the bag on the table.

"What is it?" Martha nearly demanded, seeming as though she had been trying to figure that out this whole time.

"I believe they were Strawberry crepes with whip cream."

Martha nearly ripped the bag open.

"Martha!" I laughed, the woman bashfully looking at us while holding the plastic box.

"Sorry, birthday girl goes first," she held the box to us.

"No, birthday girl's sick best friend goes first," I took the box from her and placed it on the table in front of her, "Do you want some coffee?"

"No, tea," she corrected.

"Right, yes," I opened the box for her, "Doctor, what about you?" I glanced back and found him staring at us with a soft smile. "Are you gonna want some?" Still silence. "Doctor!"

He blinked and shook his head, "Yes! What's going on?"

"You had that look again," I walked up to him.

"What look?" He still seemed to be shaken up for some reason.

"That look I told you about," I smiled, moving around him, "I was just asking if you wanted some coffee or tea for breakfast."

"Oh, um...surprise me," he joined me as I took out milk from the fridge, followed by maple syrup, "What are you doing?"

"I like to put maple syrup in my coffee," I shrugged.

"Isn't that like a supplement for caramel?" Martha called, also confused.

"Maybe, I don't know. Point is, I like maple syrup in my coffee, not caramel."

"You're strange," the Doctor remarked, making me scoff.

"Says the 903 year old alien who lives in a box," I smirked.

"You live in that box as well."

I rolled my eyes and started on my work, "Go bring Martha a fork so she can eat."

"I don't need to be babied, guys," Martha sighed when the Doctor brought her the fork. "Thanks," she took it from him. "I've got a cold but I don't feel so bad."

"Yet," I said.

"Hey, I was able to pin up all that hair of yours without taking a break so I don't think I'm that sick. But perhaps a hair cut would be nice enough to make it easier."

"Oh no!" I shook my head, shooting her a sharp look, "My hair shall always stay long. My mother always tried making me cut it and I never did except for the tips. I wouldn't be me without my long hair."

"Yeah but all I'm saying is maybe a tad shorter?" she tried again.

"Noooo. I'd have to be completely mad to cut my hair. Either that or I'd have to be brainwashed."

She just laughed.

"So if I'm ever sick or just not me, I trust both of you to stop such a monstrosity," I pointed at both of them, the pair simply nodding, "Thank you."

A couple minutes later, I returned with two teas and a coffee. Martha coughed again, sounding like she was actually in pain.

"Martha, are you sure you don't want to go lay in bed?" I asked, standing beside her with my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine," she waved me off, "Just-" And then she sneezed.

"-sick," I finished for her, shaking my head, "Doctor, don't you have something to make her feel better?"

"Just the usual things," he shrugged, "Recommendations to stay in bed and eat some soup. If I had the TARDIS..."

"I don't want to eat soup. I want my two friends to sit with me and eat breakfast to celebrate my best friend's birthday," Martha motioned for us to take our seats, "Now."

We sighed and took our seats, the Doctor reaching for his tea while I took out the rest of the food and set it for us.

I grabbed the maple syrup bottle and poured some into my mug. I almost rolled my eyes when I saw them both giving me weird looks,."What?" I set the bottle on the table.

"That can't be good," the Doctor shook his head.

"Isn't it too sweet?" Martha sipped her tea.

"No, it's just fine," I opened up my box of crepes, but both of them continued giving me the same look. I sighed, "Here, one of you try it," I pushed my mug to the center of the table.

"No thank you," Martha dug into her breakfast, "I'll get you sick."

"Doctor?" I pushed my mug to him, my sweet smile ready to go.

Martha smirked as the Martian reached for my mug. I dug my fork into my own meal, watching him slowly drink my coffee.

"This, um..." he started making faces, distasteful ones. I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs and grabbing a forkful of my food, "...it's, uh...not so goo-" I shoved my fork into his mouth as soon as his head turned to me.

Martha burst out laughing.

The Doctor made more faces as he struggled to chew the massive amount of food in his mouth, poor thing glancing at me with a pout. I smirked, raising an eyebrow as if daring him to say something to me. Of course, he didn't.

It was moments like these that made my heart nearly burst of happiness, my birthday just happening to be a small perk.

~0~

"Voila-" Poor Martha coughed and coughed and coughed, barely able to get the last bobby pin out of my hair.

"Martha," I turned to her, walking her for the bed, "I'm serious, we don't need to go out. But what we do need to do is get you in bed so you can get some rest."

"No," she shook her head, stopping us midway, "It's okay, I'll sleep after we come back tonight. But...you look fantastic," she clapped her hands together.

"Thank you," I pushed a strand of my now curly hair behind my ear, "But you need to get some rest."

"After," she waved me off and turned us back for the vanity desk, running her hands through my hair to elongate the curls, "I told you the pins would do it."

"You are remarkable," I nodded, "I've never curled my hair before. Never had the need..."

"Ah, but this time you have a man to stun," she started chuckling, "And believe me, you definitely will."

"I dress for myself, thank you very much," I turned to her, "Impressing someone comes after your own concept of yourself."

"Nicely said."

"But in all honesty, thank you for your gift," I turned for the mirror, gazing upon my new dress, "It's so pretty!"

"Thought you might like it," she crossed her arms, "It just spoke 'Minerva'."

I wore a baby pink dress that reached above my knees which was once again shorter than what I was used to. It was sleeveless with a diagonally draped bodice and a deep v-neckline on the back. There was a more decent one in the front. It had a wide silver band under the bust with shiny silver thread accents. The skirt was flowy and lined, creating a more princess style. I wore open-toed silver heels with the the buckle at the ankle; they were actually very comfortable. My hair was left down, its length slightly shortened with it being curled, and only a silver clip holding a section back on the left side of my head.

I absolutely adored it! My best friend was amazing and no one could tell me otherwise.

"Thank you so much!" I spun around to give Martha the biggest hug possible.

She chuckled, breaking into a cough in the end sadly, "You're...welcome."

I pulled away, "And be sure to wear a jacket. In fact," I walked over to pull one out, not about to let her go out into the night without a jacket.

"Yes, mum," she saluted.

"That's mOm," I teased.

"Muuuum," she walked over, taking the red jacket from me.

"Mooooom."

"What are you gonna do when your kids call you mum?" She raised an eyebrow, a playful teasing smile spreading on her face, only making my stomach churn with the guess of what she would be saying next. "I mean, unless the Doctor suddenly turns American, your mini-yous are so gonna be English."

"Martha!" I pushed her away, blushing madly at the thought of the Martian and I having...kids. That was both uncomfortable and freaky...not to mention utterly impossible.

"What?" Martha laughed, "It could happen," she shrugged, "Though it better not be anytime soon."

"Martha Elizabeth Jones!"

"Elizabeth isn't my middle name..." she blinked.

"I don't know what it is so I just put one to emphasize how discontent I am with your words!"

"Maybe you should name your daughter Elizabeth!" She gasped, seeing how much of a kick she was getting out of me.

I rolled my eyes and walked past her, taking the keys off the desk and heading for the door, "Knock it off, Martha Jones."

"What? No Elizabeth? Is that reserved for your little brunette? Because she would so be brunette."

"MARTHA!"

"And how about the boy, eh? What would you name him? Or...how does a Time Lord name their kids?" She was actually thinking of all that stuff, truly. "How would you name them? Give them an Earth name and then...what, a title?"

"We are not discussing this!" I snapped, abruptly turning to her. She bumped into me as a result. "It's impossible, okay? It can never happen," I mumbled and walked for the living room. The Doctor was coming out of the kitchen just then.

"But seriously!" Martha insisted. She was genuinely curious, I knew, but that was the last thing I wanted to be talking about in front of the Doctor.

"Martha!" I shouted, dropping the keys to the floor in the process.

"Oh come now, Martha, you're not allowed to fight with the birthday girl," the Doctor came over and bent down for the keys. I stuck my tongue out at Martha in victory. She merely rolled her eyes at me. "She needs to be hap..."

He just...stopped.

"Something wrong?" Martha moved beside me with the usual smirk crossing her face.

When Zian trailed me over, the only thing I wanted to do was to run away. I wanted to hide, to desperately avoid his look, his eyes and yet...when the Doctor did it, my heart skipped about five beats then proceeded to skip at light speed. He picked up the keys off the floor, his gaze stuck on my ankles, traveling up my legs, to my dress, and finally my face. By that point, I must have been red.

"Wow..." He breathed when he was finally standing up.

"I did good, didn't I?" Martha raised an eyebrow, glancing between us.

My heart continued skipping beats, my face feeling like it was the hottest day of the summer, my breath short as I tried to breathe like a normal human being...all because of one Martian's stupid gaze.

"I...look okay?" was my genius question.

"Y-yeah!" He nodded fairly fast, making me smile, "You look stunning."

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself," I trailed his black and white suit, "You look...good."

"Yeah, still uneasy about the whole black tie thing because as we all know..." He swayed his head as we all recalled Lazarus.

"Well this time there's no aliens around except for you," I reminded him.

"You'd have to screw up seriously big this time," Martha crossed her arms.

"I won't," he assured, "And the keys?" He held them for us.

"You should keep them, neither of have pockets," I said.

"Right." And so he stuffed them in his own pocket, "Shall we get going, then?"

"Where exactly are we going?" I looked between him and Martha, this whole night having been kept a secret by both of them even after my pleads and begs to know about it.

"Secret," they both answered, the Doctor linking arms with me while Martha walked for the door.

"But my curiosity-"

"Always gets the best of you," they finished for me, "We know!"

I frowned, "Can't I please have a clue?"

"Nope!"

"But-"

"Nope!"

And so that's how I was dragged out into the streets, on Halloween, blindfolded the whole time. If they wanted to leave me somewhere, they very well could've done so. Too bad for them I knew my way back home. From a distance, I could hear some music playing, voices becoming closer as well. As we neared, the voices became louder with live music.

"Where are we? Did we go to a Halloween party because neither of us are dressed for it," I frowned as we kept walking.

"Shush!" they both replied.

I huffed and kept walking.

"Okay," the Doctor said, suddenly stopping us, "Are you ready?"

"No, I seriously love the fact I can't see anything."

"Stop being moody," Martha scolded, coughing in the end.

"1..." the Doctor began counting, "...2..."

"3!" they both exclaimed, the blindfold falling off my eyes.

"Wow..." I blinked, looking around the rather large dance floor ahead of us.

It was a public event, by the looks of it. People were dancing on the dance floor, a live performance from a stage at the head of it. There were several stands of games where children and their parents were at, a little blonde girl standing out actually...couldn't place my finger on it, though. There was an iced-lake down the hill, snow covering the surroundings except for the dance floor. It was all decorated with what seemed like Christmas lights, that hung from poles of streetlights.

"This is...wow," I stepped forwards, the little blonde girl squealing with joy as she apparently won something. She was even dressed like a raggedy doll.

The Doctor moved beside me, looking around, "It might not be the best place in all of the galaxy...but I thought it could come in as a close second, maybe?" he sighed, "I thought it was pretty, but...I mean...it might not be, I understand..."

"Doctor you better shush it because this is amazing!" I turned and hugged him, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he hugged back, sounding surprised.

"Martha," I parted a little and held out an arm for her, "Come here, thank you so much," she walked over and joined the hug, "You two are so amazing, I love you both."

"Happy birthday," they replied.

I pulled away and turned for the party, "Where do we start first?"

Martha sneezed rather loudly, "Sorry," she sniffled, her nose becoming stuffy by the tone of her voice.

"Martha, are you sure-"

'NO," she put her hand on my mouth, "Offer to make me chicken soup one more time and I'll throw you into that lake."

"But...it's iced," I glanced at the lake.

"Exactly," she smirked.

"Okay, no soup," I stepped back.

"Perhaps a dance?" she looked between us, "Everyone's doing it."

"There's three of us, and I don't like one of us staying alone," I crossed my arms.

"Oh I won't be alone," she smirked, beginning to walk away.

"Martha?" I turned after her, watching her go up to a man and tap his shoulder.

"Martha!" the young man turned around, quickly hugging her.

I gaped, "Excuse me?"

"That's Brad," the Doctor nodded, "Nice man. Seems good for Martha...if he wasn't from 1969."

'But...but...wait a minute," I shook my head, going up to the pair, the Doctor behind, "Martha Elizabeth Jones, what on earth is this?"

"Elizabeth's your middle name?" 'Brad' and the Doctor asked her.

"No," she smiled, though smirked at me, "This is Brad Ives, a co-worker of mine."

"When did this happen?" I gestured to the linked arms they now shared.

"About two days ago, told him it was your birthday and that he should show up," she grinned, "I didn't want to be a third wheel."

"It's nice to meet you," Brad held out his hand for me to shake, "Minerva Souza, Martha's best friend."

"Yeah...hello," I shook his hand, my gaze stuck on him.

He was handsome, I'll give her that. He was tall, reaching the same height as the Doctor. He had deep blue eyes and dark brown hair. The woman had good taste.

"Happy birthday," he smiled.

"Thank you," I smiled back, still confused of all this.

Martha coughed, "So," she cleared her throat afterwards, "Now we can all dance!"

"You shouldn't even be out here," Brad commented, making her frown and me beam.

"I told her that too," I crossed my arms.

"Iced lake, Minerva," she reminded, tugging Brad to the dance floor.

"What's with the iced lake?" he asked her, the pair distancing from us.

"Did you know about this?" I turned to the Doctor, demanding of him.

"Well...yeah," he looked around to avoid my look, "...she asked me not to say anything. She wanted to surprise you."

"Who is he? How old is he? Is he a respectable, good man? Is he rude? Have they gone on a date, yet?"

"Okay, Martha's mum," he took my hand, "Why don't you let the kids have their moment and allow me to take you for a dance?"

"And you're sure you won't step on me?"

"I didn't the last time," he shrugged.

"You mean China? Cause you kinda did."

He blinked, like he had committed an error for some reason, "Uh, yeah, yeah...so, care to dance with me?"

"That depends..."

"On?"

"You tell me who the hell Brad Ives is."

He chuckled, leading me to the dance floor, "Alright, gosh you're so over protective of Martha."

He wound an arm around my waist, our other hands joining together, "It's only fair. She takes care of me so I do the same," I shrugged.

"He's nice, I've met him a couple of times, seems to like her."

"So why hadn't I heard about him, then?"

"Ask Martha," he shrugged.

"You both need to stop keeping things away from me," I warned.

"You know we're sorry about that whole Kaeya fiasco."

I nodded, accepting his sincerity, "I told you, I forgive both of you. But I'm still a bit upset with Kaeya. I'll have to have a word with her when she comes back."

"...right."

"Do you think she will?" I suddenly asked, my curiosity getting the best of me...and my jealousy. I had no idea what I was gonna do when that princess showed up in the TARDIS. Well, the first thing was demand for the return of my memories. After that would be my simple heartbreak.

"Think what?"

"Do you think Kaeya will come back?" I asked again, quieter this time, "I know she said she would, but...it's been months and nothing."

"Maybe it takes a little longer."

"Are you happy she's coming back?"

"Can we...not talk about Kaeya, please?" he asked, sounding upset at the mention.

"Um...sure, sorry."

"It's your birthday, Minerva. I already screwed up by not having you with your grandmother today and I don't want you to get upset with a woman who didn't have the right to steal your memories."

"Okay," I nodded, suddenly replaying his words, "Hold on, you don't feel bad that we're still in 1969, do you?"

He looked away, "Well let's see, I got us purposely sent here and haven't gotten us out yet so...yeah."

"Doctor, you said it yourself, if we didn't do this then perhaps that Sally Sparrow could've been harmed. You did the right thing."

"But you're not with your grandmother on your birthday."

"So? I'm here with you and Martha, best present ever. My grandmother was with me for fourteen birthdays. I'm glad I got to spend one with you and Martha," I smiled, "Best one yet."

He smiled softly, his eyes looking past me then, "But you know what, I was able to sort of mend my error."

"How so?"

"Come along, Souza!" he yanked me out of the dance floor. I yelped and tried not to trip with his sudden run.

"Doctor, where are we going?" I exclaimed, nearly bumping into a woman on the way, "Sorry!" I called after her.

"Right here," he stopped, causing me to hit his back, "Oops, sorry," he moved me beside him, "Mrs. Lozano?" he called.

"Mrs what?" I shot him a look.

He gestured ahead as a blonde woman turned around, a two year old boy in her arms. But I recognized that two year old, and that blonde woman...

"Gr-grandma?" I choked out the word.

"Excuse me?" she seemed amused at my reaction.

"Minerva, I'd like you to meet some new friends I made today," the Doctor stepped over to the woman, "This is Isadora Lozano, and this-" he toyed with the toddler's hand, "-is little Aaron Lozano. Isadora, Aaron, this is my good friend, Minerva Souza."

I just...stared. I had no idea what to even think of this, how to process this...

"Nice to meet you," my grandmother held out her hand for me to shake.

"N-nice to meet you too," I couldn't stop staring at her face.

She was young. I mean, not that young, but middle-aged. Her blonde hair fell to her shoulders, her deep jade-green eyes filled with nurture as they were in my time. Her face wasn't wrinkled, her hands were soft and warm. She was...so beautiful.

"I met Isadora today in a shop," the Doctor explained, "Apparently, they're on a vacation with their children."

"They?" I repeated, immediately knowing who else was with them, "Grandpa?"

"Is she okay?" my grandmother asked the Doctor.

"Misses her grandparents," he waved her off, "Minerva?"

"Sorry," I stepped over, seeing little uncle Aaron hold out his hand for me.

"Shake!" He exclaimed, making me smile.

"Sorry little guy, hello," I took his small hand and shook it.

"Isadora? I think we need to go, Sophia fell asleep." A voice I hadn't heard in years called.

A slightly older man, with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes walked over, carrying a six-year-old blonde girl in his arms who was indeed asleep

"Oh, hello, John," he smiled at the Doctor.

I stumbled back, the Doctor quickly going to my side and aiding me before I fell back, "Oh my god..." I whispered. I'm sure I must have looked like a bug with these wide eyes of mine.

"Happy birthday," the Doctor whispered to me and dropped a kiss to my hair.

"Hello," I greeted my grandfather, my eyes tearing up very fast.

"Oh, hello," he turned around with a smile on his face.

"Alan, this is my friend I was talking about," the Doctor said, "This is Minerva Souza."

"The one who likes to see the stars as well?"

"Yes."

"Oh, very nice to meet you then," he moved to shake my hand but with 'Sophia' in his arms, it wasn't very possible.

"Oh, here," the Doctor stepped up, taking the girl into his arms for a second, knowing what it would mean to me to actually greet my grandfather, "There we go."

My grandfather looked at him with confusion but apparently had good trust in him. He held out his hand for me but I couldn't just shake his hand. I went up and hugged him. "Hello," I whispered with more tears falling down my face.

He wasn't even bothered that some girl was hugging him and crying. Instead, he just chuckled, "Hello! A hugger I see? Sophia's like that too, she has to hug everyone."

"Me too!" little Aaron inputted.

"Yes, he too," my grandfather agreed.

I closed my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath before I forcefully had to pull away from him, "Sorry...hello."

"Hello," he repeated, still not bothered.

I looked him over, smiling so brightly, "It...it was very nice to meet you." I bit my lip, the words meaning so much for me that I just burst into sobs right there and then.

"Oh my," my grandmother gasped lightly, "Is she alright?"

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" My grandfather took me into his arms again.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." But I couldn't finish the sentence. There was nothing left to say, it was him. The grandfather I mourned for deeply, the one I missed terribly...and here he was, hugging me.

"It's her 18th birthday, she's a bit emotional," the Doctor explained, watching us with a sad smile.

"Oh, and you're crying?" My grandfather asked me, "You can't have that. I always say-"

"Crying makes the stars sad," We said simultaneously.

"Hey, where'd you get that from?" He frowned, disappointed I'd taken his phrase, "I say that to my kids all the time."

"Even though it makes no sense," My grandmother scolded him, moving up beside us.

"Yet it makes them happy so I've done my job," he shrugged.

I looked between them, their silly, short arguments returning to me from my childhood. They weren't even arguments, more like ways to piss off one another for five minutes then say 'I love you' for the next hour.

"Aaron says he's gonna travel to see the stars," the Doctor suddenly said, Aaron nodding happily.

He spoke baby apparently.

"I'm sure you will," I tugged on the toddler's hand, "Just you wait."

"Are you feeling better?" My grandfather questioned me, "No more crying?"

"Yeah, sorry," I wiped my face, "Emotional...and all..."

"Well, happy birthday, Minerva," my grandmother stepped up and hugged me, little Aaron trying to do the same.

"Thank you."

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," my grandfather hugged me next. As soon as I felt his arms, I hugged him back tighter, "May you receive all the gifts you want."

Already done.

He stepped back, turning to the Doctor who handed him back the sleeping six year old in his arms, "Better get back to the hotel, now."

"What's her name?" I asked, gazing upon my sleeping mother.

"Sophia."

"Lovely name," I smiled, watching my grandfather brush a blonde lock away from her face.

"Well, we'll be going now," my grandmother said, "The kids need sleep and all."

"Nice to see you again," the Doctor waved as they walked away.

"Just...how?" I whispered, staring after them until I couldn't see them anymore.

"I was at a shop, and then a two year old wanted to take away my banana," he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "This feisty little toddler just demanded to have my banana. You know, I'm pretty sure he cursed in Spanish."

I chuckled, my uncle was known for his remarkable ability to curse in several languages.

"So then his mother comes along, Isadora, and immediately apologizes for her son's potty mouth. Though between you and me, Aaron wasn't very sorry."

"What are they doing here?"

"Vacation. The family always wanted to visit London so here they are..."

"That was my grandfather," I pointed, taking a deep breath, "My grandfather. The one I watched the stars with. The one that taught me how to ride a bike...the one that read me a bedtime story and even acted out some parts...that was him. Him."

"You okay?" The Doctor turned to me.

I looked at him, showing him my watery eyes. No, I wasn't okay but I wasn't terrible either. There was just no way to describe how I felt seeing my grandfather after such a long time processing his death. But though as impatient as I knew that the Doctor was, he didn't say anything and he didn't move. He just waited for me to answer.

"Can I please get a hug?" I asked him in a frail whisper.

"Of course," he smiled. He wrapped his arms around me, unknowingly giving me that type of support that only he was capable of. I felt his chin rest lightly over my head and his hand soothingly rubbing my back.

"He died..." I sniffled quietly.

"I know."

"I was at the burial..."

"I know."

"I miss him so much!"

"But he's never actually gone," he reminded, "In our time, anywhere actually, he's just watching out for you and his family. Didn't you tell me that?"

"Yeah, but I just saw him," I pulled away, "He was right here, he was talking."

"Who's to say he's not doing that in the afterlife?"

"You believe in the afterlife?"

"A good friend is persuading me to."

I smiled, "Doctor, this was incredible. Thank you. I will not live to repay you for this."

"I don't want a payment, I want you to be happy. I told you, didn't I? I intend for you to be happy. So I've got one last thing to give you before I call it a night."

"What? Another gift?"

"What do you mean another?" he frowned, "This wasn't it."

"But...but that was my grandfather, alive."

"Yeah, I would've showed you them anyways. Your birthday just happened to be today. No, I've got your real present right here," he patted his inside coat.

"What is it?"

"Come along," he took my hand and led us away.

And on our way, passing by the tables, I saw Martha and Brad...kissing.

"Martha Elizabeth Jones!" I nearly shouted, moving to break them apart.

"Oh no you don't, Mum," the Doctor gripped my hand and forced me to keep moving.

"But they're kissing!" I hissed.

"Yes, in public, meaning that's the only thing they'll be doing. So relax."

"But-"

"Relax."

I frowned and desisted in my attempts. We walked down the small hill, stopping in front of the iced lake.

"I hope you don't plan on pushing me out there because unlike the Monsoon, I will fall," I informed.

"No, I just liked the place, that's all. Plus, look," he pointed up.

I looked up and saw the sky with its stars, far more than the ones at my grandmother's house, "Oh..."

"Happy birthday, Minerva," he declared and when I looked back to him, he held out a small, black, rectangular box in his hand. “Minerva,” he called and when I looked back, he was holding a black, rectangular box in his hands. Before I could ask about it, he started talking. “Minerva, the name originating from the Goddess of war and wisdom, has many layers. How so I describe each one? I can't. She's classic, she's the moon and the stars, and she's my companion. She's my best friend. And today's the day that the universe decided she would be born. Happy birthday Minerva Souza.”

My eyes teared up again at such sweet words that I’m sure no one would ever say to me, and if they did...it wouldn’t hold a candle to the way the Doctor delivered the words.

I gingerly took the gift from him. "What is it?"

"Take it and open it up," he instructed with sarcasm.

I pulled the lid off to find a silver necklace neatly tucked inside. It was dark silver with a small chain holding a circular pendant. I picked it up, finding some symbols on the front of the pendant, strangely familiar because as I recalled...

"What's this, Doctor?" I gestured to the symbols.

"Uh...see...I thought, you'd like to know, maybe...how your name would look if it was written in a new language."

"Well, what language is it?" I asked, holding it right in front of me to get a closer look.

"Mine," he said and my eyes immediately snapped to him. "It's mine, the language..." he cleared his throat, "It's mine. Gallifreyan."

"I knew it," I started smiling, "This is wonderful!"

"So you like it?"

"Mhm, it's so pretty!" I held the pendant in my palm, all the crazy symbols just making me smile at the effort he must have put into this, "You translated my name into your language?" He nodded, "Wow...this is beautiful, really, really beautiful. Thank you."

"It was because of that-" he pointed to the necklace, "-that I met Isadora and Aaron. I just needed the chain and went to a shop..."

"How did you even make this?"

"With effort and motivation," he shrugged, "And the look on your face was my motivation."

"I was your motivation?"

"Yeah, and I'm glad to see you liked it."

"No, no, I love it," I handed him the box and started fastening the necklace around my neck, "This is never coming off."

"It looks beautiful on you," he remarked and I silently thanked the heavens it was dark enough to hide my blush perfectly.

If he did all these sweet things for me...doesn't that mean something? Would it mean that Kaeya perhaps wasn't his choice? Could I dare to think this possibility...?

~0~

"Over here," I flicked on the lights as the Doctor entered the apartment, a half-asleep Martha in his arms.

Poor thing was just so sick now.

"Martha, we're bringing you to bed now," the Martian informed as he headed for the hallways while I closed the door with lock.

"Mhm...Brad?"

"No!" I shouted, following after them.

The Doctor entered our room first so I quickly went past him to pull the covers of the bed for them, "Maybe now would be a good time for some soup."

"Shut up," Martha muttered, pulling the covers over her and literally sprawling all over the bed.

"Hm," I crossed my arms, "It'll be interesting to find a spot to sleep in."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, going into a coughing fit.

"I told her we shouldn't have gone out," I sighed, moving up and placing a hand over her forehead, feeling no fever yet.

"I'll go to the living room," she started moving up.

"No!"

"You and I can't share the room because you'll get sick," she tried to argue before sneezing.

"I'm not gonna let my best friend, who is sick as dog, sleep on the couch. Lay down, and go to sleep."

"I'm not gonna let my best friend take the couch on her birthday."

"Martha!"

"Minerva!"

"No arguing," the Doctor cut in, "Minerva, you take my room, I'll take the living room. There. Martha, you stay in bed and try to get some sleep."

She nodded, coughing again, "Okay."

"Doctor, you don't have to," I whispered as Martha laid down again, pulling the covers over her.

"Sh," he put a finger on his lips, nodding to the woman on the bed.

"Martha?" I glanced back.

Silence.

She had fallen asleep.

"We're gonna need to take her to a doctor tomorrow," I informed the Martian, "A human one, anyways."

"Ha, ha," he headed for the door.

"No, wait," I reached to stop him, about to make another insistence on me taking the couch when I yawned as well.

"I'll get my things out of my room for you," he smiled and walked out.

I sighed, feeling too tired to just go and follow. I'd get changed, make my argument, then fall on the couch dead asleep. The public dance party tired me out completely. After the little presents the Doctor had given me, we returned to the dance floor, actually danced both slow and fast songs. Then, along with Martha and Brad, we moved onto the game stands, gone out to eat, and just taken walks around the city, seeing what else we could do. It was just lovely!

I don't think any birthday would ever compare to this one.

After checking up on Martha one more time, I walked for the Doctor's room. I had changed into a my white nightie once more and pulled over my silver robe. I braided my hair to the side as I knocked on the Martian's room.

"Come in!"

I opened the door and walked inside, "I came to say I'm just fine in the living room."

"None of that," he wagged a finger, his other hand tugging off his tie, "I don't even need the same amount of sleep as you two do."

"Yeah, but I also know you haven't been sleeping lately because of the Sally Sparrow dilemma, so you'll be needing some sleep tonight," I finished braiding my hair and clapped my hands, "So, I'll take that couch and that's that. Besides, I've slept in a desert, on the ground. A comfy, cushiony couch is far too big of a step up!"

He rolled his eyes, "Take that step outside and I'll personally drag you back in here."

"Oh, scary Martian," I teased.

"How's Martha?"

"Oh, asleep," I walked over to the bed, plopping down, "'But she's coughing like crazy. Still no fever so I guess that's good. No infection or anything."

"We'll take care of her tomorrow," he promised.

I yawned, "You can take the morning shift."

He went around the room, gathering his things for the night, discreetly pulling out his pajamas that would tell me he was planning on actually sleeping tonight.

"Where's my toothbrush?" he looked around.

I glanced back, seeing said toothbrush on one of his nightstand's. I crawled up and reached for it, "Right here!"

"How'd you find it?" he frowned, walking over and taking it.

"Because I actually look for my things. And why is your toothbrush in here and not in the bathroom?" I nodded towards the door on our left.

"Um...I forgot to bring it back?"

"Men," I rolled my eyes.

"I'm gonna go brush my teeth and get changed then I'll leave, alright?"

"But I told you-"

And then he pushed me down, "Yeah, goodnight," he turned away for the bathroom.

"That was rude!" I called after him, throwing a pillow that nearly got him but instead hit the door.

I turned to the side, actually liking the comfiness. And also, it tended to give off the Doctor's scent, making me feel like he was still here. I closed my eyes, smiling as I breathed in that minty scent of his, wishing he could actually be right here. Perhaps, one day, if he miraculously returned my feelings, we could be like this...together, sleeping in each other's arms.

But he wouldn't. He couldn't. Kaeya was still out there, coming back to him...and he loved her. Of course he'd stay with her. Perhaps they'd even sleep in the same room, just like this one, in the TARDIS, in each other's arms. I put a hand to my chest, squeezing my eyes tighter as it pained me to think of that. How would I live with those two around? I still had my doubt whether or not to stay in the box of wonders. Part of my screamed 'yes' because it would be the most practical things to do. But another part didn't want to let go. But I knew my heart wouldn't be able take that amount of pain. I wouldn't be able to live with the Doctor and Kaeya, knowing how much they loved each other and would always do. Leaving seemed like the smartest thing to do...

"Minerva, there's more blankets if..." the Doctor had returned, but I maintained my eyes closed.

These stupid thoughts were threatening to show their consequences and frankly, I didn't feel like crying on my birthday. I wanted to sleep and that's it. So I kept my eyes shut, hoping to fool the Martian so he'd leave and let me finally fall asleep. But something else happened instead.

The covers were pulled over me, up to my shoulders. The bed shuffled a bit and I assumed he had taken a seat beside me, his hand brushing the side of my face.

"Happy birthday, clever, sassy girl," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I thought that would be the end of it and he'd go on his way...but he didn't.

The bed shuffled once more and then I felt his hand repeatedly trailing down and up the side of my face, his scent growing stronger and stronger due what I assumed was him nearing. I was sure my racing heart would give me away that I was faking to be asleep but he didn't notice it.

And then it happened.

My lips felt something pressed up against them, something soft, something warm. My eyes snapped open to see it was him, the Doctor, kissing me...on the lips...out of his free will. His eyes were closed for the moment, unable to see my fake 'sleepiness'. And for some reason, I decided to let him continue to believe that. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to try and stay calm. But how could I!?

He pulled away from his short kiss, the cold October air once again taking control of mine, and he sighed, "...I wish you'd remember."

The bed shuffled once more as he got up, heaving another heavy sigh as his footsteps distanced themselves from the bed, until the door was opened and shut. A couple of minutes passed before I opened my eyes.

What had happened? What was I supposed to remember?

While all these questions popped into my head, I sat up, my fingers went up to my lips as they curved into a smile, my heart racing with joy.

He had kissed me. There was no apology, no explanation, no anticipation...nothing. He had kissed me because he wanted to. And this time, this time, I would not be too' sweet' nor too 'oblivious'. This time, I'd speak out my feelings. Because if he decided to kiss me like this, hidden, it was because he had something hidden in his hearts...

...and I was determined to discover it.

~0~

London, 2007.

Sally Sparrow and Larry Nightingale sat in the old abandoned house in which Sally had found the Doctor's message in. There was a portable DVD player which Larry had brought which held the mysterious Easter Eggs of the Doctor...and two other women.

"Okay, this is the one with the clearest sound. Slightly better picture quality on this one, but I don't..." Larry was fiddling with the DVD player.

"Doesn't matter," Sally waved it off.

"Okay. There he is."

"The Doctor."

"Who's the Doctor?"

"He's the Doctor."

"Yep. That's me," the Doctor on the monitor said, startling Sally.

"Okay, that was scary."

"No, it sounds like he's replying, but he always says that," Larry said, though he was a bit freaked out himself. Out of all the times he'd seen those videos, not once had anyone concurred with the man on the monitor.

"Yes, I do," the Doctor continued.

"And that," Larry pointed.

"Yep, and this."

"He can hear us. Oh, my God, you can really hear us!" Sally exclaimed.

"Of course he can't hear us. Look! I've got a transcript, see, everything he says," Larry showed Sally the transcript, "Yep, that's me". "Yes, I do". "Yep, and this". Next it's..."

"Are you going to read out the whole thing?"

"Sorry."

"Who are you?" Sally asked, choosing to ignore the fact Larry had concurred with him too.

"I'm a time traveler. Or I was. I'm stuck in 1969."

"We're stuck," a brunette women smacked him on the arm before heaving a sigh.

"I thought you weren't mad anymore!"

"Never said that," she pointed at him.

Another woman moved into the screen, smacking the man on his other arm, "All of space and time, he promised me. Now I've got a job in a shop, she's got a job in a department store, and we've got to support him!"

"Martha! Minerva!" he shot both women some glares, not that any of them seem to care.

"I've seen this bit before," Sally remarked.

"Quite possibly," the Doctor said.

"1969, that's where you're talking from?"

"'Fraid so."

"But you're replying to me. You can't know exactly what I'm gonna say, 40 years before I say it!"

"Technically it's 38," Minerva shrugged, "You get a lot of time to get math right..." she looked at the Doctor who just returned it with a smirk.

"I told you I'd make you learn everything I knew."

She elbowed him and that was the finish of that.

"I love her," Larry chuckled as he scribbled on the transcript, "I'm getting this down! I'm writing in your bits," he said to Sally.

"How? How is this possible? Tell me!" Sally demanded, biting back a chuckle as well.

"Not so fast," Larry said.

"People don't understand time. It's not what you think it is," the Doctor began explaining.

"Then what is it?" Sally asked

"Complicated."

"Tell me."

"Very complicated."

"I'm clever and I'm listening. And don't patronize me because people have died, and I'm not happy. Tell me."

"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff."

"Okay, I refuse from this point on to call you the Oncoming Storm," Minerva gave him a serious look, "Wibbly Wobbly, timey wimey?"

"That makes two," Martha raised her hand.

"Yeah, I've seen this bit before. You said that sentence got away from you," Sally pointed, the Doctor immediately saying it after, "And then she says, 'You're just an idiot'," she and Minerva said simultaneously.

"Seriously, love her," Larry chuckled again, shaking his head.

"And then the next thing you're going to say is, "Well, I can hear you"," Sally continued.

"Well, I can hear you," the Doctor said.

"This isn't possible."

"No. It's brilliant!" Larry exclaimed.

"Oh don't think he's that smart," Martha waved off the screen, "We can't hear you, exactly."

"But we know exactly everything you're going to say," Minerva finished.

"Always gives me the shivers, that bit," remarked Larry.

"How can you know what I'm going to say?" Sally asked, confused.

"Look to your left," the Doctor instructed.

"What does he mean by, "Look to your left"? I've written tons about that on the forums. I think it's a political statement," Larry rambled on.

Sally looked at him, shaking her head, "He means you. What are you doing?"

"I'm writing in your bits. So I've got a complete transcript of the whole conversation. Wait until this hits the net. This will explode the egg forums."

"We've got a copy of the finished transcript. It's on my Auto-cue," the Doctor explained.

"How can you have a copy of the finished transcript? It is still being written," Sally nearly threw her head back in frustration.

"I told you. I'm a time traveler. I got it in the future."

"Okay, let me get my head 'round this. You're reading from a transcript of a conversation you're still having? Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey."

"You just made a poor human say those words," Minerva shook her head, "Shame on you, Martian."

"What matters is we can communicate," the Doctor rolled his eyes at the brunette, "We have got big problems now. They've taken the blue box, haven't they? The angels have the phone box."

"The angels have the phone box! That's my favorite, I've got it on a tee-shirt!"

"What do you mean, angels? You mean those statue things?" Sally asked, just knowing those things weren't good.

"Creatures from another world."

"But they're just statues."

"Only when you see them."

"What does that mean?"

"Lonely assassins, they were called. No-one knows where they came from. They're as old as the universe, or very nearly. They've survived this long as they have the most perfect defense system ever evolved. They are quantum-locked. They don't exist when being observed. The moment they're seen by any other living creature they freeze into rock. No choice. It's a fact of their biology. In the sight of any living thing, they literally turn to stone. And you can't kill a stone. Course, a stone can't kill you either. But then you turn your head away, then you blink, and oh, yes it can!"

"Don't take your eyes off that," Sally ordered Larry, nodding towards one Angel that was in the garden ahead of them.

"That's why they cover their eyes. They're not weeping, they can't risk looking at each other. Their greatest asset is their greatest curse. They can never be seen. The loneliest creatures in the universe. And I'm sorry, I am very, very sorry, it's up to you now."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"The blue box, it's my time machine. There is a world of time energy in there they could feast on forever. The damage they can do can switch off the sun. You have got to send it back to me!"

"How? How?"

"And that's it, I'm afraid. There's no more from you on the transcript, that's all I've got. I dunno what stopped you talking, but I can guess. They're coming. The angels are coming for you. But listen, your life could depend on this. Don't blink! Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away, and don't blink! Good luck!"

Sally looked up, almost flinching when she realized something crucially important...Larry had stopped watching the Angel.

#ocappreciation #doctor who #10th doctor #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #doctor who imagines #10th doctor imagines #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 22: The Human Love

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: The Doctor trusts Minerva and Martha to keep him hidden while the Family hunts him down. He only forgot to mention to them what to do if he ever fell in love with someone...

// Story Masterlist //

A laser beam shot right above us, making the Doctor, Martha and myself fall to the floor while the poor console took the blow and sparked like crazy.

"Did they see you!?" the Doctor helped Martha and I to our feet, "Either of you!?" Martha and I looked at each other, both scared and confuse, "Did they see you!?"

"I...I don't know," I answered slowly.

"We were busy running!" Martha said frantically.

"It's important," he gritted his teeth at us. "Did they see your faces?"

"They couldn't have!" I tried to say coherently since my thoughts were all over the place. "It's not possible."

The Doctor dashed to the console, "Off we go then!"

Martha and I followed, the Doctor staring at the rotor with intent. But a warning beep cut in with a bunch of symbols sprawled on the console screen.

"Ah!" the Doctor grabbed the screen and read it, "They're following us," he returned to the controls.

"But that's not possible, you have a time machine!" I frowned.

"Stolen technology, they've got a Time Agent's vortex manipulator. They can follow us wherever we go, right across the universe," he stood straight and paused for a moment, "They're never gonna stop," he ran a hand through hair and thought, "Unless...I'll have to do it," he turned to us.

"What are you gonna do?" I asked, quietly.

"Minerva, you trust me, right?" I nodded, "And you Martha, you trust me?" she nodded as well, "Good, cos it all depends on you two," he went under the console for who knows what.

"But...what are we supposed to do?" Martha asked as we watched him in confusion.

He stood up and held out a pocket watch, "Take this watch, cause my life depends on it," he grabbed my hand and placed the watch in it, but also took out...

"Ah!" I hissed, jerking my hand back as Kaeya's necklace touched my palm, "Doctor!"

"Sorry," he grabbed my hand again and placed the necklace's chain on my palm, "Keep it safe. Hidden. And the watch, "Minerva, the watch is-"

I gasped as I sat upright on my bed, slowly realizing it had just been a dream. But it had been the same dream. The one I kept having every single night since we arrived here.

"Just a dream," I whispered to myself as I got out of bed, "A dream," I picked up Kaeya's necklace and placed it around my neck, barely feeling the sting as it bore a cloth underneath the two suns and moon, courtesy of Martha, "Same old dream..." I moved to the mirror, making sure the necklace was properly placed and pushed my hair over my shoulders. There was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"Morning!" Martha exclaimed as she entered, dressed in a maid's outfit, "How are we feeling today?"

"Like I'm stuck in a never ending circle," I turned to her, she walking over with a sharp look.

"Bad dream again?"

I nodded, "The same one."

"It's funny, you know, because he dreamt that too. Last night..."

"How is he?"

She looked back with a knowing smile plastered on her face, "Same old, same old: clueless." I smiled dimly, watching her go to the wardrobe and start rummaging through the dresses, "Oblivious. Yeah, the only difference is the hearts. What do you think?" she pulled out a light green and pink dress.

"I don't really care," I shrugged, "I'm not supposed to know what I'm wearing, remember?"

"Well, your...brother, wants you well dressed, remember?" she plucked out a blue dress from the closet and set it on my bed, smiling at it, "I think this one will turn heads...alien-disguised-as-human head..."

"Please, truly not the time for that," I walked over to the bed. "And as for my 'brother', I could care less. He's a prune."

She chuckled, "A gullible prune, thank god!"

"Thank the heavens for that. It let me stay close to the Martian. Even if he doesn't notice me, hm," I smiled sadly, looking a the dress, "Guess that hasn't changed either, huh?"

Martha stared at me for a minute, "C'mon," she grabbed the dress and my hand, "You've got to look lovely. Or your brother will kill me!"

"He can't fire anyone without my consent, remember? I'm his sweet, innocent, little sister." And we both laughed at the poor man.

Martha sat me down at the vanity desk just like every morning. "Brush," she held her hand out.

"Martha, I can do it. I already don't like how you ended up in this place, you are not going to 'serve' me."

"I don't serve you, I help you. Serve would indicate that I'm being forced to. Here, it's just one best friend helping her other best friend get ready for the day."

I sighed, "But you don't-"

"Minerva give me the brush!" she half shouted, actually making me flinch. I reached for the brush and handed it to her.

"So...did he really dream of the same thing?"

She nodded, "Mhm, crazy ideas to him."

"Yet so real..."

"He dreamt of us too. He can kinda let me slide, but he was seriously stuck on why you're there."

"Well, it's a bit odd for a school teacher to be dreaming with his housemaid and the headmaster's little sister isn't it?"

"When you say it like that, yeah!" she chuckled.

I was posing as the headmaster's little sister...how'd that happen was actually some luck. I'd like to think it was Kaeya wanting someone to be with the Doctor because seriously, it just had to be luck from the spirits. When the Doctor changed into a human, his 'residual awareness' thing only worked for Martha. I theorized Kaeya's necklace had interfered with the signal, leading Martha to declare the woman was getting on her bad side because it was messing with her best friend. Oh that Martha! What ever was the case, I had to remain hidden in the TARDIS for about two days until I could come up with my own story and get myself stationed at the school.

And then Kaeya had acted...

Her necklace activated and got me to the letters of a miss Lisabetha Greene, otherwise known as the headmaster's younger sister. They were step-siblings that had never met each other. Their only means of contact was through letters. As bad as it was, I had to intercept the letters, stop them from reaching the headmaster so I could present myself to him as her.

That's when Kaeya had helped me again.

The necklace had abilities that would just rise when needed, without my consent. It let me gather up some dresses from the nearby shops without paying a cent. It allowed me to gather information of Lisabetha to every extent possible without tipping anyone off.

All feelings against Kaeya set aside...her necklace was pretty cool.

And so when I felt prepared, I showed up to the school where the Doctor and Martha resided, merely two days later, and posed as Lisabetha Greene, the headmaster's little sister. And wow was the man gullible. A simple, innocent look was all it took for it to go.

For two months, the necklace has allowed me to keep all letters of Lisabetha, the real woman, to stay away from the school. But lately, the necklace had stopped granting me its few perks and just been...a necklace. I wondered if it meant I had used its energy up, something I feared the Doctor would be crossed about once he returned. But I also thought it was Kaeya's way of telling me everything was fine and the necklace didn't need to be used anymore. There was just one trick about Lisabetha that kept me on guard...

"Ready?" Martha questioned while I looked at myself in the mirror.

I wore a Dresden blue, cotton dress that went down to my ankles. It was high-waist with a pin-tuck detail around the bodice and cuffs. It had mid-sleeves with the cuffs having ruffled lace trims. There were white, tinny buttons finishing the front of the gown and white grosgrain ribbon trims outlining the hems of the skirt in three rows. It had a straight-across neckline with a white lace covering the trims. My hair was left down as usual with two twists on either side of my head.

"I suppose," I sighed, giving myself one last look before turning to her.

"Not so exciting, huh?"

"When you're a blind woman in 1913, there's not much to do."

She sympathetically smiled and linked arms with me, "Sorry about that."

"Not your fault, anything if it means I can stay."

...Lisabetha was blind.

~0~

"And please remember to pick up the newest braille books dropped off this morning," the headmaster, my brother, was saying.

"Yes, brother," I replied, keeping up the act just fine. After two months, it was getting a little easier not to let my vision slip up. I took it as a play role like the few I had when I attended school at home. I had played a princess, a witch, a wife...so now I played a blind sister.

"There's a literature one I'm interested for you to read..." the man continued, but my gaze was captivated by one of the newest teachers...John Smith.

But when he happened to glance over, I quickly turned my head, lost in the darkness again. It had been like this for two months...and it was killing me.

~0~

"Now Martha, I don't literally need a body guard beside me twenty-four seven," I muttered to the woman as we walked down the corridor on the second floor.

"They were orders by the headmaster," she shrugged.

"And ever so obedient, are we?" I raised an eyebrow.

"When it's convenient, yes," she suddenly turned us around, "Because it just so happens that Mr. Smith is coming this way..."

"Yeah, with a pile of books, mark my words the man will drop them all in less than two minutes. That's if the human version of him can garner that extra minute because we all know the Doctor couldn't."

"Ouch, you're bitter today," she made a face.

"Sorry, it's been, um...a crappy day, alright?" I moved Kaeya's necklace by the chain to reveal a burned part of my skin underneath, "The damn thing is stinging through the cloth."

"Take it off, Minerva," Martha whispered, dead serious. She had zero patience when it came to the necklace and Kaeya altogether.

"I can't. I promised the Doctor I wouldn't."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm sure he," she nodded towards the Martian, "Would say otherwise."

"Yeah well he's not exactly with it at the moment, is he?"

"You wanna see how he shares similarities with the Doctor?"

"What are you gonna do?"

She smirked, "Attraction between geeks is ever so weird. Wonder how weird it'd be with the school teacher and the headmaster's little sister."

"Martha, don't you dare!" I exclaimed, but she was already making her way over to the Doctor Smith.

She simply winked and went over, "Mr. Smith, do you need help with that?" she took the book that had fallen from the pile he held in his hands.

"Thank you Martha," he sighed, letting her take half of the books from him.

I stood here, awkwardly, not able to directly look at them because of my 'blindness' but I worried Martha would do something she shouldn't...as usual.

"Don't you have some responsibilities to attend to, Martha?" he asked her, curious.

"Yes I do, sir," she nodded towards me, "I was appointed to accompany Miss Greene, today."

"Martha," I called, unfortunately having to revert to my act, "Martha?"

"Honestly Martha, how irresponsible of you to leave her alone," the Doctor scolded her before directing himself to me, "Miss Greene? Are you alright?"

"Uh...yes." That was a perfect response, wasn't it?

"Sorry, Miss, I thought Mr. Smith could use some help. He was carrying an awful lot of books," Martha explained innocently.

"I hope you don't mind using your employee for today, Mr. Smith," I said quietly, nervously.

"Oh, no, no, go ahead. I noticed you've taken a liking to her."

"How can one not? She's amazing. But about these books...perhaps I could help as well?"

The Doctor's eyes widened at the idea, "No! Of course not."

"Why not?"

"You're...you're the headmaster's sister, you can't be doing this work..." he fumbled to come up with a good response. I found it amusing how he stuttered. He definitely sounded like the Doctor in that moment.

"I'm sure two or three books shall not hurt anyone, Mr. Smith," I reached out for two books from his pile, "Where can we drop them off?"

Seeing no other option, he sighed, "Right this way," he gestured, only to remember a minute later I couldn't 'see', "Oh!" he scrunched his face.

I chuckled, "It's quite alright."

"I'm sorry," he began, sounding just like the Doctor again.

"It's fine, can we get going?"

"Here," Martha took more books from him, just the amount for her to still be able to see, "You take her."

The Doctor sheepishly linked an arm with me, "Shall we?" I blushed and nodded, letting him lead us, "So, um, Miss Greene, what were you doing around here?"

I smiled, "I hope you don't mind my directness, but I'd prefer if you called by my name, Lisabetha," Martha smirked ever-so-discreetly.

"Yeah, yeah, of course," he nodded.

"And you're John, right?" I asked, innocently.

"Yes, yes it is."

"It's very nice to meet you," I held a hand out, the Doctor slowly taking it and shaking it.

"Likewise," he replied quietly, my only regret at the moment not being able to meet his gaze.

Feeling my face warm up, and the fear of being caught, I unlinked our arms and turned around to face both, "Tell me, John, what were these books for?"

"Oh, um, just...for the students," he shrugged.

I took steps backwards, nodding, hoping we'd keep the conversation going, "What are your favorite genres?"

"Miss Greene," Martha eyed me, a hint of concern in her eyes for a reason.

"Um, historical?" the Doctor tried, looking past me.

"Oh! I love history too," I smiled.

"Miss Greene," Martha nearly hissed.

The woman had brought me into the situation and now she was crossed?

"Martha, it's quite rude-" But one of my feet lost ground to step on?

"Lisabetha!" the Doctor dropped his books and lunged forwards, catching me just in time before I toppled down the staircase. So that was what Martha had been trying to do. Whoops!

"Stairs, right," I breathed, my heart racing inside my chest to point of nearly bursting.

"Miss Greene, are you okay!?" Martha moved hurried closer to us.

"Y-yes," I grasped the Doctor's sleeves as I took a deep breath. Our closeness had me blushing within the minute. He was holding me so tight that, even though it was probably ridiculous, I felt safer than ever. "Thank you, John."

He smiled softly, "It was nothing."

Martha cleared her throat, the usual smirk plastered on her face.

The Doctor helped me straighten up on my feet, "Right then, let me, um...just," he gestured for the books then realized I couldn't see again and sighed, scrunching his face once again, "Sorry."

While he went to pick up the books we had dropped, Martha and I shared a quick look, she smirking and me scolding her. By the time the Doctor had stood up, I was blind again.

"John, would you like me to take some books, again? I promise I won't drop them again," I held out my hands for them.

"Lisabetha, you really don't have to..."

"But I want to," I wiggled my fingers, "Please?" And just like that he handed me two books again. Apparently, my sweet smile worked on him too!

We linked arms and went down the stairs properly, Martha in front of us. She stopped by the landing, turning for a wooden noticeboard on the wall, "Have you heard about this, Miss Greene? Mr. Smith? It's the annual dance at the village hall tomorrow."

"Yes, Laura was speaking about it yesterday," I replied.

Laura was an actual friend I made outside the school. She was a bit pretentious and sometimes ignorant to my 'blindness'. But she was a nice person overall...usually.

"She was thinking of going," I continued, "She said it was nothing formal but rather fun by all accounts. Do you think you'll go, John?"

"Me?" he sounded confused.

"Will you be going?"

"Uh, I hadn't really thought about it," he thought more on it, "And-and you?"

"Me?" Now it was my turn to be confused, "No, I suppose not. No one would ask a blind woman. They think she can't dance. Well," I looked away for effect, but really, it was to hide a blush, "I'll have them know I probably know more than they do. Oh well, can't exactly prove it."

"Well, I should imagine that you would be...um...I mean, I never thought you'd be one for..." he moving around me and Martha, looking slightly nervous for some reason, "I mean there's no reason why you shouldn't-if you do, you may not...I probably won't, but even if I didn't then I couldn't..." he started backing away and I knew there was a stair case but I couldn't really warn him, now could I?

"Mr. Smith, the stairs," Martha said, the man backing away from us.

"What about them?" he looked at her, even more confused.

"No, they're right behind you!"

He managed to turn and see but overbalanced and fell backwards down the stairs, the books flying all around. Martha turned away while I ran to the front but saw it was too late, the poor Martian had taken quite a blow.

"Wow..." Martha moved beside me, both staring down.

And then I elbowed her in the ribs, "This is your fault!" I whisper-shouted.

"Ow," she rubbed her side, frowning, while I shook my head at the fiasco.

~0~

"Is he alright!?" Martha burst into the Doctor's room right before I told her not to overreact.

"Excuse me, Martha. It's hardly good form to enter a master's study without knocking," I heard Matron Joan's voice snap.

I entered the room, looking as high authority as I could to save my friend, "I sent her in, actually."

"Oh, um, good afternoon Miss Greene," she quickly retracted.

Martha looked back and smirked, silently thanking me for the defense. She returned by my side and walked us further inside, "John, are you feeling better?" I asked, genuinely concerned.

"It was just a tumble, that's all," he mumbled, groaning when Joan tried to clean a cut on the back of his head.

"It didn't sound like it..."

"I'm fine," he assured, faintly smiling.

"Have you checked for concussion?" Martha asked Joan.

"I have. And I daresay I know a lot more about it than you," Joan replied slightly irritated.

Martha nodded, remembering she wasn't supposed to know more than the woman, "Sorry, I'll just...tidy your things," she said to the Doctor and went to do just that.

I wasn't about to let someone snap at my best friend, and so, "Joan, my brother, the headmaster, was looking for you."

"Really? What for?"

I shrugged, "How should I know? He barely tells me anything that goes on in this school. Still, you should ho find him. I'd tell you where he was but," I pointed at my eyes, "Don't really know."

She daintily smiled, "I'll just go search for him."

"Yes, yes, go ahead," I gestured with an arm and she walked out of the room.

Matron Joan was another friend I had made, probably a better one than Laura. She was kind, she was caring, a good nurse too. The only thing I disliked about her was the way she treated Martha. No matter how important keeping the Doctor hidden was, I would not let anyone disrespect my best friend. No exceptions.

"Sorry, John, it seems like my brother has taken your nurse away," I offered an apologetic smile.

"Oh no, if the headmaster was looking for her. Let her do her job," he said, "Don't mind a petty injury."

"Are you really okay?" I asked, still concerned it had harmed him in other ways. He was human now and just as breakable as Martha and I, "Martha said there were books scattered all over the stairs. I thought you were hurt."

"I assure you Lisabetha," he stood up from his chair and walked over, "I am fine. Would you like me to accompany you back to your room?"

"Um, no thank you. My room contains nothing more than two boring books that my brother has left as an assignment."

"Not interesting?"

"They're completely tasteless in plots and intrigue. I'm better off staring at a wall. Or in my case, the darkness."

"Sir, I think maybe one of your tales would make a better story for Miss Greene," Martha spoke up.

"You have stories?" I asked.

"Not stories per say," he shrugged, "They're dreams."

"Ah, and, what kind of dreams are they? If I may ask."

"You'll think I'm deranged," he smiled, sheepishly.

"Why? Is your imagination that big?"

He laughed, "Well, see, I keep imagining that I'm someone else and that I'm hiding..."

My smiled slightly faded, "Hiding? In what way?"

"Um...well...see..." he sighed, "Almost every night, I dream...this is going to sound silly..."

"Tell me."

"I dream, quite often, that I have two hearts."

It did take me by surprise that he was dreaming about this, Martha hadn't told me about that, "Oh..."

He laughed, embarrassed, "I told you."

"Well, I could be judge of that," I said, feeling slightly brave all of a sudden.

"Really? How?"

"Well, unlike Matron Joan, I don't have any tools, but I do have a hand," I waved it, "And excellent hearing. May I?"

"Uh, sure," he stepped up.

I put my hand on his chest and felt one heart, as it should be. I knew I was blushing like mad but I acted like nothing, even if his gaze was currently locked on me, "There's one."

"Aha..." he stared intently, not looking very bothered that he had a woman he'd only met an hour ago putting her hand on his chest.

I moved my hand to where his other heart was supposed to be but felt nothing, "Just one."

"Aha..." he blinked and suddenly shook his head, "...I mean, yes."

"Human as they come," I smiled.

"You know, I wrote down some of these dreams in the form of fiction..." he looked around, "Um...not that it would be of any interest..."

"Didn't I just say my books were horrifyingly boring?"

"Really?" he looked on, shocked at the idea I actually wanted to hear his 'silly' stories.

"You'll just have to narrate that's all,"" I chuckled.

He smiled and walked to his desk, "Well...I've never shown it to anyone before."

"That makes me the first? Now, I feel special," I said, Martha gave a smirk as the Doctor walked back.

"Would you like to sit down?"

"Yes, that's alright."

He guided me to the couch and sat me down, taking a seat beside me with his journal in his hands, "I call it the Journal of Impossible Things."

"Quite the title," I remarked, seeing it as the perfect title for all the adventures we had.

He turned the pages and stopped at one that contained a sketch of the console and the monitor screen. On the next one was a gas-mask victim he and Rose had apparently battled with, even met some man named Jack Harkness. Never actually did meet the man, now that I think of it. Even when he, the Doctor and Rose had returned I was out of the city for a school trip. From what Mickey told me, Jack had been a very flirty man with everyone, and, the world had nearly ended...

So there was nothing new there.

"What's on the pages?" I asked innocently, seeing him turn the page just after...where a Dalek was sketched. My breathing hitched for a second, thankfully not loud enough to be noticed.

"Well, I don't know exactly what these would be called," the Doctor was staring endlessly at the Dalek sketch, "But they're a bit like pepper bottles. Can you imagine that?"

Pepper bottles? Oh dear, this human mind certainly couldn't captivate the concept of Daleks.

"You have quite the imagination," I remarked nonetheless, the proud smile I received back making it worthwhile.

"Mmm, it's become quite a hobby."

Indeed it had become a hobby of his by everything he had drawn. It seemed like he had gotten everything from his past in snippets. There was the face of the Moxx of Balhoon, and two Autons, then the clockwork robots Mickey talked about with Madame de Pompadour.

"Everything's a bit silly, mind you," the Doctor sheepishly smiled as he looked at the several sketches, "There's more little machines, but with clocks at their heads...sort of clocks anyways," he tilted his head as he studied the robots."

"Vast imagination," I nodded, "And you drew only monsters? Has it been only nightmares?" I wanted to know what exactly he dreamed about regarding Martha and I.

He turned the page and unfortunately for me, I received my answer...a sketch of Rose Tyler's face.

"What's next?" I played dumb, suppressing my pain and jealousy as best I could.

"It's a picture of a girl, ma'am," Martha startled us from behind.

"Oh! Martha!" I frowned, "You gave me a fright!"

"Martha, highly disrespectful," the Doctor scolded.

She had her elbows propped on the back of the couch and a content smile on her face, "He has an eye for the pretty girls, Miss."

"It's just an invention," he said, still getting over Martha, "This character, Rose, I call her, Rose. Seems to disappear later on..."

"Hm, wonder what happened," I mumbled.

And then came the second blow...

"Kaeya," he whispered, a faint smile on his lips as the Silver Monsoon princess came up on the next page.

"And...who's that?"

"Same with the last, an invention," he shrugged, suddenly glancing at my neck, "...though..."

This was one of the moments where I could seriously not mess up on my blind act. Moments like these got me curious about what people were staring at and as known, my curiosity always got the best of me, "What's wrong, John?"

"It's just...she seems to wear the same necklace you have on your neck."

Immediately, I placed a finger on it, regretting instantaneously for the burn I got, "Oh..." I gritted my teeth as the burn passed.

"Where did you get that from?" he asked, curiously looking at it.

"Um...it's a present from...my mother."

"Ah, well, suppose that's it, then," he was about to close the journal when Martha cut in...

"Why don't you tell her what's on the next page, sir?" she questioned, a rather fake, innocent tone in her voice.

"Martha," he gave her quite the glare.

"What's on the next page?" I asked, quietly, hoping to god it wasn't another woman, like Madame de Pompadour. Heard the Martian had snogged her as well. He left trails of women behind him, I swear.

"Uh...you see...um..." the Doctor stuttered.

I reached for the book and flipped the page, "Martha, what's next?" looking away in case it was the mistress.

"Shall you tell her, or shall I?" she questioned him.

He sighed, "Lisabetha, I hope you don't become angry...but I've had several dreams about you as well."

"Really?"

"Yes...and, well...I've taken liberty of...well..." I noticed a small blush on his cheeks as he looked between the journal and I.

"He drew you too," Martha declared, smirking widely.

"R-really?" I blinked, forcing everything inside me not to directly look at the journal.

"I can describe it if you like!" Martha exclaimed like a child, "See, you're on a horse and Mr. Smith is helping you ride it. You're wearing this amazing, beautiful blue dress and your hair is all flowy in the back, and then you're holding one of Mr. Smith's hands while his other-"

"MARTHA," the Doctor gritted his teeth, looking like he could really strangle the woman, "Thank you."

I was blushing madly by this time, seeing the picture for myself while the two battled it out with stares. I assumed it was from the guinguette because it looked like we were wearing the same clothes. Truthfully, looking back at the day, knowing how terrified I was of the horse...it hadn't been that bad after all...

"Apologies, Lisabetha," the Doctor sighed, "I understand if you'd like to stop here-"

"Nonsense," I reached for his hand, "Thank you for your picture. I'm sure it's wonderful."

He nodded, "Yeah..."

"Are you going to show me what's next?"

"Oh, yes! Yes!" he pushed Martha away from us, making the woman return to her duties, and then flipped the page, "Ah, the blue box."

"What box?"

"It's a blue box...like a...like a magic carpet, this funny little box that transports me to far away places."

"Like a doorway?"

"Mm..." he looked on, thoughtfully, "I sometimes think how magical life would be if things like this were true."

"If only..." I smiled, softly.

"I have dreamt, you know, of us..." he said, then suddenly shook his head, "No, wait! Not us as in together 'us' but as in..well..." I tried following but I just couldn't grasp what he was saying, "See, I-I dream...that I travel with you...and Martha."

"Oh...that sounds nice."

"Yes, but in those dreams, you're named differently."

"Like what?"

"It seems you have been named after a goddess, Minerva."

"Wisdom, I like it," I smiled.

"It is. And we have the most amazing times all three of us and...and you can see," he said quietly, staring at me with a soft smile, "You can see everything in the world and it's beauty."

I let out a shaky exhalation thanks to his look, "If only, right?"

"Yeah, if only..."

"Miss Greene?" Martha called.

"Yes?"

"I believe it is time for your lunch. The headmaster will be waiting for you," she walked back to us.

"Right..." I stood up, "...I guess I shall finally leave you, John. I loved hearing about your dreams. Such a magnificent imagination."

"Well, thank you for listening," he stood up, "Not everyone would..."

"You'll come to realize, John, that I am not like 'everyone' else," I remembered our little moment with Lazarus' experiment mentally smiled at the similarity. I made sure the Doctor knew that I was not like any other human, and John Smith would be sure to learn that as well.

"Yes..." he then blinked, ...I mean, thank you Miss Greene."

Martha linked arms with me and guided us to the doors, "And, don't forget you are meeting Mrs. Laura Dubay at the pub tonight."

You know, she said quite too loud. Like she wanted a certain someone to hear us. "Ah, yes," I patted her arm, wishing I could elbow her at the moment.

She closed the door behind and did a squeal in the middle of the corridor, "How's that for progression?"

"It doesn't matter," I sighed, beginning to walk, she hurriedly catching up to 'guide' me, "Because anything he says is not real. He's not the Doctor, he's not himself, he's..."

"Human? Yeah, I know," Martha nodded, "For the same reason, I have a theory."

"Ugh, please, no more theories," China entered my mind and only made me feel worse, "Ever."

"But this is a really good theory!"

"I don't care, nothing of this maters anyways because the minute the Doctor comes back, it all goes to hell. Who knows, he might not even remember any of this."

~0~

"Martha, it's freezing out here," I shivered as I walked out into the cold night, the pub getting on my last nerve with Laura Dubay inside.

"Miss Lisabetha, do you need help?" Jenny, one of the other friends Martha and I had made, quickly rushed over before Martha had the chance.

I shivered, but smiled nonetheless, "I'm alright. You can return to your seat. I was just leaving anyways."

"Would you like us to accompany you?"

"I can make it on my own. This is your free night. Enjoy it."

"Miss Lisabetha, where is your friend?" Martha walker over and guided me to their table outside the pub.

"Laura? Off with some man. Left me as usual. I don't know why she insists on us spending time together if she'll just leave in the end."

"Would you like a drink?" Jenny asked.

"Jenny, you know what I'd like?"

"What?"

"For you to sit down and enjoy your night," I chuckled, "I'll be going home, now. It's very cold out," I shivered once more.

"But someone has to accompany you," she insisted.

"Jenny, it's a lovely night, many stars from what I've been told," I looked up, the sky indeed full of them, "You should enjoy them."

A green light flared across the stars, flaring out of existence only a moment later. Martha had seen it as well, and since I couldn't remark on it I had to keep quiet.

"Did you see that?" Martha pointed up to the sky.

"See what, Martha?" Jenny asked.

"It was...but it was right there!"

"What did you see?" I questioned, standing up.

"Don't worry, Miss Lisabetha, there's nothing," Jenny assured, giving Martha a dirty look for putting me on edge.

"Martha..." I reached out for her.

"I'm here. I'm here," she slowly moved beside me, whispering, "There was something, I swear."

"We should go to the TARDIS now," I whispered back.

She nodded, "Jenny, I'll take her back. She's extremely cold and she could catch a cold."

"Go right ahead. I'll just bring in the drinks and meet you back in the school."

"Matron?" Martha raised an eyebrow, Joan hurriedly running towards us.

"She doesn't look so good," I whispered to her.

"Did you see that?" Joan was out of breath by the time she reached us, "There was something in the woods...this light..."

"Evening, ladies," we heard the Doctor greet from behind.

"Evening, sir," Martha turned us around.

"There!" Joan exclaimed, everyone looking up as she pointed, "Up in the sky!"

"That's beautiful," Jenny gawked.

I took advantage of everyone looking up to steal a quick glance of the sky. Something flew over us, almost like a star. But, I knew better. "What is it?" I played dumb, returning my gaze down.

"There...orgom. Commonly known as a meteorite. It's just rocks falling to the ground, that's all," the Doctor replied.

"But it came down in the woods," Joan insisted.

"No, no, no, they always look close when actually they're miles off. Nothing left but cinder."

"Martha," I whispered, trembling for cold and just a bit of fear that we had been caught.

"I'm gonna take a look," she declared.

I blinked, "No you're not-"

"Mr. Smith, can you please do me the favor of escorting Miss Greene back to the school?"

"Wait, what?" I looked around, disliking the idea of leaving her alone when it was our job to keep the Doctor safe.

"And we'll take care of Matron Joan as well," she grinned a smile at me.

Hated her. Hated her. Hated her.

And yet my heart skipped a beat when the Doctor linked arms with me.

Hated myself. Hated myself. Hated myself.

~0~

The next day, Martha and I walked through the woods, destination a good old box of wonders we had to leave behind two months ago. We went inside the barn and I walked up to the box, placing my palm on it and sighing, "I wonder if she's upset we haven't visited anymore."

"Keep talking like she's alive and you'll sound like the Doctor in no time," Martha shook her head.

"How many times have I told you," I started unlocking the doors, "The TARDIS is alive."

We stepped inside, my smile fading as I took in the darkness the console contained. It was nothing like the bright, exciting atmosphere is always gave.

"Hello..." I called, a bit dejected there was no hum in response.

"You're talking to a machine," Martha put a hand on my shoulder.

I sighed, my mind distancing from the present as I remembered what had happened two months ago...

"Minerva, the watch is me," the Doctor said slowly, ignoring my confused look.

"Right...no," I shook my head, "You're YOU," I pointed at him, "That's a watch."

"No, remember, the chameleon arch lesson?"

"I think I listened," I frowned as I tried to remember.

"Those creatures are hunters, they can sniff out anyone- and me being a Time Lord; well, I'm unique. They can track me down across the whole of time and space.

"And the good news is?" Martha moved beside us.

"They can smell me, they haven't seen me. And their life's bound to be running out so, we hide, wait for them to die. "

"But they can track us down. "

"That's why I've got to do it. I have to stop being a Time Lord. I'm gonna become human."

"You can do that?" I blinked, for a split second thinking all my aging problems with him had been solved.

He moved around the console, a strange headset lowering down, hanging from a cable, "Never thought I'd use this. All the times I've wondered."

"What does it do?" Martha looked at the headset with distaste.

"Chameleon Arch. Re-write my biology. Literally changes every single cell in my body. I've set it to human," he returned and took the pocket watch from me and fit it into a section of the headset, "Now, the TARDIS will take care of everything. Invent a life story for me, find me a setting and integrate me. Can't do the same for you two...you'll just have to improvise. I should have just enough residual awareness to let you in."

"But Doctor, what about Kaeya's necklace?" I frowned, holding it up with my other hand.

"That thing needs to stay away from the TARDIS while I'm not here," he said dead serious.

"Why?"

"Something is brewing inside and I don't know how it'll affect the TARDIS. I trust you Minerva," he returned, holding my hand that held Kaeya's necklace, "Just keep it with you. Don't let anyone else take it. I trust you."

I nodded, "I'll take good care of it, just like you."

"Wait a minute," Martha cut in, seeming to have been thinking of something, "When you say you're going to rewrite every single cell...isn't that going to hurt?"

'Oh yeah, it hurts," he made some wide eyes at the thought.

"Minerva?" Martha snapped me out of the memory, thankfully.

"Sorry," I went ahead to the console.

"It's alright, I was thinking of it too," she joined me while I started up a few controls.

"I never want to hear screams like that again," I whispered, remembering the ones the Doctor gave as rewrote his cell biology. I felt my heart literally constrict and just shatter at the sight of him in that much pain. I would've gone and stopped him if Martha hadn't grabbed and restrained me...not to mention the screams of the woman I continuously dreamed about. My head never seemed to be at peace anymore.

The monitor turned on, the old Martian appearing, addressing the camera.

"This working?" he tapped the screen, "Minerva, Martha, before I change here's a list of instructions for when I'm human. One, don't let me hurt anyone. We can't have that, but you know what humans are like. Two, don't worry about the TARDIS, I'll put it on emergency power so they can't detect it, just let it hide away. Four- no, wait a minute, three. No getting involved in big historical events. Four- you two. Don't let me abandon you. And fi-

Martha twisted a dial, speeding up the speech, "We know it by heart, don't we?" she glanced at me with a fake irritated look, "Besides, we've got to know about the meteor. What are we supposed to do then?" she let go of the dial right at the end of the Doctor's speech.

"And twenty three. If anything goes wrong, if they find us, then you know what to do. Open the watch."

"It won't go wrong," I said with determination. Nothing would hurt him if I could help it. He always took care of me, swore to protect me and this time I could return the favor as was fair.

"Everything I am is kept safe in there. Now, I've put a perception filter on it so the human me won't think anything of it, to him it's just a watch. But don't open it unless you have to. Because once it's open, then the Family will be able to find me. It's all down to you, Martha. Your choice," he walked off only to return with some final words, "Oh, and- thank you," the recording stopped at his smile, the screen flicking off.

I sighed, "I wish he'd come back."

"Almost there," Martha reminded, "Just one more month."

"You know, I turn eighteen in a month...think he'd remember that?"

She scoffed, "Please, I bet that's, like, marked red and flagged on his calendar!"

"Do you think he'll remember any of this?" I fiddled with a knob nearby.

"I don't think so..." she shrugged, eyeing me with suspicion, "Why?"

"...I want to kiss him," I confessed in a whisper.

"Oooh," she nudged me, getting an embarrassed smile out of me.

"He's human...maybe for a moment, I could just pretend," I tried to explain the silly notion I had, "That's if he even felt something for me in this version."

"You wanna hear my theory again?"

"Not really," I turned away from the console, heading for the doors.

"Oh but it's a really good one!" she ran after me, nearly pleading like a child who wanted sweets before dinner, "C'mon!"

"Forget it Martha, I already feel bad with what I want, I don't want more theories," I stepped into the barn.

"But it could help, and it would tie back to your kiss thing!"

"No," I opened the door of the barn and peered out, making sure no one was around before stepping out into the woods, "I shouldn't even have told you that. It's wrong."

"But it could help with the theo-"

"Martha," I turned to face her, abruptly bumping into her, "Let's forget it," she opened her mouth to retaliate, "Please."

She sighed, nodding and letting go of her 'theory' for the time being. She linked arms with me and started on our way back to the woods. Suddenly, the necklace burned right through the cloth and onto my skin, "Ah!" I grabbed it and this time the burn didn't hurt, instead I gasped, feeling a presence around us...a voice.

"Minerva?" Martha panicked, holding my arm while I put a hand on my chest, "What's wrong?"

"I...can feel," I looked around, "...I can hear."

"Hear what?"

I opened my mouth when an icy numbness took over my head, "Ow..." Martha's eyes widened suddenly, "...what?" She just stared. "Martha, what?" But she blinked and shook her head, "Nothing." "Martha?" I raised an eyebrow.

"It was nothing," she shook her head again, picking up the necklace and turning it over, the cloth still in its place, "What did you hear?"

"I felt like...the watch...a voice inside of it, you know, how the Doctor told us about it? I could hear his voice for a split second. I could feel him, the real him, just for a split second."

"How'd you manage to do that?"

I looked at the necklace she held, pointing a trembling finger at it, "Kaeya did it. She was telepathic in her days..."

"A spirit?"

"I told you, I believe in the afterlife and I believe that woman is doing something with that necklace."

"What did she do, then?" she raised an eyebrow, still doubting my words and probably my sanity.

"Martha, she loved the Doctor. She had unfinished business in this world, and if she died, I think she's still in that thing," I stared at the necklace, "And she wants to help protect the Doctor. I think, for a moment, she got into my head...she made me feel and hear the Doctor. And it felt horrible, Martha," I shook my head, shutting my eyes, barely feeling that icy numbness now, slowly fading away into nothing, "It hurt."

"Spirit or no spirit, this thing is dangerous and you are not wearing it anymore," she declared, putting it around her neck now.

"I promised him I'd wear it."

The Doctor explained that while the TARDIS would be in hiding, it was best to leave the necklace was someone to look after it. The readings he got from it the last time made him nervous cos he didn't know what exactly that energy was. So, he left it with me...

"Kaeya can bite it because she's not hurting you anymore," Martha snapped.

"You think...she was trying to hurt me?" I rubbed my arm, somehow remembering Rose and her threat.

It seemed like any woman that loved the Doctor took me as a threat...even dead women.

"We're not gonna find out," she shrugged and linked arms with me, continuing on our way.

"Let's go find the Doctor, though. I won't feel right until I see that's he okay."

"Mhm," she agreed...and then, "OW!" she quickly took the necklace off, putting a hand on her neck where the necklace had touched her.

"What's the matter?"

"It...it burned me!" she stared at the necklace.

"Funny, it's only ever done it to me. What's changed?"

"Yeah, well, I don't like you either, Kaeya," Martha spat at the necklace like it could actually talk, "Here," she handed it back to me, "And if it burns you again, I say throw it and call it an accident."

"Can you imagine what the Doctor would do to me if I broke the necklace?" I frowned, shaking my head, "He'd kill me!"

"Please," Martha rolled her eyes, "He'd probably hug you and tell you it wasn't your fault and yadda, yadda."

"I have to take care of this, Martha. It's important to him and Kaeya. And sure, I may not completely like Kaeya, but it's the right thing to do. But she shouldn't worry of me and my feelings. Yes, fine, I want to kiss him, but it's not like I'm gonna go do it. He doesn't like me, period. Kaeya should see it."

"I don't like Kaeya," she repeated, glaring daggers at the necklace, "She's hurting you and she knows it."

I sighed, "Let's just go."

~0~

Thankfully, John, the Doctor, was alright and alive. He was with the students in the field of the schools...and they were practicing gunshots. If the Doctor could see himself now. There was a machine gun set up behind a bunker of sandbags, the students in a row, all doing their best to hit the targets across.

"Concentrate," the Doctor instructed.

"He seems just fine to me," Martha remarked, both of us watching with distasteful looks.

"That's not him," I muttered.

"Looks like Matron Joan isn't liking it either," Martha nodded towards the matron a few feet beside us.

"That makes her a good person," I started walking for her, she quickly 'guiding' me to her.

"Matron?" called Martha.

She looked over, a faint smile on her face, "Miss Greene."

"Martha tells me you're a bit displeased," I began, "Is there something wrong?"

"Um...you'll have to excuse me, Miss Greene, but I disagree with the way these students are taught," she sighed, looking ashamed.

"You disagree with the boys being taught how to kill," I spoke the words she couldn't.

"Uh...yes," she nodded, "It's how my husband died."

"I'm so sorry," I said, "You don't have to hide your displeasure. I don't agree with it either."

"Thank you," she whispered, actually looking grateful, "It's nice to know that someone in this school agrees with me."

I nodded, "Rest assure."

"It's a bit strange seeing as your brother is, well..."

"The headmaster, yes," I sighed, "But you will come to realize that I don't agree with most of the things he says. I abhor violence and its tools, such as weapons. My friend..." I paused, yup that friend was just gone for the moment, "...I had a friend, he taught me very well. There's always another way to settle problems. Never resort to violence."

"Wise one, your friend."

"Yeah, he is," I breathed in, watching the Doctor actually praising one his students for getting the target.

"I should be on my way, then, Miss Greene," Joan touched my arm, signaling her departure.

I nodded and she walked off, my gaze stuck ahead, ""I really hope he forgets this afterwards."

"Cease fire!" the headmaster appeared, stopping besides the Doctor.

"Good day to you, headmaster," the Doctor greeted him.

"Your crew's on fine form today, Mr Smith."

"Excuse me, Headmaster, we could do a lot better. Latimer is being deliberately shoddy," Hutchinson began to say.

"I really don't like him," I muttered to Martha, nudging her to walk us over.

"Minerva, maybe we should stay back," Martha whispered.

"I'm trying my best," the boy, Timothy, said.

"You need to be better than the best. Those targets are tribesmen from the dark continent," the headmaster replied.

"That's exactly the problem, sir. They only have spears. "

"Oh dear me. Latimer takes it upon himself to make us realize how wrong we all are. I hope, Latimer, that one day you may have a just and proper war in which to prove yourself. Now, resume firing."

"Oh, now we're definitely going," I frowned, the boy actually seeing how wrong this was and being snapped for it.

"Minerva, we have to remember our places!" Martha desperately reminded, struggling to keep me back.

"I do, and I have just enough authority myself," I nodded with determination and pulled her forwards, towards the men.

Hutchinson started firing again, Timothy feeding the ammunition. But for some reason, Timothy began getting distracted until he stopped his job.

"There's a stoppage, immediate action," Hutchinson looked at Timothy, "Didn't I tell you, Sir, this stupid boy is useless! Permission to give Latimer a beating, Sir?"

"It's your class, Mr. Smith," the headmaster shrugged.

"Permission granted," the Doctor said without a thought.

"Right, come with me, you little oiyk," Hutchinson grabbed Timothy's wrist and pulled him up, leading him away along with the other boys.

"Oh no you don't," I frowned, half angry with the Doctor. This was not him.

"Lisabetha!" the headmaster called, sounding angry, "What is she doing here?" he demanded from Martha, "It's completely dangerous-"

"Stop the boys," I pointed in a random direction, "I need Timothy. Right now."

"I believe that is not in your power," snapped the headmaster, "This is Mr. Smith's class and-"

"John, please?" I called, putting on my best, sweet smile that usually got us out of trouble.

"Bring him back," the Doctor called out to the boys, surprising the headmaster, yet making Martha smirk, "Miss Greene, what do you need him for?"

"An errand, is that alright?"

He nodded, "Yes, of course."

The boys begrudgingly let go of Timothy, the boy confused yet still walking over, "Timothy," I pulled Martha closer, "I need you to find me a cloth. Can you do that?"

"Just a cloth?" he frowned, even more confused.

"Yes, a small one, though a bit thick. Can you do that for me, please?"

"Sure, Miss Greene," he nodded and walked away, the other boys shooting him dirty looks.

"Lisabetha, you can't disregard Mr. Smith's orders," the headmaster walked over and grabbed my arm harshly, "This is his class."

"But he didn't mind," I gritted my teeth, "And please let go."

"You do better if you listen and obey-"

"No!" I shouted, pushing him off. I had a mother who did nothing but that and I'd be damned if I let a stranger do that to me.

"Lisabetha-"

"You are done telling me what to do, do you understand? I am independent and I can make my own decisions. You are not my father, you don't have a right to order me around. From now on, you will act like what you are, my brother. You will guide, you will advise me, but you shall not order me like a child."

The man blinked, "But-"

"Do I make myself clear?"

"That's...that's not how you're supposed to act!"

"You'll come to realize, big brother," I spat those two words out, "That I am not like anyone else. So don't treat me like a defenseless child."

"C'mon," Martha grabbed my arm, the headmaster's reaction a stunned and silent one, "We have to go to the village."

"Apologies, John," I sighed, hoping I hadn't just ruined any sort of friendship with him by my sudden out lash at the headmaster.

"Um, it's alright," he looked between the headmaster and I, "Actually, if you'd like...I'm sure Martha has more duties to attend to. I was thinking, if you don't mind, of course," his gaze still flickered between us, more nervous now, "If you'd allow me to escort you to the village?"

I blushed, lowering my gaze for a minute, "Really?"

"Yes, um, it could be dangerous in the village for two young women to be on their own...out there..."

Martha smirked, "Aha."

"Headmaster?" he turned to the man, as if for approval.

"Go ahead, maybe you can keep her in place," the headmaster muttered and walked away. I had to frown, unable to stop feeling myself as a little person in this era.

"Hey, it's okay," the Doctor walked up, reaching for my hand, "I think it's wonderful you stand your ground."

And again my dear best friend inputted a scoff as she walked away, "There's a shocker," she mumbled. But I was busy blushing and smiling at the Martian in front of me, careful to keep my gaze around and not locked onto him.

~0~

"I have to confess something, John," I said while we walked through the village.

"What is that?"

"I lied...about needing Timothy for an errand," I looked down, "Truth is, I just didn't agree with...with your 'permission'."

"Oh..." he did sound surprised, but he didn't lash out or anything.

"I don't agree with anything, really. Don't think it's just you."

"And when you say 'anything', I'm assuming we're talking about the school?"

I nodded, "Teaching boys how to kill? It's awful."

"But don't you think discipline is good for them?"

"But...it's such military discipline. If there's another war those boys won't find it so amusing."

"Great Britain's at peace, long may it reign."

"1913..." I muttered, "...I don't find myself convinced with the school. That's all. With everything. My brother..."

"Yes, the headmaster can be a little rough sometimes..."

"I really do apologize for my little...scene, with my brother. But I'm tired of the way I'm treated. I will not allow him to treat me like one of his maids with his yells and orders. I'll be damned."

He chuckled, "I really like that about you, you know. I've never seen anyone stand up to the headmaster like that."

"Thanks, but I believe no one has a right over anyone else. No superiority. But then I think it might not be his fault, it's the school's. It's taken him over, all the amusement from gun firings is simply not needed. It only worsens people internally."

"Well, I do admit that mankind doesn't need warfare and bloodshed to prove itself. Everyday life can provide honor and valor and...let's just hope that from now on this, this country can...can find its heroes in smaller places..." I noticed he was becoming absent in what he was speaking about. I looked ahead and saw he was watching a village street but I couldn't make what was so distracting, "In the most..." he continued watching, "ordinary..." he kept looking to and from the street, "Of deeds!" he suddenly exclaimed and snatched a cricket ball from a boy nearby then threw it ahead.

"What's the matter?" I asked, frantically.

Of course, then I saw what was happening back in the village street. Poles besides workers fell down and hit a plank of wood with a brick to its end and made it fly all the way to a piano on a rope. The rope snapped just as brick flew over it and hit a milk churn, making it fall right in front of a woman with a stroller. She had to stop and when she did, the piano crashed into the sidewalk, making her scream at the top of her lungs.

My mouth hung open but I remembered I hadn't "seen" anything so I shut it and controlled myself, "What was that noise?" I glanced over and saw the Doctor in utter shock at his little chain reaction.

"Lucky..." he finished his so-very-long sentence. He took a deep breath and turned to face me, "Miss Greene, may I have the privilege of taking you to the village dance this evening as my guest?"

"Uh..." I felt my heart skip a beat, "Y-yes."

He laughed, excitedly, "Really?"

I nodded, becoming excited myself, "Yes! I'd love to."

"That's great, that's...that's really great," he breathed in.

"So are you gonna tell me what just happened over there?"

"Oh that's a funny story," he linked an arm again.

"Then tell me."

"How's about we go back and I tell you over a nice cup of tea?"

"I actually prefer coffee..."

"Oh, then coffee it will be."

We chuckled and went on our way.

~0~

"You know, I'd like to think the Doctor is a man I wish I could be," the man himself was saying as we walked back to the school, passing a field with a scarecrow, "He does the impossible things with cricket balls."

"To be fair, anyone can do the impossible," I shrugged.

"But he sure has an eye for the ladies!" he chuckled to himself.

"Yeah..." I said with less than enthusiasm about the fact.

"Not me though," he suddenly said, looking at me, "I think if I'd see someone I really cared for, I wouldn't let them walk out on me."

And for some reason, my mind drifted back to the moment the Doctor had asked me to stay with him, right after Donna Noble had left us. I couldn't walk out on him then and now it was even more complicated to do so, but I had promised myself that I would if the moon princess, through some miracle, ever showed up.

"Are you alright, Lisabetha?" he brought me out of my thoughts, looking concerned.

"Sorry, I, um...I was just thinking of a friend."

"Oh, what friend?"

"A good friend...he, uh, left."

"Were you and him...?" he nodded, me shaking my head as soon as I got the message.

"No! Just good friends. He left some time ago and I miss him. That's all."

"Oh, does he have a date for return?"

"Not really..."

"Well, rest assured I can keep you company until he does come back," he grinned, getting a blush out of me.

"I'd like that very much."

He nodded and looked around, spying the scarecrow not far from us, "Oh, that scarecrow's all skewed," we crossed the furrows to reach it and he started stretching it across its frame.

"Ever the artist. Where did you learn to draw?" I asked curiously. The Doctor I knew could barely draw a stick figure!

"Gallifrey."

I stiffened, "And...is that in Ireland?"

"Yes, it must be, yes," but he didn't look nor sound sure.

"But...you're not Irish?"

Not at all, no. My father Sidney was a watchmaker from Nottingham and my mother Verity was..." he paused to think, "...um...well, she was a nurse, actually."

"Oh, I hear they make good wives," I joked, still a bit uneasy with the his uncertainty of the information he was supposed to know by heart.

"Really? Right. Yes. Well, my work is done, what do you think?" and he scrunched his face again at the error, heaving a big sigh, "Lisabetha, I am so sorry. I understand if you'd like to slap me because even I think I deserve it."

I giggled and stepped up, the man bracing himself for a slap. My hands "felt" their way up to his face, one of them resting on his cheeks. I leaned up and kissed his other cheek instead, "Nah, I don't like violence."

If the Doctor were here he would've let out the biggest scoff in the world and then made a proper list of the times I slapped him.

"Oh," he blinked, surprised by my small kiss.

Well, I'd take this kiss as a fill for the one I would never get in my life again.

~0~

"John, I'm still waiting for that coffee," I frowned, shifting on my seat as my back was getting tired.

"And you'll get it, but first you gotta stay still," he fumbled about in that journal of his.

"Hm, I don't know why I agreed."

"Because it was either this, or going back to your room," he took the seat beside me on the couch, "And I do recall you have a distaste for the books you had in there."

"Huh, you're right. Now I remember it," I nodded, seeing a small part of the sketch he had apparently done for me, "I'd ask to see it but..."

He held the journal between, as if to show. I did steal a quick glance from it and saw the sketch of me. It was a simple one of from my neck and up. In comparison to the Doctor, John Smith had the hand of an artist.

"Well, I can describe it to you. If you'd like..." he offered.

"That'd be nice," I nodded.

"I have to ask, first...have you ever seen yourself?" he asked, becoming serious.

"No...I was born blind." I did not like lying but I just had to for his sake and mine.

"Oh," he looked down to the book, "Well, you have beautiful eyes. This brilliant shade of green that just...mesmerize one," he tilted his head as he stared at the picture, "Your hair is exceptionally long. But it's very pretty. A light brunette," I smiled, looking down to hide my blush, "And your cheeks, they have this little pink tinge to them. It's a bit difficult to tell if your blushing or not, mind you. And then your smile...it's beautiful."

"My, I think you're over exaggerating, John," I said, looking up and hoping to dear god my blush had turned down, "If I didn't know any better, I look like one of those creatures you've drawn. The ones with the clocks or the little pepper bottles."

"Nonsense. You're definitely how I described you."

"I think you've made me far too beautiful," I shrugged, "Ordinary woman you can find anywhere."

"I don't think so," he shook his head, "In fact, I've come to realize that you are not like any other woman I've seen."

"Oh, you listen," I flashed a nervous grin, "But still, perhaps you are lying and I have terrible hair," I pointed a joking finger, "Or bad teeth!"

"Now that's not fair for you at all," he scooted closer and pushed a strand of my hair back, actually stroking it for a couple seconds, "If you could see yourself, you're...you're beautiful."

"Oh, John," I looked around with an incessant blush, my nervousness working its way as a smile, "I think you're a bit-"

His finger was placed on my lips and cut off my words, "Don't you dare finish that sentence." And before I knew it, he pressed his lips against mine for a small kiss. It was so brief I barely felt it, but the shock was still there. He pulling back, looking so nervous that I almost found time to smile. "I've never, um..."

I was nervous, yes...but more shocked than anything. Was this right? Or was it like I was taking advantage of the situation where he wasn't even fully conscious...I think I was. But I looked up, and for a moment, our eyes connected and I just had to...and I thought he agreed. He leaned over again, and we kissed once more. It was based upon a lie but I couldn't care, not when my heart was beating at light-speed out of joy. From his side, I felt his feelings pouring out; he could feel something for me and as much as I knew I had to pull away, I couldn't...because for a split second...just for one second...my feelings had been reciprocated by the most wonderful man in the universe.

But then we heard the door open up and broke apart to see Martha coming in, her eyes widening in a second.

"Martha, what have I told you about entering unannounced?" the Doctor demanded, very cross.

"S-sorry," she looked around, "Uh...the headmaster...he was looking for..." she pointed at me with a shaky finger, "...Miss Greene."

"Oh," he looked back to me, "Will I still see you in the evening?" he sounded afraid for some reason.

I smiled faintly, "Yes. Martha will bring me here if that's okay," I stood up from the couch.

"Yes, yes, that's fine," he also stood up and guided me to Martha, "I suppose I'll owe you the coffee."

"Yes, I suppose you do..." I bit my lip, the blush growing deeper, "...until tonight, John."

"C'mon, Miss," Martha linked an arm with me and led us out into the corridor.

As soon as we closed the door, I let out a big and heavy sigh, "I am so sorry, Martha. I may have ruined everything but..." I put my fingers on my lips, "...I don't really care."

She rolled her eyes, chuckling lightly, "It's my theory time," she grabbed my arm and walked us for my room, closing the door with its lock.

"Martha, I'm really sorry though-"

"Shush it, lover girl," she held a hand out, "Theory time."

"No," I plopped down on my bed.

"Yes," she put her hands on her hips, "Gotta hand it to you though, wanted a kiss and you went for it."

"No! See, I kissed his cheek and I thought I would be fine with it, but...he kissed me...and I should've stopped it but..." I sighed, shaking my head, "...I couldn't. I've fallen too deep."

"Minerva, this theory, you really wanna hear it. Before the Doctor left, he explained a few things, remember? He said that some things could start seeping through John Smith."

"So?"

"So, I'm thinking, if the human version is falling for you, maybe it means that the original version might have already fallen," she had the biggest grin on her face that it could nearly break her.

"Martha, you say such silly things," I shook my head.

"What!? Minerva! he," she gestured to the door, "-kissed you! Are you really that stubborn to see it!?"

"This is the human version, and as much as it pains me...whatever happens will be gone in a month. And I hope to dear God that he doesn't remember an ounce of it...because I am gonna take advantage of every moment I have with John Smith. Is that bad of me?"

She just smiled and came over to give me a hug.

~0~

"Lisabetha, you look absolutely wonderful!" the Doctor exclaimed, making me blush for like the millionth time in under the ten minutes that I've been here.

"Thank you," I looked down in an attempt to hide my red face from him, "I'm sure you look dashing as well."

Dramatic sigh...indeed, he did.

I wore a lavender and baby blue dress that went down to my feet. The baby blue layer was covered by a thin, lavender chiffon layer that was lifted to form an upside-down 'V' in the front of the dress, letting the blue be seen. There was a laced blue belt going around my waist, with a silver beading as well as the hemlines of the three-quarter sleeves. The lavender layer went into a deep V-neckline style at the top as well, with the baby blue layer underneath covering up my chest and allowing me to wear Kaeya's necklace right above it. My hair was moved over to one side, one twist starting from my left side and going down where it was fastened with a clip.

"Trust me, not as good as you do," the Doctor walked over, "And, while you're in such a good mood, I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" I asked, worried that he might have had second thoughts about our attendance together.

"I may or may not know how to dance," he said, shyly.

I started to smile, remembering the lessons back in China, "I think you may know some steps."

"I'm not really sure..." and poor thing really did seem unsure about it.

"You know, you're not really sure about anything, are you?" I teased, hoping to get a smile out of him.

"Oh, I'm sure about something."

"And what's that?"

He took a step closer, "You."

And cue the blush. "Oh..."

He put a finger under my chin and made me look up. He leaned down for a soft kiss which I very much responded to. Sadly, it only lasted a few moments before Martha ran inside, completely out of breath.

"Martha!" he scolded, "This is getting ridiculous!"

"They've found us! They found us!"

My eyes widened, "What?"

"They found us!" she panted for air, "It's...Jenny, I think...they took her or something...possessed her!"

"Martha, I've warned you," the Doctor grew angry.

"I've seen them and they look like people, like us, like normal!" she continued, ignoring him for the moment, "He has to open the watch!" she looked at the mantelpiece...and it wasn't there, "Oh my god...where is it?"

"What are you talking about?" the Doctor asked.

"You had a fob watch," she pointed, "Where is it!?"

"Did I? I don't remember."

"It's gone?" I asked, nervously, my necklace beginning to burn a bit again, "Ah," I put a finger around the chains, "Kaeya, what is it?" I whispered to myself while the two battled it out.

"But we need it... oh my god, Doctor we're hiding from aliens, and they've got Jenny and they've... possessed her or copied her or something and you've got to tell me, where's the watch?" Martha turned to us, completely frantic.

The necklace desisted in its burn but the icy feeling returned to my head, making me feel the watch was indeed gone...and in someone's hands, "Martha? You've got to calm down-"

She looked back like I had lost it, "Minerva, they're here!"

"Yes, and the watch isn't here...as you said. Maybe we should go out and look for it...at the dance," I hoped she'd catch on that the watch had been moved for some reason.

"Min-"

"Lisabetha, don't listen to her," the Doctor pulled me back, "Martha, 'Minerva' was a dream, and frankly, I think you should go take a rest."

She looked irritated beyond everything, "Oh you complete..." she stepped closer, "...this," she pointed at him, "Is not you. This is 1913!"

"Yes, it is 1913," he agreed, nodding.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry but I've got to snap you out of this," and without a further word, she slapped him.

My mouth drew open, "Oh my god..."

"Wake up! You're coming back to the TARDIS!"

"How dare you! I'm not going anywhere with an insane servant!" the Doctor snapped, grabbing her wrists and dragging her to the doors, "Martha, you are dismissed, you will leave these premises immediately. Not get out!" he pushed her out and slammed the door.

"John..." I said, quietly.

"It's okay, it's okay! I'm here," he rushed back, "I'm sorry for that, I don't know what's gotten into her."

I sighed, "I think maybe things have gotten out of hand."

"You're telling me!" he rubbed his cheek.

"But you know, if she says the watch is gone, maybe it is gone. How about you take a look? Please? For me?"

"Well," he sighed and looked around, "No, I guess it's not around anymore," he linked an arm with me, "Please, let's not let her ruin this evening for us."

But somehow I believed this was far from over...the necklace then continued to burn me.

~0~

"Would you care for a dance?" the Doctor asked, although he was already leading me to the dance floor.

I chuckled, "Sure, will my feet survive?"

"I'm...not so sure," he admitted.

"Well," I said as he grabbed my hand and we stood in our place, "Let's find out," we started dancing and for the moment, everything seemed good, "Look, you can dance," I smiled, my lessons had paid off.

"Maybe it's because I'm dancing with such a pretty girl," he smiled softly, right before we bumped into another pair, "Sorry," he muttered and I laughed.

After the dance finished up, we returned to our table and sat down, "Would you care for some drinks?" he asked.

"That would be fine, thank you," I nodded.

He kissed the top of my head and walked off, leaving me to blush in his absence. I really hoped the Doctor wouldn't remember any of this afterwards.

"Miss Greene?" Joan walked up, "It's me, Joan."

"Hello, Joan," I smiled, "You attended the dance?"

"Yes, I thought it could be nice. Do you mind if I sit with you?"

"Not at all," I gestured to a random seat, "Did you come alone?"

"No, I brought someone else but...I seem to have lost him," she searched around the room.

"Give him a shout and he'll show up," I chuckled.

"And you? I saw Mr. Smith around."

"Yes, he went for some drinks."

"Minerva?" Martha's voice called, a few seconds later approaching the table, "I've got it," she held the Doctor's screwdriver.

I sighed, "Good. The watch is here Martha."

"How do you know?"

I looked around, ignoring Joan's shocked face at the loss of my English accent and my gain of sight, "Kaeya's burning me again," I lifted my necklace and showed Martha the burned spot, "I can feel her in my head...it's like...she's squishing everything inside."

"Take it off!" she nearly shouted.

"I can't. She's helping."

"Minerva!"

"I'm sorry, but..." Joan stood up, still staring at me, "...what's going on?"

"Please keep the secret until it is time," I told her slowly, "It's something I want to do."

"But...Miss Greene," she gestured to her eyes.

"Oh, now really, Martha. This is getting out of hand. I must insist that you leave," the Doctor returned holding our drinks.

Martha held the sonic screwdriver at him, looking firmly, "Do you know what this is? Name it. Go on, name it," he set the drinks on the table and stared at the screwdriver, slowly reaching for it, "You're not John Smith. You're called the Doctor. The man in your journal, he's real. He's you."

But before he could respond, there was a loud commotion by the entrance, people shrieking and moving away as a man, Clarke if I remembered by the Headmaster's words, entered holding a gun, "There will be silence! All of you!" scarecrows filed in after Jenny and another student, Baines, "I said silence!"

"Mr Clarke! What's going on?" the announce of the dance asked, only to be dissolved less than a second later by Clarke.

I gasped and stood up, "We've been caught."

"Mr Smith, everything I told you, just forget it! Don't say anything," Martha quickly said, moving beside me, "Any plans?" she whispered.

"I'll let you know..."

"We asked for silence! Now then. We have a few questions for Mr Smith," Baines directed himself to the Doctor.

"No, better than that," a little girl holding a red balloon skipped onto the dance floor, "The teacher. He's the Doctor. I heard them talking."

"You took human form," Baines looked on with surprise.

"Of course I'm human, I was born human! As were you, Baines. And Jenny, and you, Mr Clarke! What is going on, this is madness!" the poor Martian frantically asked.

"And a human brain, too! Simple, thick and dull."

"You will leave," I ordered.

"Way to keep it down-low, Minerva," Martha mock-glared.

I covered my mouth, "Martha...I didn't say that," she raised an eyebrow, now staring with concern.

"He's no good like this," Jenny said.

"We need a Time Lord."

"Easily done," Baines stepped forwards and raised his own gun at the Doctor, the Martian stepping back as the crowd gasped, "Change back."

I was going to attempt and stop them but the iciness started up again, halting me in my spot, "Ow..." I rubbed my head.

"Minerva?" Martha frowned.

"I don't know what you're talking about," the Doctor shook his head.

"Change back!"

"I literally do not know-"

Jenny suddenly grabbed Martha, snatching her away before I could even reach out, "Get off me!" she shouted, Jenny only smirking.

"She's your friend, isn't she? Doesn't this scare you enough to change back?" Jenny spoke to the Doctor.

"I don't know what you mean!"

"Wait a minute...the maid told me about Smith and the blind one over there," she nodded to me, "...that woman, there!"

"Let's have you!" Clarke grabbed my wrist and pulled me forwards.

"Have you enjoyed it, Doctor? Being human? Has it taught you wonderful things, are you better, richer, wiser?" Baines questioned, standing in the middle of us, "Then let's see you answer this. Which one of them do you want us to kill? Your friend, or your lover? Your choice."

"Make your decision, Mr. Smith," Jenny smiled, wickedly.

"Minerva?" Martha had stopped her struggling as she noticed that I was staring down with a blank expression, "She's not okay!" she exclaimed to the others, as if that would make a difference, "Please, let me help her!"

But inside my body it felt like the cold was taking over. A cold, prickly ice numbing every inch of my body and brain...clearing out things inside my mind...as if making room for another...and failing. Everything was being squished together, one memory over another, the cold spreading and intensifying. My chest and head started hurting like crazy.

"Perhaps if that human heart breaks, the Time Lord will emerge," Baines smirked.

And then the necklace burned...but it no longer burned my skin...

"NO!," I gripped Clarke's hand, ice beginning to emerge from my fingertips, "You will let go, NOW!" and swiftly I broke free from the man, turning around.

"Minerva," Martha whispered, her eyes widening again.

But it felt like something was compressing my mind...like when Cassandra had taken over my head. Dear God it hurt. "I am not about to let you hurt him," I spoke, my voice overlapping with another, a voice I recognized completely.

"Kaeya?" Martha gaped.

"I didn't wait centuries for the Doctor to be killed in front of me," I/Kaeya pointed a finger at them, "You will leave him, and you will leave him now."

"Who are you?" Baines demanded.

"I am in the body of a feeble human, but not for long," I/Kaeya smiled, "You may recall the Silver Monsoon, I am its princess. I am Kaeya. And under my orders you shall leave the Doctor and his companions alone."

But he held up a gun at me, Kaeya not so pleased.

"Time Lord..." we heard a whisper from the room.

"It's him!" Baines pointed.

Quickly, I grabbed the gun from his hand and fired right past Baines, making him drop the gun he was holding, "Step away from the gun, right now! John, the gun."

He stared on, full of shock and confusion, "But you...your eyes...you can...see? And your voice...what's...your voice..."

"John, the gun," I/Kaeya repeated, louder. When he did I turned back to Jenny and Clarke, "Now I'm gonna ask one time, nicely, to let go of the human right now."

"Well, what do we have here?" Jenny smirked, "Can you see?"

"The human was always capable of seeing, she was merely faking for the safety of our Doctor."

I gasped, putting a hand on my head, looking at Martha with watery eyes, "It hurts. She's in my head and it hurts! Make it stop...please!"

Martha became desperate to be free, "Kaeya! Leave her alone! It's compressing her to death!"

"She will be fine," Kaeya took over again. I/Kaeya pointed the gun at Jenny, a dark feeling taking over my face, "Let go before I kill you. And do not think I shall hesitate for it was people like you that I was killed by. He killed me for a better life. You will suffer the fate he should've had."

"Careful wife of mine," Clarke said, "We don't want any of us dying."

"We'll shoot you down!" Baines snapped.

"And you'll die, end of story. I want Martha freed, NOW."

Baines took a good look into my narrowed eyes, seeing Kaeya was not joking, "Mother..."

"Martha Jones, escort the Doctor and everyone else out of this building," I/Kaeya ordered, Kaeya's voice only getting stronger.

"You need to leave her body alone! She's just human, Kaeya!" Martha pleaded, rushing over to me, "Minerva, can you hear me!?"

"This is for the Doctor, he comes first. Please leave."

She looked past me to the others, sighing and resuming her work, "Alright, you heard her! Go! Matron, please help me!"

While they ushered everyone out, Kaeya and I dealt with the little threat, well Kaeya more than I.

"Kaeya it's hurting me...please..." I pleaded both mentally and externally, my hand over my chest, feeling it compress.

"There is a message to give," she declared.

~0~

"Minerva!" Martha ran to meet me, she, the Doctor and even Joan were still outside the school, a few feet away from it, even after Kaeya's specific instructions.

"What are you all still doing here!?" I yanked off Kaeya's necklace, barely catching my breath, "Kaeya said to run!"

"I could give a crap what that woman said, how's your head?" she studied it frantically, reminding me of the Doctor suddenly.

"She's gone for the moment," I moved past her to the Doctor, Joan a few feet behind, "Are you okay?"

"You're name is Lisabetha..." he whispered, his eyes still wide from the shock, "...Minerva is...she's the-"

"The Doctor's companion, yeah, hello," I waved my fingers, "That's me."

"But..."

"My name's not Lisabetha. I'm not English. And, as you can clearly see, I'm not blind!"

He blinked, "But...you can't be..."

"Clearly I am!" I exclaimed, the tears quick to form at his reactions, "And I'm sorry!"

"Lisabetha," he whispered, stepping closer, "You're not..." he brushed the side of my face with his fingers, "...but..."

I sighed, "My name is Minerva and I'm the Doctor's companion. And you know this because you're him."

"Well don't just stand there!" Martha ran past us, reminding us of that thing we had to do, RUN! "Let's go! Let's go!"

"Martha! We need the watch!" I said, as we ran, "But it's not here anymore! It headed back to the school! Kaeya said so!"

"You two are insane!" the Doctor snapped.

"So are you!" We both replied back.

~0~

We ran back to the school where the Doctor closed the doors and suddenly began ringing a bell.

"What are you doing?" Martha demanded.

"Maybe one can't fight them, but this school teaches us to stand together!" he replied, still frantically ringing the bell, "Take arms! Take arms!"

"Doctor, you can't," I followed him around, "They're just kids!"

"Look, I don't know who you are, but you know who I am and I'm gonna fight," he walked off before suddenly glancing back, "And I'm John."

I sighed, "Martha, what are we gonna do?"

"What in thunder's name is this?" I heard the headmaster walking down the stairs, "Before I devise an excellent and endless series of punishments for each and every one of you, could someone explain very simply and immediately exactly what is going on?"

"Headmaster, I have to report the school is under attack," the Doctor walked to him.

"Really? Is that so? Perhaps you and I should have a word in private."

"I promise you, sir. I was in the village with Lis..." the Doctor looked at me, "Your sister. And she saw - heard it - all. It's Jeremy Baines and Mr. Clark from the Oakham Farm. They've gone mad, sir."

"Lisabetha?" he turned back and I immediately reverted to my act.

"Yes, brother?"

"Is everything he just said, true?"

"It's true..." I sighed.

"Murder on our own soil?"

"Yes..."

"Perhaps you did well then, Mr. Smith. What makes you think the danger's coming here?"

"Well, sir, they said, um..."

"Baines threatened him," I spoke up, "They're gonna follow him and try to hurt him."

"Very well," the headmaster nodded, "Remain on guard," he walked off to give more orders.

"You're helping?" the Doctor asked, confused.

"You can be mad, but if we did this, we did it for you."

He looked for a moment like he'd reconsider but it all went to hell when he started ordering the boys to load up the weapons.

"Doctor, please! You can't do this!" Martha cried, both of us just plainly horrified.

"Maintain position over the stable yard," he ordered a student.

"They're just boys! You can't ask them to fight!" I exclaimed.

"Faster now! That's it," he ignored us.

"They don't stand a chance!"

"They're cadets, Miss Jones, Miss...who ever you are," he threw me a quick look, "They are trained to defend the King and all his properties."

I sighed, this wasn't going to work, "Martha, we have to find that watch," I started wrapping Kaeya's necklace around my neck again.

"No! You can't put that on anymore," she put a hand on mine and stopped me from fastening the necklace.

"I have to. Kaeya can help. She can feel the watch," I fastened it and sighed, "And if she needs to take over my body then so be it. Anything to help the Doctor."

"You know she's taking advantage of that, right?"

"How do you mean?"

"If she's a spirit, she needs a physical body. It's like that Gelth you told me about. They need a body, Kaeya needs a body. She's taking advantage of your feelings for the Doctor to take over your body because you're allowing her to do so without a fight."

"Oh Martha, that's not it," I sighed, "Kaeya...she's...never mind," I swallowed hard and focused on the primary problem, no emotions could get in the way now, "Kaeya..." I whispered, feeling the small prick of ice inside.

"Minerva," she sighed.

"We've got to upstairs, maybe in his office," I grabbed her hand and pulled her away.

~0~

We searched and searched for the damn pocket watch in John Smith's office, and came up with nothing.

"What are you two doing?" Matron Joan's voice startled us. She stood by the doorway, looking crossed for some reason, and even dressed as the Matron once more.

"We're search for the watch, you haven't seen it by any chance?" I asked with ridiculous amount of hope; we were getting desperate.

"No, and you, Miss Greene-"

"Oh my god, that's not me!" I shook my head, returning to the search by Martha, "That's some poor, blind woman halfway across the world."

"Then why have you taken her name? Her position?"

"Because I had to be near the Doctor, alright!?" I nearly shouted. Couldn't anyone understand that? I needed to be close to the Doctor, I needed to watch and care for him while he wasn't completely there.

"Look," Martha cut in, sensing my growing agitation, "We know it sounds mad, but when the Doctor became human, he took the alien part of himself and stored it inside the watch. It's not really a watch, it just looks like a watch."

"And alien means...not from abroad, I take it."

"The man you call John Smith...he was born on another world."

"A different species."

"Yeah."

"Then tell me, in this fairy tale...who are you two?"

"I'm just a friend, but she," Martha placed her hands on my shoulders, "She is so much more whether either of them want to admit it."

"Martha," I shook her hands off me.

"You're human I take it?" Joan asked Martha, giving me quick glances of doubt.

"I'm human too," I nodded, "But this necklace," I pointed to it, "The owner of it is alien too. She can take over the body when needed."

"More like steal and possess," Martha muttered.

I rolled my eyes and ignored her, "We're both human. I'm a student, last year actually. Martha is training to be a doctor-not an alien doctor-a proper doctor, a doctor of medicine. She's good like that," I smiled proudly at her.

"Well that certainly is nonsense. Women might train to be doctors, but hardly a skivvy and hardly one of her color," was the matron's response.

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow, "If you base skills over skin color then you are the stupidest woman in the world. Because, Martha, happens to know more than you and I combined about medicine. Martha?"

"Bones of the hand," my good old best friend held up her left hand, "Carpal bones, proximal row; scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform. Distal row; trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate. Then the metecarpal bones extending in three distinct phalanges; proximal, middle, distal," she pointed to each said bone like a professional.

"You read that in a book."

Martha just laughed, "Yes, to pass my exams. Can't you see this is true?"

"I must go," Joan turned away.

"Matron, please, we don't mean to be rude but...if we find that watch we can stop them," I sighed, "Please help us."

"Those boys are going to fight. I might not be a doctor, nor a clever liar, but I'm still their nurse. They need me."

Clever liar.

I think that's the perfect way to describe myself, actually...

~0~

Martha and I were hurrying down the hallways, hoping to find the watch somewhere on the floor, in case it had been accidentally dropped it or something.

On a turn of the hallway, I gasped as I felt the watch, it's insides, being shown to someone...

"Minerva? What is it?" Martha had stopped running and turned back.

"It's Kaeya, she's showing me again. I saw the Doctor, the real him, a memory..." I rubbed the side of my head, another rubbing over my heart.

"How can she do that?" she walked back, looking at the necklace, "It's burning you again, isn't it?" she frowned when I nodded, "Take it off!"

"No, it's helping us. And, I think her telepathic abilities were low. Or...maybe stronger? Oh I don't know! I'm only human!"

"Carrying an alien inside her head," she shook her head, "Who is killing her!" she rose her voice purposely, "If you can hear me Kaeya, get out of my best friend's head! You're gonna kill her and the Doctor will never forgive you for it."

"Enough," I declared.

~0~

"Stand to!" the headmaster ordered the boys, all of them plus the Doctor awaiting to begin their fire.

"I can't believe he's really gonna do this," I sighed to Martha, she and I watching them from inside.

"It's not like he has much of a choice," she tried to make a reason out of the gun use.

"He doesn't use them, that was one thing that made me like him even more," I said quietly, seeing the gates of the school moving from what I assumed were the Family, "No weapons, just a silly little screwdriver."

Scarecrows burst through the gate as it cracked apart, actually walking ones.

"Fire!"

And the boys fired, everyone fired...except the Doctor.

A small smile escaped my lips, "You can't do it."

"Cease fire!" the headmaster ordered, walking over to the bodies, "They're straw. Like he said. Straw!"

"Minerva," Martha nudged me and nodded ahead, both of us now seeing the same little girl with the red balloon.

"Let's go!" I ran for the exits, both of us entering the courtyard just as the headmaster was approaching the girl.

"You child, come out of the way. Come into the school. You don't know who's out there. It's the Cartwright girl, isn't it? Come here. Come to me."

"Mr. Greene, please. Don't go near her," Martha called.

"Listen to us, she's part of it!" I exclaimed, leaving the man perplexed ad my accent had been dropped and my sight regained for the first time in front of him.

"You can...you can see?" he gaped.

"Yes and bigger picture here is I think you should stay back."

"Mr. Smith, tell him," Martha Caledonia to him.

"She was-she was with-with Baines in the village," the Doctor stuttered nervously.

"Mr Smith, I've seen many strange sights this night but there is no cause on God's earth that would allow me to see this child in the field of battle, sir," and so the headmaster turned to the little girl, "Come with me."

"You're funny," she giggled.

"That's right. Now take my hand."

"So funny," she whipped out a gun and shot the headmaster dead, "Now who's going to shoot me?" she looked around, a nasty smirk on her face, "Any of you, really?"

"Put down your guns," the Doctor ordered the boys as he himself lowered his rifle.

"But sir," Hutchinson argued, "The headmaster-"

"I'll not see this happen. Not anymore," he shook his head, "You will retreat...in an orderly fashion back through the school. Hutchinson, lead the way."

"But sir-"

"I said, lead the way!"

"Go on, then, run!" Baines walked beside the little girl and fired up to the sky.

"Come on!" I gestured for the way, making sure all the boys were away before Martha and I hurried after.

~0~

"Let's go!" Quick as you can!" the Doctor ordered the boys we had managed to help escape, passing them through the stables.

"And don't go to the village!" I called, "It's not safe!"

"And you, ladies!" the Doctor turned to Martha and I.

"You wish!" we snapped, leaving him to blink in surprise.

"I have to insist..."

"We have to decline," I countered.

"Help!" we heard a voice shout.

"Hold on, is that Matron Joan?" Martha listened intently.

"They've got her," I ran back from where we came from, "Kaeya, I'll need some help," I stopped as I saw the scarecrows nearing.

"Minerva, you've got to get back!" Martha exclaimed, she and the Doctor right behind me.

"No, he wouldn't let someone die, neither shall I," I took a long breath, "C'mon, Kaeya, take over again..." There was nothing though, like she didn't care. I frowned, "C'mon Kaeya. The Doctor wouldn't allow anyone to die and you know it." Slowly, the ice pricked at the sides of my head. Poor Matron Joan was barely keeping out of the grasps of the scarecrows when she neared us, "Back," I ordered, my voice overlapping with Kaeya's again. Ice rushed through the ground, freezing everything in its path...including the scarecrows.

"Matron!" Martha called, the woman spinning around at all the ice, "Hurry!"

"It won't last long," I/Kaeya warned, "I'm not ready. The ice will melt."

"How did you do that?" Joan stared at me with wide eyes.

I gasped, feeling Kaeya's presence fade away, yet a sharp pain strike at a side of my head, "Ah!"

"I've got you!" the Doctor lunged for me as soon as my legs gave out.

"As usual," I smiled lazily, my eyes threatening to close, "I'm tired...my head...I'm tired."

"We've got you," Martha assured, moving beside the Doctor and helping him support me on my feet, "Now we've got to run!"

Matron Joan nodded and hurried for another door, only to open it and find more scarecrows on the other side, "I think another way will have to be considered!" she shouted and we turned to run off.

~0~

By the time we found a new hiding place, behind bushes not too far from the school, I felt much better...that and the fact Martha had yanked Kaeya's necklace from my neck and no longer allowed me to use it. As much as I didn't want to admit it, without the necklace my head did feel less crowded and more at peace.

"Doctor! Doctor!" we heard Clark call, nearly singing as a tease.

"Oh no..." I whispered, seeing the box of wonders in their possessions, "Not the TARDIS."

"Come back, Doctor. Come home. Come and claim your prize."

Out you come, Doctor! There's a good boy. Come to the Family," Baines joined the sing-a-long.

"Time to end it now!" added Jenny.

"You recognize it, don't you?" Martha asked the Doctor, making me look over and see him staring at the box in silence.

"I've never seen it in my life," he muttered.

"Oh c'mon, don't you remember its name?"

"No."

"Doctor, don't play stupid, you dreamed of the blue box," I reminded, giving him a sharp look.

"I'm not him!" he voice broke, "I'm not-I'm John Smith. That's all I want to be. John Smith, with his life...and his job...and his love. Why can't I be John Smith? Isn't he a good man?"

"Because we need the Doctor," I said softly, forcing myself to ignore the word 'love'.

""But I want to stay!"

"But you can't!" Martha sighed, "Don't you see?"

"What am I, then? Nothing? I'm just a story," he ran off.

I sighed, "This is not going to be easy."

"I'm so sorry, Minerva," Martha put a hand over my shoulder.

I looked after him, "I knew it wouldn't last anyways," I stood up and went to follow him.

~0~

"Hold on," Matron Joan stopped us all in the middle of a country road, all of us out of breath, "I think I know somewhere we can hide."

"We've got to keep going," I said.

"Just listen to me, clever liar."

"Oi, don't call her that," Martha frowned.

"I don't mean it as an insult, it's just what you are," she showed a hint of a smile, "You're a real clever liar. Faking an accent, plus blindness? How old are you?"

"Almost eighteen," I panted.

"Incredible," she playfully rolled her eyes, "Well, this way," she pointed and we continued to run.

~0~

Joan brought us to a dark house, "Here we are. It should be empty. Oh, it's a long time since I've run that far," she panted for air.

"But who lives here?" I looked around, seeing no one for the moment.

"If I'm right, no one," she opened the font door, peering inside then letting us inside. It was only a simple cottage kitchen with a tea set on the table, "Hello? No one home. We should be safe here."

"Whose house is it, though?" Martha asked.

"Um, the Cartwrights. That little girl at the school-she's Lucy Cartwright, or she's taken Lucy Cartwright's form. If she came home this afternoon and if the parents tried to stop their little girl, then they were vanished," Joan set her hand on the teapot, "Stone cold. How easily I accept these ideas."

The Doctor took a seat on the one of the chairs, poor thing looking horrified at the prior events, "Are you alright?" I walked over to him, bending in front of him.

"I must go to them before anyone else dies."

"No, you won't. We'll have to think of something else."

"But Minerva, we need the watch!" Martha reminded, shaking her head.

"I know, but it wasn't at the school anymore..." I looked back at her, pleading with a look.

"No, you are not getting the necklace back."

"But please?" I stood up and walked towards her, "If Kaeya can feel it then she'll bring us to it!"

"No! Absolutely not! Minerva, she's compressing your head! It hurts!"

"It doesn't matter-"

"YES IT DOES!" she shouted, making me flinch, everything falling silent after that. She sighed, controlling herself to speak again, "You say those famous words but I can see through them, the Doctor can too, and guess what? It does matter."

I sighed, looking down, it was the end of my argument...

"You're this Doctor's companion! Can't you help?" the Doctor suddenly spoke up, angrily looking at Martha, "What exactly do you do for him? Why does he need you?"

"Because he's lonely," she replied.

"And that's what you want me to become? Lonely?" he looked so broken.

"No, no! The Doctor stopped being lonely long before I came around," Martha set a hand on my shoulder, "She was with him, she always made him better and he made her better. The Doctor wasn't lonely anymore, he's not."

A knock on the door ended our conversation, all of us turning to the door.

"What if it's them?" Joan whispered.

"Mm, somehow I don't think scarecrows can knock," I said before walking over to the door. I opened the door and found Timothy standing there, "Let me guess..." I raised an eyebrow, the boy holding out the pocket watch.

"I brought you this."

"Minerva," it whispered.

"It can talk," Martha blinked, the rest of us hearing her own name being spoken by the watch.

"That's what Kaeya was picking up," I remarked, letting Timothy inside and closing the door, "And I suppose you were the one that had the watch this whole time," I took it from him and walked up to the Doctor, "Please hold it."

"I can't..." he stared it with fear.

"It told me to find you," Timothy said, "It wants to be held."

"But if you had it all this time, why didn't you return it?" Martha asked, slightly annoyed, "You know how crazy we've been looking for it?"

"It was waiting. And because I was scared of the Doctor."

"Why?" I asked, frowning.

"Because...I've seen him...he's...like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun."

"Stop it," the Doctor ordered.

"He's ancient and forever. He burns at the center of time and he can see the turn of the universe."

"Stop! I said stop it!"

"And he's wonderful."

"My thoughts exactly," I murmured with a soft smile.

There was an explosion outside and made the house shutter a bit.

"What the hell was that?" Martha ran to the window.

We joined and saw the 'meteorites' falling from the sky and causing more explosions.

"They're going to destroy the village," I said, sadly.

"Watch," the Doctor said and I turned to see him holding the watch in his hands.

"Can you hear it?" Timothy asked.

"Closer, Closer..."

"I think he's asleep. Waiting to be awaken," the Doctor stared at the watch intently.

"Why did he speak to me?" Timothy frowned.

"Oh, low-level telepathic field. You were born with it. Just an extra synpatic engram causing-" the Doctor gasped deeply, "Is that how he talks?" he looked me with great fear.

I nodded, "That's him. You just have to open it and we get the Martian back."

"You knew this all along and yet you let us..." he trailed off, "Both of you..." he glanced at Martha.

"It was my fault," my best friend stepped up, "Minerva was keeping her distance and then I pushed her to you. This one was me."

"No, Martha," I shook my head, "If I wanted to I could've stopped it. I could've stopped it the moment we kissed...and I didn't. And for that," I walked up to him, taking his hand, "Please forgive me. I beg of you."

"He gave us this list," Martha began, "It was the things we needed to watch out for but this one wasn't included."

"Falling in love? That didn't even occur to him?" he asked, incredulously.

"In love?" I repeated, quietly, stepping back, "You fell in love with me?"

"Like an idiot, I did."

"Noo..." I couldn't even make a coherent sentence, "...I am so sorry."

"Is that the sort of man you want me to become?" he demanded, "Someone who doesn't even think of the possibility of love?"

"But it was always going to end, though!" Martha exclaimed, "The Doctor said the Family's got a limited lifespan. That's why they need to consume a Time Lord. Otherwise, three months and they die. Like mayflies, he said."

"So your job was to execute me," he voice shook with fear.

"People are dying out there! They need him! We need him! Some more than others..." she trailed off, giving me a quick glance.

"Look, the world really needs him," I sighed, "You have no idea the things he can do. And right now, we need those things. I didn't plan for any of this, I swear. We were here to keep you safe and hidden. And I hope, when he comes back, he either doesn't remember any of this or he forgives me," I bit my lip, "But we really need him to come back."

The house shook again with the explosions.

"It's getting closer..." Timothy looked around.

"I should have thought of it before..." the Doctor held out the watch, "I can give them this. Just the watch. They can leave and I can stay as I am!"

"You can't," I said, quietly.

"Why not?" he took my hand, "I know it's early, but I've fallen for you. And, I'm willing to bet you feel something for me."

"But it's not real. The Doctor doesn't love me. We're good friends, just friends. And the world needs him."

"If they get what they want, then-"

"It'd end in destruction," I cut him off, keeping myself as rigid as possible, "I don't know what exactly they need a Time Lord for, but it can't be for good reasons. I can't let that happen." And it hurt, it hurt, seeing him on the verge of tears. "Martha? Do you mind if we talk alone for a bit?" I looked back at her.

She nodded, "We'll be right out there," she took Timothy with her and Joan and closed the door behind them.

I sighed, "I'm-"

But the Doctor broke down and clung to me for a hug. I stumbled back with him, but didn't reject it. I hugged back, really tight and forced my tears to stay inside. I would not let him see me cry. This time, I had to be the strong one.

"What am I supposed to do?" he cried, "I don't believe any of it," he pulled back and looked at me, "I'm real. I'm real."

"Well...in a sense..." I tried meeting him halfway, "...he's not entirely real you see-"

"'He'? I'm a 'he', now?"

I bit my lip, "I'm sorry."

"Lis-Minerva, it's Minerva right?" I nodded, "I'm real. I'm John Smith and I'm real."

"I don't like doing this..." I shook my head, "Tell me about Nottingham. That's where you were raised, right?"

He nodded, "Well...it lies on the River Leen, its southern boundary following the course of the River Trent flows from Stoke to the Humber."

"That sounds like an encyclopedia. Where did you live?"

"Broadmoor Street, adjacent to Hotley Terrace in the district of Radford Parade."

"Those are just facts, don't you see?" I sighed, knowing it was only worsening his state but I had to make him see that all this wasn't real, "When you were a child, where did you play? The secret little places you'd hide when you were in trouble...the hideaways that only a child knows? Tell me about it. Tell me and I'll believe you."

He had no answer, of course and became desperate as the silence grew, "But...how can you think that I'm not real? When I kissed you, was that a lie?"

"Well...no...but..." I walked around him, suppressing my oncoming tears.

"Then? This Doctor person...sounds like some...some romantic lost prince. Would you rather that? Am I not enough?"

"I'm just his friend. And I'm trying to save him."

"But he doesn't love you, I do!" he spun me around, the tears visible in his eyes as well, "What about me, Minerva? Do I not count? I'm real and I love you."

"But it's not real," I insisted, more to myself than him.

"Our kisses, they were real!" He grabbed my arms and pulled me to him, "You felt the same thing I did." He leaned down, brushing his lips against mine, "Tell me you didn't?"

I tried pulling back before I let myself go but he held me tight, not allowing such a thing, "I...I don't know. None of this real."

"Don't tell me they weren't real," he slammed his lips against mine for a kiss.

"...st...sto-" came my muffled attempts to stop him but his lips became so soft and loving, something I had yearned for so long. It was too tempting. And so I gave in.

He started moving us backwards until we hit the back of the couch, my heart just able to resist the urge to burst out from my chest. I wanted to stop, yes...but my hands made their way up to his shoulders instead and his arms wrapped around me. I had to will myself to stop, stop what wasn't real...because it wasn't real.

"Stop," I turned my head, the tears streaming down my face like a water well, "We-we can't."

He put a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at him, "You can't say this is false. I've proven you wrong."

"You need to stop before I fall in love with you," I swallowed hard. It actually scared me how real those words were.

"Do it," he gently kissed me again, "Fall in love with me," he murmured against my lips.

"No..." I sniffled, pushing him off, "...don't do this to me, please."

He sighed and moved to sit beside me, his hand taking mine, "Do you love him?"

"Hm?" I barely took a glance at him. I needed to collect myself before I let anyone else see me.

"The Doctor. Do you love him?"

"No, not yet," I rubbed my head, "But he's so extraordinary, I've no doubt he'd make me fall in love with him not so far off in the future."

"And me? What about me?"

I looked at him, softly smiling, "Look at you. You're him, a version of him. Anything I feel for him, I feel for you."

"But it's not real...my feelings for you are real. But the ones you have for me aren't. You see me, you see the Doctor. Your feelings are for him...not for me."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, "I do care for you, I really do, but none of this is real. And it can't ever happen."

He pulled the watch out again, twisting it around, "If I open it, he comes back?"

I nodded, cautiously watching him, "Yeah."

"And if I don't..."

"Lots of people can die."

"I...I'm confused," he shook his head.

"Look, in the end, it is your choice and only your choice. But if you don't open it because of me, I'll tell you right now that I can't be with you. I won't."

"Why not?"

"Because...it wouldn't be right. The Doctor doesn't deserve to live a life with me without being who he really was. He deserves to be himself and fully conscious of what he's doing. But don't worry, if you think it's unfair, we wouldn't be together even if the Doctor came back."

"Why?" he frowned.

"I age. One day, if God allows, I'll be 70...80 if I get really lucky. But the Doctor doesn't age. I can spend my whole life with him, my whole life...and for him it would only be a mere eighty years he spent out of a long, nearly eternal life," I took the watch from him, "I'm just a ghost for him...one small little human who's gonna die in a second."

"But don't you see, I wouldn't age like he does...I-" he reached for my hand, both of us touching the fob watch at the same time...and we saw...

It was him and I, getting married.

And then I gave birth to..our child. Our first child. Years later we were walking down the park with our three children, swinging our youngest in our hands. Finally, years and years later, the Doctor laid in bed, close to his death.

"They're all safe, aren't they? The children...the grandchildren...everyone's safe?" he asked.

I sat beside him, also aged, " Everyone's safe. They all send their love, John."

" It's done. Thank you," he closed his eyes and peacefully died.

We both gasped, looking at each other with wide eyes, "Did you see?" he asked me.

"Yes..." I whispered, my eyes watering up, "...see, that's what the Doctor and I could never have. If he accepted me, if he felt something for me, it would last for a couple years until I aged...and that's if he didn't mind me aging past into my thirties. I'm just seventeen..."

"I...thought you were twenty five," he whispered, surprised by that only. It figures his oblivion didn't let him hear Matron Joan earlier.

"Don't insult me," I pointed at him jokingly, "I'm about to turn eighteen."

"Stay with me, please," he gripped my hand.

"I can't..."

~0~

"Aliens," I stepped inside the Family's ship, standing across them, Kaeya's necklace in my hand by the chains, "I'm afraid the Doctor is not coming. He's human and that's what he chose to be. But that's okay, because I know of a place that contains an even better life source, better than a Time Lord's."

They took a long sniff, and I rolled my eyes, "You reek of Monsoon," Baines spat.

"Alright, so I went to the Silver Monsoon planet and fell into intergalactic mud," I frowned, "I'm working on it. Plus, its princess has been taking over my body. Sue me, I'll smell like them."

"The Silver Monsoon and its people were pronounced extinct," Clarke informed.

"That's what everyone thinks, and yet..." I swayed my head, acting innocent.

"You shall die."

"Look, this is the princess's necklace," I placed Kaeya's necklace around my neck, allowing her to once again retake my mind and body, "I can lead you to the Silver Monsoon," we spoke together again, "But you must leave this planet forever."

Clark walked up, snatching my wrist, "Like we said, you shall die," and he pushed me for the others.

"No," I frowned, looking down at the floor and seeing the ice rush from my feet, "You shall die."

"Silence!"

I was pushed against a wall, the necklace taking a blow as my face hit the cold wall. Immediately, Kaeya's presence started fading from my head, but a sharp pain increased instead.

"No!" the Doctor's voice made the Family turn around. He gave a clumsy lurch and leaned against the side of the ship, accidentally hitting a few buttons, "Don't hurt her, please. Stop the bombardment. I'll do anything you want, just stop."

"Say please," Baines teased.

"Please."

Jenny turned on a switch and the ship hissed in response, "Wait a minute," she inhaled deeply, "Still human!"

"Leave him be," I exclaimed, rubbing my head, the pain just increasing and even feeling a small prick of ice, "I told you I..."

"Now I can't-I can't pretend to understand, not for a second, but I want you to know that I'm innocent in all this. He made me John Smith. It's not like I had any control over it," the Doctor fumbled with more buttons, catching my attention. John Smith wasn't that clumsy.

"He didn't just make himself human, he made himself an idiot," Jenny remarked.

"Same thing, isn't it?" Baines asked, all of them laughing.

"I don't care about this Doctor and your family, I just want you to go and give me Minerva. So, I've made my choice," he held out the watch for them, "You can have him. Just take it, please! Take him away."

"A Time Lord for a human?" Baines scoffed, "You're an idiot," he snatched the watch.

"Yeah, well, she's worth a million," he smiled softly at me.

"Well don't think that's saved your life," Baines grabbed him by the lapels and pushed him back, "Family of mine, now we shall have the lives of a Time Lord."

They gathered around and inhaled deeply, "Wait...it's empty!" Baines turned to the Doctor.

"What do you mean it's empty?" I raised an eye brow, "It can't be..."

"Where's it gone?" the Doctor asked, sounding just as lost.

"You tell me!" Baines threw the watch towards him.

He caught it and gasped, "Oh, I think the explanation might be you've been fooled by a simple olfactory misdirection. Like a little ventriloquism of the nose. It's an elementary trick in certain parts of the galaxy. But it has got to be said," he spoke like the Doctor again and put on his glasses, "I don't like the looks of that hydroconometer. It seems to be indicating you've got energy feedback all the way through retrostabilizers feeding back into the primary heat converter, ah..." he breathed in, "Cause if there's one thing you shouldn't have done, you shouldn't have let me press all those buttons. But in fairness, I will give you one word of advice," he held out a hand for me, "Minerva, you might wanna stand over here," I quickly stood up and rushed over, "And the advice is...run!"

We ran out of the ship, the Family right behind us.

The ice increased and it felt like one big brain freeze, but one that pained your whole body, actually, "Oh, it hurts!" I dropped to my knees, the last thing hearing was the explosion of the ship.

~0~

The Doctor's POV.

"She'll be fine for the moment," I murmured to Martha as I stepped out of the TARDIS.

"You sure?" there was a severe doubt in her face, and as much as it pained me, she wasn't entirely wrong.

"Doctor, Martha," Timothy approached us, "And Minerva?"

"Um...sort of sleeping," Martha explained, still eyeing me to which I desperately wanted to avoid.

Things weren't right.

"I just wanted to say good-bye," Timothy thankfully spoke up again, "And thank you, because I've seen the future and I now know what must be done. It's coming, isn't it? The biggest war ever."

"You don't have to fight," Martha said quietly.

"I think we do."

"But you could get hurt."

"Well, so could you and Minerva, travelling around with him," the boy nodded to me, "But it's not going to stop you."

"Tim, I'd be honored if you'd take this," I gave him the pocket watch.

"I can't hear anything," he held it to his ear and frowned at the silence.

"No, it's just a watch now. But keep it with you. For good luck."

"Look after yourself," Martha hugged him and kissed his cheek before going into the TARDIS.

"Say goodbye to Minerva for me?"

"Will do," I assured and turned, glancing back, "You'll like this bit."

Martha awaited by the console and silently watched me start the old box up, but there was something in her eyes...accusation.

"Martha, I know, it's my fault," I fiddled with the controls after dematerializing.

"It's Kaeya's."

I looked up, expecting the blow to go to me, "What?"

"What's wrong with Minerva?"

"I don't really know..."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Is she still wearing that bloody necklace?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Doctor! Take it off her!" she shouted, looking frantic.

"Why?"

"You're that oblivious? Seriously?"

"I have a lot of things to think about right now, alright?" my voice rose as well, forcing to remember that none of this was her fault and she was only doing what a best friend would do, stick up for Minerva.

"I would say so," she crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow, "Do you remember everything?"

"Most of it, some things are a bit fuzzy."

"But do you remember what John Smith cared for the most during his go?"

I looked away, "Minerva."

"You said you loved her..."

"John Smith said that..."

"NO," she walked over, standing beside me, "You said that. You seeped through and you meant it."

"I don't love her," I shook my head.

"Okay fine, maybe it's a bit early for that. But are you going to deny there's not a little spark or something?" she raised a questioning eyebrow, "Was China just...nothing?"

"Of course not," I blurted, shutting my eyes at the slip.

When I opened an eye, she was smirking as wide as her face allowed, "I knew it," she clapped her hands together, "Oh, I bloody knew it!"

"Martha, calm down, it's not that big of a deal," I rubbed the side of my neck.

"You must be joking me!" she laughed bitterly, quickly forming a dark face, "Seriously, you must be joking."

"Look, I've got to go look into that necklace," I walked past her for the corridors, "Kaeya's essence is roaming about and I-"

"Always Kaeya, huh?" she nearly spat, I froze and glanced back, her dark face turning for anger in less than a second, "And Rose."

"What are you going on about?"

"Do you enjoy hurting Minerva?"

"What? No!" I frowned, where the hell was she getting all this from? I didn't have time for this. Minerva was still unconscious and alone! I had to go be with her!

"Then why can't you admit your feelings to her? I don't think it's a big secret that she likes you too," she waved her hands for sarcasm.

I returned to her, more solemn and serious, this was serious, had been for some time now since I realized it, "Martha...I'm...confused."

"Confused?" she raised an eyebrow, "Of what?"

"I...you know about Kaeya..."

"Yeah, unfortunately," she rolled her eyes, confusing me for a second.

"Minerva, she's..."

"Amazing? Kind? Generous? I mean, c'mon! She allowed Kaeya to use her body as a vessel for her stupid spirit! Minerva is actually sweet and caring and not selfish?"

"What do you mean her body as a vessel?"

"You told me about Minerva, right? That necklace left her some side affects?" I nodded, she continuing right after, her anger just boiling out, "Minerva had her mind compressed by Kaeya, she voluntarily allowed herself to be taken over by the princess. And now she can't even wake up! Kaeya was selfish."

"What?" now I was severely lost.

"She's dead and she still won't let you go. And so who does she take it out on? Minerva. Why? Because that girl is so sweet, so understanding that she would allow Kaeya to take over her body just for you. Kaeya took advantage of that, she took advantage of Minerva's feelings for you. I told her to leave Minerva alone and she didn't. She's selfish. I don't understand how you can love two selfish women."

"Two? Selfish?"

"How can you think, even for a second, that Minerva could ever be less than Kaeya? Than Rose?"

"Martha, you're just confusing me even more-"

"Kaeya and Rose are the most selfish women I've ever heard of!" she shouted, flinching me shut, "Kaeya nearly compresses her to death and Rose was just utterly rude and selfish."

"When did we start talking about Rose?"

"Minerva's told me all about her, Doctor. And shame on you for never noticing. Rose was no white dove, I'll tell you that. But Minerva, she's it. She's the one you should love. If John Smith did, why not you?"

"You don't think I'd like to? Minerva's incredible, and it pains me to know that while I've been protecting her from other people who could hurt her I've been hurting her more. I want to, I want to tell her how I feel and see what she thinks-"

"Then why don't you?"

"Because I'm confused!" I shouted, this time leaving her silent as my anger began to rise, "Because she deserves someone who can commit to her and think only of her. When I look at her, yeah, my hearts beat faster and I get nervous, but then...right in the back of my head, I start thinking of Kaeya...I don't know why...but I do."

"You can't choose between three women, two of those may I remind you are dead. Kaeya died and Rose might as well be pronounced dead because you're never gonna see her again. And I'm not saying you should choose Minerva because she's still here, you should choose her because out of the three, she's the one with the biggest heart. She has qualities that Kaeya and Rose will never have."

"First of all, my feelings for Rose are completely exaggerated here!"

"Minerva thinks you loved her."

"Excuse me!?"

"I'm not gonna say more about it," she shrugged, "But she thinks you loved Rose. And now she knows you loved Kaeya as well. Forget her, forget both of them!"

"Tell me how to do that, then," I said quietly, "Tell me how to magically forget Kaeya because I do want to forget her. But I don't want to forget her because I chose Minerva. I want to forget her because I want to. I want to move on and be free..."

"What you're doing is noble, I suppose," she nodded in concede, "But hear me now, Doctor. Minerva is my best friend, and just like her last one, I will stand up for her. Figure yourself out, but in the meantime do not make Minerva feel like you chose her. Don't make it seem like you've resolved everything. In other words, don't play with her feelings."

"I would never!" she was offending me, really. I would never want to hurt Minerva. Ever.

"I'm just tired, Doctor. I'm tired of seeing Minerva in pain. She thinks she has no hope with you, and poor thing has accepted it. But she'll never say it, she'll never admit her feelings to you unless you do and that won't happen until you sort your feelings out. Just be mindful, Doctor. That's all I want. I know that intentionally you don't toy with her, but sometimes you give her hope, false hope and that's the most cruel kind there is."

I nodded, "I understand."

"And I'll help you sort your feelings out, if you'd like. If you ever wanna talk, I'm all ears. But for now, go to Minerva and take that necklace off. You'll see why I don't like Kaeya after."

I raised an eyebrow, "But wh-"

"Just go," she waved me off, "I'm tired. I wanna get some sleep then come back and take a shift watching Minerva."

"Alright..." I turned away, heading for the clever girl who slept in her room.

~0~

I found Minerva sleeping soundly in her bed, all the covers pushed down to her ankles. She did tell me once she was a crazy sleeper at times. I smiled and walked up, pulling the covers over her again, seeing Kaeya's necklace on her neck. I reached for it and unfastened it, taking it into my hand. I then noticed a heavy burn mark on Minerva where the necklace had been. I frowned, pulling over a chair and sitting close to her, studying the mark.

Kaeya.

I looked at the necklace in hand, had she hurt Minerva purposely? I knew the necklace burned Minerva at times but it was nothing severe, only small burns that would usually sting for a couple minutes then vanish. But the mark Minerva now bore was different. This was a build up of time; the necklace had been burning her for some time and she hadn't taken it off.

My hearts constricted of the idea of Kaeya, her spirit, or what ever form had hurt Minerva. Her mind, her body was being squished together by another entity who easily took control of her. That didn't sound like Kaeya at all. She was sweet, she would never harm someone...why would she do that to Minerva? That's when my anger started up again, and so I placed the necklace far away from us. I didn't want it anywhere near Minerva for fear of harming her. And I didn't want it near me for fear of what I could do to it because it hurt Minerva.

Minerva started moving, her eyes slowly opening, scanning her area before finding me. She smiled softly for a moment then blinked as if she remembered something, and grew serious.

"Is something wrong? Does something hurt?" I moved to stand up when her hand reached for me, "What is it?" I quickly took it.

"Kaeya..." she whispered, her voice feeble.

But I didn't want to hear about her for the moment, I just wanted to make sure Minerva was alright, "No Minerva, just tell me if you need anything. Are you..." but she shook her head, her eyes closing for a second.

"...Doctor...Kaeya..."

"No..."

"DOCTOR," she sounded like she whined, "...Kaeya...is alive."

I blinked, letting go of her hand and leaning back on my chair.

"Kaeya...is alive...and she's...coming back...for you," and Minerva's eyes closed again, falling unconscious, or asleep, again.

If I thought my feelings were screwed up at the moment...now they were just all over the place.

Kaeya hadn't died. She was alive...she was alive...she survived...

...and she was coming back.

#ocapp #doctor who #10th doctor #doctor who fic #10th doctor fics #dw imagine #dw imagines #10th doctor imagines #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 23: Things Change

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: Minerva finally comes home to see someone very special to her and hopefully raise her spirits a bit.

// Story Masterlist //

The Doctor entered my room with another dessert in his hand, a hopeful look on his face as he approached my bed.

"Doctor, I said I wanted vanilla pudding," I informed, giggling when his hope turned into irritation. It was far too much fun irritating him like that. Since I'd been stuck in bed for a good while, I had to find a source of entertainment somewhere.

"Are you serious?" He frowned.

I nodded, "I said clearly that I wanted vanilla..." But my certainty faded when I started to think about it. This had been happening for a while too. "...or...maybe I did say chocolate...hm...no, wait, pistachio?"

The Doctor sighed and sat down on the chair beside my bed. He wasn't very surprised about my doubt, neither was I by this point. "Don't try to think too hard. It could hurt you."

"Sorry," I reached for the vanilla pudding, "But thank you for tolerating my indecision."

"It's alright, although I'm seriously not okay with you rejecting the banana pudding," he gave me a sharp look.

"I told you, I like banana in everything...except pudding form."

He shook his head, "Why would you say that?"

"I don't know," I shrugged, "It's just its yellow color sort of reminds me of like the goop of your brain or something...ew."

"Seriously?" he raised an eyebrow, "That's your excuse?"

"I'm sorry if I don't want to eat a pudding brain," I said as innocently as possible, "It's what it reminds me of."

"Your comparisons are wrong," he pointed.

"And so is this," I waved the vanilla pudding, "I think I did say chocolate."

"Minerva just eat the bloody pudding," he snapped, "Or I'll force it down your throat."

"Ouch, you're rude today," I said innocently as I took a spoonful of my pudding.

"Sorry," he immediately apologized, his genuine sorriness making me feel bad because this wasn't such a big deal. Like I said, I'd been bedridden for some time now and I needed to find fun somewhere.

"I was just joking around, Martian, don't overreact."

"Is there anything else you need?" He stood up and fluffed the pillow behind me, "Are you thirsty? Do you want a milkshake?"

"I'm still eating my pudding," I reminded, waving my spoon as he stepped back.

"Right, right," he nodded, "Are you sure you're okay? Nothing hurts?"

I smiled, shaking my head, "Nope, I feel fine. Just fine. Why do you keep asking that? Martha does the same thing. So I lost my memory, but I'm okay."

For some reason, my memories of the last couple months had been lost. I could barely see the faint images of the Family shooting the Doctor, Martha and I in the TARDIS. And a watch...and Kaeya's necklace. But that was it. After that, I couldn't remember a thing.

About a week ago, I woke up in my room in the TARDIS without a clue of how I'd gotten there. It was a bit scary at first, not knowing what happened to me but the Doctor and Martha had quickly established I was alright despite the small memory loss. They explained two months had passed since we were shot down in the TARDIS. We'd gone into hiding in the year 1913, the Doctor posing as John Smith who was a school teacher. Martha and I had been assigned as his 'inherited' maids. Figures we'd end up serving the Martian. But according to them, we had been discovered a month early and chaos had arose. In the end, the Doctor returned and helped save us again. It sounded right, but I couldn't remember.

All I had as a memory from that adventure was a big ole burnt spot on my neck, which Martha continuously said was the origin of my memory loss. But no matter how many times I asked why she thought that, or what caused the burned spot, she wouldn't answer. I would even ask the Doctor and he would just wave it off or avoid the answer altogether. I knew there was more than they weren't telling me, it was especially obvious in the Doctor.

He seemed guilty, he seemed thoughtful, distracted. There were times where we were talking and suddenly I'd find that he wasn't listening to me; his mind was somewhere else. I wondered what made him think so much. I asked Martha about it but she seemed mad so she tended to divert the answer. She just said that it was his fault and he should know by now. That only made me more confused. I had one distracted friend and another angry friend. I suspected something else had happened in 1913, but neither of them would say more about it and I just couldn't remember anything.

But one thing that I clearly saw was how guilty the Doctor looked. I didn't understand why but I assumed he felt the memory loss was his fault for bringing us to 1913. As much as I told him it wasn't his fault, he claimed he wasn't guilty and that he was alright.

What a liar.

And due to the Doctor's guilt, he had taken the job of aiding me this last week very seriously. While he couldn't cook anything, I was always brought a good meal three times a day, made by Martha. He never left my side unless there was something truly wrong in the TARDIS that needed his services. Every five minutes, he always asked if I was alright and if I needed something. At first, I did care for his extra attention, but when I noticed how unhappy he was, how distracted and absent he was at times, it made me realize how wrong something was. I wanted to know what it was to then know how to fix it and then do it so he could be happy again.

"I'm sorry, Minerva," the Doctor took my hand, snapping me out of my thoughts, "I'm really sorry."

"Sorry about what?" I frowned, liking our hands interlocking but the fact he looked sad took it away.

"You don't remember?"

"Nothing yet, sorry," I shrugged.

He sighed, nodding and patting my hand, "It's alright. You don't have to be sorry for that."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Because you've been a terrible liar this past week."

"Everything's fine," he pulled a small smile, easily fake.

"You're lying," I whispered, watching his eyes intently. He did the same thing no matter how casual he wanted to act. It was fairly easy to catch when he couldn't even meet my gaze for more than a few seconds. "You're broken inside."

"How do you know that?" he tried acting like what I was saying had no relevancy.

"Because just like you could read my eyes, I can read yours. And right now, they're telling me they've seen something that broke you. You're not okay and it actually hurts me that you don't have the sufficient trust to tell me."

"I trust you, I do."

"No you don't, because we tell each other everything and right now you're choosing to hide it. Why?"

"There's just some things I'm not ready to say."

"Is it about Kaeya?"

"What?" He sounded edgy about that so I knew it had something to do with her.

"Kaeya's alive and you've made no remarks about it. No smiles, no happy dances, no nothing. She's the love of your life and you're not even smiling that she's still breathing somewhere in the world."

That was what confused me the most! A week ago, I informed him the love his life was alive and was returning for him. That was actually the only memory I had from 1913; Kaeya's message. As soon as I woke up in my room, her words ran through my head: "I am alive". While it broke my heart that she was coming back, it did make me just the slightest happy that the Doctor hadn't lost his love in the war. I thought he'd be extremely happy, giddy, jumping off the walls out of excitement...

...but there was nothing.

I would've thought he would've started his own search for the princess just to meet even earlier. But instead, he had stayed with the boring ole human that was me. He took care of me, even more than Martha I dare say because she had to go and sleep...but not him. He stayed, literally 24/7 all last week, just because I lost some memories of two months, and the necklace I had worn left me a bit weak. Bad as it was, I liked he chose me this time, even if it was just for a small moment.

"She's not the love of my life.." the Doctor said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"But you love her, don't you? You never stopped even if Rose was able to sneak her way into your hearts. You loved her too but it doesn't compare to Kaeya's love." I was a bit bitter but I think it's understandable.

He frowned, "I didn't love Rose."

"Yes you did. She loved you. I know it." It's not like her attitude or threats had anything to do with the fact she loved him...

"Well, perhaps she did but that doesn't mean I loved her. I mean, okay, yes, I admit it...I did have some affection for her, I was attracted...but love? No. I didn't. I don't."

My eyes widened as I processed his words, "...you...you don't?"

"No," he was smiling about this for some reason, "I don't. I never did, Minerva. Why would you think that?"

"Well, Doctor, you didn't exactly portray just friendship with Rose. You held hands, you were always together...and when I was there...there were times where you two would just...forget that I was even in the same room with you and you'd give each other these little looks that...that just yelled 'love'."

"Minerva, I will never finish apologizing for that time that you felt ignored, really...I am so sorry," he reached for my hand and took it into his. "And yes, I do admit there were times where I did consider Rose being...more than a friend...but something didn't feel right about that."

"Cos she's human?" I asked quietly, looking down as I thought about myself. What if he didn't want me solely because of that trait, that thing that made any fantasy about us being together for a lifetime impossible?

"Cos there was no actual spark."

"But you were attracted to her!"

"There's a difference between attraction and actual love. Yeah, alright, I was attracted to her in the beginning. I won't deny it. But...I don't know, there was just something that made it not happen."

"So...you never loved her?"

"No, I never loved her."

"Oh..." And I was smiling stupidly. Even if Rose wasn't here, it did make me feel somewhat better to learn that she had never gained his love. It was stupid, but...it made my heart skip just a littler faster to know that she had been wrong. The Doctor never loved her.

Of course then I remembered about Kaeya...

"But you still love Kaeya," I whispered, snatching my hand away from his as discreetly as possible.

"I..." he shook his head, "...let's talk about something else, yeah?"

"Why aren't you happy that she's coming back? I mean, she loves you, you love her, why aren't you happy?"

"Cos...cos, um..." He opened his mouth yet closed it as soon as he opened it. Instead, he just...stared at me. Normally, I'd be all giddy and smiley but this was another look he'd been doing all this week. While it did make me blush, I knew there was something more behind it. Something he didn't want to tell me...

"Cos what?" I asked, hoping that this time would be the lucky one that would give me all the answers I wanted.

"Have you ever felt like your head is just so...jumbled up?" He said instead. It was rather confusing how our conversation steered towards the new topic but I followed.

"Um...I suppose, with my family?" I shrugged, noticing how grim he had turned. "Why do you ask?"

"Cos that's what I've felt lately. Like, I think I know what I want, but..."

"There's doubt?"

"Maybe, I don't know," he sighed.

"What are you so jumbled about, then? A suit to wear?" I teased, getting a small laugh back.

"Ha, ha," he rolled his eyes, "I am being serious here."

"That doesn't sound like you, Martian," I smiled, "It must be serious, huh?"

"Very," he stared again for another minute or two.

I coughed, looking away as I blushed for his lingering looks, "What's it about? Kaeya?"

"Um...half."

"Half? What does that even mean?"

He just smiled sadly, "I'm just confused, that's all. But, enough about me, I don't want burden you with more things."

"Oh c'mon, I've told you my whole life story and you think you're burdening me with a small problem?"

"It's not small, it's really important," he sighed, "Consider it as something between life and death."

At that, I grew silent. I looked down to my hands and fiddled with my fingers as a recurrent thought ran through my mind, "Doctor...um...there's something that's been, uh, in my head for a couple of days now..."

"Did you remember something!?" He sounded alarmed for some reason, nearly jumping out of his seat.

"No," I looked up, a bit concerned. What did he looked so...jumpy about that?

"Oh...okay," he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as he slumped back on his chair, "What's going on?"

"You told me that I risked my life in 1913, and I can't even remember what I did..." I sighed, "...and it's made me think, cos...what if whatever I was trying to do succeeded and I died?"

"Don't think of that, please," he shook his head.

"It really terrifies me that I can't remember being close to death...I was gonna die..."

"N-n-n-no, don't cry," he reached with a hand to wipe the tears that I hadn't even realized were going down my face.

"I'm sorry," I sniffled, half-smiling.

He didn't even say a word before he got on my bed, moving right beside me to give me a hug, "Okay, I know this is gonna make me sound so bad as a friend but...your life has been threatened a lot of times since you've met me. What's the difference now?"

I chuckled a little through my sniffles, "Because this time I can't remember it. What if I had died? I would've died in 1913, my family never knowing what happened to me...my grandmother..."

"But it didn't happen, it never will because I won't allow it," he moved his hand down to my waist and brought me closer to him, "Human or alien, I shall not."

"Yeah, thanks for whatever you did back there," I patted his hand, "But it's made me think, it's really had an impact on me. I don't want to die and leave my grandmother without the knowledge of my death. She doesn't deserve that."

"So what do you want to do about it?"

Silence.

"Minerva?"

I bit my lip and looked up at him, "I...I want to visit her..." I whispered.

He stiffened, silence falling for a mere minute before he became ecstatic, "Really!? You want to see her!?"

I nodded, "I don't want to die without seeing her again. I miss her so much, Doctor...I need to see her. Do you think I can go?"

"This must be a trick question, of course you can go!"

"So I can get out of bed now?"

"Yes, but no excess of movement," he warned letting go of me and standing up.

"We can go right now?" I barely breathed at the idea of seeing my sweet old grandmother again, "Yes?"

"C'mon!" he pulled me to my feet.

"I have to get changed," I ran to my mirror to get a good look at myself, "I have to fix my hair," I grabbed a piece of my hair, "Brush it, no! I've got to shower! And then brush it! And then find something acceptable to wear. No excessive heels, she hates it! She doesn't like brown either, but it's okay because I hate brown dresses! They make me look ugly!"

The Doctor just laughed, "Brown would look lovely on you and I'm sure your grandmother would agree."

"You don't know what you're saying, brown on me does not look good. But anyways, something serious here," I turned to him, my excitement all gone and replaced with seriousness, "Do you think my grandmother forgave me?"

"What?" he frowned and walked up to me, "What happened to the big smile on your face? Bring it back," he poked my cheek, making me chuckle for a moment.

"I'm serious. When I left, she was destroyed. She lost Olivia, and it wasn't too long ago that she lost my grandfather. Then I filed against my parents, against her daughter. I filed, despite knowing what it would do to her and when I won, I left her. She told me I could stay with her if I really wanted to leave my parents...but I ignored her and I left. I did that to her...I can't imagine she forgave me."

He set his hands on my shoulders, looking me straight in the eye, "Minerva, you are her granddaughter. The only one she has now. She doesn't have anything to forgive because she's not angry with you. She just wants to see you."

"But you can't be sure of that..."

"You're forgetting I had grandchildren of my own. I could never hate any of them, despite what they could've done. I loved them, and I always will. That's exactly how your grandmother feels about you."

"But is she proud of me? Would you be proud of them if they did everything I did?"

"I would always be proud of them," he smiled softly, "Just like she would always be proud of you."

"Thanks," I whispered, letting him hug me, "What would I do without you?"

"...your life would be a lot easier."

I pulled away, "And miserable," I walked for my closet, the thought of him never being in my life was just so unimaginable. I would never want to live in a world where he never met me. I couldn't.

"I'll call for Martha, then," the Doctor cleared his throat, walking for the door, "She can help you get ready."

"Yes because your sense of style is..." I looked him over, while I wanted to say how handsome he looked, I couldn't very well say that. Apart from my blushing, I would never hear the end of it from is smug lips. "...not so good."

"Says the girl in her nightie," his eyes looked me over with smirk.

"Shush," I hugged myself, "And get out."

"Oh go on then, I'll go call Martha to help you with your clothes. Take it easy, yeah?" I nodded and he pressed a kiss to my forehead, getting a blush from me.

"Yeah," I whispered, both of us smiling at each other in silence for couple seconds before he walked out.

I took a long sigh, knowing it wouldn't ever happen but still...I liked our closeness. Suddenly the idea of leaving the box of wonders and the Martian didn't seem so easy to do...

~0~

"Voila!" Martha clapped, forcing a little twirl out of me, "You know, maybe apart from being a doctor, I could have my own makeover show on the side."

I chuckled, "I'd be your number one fan." We both chuckled until I looked myself over. "Do you think she'll like it?"

"Mhm," Martha nodded.

"Thank you Martha," I hugged her.

"No problem," she pulled away, "I think you're grandmother is going to love it..." she stepped beside me, the usual innocent face she had before she made certain remarks. "...just like the Doctor will."

Ah, those remarks.

But actually, thinking on those two...something had changed. Martha was always telling me that I should tell the Doctor how I felt, but she had ceased to do that since last week. Instead, she focused on just turning his head. I thought it was extremely strange that she would stop altogether like that. But I also believed it was for the best; there was just no point in making a fool out of myself especially now that Kaeya was on her way back.

Martha had gotten right on the job as soon as the Doctor had told her I finally decided to see my grandmother. She had picked out an emerald-green, long-sleeve blouse that was tucked under a black skirt. I wore tights underneath with ankle-length black boots, my hair let down with only a black headband keeping it from my face.

"I really want to make a good impression on her," I sighed as I went for the door.

"Minerva, you're her granddaughter, impression kind of made already," Martha laughed as she followed.

I rolled my eyes, "I'm serious. When I left, I was just fourteen. I haven't seen her in three years, nearly four! I've grown, and I've...neglected her. I ignored her calls and when I did take them I hung up. Martha, I'm very, very, very nervous."

"I noticed," she moved besides me, "The world's noticed."

I bit my lip, "I just really hope she's forgiven me."

"She will, she will," Martha swung her arms around my shoulders and we walked off.

~0~

I stood in front of my grandmother's door and I'm pretty sure I've been stuck like this for a good fifteen minutes. The door was right there but my entire body was frozen in place. There were too many things running through my head and none of them were making me feel better about this. "You know what, I changed my mind," I turned around and moved to walk away.

"I don't think so," the Doctor blocked the way in time, almost looking like he had expected me to do something like this. "Knock."

Martha crossed her arms and nodded, "We're not going anywhere."

I sighed and turned back to the door, "But...what if she doesn't wanna see me...I just got up and left...I can't do this," I shook my head and turned around, determinedly making my way down the front steps of the porch.

They both grabbed my arms, actually lifting me up from the ground and pulled me back to the door. Martha knocked on the door while the Doctor took a tight hold of my arm.

"Martha! Don't do that!" I exclaimed, completely horrified.

"Too late," she smirked.

"But she might not wanna see me-"

"Would you shush it up already?" the Doctor snapped, "She is your grandmother and she definitely wants to see you. That guilt you have is nonsense."

"But-"

The door opened up suddenly, leaving me completely silent.

"Hm, so that's how you keep her quiet, then," the Doctor blinked, looking like he had the answer to the world. "Good to know."

I elbowed him in the ribs.

My sweet, old grandmother looked from the Doctor, Martha and I. She kept her eyes trained on me and when I met her gaze, I couldn't believe she was actually standing there. "...Minerva?"

The Martian let go of me and stepped back, Martha following seconds later.

I bit my lip, the tears stinging in my eyes. She didn't look so angry with me so that was a good sign. "Grandma?"

She hadn't changed a bit! Her short, grayish hair was neatly tucked in her short curls. Her piercing jade-green eyes remained youthful and colorful despite her actual age. She was a bit taller than I, but only by a few inches. Her skin was a bit wrinkled, but not as bad she always used to claim.

"It's you!" She exclaimed, opening her arms and coming up quite fast for a woman her age. She encased me in a big hug with such a tight grip. "It's you! It's you! My Minerva! Oh, it's you!"

Even though I was partially frozen for a few seconds, the sniffling still found a way out. "It is..."

"My granddaughter, my sweet little Minerva. It's you..."

My arms finally found their way around her for an equally tight hug. "Hi grandma," I whispered, resting my head on her shoulder, her sweet familiar caramel scent filling my nose.

"I can't believe you're back! Oh!" She laughed and pulled away, her hands on my arms as she looked me over, "Oh my Lord, you're so big! A proper, young woman. And ever so beautiful!"

"You're not the only one who thinks that," Martha muttered, a small grunt coming out of her seconds later. The Doctor had elbowed her. It seemed my little habit was contagious because now all of us did it to each other.

"You're so beautiful, Minerva!" And I got another hug from my grandmother. I would definitely keep accepting them!

"So are you," I mumbled. I had missed three years of seeing her and it was just now catching up to me.

But she just laughed, "Oh please, I got old!" she started wiping my tears off my face, "Now don't cry. Don't you ever get tired of that?"

"I ask her that all the time," the Doctor said, "Ow!"

Martha elbowed him.

"Oi, I was just agreeing," the Doctor mumbled.

"Well don't!"

My grandmother stared at them with amusement, "Are these your friends?" I nodded silently. She took my hand and walking us further through the porch, "Are you responsible for returning my granddaughter to me?"

"He's the designated driver," Martha pointed at the Doctor, "But I helped too."

Grandma just laughed, "Well thank you both! You have no idea how happy I am to see her back." She looked at me with a soft smile on her face, "So, so happy."

"Told you she'd be," the Doctor smirked.

"Martha," was all I said for her to elbow him.

"I'm gonna be quiet now," he murmured afterwards.

"That would be a first," I smirked.

"Hello there," Martha stepped up, holding her hand out for my grandmother, "I'm Martha Jones, Minerva's current best friend."

"Isadora Lozano," she shook Martha's hand, "And what happened to the other boy? The nice one, Mickey?" She glanced at me.

"Um...he's left for a trip..." I answered, sighing. That would be as much as I would be able to say about Mickey, unfortunately. "..a very long trip."

"Oh, good for him, then," she smiled and looked at the Doctor, "Hello, Isadora Lozano."

"Nice to meet you, I'm-"

"The Doctor," she flashed a grin, turning into a smirk at the surprise we all shared. "Ah, might be old but the memory is still on check."

"Have we met before?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, studying her.

"Once," she nodded, "Seems like it hasn't happen it yet, huh?"

"How do you mean?" the Doctor smiled, easily confused yet suspicious. By the way she spoke one would think she knew of time traveling...

"Minerva, how old are you?" she asked, still looking at the Doctor.

"Seventeen." There was something going on in my grandmother's head but I probably wouldn't be able to figure that out right now.

"So it hasn't happened yet!" she snapped her fingers, "Right then, come on inside."

"Why does it sound like she knows of time travel?" Martha whispered as we followed.

"Because I think she just might," the Doctor breathed in.

I would've been more concerned but I was in my house, my real house. It hadn't even changed a bit. The living room was up first, two couches set up in the middle and two couch chairs on opposite sides with a table in the center and a television set up on the wall I walked over to a corner, seeing old toys of mine still laying there. Then the pictures of our family were still where I remembered them. Despite nothing really changing, it felt like a lot had. My grandfather's loss was still as fresh as ever and with all the pictures around that consisted of him...it wasn't helping. There were even pictures of Olivia and I...

Oh, things had definitely changed.

"You remember Stacey had a little sister, Tamara," Grandma said, seeing me pick up an old doll of mine, "She loves Lucy."

"Who's Stacey?" Martha asked.

"And Tamara?" added the Doctor.

I stood up with my doll in hand, turning to them, "Stacey was a childhood friend I used to play with all the time. And Lucy was, well," I waved the doll, "She was my favorite doll as a kid."

"Stacey has a little sister, she's about five," Grandma cut in, "She comes around because she claims Minerva's toys are the best."

"Well I did have good taste," I tucked a strand of my doll's hair. It was brunette just like mine. "She really likes Lucy?"

"Oh yes."

I walked back to them, setting Lucy on the couch, "Then I'll bring it over later. Do they still live in the same house?"

"Yes, two houses down, across the street. You know, Stacey left for college a couple months ago. Have you picked one out, yet?"

I made a face. That was certainly a topic I wouldn't have chosen to talk about right now. "Right...about that, I haven't graduated yet," I rubbed my neck.

"Why not? It's nearly October, you should've been done three months ago."

"I've gotten a bit distracted but I promise I am working."

"Let's just say Minerva's focus has shifted a bit in the last couple of months," Martha smirked.

"Martha, come over a sec?"

She stepped back, covering her stomach, "No you're gonna elbow me."

I mock-glared at her for a minute before returning to my grandmother, "I promise I'm still working. It'll just take a bit longer."

"I trust you," she pointed a warning finger at me, "But let's not talk about school, I wanna know what you've been up to. What have you done lately? Are you okay? You're healthy right? You've been sleeping well? Where've you gone lately?"

I chuckled at her curiosity, it was as big as mine, "I'll tel you, don't worry."

"Uh, Minerva, if you want, we can leave for some time," Martha offered, the Doctor nodding in agreement, "We can take a look at the city, San Diego was always a place on my bucket list."

"I don't know..." I did want to speak to my grandmother alone but I felt guilty for leaving my two friends alone in a place they've never been to. Well, the Doctor could handle himself...actually scratch that, Martha could handle herself.

"Oh go on," the Doctor grinned, "I'm sure Martha and I have lots to see in this place. Never been around here, mind you..."

"Please don't go ruining things," I pleaded, half joking yet another half dead serious, "This place isn't like the city, city. It's a small suburb. There are children in the streets, playing...don't start a riot."

"Minerva, you say such things," my grandmother chuckled.

"Oh grandma..." I smiled at her, discreetly showing the Doctor I was dead serious of my warning.

"We'll be out then," Martha walked around the couch, hugging me as I stood up, "Good luck," she whispered with an encouraging nod.

The Doctor came over next, giving me a hug as well, "You deserve it, Clever Girl."

"I still feel guilty," I whispered as we parted.

"All nonsense," he pressed a kiss to my forehead then looked past me to my grandmother, "Mrs. Lozano, you have a very stubborn granddaughter."

I glanced back at her, not even gonna argue on that one just because it was her. If it had been the Doctor all on his own I would've elbowed him already. But not my grandmother, she was just...she was here...I was here. We were here together.

"Sophia's stubbornness," she added, "Lord knows that's how she and her brother got into arguments."

"That's how these two get into arguments," Martha informed of the Doctor and I.

"Oi," we shot her a look.

"And we're off," Martha raised her hands in surrender and walked for the door.

"Don't be a danger," I warned the Doctor, gripping his hands so he wouldn't run off and then claim I never said such thing, "I'm serious."

"I will behave," he pulled for his freedom.

"Yeah?"

He sighed and put on a grin, "Yeah."

"I'm holding you to that," I gave him a warning look, "I'm serious."

"Yeah, yeah, okay, we'll be back later," he chuckled.

I cracked a smile, his laugh just contagious to me, "Alright," and I let go.

I watched them go until the door was shut. I took a deep breath and turned to face my grandmother who wore a smile, which if really focused enough looked more like a smirk, "Grandma?"

"Anything you want to tell me?"

"Hm?"

She raised an eyebrow, it was the same look she gave me as a child when I wouldn't do my chores.

"It's nothing, grandma," I looked around with discomfort. I fixed my skirt in an attempt to distract myself.

"Minerva, you may be almost grown up but I can still tell when you're lying," she took my hand and sat us down, "C'mon dear, it's been nearly four years since we've talked and now that I finally have you in front of me, I see that you're smitten!"

"Oh no..." I looked away from her, this was definitely not what I wanted to talk about with her as our first topic.

"Don't be embarrassed dear, you're forgetting I was married once. I also loved someone."

"I don't lo..." I paused when I really focused on that subject. Last time I remembered, I knew for a fact that what I felt for the Doctor was not love. It was just the first stage, a simple crush. Simple affection. But now that I think of it, as of now, I can't really say that anymore. I felt like, somehow, I was getting closer to being in love. It was like my heart had taken in a fresh new layer of feelings, but why? Why would I suddenly feel like that?

"Hmm?" My grandmother's smirk had turned into a playful, teasing smile, "What better way to start catching up then by explaining to me what's going on in your heart?"

I bit my lip, debating whether this was really appropriate. I mean, this was my grandmother! I'm supposed to talk about cookies and teach her modern phrases...not...not talk about men.

"Minerva? I'm waiting," she gave me a sharp look, "I'll understand you sweetie, if that's what you're worried about. I may not be your mother but we understand each other perfectly, so speak."

"Grandma, I...I never felt like this before. He's just so..." I sighed, smiling softly, my grandmother chuckling, "...unbelievable, to put it at best. He's impossible. Unlike anything and anyone you've ever met."

"Oh and he's got you locked in, doesn't he?" her laughter continued.

"Yeah," I answered quietly, blushing as I pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, "It's that obvious, huh?"

"Just a bit, dear," she patted my hand, "You're very smart, I know you are, but it is quite easy to see."

"Yeah, well, it's easy to see except for him. I'm just a friend," I shrugged.

"And that breaks your heart, doesn't it?" she rested a hand on my arm, sighing when I nodded, "You want to hear a story about your grandfather and I?"

"What's it about?"

"How we met!"

"How does it go?" I scooted closer, curiosity bursting out of me.

"Well, we were just friends. Your grandfather always said that what he liked about me was that I always pushed to learn and do things, not stick to the housewife stereotypes. Most women were preparing for marriage and I...I wouldn't have that," she chuckled lightly, "That's the reason he started talking to me, you know. He said I was like none other, completely different!"

I smiled, "That's what I'd like for the Doctor to see. I'm not like any other human. I'm not Rose, I'm not Martha, I'm me. I'm different."

What I really meant to say what that I was different from all human females. I wanted the Doctor to see that I could keep up with him most of the time whereas Martha or Rose usually couldn't. I wasn't trying to seem better than them because they were good in their own ways, but I just wanted him to see I was different. But nothing could compare to Rose or Kaeya...

"Rose, that was, um, your best friend's girlfriend, right? What was his name, Mickey!" she snapped her fingers, "Yeah! And it was Rose Tyler, daughter of Jackie Tyler."

"Yeah, that's them," I sighed.

"What's happened to them, dear? I usually tried Mickey's number but now it says it doesn't exist."

"They're gone, grandma. They're happy, but they're gone." Well, I mean, Rose wasn't happy...

"And back to the point, you are most definitely not any of them. You're Minerva Joycelin Souza Lozano, the most intelligent, not to mention gorgeous, granddaughter I have."

I smiled warmly, "Grandma, I'm your only grandchild...now..."

"And you expect me to believe you're the opposite? No!"

"It's just...it's hurtful. Cos, he gives me hope, you know, like there's a chance that he could like me back, like, today...he told me he didn't love Rose. I always thought he did love her...I was so sure he loved her and today he tells me he doesn't, that he never did cos something didn't seem right. It would give me hope that one day he could look at me and see someone he could like more than a friend...but then there's Kaeya...the woman he loves for sure. That hurt cos that princess, yes she's a princess," I explained when she gave me that look, "She's so amazing, she did things that I could never do. Even Rose was good. And me...well...let's be honest I won't ever measure up to either of them so I'll never be good enough to earn his feelings, and it breaks my heart, grandma. It just...shatters it to pieces..."

"Oh no, don't cry," she took me into her arms like she did when I was a kid, giving me a sweet hug, "I don't like seeing you cry. I spent years looking for you and all I wanna see is your big, happy smile."

"Did grandpa ever break your heart?" I looked up at her, "Before getting married?"

"No, I was lucky I suppose," she smiled softly, "I was always happy with him."

"It sounds nice," the absence of my grandfather began arising as well. How could it not? I was in his house, with his wife, on a couch we always sat on for games, television and eating.

"I don't like hearing you talk like that, though. You are amazing!"

"Everyone says that but I think it's more to keep me quiet."

"But you are," she pulled away, "And I know he sees that too."

"How? You just met him," I wiped my tears from my face.

She chuckled, "Just trust me. I know the looks and believe me, your grandfather used to give them to me," she sighed with content, "And the Doctor does seem to have the same looks for you."

"Really?" I asked, the little gleam of hope inside rising at her words.

"You just trust your grandmother, alright?" she kissed the top of my head, "I know what I've seen and I've seen a lot."

"Grandma, do you...do you know the Doctor?"

"Mmm?"

"Grandma," I gave her a sharp look, "When Martha's mother met him, she made a whole fuss about what his name was and what he was doing with us, but you...you haven't asked the usual questions."

"I can't tell you, not yet," she patted my head, "But anyways, why don't you tell me what you've done lately, huh? Tell me about you. What have you been doing?"

"Um...just, travelling,' I shrugged, "We went to New York..." In the past. "...to, um, a replication of a guinguette, uh, to China-"

"To China?" She blinked incredulously before laughing, "What were you doing in China?"

"Um...the Doctor surprised me with the festival of Lanterns..."

"Ooh, 'surprised' you?" she raised an eyebrow, a hint of smirk growing on her face.

I blushed and looked away, thinking of what exactly happened during the festival. Looking back at it, I had no idea where I garnered such courage...

"Minerva?" My grandmother nudged me.

"Huh?" I snapped my head back to her, blinking rapidly as I remembered where I was.

"Anything interesting happen there?"

"Um, we had a riddle contest," I shrugged, deciding to leave out who with, "And I won."

"Oh, good," she chuckled, "Smart one, you are. Where else did you go?"

"Just...to so many places, grandma," I sighed with content, "It's all amazing out there."

"You just love to travel don't you?"

I nodded, "One could say it's my life."

"That's what Aaron says," she shook her head, "Somehow I think you're more level-headed than he is."

"How is Uncle Aaron?"

The Doctor had promised to find my uncle for me, but for some reason it was being a bit more difficult. Apart from all the distractions our travels caused, it seemed like Uncle Aaron was a bit hidden. And it did disappoint me because apart from my grandmother, he was the only one I wanted to see again.

"Last time I heard he was in Brazil," my grandmother paused and got to thinking, "No, wait, that was two weeks ago. I think he's in Switzerland...no..."

I chuckled, "He's everywhere!"

"That he is," she looked at me, "You and him are so alike in personalities it's no wonder Sophia had arguments with you."

I looked down, fiddling with my fingers, "...yeah. It seemed like I always disappointed her."

She set a hand on my arm, offering a smile of comfort, "Not to me you weren't. And never to her."

I sighed, wishing that could be true. Deep down, all I wanted was for my mother to forgive me.

~0~

My grandmother and I sat at the kitchen table with a plate of sliced apples in front of us. I declined her lunch offers so many times that she gave up trying to cook something and settled for a simple snack.

"Minerva, why didn't you want to take my calls? Did I do something wrong?" She asked once we were sitting together at the table. I knew it was the burning question she'd been keeping hold of ever since she opened the door to find me on the other side. The way she looked made me feel so incredibly guilty. Here was this sweet, old woman who had done nothing but care for a child that wasn't even hers and how do I repay her? By making her feel like she did something wrong.

"Grandma, when I left home, things were ugly," I began, swallowing hard, not wanting any memories to resurface through my head but that was just impossible. "I just wanted to forget everything for a while. And Uncle Aaron helped me. But when we separated, I started getting phone calls from my mother, well more since uncle Aaron and I were together. The times I did pick up she did nothing but remind me of what I had done to Olivia and her...so when you called, I thought it'd be the same. Cos all mom wants me to do is come back home so she can keep an eye on me like I'm some child with disastrous tantrums that harm people."

"You know very well my opinions over Olivia's death. It was not your fault, sweetie. And truthfully, that is something I shall never forgive Sophia for. She forgot what being a mother was. But you sweetie, you," she put a hand under my chin, lifting my gaze to hers to see her warm smile, "You are innocent. And understand that I will never fault you for Olivia's death."

"I'm sorry," I said before I started sniffling, "I thought about you all the time though. The Christmas I spent with the Tylers, Jackie Tyler made this delicious Christmas dinner, though with turkey..." We both made a face at the food, which she broke with a laughter, causing me to do the same. "...still don't understand that British custom. But anyways, all I could think of were your snicker-doodles. Those sweet, warm cookies you used to make for me and grandpa every year. This past Christmas, actually," I chuckled at the memory, wiping my face of tears, "The Doctor went out and brought some snicker-doodle mix which we attempted to bake."

"And how'd it go?"

"Well, he's not...very good with baking," I remembered the kitchen being splattered with half the mix, shortening our cookie production in half but still actually filling, though I bet the TARDIS wasn't too happy to have her kitchen covered with cookie mix, "So we had about half the cookie mix as cookies. But even baked by my hands, they don't taste the same. Yours were just delicious...I bet they still are."

"Well if you stick around I'll bake some for you," she pointed, "In fact, stop by your birthday and I may have a batch for you done."

"My birthday?" I blinked, forgetting all about that day seeing as it was not important.

"Your 18th birthday! How can you forget?"

"Grandma, I'm already a legal adult. My birthdays have kind already lost significance to me," I shrugged.

It was true. Most teens looked forwards to the big 1-8, but me? I'm already an adult to the law so there was no specialty behind the date. It was just October 31st, another day.

"There is something you have to understand, Minerva. You are my granddaughter, you can be 50 and I'll still see you as the little girl who wanted to play dollies with her grandfather," I chuckled at all the times I had forced my poor grandfather to play with me and my massive mounts of dolls, my grandmother even joining in with a laugh, "I'll always see the little girl I tucked in nearly every night. And so, your birthdays are always going to be special."

"Oh grandma," I shook my head, I had the best grandmother!

"Don't 'oh grandma me', when you have your kids and grandchildren you'll see what I'm talking about."

"Oh dear Lord, let's not talk about that," I tool a slice of apple into my hand.

The thought of being a "mother" actually scared me. My mother wasn't the best and so for me to actually consider becoming a mother to a baby didn't seem like a very good idea. I didn't really have my mother growing up so I didn't know the do's and dont's of motherhood. I could get it all wrong like my mother did and I would never forgive myself for making my own child suffer. I never wanted to do that to anyone, much less someone that came out of me. The best way to prevent that would be not to be a mother.

"Speaking of mothers..." my grandmother slowly eyed me.

I sighed, placing down my piece of fruit, "Grandma, she doesn't want to see me."

"No, no, I've talked to Sophia, she says she does want you home."

"Yeah, to order me around like I'm still some five year old. Besides, she wants to keep me locked up because according to her I only hurt people and she will not allow it."

"She said that?" she frowned, the disappointment flourishing in her eyes.

My grandmother saw all the faults of my mother, and she sided with me in this whole Olivia fiasco, but the fact still remained...Sophia was her daughter. And despite saying she'd never forgive my mother, she would always try to make peace between my mother and I because this was her daughter we were talking about.

"Let's face it, my mother doesn't love me. And she'll never forgive me," I leaned back on my chair, "Ever."

"Sophia does love you," she tried to come with a good comeback but I stopped it with a scoff, "In her own way..."

"She had fourteen years to show it and she failed. I love her, I do. She's my mother, I can't possibly hate her...but I won't pretend. She's made me angry, sad, guilty, everything...she doesn't want me home and quite frankly I don't want to step foot on that house."

"And your father? You know, truthfully, Nick hasn't been the same since you left the house. He used to be energetic, focused, even jokeful...but he's different now. He barely talks to anyone anymore, barely makes a noise. I think he misses you a lot."

"But he's never called me...why?"

"Maybe he was afraid? I don't know, but maybe you should go visit him now that you're back. I bet that'll put a smile on him..." she got thinking, "...hm, haven't actually seen one in years."

I would like to visit my father, but I was afraid of what he'd say to me. Unlike my mother where she completely lost it and outlashed everything on me, he sort of just...shut down. Honestly, he wasn't the best father to me either but the day we lost Olivia was the day I completely lost him too. He stopped talking to me, nearly everyone, he just let my mom take over and speak for everything.

I wouldn't visit my mother because she would yell at me. I wouldn't visit my father because...I was simply afraid of what his words could be.

~0~

"Growing up here wasn't that bad," I remarked to the Doctor and Martha as we walked down the street, me holding my doll Lucy in my arm.

The pair had returned with a couple arguments, Martha claiming the Martian had nearly gotten them thrown out of three city shops for ridiculous reasons. She claimed it was the last time she went shopping with him. In an attempt to calm both parties down, I offered to show them around the neighborhood I had spent most of my life in and my grandmother promising to have some type of dinner started for us. She was so sweet!

So I brought the pair along with me to give my doll to Stacey's little sister. The neighborhood seemed to change in its different occupants and the size of the children. However, it still remained a quiet, calm, suburb neighborhood. Children were playing outside on the front yards, some parents outside watching them. I did recognize a few of the families from my childhood days and some of the children that were a bit older now. But everything was calm, everything was just...lovely. It made me realize how much I missed it all.

Back in my parent's house, which was right smack in the city, everything in the house was either too quiet or loud. On the quiet days, both my parents would be working, at times Liv would be free to play with me, but usually it was just me and my toys...alone. When it was loud, it was either because my mother was yelling at me for something or just yelling at the employees. With my grandparent's house, it was always wonderful! There were laughter, there was baking, there was children besides me. I always had one of my friends over, usually Stacey to play with. There was never anything wrong...

"The neighborhood was always fantastic," I sighed with content, "Still is apparently. All the apple trees are still in place, " I chuckled suddenly, remembering one dang tree that I had a grudge from a kid, "There's one apple tree in the backyard of my grandparent's that I could never reach as a child, even when I was fourteen. It has the biggest and most delicious apples and I couldn't reach them. But," I started smirking, "Now that I'm seventeen, I'll probably be able to get them with no problem."

"Something that's changed?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow.

'Oh yes! But a good thing," I nodded.

"I'd like to raise my kids in a spot like this," Martha remarked, arms crossed as she studied around, "Barely any cars pass by, which is odd because we're in San Diego!"

"My grandparents like the peace," I shrugged, "They said this way they get to stay near their daughter and granddaughters, yet still live in a comfortable place," I turned on Stacey's front yard, opening the small gate and walking in, the pair behind me, "Gosh, I haven't seen nor talked to Stacey in four years!"

"Now would be the time to make it up," the Doctor suggested.

"Maybe," I shrugged, knocking on the door.

A couple seconds later, a bright ginger opened the door: Stacey's mother, Eliza, "Minerva? Minerva Souza? Is that you?" Her blue eyes blinked in shock.

"Hi Mrs. Donovan," I waved shyly.

"When did you get back?" she stepped out into the porch and hugged me.

"About a couple hours ago."

"Well it's very nice to see you again! Oh I'm sure Stacey would love this!"

"I'd love to see Stacey when she makes a trip back," I admitted.

"I'll be sure to let her know!"

I smiled, "...but for today, actually, I came because I heard a certain little girl had some attachment to one of my dolls," I waved my doll at her.

"Oh, I see," Mrs. Donovan nodded, stepping back inside and calling out for the little girl, "Tamara!"

"Coming, Mom!" a soft little voice called, a five year old brunette running up to the doorway a second later, "Hey, it's Lucy!" she pointed at my doll.

"This is Minerva, dear, you don't remember her," Mrs. Donovan shook her head, "She was only one at the time. Tamara, this is the owner of Lucy, Minerva."

"Hi Tamara," I waved, "You like my doll?"

She nodded, her eyes wandering to Martha and the Doctor behind me, "Mom..." she sheepishly moved behind her mother's legs.

"Oh, sorry," I had forgot about those two for a moment, oops, "Mrs. Donovan, Tamara, these are my friends. Perfectly safe and perfectly kind," I looked at Tamara who was peeking around her mother.

"Hello," she said quietly.

"Hi!" the pair grinned, waving at her.

"Tamara, I heard you liked my doll," I stepped up, bending down to her level, "And I was thinking, since I'm nearly eighteen, I don't really need my dolls anymore."

"You don't?"

"Nah, I want clothes! Well..." I glanced back at Martha and the Doctor, "...I want to travel, actually."

"So...Lucy..." Tamara stepped around her mother, her hands behind her back, her eyes glued to my doll.

"...can be yours if you like?" I wiggled an eyebrow, making her laugh and nod, "Well then, here you go." I held my doll to her.

She took it and grinned, "Thank you!" she threw her arms around me, "I'll take good care of her, you'll see! I'll brush her hair, I'll give her food, I'll put pretty clothes on!"

"I know you'll take good care of her," I chuckled, pulling away and standing up, fixing my skirt, "Well, that's pretty much it. If Stacey happens to call..."

Mrs. Donovan nodded, "I'll tell her, don't worry."

"Thank you," I turned around, walking away with my two friends, "That felt nice."

"She was adorable," Martha remarked.

"She was just one when I left. She could barely walk...talk..." I sighed, "Makes me realize how long I've been away."

"But you'll be back from now on," the Doctor reminded, "Anytime you wanna visit, just tell us."

"I think I just might," I nodded, never wanting to let my grandmother's hugs slip away from me again. Never again.

~0~

"So how's that apple thing going?" the Doctor called while I desperately hopped to reach for an apple off my grandparent's apple tree in the backyard.

I stopped hopping for a second to glance over and see him leaning against the doorway of the kitchen's back door, "Do not laugh," I pointed before continuing to hop, "You know, I'm seventeen, nearly eighteen," hop, "So why can't," hop, "I get," hop, "A damn," hop, "APPLE!" I waved my hand frantically, one of my nails just barely grazing one apple, "It's been four years!" I rounded the stupid tree, "I'm suppose to grow."

"You did," he walked towards me.

"Clearly not enough," I huffed, crossing my arms and looking up at the apples above me, "My grandfather used to get them for me and I thought now that time has passed I should get them on my own..."

You could tell he was biting back a teasing laughter, "So..."

"Shut up," I let my arms drop to my sides, "I'm getting an apple if it's the last thing I do!" I turned around and began my jumping, "Just," hop, "One," hop, "Apple," hop, "Plea-AH!" I nearly yelled when the Doctor's arms went around my waist, lifting me up, "What the hell!?" I looked back at him.

"Just hurry up, will you?" he grunted, "Those brownies and pasta sure are making you he-"

"Finish that sentence and you die right now," I warned with a deadly look.

"They've sure made you lovely," he finished with a big grin.

"Nice save," I reached for an apple, finally getting one, "Hey! I did it!"

"Um, I'm the one that's technically reaching for it since I'm lifting you so really, I did it," I didn't even have to look down to see he was smirking.

So instead...

"Ow!"

I made an apple fall on his head.

"You did that on purpose!" he cried.

"Whatever do you mean, Martian?" I reached for more apples, having about six of them when the Doctor finally set me down. I bent down and picked up the apple that had mysteriously fallen on his head, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he rubbed the top of his head, "Those apples are gigantic!"

"And delicious," I bit into one, turning to side so he could grab one from the pile I held.

"You know, Isadora says dinner will be ready soon. She says she's making your favorite by the way," he munched on his apple, "We should go inside."

I wagged a finger and moved around him, looking around for a place to set the rest of the apples, "I want to watch the sky for a moment."

"The sky? What for? There's barely any visible stars right now," he looked up to the dark sky, very correct with the amount of stars we could see.

It was night and while there were stars, they didn't compare to being in the TARDIS and actually see them in their true form. But I had a different reason for wanting to watch the sky tonight.

"I really want to stay here for a moment," I spun around, hoping to see something, even a bucket, for the apples, "It's really important, Martian."

He sighed and shook his coat off, placing it on the grass, gesturing for me to place the apples on it. I nodded my thanks and dropped to my knees, placing the apples in a neat pile.

"What's so important about these small number of stars, hm?" he took a seat on his coat, using his arms behind him to support him.

I sat beside him, my legs pulled to my chest, my arms draped over my knees, my head looking up with a sad smile, "My grandfather and I used to watch the sky at this hour, on this spot, with a pile of apples beside us...it's been a long time..."

"You okay?" he glanced at me.

"Yeah, I just figured if I visited my grandmother, I could do this for him. It sort of became a tradition, you know. My grandmother and I would bake minty-fresh brownies and snicker-doodles. My grandfather and I would gather apples and watch the stars, little as they were, but we were always here. It's funny how things change," I sighed, resting my chin on my arms, "Once upon a time a grandfather and his granddaughter watched the sky and now...now the granddaughter watches alone."

"And he watches you from above."

"You think so?" I blinked away some tears before I looked at him.

"Yeah," he nodded, "And, if you want, perhaps I could watch the stars with you?"

"I'd like that," I nodded, knowing it would never be the same with my grandfather and I, but perhaps this could be a new tradition, and it still made me feel all warm and happy.

"Every time we come back, we'll watch them whenever you want. How's that sound?"

"It sounds really nice," I mumbled.

He grinned and laid on his back, tilting his head as he studied the sky, "Well, if you focus really hard, you can see the constellation of Aquarius."

"Seriously?"

"Oh yeah, it's right there," he pointed up, like it would actually make a difference.

"Where? I can't see it!"

"C'mon," he moved a little to the side and patted the ground. Reluctantly, I laid down beside him, my heart beginning to pick up on its beats by our closeness, "It's right here," he pointed again.

"Doctor, I can't see anything," I frowned.

"Dear God you need glasses!"

"Says the man who only wears his to look cool."

"Which I do," he pointed, making me roll my eyes, "But it's right there," he picked up my hand and pointed it up to the damn constellation, "Look!" I would look, if I could stop focusing on his hand over mine, "Can you see it?"

"Sure..."

Not really.

"I suppose it's a bit hard to see with all these lights," he frowned, lowering our hands, yet still holding onto it.

"It doesn't compare to the desert," I sighed, remembering that fateful desert, "The one where I saw a man with your box of wonders."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, remember I told you about it?"

"In fairness, I was a bit distracted."

"Yeah, fixing a part of the console that wasn't broken, Honestly, I don't know why she hasn't locked you out already," I shook my head, "But anyways, it was the same box of wonders, at least that's what it looked like with all the smoke coming out of it. Then there was that man, which I'm pretty sure was you from the future. I'm just sad I couldn't get a real look, but Doctor: bow-ties. That's what I saw."

He made a face that showed his horror, his free hand going to his tie, "You liar."

I chuckled, "I swear I'm not. That's probably the only thing I saw with a good eye. I was more focused on your words...you were talking about me."

"I was?"

I nodded, "Mhm. You said you had to get back to Minerva. Doctor, we're still traveling together even after your regeneration."

"Well of course we are, were you planning on leaving me anytime soon?"

"...no."

I hadn't exactly mentioned to him nor Martha what my plans were for when Kaeya returned. And now that I thought about it, if the next Doctor and I traveled together, it meant things worked out...and if things worked out, then the whole Kaeya mess worked out and I wouldn't have to leave. Good...cos I really didn't. I really wished everything would work out in a way that I could perhaps...stick around?

"Good," I looked up at the sky with a big smile, for some reason feeling a big amount of hope, "One regeneration later and we're still together..." I blinked, realizing how that may have sounded and quickly spoke to fix it, "...no, wait! Not us as in together 'us' but as in...well..." I glanced at him, hoping I wasn't making this all too ridiculous, "...why are you looking at me like that?" he was just staring at me with a soft smile.

"What?"

"That look," I pointed, "You've been giving me that look for the last couple of days. It's like you're remembering something, or..." I shrugged, severely confused.

It was true. Since the fiasco with the Family, he and Martha had taken turns to take care of me and in all the times the Doctor was with me, he'd give me that same look. Sometimes I was just saying things and all of a sudden it was like I had said something grand or hypnotizing because I received that soft look with that soft smile that made my heart skip a beat or two and it was driving me mad because I didn't know why he was doing it!

"It's nothing..." he said quietly, his smile barely starting to fade.

"You're so weird," I rolled my eyes and looked up to the sky again, ignoring my blush with great struggle, "You're lucky I can tolerate it."

"Oh ha ha."

"No, I'm serious, what are you gonna do when Kaeya shows up and turns out she doesn't like your weirdness?"

Silence.

I glanced at him, concerned I had hit a topic that was off limits. I noticed there was a change when I spoke about Kaeya lately. Apart from barely showing actual happiness that the princess was alive, he almost seemed...angry. But what could he be angry for? That she survived? If not that, then...what could make him mad at a woman who supposedly was innocent and noble? Last time I remembered he couldn't stop rambling on about her and now he barely wanted to even touch the topic.

"If she doesn't then oh well," was all he had to say.

"Doctor, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Because I'm gonna believe that?" I took my hand out of his and became firm, wanting to know what had changed in the past two months with the Family.

"Alright, you wanna know what happened?"

"Yeah!"

"I came to the conclusion that no matter how much you care for someone, they are not allowed to hurt any of their friends," he turned to the side, facing me completely, "She hurt someone and I'm sort of in the process of debating whether or not to forgive her."

"Who did she hurt?" My voice became a low whisper as I turned as well, leaving us face to face.

"Someone important. No matter my feelings for her, I don't allow that. Period."

"What's gonna happen when she returns?"

"I...don't know," he sighed, "I honestly don't know."

"Well, a word of advice, if you love her, if you really love her, then it should be easy to forgive her because essentially you'll just want to be with her and be happy."

"It should be easy..." he mumbled to himself, pondering for a moment.

"Oi! You two?" Martha called, "Quit your little moment and get inside! Dinner is done and I can smell mint browniiies!" She sung the last word and hurried on inside.

I sat up, heaving a heavy sigh. "Just a thought, Doctor," I stood up, and picked up the apples, "Love is supposed to make you happy, not all depressive and thinky and stuff, otherwise it's just not love." I shook my head, did I just say...thinky? Oh that Martian was really rubbing off me!

"I'll think about it," he assured, "Really..."

"Well in the meantime, thank you for watching the sky with me," I looked up, "I know he's up there, though watching us now. Things change..." I shook my head and headed for the house.

"But sometimes change is good, isn't it?" He followed behind.

"Sometimes," I whispered, thinking of how my feelings had changed for him. Though I couldn't tell if it had been a wonderful thing or a curse because my chances were so slim.

~0~

"Do you like it?" My grandmother continuously asked as I took a visit of my old, well not so old as it had been refurnished after my departure, room.

"Grandma, it's so pretty!" I gawked, spinning around.

"I had it done in case you came back...fit for a proper young woman," she turned to me.

"Oh grandma, thank you," I walked up and hugged her, hugged her really tight because she was just so grand, "Thank you so much for caring this much for a granddaughter who doesn't deserve it."

"Don't say that," she mumbled, resting her head over mine, "You are my granddaughter, I am your grandmother, I will always care for you."

"Thank you," I pulled away.

"Wooow," Martha's voice made me turn around, seeing her and the Doctor stepping inside the bedroom, "Mrs. Lozano, can I be your granddaughter?"

"Oi! She's mine!" I stepped in front of my grandmother, "Get your own!"

Martha raised her hands in surrender, "Noted."

"Minerva, don't be so rude," my grandmother scolded, "If you keep that attitude up, you won't get any brownies to take with you."

"I'm sorry," I quickly said, the brownies had to come with me.

She chuckled and headed for the doorway, "Speaking of, I better go check on them. Will you three be alright?"

"It's okay, Mrs. Lozano, I'll take care of the pair," Martha smirked at us.

Then the Doctor elbowed her.

My grandmother just laughed and went on her way.

"She is my grandmother and you will not make those types of comments around her," I pointed.

"Yeah, yeah, I really like your room," she walked further inside.

"Very...intellectual," the Doctor remarked.

"It used to be a room for a kid," I looked around, sighing, "It's changed alright."

Instead of my small, twin bed, there now stood a queen size bed, a blue cover with white roses sprawled around. There were two nightstands beside the bed, one of them with a lamp and the other a clock. Across from the bed there was a large, white chest of drawers with an oval shaped mirror in on top of it. To its right, at a corner was my closet. To the far left, there was a bathroom which had its door closed. Beside it was the chest drawers and a medium-sized vanity desk. And beside the bed, to its left, was a bookshelf, all its shelves filled with books.

"There used to be toys over there," I pointed at a random corner, "Oh! My dollhouse over there," I pointed to another corner, "And then my dolls over here," point again, "Then my costumes over here! Oh! And my bed always had stuffed animals."

"You were the complete five year old princess, weren't you?" Martha narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Maaaaybe..." I smiled innocently.

"That's why she's sassy," the Doctor mumbled to her, "She got everything she wanted..."

"Don't insult me, Martian," I warned, moving up to him, "I wasn't spoiled by my grandparents."

"Parents?"

"They were never there so the least they did was get me all the toys I wanted."

"Wasn't enough, was it?" Martha asked softly, understanding it wasn't so glorifying to have all the toys I wanted.

"Never," I sighed and walked away, stopping at my bookshelf, "Sometimes, when Olivia wasn't home or she just didn't want to be with me, I would play with this amazing doll house...and I'd be all happy, rambling on with my dolls...until I looked around and saw I was alone. Then I stopped playing, cos I thought, what's the point? What's the point of this amazing doll house if I have to play by myself?"

"But you know that's not gonna happen anymore, right?" the Doctor walked over, gently turning me around, "You've got us now."

"You won't forget about me even when Kaeya comes back?" I whispered, terrorized by the appearance of the princess that could literally happen at any moment. Even if I did decide to leave, I didn't want him to completely forget about me. I still would expect some kind of visit from him, even a call?

He looked at me for a good minute, making me nervous that he had to actually think about it, "Never," he whispered, "Absolutely never."

I smiled with relief and went to hug him, resting my head on his chest and feeling his arms wrap around me. A couple seconds later, Martha joined us and together we hugged.

Things could change alright, but I would always remember when it was just the Martian, my doctor best friend, and me.

#ocappreciation #doctor who #10th doctor #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #dw imagine #doctor who imagines #10th doctor imagines #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 27: The Clever Girl and the Time Lord

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho) (Kaeya’s face claim: Michelle Trachtenberg)

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Chapter summary: One year has passed since the Master took over and over the course Minerva has formed a new bond with a certain crystal and its owner. When the fight begins again, princess Kaeya will make an appearance to settle the truth.

// Story Masterlist //

"Everyone is gone except you and I. I need you to leave!" an ashy-brunette woman ordered a woman beside her with shoulder length black hair and blue eyes.

"But I can't leave y-"

An explosion that didn't sound too far rocked both women, nearly knocking them to the snowy ground.

"Zohar, get out of here, NOW!" the brunette shouted and pushed the black-haired woman back.

"But Kaeya, I can't just leave you here! We can leave, we can escape somewhere..." Zohar looked around, seeing their premises were clear for the moment.

"Anywhere we go it'll be a risk. Everyone's gone, Zo. But there's a ship in the south, it's been hidden but it still works. Go!"

Zohar's eyes watered up, "But...but I can't..."

"I already lost my parents and grandparents. I will not lose my only friend on this planet. Go," Kaeya turned Zohar around.

"But-" as Zohar tried to turn around, Kaeya had lifted her arm up to reveal a Vortex Manipulator, "Where are you going?"

Kaeya bit her lip as she tried figuring out the blasted manipulator, "You and I both know what we saw minutes ago. That ship...that ship belonged to Time Lords, and if it belongs to them...then..."

"Kaeya, you'll get yourself killed! And for what? A chance? What if it's not even him!?"

"I'm willing to take that chance," Kaeya looked up, dead serious, "If you haven't noticed, I have nothing left on this planet. This is my last hope, so please just go."

But Zohar wouldn't have it, she marched up to her friend and set her hand over the manipulator on Kaeya's wrist, "Fine, then we go together."

"Zohar, I can't ask-"

"You are my princess, you are my friend, and we go together."

Kaeya sighed but activated the manipulator.

I gasped lightly as I woke up from the awful dream. I lifted my head from my spot on the floor and looked to see if any of the Jones's had woken up. It was dark inside the Valiant's cell rooms, everyone sleeping as much as they could. I shared a cell with Martha's family for the night, the most uncomfortable place to sleep in. Most of us took the floor for a sleep, none of us accepting any commodity from the Master as it would probably bite us later.

I turned flat on my back and stared up at the ceiling, feeling my chest slightly ache as was usual after having those dreams I'd taken custom to having ever since this awful year started. Sometimes they were good ones, nice little scenes but...then I'd get those types of dreams, of a war, and suddenly they weren't dreams anymore, they were nightmares. Worst of all they weren't even nightmares that belonged to me...they belonged to a certain princess of a certain snowy planet.

I shut my eyes, forcing myself to try and return to sleep, praying that just for tonight my sleep would be dreamless.

~ 0 ~

Francine and I entered the main room of the Valiant where the Master greeted with his usual, mocking tones and smiles, "My little toy," he pointed as I set the tray of food on the table. He reached for my arm but I jumped back, gasping with horror. He frowned and looked around, sending a smirk at the Doctor who sat on a wheelchair across the room, still elderly, "That's a peculiar reaction...haven't really had that one all this time," he stepped forwards and I quickly stepped back, "Have I finally broken you?"

I swallowed, "Stay away from me..."

"What's wrong with her?" he looked at Francine.

"We don't know, she awoke like that," she muttered, giving her usual glares at him.

"What's wrong little toy? What's changed between last night and today?" he stepped forwards again and I quickly went around him and Francine.

"It's...it's the crystal, its affects," I hugged myself, giving them my back, "They gave me nightmares."

"In that case you should let me help you," I heard his footsteps nearing followed by his hand touching my shoulder.

"No!" I cried and moved farther away, spinning to face him, "Don't touch me! Stay away! I saw what you did and I don't want you anywhere near me you cold-blooded murderer!"

"Oh, those are definitely new reactions," the Master smirked.

"I saw what you did..." my voice broke and I shook my head, "How cold are you? You're pure evil!"

"Tell me exactly what you saw?"

"No."

"I said tell me," he stepped forwards, his playful tone gone and replaced with his serious, ordering one.

"Why? I don't want to remember!" I put a hand on the side of my head and sniffled, "It's stuck inside and it's awful, I don't want to remember."

"Minerva," the Doctor called, his voice slightly scratchy from his new age.

Without a thought or hesitation, I dashed to where he was and encased him in a hug, uncaring if I accidentally pushed him back on the wheelchair. I wept quietly into his shoulder and felt his arms move to hug me. The poor Martian had no real strength anymore but this hug was just as good as his others, cause it was still given with the same intentions: comfort.

"This was your intention?" he demanded from the Master, "Make her cry? For what?"

"That was not my intention," the Master plainly said, "I had no intentions from her except entertainment with a measly crystal. That crying is all her, all the emotional mess humans are."

"I'm not a mess," I shot back, glaring daggers at him, "I'm reacting like a regular person would after seeing a murder! You are despicable!"

"Now let's not go insulting or other people can get hurt," the Master warned, eyeing the Doctor as an example.

"Don't," I quickly wiped my face, "I'll stop but...but don't hurt anyone."

"That's more like it. I won't tolerate any insults from you, little toy. Remember, your acts define whether or not your family continues to live."

I swallowed hard and nodded. It had been only a matter of hours, on the first day the Master took control of the Earth, for him take my family into custody. He kept them on Earth, locked up somewhere...I had no idea where they were, if they were being properly fed, well-treated...all I knew was that if I didn't obey, they would be killed.

"Leave them alone," the Doctor said.

"Of course, come to defend the poor human," the Master rolled his eyes, "Perhaps that kind of defense might have prevented poor Kaeya's demise."

"You leave her alone!" I snapped, surprising him and the Doctor.

"You defend her?" the Master raised an eyebrow.

"How can I not? After seeing what you did to her..." I swallowed hard.

"How did you see it?"

"Your crystal showed me."

I certainly wasn't going to reveal to him nor the Doctor that I had been having dreams of Kaeya and her past life for the past couple of months. She'd been able to use the crystal the Master used on me to create a link between us. With that link she showed me certain moments of her life on the Monsoon, and last night had been the most horrible moment I ever had to see. It was plain awful and no matter what my thoughts had been on Kaeya no one deserved to go through what she had to.

But something was wrong with the princess.

Over the past months I've been able to learn more about her and her people. I can actually say that she had been a lovely, kind person to everyone she'd met. It made me feel genuinely bad for my past thoughts on her. We'd been able to get to a new relationship level of friends as weird as it was. It wasn't that hard to construct after seeing some of her moments with the Doctor and the moments she'd had with her family. It was like she and I shared the same dreams of adventure, only she couldn't have that. After having a dream (that's not really dreams but her memories in reality) of her having an argument with her grandfather about leaving her planet, I understood her even more. So when she asked me to help her, I couldn't refuse. She needed mine, but mostly the Doctor's, help, and I planned to help her.

Of course, that didn't mean I was okay with the fact that she still remained in love with the Doctor...

Beyond everything, I still wanted the Doctor to myself. I wanted him and it broke my heart that Kaeya was still coming back to try and rekindle what they had in the past. I didn't blame her, now that I knew how long she'd gone without seeing the Doctor and suddenly knowing that he was alive...I'd go after him too. But there was something she would need to face when she returned and she knew...after all, she had willingly returned several things to me.

"The crystal, right," the Master seemed to buy the lie but not the Doctor as he was still giving me a sharp look that made me look away, "Well, today we'll get to learn what else it can do."

The Master had taken custom of using me every-so-often to figure out what else Kaeya's crystal can do since it apparently worked for me only, despite its burns. But it was because of that crystal that was the origin of the link between us and so as much as it physically pained me. I endured the burns it gave me to keep my contact with Kaeya.

"But for the meantime, let's all appreciate this new Time Lord Empire. It's good, isn't it? Isn't it good? Anything? No? Anything?" neither the Doctor nor I spoke, " Oh, but they broke your hearts, didn't they? Those Toclafane, ever since you worked out what they really are. "

The crystal had also shown me what those Toclafane really were...and I nearly cried.

"They say Martha Jones…has come back home. Now why would she do that?"

"You leave her out of this," I quickly ordered.

"Oh, touchy territory, again," he put his hands up.

"She's my best friend, and she's gonna kill you...unless Kaeya does it first."

"Interesting, see because it's been a year, and there's been no sign of the snowflake princess," he shrugged, "Guess someone isn't coming."

"Yeah, you keep thinking that," I looked around, "But let me remind you her spirit lurks...she's sneaky, Master. Don't think one night she might reappear and kill you in your sleep."

"Such dark talk for a young woman," he shook his head.

"Says the man who's taken nearly 90% of the population."

"I'll make it 95% and nice little Americans if you keep talking."

I swallowed, feeling my fear trade in for weariness, "I've done everything you wanted so far. Why won't you at least let me talk to my family?"

"Does get Martha to talk to her family?"

"Well...no, but-"

"Gotta keep the game fair, don't I?" he teased.

"You're going to die," I declared, not a warning, simply a statement, "You'll be stopped and then you'll die."

"Minerva," the Doctor said, tugging on my arm.

I turned to him, kneeling in front of him, "I'm sorry, Doctor. But he's committed an atrocious crime..."

"Look at that, hm," the Master sauntered over, his hands behind his back, "You turned a human who abhors deaths and violence into a...killer. How does that make you feel, Doctor?"

"I never said I was going to end you. I'm simply saying you've angered a very powerful woman. You tried murdering her and she survived, something you weren't expecting. You keep thinking of Kaeya as that snowflake princess but the truth is she's sick. She's not well anymore, she's sick and she has no control...I bet that'll give you nightmares, never knowing when she'll appear."

The Master simply looked to the side, none too pleased to hear my words.

~0~

"Right here," the Master patted the seat beside him, his wife Lucy on the chair to his left while another woman, Tanya, was massaging his shoulders.

Suppressing my hisses, I carried Kaeya's crystal in my bare hands and placed it on the table, "There," I opened and closed my hands repeatedly and flinching at the intense stings. Truthfully, my hands were destroyed from so many burns, not to mention their pain it caused me.

"What shall we do with this toy today? Hm, ladies, any ideas?" He glanced at Lucy and Tanya.

"How about you leave me alone?" I suggested, "Murderer."

"Condition red!"

"What the hell?" the Master jumped from his chair and ran up the stairs to the bridge.

Repeat: condition red.

Francine quickly grabbed the Master's jacket and threw it to Tish who then handed it to the Doctor. I watched helplessly everything, the pit of my stomach telling me it wouldn't end well.

"Oh, I see," the Master turned to the Doctor who aimed his laser screwdriver.

"I have one thing to say," the Doctor said, but the screwdriver didn't work...

"Isomorphic controls," the Master leaned over, plucking the screwdriver from the Doctor's hands and then backhanding him, sending him to floor.

"Doctor!" I moved to run but the guards were quickly on it, restraining me with ease.

"It's his fault," the Master gestured defensively, "And hers," he shot the wall beside Francine, still grazing her leg, "Say sorry," he commanded darkly.

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry!"

"Mum!" Tish ran over to her.

"Didn't you learn anything from the blessed Saint Martha?" Lucy ran over and helped the Master into his jacket, poor thing looked like she would crack before us, "Siding with the Doctor is a very dangerous thing to do. Okay. Gotcha," he lifted the Doctor into a chair at the table, "There you go, Gramps," he sat on the edge of the table, looking around the room to Tish and Francine, and then me, "Oh, do you know, I remember the days when the Doctor, oh, that famous Doctor, was waging a time war. Battling Sea Devils and Axons. He sealed the rift at the Medusa Cascade single-handed. Ooh. And look at him now. Stealing screwdrivers. How did he ever come to this? Oh yeah. Me!"

"I just need you to listen," the Doctor tried to say but was cut off.

"No, it's my turn. Revenge! Best served hot. And this time…it'll be a message for Miss Souza and Miss Jones," he snapped his fingers, the guards moving me up.

"N-n-no, please," I pleaded, seeing him pick up the crystal.

"Guess what I discovered today? Man do I love to research," he smiled, placing the crystal in my hands despite my struggles to push it away. "It's a very nice trick."

"It's burning me..." I bit my lip hard, tasting a bit of the metallic flavor of blood from the strength.

"Leave her," the Doctor reached out but to no avail.

"One...two...three..." the man counted, "...it's a lovely feature, really. I tell you with this little crystal the Time Lords could have won the war," he nodded to the guards and stepped back, "...did I mention...four!" he pressed a part of the crystal.

I felt a shock start up at my wrists that quickly spread to the rest of my body. It felt like every inch of me was on fire. It made me wonder if this is what it felt like for the Doctor when he had been taken over by the sun of McDonnell's ship. I screamed at the top of my lungs, dropping to my knees when it all stopped, but flinching when the burns and the aftershocks struck every second or so. Eventually, it was just too much and I fell on my side on the floor.

"Amazing, how do you keep doing that?" The Master bent down beside me, moving a piece of hair from my face with his stupid laser screwdriver, "You keep surviving. After everything that crystal's done...you just keep surviving..." He had the audacity to sound awed by my persistent survival.

"Get away from her," the Doctor snapped, falling from his chair in his attempt to reach me. At least he did. "This was my plan, my actions. You don't have to hurt her."

"But I do, because that's how the message gets through. And now for Miss Jones..." the Master smirked, standing up.

"Minerva? Can you hear me?" the Doctor lifted my head up.

"He's...he's a m-murderer...awful..." I twitched with no control, "...I h-hate him."

"My people. Salutations on this, the eve of war," the Master began his broadcast, a stupid camera in front of him, the guards picking up the Doctor by my side, though I remained on the floor...my eyes wandering to the crystal not too far from me, "Lovely woman. But I know there's all sorts of whispers down there. Stories of a child, walking the Earth, giving you hope. But I ask you…how much hope has this man got? Say hello, Gandalf," the Master moved to the Doctor's side, " Except he's not that old but he's an alien with a much greater lifespan than you stunted, little apes. What if it showed?" he looked down at the Doctor, "What if I suspend your capacity to regenerate? All 900 years of your life, Doctor. What if we could see them?" he used the screwdriver on the Doctor again, the poor Martian convulsing again as he aged even more, "Older and older and older. Down you go, Doctor," the Doctor fell to the floor, writhing in pain as the Master continued.

I struggled to move towards the crystal, it wasn't even that far...if I could just stretch...

"Down, down, down you go," the Master finally stopped and silence fell over, "Doctor," he bent down in front of the Doctor's clothes on the floor which were empty.

My hand touched the crystal...

A large, domed head peered out from the Doctor's clothes, blinking eyes as he looked around.

The Master stood up and faced the camera, "Received and understood, Miss Jones?" the transmission ended.

As a tear rolling down my face as I broke a piece of the crystal.

~0~

Kaeya stepped forwards, only a couple feet away from her favorite iced-lake, "Hello?" she cautiously called, her hands at her sides and balled up, swirls of snow forming underneath them.

There was a foreign spaceship on the other side of the iced lake with an open door. She recognized it was Time Lord ships but she had listened to Zohar's words and would act with caution until she proved that it really was the Doctor. Zohar currently awaited not too far from the lake, just at the right amount where she could act in case Kaeya needed her.

"Who's out there?" Kaeya called, remaining in her place.

"Help..." came a muffled voice from across, a man's voice.

"Since you are on Moontsay territory and I'm..." Kaeya swallowed as she gathered her courage to speak her next words, "...the last of the royal family, you will answer me. Speak your name right now."

"Kaeya..." she saw a man stepping out of the ship, looking injured around the abdominal area.

Kaeya's eyes watered up at the mention of her name, "How do you know me?" her authoritative tone faltered.

"Because I love you, why else?" the man dropped onto the snow on his hands and legs, "Please help me."

"Doctor? Is that you?" she stepped onto the lake, tears beginning to stream down her face, "Is that really you?"

"Yes, but please...help me."

"If you're hurt you can regenerate, do it, please," Kaeya rushed over, forgetting her caution as she dropped beside him.

"I can't, I need your crystal to heal myself."

"Are the injuries that bad?" she tried to inspect them but he kept moving from her, "Let me look at your face," she had to smile even through all the losses and pain. It had been ages since she'd seen the Doctor, he'd changed again!

"Help me stand, please."

Kaeya nodded and wrapped an arm around his waist while his arm went around her shoulders, "What's happened? Why do you need the crystal?" she asked as they walked down the iced lake.

"Don't waste time, Kaeya. I can't heal myself unless I have it. Please, don't you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, with my life. The crystal is inside the castle but I can't leave you here. Here," she moved in front of him and took her arm back. She frowned when she saw no blood of any kind on them, "Doctor, where exactly are you hurt?" she looked up to see a wicked grin on the man's face, "Y-you're not the Doctor..." she stepped back, her eyes wide with terror.

I jumped in my spot of sleep and snapped open my eyes to see I was still in the cell that had become a sleeping room for me and the Jones's. I groaned and sat up, leaning against the bar cells, "What happened?"

"You passed out, that's what happened," Tish answered, "After you were practically electrocuted."

"I'm not even cuffed," I looked at my free wrists.

"I believe the Master's words were: a gift," Tish rolled her eyes, "I swear to God I'm gonna kill him."

"I'm gonna kill him," Francine corrected her, "If I have to wait 100 years, I'm going to kill the Master. One day he'll let his guard down. One day. And I'll be there."

"No, that's my job. I'll swear to you. I'd shoot that man stone dead," Clive kissed her, the two apparently back together.

"I'll get him. Even if it kills me," Tish reinstated.

"Don't say that," her mother scolded.

"I mean it. That man made us stand on deck and watch Japan burning. Millions of people. I swear to you, he's dead."

"I don't think any of you will have to kill him," I sighed, garnering all their looks.

"Why do you say that?" Tish asked.

"He's had luck for an entire year, but everyone's luck runs out eventually. That man has done wrongful things, murdered a person and that can't go unpunished. It's cliche but I believe justice will prevail."

The three just stared at me like I was crazy. I'm pretty sure they wanted bloodshed but as much as I hated the Master, I didn't think bloodshed was necessary. I was sure the Doctor would have some kind of punishment he saw fit for the man, the only thing I hoped was for Kaeya to find some peace with the punishment he would choose.

~0~

Everyone was sleeping, including the Master...so I started taking out the crystal bits hidden within my clothes, making sure to be as quiet as possible.

~0~

"What now?" I groaned as I was brought inside the main room again, really all I wanted was to be back in my cell with the Jones family, hopefully to try and get some needed sleep.

"Ouch, a bit rude for someone who just wanted to talk," the Master flashed a grin as he plopped down at the end of the table.

"Oh, you want to talk?" I raised an eyebrow, the man nodding silently, "Okay, return the Doctor to normal and we'll talk all you like."

"Clever one she is," the Master glanced at the Doctor, now in a cage by his orders, "Isn't she?"

"Leave her alone," the Doctor ordered.

"I just want to talk," the Master sighed, as if annoyed no one would believe him.

"Make it quick cause I got things to do," I rolled my eyes.

"I thought you were afraid..."

"I was, I am, but I figure it's better to be angry with you than afraid of you. You don't deserve my fear."

The Master rolled his eyes and motioned for the guards to sit me down on a chair beside him, "So I was thinking, you could tell me what exactly Kaeya's been up to."

I smirked, "You're afraid."

"Am not."

"Are too. My words did get to you. Well, unfortunately for you, I don't know what she's been up to."

"You are the last being linked to this stupid thing," he took out the crystal and placed it on the table, "You activated it, god know's how, and now it responds to you, meaning...you have an open link with Kaeya," he neared the crystal to me, smirking when he saw me stiffen, "And the woman was telepathic, she can speak in other's minds. Seeing as your the closest person to that," he nodded back to the Doctor who was watching carefully, "I'm sure she's contacted you somehow."

"Well you're out of luck cause she hates me," I lied and shrugged. It was best to keep that thought alive, "She hasn't contacted me, she never did. The only reason she was in my head in the first place was cause I wore her necklace one time."

"Where is the necklace?" he looked from me to the Doctor, "It seems it has disappeared..."

"Even when the TARDIS is cannibalized it still manages to get you," I smirked.

"Where's the necklace!?" he shouted, making me flinch.

"Leave her alone!" came the Doctor's voice, a couple sounds of struggle against the cage afterwards.

"I just want to know where the bloody thing is!" the Master turned to him.

"Why?" I stood up from my seat, pushing the guards away from me, "What is so important of that thing?"

He glanced back at me, "You know, it's really quite amusing to know that the human who claims to be so clever-" he returned his gaze to the Doctor, "-and the man who was able to end the greatest war of in the universe haven't figured out what that necklace is in reality. Idiots!" He shook his head.

"It's a necklace with a mysterious energy level," I said, "How would you know its purposes?"

"It's called research, my darling. I've had a whole year plus the eighteen months I spent here, unbeknownst to you both. That necklace can bring so much destruction, if treated properly."

"You can't even touch it," the Doctor reminded, "It burns you."

"I'm sure I'd be able to find another way to unleash its power," he gestured to his black glove, "And since Kaeya has not returned then it means its power is still intact."

"Well you're out of luck cause neither of us know where it is," I shrugged.

He turned around, shooting me a glare, "How do I know you're speaking the truth?"

"You don't. And that's your problem, not mine, nor the Doctor's."

"You mark my words, I will find that necklace and when I do, you'll be the first one I unleash it on," he narrowed his eyes but his threat meant nothing to me.

~ 0 ~

We watched Martha be escorted inside the bridge room, up to the Master. She glanced at Jack and I and smiled. She looked over to her family and the Doctor before being forced down on her knees in front of the Master.

"I'm gonna need your teleport device. In case you thought I'd forgotten," he held out his hand. Martha threw her manipulator over to him, "Down below, the fleet is ready to launch. Two hundred thousand shops set to burn across the universe," he grabbed the communicator, "Are we ready?"

"The fleet awaits your signal. Rejoice!" a man responded.

"Three minutes to align the black hole converters. Counting down!" he gestured to the counting clock against the wall, "Never could resist a ticking clock. My children, are you ready?" he turned back to us.

"We will fly and blaze and slice! We will fly and blaze and slice!"

"At zero, to mark this day, the child, Martha Jones, will die. Ha, my first blood, well second," he shot me a smirk, "Ha, any last words? No?" he glanced around but didn't receive what he wanted. He stopped with the Doctor, "Nothing? No? Such a disappointment, this one. Days of old, Doctor, you had companions who could absorb the time vortex. This one's useless!" he looked up to me, "And this one's a freak all on her own."

"Murderer," I whispered.

"Sh, sh," Jack nudged me, offering a dim smile.

"Bow your head, Martha Jones. And so it falls to me, the Master of all, to establish from this day, a new order of Time Lord's! From this day forwards-" Martha started chuckling, cutting him short of words, "What's so funny?"

"A gun?" she looked up, still chuckling.

"What about it?"

"A gun in four parts?"

"Yes, and I destroyed it."

"A gun in four parts scattered across the world? I mean, come on. Did you really believe that?"

"It doesn't matter, I destroyed it," he shrugged, still in the dark.

"As if I would ask her to kill," the Doctor spoke up.

"It still doesn't matter. I've got her exactly where I want her," the Master gestured.

"But I knew what Professor Docherty would do. The Resistance knew about her son," Martha explained, "I told her about the gun so she'd get me here. At the right time."

"But you're still gonna die! Doesn't matter!"

"Don't you wanna know what I was doing? Travelling the world?"

He rolled his eyes, "Tell me."

"I told a story, that's all. No weapons, just words. I did just what the Doctor said. I went across the continents all on my own. And everywhere I went found the people and I told them my story. And I told them to pass it on, to spread the word so that everyone would know about the Doctor."

"Faith and hope? Is that all?" the Master could care less, "Really?"

Martha stood up, "No, cause I gave them an instruction. Just as the Doctor said."

"I told them that if everyone thinks of one word, at one specific time-"

"Nothing will happen! Is that your weapon? Prayer?"

"Right across the world. One word, just one thought, at one moment… but with 15 satellites!"

Now he was getting it, "What?" he blinked.

"The Archangel Network," Jack reminded, with a smug smile.

"A telepathic field binding the whole human race together," I smirked, "Martha?"

"Oh, yes," she smiled, statically, "And with all of them, every single person on Earth, thinking the same thing at the same time. And that word…is Doctor."

"Look at that," I pointed at the clock, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached number zero."

We looked over and saw an energy ring glowing around the Doctor.

"Stop it! No, no, no, no, you don't!" cried the Master.

Everyone around closed their eyes, thinking of only one thing, one person, one name.

"Doctor," I whispered, hearing everyone else do the same.

"I've had a whole year to tune myself into the psychic network and integrate with its matrices," the Doctor was saying, his voice returning to the one we knew best.

"I order you to stop!" the Master yelled, "Stop this right now!"

We opened our eyes, and found the Doctor in his normal self, growing closer to the Master.

"The one thing you can't do. Stop them thinking. Tell me the human race is degenerate now when they can do this."

"No!" the Master tried to shoot at him but it was easily deflected.

Martha ran back to her family and gave them a hug.

I started digging into my pocket...

"You killed Kaeya..." the Doctor continued, his face turning dark for a second or two, "I don't know how you did it but you killed her. But you know what? I'm sorry. I'm sorry for you."

"Fine, then I'll kill all of them," the Master looked around, stopping at Jack and I, "Starting with her!" he aimed his sonic at me.

But a blue light zoomed through the room and knocked the sonic from his hand, making it fade away. And just like that, the light was gone along with the sonic. I blinked, feeling some sense of familiarity with it...like it had been there before.

With no way of protecting himself, the Master started backing away from him, "You can't do this! You can't do—It's not fair!"

"And you know what happens now."

"No! No!" the Master cried, backing away up to the wall.

"You wouldn't listen," the Doctor floated towards him, "Because you know what I'm going to say."

"No!" the Master curled up on the floor.

The Doctor finally landed on his feet and walked over to him, bending down and giving him a hug, "I forgive you."

"My children!"

We felt the ship rock a little and the Doctor looked around, "Captain! The paradox machine!"

"You men! With me!" Jack called for the guards, "You stay here!" and he ran off.

The Master pulled out his manipulator and disappeared...along with the Doctor.

"Minerva, the spheres!" Martha pointed to the window, "They're gonna come for us," she ran up to get a better look.

"I don't think so," I mumbled, opening my hand that burned and looking down at it. I looked back at the table where Kaeya's crystal still remained, about to head for it when the Doctor and the Master returned again. Suddenly, the ship rocked again and made us all fall to the ground.

"Everyone down! Time is reversing!" the Doctor yelled.

We remained on the floor or wherever we could until the ship finally stopped.

The Doctor stood up and quickly went to go check on the controls of the ship, "The paradox is broken. We've reverted back, one year and one day. Two minutes past 8:00 in the morning," he turned on the communicators.

This is UNIT Central. What's happened up there? We just saw the President assassinated!

"You see? Just after the President was killed, but just before the spheres arrived. Everything's back to normal," the Doctor looked back, "Planet Earth restored. None of it happened. The rockets, the terror. It never was."

"And the spheres?" Martha questioned.

"Trapped at the end of the universe."

"But I remember it," Francine stood up.

"We're at the eye of the storm. The only ones who'll ever know. Oh, hello!" he turned to Clive, "You must be Mr. Jones! We haven't actually met!"

With that distraction, the Master ran past us towards the door.

Jack stopped him and turned him back around, "Woah, big fella! You don't want to miss the party!" he glanced at a guard, "Cuffs," he grabbed them and cuffed the Master, "So what do we do with this one?"

"We kill him," Clive stepped up.

"We execute him," Tish glared.

"No, that's not the solution," the Doctor said.

"It's really not," a new voice rang throughout the room.

"I know that voice..." Martha became alarmed.

"As do I..." the Doctor agreed, nervous.

I turned to face them, a brand new necklace around my neck, its burn at an all-time high, "You tried murdering me you bastard!" I/Kaeya shouted as I stormed towards the Master.

"Doctor, that's Kaeya, she's doing it again!" Martha ran towards me, her face in anguish.

"No," I turned around, closing my eyes for a second, knowing they were filled with Kaeya's blue hue, "This time it is different, I assure you that."

'Well, this is a twist," the Master's said, making us turn around, "Is it really you, Kaeya?" he smirked, "The great princess of the Silver Monsoon...inside a human body?"

"My essence remains, Master," I/Kaeya glaring at him, "All this time you've been theorizing what happened and I can assure you that you are correct. I triggered it."

"Well, well, well, Moontsays aren't that primitive as they were thought to be, abominations," he spat.

"If we were abominations I wouldn't be here right now would I!?" I/Kaeya shouted, "If anything we are more powerful than your people! But unlike you I wouldn't use feelings against them to kill them."

"Kaeya, you're hurting Minerva," the Doctor pleaded, turning me around, "Please, leave her alone."

"She's not being hurt, Doctor, there's more control this time," I/Kaeya smiled, "But look at you..." I raised my hand to rest it over his cheek, "...alive. You're alive..."

"How are you doing this?" Martha demanded from behind, "And what the hell are you and that man talking about?" she shot the Master a glare.

"Minerva broke the crystal into pieces, creating a replica of the necklace I had made in the past. With a little bit of my essence I was able to activate it and allow only a small part of me to return for a few minutes. So don't worry, I won't be long, just a couple of minutes..."

"But what for? What do you want?" the Doctor asked, taking my hand off him.

"I need you to help me, Doctor. I'm going to die if you don't help me," I/Kaeya looked at the crystal that still laid on the table, "Everything went wrong and I can't fix it on my own. Please help me."

"Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you say anything before when you took over Minerva's body?"

"It was the wrong part of me that took her over. It wasn't supposed to be like that. I've apologized, I swear. But please help me, cause if you don't...I'm sorry but I won't be the only one to die." I turned to face the Master, a glare forming on my face the moment I laid eyes on him, "And I hope you rot in hell for what you tried doing with me."

"You survived, didn't you?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Do I look okay to you? I lost my entire family, my people, my friend...I don't know where any of them are! I am a wreck and I may die again! But I'm going to do something I should've done far too long ago," I turned back for the table.

"What are you doing?" the Doctor asked, suspicious.

"Destroying the thing that brought my entire planet destruction. If Minerva was to destroy it on her own it would simply have reformed again. Now that she has a little of my essence we can finally destroy this thing once and for all," I picked up the crystal, the burns starting immediately.

"But your grandfather is still alive!" Martha exclaimed, "If you're really dying then shouldn't you wan to keep that crystal?"

"It can't do anything for me anyways," and then I threw it to the floor, the crystal shattering into pieces. I passed over the bits, stomping on them until they were itty-bitty pieces that could never come together, ever.

I gasped suddenly and stumbled forwards, the Doctor immediately rushing and catching me before I fell, "It's okay, I've got you."

"Will you help me?" I/Kaeya asked, reaching to touch his face once more, "Will you help this screwed-up princess?"

He nodded, "Yes, I will. But you have to tell me what you did to survive."

I/Kaeya half-smiled, "That's the man I've missed. It's been a long wait to be able to talk to you again, but it's been worth it. Thank you."

"Right, but-"

"And please remember that I love you, I've never stopped. There's something important you need to know."

"What is it?"

"Moontsays, we can," I swallowed, "We can-""

I gasped one final time and felt my energy drain as the necklace around me deactivated itself. The Doctor held me before I fell and gently set me down on the floor.

"We have to help her," I whispered, my own voice free of overlapping.

"Yes, we will, but-"

...there was a gunshot. I glanced back, seeing Lucy holding a gun that was aimed straight for...

"No!" the Doctor shouted, seeing the Master on the floor with a gunshot wound, "Martha, help!"

Martha rushed to us and took his place at my side on the floor while he ran to the Master.

"Put it down!" Jack ran over to Lucy, cautiously taking the gun from her.

"I've got you, I've got you," the Doctor set the Master down on the ground.

"Always the women," the Master half-smiled.

"I didn't see her."

"Dying in your arms. Happy now?" the Master glanced at me. That was never Kaeya's intention.

"You're not dying, don't be stupid. It's only a bullet. Just regenerate," the Doctor brought his attention back.

"No."

"One little bullet c'mon," the Doctor insisted, frantically.

"I guess you don't know me so well. As an old friend of mine said, 'I refuse'."

"Regenerate. Just regenerate," the Doctor gritted his teeth, slowly breaking down, "Please! Just regenerate! C'mon!"

"And spend the rest of my life imprisoned?"

"You've got to. Come on. It can't end like this. You and me, all the things we've done. Axons? Remember the Axons? And the Daleks? We're the only two left, there's no one else. REGENERATE!"

"How about that? I win," the Master paused, "Will it stop, Doctor? The drumming. Will it stop?"

He closed his eyes for the last time and died. The Doctor grew frantic, poor thing, rocking him back and forth as his tears streamed down.

The rest of us watched the Doctor cradle the dead Time Lord in his arms. I looked up, feeling that we were being watched, and found that blue light from earlier making rounds up in the ceiling.

~0~

The Doctor, Martha, Jack and myself now stood by Pierhead Building, overlooking the bay. I sat under the rails, my legs dangling down, unconsciously opening and closing my hands. They were practically destroyed with all the burns and cuts from the crystals, Martha promising to look it over as soon as we got to her parent's home.

"Time was, every single one of these people knew your name. Now they've all forgotten you," Martha sighed.

"Good," the Doctor nodded, going under the rails and sitting beside me, "How are your hands?"

"They hurt..." I admitted, letting him take them into his, "...just a little though."

"Yeah right, you took bits of a burning crystal into your hands, hid them and touched a burning crystal everyday. I'm not that big of an idiot."

I playfully rolled my eyes, "No, but it'll be fine with proper care."

"Yeah but-"

"It doesn't matter, Doctor," I smiled broadly, "You're here now, restored to your usual idiot self," he smiled, "And my best friend's back too," I glanced up at her, "And the immortal too," Jack shot me a wink, "All that's left is to..." I returned my gaze to the Doctor, finding him very close to my face, "...call my grandmother," I whispered, swallowing hard.

He took my hands into his, sadly watching how I flinched with pain as his fingers passed over my destroyed skin, "...I wish you'd remember."

"...remember what?"

He leaned forwards, "It's just...I can ramble on for hours and yet when I want to speak these words...my m-mouth goes all dry and-and I stutter and..."

I saw Martha's legs, from the corner of my eyes, passing by us. With any luck, we could have a small moment alone. "Just take a deep breath, Martian," I offered, seeing him getting really worked up.

The Doctor sighed, still struggling to speak, "Minerva, I'm...I-"

Suddenly, he was pushed forwards, his lips landing perfectly on mine. My eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of something warm pressed onto my mouth, a feeling that was all too familiar.

"I have been waiting months to do that!" Martha cheered on the side. "I literally had to push!" She started laughing and seconds later Jack joined in.

The Doctor and I pulled away, both blinking at our actions. I was nervous of what he could do or say next...how Martha had practically pushed him on me...

"I wish you'd remember," he whispered instead with the same sadness that filled his eyes. He kept glancing down at my hands like he was too scared to face me.

"Remember the fact you nearly made me fall in love with you in 1913? Or that I posed as a blind woman who called herself Lisabetha and stole your human heart?" I raised an eyebrow at him, almost laughing when his eyes snapped up to me.

"Y-you...you remember?"

I smiled, "I remembered a long time ago. Kaeya returned my memories months ago."

"So...you remember, everything?" his hand reached to cup my face. My eyes wanted to close at the soothing touch of his fingers. "You remember our kisses? Our time together? You remember all of that?"

I nodded, "Yup. You bloody Martian got straight to work as a human."

"This is...this is amazing!" he laughed, bringing my hands to kiss them...until he remembered their condition.

"I can take care of them," Martha reminded.

"No," he cut in before I could say anything, "Minerva, I know I don't deserve you. I've been stupid, stupid and oblivious. But I was confused, I was really, genuinely confused...but then I realized, back in 1969...that it was you who I wanted to kiss."

"And that's why you kissed me secretly while I slept?" I loved seeing his reactions at the fact that I already knew this information, "Doctor, I wasn't asleep! That's what I wanted to talk about, remember? I wanted to know why you did it...why you kissed me..."

"Because you're wonderful. When I saw you sleeping, I had to go closer...and seeing you, it reminded me of our moments in 1913 and it made me yearn for them. I wanted to kiss you again, feel your lips on mine again...so I went for one...apparently not so secretly."

"Here's a secret, Martian," I leaned forwards, "I would've gone for one too..."

His hands took mine again, and slowly we leaned over to reconnect our lips. I could feel all his honesty in this kiss, how his mind had been cleared...his yearn to just kiss me again. I also felt my right hand being gripped, the stings striking again, and moved a little off to our sides. Something warm started spurring inside it, making me pull away.

...there was orange energy wrapping around it...and my left hand.

"Doctor, no," I whispered, seeing him use his own energy to heal my wounds, "It's a waste."

"Never. Nothing will ever hurt you again, I swear on my life. And if anything tries, if anything gets past me then I'll heal you myself."

"You're wonderful," was all I had to say. I looked down at my hands and was amazed at how normal they looked again. It was like nothing ever happened to them. "Wow..." I whispered. I looked up, ready to thank him...when I met a pair of lips on mine, pulling me into a kiss of a life time. My hands went up to his shoulders, feeling his arm wound around my waist that 'discreetly' brought me closer to him, deepening our kiss.

"Alright, cut it out you two, people are starting to stare," Jack's hand patted our heads.

I pulled away, completely blushing, "Sorry..."

"I'm not," the Doctor whispered with a smirk on his face.

"I told you, Minerva!" Martha bent down beside us, "If the human version fell for you, it meant the big, daft original one had already done so."

"I guess you were right," I conceded, "The amazing, brilliant, original version likes me."

"So, so, much," he brought my healthy hand up to his lips, "And the clever girl actually looked at me twice!"

"If you knew how many times I could not force myself to look away, think about something that wasn't you. What do you think I did all that year? The Year that never was? Do you think I thought about Jack?"

"Hey!" the immortal man gave a cry, not too pleased.

"Shut up, you owe me and I'm trying to make a point," I waved him off, "Or how about that date with Jerome?"

"I don't like him," the Doctor immediately stated, "Now I can say that clearly. I. Don't. Like. Him. I was jealous, very, very jealous that you were out with him and not with me. I hated the fact he gave you a present before I did, and a good one! I hated it and I hated him. I still hate him."

"Also right," coughed Martha.

"But why did you hide 1913 from me?" I asked, still confused, "That actually would've been really nice to know about."

He sighed, "Cause I was confused and you deserved better. I wanted to be fully committed to you. Plus, I was scared."

"Why?" I nearly laughed, "It was pretty obvious how I felt."

"Yeah, but...it didn't stop me from being scared," he said and I nodded, understanding him, "So...about us...you and I...is there an 'us' and a 'you and I'?"

"There is if you want it to be," I nodded.

"Oh yes!" he exclaimed, "Most definitely!"

"You and me, then? As an item?"

"Oh yes..." he whispered, leaning forwards again, his gaze locked on my lips, "...because I already wasted a year pushing my feelings away from you. No more. Everyone can go to hell because I just want you."

"Oi!" Martha and Jack cried, again not so pleased.

"Shut up," the Doctor and I said as we went for another kiss.

"Well I'm gonna get back to work. I don't want to see a snogging session," Jack declared, making us pull away once more.

"You know, Jack, I really don't mind, though. Come with us," the Doctor offered.

"Oh, I think it'll be fun having an immortal man around," I agreed.

"I'm sorry but according to the Doctor over there, I''m a flirt and I'd make you uncomfortable."

I laughed, "Right, right."

"I stand by that," the Doctor pointed between us.

"A little flirting isn't bad, Doc," Jack smirked, "It gets other people to speak up."

"We make such a good team," Martha remarked to him.

Jack laughed, "Anytime you need me just call. But seriously though, I had plenty of time to think that past year, the Year That Never Was. And I kept thinking about that team of mine. Like you said, Doctor, responsibility. Plus, you might be a bit busy now..." Jack's eyes wandered over to me.

"Defending the Earth. Can't argue with that," the Doctor moved to shake his hand...and then we saw the manipulator Jack wore.

"Hey, I need that!" the immortal cried as the Doctor pointed his screwdriver at the manipulator.

"I can't have you walking around with a time-travelling teleport. You could go anywhere—twice. The second time to apologize."

"But I bet if that one over there," Jack nodded to me, "Asks for a manipulator, she'd get it in a heartbeat."

"I'll admit it may be a little more challenging to deny her things, but..." he glanced at me, "I'll try my best."

"And when that doesn't happen, you can all meet me with Leonardo Da Vinci," I grinned mischievously, "He promised he'd make a portrait of me!"

"No, absolutely not," the Doctor frowned, a finger pointed at me, "Especially now that I can call you mine!"

"Was your jealousy the reason why I couldn't go back to Da Vinci?" I raised an eyebrow, "We were just friends back then, brand new friends actually."

"Well..." he pondered, seeming as though even he didn't know, "...I am not exactly sure. I just know that I didn't want you near him."

"That's the start of jealousy," Martha pointed out, Jack nodding in agreement.

"So does this mean I'll never get to see Da Vinci again? Cause I really liked him," I frowned.

The Doctor chuckled, bringing me closer to him, "Tell you what, I'll bring you to any other artist you want. You name it."

"Renaissance, 1700's?"

"Yes, just for you," he tapped my nose, "Anything for you..."

"I like this very much," I whispered, resting my head on his chest, "Finally."

"Finally," Martha threw her head back, "A whole year's worth of work finally paid off."

"Well, again, it's been nice, but I really gotta go," Jack stepped back, looking just so eager to get back to Torchwood, "And Minerva, if you're ever in need of a new job, I've got you covered," he winked.

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll be working anytime soon. I've got someone to be with, now," I glanced up at my Martian, "And I'd like to be with him 24/7. "

"Understood," Jack nodded.

"But actually," I wiggled out of the Doctor's hold and stood up. I went straight to hug Jack, surprising him for a couple seconds.

"For the record she began the hug," I heard him warn, probably the Doctor of course.

"Minerva, what are you doing?" the Martian nearly whined.

"I just wanted a hug from the immortal man, everyone got one so why couldn't I?" I pulled from Jack and nodded, "And you give very good hugs."

"Thank you," Jack nodded then promptly moved me back to the Doctor, "Now stay there," I laughed and sat back down beside the Doctor, "Before I do leave though, I have one question cause, see, I can't die...but I still age. Can you fix me? Will I ever be able to die?"

"Nothing I can do. You're an impossible thing, Jack," the Doctor shrugged.

Jack laughed, "Been called that before," he straightened up and saluted, "Sir. Ma'am's," he made to leave then turned back around, "But I keep wondering…what about aging? 'Cause I can't die but I keep getting older. The odd little grey hair, you know? What happens if I live for a million years?"

"I really don't know," the Doctor just smiled in amusement at the man's worries.

"Okay, vanity. Sorry. Yeah, can't help it. Used to be a poster boy when I was a kid back on the Boeshane Pennisula. Tiny little place. I was the first one ever to be signed up for the Time Agency. They were so proud of me. They Face of Boe they called me. Hmm, I'll see you," he ran off towards the water tower.

I looked between the Doctor and Martha with wide eyes, "Oh my god..."

"Can't be," Martha shook her head.

"No, definitely not. No," the Doctor said, but he started to laugh, "No!"

"Oh I am not gonna let that one live down!" I laughed.

"Not a word," the Doctor warned, still getting over his own laugh.

"But-"

"Not one," he pulled me back to his chest, kissing the top of my head.

That was the end of all my words, feeling very content at the moment because I'd finally gained something good, something very, very good.

~0~

"Yes, grandma, I'll stop by soon. Mhm, yes, bye," I hung up the phone of the TARDIS, tears in my eyes.

I flinched when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind, "Sorry," the Doctor whispered, moving to unwrap himself from me.

"No," I placed my hands over his arms, making him stop, "I'm just not used to this...but it doesn't mean I don't like it," I glanced up at him, blushing.

"Me neither," he admitted, wiping my face of tears, "So how are they?"

"You were right, none of my family remember anything. I even called my mother, took her by surprise, she still gave her usual yells. But she did tell me my dad was fine...everyone is fine."

"So why we're you crying?"

"Because I'm happy," I shrugged, "My family's fine, the world is saved...and I've got you, now. Everything is just fine."

"Just fine," he turned me around, leaning us against the console, "Finally."

"Are you okay?" I whispered, realizing I hadn't even asked about him, "You just lost the only other Time Lord and you discovered who killed a very important person to you."

"I...don't know. But I do know that I won't forgive him for what he did to Kaeya."

I shook my head, "What he did to her was plain awful, Doctor, "Do you know how she was attacked, though?" I looked up at him, "What he did to get near her?"

"No, what he'd do?"

"He pretended to be you. He pretended to be the one person she would always help. He tricked her into telling him where her crystal was and then...then..."

"Who the hell are you?" Kaeya backed away from the man that clearly was not the Doctor, "And where's the Doctor?"

The man just laughed, "You are quite stupid my dear. The Doctor is no where near this planet."

"Who are you?"

"I am the Master, and you have just told me where your precious crystal is, meaning I have no more use for you," he pulled out a decent-sized knife from his jacket's pocket.

Kaeya's eyes widened as she stepped back, "No, wait, you don't have to do this. The crystal won't activate unless I touch it. You need me."

"Actually, there was a corpse of your grandmother out in front of the castle. Pretty sure I can use her too as she was part of the Royal Family."

"But you can't kill me," Kaeya pleaded, her eyes watering up, "Please, it's not fair. I already lost everyone, at least tell me if you know where the Doctor is. Is he alive? Is his family okay?"

"Let's not do this, please. I'm short of time," he lunged for her but she jumped back.

She quickly turned around and tried calling out for her friend, "ZO-" but she was spun around in a second and gasped at the immediate plunge of a sharp object into her stomach. She tried gripping the man's arms, forming only bits of ice on it as her powers and energy started to fade, "No..."

"If it's any consolation, I hear your people have a myth," the Master whispered into her ear while making sure the knife was dug in deep inside her stomach, "If it's true then I guess one day we'll see each other again. Maybe you'll even find out whether or not your precious Doctor made it out alive."

Kaeya's eyes watered up as she looked at him with utter horror, "But I-I don't know how to...tell me how, please..."

"KAEYA!" came Zohar's scream.

"My cue to run," the Master grinned and stepped back, pulling the knife out of her as well. He undid the manipulator on her wrist and strapped it on to himself, "Castle here we come. Bye!" he waved and flashed out.

Kaeya fell to the iced lake with a thud, convulsing and gasping here and there, "Mommy, I need to remember..." she shut her eyes while her tears streamed down.

"He stabbed her and left her to die for a crystal that in the end he couldn't even get working," I sighed, "That's cruel."

"But you said there was someone else with her, right?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I guess a friend. She was called Zohar. I guess she helped Kaeya. Doctor we have to help her. When she talked to me, she said she needed your help because she couldn't fix whatever she did on her own anymore."

"To help her I need to know what she did first," he rested his chin on my shoulder, oblivious to how deeply he was making me blush with our closeness, "The Master apparently knew what it was but it's not like we'll be getting anything out of him."

"I'm sorry, she didn't tell me either. The link between us wasn't too stable, only few words could get through."

"No, it's alright. I'll figure it out."

"I want to help too," I admitted, turning around, "I told her I'd help so I'm gonna keep my word."

"You sure you're okay with that? I know it's not easy..."

"Well, she is still in love you so that'll be a challenge. But all feelings set aside, she's not that bad of a person and she needs help. I'm no one to deny her that."

He smiled and rested a hand on my face, "Well, if this makes it easier for you, I want you to know that I choose you."

"C'mon, Doctor, a first love never really dies, you know. I'm okay with that, really. Some part of you will always love her but if I can take over those two hearts of yours then I'll be the happiest woman in the world."

He half-smiled, "Already done."

I leaned up to kiss him, but struggled with his height, making us both chuckle, "You're quite tall, Martian," I remarked, merely able to brush my lips on his.

"You're quite small, clever girl" he countered, leaning down and closing the gap between us.

Our kiss lasted a mere minute when we heard the TARDIS doors opening, "So, is this how it's gonna be from now on?" Martha put a hand on her hip, "Snogging all day?"

"Quiet Martha," I pushed the Doctor off me.

"I'm your best friend, it's my job to tease."

"Anyways, Off we go! The open road!" the Doctor went around the console, excited to start our trips again, "There is a burst of starfire right now over the coast of Meta Sigmafolio. Oh, the sky is like oil on water. Fancy a look? Or…back in time. We could…I don't know, Charles II? Henry VIII? I know! What about Agatha Christie? I'd love to meet Agatha Christie! I bet she's brilliant..." but we looked up and saw her smiling in what could be called an apologetic manner.

"Martha?" I frowned, walking over to her.

"I just can't," she said to the Doctor then looked at me, taking my hands, "It'll be just fine."

"What are you talking about?"

"She's not coming," the Doctor joined us, "She's staying."

"But...but why?" I blinked, misunderstanding my best friend's decisions.

"I've spent all these years training to be a doctor. Now I've got people to look after. They saw half the planet slaughtered and they're devastated. I can't leave them."

"But...what about us?"

"Hey, we can still talk over the phone, visit each other. And besides," she took my hand and the Doctor's, putting them over one another, "You've got each other now."

"But I already lost one best friend," I whispered, thinking of Mickey and who he might be doing at this precise moment.

"But you're not losing me. I'm simply...moving out!" she shrugged, "Nothing has to change. I'm just gonna continue my studies, be with my family. I think I did what I had to do, what my purpose was in all this...get my two favorite people in the world together."

"Well for that job I'd give you an A+," I sighed as I glanced at the Doctor, "And for saving the world, 200%!"

Martha chuckled, "Thank you. But I've got some presents for you two," she announced, digging into her pockets, "Doctor, here," she handed him her cellphone, "Keep that. 'Cause I'm not having you disappear. If that rings, when that rings, you better come running. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," the Doctor nodded.

"And for you, I've been working on this," she pulled out an mp3 player, with earphones, "You can't be in a relationship with an alien of 903 years old where even he listens to music."

"But I don't even-"

"It's already got pre-downloaded music, even that Spanish music you liked," she handed it over, "Though those were a bit tricky..."

"You listen to Spanish music?" the Doctor turned to me.

"Well, I'm half Mexican. I'm not gonna ignore that part of my heritage," I winked, pulling one earphone into my ear, searching for one specific song, "Besides, there's a song I like that relates to you and I."

"Really?" he beamed, "Mind if I can hear?" he leaned down to kiss me.

"Ah, ah," I put a hand to stop him, gesturing to the mp3, "Found it," I walked to the side, hearing Martha's snicker.

"I don't like your present," the Doctor muttered to her.

"Yeah, I had a feeling you might not. But I had to give her something to distract her at times. I don't want her snogging you all the time."

"I don't see anything wrong with that," the Martian declared, neither of them seeing my smirk.

"Thought you might," Martha sighed, "Minerva?" she called.

I turned around and returned, pulling the earphone out, "Yes?"

"I'm off, take care," she hugged me and the Doctor, "And behave," she pointed with a fake serious look.

"Martha!" we both scolded, blushing like mad.

She laughed and walked towards the doors, "I mean it. I want hands off each other."

"Bye Martha!" we mock glared.

"Martha?" I called before she opened the door, "Thank you. You saved the world, you helped me...you helped us," I glanced at my Martian, oh, that felt nice...my Martian, "Thank you."

She smiled, "You know what, I'm good. I'm really good."

"Yes you are," the Doctor nodded.

"I just hope that Minerva will see she's so not second best," she watched my smile fade, her eyes softening as she glanced at the Doctor, "But that's your job now, Doctor. Make her see she's grand all on her own...that she's the best."

The Doctor, although confused, nodding, winding an arm around my waist, "She is the best."

"Hm, hear that, Minerva?"

The Doctor gave me a sharp look, trying to decipher what was going on. I shifted on my feet, feeling like I could kick Martha because I didn't need the Doctor to know about my insecurities. It didn't matter.

Martha chuckled, "I'll see you later, guys," she waved and walked out.

"Minerva, are you okay?" the Martian asked, leading me back to the console, "I got the feeling Martha was hiding something from me. And if it concerns you then I need to know."

"It doesn't matter," I waved him off, watching him start up the old box of wonders.

Swiftly, he yanked me to his side, locking me between the console and him, "I've wasted so much time ignoring you, pushing my feelings away...I was an idiot, a big idiot. But no more. And you know what?"

"What?" my voice was just above a whisper, my heart beating faster as he pressed his forehead against mind.

"There's one thing that attracts me to hell from you..." he leaned me against the console and placed his hands on my waist.

"What?" I blinked, swallowing hard and feeling my face warm as the sun.

"That..." he smiled softly, "...you're clever...and I like it."

I fiddled with his lapels, avoiding his look as I was blushing like mad, "It's a good thing I like you too then."

"So we're on the same page, then? You and I, in the TARDIS, next stop everywhere?"

My eyes looked up, and for the first time I didn't feel just happy as in laughing and smiling...but that kind of happy where your stomach is just always full of butterflies, always feeling a warm tinge. I don't think I've ever felt like that, not even with my grandparents. This was something different and I definitely liked it.

"Doctor, next stop everywhere," I whispered.

He smiled, looking me over and making my body just burst with bubbliness and happiness, especially when he leaned down for a kiss, one that would seal this actually perfect day.

We pulled apart in time as a ship's horn rang in our ears. We barely managed to glance back when the TARDIS shook unexpectedly and sent us to the floor.

"What the hell...?" I lifted my head up to see a ship's ocean liner.

"What?" the Doctor reached for a life preserver, "What!?" he turned it over...

...and we saw the word 'Titanic' sprawled across it.

"Big what..." my eyes widened, both of us glancing at each other and the life preserver.

Author's Note:

And voila! The story shall continue in a new season, with new characters, new problems and a new title...Star-Crossed. It's already listed on my profile! Go check it out!

Thank you to everyone who’s read/reblogged/liked!! I hope you continue to like the next story as well!

SEQUEL: Star-Crossed

#ocappreciation #doctor who #10th doctor #dw imagine #10th doctor imagines #doctor who fics #dw fics #10th doctor fics #oc: Minerva Souza #oc: Kaeya Louvier #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 17: A Goodbye Theory

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: Before Minerva is dropped off, the Doctor takes her to one more place in hopes of convincing her to stay aboard. At the same time, as a last resort, Martha urges Minerva to really think about her feelings for the Doctor, but Minerva is sure that there is NOTHING at all...

// Story Masterlist //

"My, you two look lovely," Yue, our newest friend, admired Martha and I as she backed away from us, "China's best fabric! You're definitely ready for the Lantern Festival."

Martha and I looked at each other, both pleased with our outfits. Martha wore a lavender, short cheongasm with a flower pattern. It reached just above her knees and had a Yeshu Mandarin styled-collar. She wore simple, purple heels so her dress would not be overshadowed. Her hair was tied up with a bejeweled, dark, purple pin on top.

I on the other hand, was a bit more shy with these short dresses. I wore a bright red cheongasm that also reached mere inches above my knees. However, I wore black leggings underneath, thus adding comfort. The cheongasm was also in a Yeshu Mandarin styled-collar and had a black outlines running around the hemlines of the dress and sleeves. I wore comfortable black flats and left my hair down to its natural, long length with only a simple red clip building a little hair bump on top.

"Now, if you want to go outside to see some entertainment, you're more than welcome to," Yue said, leading us towards the doors, "But Mother said you could visit the other rooms of the house to see what you like."

"I heard there was a painting room," Martha said, glancing at me with a smile as we stepped out into the hallway of Yue's house, "I'm sure Minerva would want to visit that."

"I would," I admitted, shrugging, "But I also heard you have a practice room with swords..."

Yue laughed softly, nodding her head, "You heard right. You're more than welcome to check it out and have a practice."

"She's gonna poke someone's eye out," Martha shook her head, "It's best not to."

"I think I will," I strolled ahead of her, "I never handled one of them so it should be fun. Can we squeeze it in before we go outside?"

"I don't think the Doctor's gonna like that," she gave me a sharp look, coming beside me and swinging an arm around my shoulders, "Weapons and him don't exactly mix."

"Yeah well that's what I say about cats and me. Yet I've been summoned to be around them twice. Therefore, I have the right to grab a sword for fun."

"You two are quite strange," Yue chuckled as she caught up again, "But most fun!"

We laughed together as we continued to walk out, going for that practice room that I desperately wanted to see.

~0~

I stood in the center of the room, Martha and Yue to the sides as Yue's brother, Jing, was helping me keep a still grasp of the long, silver sword I held.

"Now, take a deep breath," Jing instructed, moving my arm slightly up, "And just remember, keep the pointy end away from you."

We laughed and I lowered the sword, "Thanks, I'll remember to keep that in mind."

"She's pretty clever," Martha started walking towards us, "I'm sure she can manage remembering that."

"I can too," I re-held the sword, aiming it at her as she approached, "Care for a match, Miss Jones?"

She raised her hands and shook her head, moving around us, "No thanks, Souza. I'm good."

"Alright, no one wants to go against me..." I sighed, pretending to pout, "I guess it's because I'm just that good."

Now that one made everyone laugh, and this time I really did pout. Martha set her hands on my shoulders and turned me for the doors, "The Doctor is outside and is probably wondering where we are. We should go."

I frowned as Jing took my sword, and I looked at Martha, "I'm sure he's found someone to entertain him..." I started frowning, "Yue's sister seemed to be the right entertainer."

She raised an eyebrow, "Is that...bothering you?"

"No, not at all," I muttered, "Why do you ask?"

"You have the look of murder on your face," she pointed, now smirking wide.

"Do not," I turned away from her and headed for the door.

"You're jealous!"

"Martha, I don't have time for this."

"Why is it so hard to admit it?" she crossed her arms, "Just say it, Minerva," she walked closer and spoke in a hushed tone, Yue and Jing putting away the other weapons we had used, "You like the alien, and you're jealous."

I looked at her with a good serious face that would convince her otherwise, "I do not," she sighed, "And I am not jealous. The Doctor can spend time with whatever woman he chooses, even if she's a prune and has nothing going for her except that clearly fake tan and chest."

Martha blinked and started laughing a moment later, "Honestly, if that doesn't spell jealous I don't know what does!"

I rolled my eyes and looked over to Yue and Jing, the pair finally finished and walking towards us, "Who is jealous?" Jing asked, curious.

"No one," I replied at the same time Martha said, "Minerva!"

"Martha!" I turned to her with exasperation.

"Who are you jealous of?" Yue questioned.

"No one," I tried to keep my mouth shut but it seemed like it had a mind of its own, "Certainly not your sister who's probably the biggest flirt I've ever seen! I mean seriously!? She just met the Doctor and she's all," and I started imitating the woman, "Oh Doctor, you're so kind, you're so funny, you're so unique, I've never met anyone like you! I love your clothes! And your hair, it's so...wow!' OH, and let's not forget the excess twirling of her hair and...why are you looking at me like that?" I stared at Jing who now wore that look of murder Martha had talked about earlier.

"Mei is about to be my wife!"

I blinked, "Oh...oops. Jing, I'm so sorry!"

Martha 'coughed' and out came, "Jealous!" I glared at her with real intentions of actually strangling the woman.

"Jing," Yue began, sensing the oncoming tension, "I'm sure Mei was just showing him around. They don't know much of this place...and plus, with the Lantern Festival happening today, there's a lot to show!"

Jing didn't seem so convinced and so he opened the door, nearly flinging it I should say, and rushed out. Martha and I looked back at Yue, she looking with a soft smile.

"Oh Mei, always getting men fighting over her," she shook her head and gestured for us to go out, "I tell you, I think she does it on purpose."

"You don't say? I hadn't noticed," I crossed my arms, rolling my eyes with irritation, "She was practically all over the Doctor..."

"Jealous!" Martha 'coughed' again.

"Do you have a cold or something!?" I demanded.

"Sorry, just a cold," she cleared her throat, smirking again, "Actually, it's more of a phobia, you see. I have a phobia where I can't stand people who can't admit what they're feeling," she shrugged casually, "Common phobia."

"Well get it under control because there's nothing to feel," I snapped and walked out into the hallways.

"Honestly, Minervaaa!" she drew out my name as she and Yue followed behind.

"Stop it!" I ordered, waving her off.

"I have theory a you know."

"Oh, and here we go again!"

"What is the theory?" Yue asked, confused yet still making an effort to catch up.

"There is no theory!" I quickly said but Martha covered my mouth.

"My theory is, Minerva does not wan to admit her feelings because she's scared."

I made a face and pushed her hand down, "I am not afraid!"

"Yeah you are," she scoffed, "Of what the Doctor could say."

"That's not it..." I mumbled, "...at least not all."

"You two are so odd," Yue remarked, "Where are you from, again?"

"I'm from London," Martha answered first, eyeing me with concern at my sudden quietness. Usually when we're on this topic, I'd shout and refuse everything. To answer with something besides 'no' or 'shush' was big,"And she's from America."

"And the Doctor?"

"London," I answered.

"And you two are..."

"NO," I gritted my teeth, glaring at Martha for getting the woman to believe that as well, "Just friends."

"Well then, why are you jealous?"

"Ah! I'm not jealous!" I cried.

"See, they're in that phase where neither wants to admit anything, though I haven't spoken to the Doctor about what he thinks," Martha paused as she considered it.

"Martha, don't you dare!" I warned, pointing a violent finger at her.

"What? I could get the real thoughts from him then tell you!"

"Why is so hard to just LET. THIS. GO?"

"Minerva," she stepped up, very calm and serious, "We're here. In China. That's my case."

And she and Yue walked off, Martha walking in triumph.

I was supposed to go back to London where I would remain indefinitely. But, the Doctor had surprised me with this location; China. It was the day of the Lantern Festival, the ending of the Chinese New Year celebration. I needed to go home, I needed to. But somehow, the Martian persuaded me to stay for this last trip, a goodbye to our permanent traveling trips. And as much as I needed to go back to Earth, I wanted to stay here, I wanted to stay with him and Martha.

Oh, and that was another thing: Martha was going home as well. I wanted to smack myself against the wall for provoking that one. I don't know for what reason, but the Doctor had decided to bring Martha back home as well. As much as I insisted before actually staying in China, he would not go back on his decision.

Martha was going home...and it was all my fault.

Now, we had found ourselves invited to Yue's family's home. The Doctor, Martha and myself were just walking down the streets when we heard a series of crashes coming from a vase shop. The Doctor had rushed inside to see what was going on when he saw Yue's little brother about to be hit with one of the vases. He managed to save the boy, with only a broken ankle as a result. The boy, Liang, then told us where he lived so we took him home, only to be thanked eternally for it and thus invited to spend the festival with them as a thank you.

This trip, just like always, was turning out to be wonderful...and that only made it harder to insist on leaving the TARDIS.

~0~

I entered the courtyard of the Zhao family, where everything was beautifully decorated. There were tables spread out in the center of the courtyard, the food being set around the center. Lanterns were placed on strings and then hung at each corner. They weren't lighted yet as the sun was just starting to set, but I knew they would look beautiful once it was dark.

"Minerva," Liling, Yue's mother, greeted me, my two companions not in sight for the moment, "You look wonderful."

"Thanks," I replied sheepishly, looking down at myself.

"The food is ready for whenever you and your friends would like to eat," she gestured back to the tables.

"Thank you, but...I'm sorry, but I heard there was a paint room..." I bit my lip, feeling even more shy than before.

"Ah yes, the Doctor informed me you draw," Liling nodded, "Says your wonderful."

"Did he now..." I smiled a little, then caught myself and shook my head, "...well, I was wondering if I could maybe take a look around?"

"Go right ahead. I think there's even a few empty canvases around and paper if you'd like to draw or paint something."

"Wow, really?"

"Of course!"

"Thank you," I hugged her.

She chuckled, "It's nothing."

I pulled back just as I heard Jing's voice nearing us. I looked back and saw him walking out, his hand on Mei's arm and practically pulling her out with him, "And from now on you are going to be staying with me!" he was angrily saying, "You are unbelievable!"

Liling blinked as the young couple passed by us, going after them, "Mei? What's wrong?"

I just smirked, watching after the woman with so much satisfaction...

"Careful there," Martha whispered behind, "Your jealousy is showing."

I turned around, mouth open to respond when we heard the Doctor's low mumbling as he walked out, his hand rubbing his neck.

"You alright, there?" Martha asked, moving beside me.

"Can someone just explain to me why a random man just punched my neck?" he looked past us, probably where Jing and Mei were.

"Maybe because the woman you were flirting with is engaged?" I crossed my arms, sounding cross but in reality I was more concerned with the red mark his neck bore.

"What? I was not flirting!"

"Uh, really? Because that's not what I saw!"

"We were having a good conversation, nothing more," he shrugged, making a face as he continued to rub his neck.

"You really know how to get yourself into trouble, don't you?" Martha shook her head.

"I didn't do anything! Mei came up and started talking to me so naturally, I did the same."

"And she flirted," I stepped up and pulled his hand down, "But you're so oblivious you didn't even notice it or you just liked it and flirted back," I yanked him down to check his neck.

"Ow, that hurt!" he pouted, "And I did not flirt back, honest."

"Hm..."

"Jealousy," Martha coughed once more.

"Well, you have a knack for never noticing when woman like you," I ignored her.

Martha scoffed, "I'll say."

I rolled my eyes, "I believe you," I let go of him, "And you're going to be fine."

"Keep them away from me," he looked at the couple, "Don't you dare leave me alone anymore."

"That I can do," I nodded, smiling and receiving one back, "That is the point of this last trip, isn't it? To spend time together."

"Yes! And have you heard about the painting room? I thought we could check it out," he linked arms with me and moved us for the fruit nearby, Martha walking beside with one of her stupid smirks again.

"Yeah, I asked Liling if we could go and she said yes!" I picked up a couple grapes.

"Looks like the Doctor isn't the only one receiving attention tonight, Minerva," Martha declared, taking my grapes and dropping them into her mouth.

"Martha, let it-"

"No, over there, look," she nodded to her left.

We all looked over and saw a young man across us, smiling at me.

"Huh, that's new," I remarked, offering a small smile back,

But then his eyes started looking up and down and it just made me uncomfortable. I turned around, wanting to forget his trailing looks, and picked up some more grapes, "I only have to say that these grapes are delicious."

"Well, what do you have to say about that, Doctor?" she turned to the Martian.

"Me? What would I have to say?" he raised an eyebrow, clearly confused which only proved Martha was wrong about all these 'feelings' and whatnot.

"What if the guy's engaged and Minerva ends up punched by the fiancee?"

"She'd have to answer to me, then," he quickly replied, "No one hurts Minerva."

Martha winked at me, satisfied with the response.

"I told you Doctor, it's impossible never to be hurt," I reminded. He'd taken his job of never letting anyone or anything hurt me quite serious. Sometimes, I'd try to make him see that it was impossible because there would always be something that would emotionally and/or physically harm someone, but he wouldn't listen!

"I must say, I really do not care for the way he's looking at you," he nearly glared at the stranger across.

"Yeah, it's a bit uncomfortable," I admitted in a low mumble.

"Maybe you should go meet him!" Martha suddenly pushed me towards the direction of the man.

"Wha-HEY!" I frowned, looking at her as I pushed her hands down, "I'd rather not."

"It'll be fun!" she insisted, pushing me once more. Before I declined once more, she stepped back and linked arms with the Doctor, waving sweetly as she walked away with him.

What the hell was this plan? What was it supposed to accomplish!?

Well, my mind didn't have nearly a minute to think more when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw the same young man from across standing before me, "Oh..."

Well, I had to admit he wasn't bad looking. He was pretty handsome...

He was tall, tanned, black hair that swiveled at its tips, and had chocolate brown eyes. He stood before me, his hand reaching out to shake mine without even saying a word, "Sorry if I'm a bit forwards..." he chuckled, sounding as if he was nervous, "My name is Zian."

He stopped shaking my hand and looked down, almost shameful. It didn't look that bad on him either...

"Minerva," I said quietly, still staring at him as I decided whether or not I'd be giving any further conversation with him.

"I know, you're...American," he took my hand and lifted it up to his lips where he placed a kiss, "My you are...mesmerizing," he whispered.

"Thank you..." for some reason, I just want to snatch my hand back and run off. It didn't feel right...

"Apologies," he lowered my hand but kept holding it to my misfortune, "I have never seen a more beautiful creature than yourself."

"Again, thank you," I gave a polite smile.

"Where are you from?"

"California."

"How old are you?"

"It's a bit direct, don't you think?" I frowned, "A woman never wants to admit her age."

"Sorry," he chuckled, "It's just you make kind of nervous and I tend to ask stupid questions when I get nervous."

"You're nervous...of me?" I blinked, that was a new one for me, "No one is ever nervous of me."

"I do not understand," his eyes trailed me over again, making me shift on my feet with discomfort, "I cannot seem to even form a decent sentence with you."

"Right, well, um, I have to go now..." I moved to walk off when I felt his hand grip mine, keeping me in place, "...um, something wrong?"

"Can we talk? Get to know each other?" he asked, smiling as if I hadn't just tried walking off.

"Well, I would but, I have some friends I came with and-"

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing you with me for a couple of hours," he lifted my hand again to give it another kiss.

"Minerva, something wrong?" the Doctor strolled over, a drink in his hand.

"Um...I just wanted to go see that art room now," I looked at him, hoping he'd just take me away from this uncomfortable spot.

"Wonderful! Let's say goodbye to your...friend," he reached to where Zian's and my hand were together and practically pulled mine away from the man's, "And we can go together, how's that sound?"

"Good," I nodded fast, showing him I most definitely wanted to leave this spot now.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, what ever your name was," the Doctor handed Zian his drink, a fake grin plastered on his face, "We'll be going now, bye, bye," and he took my hand then walked us away.

"Oh thank goodness," I breathed a sigh of relief once we were a decent distance away, "Thank you so much for coming to get me."

"Was it me or is there something not right with the man?" he frowned.

"Well, the way his eyes seemed to keep looking over me every damn second could be a start," I shivered a bit.

"Tell me about it," he muttered.

"Can we go to the art room before the fireworks start?" I glanced at him, wanting to just forget the bad moment and spend time with the Martian, "Please?"

He smiled, "Of course. I sent Martha off with Yue."

"Why?"

"Because she sent you off with a stranger. I did not approve."

"Oh..." and I cursed myself for smiling at that, but I still kept doing it.

~0~

"Remind me again what we're doing?" the Doctor asked as he walked around the art room, picking up things here and there. The poor Martian seemed so bored but he clearly was making a struggle to not show it while I tried my hand at an art work in front of me.

"Well, I'm trying to create The Early Autumn and you're so bored out of your mind," I replied, watching him secretly.

"I'm not bored...bored out of mind..." he stopped, 'casually' looking around.

"Yes you are," I said, about to make another comment when I messed up and yelped, "Ah! Stupid butterfly!"

"What is with you humans and butterflies?" he walked over, standing beside me and tilting his head as he studied my attempt of recreation, "I don't see any mistake."

"Yes, right there!" I pointed to the black butterfly that had a slightly shorter wing on the left, "I can't get it right!"

"Minerva, it's not that hard, just brush it again."

"It's a bit more complicated than that. I can't do paintings," I shook my head and dropped the brush back to its place, "I quit."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do. I'm done."

"Why not draw another bird, instead?" he picked up the brush again and held it to me.

"Because I wanted to draw a butterfly."

"Then draw a butterfly."

"But I can't!"

"Yeah, you can, just try again," he took my hand and placed the brush on the canvas.

"I...no."

"Then try a dragonfly. It needs a new one."

"Doctor, I don't want-"

"Yes you do," he moved behind me and placed his hand over mine, lifting it to the artwork, "And you will."

"Is this really necessary?" I tried to sound as annoyed as I could, but the horseback rides started flashing in my head, making this position a tad more blush-worthy.

"This way you can't escape me," he teased, setting his chin on my shoulder, "Now draw, clever girl."

"It's pain, stupid," I mumbled, "And can you get off me?"

"Are you going to paint?"

"No! I said I was done!"

"Then no."

"You're such a child sometimes," I sighed, creating a new butterfly.

"Call me what you want but you're doing another butterfly..." he smirked," ...therefore I win."

"I hate you."

"Not really, you don't."

"Hey, I'm actually getting it!" I grinned up at the sight of an actual even-winged butterfly. All wings were coming out well!

"See, what I tell you? That you'd-"

"Shush!" I elbowed him, focusing on my work now.

"What exactly do you-"

'I said shush!"

"But-"

"Doctor! For god's sake, be quiet!" I chuckled, ready to scold him more when I turned my head and found our closeness a bit beyond...nervousy. Yes, that wasn't a real word but the Doctor had made me put a 'y' after nearly everything! Which, now that I think of it, was also a strong point for Martha. She claimed the Doctor and I spent so much time together that at times I said stupid words like him.

"Are...you finish with your painting?" he asked, mumbling really if I had to describe.

"Y-yes...yes!" I blinked back to reality, looking back at the painting, "What do you think?"

He moved beside and studied the painting, meanwhile I recollected myself, "I think it looks wonderful, just like the rest of your work."

"Are you sure?" I cleared my throat, "Because I've never painted before. It's okay to admit there's flaws."

'But...there isn't!"

I rolled my eyes, "Why do you feel the need to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Act like all my drawings are perfect when I know for a fact that's there's visible flaws."

"I do not do that!"

"Yeah you do," I chuckled, "You lie and say it's perfect but I know you're lying because sometimes I purposely make it bad. You're not supposed to do that, you know. It's wrong!"

"Oh yeah?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah!"

"Minerva," he stepped up, his hands behind his back and a fake, innocent look on his face.

"Yes?"

"How's my dancing?"

"Um..." I was going to answer 'you're a horrible dancer' but found that rude, even if it was true, "...well...you're, um...you're this," I put a hand on my cheek as I thought of some nice words, "...wonderful...unique...dancer?" I don't know why it came out like a question in the end.

He smirked, "You are such a liar! I can't dance! I can't dance to save my life!"

"So then why did you ask?" I frowned.

"Because I know you'd lie to spare my feelings, and you did," he tapped my nose and wandered around the room.

I blinked, did he just...tap my nose? When did we ever start doing that?

"Face it Minerva," the Doctor turned around, "We're prone to compliment each other even if we're lying. And we'll do it because we like to see each other happy."

"I'm sorry I lied," I apologized quietly, faintly smiling, "But you really can't dance," I whispered, making him chuckle.

"I know, but I do it because it makes you happy. And besides, you can't make symmetrical wings except for this one," he looked at the current artwork beside us.

"But hey, we can always learn, right? That's how we're supposed to do it."

"Of course," he nodded.

"But seriously, Martha mimics you," I started chuckling, "Perhaps you should consider some lessons before you try to dance again. I know you do it for me, but I'm alright."

"Are you really?" he questioned, but it didn't have to do with the dancing anymore, "Are you okay?"

I sighed, "Well, right now I am...sort of."

I mean, it wasn't like apart from ridding myself of my guilt of Liv's death and my grandmother's disappointment of me I now had to deal with some developing feelings for a 903 year old Time Lord.

It wasn't like any of that was happening...

Not at all...

"It'll get better, I promise," the Doctor said, "I know I keep saying that and I know it's annoying but I mean it. One day, you'll look back and see how wrong your guilt. You'll see how much your grandmother loves you and only wanted to see you again. And you'll always smile, finally moving on with your life."

"Let me teach you how to dance," I said instead of a common answer like 'Maybe one day' and whatnot.

"What?" you could tell he was expecting one of those common answers.

I didn't feel like torturing myself with my usual guilt thoughts for today. I wanted to be happy, and I was going to do just that.

"I can't give back anything incredible like what you've done for me, but I can teach you how to dance. Just a little bit, anyways. I'm not grand myself but...let me try."

"Minerva, I don't...I don't understand," he admitted, poor thing looking confused.

"It's my lame attempt of thanking you," I reminded, stepping up, "Plus, I'm a bit guilty for making fun of you too," I said very quietly but still heard by the Martian.

"You made fun of me too!?"

"Sorry..." I bit my lip, "...but Martha did it too!"

"I don't care about Martha! She can't do math to save her life, and she's a doctor!"

"Now, let's not go insulting our companion, okay?" I pointed a warning finger at him, "And you better be nice to her when I leave."

"I told you Minerva, she's leaving. It's settled," he said, dead serious it quieted me for a moment as he moved to walk away.

"Hold on!" I grabbed his hand, stopping him, "I feel bad because you want to bring Martha back because I'm leaving. And it's not fair, Doctor. It's really not," I looked down, feeling another weight settling on my shoulders, "Martha is brilliant and...and you can't bring her back home because of me. I can't take more guilt, Doctor. Please don't take her home."

There was silence for a moment before he sighed and returned, keeping a firm hold on my hand, "Teach me how to dance, c'mon?"

I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow, "What?"

"Teach me how to dance and I may consider keeping the human doctor."

"But..."

But I stopped talking when he brought us to the center of the room, his arm winding around my waist till his hand rested on the small of my back, his other hand letting go of mine and moving my right hand up to his shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't know how to do this?" I asked curiously, seeing his hand return to my left and held.

"That's as far as I go," he shrugged, "Now teach me, clever girl!"

"Will you reconsider Martha's departure?"

"Uh...it's...debatable..."

It was not. He was just doing this to distract me, which he seemed pretty damn good at.

"Well..." I looked around, "...you just...step back," which he did, "Then, um...move here," and we did.

"Then we step to the front?"

"Yeah."

Which he did...

"Ow!" I flinched.

"Sorry!" he let go of me.

He had stepped on my foot, "No, no, it's okay," I lifted my foot and rubbed it.

"You know what, on second thought we should just go back out. We'll miss the fireworks!"

"Oh no, Martian, get back here," I pulled him back to his place, reforming our position.

"I don't want to hurt you," he frowned with himself.

"It was just one small step, it doesn't even hurt anymore. C'mon," I started moving us again, feeling the tips of his shoes brush mine, the poor Martian being extra cautious.

"I don't want to step on you..."

"Hm, that didn't seem a problem when you asked me to dance in the 50's," I reminded, "And you didn't seem that bad of a dancer either."

"Well, I was kind of focusing on getting your forgiveness."

"Then focus on the learning now, spin!" I ordered, and he obeyed, "There we go," I smiled, lightening up the gloomy mood that was threatening to fall over us.

"And dip?"

"What?"

But he dipped me down without asking again. I laughed when my hair actually touching the floor. He pulled me right up a few seconds later, leaving us closer than what he probably anticipated. Flashes of our dance in the 50's came rushing in my head when we ended face-to-face. How did he keep doing this to me!? I bet he didn't remember any of that!

"How was that?" the Doctor whispered.

"G-good," I awaited for him to move back since I was too frozen to move myself. But even then, if I had to admit it, I didn't really mind how close we were.

"You're a wonderful teacher," he smiled softly when he returned us to our normal positions.

"Yup, thanks," I cleared my throat, ending the so called lesson, "Now you can ask any pretty woman to dance with you."

"I'd probably step on them, again..."

"That's why it's called lessons, you learn them repeatedly until it sticks," I walked for my artwork, "So, I think we should get going, yeah? Martha's going to be wondering about us."

"Oh, um, yeah, let's go," he walked over, taking my hand and leading us out, "We'll pick up your work later."

"Mhm," I nodded, my racing heart not allowing a full answer with actual words. I hated him for making me feel these things that should not be. That won't be.

~0~

"Good, you're here! The fireworks are about to start," Martha gestured for the Doctor and I to take a seat, "How much fun is an art-room that you take an hour and a half in there?"

"I tried replicating an artwork," I shrugged.

"Well, I heard after the fireworks, we get to solve lantern riddles in the streets," she smiled, "I thought we could check them out. Apparently, if you win a riddle you get a prize."

"That does sound like fun," I considered it, "Intellectual fun. And hey, Doctor," I glanced at him, "I challenge you to see who can solve the most riddles. What do you say, Martian?" I crossed my arms and waited for his response, my grin turning into a playful smirk.

He looked at Martha who was just smiling, "You'll keep score? I don't trust Minerva. She can be a cheater," I gasped quietly and hit his arm, causing him to laugh, "Alright, alright, challenge accepted."

"Oh, so who's gonna win this new challenge? Riddle solving?" Martha chuckled, "Ridiculous, by the way."

"Oh, I will," the Doctor and I answered together, both scoffing afterwards. We then looked at each other with a frown, "Hey, stop it."

Martha simply laughed at our faces, neither the Doctor or I backing down from our stare down.

"Minerva, no offense, but I'm a bit more experienced than you..." the Doctor began, "I have lived much longer than you."

"Yeah, you've lived 903 years and in all that time you still can't tell when people flirt with you," I leaned forwards, "Or maybe it's just because you're a guy. Either way, one of those characteristics is gonna bring you down on this challenge."

That got under his skin, his face just looking at me with an irritated expression. I smiled sweetly and leaned back on my chair, glancing at Martha who was more than amused, "Miss Jones I assume you'll get the notepad and pen? Not that you'll need it because the Doctor will only have zero."

She laughed, shaking her head, "Are you two this competitive over riddles? That's incredible!"

"You think you're so clever..." the Doctor continued to glare at me.

"You always say I am why shouldn't I believe it?"

"She's got you there," Martha said, shrugging, "How about you get us something to drink to cool your selves down? Such heated competition."

"Hm," he frowned and stood up, walked around my chair and leaning beside me, "You're gonna lose, Souza."

I glanced at him with a smirk, "Don't be so sure, martian."

"You two are ridiculous I'm telling you that now," Martha shook her head and laughed once more.

I nodded at her, holding back my scolding until I did this...

"Ow!" she jerked back her arm after being smacked by me, "What was that for?"

"That was for leaving me with a stranger," I whispered, looking around to make sure I hadn't been heard, "What the hell is wrong with you!?"

She smirked again as she looked down, rubbing her arm, knowing what she had done, "Well it worked," she mumbled so low I had barely heard her, "The Doctor left me to go take you back. He was so upset you should've seen it! He was jealous!"

"Yeah right," I rolled my eyes, "We were supposed to be together, all three of us. I'd be upset too if a friend just ditched me to be with a stranger."

"Would you quit making this so hard!" she whispered-yelled, looking frantic at the demand, "God, you're both so hard to work with!"

"It's just...jealous? No one would believe that. Perhaps, a little annoyed, maybe...irritated? Sure. But jealous would imply things that are simply not true."

"What is so hard about accepting it? I don't get it! Remember my theory!"

"Your theory sucks!"

She blinked, snorting, "That's a comeback!"

"There is nothing to accept, now shush!"

"A person who who shares more than a friendship has a set of double standards between that person they like and a friend, examples are you and me," she gestured to us. I rolled my eyes but let her continue, "Biggest example I can think of is that Torchwood job you had."

I shifted on my feet, wishing I could truly forget that awful job. I told her the brief story of my experience that and how it ended in the meantime Yue had picked out our clothes.

"He hated that place, right?"

"Well, it's more-"

"Shush," she covered my mouth, "Did he or did he not hate it?" I nodded and she took her hand back, "Okay, now, is he still angry you worked there?"

"What? No!" I shook my head, making a face at the ridiculousness of that question.

"But I bet if another friend worked there he'd be very angry," she smirked.

"Look, I explained to him in great detail why I took the job in the first place, how I didn't even know what Torchwood actually was and why I stayed there after discovering what its real purposes were. Now it's bad enough what we did to Rose, I'm so grateful he didn't stay angry."

"What we did to Rose?" she frowned, forgetting her point for a second, "Why do you say that?"

"Because it was true, it was Torchwood that sent her mom and Mickey to another world. I worked at that institution so I sent them to another world. She was right."

I don't think I would ever forget Rose's look after she told me everything was my fault. I knew I reacted like I was crazy, but now that I was better and though about it, she was right. It was my fault. Perhaps if I had told the Doctor from the start about the job and the sphere, he could've prevented the battle.

"God I really hate Rose," Martha crinkled her face with distaste.

"No, don't say that," I shook my head, "It's not right to talk bad about someone when they aren't here to defend themselves."

"And how exactly would she defend herself, hm!?" she nearly shouted, still attracting several looks around the place.

"Martha, shush," I put a finger to my lips.

"I'm sorry but, she's awful! I bet if the Doctor knew half the things about the real Rose, he wouldn't dare speak about her anymore."

"Don't you dare," I immediately warned, knowing anger could drive to impulsion.

"For example the threat," she began counting on her fingers, "The yells she gave you after the Doctor regenerated, blaming you for her choice of worlds-"

"Please stop," I sighed.

"No! I will not! Because while you proceed to belittle yourself, the blonde is left as a goddess who wouldn't hurt a fly."

"She was never violent," I mumbled, the thought of actually speaking bad about a woman who was once my friend didn't quite go with me.

"That was the last thing she needed," she huffed, "I'm just saying, maybe a little revelation to the Doctor wouldn't hurt."

"And then what? Huh? How would that help me?"

"He could support you. He could make you see how different you are from her, and he himself would finally see the biggest differences between you and her."

"And for what?"

"What do you mean for what? So you two can finally be-"

"No, it's not gonna happen. It's never going to happen. You don't seem to remember Martha, he was in love with her."

"That's what you think," she cut me off, both filled with tension, "But after everything you've told me, and after what I've seen, I wouldn't agree."

"But you weren't there, alright?"

"No, but I'm here now. And this time, you have a friend who actually cares about you and is not going to let you push away possibly the biggest piece of happiness you have. Nope," she crossed her arms and shook her head.

I sighed, sometimes I loved Martha but at other times I really wanted to strangle her.

Her eyes wandered past me suddenly, "Um, I think your new friend is pretty jealous too."

"What?"

"That guy I pushed you to," her look turned of one of discomfort as she continued looking, "In fact, he looks pretty mad."

She gestured with her head and I looked behind, finding Zian speaking to another man, almost angrily, "So?"

"I don't like him anymore..." she said just as Zian happened to look at us, his face pretty scary, "In fact, I forbid you to speak to him again."

I quickly looked away from him and back to her, "Thanks Martha, I think I just made a new enemy."

"Sorry, he didn't look like a creep earlier."

"Who didn't look like a creep?" the Doctor returned, struggling to hold three glasses.

"No one," I quickly took a glass, "Don't worry."

"I think I'm gonna go ask for that notepad," Martha started getting up, her eyes seeming to be fixated on what I assumed was Zian behind me, "Don't separate."

"What?" the Doctor asked, confused.

She had caught herself and shook her head, putting a smile, "I'll be right back."

"What's wrong with her?"

"She's just a bit irritated with our competitiveness," I shrugged, taking a drink and hoping he'd forget about it.

"Yeah why are you so competitive?"

I looked at him, raising an eyebrow, "You're serious?"

He chuckled, "Sorry, sorry."

I shook my head, disapproving but laughing anyways, "You know, when I'm not in the TARDIS, you're gonna need someone to be competitive with..." his chuckle faded as he realized where I was headed. I did feel a little nervous as I continued to speak but I just had to make an argument against her departure, "...Martha could be a good match. She's fun, eh?"

"If I'm not gonna have my friend, then I'm sure as hell not gonna have a companion."

I blinked at his seriousness, the way he had said it...it was just...kind of cold and harsh. It was as if Martha was no where near a friend to him, like she was just a stray that we had picked up and sometimes remembered she was with us.

And Martha was most certainly not that. Ever.

"How can you say that after everything she's done for us? She saved our lives in New York. She killed the pigmen before they killed us. And apart from that, she supported me when I needed friends the most. She had no obligation to do any of that stuff and yet she did. How can you degrade her like that?"

"I'm not belittling her, I just don't see her as a close friend to me, alright? I understand the bond you two have but I don't share that bond, okay? I have that with you, not her."

"We have a bond..." I whispered, smiling to myself.

"Yes, and I respect Martha, I know she's done a lot but...you can't ask me to see her the way I see you."

"And...how do you see me?" I dared to ask, my cheeks flushing red.

"As the most incredible woman that's ever traveled with me."

"Really?" I blinked.

He nodded, "Martha is wonderful. She's okay..."

"No Doctor, she's brilliant. She is fantastic, she is good. And she is exactly who you need to be around when I'm not there. She's yet to see what I've seen and I know she'll keep a good reign on you like me. But most importantly, she's a good friend to you. She helps, she fights, she listens," I started to chuckle lightly, "And we both know that with your mouth, it's a good quality to have," that made him smile a little, as he knew it was true and there was no denying it, "So c'mon, why don't you let her stay?"

He set his drink on the table and looked me in the eyes this time, a new expression on his face that I had only seen once.

The day he had lost Rose.

It was of pain, but also of sadness. When he's around with other people, he would show his pain of the loss of Rose, but only to a certain extent. Even when we first traveled together, he believed he could trick me and make me believe he wasn't as badly affected as he actually was. But then we started getting closer, and gaining each other's trust, and slowly he started letting me see just how hurt he was. I hated that look, feelings or not, I simply hated it. Ever since we took Martha on, the look seemed to falter...and now I made it return.

"Well, Doctor? Why won't you let her stay?" I repeated, a little more nervous now.

"Because if I let her stay, and you go, I'm afraid that you'll never come back and I'll have the reminder of you in Martha."

I swallowed hard, "Just like I was reminder of Rose, huh?"

"It's not like that!" he quickly said, shaking his head.

"I know," I said quietly, taking a deep breath, "It's not..."

"You're not a ghost of her, Minerva. I don't know how I'm gonna make you see it. Look, whenever you react to something I say, whether to scold me for being daft, or laugh at something funny I said," he sighed, "Or simply shine those big eyes both of you had when you see something new for the first time...I can't help but remember Rose. You two seemed to get along really...good."

I shifted on my seat, sure I'd let him believe that...

"I imagine her standing right beside you, reacting similarly to you...and I don't want to see that happen with you. You're not a ghost of Rose, you're two completely different people and I need you to understand that. Now, I don't want to see you beside Martha when you're not there. I don't want another reminder. If I can't have you, in the TARDIS, in person, then I don't want anyone else," I looked down, scolding myself for having a little ray of hope that his last sentence might have had a double meaning, "Hey," he called softly, making me look up, although silent because I had no idea how to respond anymore, "I don't have anything against Martha, I simply don't want another set of reminders."

He tried smiling but I knew it was just fake. He remembered Rose and now he was hurting again.

"I got it!" Martha's voice called from a distance, causing both to glance back, seeing her walking for us, waving a small notepad and a pen in her hands, "And just so you know, I'm not gonna have a soft spot for either of you," she pointed at us with the pen, giving a stern look. She noticed our quietness and became concerned, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I answered first, looking around for a good excuse, the sky being the last thing I saw and the perfect excuse, "C'mon, take a seat. The fireworks are gonna start."

"Alright," she reached for her drink and eyed the both of us, "Fireworks it is."

In the short time that we had before the fireworks actually began, there was just silence. I couldn't shake off the Doctor's words, as friend-zoned as it was, it was still concerning. And another thing, I was a little on guard with the looks I continued to receive from Zian. Martha was right, he did seem angry. I didn't care what it was for, I just needed him to stop.

"Oh, look!" Martha suddenly pointed above. We followed her gaze, and heard the beginning of mini-explosions, to the sky.

The fireworks had begun and had started in a lazy manner, I should add, with simple colored sparkles. However, as the seconds passed, the colors began to merge into twists and shapes. There came the shape of a lantern, a brilliant shade of red and a radiant yellow. Other figures arose into the sky afterwards, one of a large dragon shooting the familiar flames from its nostrils.

"That one! That one's my favorite!" Martha laughed as a figure of a man on stilts was formed.

I laughed along with her, watching another form appear beside it, one of a little girl, dressed in the traditional attire, "I like that one!"

A good hour passed by and the fireworks were not even close to finishing. Knowing they'd last all night, we agreed to go ahead and do he lantern riddles.

We stood up from our tables, bid our thank you's to Yue's family and then headed for the exit. I was left behind when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. It was Zian, and looking slightly less angry. He came around and faced me, a small smile on his face.

"Uh, Zian, hello..." I looked past him to see Martha and the Doctor still walking away; they hadn't noticed I wasn't there yet.

"Minerva, I wanted to say something to you," Zian began, and I immediately looked at him with the little bravery I had gathered in the last two seconds.

"So do I. Listen, I don't know if I did anything to make you angry but the looks you were giving me are kinda scaring me so if you could stop, that'd be great."

"Oh...sorry, I didn't mean to. I was simply a bit...taken aback, by your, um...friend?"

"I really gotta go, we're going to solve riddles and...we have a challenge," I rushed off, catching up quickly with my friends.

"Everything alright?" the Doctor asked, looking past to Zian.

I nodded, "Yeah, but, can we get out of here? I just want to solve riddles," he nodded and put his arm around my shoulders, leading us off.

~0~

We headed for the parks, to where millions of lanterns were hung around, the business around doing the same thing. Lanterns were everywhere...and ready to be riddle-solved!

"Alright, so now that I've had a go and we won prizes," Martha wiggled her finger that now bore a fake, gold ring, "We can start your competition."

The Doctor and I smiled, looking at our own hands that also wore the fake, gold rings thanks to Martha. She'd wanted a go at a lantern herself, and actually solved it and won a prize of rings. We offered to let her into the competition, making it three against each other, but she declined.

The deal with the lanterns was that every single on of them bore a riddle and a hint, called tips, for anyone to solve. If the person thought they got the answer right, then they'd take the lantern to its owners. The owners, either shops or stands or anything else, would hear the answer the person had to say and told them whether or not they were right or not. If they were correct, the person earned a prize from the owner's. In Martha's case, the owner of the lantern she solved the riddle from was a jewelry store keeper.

"Here's one," Martha left us and walked towards a lantern that was hanging from a window's top layer of a flower shop, "Are you ready?" the Doctor and I nodded and awaited for her to read the riddle, "The riddle is 'What building has the most stories? Tip: Things.'"

The Doctor and I scoffed simultaneously, "That's easy, a library."

And then we both glared at each other, turning to face one another.

"I said it first," I said.

"No, I said it first."

"No you didn't. I did."

"Martha, tell her I said it first," he glanced at her, not backing down.

"No Martha, you tell him I said it first."

She smiled as she looked between us, "This is gonna be fun."

We turned to her, our anger gone and replaced by a whining session.

"Martha, I said it first," I pointed at myself.

"No she didn't," the Doctor shook his head, "I did."

"Okay!" she exclaimed, startling us, "It's a point for both of you."

"No!" the Doctor frowned.

"Damn it!" I turned for another lantern to solve. I pointed at one hanging on a branch of a tree, "That one!" and I ran for it, leaving the other two to follow.

"You can't read it first!" the Doctor shouted as I stopped before it. Once he had caught up he pulled me back beside him as Martha walked up to the lantern.

"Okay, second riddle."

"I am so ready this time," I shot a look at the Doctor, "And I'm gonna take this one."

"You sure?" he asked, just as smug as I was.

"Yes," I crossed my arms and looked back at Martha who was just staring at both of us again, a smirk on her face, "Martha, go ahead."

"Okay," she nodded and turned back to the lantern, "The riddle is actually for English speakers so this should be fun."

I glanced at the Doctor, "Well considering you're an alien, I already have this one."

"What?"

"English speaker," I pointed at myself, grinning widely.

"And what do I speak?"

"Hey, how do I know the TARDIS isn't translating your language right now?" I raised an eyebrow, resuming my smirk, understanding perfectly well he purposely spoke English, but it just ticked him off even more so I went with it, "You could be speaking gibberish for all I know."

"You know damn well what my language is!"

I gasped happily, "He's angry now," I looked at Martha quickly, "Quick, do the riddle! He can't think right when he's angry!"

Martha let out a laugh as she looked at the lantern once more, "'What is the longest word in English? Tip: Being happy."

"Easy, the word 'smiles'," I replied before she even looked back at us.

"Yes but do you know why?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, a severe doubt on his eyes.

"Yes, actually, I do," I turned to him, "Because the word 'smiles' has the word 'mile' in-between two S's."

He was surprised nonetheless, but he still wasn't giving this one up, "Alright, but the actual longest English word-"

"Is 'Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis'," I finished for him, leaving his him wide-eyed and a mouth half open in shock, "And the meaning of the word is a lung disease in which the inhalation of very fine silica particles cause the inflammation of the lungs. Anymore questions?" I asked sweetly, walking around him with another smirk.

I scanned for a new lantern and when I found one I looked back at the other two, seeing only Martha had moved and the Doctor remained where I had left them, his back to me, "Doctor, are you coming?"

Almost like he was in a trance, he shook himself and turned, making his way to join us again, "I am ready."

Martha smirked as she walked past me, "I think you just made him snap," she whispered, "And he liked it."

I blushed, turning away from both of them, "Okay, let's try another one. Doctor?"

"Oh I'm ready," he declared, coming back to reality and fixing his coat.

"Which is the word in English that has nine letters, and remains a word at each step even when you remove one letter from it, right up to a single letter remaining."

"'Startling'," the Doctor answered in a mere second, my eyes snapping to him as his met mine, "What? You didn't think to remove the 'L', therefore making it 'starting' and then taking away the 'T', making it 'staring', then remove 'A' for 'string', take off 'R' for 'sting', 'T' for 'sing', 'G' for 'sin', 'S' for 'in' and finally 'N' for good old 'I'," he grinned with a devilish smile.

I blinked, taking in his speedful explanation that went at light speed. And now with a proud smirk, he turned on his heel and headed for a new lantern.

Martha stepped to my side, peering at my face, "Wow, that's the same face the Doctor had when you beat him."

"I think he just got hotter," I exhaled a shaky breath, not even realizing my words until I heard Martha's laughter.

"Admittance! Finally!" she linked arms with me, "It's about time!"

"It's not admittance to anything," I pushed her arm down, my eyes still on the not-so-stupid-alien, "It's just...I've never been outmatched before...it feels amazing..."

"Attraction between geeks is so weird," she shook her head, getting an elbow on the stomach but no look as I was too preoccupied staring after the Doctor, "But if figures you'd like it too, ugh," Martha crinkled her face in distaste, "This isn't going to be a riddle match. It's gonna be a flirting competition," she faked a shiver before laughing again. I was partially ignoring her, truthfully, and as she laughed, I started walking for the alien.

Oh, it was so on now.

~0~

"Until I am measured,

I am not known.

Yet how you miss me,

When I have flown!

What am I?"

"Time!" The Doctor exclaimed, throwing me a simpering look.

I scowled and crossed my arms, "Well obviously you're at an advantage!"

"What!?"

"You're a time traveler!"

He mock-glared while Martha laughed, writing down his newest point on the notepad, "That has nothing to do with this. So quit making that face," he wagged a finger at me.

"What face?"

"The one of 'Wow I'm losing to such a genius'."

"You're not a genius and this is my face."

"It is," his smirk played on his lips as he moved around me, "And it looks well on you."

Martha's mouth opened in surprise and happiness, "He just flirted," she moved right beside me, nudging me, "Alert, he just flirted!"

"No he didn't, shut up," I gently pushed her away, "Read that one, Martha," I pointed to the lantern across us.

"The person who makes it has no need for it. The person who purchases it does not use it. The person who does use it does not know he or she is. What is it?"

"A coffin..." I uttered in a hushed tone, my gaze slowly falling to the ground.

Suddenly winning wasn't so much fun anymore...

"Minerva?" Martha called, her smile fading as I looked up, "What's wrong?"

I looked at her then the Doctor, "Nothing. Point for me..."

"And no snide remark against my slowness?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, "No, that's wrong. C'mon, where's my snide remark?"

I sighed, looking at him sadly, "Olivia."

With that, I walked away from the two. And, as if I was being teased, a few children, specifically a brunette and a blonde that seemed to fit in the age gap Olivia and I used to, passed by. I watched after them, seeing the smaller brunette excitedly point at a lantern while the blonde simply smiled and took the lantern off its place.

"I'd ask what you were thinking but I think the answer has pretty much been given, huh?" the Doctor strolled over to my side.

I sighed, nodding my head as I watched the brunette and blonde go, "I can't help it. Anytime I get a memory of Liv, I get all sad and...this," I gestured to myself, and he chuckled.

"Imagine me when I remember my whole planet?"

I know he said that to light up the mood, but I looked at him with such sadness. Suddenly, I felt like I had no right to feel like this over one person when he had a whole family, whole planet to mourn.

He must have caught my thoughts because he smiled and shook his head, "No, this is part of the process. Learn to remember the memories you had with good intentions. Don't be sad they're over..."

"Be glad they happened," I finished, knowing the words too well, "But it's just hard..."

"Hey, I get it, don't worry."

"I'm sorry," I shook my head. Here we were trying to have a good time and I come and ruin as usual.

"It's okay, would you like to continue the riddle challenge or do you want to call it a night? Whatever you choose is fine."

I bit my lip, looking back at Martha who was scribbling something on the notepad, "I think...we should continue. That's what we came for, right?" I looked back at him, "To have fun?"

"Definitely," he took my hand and started walking us to our friend.

"Minerva?"

I stopped walking and looked back, finding Zian across us, "Oh..."

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Minerva, don't," the Doctor mumbled, "Something's not right with the guy."

"I'm sure no harm can come from a little talk," I replied, though the nervous feeling returning to me.

"I assure you it'll only take a moment," Zian said, unable to hear us from his spot.

"Uh, sure..." I moved to approach him but the Doctor gripped my hand. I looked back, sighing, "...just stay close with Martha."

"I don't like him," he muttered, "Something's wrong."

"You don't like a lot of people," I reminded, taking my hand away and following Zian to a distant spot.

I happened to see Yue not too far away from us, she saw us and gave us a wave then returned to chatting with her friends. Zian walked us towards a stand where an elderly man stood behind.

"Zian, I have to be honest-" I began but he put a finger to my lips, leaving me wide-eyed. I was going to tell him his actions from earlier made me nervous but now I suppose it'd be more difficult with his finger on my mouth.

"Can I offer you a cup of tea?"

"Um..."

He didn't await my answer and simply turned us for the stand, "Two cups please."

The man nodded and handed us two prepared cups to each of us. I smiled awkwardly and moved to sip some. The man reached out and stopped me from drinking it, "You need these," he held out two red-flowered bracelets for us, "You must wear it."

"Why?" I asked, confused as Zian took them and placed it around my wrist before doing his.

"Tradition."

"Um, okay..." I said slowly, watching Zian smile as he reached for his cup again.

"Here, take this," the man handed me a strip of paper, "Read it. It is for good fortune."

"Although in the beginning it is never sure what will happen with me and you, forever I will always say 'I do'...?" I looked up after reading, more than confused, "What does that mean?"

Zian took the paper and looked at it, "Although in the beginning it is never sure what will happen with me and you, forever I will always say 'I do'."

"What does that mean?" I looked back at the man who had disappeared all of a sudden, "Hey, where'd he go?"

Zian shrugged and took a sip of tea, "Probably off to get more of the coffee. It sells out fast. You should try it."

Slowly, I raised the cup to my lips and sipped a little, "It tastes just like regular tea."

"Really? I think it's delicious!"

"Um, I think I'm gonna go back over there..." I looked back at Martha and the Doctor who weren't that far off anymore.

He grabbed my arm suddenly, "No you're not."

I shot him a look, confused and a beginning of anger, "Yes I am," I took back my arm, setting my tea on the stand and removing my bracelet, "Thank you but I'm gonna go now."

He frowned and snatched my arm again, "I said you're not."

"I said I am!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"NO!"

At his sudden yell I flinched, and looked around before I figured what to do next, what I always did next, "Doctor! Doctor!"

"What are you doing?" Zian demanded as he started tugging me towards him, "We're going home!"

"Let go!" I cried, trying to pry his hand off my arm, "You're hurting me!"

"Hey, hey, hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?" the Doctor ran beside us, Martha right behind him.

"Doctor, he doesn't wanna let me go," I gestured to Zian's hand on my arm, "I don't want to go with him!"

"Listen, if she says she doesn't want to go with you, she's not," he said, placing his hand over Zian's and forcefully detaching it from me, "And now, we're off," he brought me to his side and turned us away, walking Martha and I from Zian.

"You're not going anywhere with my wife!" Zian snapped, freezing all three of us in our tracks.

I looked back at him, raising an eyebrow, "What do you mean 'wife'?"

"What you heard, lovely," he sweetly smiled, "You're my wife now."

"I never agreed to that."

"You did. You took the cups of tea, the bracelet and most importantly, you said 'I do'."

"No I-" I stopped at the reminder of the strip of paper, "The fortune..."

"Minerva, what is he talking about?" the Doctor asked, looking between us in confusion.

I shot my eyes up at Zian, angrier than ever, "You tricked me!"

But the man only bitterly smiled, "And I said 'I do' as well, making us husband and wife."

"Why would you do that?" Martha questioned.

"Because I like her," he gestured to me, "Look at her."

I wanted to hide myself from his scanning eyes that were looking me up and down. I hated the way he did that.

"You listen to me and stop it," the Doctor snapped, moving in front of me, "I see your eyes trail again and I'll personally dump you in a black hole."

"Not to mention the big punch he's gonna get from me!" Martha added, glaring daggers at the man, "It's obvious he doesn't like her. He just wants what every man wants!"

"Oi," the Doctor frowned, giving her a quick look.

"Sorry, what every human man wants."

I swallowed hard, my nervousness turned to terror at what they were talking about. I've never been in a situation like this and it horrified to me to think of what could happen if Martha and the Doctor don't succeed in helping me.

"You tricked her and therefore your marriage is invalid," the Doctor said.

"No, see because she read it out of her own will. She's my wife and by tradition and law you are not allowed to take my wife anywhere," Zian took a step forwards.

The Doctor took my hand, gripping it tightly, "Over my dead body."

"I don't have problems with that."

Yue was making her way over to us at the sounds of our snaps and yells, "What's going on?"

"Your friend tricked Minerva into marrying him!" Martha exclaimed.

"Is that legal?" the Doctor asked her, "She was tricked and didn't know anything about it."

Yue looked at Zian who then gestured for the stand that held the cups, bracelet and paper. She sighed, "I'm afraid so. It's a custom for the festival, only."

"But I was tricked!" I cried, the water in my eyes threatening to spill, "How can that be legal?"

"Isn't there somewhere around it?" Martha asked, "Like a loophole or something? C'mon, marriages aren't sealed off!"

"Doctor, don't leave me here," I turned him to me, "Please help me. Please..."

"N-n-n-no, don't worry," he took my hand in his and lifted it to his lips, giving it a kiss on the back, "You are not staying here."

"Let go of my wife!" Zian ordered.

"I'm gonna need you to shut up!" the Doctor yelled, quieting down the man for a moment, "You tricked her. Her place is home, with me and Martha."

"Are you married?" Yue suddenly asked, looking at our interlocked hands, and upon seeing her perked up eyes, I took the opportunity.

"Yes," I quickly answered.

"In that case," she looked at Zian, tilting her head with a smirk, "Your marriage, Zian, is invalidated."

"Impossible," he shook his head, "They're not married."

"Yes they are," Martha stepped up, having caught on, putting her hands behind her back and removing her ring, "I was a witness. Bridesmaid. And look, they're wearing rings."

"Those are fake gold," Zian spat, "You give a fake gold ring to that kind of girl?" he gestured to me, only making me hide once more behind the Doctor.

"Haven't you ever heard it's the thought that counts?" Martha countered, "Unlike you, he," she gestured to the Doctor, "Doesn't care about appearances and actually likes what's within."

"Zian, let it go, this was a foul trick you played on the poor girl," Yue shook her head, "She's married."

"I don't believe it," he insisted, staring me down, "And in any case, you know this Yue, if they are truly married then they need to provide evidence."

"What kind?" I asked, my heart beating faster with each second we remained here.

"Something to prove you are actually married," Yue informed, sighing with defeat on that point, "Could range from the rings to the certificate. Something that proves it."

"Like a kiss!" Martha suddenly exclaimed.

"What?" the Doctor and I looked over at her.

The woman had finally lost it.

"Anyone can fake a kiss," Zian crossed his arms.

"Not these two," she pointed at us, "Believe me. They flirt, they do the sweet gestures for one another and they can snog the hell out of each other!"

I rubbed my neck, feeling my face warm up as they looked at us. If I got to leave from this place, I was so gonna kill her for this.

"How long have they been married?" Yue asked, casting a look at Zian who was simply not backing down.

"One year," Martha answered, "Minerva is only eighteen, naturally it'd only be a year of marriage."

"But you said you were seventeen..." Yue said slowly, glancing at me.

"...I feel like I still am," I said, coming around to this crazy idea, "You know, in the eyes of my parents. Still a child and all."

"Child or not, you're my wife!" Zian exclaimed.

"No I'm not!" I yelled, "I already have a husband and that is not you! So leave me alone!"

"I don't believe it!" he yelled back, growing angrier.

"Well that's not my problem! What do you want from us? A damn kiss? Because I'll give you a real, damn kiss," I spun to the Doctor, silently pleading him to help me get out of this, "You want a kiss...I'll give you a kiss," I stepped up, my hands going up to cup his face.

Everything that Martha had said to me about my feelings started rushing through my head. And now that I was here, so close to getting another kiss from the man I refused to say I liked, I felt my heart racing yet still willing me to go ahead and prove myself wrong. The question was, did I really want to find out whether or not I had actual feelings for the Doctor? Did I?

The Doctor was looking down with such shock that I was actually gonna do this. I expected him to push my hands down at any second...but he never did. I took a silent breath in, not waiting for this small act of boldness to slip away, and pulled him down for a kiss.

I felt his surprise but didn't feel any sort of rejection. In fact, in mere seconds I felt his hands placing themselves on either side of my face. We moved our lips together once more, reminding me of the last time this had happened. It was slightly weird suddenly, just like the last time, but...a different weird. I liked the feeling, I admitted. One could even say it felt familiar in a sense, like we'd already done this and we knew exactly how to best please each other. That mere act made my entire body feel the rush.

This might have been to prove something utterly fake but it felt so real to me. But I didn't know what was worse, the fact that I had taken advantage of the moment to prove a theory, or the results that I got. When we finally pulled back, neither of us let go of each other. We simply looked at each other and I dare say we were both dazed.

"See," Martha stepped in front of us, her back to us as she directed herself to Zian, "And if you're wondering, the marriage has been finalized if you know what I mean. So if I were you, I'd get to looking for another bride because this one's taken."

"Get out of here, Zian," Yue then ordered.

"Good job guys," Martha turned to us, hands on hips and a relief sigh coming from her, "I think we should head home, right?" but neither of us answered her, "Guys? Hey guys? Let's go...guys?"

My theory had been proven. There was no denying anymore. If I had the chance to kiss the Doctor again, I would do it. Martha had been right this whole time, it wouldn't matter what I had to say because my heart had the final word. I accepted it now.

I had fallen for the Doctor.

#10th doctor #doctor who #ocappreciation #ocapp #dw imagine #10th doctor imagines #dw imagines #10th doctor imagine #doctor who fics #doctor who imagines #10th doctor fics #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 16: Jolly Old New York

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: The Doctor takes Minerva and Martha to 1920s New York where they come across the deadly Daleks. Despite their struggles, though, Minerva insists that she must leave the TARDIS.

// Story Masterlist //

I sat on the doorway of the TARDIS, legs dangling out into outer-space with a sketchpad on my lap and a pencil in my hand. I was busy drawing the very stars in front of me, finding their glow to be completely captivating. I nearly didn't hear Martha's footsteps until she had called my name and tapped my shoulder.

"Sorry, Martha," I smiled, scooting to the left so she could sit down beside me, "Did you need anything?"

"Not really," she took a seat, "I was just curious where everyone was...and why it was so quiet."

"Well as you can see, I'm busy doing this," I gestured to the sketch pad, "And the Doctor is in his workroom. Apparently 'working'."

We both laughed then sighed in content, "So you draw?" Martha eyed my sketchpad, "Never actually seen any of them, you know."

"Yeah, it's sort of a hobby. And, don't take it personal, I'm very shy when it comes to what I draw. I barely show even the Doctor."

"Well, can I see?"

I nodded, handing her the book, "C'mon Martha, I think you're beyond asking that question."

She took it and started flipping through the pages, gasping at some of the drawings and awing at the others, "This is wonderful, Minerva. You're really good. Hey, who's she?" she stopped a page and pointed to the drawing of an elderly woman.

"That's my grandmother."

"She has really pretty eyes," she remarked, glancing between the picture and I, "They're your eyes!"

I chuckled, "Yeah, people always said that."

"Same jade-green eyes," she shook her head, "Did she have your incredibly long hair too?"

"Nah, she kept it short, plus she was blonde," I smiled, remembering the dozens of photos of my grandmother as a teen, "She didn't like it."

Martha flipped the page, tilting her head as she studied the next drawing,"Hey, who are all those people?"

I sighed, looking away from it,"It's...it's mine and the Doctor's old friends."

"As in...the Tyler's?"

"Yeah..." I peered at the drawing, seeing the bright blonde hair that belonged to Jackie and Rose. It was a drawing of the two, Mickey, the Doctor, and myself. I had drawn it for Mickey, since it was going to be his birthday...although that never came since he had left the world.

"And him?" Martha pointed to Mickey.

"That was my best friend, Mickey Smith."

"I thought Rose was your best friend," she looked at me with a genuine confusion.

I never did explain the whole fiasco between Rose and I that fell through. It was a 'story to tell later' but...that 'later' hadn't really come by. Now's your moment. "No Martha...she was definitely not my best friend. In fact, I dare to say she probably hated me."

"Why would she do that? You're incredibly sweet!"

"Martha, not too long ago I asked if I could trust you and you said yes. Once again, I ask that you keep this a secret...please?"

She nodded, "Don't worry."

"The reason Rose probably hated me was because she believed I had a thing for the Doctor, which at that time I did not. But, see, in the beginning when I met both of them, I told them my name was Joy. I didn't tell them who I really was and Rose found out about it. She knew I was using another name and she took it the wrong way."

'Wrong way how?" she raised an eyebrow.

"She sort of threatened to tell the Doctor about my fake name because she was jealous..."

"Threatened?"

"She thought I liked him and so the obvious feeling she got was jealousy. But, I don't get why she would even think that, I mean...she was perfect. If the Doctor was to set eyes on anyone, it would've been her. She had nothing to worry about. I'm just boring old me."

"First of all, you are not boring. Second of all, I wouldn't be so sure the Doctor would have chosen Rose."

"Martha, you weren't there," I said quietly, taking my sketchpad back from her and blankly flipped through pages, "Sometimes they would have those conversations for hours, and I would be there...feeling so left out. I think he forgot that I was there at times."

"Uh, no," she wagged a finger, "You don't know that."

"Yeah, I do."

"No, you don't. He's told me some of the trips you guys took back then and he described in great detail your accomplishments. I think he forgot Rose was there. He kept droning on and on about how clever you were, sometimes even more than him! How calm you were, unlike Rose who was a bit frantic during bad situations. But not you. You were calm and you kept it together to think on a plan to escape. Minerva, that is so not forgetting you."

"But that's what I felt," I sighed, "That's why I stopped traveling with the two. I stayed with Rose's mom, in their apartment. I would go on some trips but I preferred to stay on Earth rather than feeling left out," I paused to think for a moment, "But now...now I have to admit that I don't want to leave. I feel like...this is where I need to be. We've gotten closer and...I don't want to leave."

"Mhm, 'at that time' you said," Martha nudged me,and I noticed the clear smirk on her face that wasn't there two seconds ago, "I got it, Souza."

"Got what?"

She nodded, as if gesturing with her head but I remained confused, just staring at her. "Oh c'mon, I got you. Isn't that what Americans say? 'I got you'?"

"Got me what? Why do you keep saying that?" I frowned, recalling the same words she said to the Doctor in the guinguette.

She laughed, "Minerva! I know why you don't want to leave!"

"That's...great?"

"Don't tell me you don't!?" she exclaimed. I just stared at her until she further explained, "Minerva!" she whacked my arm, leading me to rub it as that did in fact hurt, she was also no frail human,"When you said that Rose hated you because she believed that you had a thing for the Doctor, was that true?"

"What? Of course not!" I looked away, touchy on the subject for some reason.

"And now?"

"Of course not."

"You said that quieter," she pointed a teasing finger at me.

"I did not."

"You're still doing it!" she laughed, poking my arm with her index finger.

"Am not."

"Are too!"

"Martha!"

"Minerva!" she mimicked, putting her hands on her hips.

I sighed, finally looking back at the woman, "We were talking about Rose and now what are we doing?"

"Frankly, I could care less about Rose. She treated my best friend badly and I don't like people like that. But what I do like is how red you are right now because Rose might have been right and you do like the Doctor."

"Do not!"

"Minerva," she nudged me."

"What do you want me to say!?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

I sighed, seeing no other alternative but to speak, "It's...it's weird. See, at first, I thought Rose was delirious to think I actually liked the stupid alien...I just wanted to get to know him, but now..." I rubbed the side of my neck, "Maybe she wasn't that crazy."

"Aha!"

"I don't like him like that..." I looked at her, allowing her to see the doubt in my face, "...I don't think so, anyways. But it's just the time we spent together after she left...sometimes, I find myself looking at him for no damn reason. Or sometimes, I get all...blushing, for no reason!" she laughed as I continued, "I'm serious! We were doing fine up until that stupid kiss he gave me after the hospital!"

"Woah, hold on," her laugh ceased and her eyes widened, "After the hospital? There was a sequel!? Is that what you did before I came along? Snogged all day in the TARDIS?"

"Oh...shut up..." I looked around, feeling another blush come on.

"Explain at once!"

I laughed, passing a hand through my hair, "It was nothing really. Just a simple kiss afterwards to make up for my not-so-great first kiss. He made it up."

"And you say it so calmly?"

"How else am I supposed to say it?" I raised an eyebrow, "It's not like it meant anything for either of us."

"Either of you?"

"Yes."

She smirked and laughed again, "Minerva, you're actually quite innocent sometimes. Have you ever liked a guy before?"

"No," I waved her off, "There was no time for that."

"So there's never been at least one guy that was interested in you?"

"Well...see, my mom had this friend, Angela, and she had this son, Evan, and we were both the same age and..."

"Got it," she held her hand, cutting me off, "Tried to do the impossible to get you together?"

I nodded, "Yeah. We were like twelve! My mom kept insisting we just spend time together, supervised of course, but I never saw Evan as anything more than a robot."

"A robot?" she laughed.

"He does what he's told and is completely rude! He never wanted to do what I wanted to do. He never listened to me nor cared about what I needed. He was conceited, agh!"

Martha laughed even more, "But the Doctor's quite cocky on his own, remember?"

"Yeah, but, I don't know..." I shrugged, "..it's not the same. When he does it, it's not like he's trying to be rude or anything; it's just him. But when Evan did it, he wanted to be rude. He was arrogant about it, and not the 'he's actually really kind inside' arrogant, just plain arrogant."

Martha's laugh had stopped, but a big grin plastered on her face, "And the 'he's really kind inside' arrogant is..."

"The Doctor, of course," I shrugged, "He's not really arrogant, though, never could be. He's really kind. But why do you ask?"

She blinked, silence falling for a minute or to before she playfully knocked on my head, "Hello? Is the Clever Girl at home or...?"

"What?" I laughed as I pushed her hand away.

"Okay, clearly you've never liked a guy and so much less knows what happens when a guy likes a girl. You haven't seen the looks, have you?"

"What looks?"

"The ones you find yourself doing when the Doctor isn't looking, those are the same ones he gives you when you're not looking."

"Don't be silly," I waved her off.

"You two may be oblivious but I'm not. I'm taught to be observant for my profession and I see what you two stupidly can't."

"Can just move on from topics, please?"

She paused and looked out to the stars, suddenly nodding, "Okay, okay," she sat straight and looked ahead, "Minerva, who brought you here? I mean, here here. This view for you."

"The Doctor," I answered, not finding the importance of the question.

"Okay, and why did he bring you?"

"Because I asked for a good view to draw?"

"Aha, and did he obey without asking a question?"

"Well...yeah."

"Aha, so...what does that mean to you?"

"That he's just trying to keep me happy."

"Yeah, something he's so keen on doing!"

"And? What's the problem with that?"

"Nothing, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. The little looks you give each other are nothing bad," she fiddled with her fingers casually, "You know, like in the guinguette...god, you two were so close and looks were thrown everywhere," she shook her head, smiling nonetheless, "And what do you have to say about the horse riding, hmm?"

My looking away gave me out, apparently, "What...what are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying..." she swayed her head, acting as if all this was just some casual talk, "...his arm around your waist all the time, your hand on his all the time...refusing to let him go when we tried teaching you to ride on your own. You two rode back still together."

"I was scared of the horse so he didn't let me ride on my own!"

"And beyond that, he didn't want to let you go. Didn't you see that?"

"Martha, stop. Just...just stop. I already felt confused and I don't need that in my life. I'm just drawing," and I quickly returned to just that, blushing madly that I hoped she wouldn't see.

"I'm just saying, don't be so quick to think it's a one way connection," she patted my shoulder as she started getting up, "And don't discard the fact you may have something for him too..."

"It's wrong, Martha, it shouldn't happen. Not ever."

"Why?"

"Because of Rose, alright? It can never happen because he was in love with her, is in love with her..."

"He...he what?" that got her to really think.

"He and Rose were in love with each other, okay? Rose was jealous and perhaps she was right, I should have stayed away from him because perhaps they actually were together and I was just an intruder. He could still be in love with her, for all we know. And my life is already complicated enough to add a heartbreak. So whatever feelings may be developing have to stop. They will stop."

"But...but if everything I'm saying is true, you can't just decide to stop feeling. If your heart wants to, it will happen."

"But it can't! It won't, I'll make sure of it."

"That's not how it works. Your heart will have the final word. And like I said, don't be so quick to believe this thing is only a one-way like, it could be responded."

"Don't be ridiculous," I returned to my sketchpad, losing all focus of what exactly I was drawing.

She chuckled, "Oh you poor thing, you have no idea what's to come."

"No, I can't tell the future." I muttered, opening the sketchpad to my unfinished drawing.

"Me neither, but I have my eyes open and so should you," she finally stood on her feet and dusted herself off, suddenly gasping a minute later, "Doctor?"

I nearly fell out of the doorway, terrified for my life the Martian had heard even the most minimal detail of our conversation, "Oh my god," I mumbled to myself, hugging my sketchpad, gripping the thing so hard it was actually leaving a mark on my fingers.

"Did you, um...did you..." even Martha was shifting on her feet, fearing of being caught.

"Whatever you heard was not my fault," the Doctor said instead, sounding afraid...?

"Heard...what?" I glanced over my shoulder, finding him with his hands raised up.

"There may have been an explosion..." he said slowly, quickly jumping on his next words when he saw Martha and I gape, "Just a tiny one! Don't worry!...but don't go into the kitchen."

"Why?" Martha questioned.

"There may be...um," he scratched his head, "Some yogurt...on the floor...and the walls...and, " he cleared his throat, "...everywhere else," he mumbled fairly low.

"What were you trying to do, Martian?" I finally turned around on the floor, moving a little off to the side so I wouldn't fall back.

He mock glared, still disliking his new nickname I had appropriated for him even if though it'd been some time since it had become his, "I was trying to make a smoothie. Martha makes really good ones."

"And how does yogurt explode?" Martha asked, biting on her lip as the hint of a laugh spread on her face.

"Very messily."

I laughed and shook my head, now relieved that it looked like he hadn't heard anything due to the explosion, "You are no longer allowed in that kitchen without supervision."

"Oi, you're prohibiting me from entering a room in my spaceship?"

"That's pretty much what I said, yeah," I nodded.

"Listen, Souza, I do as I like," he said, trying to sound authoritative but it never worked with me.

"And look where that's got you? You just ruined our kitchen."

"It was an accident!"

"I'm curious though, how bad of a cook must you be to mess up a smoothie?" I smirked, now having to bite my own laugh back.

"...just..." he shifted, frowning at his loss of words.

"I mean, it's no rocket science, you just put everything in a blender and push a button. How could you get that wrong?"

"Shut up!"

"Shall I have to teach you how to make a smoothie?"

"You have so much more to learn from me so I'd button it up!"

"As big of a genius you might be, I know how to make a smoothie...and you don't."

"Minerva!" he shouted, exasperated.

Martha and I just laughed, "Okay, why don't I go check out that...explosion thing, in the kitchen," Martha suggested, "Meantime, you discuss where we're going next."

"Or I can teach him how to use a blender," I muttered, sniggering when I heard a grumble from the Doctor.

"Two-way connection!" Martha 'discreetly' coughed before running off.

"You're very snappy today," the Doctor muttered, making his way over as I took back my seat at the doorway, "An awful lot of sass means Minerva's feeling better!"

"Well, I will admit it's been a good day," I shrugged, skimming through a few pages of my sketchpad.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, all serious now.

He'd do this often now. We'd have a good laugh, or a good day, or whatever, and then in the end, when Martha was gone and it was just us two he'd ask 'how I was feeling'. Ever since the guinguette, he'd taken extra precautions with me. I wouldn't be able to lock myself like I had done for the week after I visited Liv's burial site. I was encouraged to talk more, either to him or Martha or both, they didn't care as long as I talked to someone. I admitted I liked this extra attention from him but beyond that, I liked the feeling of freedom. I wasn't afraid to let things slip, because now he and Martha knew about my background. I could say things freely now, and it was so refreshing. It was like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And because of that, because of that big step I had taken, the Doctor was worried I'd fall into a relapse, hence the question of 'how are you feeling' being asked every day.

I sighed, "...okay, I guess."

"What are you drawing?" he asked, scooting closer and peering down to my drawing.

"Uh...st-stars," I scooted just a bit away, feeling that blush again, "It's um...it's for this art assignment I forgot to do."

"Best one they'll see," he looked up with a grin, enforcing that blush with his closeness.

"Aha," I looked down to the drawing. Martha was wrong, she had to be. And to make sure nothing happened, I had to take cards into the matter. I couldn't allow for anything to happen beyond friendship. And being so early, perhaps I could stop it. And luckily enough, I had the perfect excuse that in reality wasn't entirely an excuse; it was something that had to be done sooner or later.

He took the book from me and started to skim through the old drawings.

"Speaking of class..." I said slowly, "...um...I really need to get back to class," he looked up from the book, the idea seeming so out of nowhere for him, "I dread to think how many days I've possibly missed. I'm almost done and I wanna finish so I can finally graduate."

"We can go back later, maybe after our trip," he shrugged.

"No, Doctor, you're not getting it..." I took a deep breath, getting ready to speak the words I never wanted to say in my life, "...I need to stay on Earth again."

"Wh-what?" the sketchpad fell to his lap, his eyes wide with shock.

"I'm falling behind again and I won't allow it. I'm almost eighteen now, and if I keep it up I won't graduate until I'm twenty-one!"

"But...but we're supposed to travel together," he mumbled, "We're supposed to get to know each other..."

"But look, we did, you know a lot more about me now. And, I know a lot more about you."

"But I want to know everything!"

"There's no reason we can't continue doing that. It's just, I'd be living on Earth again, that's all."

"But...where would you stay?"

"Um...I don't know, maybe at Ami's. She's an old friend of mine...maybe I could stay with her until the year finishes up."

"And us? You would stop travelling?"

"I really want to keep doing it," I looked at him sadly, the look he wore wasn't helping either. It was like I was severely disappointing him, "But I also need to focus on my education. No offense but, whenever I'm with you things sort of seem to escalate."

He looked down, "Yeah, it does doesn't it?"

"But it's not your fault," I quickly said, putting a hand on his arm, "It's just...this time that we've spent, it's been...amazing," I paused, remembering the guinguette for some reason. It was my favorite and I definitely would want more trips like that, "But... it's also given me a reality check. One day, you're going to get tired of me-"

"Don't say that," he shook his head.

"But it's true-"

"It's not," he cut me off, looking up with a deep determination in his eyes, "I will never get tired of you."

I faintly smiled, believing his assurance for the moment, "Okay, but even apart from that, one day I'm gonna age. One day, I'll be an old woman who can't travel anymore. And then what? If I don't have a high school degree I can't have anything on Earth. And I want to remain on earth after my travels are done. I love Earth and that's where I want to be buried-"

"Please don't," he took my hand, gripping it so tight it actually, kind of hurt for a moment.

"But it's true, Doctor. One day you're going to be standing on my grave. At least I hope you'll spare me a visit once in a while."

"Stop."

"You don't want to hear that I'll die?"

"No, I don't ever want to hear that. Not you, not Martha, not Rose..."

"Right," I looked to the star-view, cringing a little at the last name. I felt guilty because the blonde and I had gotten into such a predicament that he didn't know about and would never know about. I would not tarnish her memory. But if she was here, and she knew what might be happening...I didn't even want to imagine.

"I don't like endings," the Doctor mumbled.

"Well, this isn't an ending," I scooted closer, my hand still in his, "Think of it as a...pause button. But it's not a permanent pause. We can travel on weekends and on holidays. Heck, we can even travel in the nights, as long as you swear to return to me before the sun rises so I can get a few hours of sleep."

I felt terrible but...I also had to think of myself. By leaving, I could end any developing feelings and return to the regular friendship we shared. Plus, as much as he denied, one day he would get tired of me. If not tired, then a burden. I'd be older, much older...and I'd have to move on with my life on Earth. For that, I'd need minimum a high school degree. I'd need something to help me in those later years. This was for the good, for both causes.

"But it's not forever," I spoke again, reminding him, "Unlike Rose, I will be back. I'll be back on weekends, and on free days."

"Minerva, I get what you have to do. Just don't expect me to be happy about you leaving," he said quietly, looking down at our hands, "I'm happy for you. Because if you think this is what you need to do to be better, than I'm happy for you. And I'll accept your departure."

"So...we're okay, then?"

"Yeah, but just...promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Don't forget about me?" he looked up, sad eyes gazing into mine, "I don't want to be alone."

"Oh Martian, that'll never happen," I chuckled lightly, "I'm just going to be gone for five days of the week. Though for you, it could just be every five minutes. It's not that bad, honestly."

But he stayed silent.

"Doctor?" I called softly.

"Come here, you," he sighed, letting go of my hand and draping his arm over my shoulders, pulling me in a side-hug. "If it's for your best, then it'll be fine. We'll be fine."

~0~

The Doctor was the first to step out of the TARDIS into this new place he had brought us. He hadn't told us where it was he was going to bring us, but he promised it'd make me very happy. So naturally, I believed him. He always made happy, why would this be an exception?

"Where are we?" Martha asked as she stepped out, me following behind her.

"Ah, smell that Atlantic breeze. Nice and cold. Lovely," the Doctor glanced back at us, "Minerva, mind introducing us to your friend?"

"Oh my god that's the Statue of Liberty!" I cried happily, seeing the great big statue in front of us.

"Gateway to the New World.. 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to break free..."

"This is brilliant! I've always wanted to go New York. I mean the real New York, not the new, new, new, new, New..." I laughed excitedly, giving him a hug, "Oh my god! Thank you! This is absolutely fantastic!"

"Paving the way for a good recuperation, then?"

"Definitely, Martian boy!"

"Martian boy?" Martha cleared her throat, making us turn back to her.

"Minerva, I told you to stop," the Doctor muttered, nudging me.

I giggled, "Forget it Martha, only I call him that."

She gave us a smile and raised her hands in defense, "Got it."

"How about no one calls me that?" said Martian suggested.

"It's a bit late for that," I patted his arm and turned away, the two following me to the end of the island, looking out to the great city, "I love this city," I sighed, happily.

"I wonder what year it is 'cause look, the Empire State Building's not even finished yet," Martha pointed.

"Work in progress," the Doctor shrugged, "Still got a couple floors to go and if I know my history, that makes the date somewhere around-"

"Year 1930," I smiled.

"Precisely November 1st, 1930," Martha added

"Hey, you're getting good at this."

"I had help," Martha waved a newspaper, "Minerva's just smart."

"History is one of my favorite topics," I flashed a grin.

The Doctor took the newspaper from Martha and looked at it.

"Eighty years ago. Unfunny cause you see also those old newsreels in black and white like it's so far away, but here we are," Martha gestured to the city, "It's real. It's now. Where do we go first?"

But the Doctor remained reading the newspaper, and by the face he was making, I knew something was wrong. Martha noticed it to and walked over, peering over his shoulder.

"What is it, Martian?" I asked just as Martha looked up from the newspaper.

"Hooverville Mystery Deepens". What's Hooverville?" she looked up in confusion.

~0~

We walked along Central Park. It was a beautiful park...if it wasn't for the tents and shacks across from us.

"So is anyone gonna explain?" Martha asked again, still lost on the Hooverville topic.

"Well this is my country," I sighed, "Herbert Hoover was our 31st president of the United States. Up till then New York was a boom town, the Roaring Twenties, my god I love that era, but not as much as the 50's," I smiled, the two shaking their heads, "Rambling, right, sorry. Anyways, he came to power a year ago and sadly went into the Great Depression with us."

"The Wall Street Crash, yeah?" Martha inquired, "That was 1929."

"Our whole economy went down the drain. There were thousands of people unemployed. Suddenly the huddles masses doubled in number with nowhere to go. So they ended up here in Central Park," I gestured to the dozens of tents and shacks placed ahead of us, random barrels spread around the community.

"What? They actually live in the park? In the middle of the city?" Martha raised an eyebrow.

"Well, they lost their jobs. They lost everything, Martha. There's places like these all over the country."

"But you only come to Hooverville when there's nowhere else to go," the Doctor said, sighing.

We heard shouting coming from the little community and so we ran to go see what it was. It saddened me to see it was two men fighting over a loaf of bread; that's what our people come to in desperate times. We moved further along, watching the two men argue it out, pulling the loaf of bread back and forth.

An older man finally went up to the two men and pushed them apart, "Cut that out! Right now!"

"He stole my bread!" one of the men pointed at the other.

"That's enough," the older man said before glancing at the accused man, "Did you take it?"

"I don't know what happened. He just went crazy," the accused tried to say before the other man lunged at him.

"That's enough!" the older man kept the one who lunged back, "Now think real careful before you lie to me."

The accused sigh, "I'm starvin Solomon."

Solomon held out his hand to the accused, receiving the stolen bread, "We are all starving," he said, breaking the bread in half, "We all got families somewhere," he handed each man a half, "No stealing and fighting. You know the rules. Thirteen years ago I fought in the Great War. A lot of us did. And the only reason we got through was because we stuck together. No matter how bad things get, we still act like human beings. It's all we got," and he sent the pair along.

"Now that's a mediator," I praised, the Doctor already heading towards Solomon.

"I suppose that makes you the boss around here," the Martian said to the man.

Solomon turned around, "And, uh, who might you be?"

"I'm the Doctor. These are Minerva and Martha."

"A doctor," Solomon scoffed, "Well, we got, uh, stockbrokers, we got a lawyer, but you're the first doctor. Neighborhood gets classier by the day," he walked to a barrel with fore and warmed up his hands.

"How many people live here?" I looked around, spotting a little girl that was crying her eyes out on the floor.

"At any one time, hundreds. No place else to go. But I will say this about Hooverville. We are a truly equal society, black, white, all the same. All starving," he laughed, "So you're welcome. All of you. My name's Solomon if you need anything."

"Mhm, thanks," I mumbled, my eyes fixated on the little girl. I took a few steps towards her while Solomon spoke, not paying attention until a key question popped out.

"But how come they have enough money to do that, and we got people starving in the heart of the city?"

I stopped and looked over to the Empire Building, knowing it was true.

I shook my head and shifted my focus again to the girl and walked over to her, "Hi," I waved, "I'm Minerva, and call me nosy but, I'd like to know why such a pretty little girl is doing on the ground crying her eyes out," her eyes looked up, letting me see their icy blue tinge, "What's your name?"

"Karina," she sniffled.

"Hi Karina," I said, softly, sitting beside her on the ground, "What's wrong?"

"My Daddy's gone."

"What do you mean gone?"

"He's missing," she looked up, "Now I'm alone."

"And your mother?"

"She went to go look for him...but she's not coming back. They've been taken," she cried harder.

"Oh, no, don't cry," I scooted closer to her, "I'm sure they'll be back. Just wait."

"No, they won't," she shook her head.

"How old are you?" I asked, trying to figure it out already.

"Nine."

"Tell you what, Karina, I will go and look for them. Yeah?"

"But them you'll disappear. I don't want anyone else disappearing."

"I won't disappear," I assured.

"Minerva?" I looked ahead and saw the Doctor motioning me to follow.

"I'll go and see if I can find anything okay," I ruffled her brunette curls. I stood up and followed the Doctor and Martha into Solomon's tent.

"People ate missing," I directed myself to Solomon, "Two parents to be exact."

"It's not just two," he shook his head.

"But what does missing mean?" the Doctor asked, "Men must come and go here all the time. It's not like anyone's keeping a register."

"But this is different," I clarified.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because parents don't just leave their 9 year old on their own," I crossed my arms, "Not unless their mine, anyways."

"She's right," Solomon nodded, gesturing for us to sit, "Someone takes them. At night. We hear something. Someone calls out for help. By the time we get there, they're gone. Like they vanish into thin air."

"And you're sure someone's taking them?" Martha questioned.

"When you've got next to nothing, you hold onto the little you got. Your knife, blanket, you take it with you. You don't leave bread uneaten, fire still burning."

"Have you been to the police?" the Doctor asked.

"We tried that. Another deadbeat goes missing, Big deal. It's not taken serious."

"So, the question is, who's taking them and what for?" the Doctor said, more to himself.

"Solomon, Mr. Diagoras is here," a young man poked his head into the tent.

We followed him out and saw a man at the head of a crowd, "I need men. Volunteers. I got a little work for you and you sure look like you can use the money."

"What's the money?" the young man who had brought us out yelled.

"What's the work?" Solomon questioned.

"A little trip down the sewers," Diagoras replied, "Got a tunnel that collapsed, needs clearing and fixing. Any takers?"

"A dollar a day is a slave's wage," Solomon said, "Men don't always come back up, do they?"

"Accidents happen."

"What sort of accidents?" I asked, calling out his much-too-calm response.

"You don't need the work? That's fine. Anybody else?"

The Doctor raised his hand. I looked at him with confusion, "What are you doing?"

"Volunteering," he smiled.

"I'll kill you," I spat before raising my own hand, a few seconds later Martha following.

~0~

The Doctor, Martha, Solomon, Frank and I found ourselves in an old, smelly sewer while Diagoras gave instructions.

"Turn left. Go about half a mile. Follow Tunnel 273. Fall's right ahead of you. You can't miss it."

"And when do we get our dollar?" Frank, the young man, asked.

"When you come back up."

"And if we don't come back up?" the Doctor asked, already suspicious.

"Then I've got no one to pay," Diagoras said, sounding wicked.

"We'll be back," Solomon assured.

Martha and I looked at each other, both uneasy about this little trip, "Let's hope so," we mumbled.

"We just gotta stick together. It's easy to get lost," Frank said as we walked, "It's like a huge a rabbit Warren. You could hide an army down here."

"So what about you, Frank?" I glanced at him, "You're not from around these parts, are you?"

"Oh, you got me. I'm from Tennessee, born and bred. And you?"

"California."

"Not doing so well either, I hear," he smiled, apologetically.

"'Fraid not," I shrugged.

"So how come you're here?" Martha jumped into the conversation.

"Uh, my daddy died. Mama...couldn't afford to feed us all. So, I'm the oldest, up to me to feed myself. I put on my coat, hitched up here on the railroads. There's a whole lot of runways in camp younger than me. From all over: Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas...Solomon keeps a lookout for us. So what about you? You're with the overseas brethren."

"We're just hitchhikers," Martha said, chuckling.

"You stick with me, you'll be all right," he assured.

I chuckled, "I don't mind."

"So this Diagoras bloke," the Doctor cut in between us, "Who is he then?"

"A couple of months ago, he was just another foreman," Solomon replied, moving up as well, "Now it seems like he's running most of Manhattan."

"How did he manage that, then?"

"These are strange times. A man can go from being King of the Hill to the lowest of the low overnight. It's just for some folks it works the other way 'round.

"Whoa! What is that?" I pointed ahead to a green blob on the ground.

"Let me see," the Doctor walked past us and knelt down before it, taking out his glasses and picking that blob up.

"Ugh, don't touch it," I frowned as Martha and I joined him.

"Is that radioactive?" Martha asked, pinching her nose to rid herself of the fowl smell it gave off.

"Shine your torch through it," he ordered, giving it a sniff. Martha moved her torch beside him, "Composite organic matter. Medical opinion, Martha?"

"Definitely not human."

"It's not. And I'll tell you something else. We must be at least half a mile in and I don't see any sign of a collapse, do you? So why did send us down here?"

We started looking around, nervously.

"There's no collapse anywhere," I observed, feeling ridiculous for not noticing as fast as I should've. My mind was just not working so well with so many things going on, "Mr. Diagoras was lying then."

"But why did he want people to come down here?" Frank asked.

"Solomon, I think it's time you took these three back. I'll be much quicker on my own," the Doctor said, not taking his eyes off the blob. We heard a squealing sound coming from across.

"What the he'll was that?" Solomon demanded.

"What if it's one of the folk gone missing?" Frank asked, "There hasn't been any bodies found...you'd be scared, half mad down here on your own."

There were more squeals heard, but still no body.

"I've never heard nobody make a sound like that," Solomon said in a hushed tone.

"That's because it doesn't sound human," I muttered.

The Doctor stood up and walked a little ahead. The squeals wouldn't stop, instead, there were more, "This way."

"No, that way," Solomon moved his torch to another tunnel.

"Look!" I pointed to a figure on the ground right where his torch had passed.

"Who are you?" Solomon called.

"Are you lost?" Frank joined in, "Can you understand me? I've been thinkin' about folk lost…" he started walking for the figure but the Doctor kept him back.

"It's all right, Frank. Just stay back. Let me have a look," he walked for the figure that still remained in place, only a few non-human squeals coming from it, "He's got a point, though, my mate Frank. I'd hate to be stuck down here on my own. We know the way out. Daylight. If you want to come with us," he squatted in front of it, shining a light on the figure that indeed was not human, more like a pig! "Oh, but what are you?"

"Is, uh, that some kind of carnival mask?" Solomon asked.

"No, it's real," the Doctor sighed, "I'm sorry..." he said to pig man, "Now listen to me. I promise I can help. Now, who did this to you?"

"Doctor, you should get back...right now," my voice trembled as I watched the shadows that had fallen over in the tunnel, growing closer to us.

"You're not one to get scared so easily," he remarked, glancing over, "Unless it's horses..."

"Kinda makes you think, doesn't it?" I watched the other pig men standing across, "There's no horses around so..."

He looked back and finally saw the shadows, "Good point..." he stood up and backed away, rejoining us.

"They're following you," Martha whispered.

"Yeah, I noticed, thanks," he replied, backing us away, "Well then, Minerva, Martha, Frank, Solomon..."

"Yeah?" Martha and I asked.

"Um, basically...run!" he turned around and did just that.

We ran up to a cross-section, where we remained in confusion as to which way to take.

"Now what?" I looked around.

"This way!" The Doctor made a sudden turn, the rest of us rushing to catch up, "There's a ladder, c'mon!" he went up the ladder first and used the screwdriver to open up the lid.

Martha and I were pulled up first, and as Solomon was coming up I noticed we were now in a storage room with many props.

"C'mon Frank!" Solomon called, he and the Doctor working to get the man up.

"I've got ya!" the Doctor exclaimed, and we were just able to see a pair of hands when he was slipped back down.

"No!" I cried, running back to them.

Solomon pushed the Doctor aside and consequently, myself, then shut the lid closed, "We can't go after him!"

"You're damn crazy!" I snapped, "We have to go back!"

"Solomon, we can't just leave him!" the Doctor agreed.

"I am not losing anybody else! Those creatures were from Hell, Hell itself! If we go back, they'll take us all! Now, there's nothing we can do. I'm sorry."

"All right then. Put 'em up," a pitchy voice ordered. We looked back and saw a blonde woman holding up a gun straight for us, "Hands in the air and no funny business," we did as told and put our hands up, "Now tell me, you schmucks, what've you done with Lazlo?"

"Um, who's Lazlo?" Martha asked, timidly.

~0~

"Lazlo's my boyfriend," the pitchy-voiced woman finally answered, having taken us to her dressing room with her gun. She sat at a table, explaining, "Or was my boyfriend until two weeks ago. No letter, no goodbye, no nothin'. And I'm not stupid. I know some guys are just pigs but not my Lazlo. I mean, what kinda guy asks you to meet his mother before he vamooses?"

"It might...might just help if you put that down," the Doctor stared after the gun as she waved it absently at us.

"Huh?" she looked at the gun, realizing she still had it, "Oh, sure," she threw it back, "Oh, c'mon, it's not real. It's just a prop. It was either that or a spear."

"What do you think happened to Lazlo?" I asked.

"I wish I knew," she frowned, sadly, "One minute he's there and the next, zip! Vanished."

"Listan, uh...what's your name?" the Doctor asked.

"Tallulah."

"Tallulah," he repeated, nodding.

"3 L's and an H."

"Right. Um, we can try to find Lazlo, but he's not the only one. There are people disappearing every night."

"And there are creatures," Solomon added.

"Whaddaya mean 'creatures'?" Tallulah raised an eye brow.

"Listen, just trust me. Everyone is in danger. I need to find out exactly what this is," the Doctor pulled out the blob from his pocket, "Because then I'll know exactly what we're fighting."

She leaned back on her chair, "Ew!"

"And how exactly are you planning to do that?" I asked, crinkling my nose at the smell.

"I'm gonna need pieces," he turned around.

"I'm thinking the prop room might be a good start?"

"Good idea."

"In fact, I saw something I think you could use, sort of metallic and stuff," I turned back for the door and walked out, hearing his immediate calls after me.

"Minerva, I'd prefer for you to stay back with Martha and Tallulah."

I turned around abruptly, causing him to bump into me, "Let me think about that...no," I continued on my way only to be pulled back, "Oh c'mon, Martian, I can help. I know the basic thing you want is a DNA scan on that blob so-"

"Wow you are stubborn-"

"Yeah, I get that from my mother," I patted his shoulder, "But I'm serious. Plus, if this is gonna be my last trip, at least let me be useful."

He took hold of my arms and brought us back towards Tallulah's door, "You're always useful. But this is sort of out of your range."

"Oh? You always say I'm clever...what's changed?"

"This is a bit different and you don't want to know what it is."

"So you know what it is, then?" I raised an eyebrow, "Or are you just lying to me?"

"I wouldn't lie to you..."

"And who guarantees that? I seem to recall your first rule..." I smirked, "You lie."

He pretended to gasp in shock, "You listen to me?"

I gave him a look that said I'd kill him in the next second, "Listen, Martian," I gripped his arms and made a determined face, "Nothing is gonna keep me from helping you. Now, I don't think I'm committing a crime, am I? Somehow, I believe that this is just your pride being in danger."

"My pride!?" he repeated, looking indignant of such a thing, "Of what?"

"That I won't listen to you in front of all these people. You gave an order-"

"I do not give orders!"

I smirked, knowing this was my chance to slip away and go for the storage room. This Martian was just as stubborn as I was, only he was at the wrong times! "Aha..." I let go of his arms as he made an attempt to defend himself.

"I am against giving orders!"

"Aha..." I ducked underneath his arm and hurried to get away, "But you're telling me to stay back so..."

"Nice try, Souza," he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, "You may be clever but I am always one step ahead of you."

I rolled my eyes as I was returned to the wall once more, "Idiot."

"Show off."

"Says the pompous alien."

"Says the sassy human."

"At least this sassy human can use a blender."

"Minerva," he gritted his teeth.

I leaned up, smiling sweetly, "Yes?"

"Stop it," he ordered, leaning down.

"Or what?" my smile grew as I felt him closer.

"Or I'll..."

The door beside us open, and out came the others we had seemingly forgotten about for a moment there. Huh, how'd that happen there?

"Did you forget the problem here?" Martha raised an eyebrow.

I know this was probably inappropriate but I couldn't stop smiling. As the Doctor moved back, I ran a hand through my hair and felt my face warm up.

"Minerva?" Martha called again, a sharp look on her face.

"Yes?" I looked at her, a laugh threatening to come out of my mouth.

"The storage room? For the blob?"

"I'll do it!" the Doctor exclaimed, already backing away from us.

"That's what you were supposed to be doing!" Martha snapped.

"Right..." he rubbed his neck, pausing for a moment, "Solomon, you coming?"

"I don't know...may I?" the man raised an eyebrow.

The Doctor mock glared before turning around and walking off. Solomon just shook his head, smiling as he followed the alien. I watched the two go off before walking back inside the dressing room. When I entered the room, I found both Martha and Tallulah standing across with their arms crossed and smirks on their faces.

"What?" I asked, closing the door behind me.

"No, no," Tallulah raised her hands, "If you'll excuse me, I have a show to do. Give me a couple of minutes."

I raised an eyebrow, watching her leave, "Um..."

"Minerva," Martha called, sounding like a tease as she strolled over, "What happened out there?"

"Nothing...I just wanted to help and, well..." I shrugged.

"Minerva..." she tilted her head as she linked an arm with me, leading us back to Tallulah's vanity desk, "...I keep secrets you know."

"Nothing happened, Martha. We just got...distracted," I looked the other way, "Seems to happen a lot nowadays."

"You don't say," she chuckled, "It's like you two forget I'm there."

I looked at her serious, "Really? Martha I don't want you to feel that way," and under no circumstances did I want for that to happen. Martha would not end up like me, not if I had anything to do with it.

"It's alright," she patted my arm, "It's actually quite funny. You get under his skin really good."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I tilted my head, her tone just not settling with me.

"It's just what I see," she shrugged.

I sighed, letting a smile slip, "I don't know, I like messing with him. It's pretty fun because he always has a comeback."

"Those aren't comebacks between you, that's flirting."

"No," I immediately said, "That can't be it."

"Why are you so keen on denying it?"

"I told you, it can't, and I'm taking care of it."

"Taking care of...how?"

I shrugged, looking away, she'd know later on when I left the TARDIS, "Just, taken care of, believe me."

She stared curiously, but didn't have a chance to question further when Tallulah returned to us, now dressed as an angel. She took a seat on her vanity desk, sighing as she did her make up.

"Tallulah, are you okay?" I asked, quietly, knowing it was a stupid question to ask but there was nothing else I could really do.

"It's Lazlo...he'd wait for me after the show and walk me home like I was a lady. He'd leave a flower for me on my dressing table. Every day, just a single rose," she looked at the one rose on her desk.

"Well haven't you gone to the police already?"

"Sure. He's just a stagehand. Who cares? The management certainly don't."

"Can't you kick up a fuss or something?" Martha tried.

"They'd fire me."

"But you're the star!" I exclaimed, "They have to listen to you!"

"Oh honey, I got one stone in a back street revue and that's only because Heidi Chicane broke her ankle, which had nothing to do with me whatever anybody says. I can't afford to make a fuss. If I don't make this month's rent, then before you know it, I'm in Hooverville," she put down her brush and stared at the mirror. Martha and I stared sadly at her, there was nothing left to say. "It's the depression, sweeties. Your heart might break, but the show goes on and if it stops, you starve. Every night, I have to go out there, sign, dance, keep going. Hoping he's gonna come back..." she started sobbing.

Martha and I quickly rushed to her and gave her a big hug.

"It'll be alright. He'll come back. Because we'll find him," I offered a comforting smile for her, "You'll see."

"You're lucky, though," she patted my hand then began wiping her tears, "You got yourself a forward thinking guy with that hot potato in the sharp suit."

"Ha!" I laughed, "We're not...we're not together."

"Sure you are. The way you two looked at each other back there, and how close you were..."

"That was an accident!"

Both women scoffed and shook their heads, Martha giving me a sharp look afterwards, "Oh Minerva, you know you don't believe that."

"You should just stop," I smiled, embarrassed, "We're not. He had a friend and they were..."

"Had," Tallulah raised a finger, "Had."

"And it's like I said," Martha stepped beside me, "I'm not so sure he would've chosen Rose."

I sighed, "Can we just get back to what's important? Tallulah's grief!" I put my hands on her shoulders.

She chuckled, "You're one strange girl."

"I've been told."

""Every day I get one of these though," she picked up the rose from her desk, "Just like always."

"Do you think it's Lazlo?" I asked,taking the rose from her, stroking the petals as I remembered my beautiful crocus that was set beside my bed, still as fresh as ever...

"I don't know...I just want to know, if he's still around, why's he bein' all secret like he doesn't want me to see him?"

Martha and I looked at each other, no answer emerging from either.

~0~

When it came time for the show, Martha and I stood on the side of the stage and waited for Tallulah to come out.

"Do you think it's really him, though?" Martha asked, "Lazlo?"

I sighed, "I don't know. All this is strange."

"You know, I think it is," she crossed her arms, "One flower a day, just like always, it has to be him."

"Something tells me he never actually left," I scanned the area, as much as I could behind the curtains, "No one leaves a rose every day after 'disappearing'."

"Oh, I don't like what you just said," she frowned, peering out through the curtain as well, "The Doctor's right, I don't like it when you're clever and right all the time."

"When has he said that?" I asked, amused at her sudden scowl.

"All the time. It'd be really useful for you to not be so right!"

I chuckled, "I'll try my best then."

As we watched the show begin, we forgot about the problem at hand and watched Tallulah emerge on stage, looking gorgeous as ever and with such a flashy smile that no one would ever guess she was going through a heartbreak.

"Minerva," Martha suddenly shook my arm, "Look!" she pointed ahead.

I looked and saw what I assumed was another pig man standing on the other side of the stage, "But...it's not moving or attacking."

"We should see!" Martha rushed out on stage before I could reply.

"Martha!" I called. She hid behind the dancers, causing havoc, "Martha!" I ran out as well.

"What are you doing!?" demanded Tallulah as the poor dancers fell back with us scrambling through.

"Tallulah, look!" I yelled, pointing ahead.

She did but screamed at the sight, making every other girl do the same as they looked over.

"No! He's different!" Martha ran after the pig man.

I groaned as I stood up and ran after her, "For goodness sake's Martha!" I caught up in the prop room where she was desperately looking around, "What are you doing? It could be dangerous!"

"He's gone!" she turned to me.

"But what if it was a trap?" I asked, making her rethink everything.

"It was different," she assured, "It would've just attacked."

"You could be right or maybe this was the trap right here!" I pointed, slightly irritated with her slip,"Leading us to a room where no one's around and-" I felt something grab me from behind and pull on me, making me sigh, "I hate you Martha!"

But she had also been grabbed, "Maybe it was a trap!"

"Yah think!?" I snapped, "You better let me go you...you pig!" I wrestled for my freedom but to no avail and so, "DOCTOR!"

~0~

Martha and I were forced back into the sewers by pig-men. If it wasn't scary under here, and the possible looming death, I would've shouted at her for falling into the trap. Then again, she seemed so certain about that pig-man we had been chasing that perhaps this time I was wrong.

"Let us go!" Martha cried, struggling to be free as we were pushed against a wall.

More humans, along with pig-men, were coming by.

"You're gonna be damn sorry!" I snapped, pushing a hand, or a paw, or whatever the hell they had for hands, away from me.

"Martha? Minerva?" Frank came down the line with the humans and stopped beside us, giving us both a hug.

"Oh thank goodness you're alive!" I exclaimed, "I thought we'd lost you!" One of the pig men pushed us forwards and forced us to walk with the rest. "Where are they taking us?" I asked Frank, quietly.

"I don't know."

We reached a tunnel where people were being kept in a crowd.

"What are they keeping us here for?" Frank asked.

"I don't know. I've just got a nasty feeling that we're being kept in the larder," Martha shook her head.

The pig men around us started squealing, like they were nervous or something.

"What're they doing? What's wrong? What's wrong?" Frank panicked.

"Silence. Silence," a horrible voice ordered.

I felt my heart stop when I immediately knew what the voice belonged to, "Oh no..."

And out glided a Dalek.

"What the hell is that?" Martha blinked.

"You will form a line. Move," ordered the Dalek.

"...Daleks," my voice shook as the Dalek passed us, "Now I'm afraid. I'm really, really afraid."

"Why? What does it do?" Martha glanced over, noticing my trembling, "You're so pale..look like you've just seen a ghost."

"Or death itself."

We were pushed into a line of two, leaving space in the middle for someone to walk through...or in this case, a Dalek.

"Just do what it says!" I exclaimed, as some of the humans tried to struggle, "Just obey..."

"The female is wise. Obey!" another Dalek strolled on.

"Report," the first Dalek ordered.

"These are strong specimens. They will help the Dalek cause."

"I'm sorry?" I raised an eye brow.

"What is the status of the Final experiment?"

"The Dalekanium is in place. The energy conductor is now complete."

"Then I will extract prisoners for selection."

One of the pig men brought an older man up to a Dalek. The Dalek used its socket and scanned him, "Intelligence scan. Initiate. Reading brain waves. Low intelligence."

"Are you calling me stupid?" the man snapped.

"This one will become a pig slave."

And the man was pulled away by the pig men. The Dalek moved onto us, scanning Frank first.

"Superior intelligence," it concluded, moving onto Martha, "Intelligence scan. Initiate. Superior intelligence," and finally, me,"Superior Intelligence."

"They will become part of the Final Experiment."

"You can't experiment on people!" Martha exclaimed, "It's insane! It's inhuman!"

'We are not human," the Dalek turned to her, my heart beating ever so fast at the thought of it harming her, "Prisoners of high intelligence will be taken to the transgenic laboratory."

And after more scans, two new lines were formed and we were forced to continue our walk. I felt my legs barely useful at a time like this as I looked at the Daleks in front of me. Because of them, I lost Mickey and Jackie. Much more, the Doctor had lost Rose. Together, we had lost everything, for the second time. Everything from the battle started rushing through my head, the urge to burst out crying rising and rising.

"Just keep walking," I heard the Doctor say from behind.

"Oh am I glad to see you," Martha sighed, relived.

"Yeah, well, you can kiss me later. You too, Frank, if you want."

"How about you get us out of here, instead?" I nearly cried.

"Working on it."

"I'm serious, Doctor. I can barely feel my legs right now and if it wasn't for these pigs I'd drop and bawl up into sobs," I looked around, frantically.

"No need for that."

"The last time they were here they took everything from us and I don't want them to do that again. I'm scared. I'm really scared-"

"Don't," he grabbed my hand, "We won the last time-"

"But we lost so much," my voice broke, unintentionally gripping his hand, "What if this time I end up in a parallel world? Or Martha? Or you?"

"Not this time," he muttered, "No one will leave this time. We'll make it. I'll make sure of it."

And for some reason, I calmed down a bit afterwards.

~0~

We were brought into a lab above land that was filled with chemicals on dozens of tables as well as weird machines around the lab.

"Report," a Dalek said.

"Dalek Sec is in the final stage of evolution," a second Dalek responded.

"Scan him. Prepare for birth."

"Evolution?" the Doctor repeated, confused as the rest of us were.

"What's wrong with old Charlie boy over there?" Martha nodded over to a Dalek that seemed almost restrained?

"Ask them."

"What me? Don't be daft."

"I'd do it..." I spoke up, doing my best to put aside my fear to help.

"I don't exactly want to get noticed...and no offense Minerva, but you don't look so good," both of them trailed me up and down, my face probably still pale as a ghost, "Martha, ask them what's going on," he gently pushed her upfront.

Seeing no other choice, Martha took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Daleks, I demand to be told. What is this Final Experiment? Report!"

"You will bear witness," one replied.

"To what?"

"This is the dawn of a new age."

"But what does that mean?"

"We are the only four Daleks so the species must evolve a life outside the shell. The Children of Skaro must walk again."

Just as it finished speaking, the shells of the 'restrained' Dalek opened and out came...I don't even know. It had a HUMAN body, no doubt, but the face...it looked more Dalek. Just one eye and tentacles, just as the Doctor had once described to me in one of his stories. But this was a hybrid.

"I am a human Dalek. I am your future," 'Dalek Sec' responded, very slowly...yet equally terrifying as the others.

"That's Diagorus..." Frank said, disgusted at the hybrid, "Those are his clothes alright..."

"I am a human Dalek," Dalek Sec said, me definitely finding his voice to be similar as the human Diagorus, "I am your future. These...humans, will become like me."

"Over my dead body," I muttered, looking it up and down.

"That is exactly what we need," another Dalek replied, "Prepare them for hybridization."

"Leave me alone! Don't you dare!" Martha swatted the pig men away from her.

As they drew us together, a song started playing and caused everything to stop.

"What is that sound?" Dalek Sec demanded, desperately searching the room as were the rest.

"That would be me," the Doctor walked out with a radio in hand, "Hello. Surprise. Boo. Etcetera."

"Doctor," Dalek Sec declared, although it didn't sound like it was trying to be threatening.

"The enemy of the Daleks," a Dalek said.

"Exterminate," another Dalek ordered, that sounding like the common response.

"Wait," Dalek Sec cut in.

Something told me this 'hybrid' was not getting the memo of destroying the Doctor...

"A new form of Dalek," the Doctor walked towards them, the radio set down on a table, "Fascinating and very clever."

"The Cult of Skaro escaped your slaughter."

"How did you end up in 1930?"

"Emergency Temporal Shift."

The Doctor scoffed, "Oh, that must have roasted up your power cells, yeah?" he walked around, "Time was, four Daleks could have conquered the world but instead your skulking away, hidden in the dark, experimenting," he took a deep breath, turning for the hybrid, "All of which results in you."

"I am Dalek in human form."

"And what does that feel like? You can talk to me, Dalek Sec. It is Dalek Sec, isn't it?" he moved around the hybrid, "You've got as name and a mind of your own. Tell me what you're thinking right now."

"I feel...humanity. I...feel...everything we wanted from mankind, which is ambition we wanted from mankind, which is ambition, hatred, aggression and war. Such...a genius for war."

"That is not what humanity means," I spat, not about to let them defame all of humankind, "You've yet to learn who we really are."

"I think it does. At heart, this species is so very...Dalek."

I frowned, becoming more irritated and defensive, "No we are not. Believe me, nothing will ever compare to what you kind can do," my eyes teared up as I thought about Mickey and Jackie, even poor Rose who came the closest to dying and nearly trapped in the Void, "Nothing that has a heart can ever measure up to you..."

"Alright, alright," the Doctor cut in, eyeing me curiously, silently asking if I would be okay. I gave him a small nod and he continued, "Let me just tell you what you achieved with this Final experiment... nothing! Cause I can show you what you're missing with this thing," he walked back to the radio, "Simple little radio."

"What is the purpose of that device?" a Dalek demanded.

"Plays music. What's the point of that? Oh, with music, you can dance to it, sing with it, fall in love to it," he glanced at me, smiling softly, "Helps a man distract his friend when she needs him."

I nodded, recalling all the ridiculous amount of music he'd filled my head with lately, to refrain any of my little 'episodes'. Even Martha would join in and suddenly, I'd find the console room turned into a dance floor. But neither of them would listen to me when I said I didn't really listen to any music, but Martha made it a 'goal' to introduce me to new artists and songs, something that would discreetly help me as well. And while it was admittedly fun to dance at random moments, it was also very amusing to see the Doctor. He seriously could not dance. But it was touching that he made the effort to help cheer me up. I appreciated the gesture and him very much.

"Unless you're a Dalek of course. Then it's just noise," the Doctor used the sonic and created a higher pitch noise from the radio, causing the Daleks to go crazy, even the hybrid was trying to cover its...ears? "Run!"

And at light speed, we ran!

~0~

We returned back down into the sewers, running as fast as we could. On our way, we bumped into Tallulah and brought her along on the chase.

"But what's happened to Lazlo!?" She cried.

We couldn't really answer...so we didn't. The Doctor returned us to the ladder from which we originally entered and made us go back up. "Let's go! Hurry up! All of you!"

~0~

Back in the temporal safety of Hooverville, we tried to calm ourselves and inform Solomon of our discoveries.

"These Daleks, they sound like the stuff of nightmares. And they wanna breed?" Solomon asked, sounding frightened at the thought.

"They're splicing themselves into human bodies. If I'm right, they've got a farm of breeding stick right here in Hooverville," the Doctor said, "We've got to get everyone out."

"Hooverville's the lowest place a man can fall. There's no where else to go."

"I'm sorry, Solomon. You've got to scatter. Go anywhere. Down to the railroads, travel across the state, just get out of New York."

"There's got to be a way to reason with these things."

I scoffed, "Not a chance. They will take everything from you."

"You ain't seen 'em, boss," Frank shook his head.

"They're impossible," agreed Martha.

"Daleks are bad enough at anytime, but right now they're vulnerable and that makes them more dangerous than ever," the Doctor warned.

We heard a whistle blow followed by the yelling of a man, "They're coming! They're coming!" a Sentry ran towards us.

Solomon stood up, "A sentry. Maybe he saw something."

"They're here! I seen 'em! Monsters! They're monsters!"

"It's started," the Doctor stood up.

I felt my stomach churn as we looked around at the frantic people, wanting to push back the memories of Torchwood but somehow they just kept coming back, "Doctor," I looked around, doing my best to be as emotionless as possible.

"We're under attack! Everyone to arms!" Solomon ordered.

"We need to get out of here, not stay and fight," Martha argued, "Minerva, what's with you? You're pale..."

I put a hand on my face, "I can't help it, it's Torchwood. It's the Battle of Canary Wharf its..."

"Hard, I know," the Doctor nodded, understanding completely, "But it's not like that anymore. This time, this time we could have a chance."

"What happened at Torchwood? What is Torchwood?" Martha looked between us, lost on the subject.

"I haven't told you about Torchwood," I turned to her, "I'm sorry."

"Hold on, that's where Adeola worked," she frowned as she started making the connections.

"I know, I'll tell you later," I assured.

She nodded, then hugged me for some reason, "Don't let these creatures ruin your recuperation, don't give them that satisfaction."

I nodded, hugging back, seeing the Doctor agree with a nod as well. I faintly smiled and reached for his hand, hugging my best friend and holding the hand of someone I cared for deeply, all the support I needed to help me keep going.

Frank returned with his weapon, ready to go, "I'm ready, boss. Find a weapon all of you, use anything!" Frank returned to us, the men of the community already gathering their own weapons.

We ended our moment and remembered the problem we faced.

"Come back! We gotta stick together!" Solomon shouted after the running community members, "It's not safe out there! Come back!"

The pig men started pouring in from all sides, not allowing any escape plans.

"We need to get out of the park," Martha suggested.

"I don't think we can," I frowned, seeing the pig men stationed at every possible side, "They're surrounding us and drawing everyone back towards us."

"We're trapped!" Tallulah cried, "Now what!?"

"We stand together," Solomon stepped up, "Gather around. Everybody come to me. You there, Jethro, Harry, Seamus, stay together," everyone was gathered into a tight spot, just waiting, "They can't take all of us!" and they started firing.

"If only we could hold them off till daylight." Martha looked around, frantically.

"Those are just the foot soldiers..." the Doctor said, quietly, looking up.

"And they fly..." I mumbled, my eyes fixated on the flying Dalek above us.

"What in the world..." Solomon lowered his weapon.

"It's the devil. A devil in the sky. God save us all. It's damnation," the sentry cried.

"Oh yeah? We'll see about that!" Frank fired at the Dalek but was very much disappointed to see it had made no trace.

"That's not gonna work," the Doctor lowered Frank's gun.

"There's more!" I pointed up.

The other Daleks joined in and together fired at the settlement, causing fires to erupt, "The humans will surrender," one of them said.

"Leave them alone!" the Doctor shouted, "They've done nothing to you!" Solomon stepped up but he quickly pulled him back, "No, Solomon. Stay back."

"I'm told that I'm adressin' the Daleks, is that right?" Solomon said, then moved up to the front, speaking to the Daleks, "From what I hear, you're outcasts,too."

"Solomon, don't," the Doctor repeated his warning.

Solomon looked back, "Doctor, this is my township, you will respect my authority. Just let me try."

The Doctor shook his head and stepped back with the rest of us.

"You're not just gonna let him do this, are you?" I whispered.

"I can't!" he pointed, "You saw."

I sighed, "I saw...and I'm also seeing another death."

"Daleks...ain't we all the same? Underneath, ain't we all kin?" Solomon set his weapon on the ground, "'Cause, see, I just discovered this past day God's universe is a thousand times the size I thought it was. And that scares me. Terrifies me. Right down to the bone. But it's got to give me hope...hope that maybe together we can make a better tomorrow. So I...I beg you know if you have any compassion in your hearts then you'll meet with us and stop this fight. Well...what do you say?"

"Exterminate!" one of the Daleks yelled and killed him instantaneously.

"No!" Frank yelled, running to where Solomon had just been, "No! Solomon!"

"They killed him. They just shot him on the spot," Martha gaped.

"Because that's what they do, they take," I muttered, staring up at the devils in the sky.

"Daleks!" the Doctor yelled, angrily, opening his arms out for them, "Alright, so it's my turn! Then kill me! Kill me if it'll stop you attacking these people!"

"He needs to stop doing that!" I snapped, wanting to smack him for putting himself in that situation, but also wanting to pull him back to safety, "Volunteering to be killed first helps no one!"

"Unfortunately, he won't listen," Martha smiled, warmly, "Don't worry."

But I stared on, watching the idiot calling his own death once more.

"I will be the destroyer of our greatest enemy," the Dalek announced.

"Then do it! Do it! Just do it!" the Doctor beat on his chest repeatedly, "Do it already!"

"Extermin-" it just stopped midway, "I do not understand. It is the Doctor."

"The urge to kill is too strong," another Dalek said.

"I...obey," and the Dalek seemed to back away in the air.

"What's going on?" the Doctor asked the question we all had.

"You will follow," the Dalek instructed.

"No! You can't go!" I exclaimed, stepping up.

He looked back, "I've got to go. The Daleks just changed their minds. Daleks never change their minds."

"But what about us, then?" I asked, quietly, "We're gonna die without you."

He looked at the crowd then back to the Daleks, "One condition. If I come with you, you spare the lives of everyone here! Do you hear me?"

"The humans will be spared," the Dalek agreed, "Doctor...follow."

"You can't leave us," Martha said, "We're coming with you."

"Stay here. Do what you do best. People are hurt. You can help them. Let me go."

Martha sighed, looking down but I continued to stare, "There's nothing for me to do here. I'm terrified, please don't leave us."

"Minerva!" I heard a soft little voice in the midst of the crowd. Little Karina was pushing herself through the people until she finally ran up to me, throwing her arms around my waist, "I'm scared. Please don't go."

The Doctor smiled, softly, "I think someone else needs you right now."

I looked down to Karina, knowing no one else would protect her but me. It was like that natural instinct to protect the younger, like a big sister would to their little sister; like Liv protected me from the monsters. I sighed, nodding at the Doctor, "Just be careful then..."

He nodded, and with that, he followed when suddenly he looked back and returned, giving Martha and I a quick hug, "And can I just say, thank you very much."

~0~

"Did you find my parents yet?" Karina was asking me as I helped Martha heal a man.

"Um," I looked to Martha and Tallulah, "Well...you see..."

"Oh honey, it's best to tell her," Tallulah smiled dimly, "Sooner or later she'll find out."

Martha nodded in agreement and gestured for me to take the little girl away and explain to her that her parents would never return. I sighed and turned to Karina, leading her a short distance away from the others.

"Where are they?" Karina tilted her head, "I'm scared, Minerva. I want my Mom and Dad."

I knelt down in front of her, preparing myself to speak the most horrible words the little girl would ever hear in her life, "I'm really sorry," I looked at her icy blue eyes and saw she really had no idea what happened, "I couldn't find your parents. And, I doubt I really will...Karina, I think they're dead."

"But...but they...no..." her eyes became watery, "I want my Mom and Dad. I want them here!" she stomped her foot and started to cry, "I want my Mom and Dad! Minerva, I want my parents!"

"I'm really sorry, honey," I pulled her for a hug, rubbing her back as she wept, "Really."

"But I'm too little to be by myself. I don't know how to do anything. I'll die too."

"No you will not," I pulled back and made her face me, "For that same reason of being young, you are not gonna die. You have a lot to live for."

"But I want my Mom and Dad," she cried again.

"Hey, listen, my parents aren't with me anymore. Granted, they're not dead but I don't live with them anymore and look at me...don't I seem fine?" she sniffled and nodded, "And you could do even better than me! You've got the big city to live in! And tell you what, I'm Californian but I gotta admit New York is one of the best states ever."

She faintly smiled, "Yeah?"

"Oh yeah! And is Karina going to cry and never get to know her city?"

"Well...no..." she swayed her hard, fiddling with her fingers.

"Exactly!"

"Minerva?" Martha walked over, Tallulah right beside her, "I think we have to go."

"What? Why?" I frowned, "Where?"

She took out the Doctor's psychic paper and grinned, "Something tells me."

"When did you get that?"

She shrugged, "I don't know, little sneak slipped it in without me noticing. Probably when he hugged us goodbye."

"Okay, but where are we supposed to go?"

"I can't think of anything."

"Minerva," Karina tugged on my sleeve, "I'm cold."

I looked down at her, disliking the idea of having to leave her. But, if I left, I could help the Doctor and stop the big threat over her life and that actually sounded really nice, "Okay, I have to go somewhere but I will be right back."

"What if you don't come back? Like my Mom and Dad?" she frowned.

"I will," I assured, "Now go into your tent and don't come out, okay? And if anything happens here, you run. Do you hear me? Run as fast as you can!"

"Please be careful," she hugged me tightly, "You're the last thing I have now. You can be like my big sister, is that okay?"

I stroked her hair, smiling softly, "That would be very okay."

I pulled from our hug and Karina ran off to her tent. I turned to the others, ready for the task ahead, "Alright," the two quickly straightened up and listened, "Back in the sewers, do you remember what the Daleks had said? Something about um...an energy conductor?"

"Dalekanium!" Martha exclaimed.

"They said it was in place."

"But in place where?" Tallulah asked.

"Frank might know," Martha said, already turning for our friend and walking over, Tallulah and I following behind, "Frank? That Mr. Diagoras was like a fixer, wasn't he? Got you jobs all over town?"

"Yeah, he could find a profit anywhere," Frank sighed.

"Where?" I asked, "What kind of things?"

"You name it," Frank shrugged, "We're all so desperate for work, you just hoped Diagoras would pick you up for something good. Building work. That pays the best."

"What sort of building work?"

"Mainly building that," he pointed to the Empire State building.

"Oh, boy," I breathed in, staring the building up and down and taking its great altitude in.

~0~

"You know, I always wanted to go to the Empire State," Tallulah remarked as we went up in an elevator of the Empire State Building.

"Me too," Martha agreed, "Just...never quite imagined it like this."

"Where are we headed anyways?" Frank asked.

"Up," I pointed, "That's where they're still building."

"But how come those guys just let us through?" Tallulah asked, "How's that thing work?"

"Psychic paper. Shows them whatever I want them to think. According to this, we're three engineers and an architect."

"Let me see that," Frank snatched it from me and took a look, "Hey, it does."

I chuckled as I took it back just as the elevator opened, "Anyways, we're here and we've got a job to do."

We walked out to the top floor, finding it to be a construction mess.

"Look at this place. Top of the world," remarked Tallulah.

"Now this looks good!" Martha ran over to a desk with papers, "Its architectural plans!"

We rushed over to her and peered down.

"Look at the date," I pointed, "These were issued today, meaning they changed something at the last moment."

"You mean the Daleks changed something?" Martha asked.

"I think so."

"The ones underneath, they're from before. That means that whatever they changed must be on this top sheet but not this one. We need to check one against the other!"

"The height of this place! This is amazing!" Tallulah was still in shock, now by the great open window which held a view of the city I presumed.

"Careful, we're a hundred floors up. Don't go wandering off," Frank warned.

"I just wanna see," she waved him off.

Martha and I spread out the plans on the floor and started studying them.

"I'll go and keep an eye out, make sure we're safe up here. Don't want nobody buttin' in," Frank said as he walked past us.

"There's a hell of a storm movin' in!" Tallulah looked out to the sky.

"Okay, okay, if we could just figure this out," I looked intently from one plan to the other before sighing, "But I don't know what I'm looking for. The Doctor would know. I'm useless."

"No, you'll figure it out. You're just as clever as he is," Martha put a hand over my shoulder.

I sighed, "Now's not the time for lies, Martha."

"I'm serious," she smiled, "He said so himself; he only takes the best."

"Please, he took me in because Rose said no," I muttered, forcing myself to continue looking, when I realized what I just said.

"What?" she stopped me from studying the plans, "What did you say?"

I looked at her, slowly coming to terms of my reality that I never even realized before, "When he first asked us to come along, Rose said no. Then he asked me, and foolishly, I said yes. So he only invited me because she turned him down. I was...I was a second choice plate," I shook my head, wanting to smack myself for never realizing it, "...I was second best."

I never thought of it that way...what would have happened if Rose had said yes? Would the Doctor have even remembered me? He seemed so enthralled with Rose that maybe he probably would have just left me there along with Mickey. Then what would I have done?

With so many thoughts like this, I stopped scanning and shut my eyes, "Martha, I'm second best."

"Minerva Souza, I am so done with you trying to belittle yourself!" Martha frowned, "You act like you're nothing to the Doctor and the world. You're so focus on those lies that you don't even see the way he acts around you, you don't see the way he looks at you," she started speaking softly, even Tallulah walking over and nodding in agreement, "You are so focus on picking out your insecurities that you don't stop to see that you're the top woman on his list. And apart from that, you don't see what you've done. Before getting into any kind of relationship, you need to understand, you need to know what you have done for the world."

I looked at both women for a moment, almost falling for it, "I shouldn't even be thinking about that," I shook my head, feeling totally ridiculous for using this time to talk about all this. I swallowed hard and once more forced myself with great struggle to look at the plans.

"Minerva, I don't like seeing you so sad," Martha looked at me with great sorrow, only increasing my emotions, "Especially when none of it is true. I don't get how someone so special, so strong, can have those kind of thoughts about herself. Is it because of your mother? Because of your guilt?"

"It doesn't matter, Martha," I mumbled, "It's just the truth, let it go."

"But it's not. It's really not. And maybe after this I'm gonna sit you down and give you a big lecture on why you're wrong. I'll even give you hardcore examples if I need to!"

"Martha, it's alright."

"No, it's not."

"Yes it is."

"No-"

"Martha!" I exclaimed suddenly, making both women flinch, "Maybe this is not the time to tell you all this but yeah, okay, I feel second best. I always do because there's these moments where I feel like...the Doctor's not really seeing me. He's seeing Rose again. It like there's times where he doesn't consider my aptitude, my skills, my remarks, as good as Rose's. And it kills me, alright? It shouldn't bother me this much but it does because I want him to see me and only me, not some girl that's never going to come back. She's gone but I'm still here..." I started sniffling, hating Martha so much for making me say all these in the worst place possible, but also needing one of her supporting hugs she offered.

She smiled softly, putting a hand on my shoulder, "Sounds like a lot of emotions for someone who doesn't want to even feel something for a man."

"Yikes, wonder what would happen if she did like him," Tallulah nudged her, both smiling and shaking their heads.

"Just know Minerva, that you're not second best," Martha assured, "A second best to a ghost? Are you kidding me!?"

She was wrong, they were wrong, I could never have anything beyond friendship with the Doctor and it would stay like that. I shook my head and really focused this time one the plans, "Aha! I got it!"

"But Minerva-" Martha tried returning us to the conversation.

"Martha, shut up! Look at this!" I pointed to the big difference of the two plans, "On the mast. Those little lines? They're new. They've added something, see?"

"But added what?" Tallulah asked.

"Martha, you said it before," I glanced at her, smiling big, "Dalekanium!"

"I told you, you were as clever as the Doctor!"

We heard the elevator doors opening and saw the Doctor and Lazlo running in out of breath, Frank coming up behind them.

"Doctor! Come here!" Martha called, "We worked it out! Well, Minerva did! Come!"

"Yeah, there's Dalekanium on the mast," I pointed as Martha stood up and was given a hug by him.

"That is fantastic!" he exclaimed as I got up, "Brilliant work!" he hugged me next, leaving a sloppy kiss on my forehead, "As always."

I smiled as he let go, catching the look Martha was giving us from the corner of my eye, and quickly stopped, "Thanks..."

There was a ding coming from the elevator doors and we looked to see them closing.

"No, no, no, no!" the Doctor ran back to them, trying to use the sonic on the panel, "Ah! It's a deadlock seal! I can't stop it."

"But where's it going?" Martha asked, confused.

"Right down to the Daleks. And they're not going to leave us alone up here. What's the time?"

"11:15," Frank replied.

"Six minutes to go. I've got to remove the Dalekanium before the gamma radiation hits."

"Gamma radiation? What the heck is that?" Tallulah frowned.

We led the Doctor to the opening of the room that overlooked the city, "Oh, that's high," his eyes widened, "That's very...Blimey, that's high."

"And we've got to go even higher," I pointed up, "The mast is up there, look. There's three pieces of Dalekanium at the base. We've got to get them off."

"That's not 'we'. That's just me," he corrected.

I raised an eye brow, "You're not gonna keep doing this. I will not stand here and watch you just go and possibly kill yourself...again!"

"You're gonna have your hands full anyways. You have to stay here and fight. I'm sorry but they're coming...and you're gonna have to fight."

~0~

"The lift's coming up," Martha said, as we waited for just that while holding makeshift weapons. "

"I shoulda brought that gun," Frank muttered.

"Tallulah, stay back. Martha and Minerva, you too," Lalzlo stepped up in front of us, "If they send pig slaves, they're trained to kill."

"Sorry, but the Doctor left us here to fight, and whether we want to or not, we're gonna do it," I frowned.

"They're savages. I should know. They're trained to slit your throat with their bare teeth," he suddenly collapsed on the floor.

"Lazlo?" Tallulah quickly helped him up, "What is it?"

"No, it's nothing. I'm fine. Just leave me," Lazlo struggled to keep on his feet. He fell back to the floor and we helped him against the wall.

Tallulah knelt down beside him and put her hand to his forehead, "Honey, you're burning up. What's wrong with you? Tell me."

"One man down and we ain't even started yet," Frank sighed.

Martha suddenly looked to open space behind us, "The storm!" she pointed,"Meaning, lightning...meaning..." she smiled, suspiciously.

"Martha, what are you thinking of?" I asked as she ran across the room.

"No time, just help me, clever girl!" she motioned for me to join.

"Okay!" I rushed over, "Whaddya need?"

With Frank's help as well, we set up rods above the ground and led them all the way towards the elevator.

"What the hell are you clowns doin'?" Tallulah asked, still trying to get Lazlo better.

"Even if the Doctor stops the Dalekanium, this place is still gonna get hit. Great big bolt of lightening, electricity all down this building. Connect this to the lift and they get zapped," Martha explained.

"That could work," she blinked, surprised.

"Then give us a hand!" Frank exclaimed.

She did, slowly, but she did. At last, we finished and not a moment too soon.

"Is that gonna work?" Tallulah asked.

"It's got to," Martha nodded.

"I trust it," I said, looking at Martha with a smile, "And I trust Martha."

She smiled back, "Thanks Minerva!"

"I've got it all piped up to the scaffolding outside," Frank said.

"Come here and sit in the middle and don't touch anything metal," instructed Martha.

We all huddled into the corner of the room and awaited the pig men to arrive. A lightning bolt struck down and was sent through the rods, electrifying all the pig men as they started coming out of the elevator.

"You did it, Martha," I stood up, rushing up to the dead pig men, "You got them all."

She didn't seem too happy about that as she stared on, rigidly, "They used to be like Lazlo. They were people and I killed them."

"No, the Daleks killed them," Lazlo corrected, "Long ago."

"But what about the Doctor?" I suddenly remembered, already running for the Martian, "Oh, he better be alive! Or I'll kill him!"

~0~

"There he is!" Martha pointed to the unconscious alien by the mast.

"Oh, he better be alive!" I rushed over to him, kneeing beside him, "Doctor! Doctor! C'mon, wake up!"

He began to groan, putting a hand on his head as he started coming around, "My head..."

I looked to the others, sighing in relief, "He's alive."

"Hey, you survived," he smiled, glancing at me.

"So did you, I'm glad to say," I helped him sit up, "Do I want to know what happened here?"

"I, uh...was electrocuted," but he groaned as he rubbed the side of his head, "Why do I always get electrocuted when I leave you?"

"It's a sign telling you I'm always right and you should listen to me more often!"

"Nice try," he pointed before bringing us to our feet.

"Um, I can't help but notice there's still Dalekanium still attached," Martha pointed.

"The Daleks will have gone straight to a war footing. They'll be using the sewers, spreading their soldiers out underneath Manhattan."

"How do we stop them?" Lazlo asked.

"There's only one chance. I got in the way. That gamma strike went zapping through me first."

"And that means?" Martha raised an eye brow.

"We need to draw fire. Before they can attack New York, I need to face them. Think, think, think, think. We need some sort of space, somewhere safe, somewhere out of the way. Tallulah!"

"That's me. Three L's and an H," she stepped up, grinning.

"The theater! It's right above them and, what, it's gone midnight? Can you get us inside?"

"Don't see why not."

"Is there another lift?"

"We came up in the service elevator," I said.

"That'll do!" he exclaimed, moving to run off again.

"Hold on!" I grabbed his arm, pulling his back, "I think you might need this," I pulled out his screwdriver.

"Oh, yes!" he grabbed it excitedly, "Allons-y!"

He ran off again, leaving the others to just stare at me with a big question on his stupid word, "I-I don't know about that word. Let's just go," I shook my head and followed the alien.

~0~

We ran into the dark theater which was empty save us...for the moment.

"There ain't nothin' more creepy than a theater in the dark," Tallulah remarked, shivering at the sight.,"Listen, Doctor, I know you got a thing for show tunes but there's a time and place, huh?" Lazlo collapsed into one of the seats beside her, "Lazlo, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just so hot." He complained, shaking his head.

"But...it's freezing in here." Tallulah frowned, "Doctor, what's going on with him?"

He was busy with the screwdriver and barely listening, "Not now, Tallulah."

"What are you doing?" Martha asked.

"If the Daleks are going to war, they'll wanna find their number one enemy. I'm just telling them where I am," he held up the screwdriver in the air and turned it on, "Now I need you all to go. Frank can take you back to Hooverville."

"I have had just about enough of this," I snapped, "We're not going this time."

"That was an order."

Martha stepped beside me, "But this time I'm with Minerva. No more splitting up."

"Look you two-"

"NO!" I yelled, shutting him up for once, "Now you listen and listen well, Martha and I are staying and you are gonna like it do you hear me? This is my last trip in a long time so I am gonna stay do you understand!?"

Martha turned to me, catching the last part with shock, "Wait, what do you mean 'last'-"

But the doors burst open and in came the human-daleks carrying weapons.

"Oh my god! Well I guess that's them then, hun?" Tallulah backed away.

"Humans with Dalek DNA," I stared at the line forming around us.

"Just stay calm and don't antagonize them," the Doctor instructed.

An explosion from the stage made all of us go down behind the seats. The Doctor was the first to peer back up.

"The Doctor will stand before the Daleks," that irritating voice called.

"Stay put," he muttered then got up and stepped over the seats.

"You will die, Doctor. It is the beginning of a new age."

"Planet Earth will become New Skaro."

"Oh and what a world," the Doctor shook his head, "With anything just the slightest bit different ground into the dirt. That's Dalek Sec. Don't you remember? The cleverest Dalek ever and look what you've done to him. Is that your new empire? Hm? Is that the foundation for a whole new civilization?"

We stood up and found the Daleks on the stage, along with a chained up Dalek Sec.

"Now we will destroy our greatest enemy, the Doctor," a Dalek said.

"But he can help you," Dalek Sec insisted.

"The Doctor must die."

"No, I beg you, don't," Dalek Sec seemed sincere in his intentions.

"Exterminate!" another Dalek exclaimed, shooting forwards.

Dalek Sec stood up just as the beam shot through and was killed.

"Your own leader. The only creature who might have led you out of the darkness and you destroyed him," the Doctor looked on with disgust, "Do you see what they did?" he glanced to the human Daleks, "You see what a Dalek really is? If I'm gonna die, let's give the new boys a shot. What do you think, eh? The Dalek-Humans. Their first blood. Go on, baptize them," he opened out his arms for them.

"Dalek Humans, take aim," ordered a Dalek.

They hybrids aimed their weapons to the Doctor.

"What are you waiting for? Give the command!" the Doctor cried.

"I'm gonna kill him," I muttered to Martha.

"Exterminate!"

I shut my eyes, already trembling. When I heard nothing, I opened an eye and found everything as it was: the hybrids had failed to shoot.

"Exterminate!" the Dalek ordered again but nothing happened.

"They're not shooting," I said, looking to the Doctor, "What did you do?"

"You will obey. Exterminate."

"Why?" a man suddenly asked.

"Daleks do not question orders."

"But why?"

"You will stop this."

"But...why?"

"You must not question."

"But you are not our master. And we...we are not Daleks."

"No, you're not, and you never will be," the Doctor nodded then turned back to the Daleks, "Sorry, I got in the way of the lightening strike. Time Lord DNA got all mixed up. Just that little bit of freedom."

"If they will not obey, then they must die," the Dalek shot down the questioning hybrid.

"Get down!" the Doctor shouted.

We got down behind the seats just as the sound of shooting took over the room. We heard explosions but couldn't get up from our spots until they all stopped. When the shooting ceased, we peered up and found the Daleks were gone...but the hybrids weren't. In fact, they stood rigid, but alive.

"It's alright. It's alright," the Doctor walked over to them, "You did it. You're free."

Suddenly, they held their heads and screamed in agony.

"No!" the Doctor yelled as they all collapsed onto the ground, "They can't! They can't!"

"What happened!?" I looked at all the dead bodies.

"What was that?" Martha asked.

"They killed them. Rather than let them live. An entire species," he stood up, completely enraged and teeth gritted, "Genocide."

"One o the Dalek masters must still be alive," Lazlo said, "Only two were destroyed.

"Oh, yes. In the whole universe, just one."

He went ahead after it. I didn't even make an insistence on accompanying him this time. He was furious and I admitted it actually scared me...and I wanted to be no where near that.

~0~

"Doctor, he's sick!" Martha exclaimed as we helped Lazlo into the lab of the Daleks.

As we set him on the floor, I took a look around and found there was no Dalek and by the Doctor's face, it must have escaped.

"It's his heart," Martha explained, "It's racing like mad. I've never seen anything like it."

"What is it, Doctor?" Tallulah asked, "What's the matter with him? He says he can't breathe."

"It's time, sweetheart," Lazlo very faintly smiled.

"What do you mean 'time'? What are you talking about?"

"None of the slaves...survive for long. Most of them only live a few weeks. I was lucky. I held on cause I had you. But now...I'm dyin', Tallulah."

"No you're not. Not now, after all this," she shook her head, "No. Doctor, can't you do something?"

"Oh, Tallulah with three L's and an H...Just you watch me!" he took off his coat and threw it to the side, "What do I need? Oh, I don't know. How about a great big genetic laboratory? Oh look, I've got one," he gestured to the whole room then turned to us, "Lazlo, just you hold on!" And he ran around the room, mixing up chemicals and solutions, "There's been too many deaths today. Way too many people have died. Brand new creatures and wise old men and age-old enemies. And I'm tellin' you right now, I am not having one more death. Got that?" he turned back and ran, "Tallulah, out of the way!" he pulled out a stethoscope and put it on, "The Doctor is in!"

~0~

"Well, I talked to them," Frank walked towards us. The Doctor, Martha, Tallulah, Lazlo and myself had awaited him at the park while he tried convincing Hooverville to take in Lazlo, "I told them what Solomon would've said and I reckon I shamed one ore two of them."

"What did they say?" the Doctor asked.

"They said yes."

"Oh!" Tallulah hugged Lazlo excitedly.

"They'll give you a home, Lazlo. I mean, uh, don't imagine people ain't gonna stare. I can't promise you'll be at peace but, in the end, that is what Hooverville is for, people who ain't got nowhere else."

"Thank you," Lazlo nodded, "I can't thank you enough."

Frank smiled, nodding his head.

"Minerva!" little Karina ran from the community, "You came back!"

I chuckled, stumbling back with her abrupt hug, "Of course I did."

"I thought you were going to die!"

"No, I have a lot to do still before my time comes," I looked down at her as she pulled away, "Just like you do."

"I'm alone now..." she backed away, her gaze on the ground, "...what am I going to do?"

I knelt down in front of her, "Karina, I have some friends that could definitely help you out," I turned her to the others, "That's Frank, Lazlo, and Tallulah. Say hello."

She stepped up, sheepishly looking from one to the other, "Hello."

"Frank, do you think you could maybe look after her?" I asked, "I want to know she's gonna have people with her."

He nodded, "I've got siblings of my own. I know how to deal with them."

Karina looked back to me, "Are you gonna leave now?"

"Uh...yeah," I nodded.

She pouted, and I thought she'd end up crying she threw her arms around my waist, "I'm gonna miss you."

"Aw, me too. Don't think I ever met such a proper young girl," I chuckled, "You'll be just fine in this world."

She pulled away and grinned, "I want to be just like you when I grow up!"

"A mini-Minerva, can you imagine that?" Martha joked, chuckling.

"She's pretty, she's smart, she's very neat and I like her hair," Karina explained her reasons, "And she makes people feel good."

"That she does," the Doctor agreed.

"Better hit the books then, kid," Martha said, "She's very smart."

"And so is she," I declared, swinging an arm around her shoulders, "She doesn't need to be like anyone else. She just needs to be herself. The world doesn't need another Minerva, they need a Karina, a big Karina!"

She smiled and rested her head beside me. I looked down and couldn't help but remember Olivia. I used to do the same thing when I was upset...the times we were actually together. It made me miss her even more, as well as making the guilt increase.

~0~

Martha, the Doctor and I were watching the Manhattan Skyline once more, getting ready to leave.

"Do you reckon it's gonna work, those two?" Martha suddenly asked, breaking a prolonged silence that had fallen over us.

"I don't know. Anywhere else in the universe, I might worry about them, but New York, that's what this city's good at," the Doctor shrugged, beginning to smile, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, and maybe the odd pig-slave-Dalek-mutant-hybrid too."

"The pig and the showgirl," I added, making them laugh.

"The pig and the showgirl," he grinned.

"Just proves it, I suppose. There's someone for everyone," Martha sighed, turning around but not before giving us a look.

"Not everyone," I said, going to follow, "Sometimes they're not looking."

"Ha!" she waved me off with a hand as she opened the TARDIS doors.

"What's that about?" the Doctor asked as she went inside.

I shrugged and proceeded to slap him across the face, remaining serious as he rubbed his cheek. I wanted to smack him, but I figured a slap would get the message across.

"What did I do now?" he gritted his teeth, looking fairly annoyed.

"That was for giving me heart attacks each time you volunteered to die today!"

"Oh..."

"Yeah, 'oh'," I rolled my eyes, "Honestly, you have got to stop doing that! Some of us actually care if you die!" he remained silent, looking down as he took his scold. I then brought him for a hug, sighing as he slowly hugged back,"When I'm gone, please refrain yourself from using that strategy. Please?" he nodded quietly,"I mean it Doctor. I know your number one rule. Swear to me this time," I pulled back, being serious as I looked him in the eye, "Swear to me you won't do it again."

"I swear."

I smiled, "Thank you. Now I can be somewhat less stressed about your shenanigans."

"When exactly do you want to leave?"

"In about an hour?" I tried, shrugging in the end, "I don't know, I just want to get my things ready."

"And do you know where you're going to stay for sure?"

I nodded, "I'm sure Ami won't mind me staying."

He sighed, and reopened the doors for us, "Well, an hour it is then."

I turned for the doors, offering a fake smile as I stepped in, "An hour it is."

~0~

"I can't believe you're actually leaving," Martha shook her head, helping me wheel along a suitcase, "Why? Why are you doing it? Did I finally make you angry with the whole Doctor thing and being second best?"

I smiled softly at her concern, "No, it's because I really want to finish high school already. It's my senior year and I'm literally months away from finishing up. And with all these trips I never attend school anymore..."

Aaaaand, I wanted to put a stop before anything that shouldn't happen, happen. Because I didn't want them to happen...I didn't.

"But you're just gonna stop travelling?"

"It's not forever," I shrugged, "And besides, I told the Doctor I'd be around on weekends...holidays..."

"You don't look so happy," she remarked, watching my smile diminish as I thought about how little time I'd be spending in the TARDIS now, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"It's not what I want," I corrected, heaving a sigh, "It's what needs to be done."

We entered the console room and I stopped at the sight of the Doctor. I coughed, and he looked up from his work, "I'm, um, ready."

He looked at the two suitcases and nodded. Martha suddenly looked back into the corridors, "Minerva, I'm gonna go take a look around your room, see if you forgot something. Is that alright?" I nodded and she went on, nudging me before walking away.

""All set, then?" the Doctor asked, sounding more of a statement than a question.

"Yeah..." I slowly walked over to him, "...listen, I kinda have something for you."

"Me?"

I chuckled nervously as I reached inside my bag and took out my sketch book. I opened it up and ripped out a page, my face already warm as I looked at him, "See, I was trying to give you a present to thank you for this wonderful opportunity you gave me...with the box," I laughed with nervousness again as I ran a hand through my hair, "But then I realized what could a human possibly give a Time Lord?" he smiled and looked down for a bit, which I took as an opportunity to breath in and try to calm down, "So my lame attempt was a drawing," I held out the paper to him, looking at the drawing intently, "It's us three, you Martha and me. Plus your box of wonders."

"My what?" he looked up, confused at the unknown nickname I had branded his TARDIS with.

"That's what I call your TARDIS sometimes..." I smiled, knowing for sure my face was red now, "Because it's full of wonders."

He chuckled as he looked at the drawing once more, "I like the name, haven't heard that one yet."

"It's definitely brought me some wonders..." I said quietly, and he looked up.

"This is really nice, Minerva. Thank you."

"Yeah? I mean I know it's lame and pretty simple but I'm a human with no money and absolutely no way of getting anything intergalactic for you so..."

He pulled me into a hug, surprising me at the abruptness,"It is not 'lame' and I wouldn't want anything else. Well, actually, I'd like for you to stay but...you know..."

"We're all good!" Martha's voice rang through the room as we pulled apart.

"So, London?" the Doctor asked, going around the console and setting my drawing aside for the moment.

I nodded, "Yeah."

He grinned and worked to get us there. Martha came by to hang on just as the box started its shaking. Once it stopped, I turned for the doors, feeling as if I could just rush back to my room here and lock it so I would never leave.

But I knew what needed to be done.

The Doctor walked past us and happily opened the doors, earning a curious look from Martha and I. He seemed just a tad not-sad about this...and he had been sad just an hour ago. He looked back at us and gestured for us to go out.

I peered over and saw just a little bit of outside and catching something that was not usual in London.

A bright, red lantern.

I looked at the Doctor, raising an eyebrow as I questioned where the hell he had brought us to. He simply stepped back for Martha and I to come forwards.

This alien had something up his sleeve, and it sure didn't involve London.

#doctor who #10th doctor #ocappreciation #ocapp #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #dw imagine #dw imagines #doctor who imagines #10th doctor imagines #10th doctor imagine #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 20: The Flower of the Monsoon

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

(Kaeya’s Face claim: Michelle Trachtenberg)

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Chapter summary: Before the travels, adventures, companions and trouble there was only one iced lake, a princess and a Doctor.

The pronunciation of Kaeya is “kay-ah”!

P.S: This serves as prologue to the next chapter! That being said, the next chapter will be uploaded quicker to continue the story!

// Story Masterlist //

A long, long time ago...

A young, ashy-brunette woman awaited on the ice lake of the Silver Monsoon, watching the sky intently. She couldn't help but feel excited - even if she knew it was a low possibility he would actually be on the ship this year - when the familiar ship flew by her planet. She stood up, wanting so much to be able to get a closer look, but she knew that if the boy was there, he'd be by the window just like before.

But he wasn't.

Her little friend, well at least she still thought he was a little boy as that species seemed to age slowly, was no where to be seen. Once again, he hadn't returned.

She sighed as the ship flew away, silently cursing the moon for not listening to her pleads for the return of her little friend. It had been years since the boy had disappeared from the window. Ever since she was a small child she had been on her favorite iced lake, on this day, to await the boy she would see each year. He was on a spaceship of a species her parents refused to tell her about. It had taken a custom to flying over her planet in the precise place she was at. The first time she saw them, she was captivated by all the little kids on each level of the ship that had clear, glass windows which allowed her an easy view. But what really took her away was a small little boy that was standing at the highest level of the ship, palms on the glass and big eyes just looking down with such intense curiosity. He didn't seem a day over ten, maybe eleven, like her. He was so young and already you could see the curiosity dripping from his eyes and heart. He'd be adventurous.

She was small, like him, but she had felt a connection with the boy. She herself had many spirits of adventure, though she knew the boy would have a much better chance of having adventures than her. She only smiled when she saw the boy for the first time, and to her surprise, he had smiled back.

Now, at that time, she believed that would have been the last of the ship and the boy, but to her surprise...it returned the following year.

And the next.

And as the years went by, they seemed to grow at the same time. He was rather handsome, she admitted. She wished she could greet him, talk to him...but the students, she guessed they were, never left their ship. They only passed by.

At many points she had tried getting her parents to speak about the ship and its voyagers, but they refused. She was not allowed to know because then her curiosity would rise and she'd get those silly ideas of leaving the planet...which she could never do. And so, with great deception, she resigned to just watch the boy, her little friend she called him, pass by her planet each year.

Until one year...he disappeared.

He just stopped appearing at the window. Had he grown tired of the silly tradition she had invented of just looking at each other? Had he stopped even going to the ship? What had happened to him? Each year, in hopes that he would return, she'd go to that iced lake and wait for the ship, even lingered hours after in case there was another ship...

But he never returned.

She had gotten one of her friends, one whom she trusted deeply, to try and figure out who the boy was, what species he was, what planet he lived on. But every time, every year, the answer was the same: unknown. She never gave up her hope, however. She stood there, year after year, awaiting for her little friend, and one day...one day...

There came a wheezing sound...

At that moment, she had been off to the sides of the lake, playing with some snow, using her abilities which she practiced hard ever since she had acquired them. She heard the wheezing sound, at first faint, but quickly intensifying with each second. She poked her head up from the small cover of snow in front of her, seeing a blue box appearing in the center of her lake.

The first thing she should have done was call her guards.

She remained in place, however, and watched with big eyes how the box materialized with such ease. She'd never seen anything like that!

The doors of the box opened, and a man stepped out!

"How to find you? How to find you?" the man whispered to himself, turning away from her, taking slow steps, probably wondering if he'd slip on the ice.

She didn't have to be a genius to know who that man was. She smiled and stood up, stepping onto the lake in which one could perfectly walk on without the fear of slipping. She took hard, loud steps around the lake, purposely loud to attract the man's attention.

And she got it with ease.

He turned around almost immediately, his eyes widening at the sigh of her. Oh, she was beautiful, "It's...it's you?"

She smiled, taking in his features as he did hers. He had changed. He was no longer that little boy, nor that teenager, they had both been the last time they'd seen each other. He was a full grown man. One that would easily be estimated to her age. And one thing she immediately picked on was his looks. He was handsome. Very handsome.

"You're my little friend," she spoke first, the man letting a shaky breath out at the beautiful sound of her voice.

"Y-yes!" he stuttered, much to her amusement, "Yes, that's me. I'm...your little friend," he sighed happily, "I was on the ship on each year."

"Not every year," she corrected seriously, "Why did you stop coming? Did you wish not to see me anymore?" she started making rounds on him during her questions, "I missed you, you know. I missed you terribly."

"I am so sorry," he shook his head, the woman stopping feet away from him, "It was this...this whole fiasco and--"

"What is a fiasco?"

"Uh, earth term-"

She gasped, "You are from earth?"

"No! But I do like the planet."

"So do I," she whispered, "Why did you stop coming?"

"I...I was kicked out of the program that was in control of the ship."

"Why?"

He stared at her lovingly, really taking in how beautiful she was. As a kid, he'd never thought of that. He just liked her eyes. Her big, blue eyes that matched the planet she lived on. He was also enthralled with the planet itself and its people...and her. Even as a teenager, she still didn't attract him. What he liked was the big curiosity she seemed to glow in. But now, many years later, standing in front of her... he was really captivated by her. Her beauty was stunning, her voice soft and delicate, her eyes, oh her eyes... He knew, now, that it had been worth it to be kicked out of the program. He had to see her. And here he was now.

"Because I tried sneaking off the ship to see you."

She gasped, stunned. All this time she believed he had grown tired of seeing a strange girl on the lake. That he had grown out of the silly tradition she thought it had become. And now she learned that he stopped because he was caught in an attempt to meet her! "You tried sneaking out?"

He nodded, "Oh yes. And I'd do it again."

She smiled warmly, "My name is Kaeya, princess of the Silver Monsoon. It is an honor to meet you my little friend...who is not so little anymore."

He smiled back, "Hello Kaeya, it's very nice to finally meet you."

"And your name?"

"Uh...the Doctor."

"That is not a name," she pondered, coming to terms that it really was not, "Why do you not wish to reveal your name to me?"

"Don't take it personal, it's sort of a tradition on my planet."

"Oh," she nodded fast, immediately desisting on any further questions. She didn't want to offend him and then really lose him, "Alright, hello Doctor, it's very nice to meet you."

"Can I tell you something?"

"What?"

"You are exceptionally beautiful," he breathed, staring at her.

She smiled sheepishly, getting a blush on her cheeks. It was the first time someone had actually made her blush. She looked at him again, realizing he was still looking at her. An idea sparked in her mind, and she dared to admit that the idea had already passed through her mind several times before he had returned, secretly hoping he had continued to grow up along with her.

"I'm sorry...that was probably out of line," the Doctor said, so afraid he might have just ruined everything.

But Kaeya grinned, becoming more confident as she fixed her posture and stood straight, "No, I thank you for compliment. In fact, there is something I'd like to do to show you what I think of you."

"What is it?"

Her smile turned into a smirk. She rushed up to the man, throwing her arms around his neck, both stumbling back as she kissed him. He was shocked at first, to have a such a woman like this her actually kissing him, but then he realized this was his first kiss and she was a very good kisser. Plus, she was beautiful. So, he held her by the waist and kept her close. They kissed for several minutes before Kaeya started to speak...and even then it wasn't a proper conversation.

"Is this alright? Or do I offend you?" she whispered in-between kisses, her heart feeling like it'd burst at any moment of joy. She'd never done anything like that and yet it didn't seem wrong.

The Doctor would've laughed if he hadn't been so fearful of ending their moment, "No, no, I feel quite alright."

"So do I," she admitted.

And so they kissed for a minute or two more, both hoping, as they pulled apart, that nothing would be awkward afterwards. But they looked at each other and let out a short laugh.

"I'm sorry," Kaeya stepped back, ending her laugh with a smile, "It's just...I wondered what it might feel like to kiss you...and the results are..." she looked him over, "...enthralling."

"As you are," he nodded. He kissed a princess, an actual princess! How's that for a first kiss!?

Kaeya blushed and held out her hand, leaving him a bit perplexed, "I wish to talk to you. I want to know who you are."

He took her hand, "Anything you want, princess."

"Have you visited Earth? Is it really lovely like the books say? With the humans? And their houses and grass, is grass nice? Oh! What about their sun!? Is it warm?"

The Doctor laughed at her curiosity, the way her eyes widened with every question made her all the more cuter, "You really love it don't you?"

They started walking small steps around the lake, Kaeya shyly looking to the side as, "Yes, I truly love Earth. It amazes me how they live. All their customs and..."

"I know what you mean."

"I have a whole library dedicated to the planet. Oh, no one knows that but you," she covered her mouth in surprise, though not ashamed she had revealed it, "But you won't say anything, will you? My parents disapprove of my intense infatuation with the planet."

"My lips are sealed," the Doctor pretended to zip lock his lips, "But tell me something, Kaeya, if you love Earth so much, then why-"

"Haven't I visited?" she finished his question, a sad smile forming on her face as she sighed, "I cannot leave my planet."

"Why not?"

"Have you noticed what my home is mostly made of?" she gestured around her, "Snow, water...I am of the cold and I need the cold to survive. Earth is too warm. It has a sun. Look at my planet, Doctor, do you see one anywhere?" they both looked up to the starry, black sky, which only held stars and a great, silver moon, "My planet has no sun. I cannot ever see a sun. That is the curse of the Monsoon."

"I am so sorry," the Doctor said, seeing her eyes watery.

"One grows accustomed," she shrugged, "Though I would love to see a sun. Does your planet have one?"

He looked at her with a grin, just loving the girl's curiosity, "My planet, Gallifrey, has two suns."

She gasped, her eyes becoming wide with shock, "Really? Two?"

"Yeah, I'd love for you to see them rising in the sky. It's magnificent."

"I bet it is," she nodded, enthralled with the idea of two suns. Though, now that she knew his planet's name, she knew exactly what species he was, "You're a Time Lord," she whispered, fascinated even more with the man.

"You know?"

"I don't know much about you but I know the planet's name and it's current inhabitants. My parents forbid the knowledge of your home. Why?"

"Uh, political differences?" he tried, chuckling at his lack of knowledge of the planets' differences.

That was why they weren't allowed to ever step on the Silver Monsoon. Gallifrey had differences with the planet and its people. Although no one but the High Council knew why. The rest of the citizens were only told to never make contact with them, "for their own good". The Monsoon's citizens were of the worst, according to them. They were not to be trusted.

But how could anyone hate this world? This woman in front of him? He didn't understand what the problems were but he wasn't going to let it stop him from continuing to see Kaeya.

It never would.

#ocapp #doctor who #10th doctor #dw fics #10th doctor fics #doctor who fics #10th doctor imagine #dw imagine #oc: kaeya louvier #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 21: The Silver Monsoon

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

(Kaeya’s Face claim: Michelle Trachtenberg)

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Chapter summary: The Doctor returns to the Silver Monsoon after years of its death, only to find Princess Kaeya's most prized possession.

The pronunciation of Kaeya is “kay-ah”!

// Story Masterlist //

"So you see, I have to write a creative story for this stupid class and I have nothing to write about," I finished telling the Doctor of my newest assignment for school to which he immediately offered his assistance to. I looked over and saw he was blankly staring at the console. "Doctor? Did you listen?"

He blinked, suddenly remembering I was here, and looked at me, "Oh, hello..."

I sighed, "Hello."

"Sorry, what was that?"

I sighed again, more irritated with his lack of attention after he was the one who asked me to explain. "Doctor, if you're not gonna listen then don't waste my time. I have this hard assignment and it's really pissing me off."

"Language," he pointed.

"No."

"Minerva?"

"Martian?"

"Okay," he waved it off, "What were you talking about?"

"No, I wanna know why you weren't listening. You've been doing that a lot lately. Please tell me, I'll keep it a secret."

Ever since we returned from the whole Lazarus event, the Doctor had seemed somewhat distant from Martha and I and pretty much everything else. It seemed like something, or someone, was occupying all his thoughts. And if it was the same culprit that occupied his mind since China, I had a pretty fair idea of who it was...

The Doctor leaned back on his seat, sighing deeply, "Kaeya."

What a shocker...

"What about her?" I did my best to act like it didn't bother me and since he was more oblivious than usual, it wasn't that hard to fool him.

"I've been having these dreams of her..."

"Oh...nice..." I looked away, not sure if it was right to feel jealous of a dead woman.

"I dreamt of the first time we met each other, in person..." he started smiling, getting lost in his thoughts once again.

"And?" I hit his arm, reminding him he had to continue if he was starting a new story.

"And...just the time we spent together..."

"Doctor, I don't mean to be nosy but, um..." I cleared my throat, turning to face him completely, "...were you and Kaeya...you know..." I swayed my head, "...together?"

"What? No! No..." he shook his head, "...Time Lords and the people of the Monsoon were prohibited from even seeing each other."

"Why's that?"

"I never knew. I suspected Kaeya did but she didn't want to tell me. All I knew was that Time Lords were supposed to detest the Monsoon kind. They had something they shouldn't have..."

"But that didn't stop you from seeing her, did it?"

"No," he smiled, probably thinking of her again, "She was much too wonderful to let go."

"Mhm," I nodded, forcing myself to calm down inside. For a pair that were not together, they sure sounded like it...

"But, anyways, what were you talking about? You're homework?" he looked down at the journal on my lap.

"Oh," I looked down at it as well, forgetting for a moment it was still there, "I have to write a creative story and my mind is blank."

"Minerva, you're a time traveler. I'm sure there's something you can think about."

"You'd think that, but...it doesn't. It doesn't feel like any of our recent trips is something to talk about to the humans."

"What do you want to talk about, then?"

"Something fantastic, something worth remembering, something..."

"The Monsoon," he whispered, still managing to cut me off.

"Huh?"

"Would you like to visit the Silver Monsoon with me?"

"As in...Kaeya's planet?" I raised an eyebrow, my stomach churning a little at that idea. Somehow, I don't think that would be good for me and my heart.

"Yeah, I haven't been there since the War, and I never gathered the courage to go back..."

And now I knew I had to say yes and accompany him there. Just like he accompanied me to Liv's gravestone and was there for me when I bid goodbye to her, I had to be there for him and watch him say goodbye to Kaeya. It was something he needed and deserved when it truly wasn't his fault she died. My jealousy could not get in the way of that.

"I understand if you don't want to come," he continued, trying to hide his clear disappointment of my silence.

"Of course I'll go," I took his hand, "You came with me to Liv's burial site, it's time I help you too."

"You want to go?" his eyes shined that spark of excitement they usually wore.

"Yes, and I promise you I will make a story of Kaeya and her people, dedicated to the people of the Monsoon."

"Really?"

"Yes, would you like that?"

"Yes!" he exclaimed, absolutely ecstatic about it, "You're truly wonderful!" he took me for a surprise hug, unable to see my shocked yet red face.

"Did I just walk into something?" Martha's voice pulled us apart, "Cause if I did..." I looked back and saw her smirking, probably thinking what would, and should, never happen.

"The Doctor offered me a place to write about," I said before she spoke anything that would compromise me.

"Oh..." her smirk fell and was replaced by a frown, "...boo."

"It's amazing!" the Doctor jumped from the chair and went to the console, "It used to be truly amazing! You should've seen it, Minerva, it was like Christmas all the time!" he rambled on as he made his rounds around the console, Martha moving beside me and both of us just nodding and listening, "There was snow everywhere! Ice lakes! Ice statues! Unfrozen lakes where the children would swim! Oh, they were excellent swimmers! They we're from the Monsoon! Of course they knew how to swim!"

"Is he going to breath anytime soon?" Martha whispered to me.

"Let's find out," I crossed my arms and listening on to the Martian.

"I loved the trees! They were covered with snow, what am I saying covered? They were made of snow! And they carried little ice spheres that you could actually eat! Imagine that, ice that you can eat!"

"Yeah, they're called Popsicles," Martha chuckled.

"These are better," he pointed violently, still smiling and laughing.

"Alright, so if this place is so wonderful, why haven't you taken us before?"

And then he stopped...

I walked over, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Because it's taken a lot of courage to return," he took my hand off his shoulder and held it in his own, "But he's finally doing it."

"What's so hard about going back?" Martha asked, eyeing our small moment, though no smirk as she saw this was a serious matter.

"I lost someone there," the Doctor answered quietly, lifting our interlocked hands and just staring at them as a source of distraction, "It's been one of the places I could never return to."

"And why are we going there suddenly?"

"Because I'm gonna write a story about it," I smiled, wanting to get one out of the Martian but failing miserably, "I'm gonna write about how beautiful it is, how accomplished the species was."

"Well, what are we waiting for, then?" Martha moved up to the console and hung onto it.

"You sure you want to go?" I asked the Doctor as he moved us to the console.

"You'll be there, right?" he questioned very quietly, I almost didn't hear him, "Every second?"

""You won't be able to get rid of me," I flashed him a grin.

"So when speak of this planet, the Monsoon, how come you use it in the past tense?" Martha asked, purposely keeping her gaze down, the small smirk playing on her lips.

"They, uh...they were killed," the Doctor replied, growing quiet once again.

"By what?"

"...by the hands of my people."

Martha gasped, her wide eyes looking at me for the same reaction but by my calmer attitude she learned that I already knew this, "How...how did that happen?"

"The Time War," he turned and leaned against the console, "Just one more of the species we brought down."

"Yeah, but it's not your fault," I reminded.

He smiled, still seemingly lost in thoughts, "They were good people. I never spoke to them, just Kaeya."

"And who was Kaeya?" Martha asked, becoming more curious.

"An old friend of mine..."

I glanced at Martha, letting her know with a look that Kaeya was probably more than just a "friend".

"Oh," she nodded.

It seemed that another woman had managed to steal his hearts...

~0~

I hopped onto mushy snow that plopped up to my ankles. Martha started shivering as soon as she stepped out, "It's so cold!"

"I think it's great!" I said, excitedly looking around.

"It's cold!"

"Zip up the jacket," the Doctor came out, "And you'll be fine."

She grumbled and did as told, "This places looks kind of...dead."

I noticed that while there was perfectly white snow covering the ground, most of the place was dim and gray. It looked like a snowstorm was headed this way...there was no Christmasy feeling. I started walking ahead, my shoes sploshing through the snow.

"It used to be beautiful," the Doctor remarked, he and Martha coming behind, "But that was a very long time ago."

"Is everyone gone, though?" Martha asked.

"I would suppose though, that was the story."

"But then you don't really know, huh?" That's why Martha was my best friend, she picked out what no one had noticed before.

"She's right," I turned back for them, "If all you ever heard was the story then maybe the people of the Monsoon managed to escape."

He sighed, not looking so hopeful, "They need the cold to survive. Their bodies need the coldest temperature around."

"Yeah, but this planet doesn't seem as cold."

"The people probably had a hand in that," he mumbled and walked ahead.

I sighed and watched after him, Martha stepping closer to me, "He doesn't look so good," she whispered.

"His hearts are breaking," I mumbled, going after him.

The Doctor had stopped at a cliff, and I almost slipped on the snow for leaning to close, "What's down there?"

He peered down, "It's mud."

"What kind? And why does it look like snow?"

"It's snow mud used for defensive tactics. These people had an army of some sort. They'd use the snow to cover up their scent."

I crinkled my nose at the smell, not at all agreeable, "It's disgusting!"

"Yeah, it smells horrible," Martha shook her head, "This doesn't seem like a very beautiful planet, honestly."

"This is hardly what the Silver Monsoon used to be, ma'am," an elderly man's voice spoke, making us turn and see the stranger across us.

The Doctor immediately pulled Martha and I behind him, as if the short man could actually hurt us. He was rather short, aged like a grandfather, and had ice blue eyes with gray hair that swiveled at the top. What really captivated my attention were the silver lines on his body. There were two swirly lines going across his cheeks and two more running up and down his arms.

"Who are you?" the Doctor demanded coldly, perhaps thinking the man was an intruder to Kaeya's home.

"My name is Mayar, and I am the last of my people to live on this planet," he declared, giving a small nod.

"You mean...this is your planet?" I blinked, trying to step around the Doctor but he kept forcing his arm in front of me.

"These are the marks of the Monsoon," he gestured to his silver marks.

"Who are you?" this time the Doctor's voice was a meek one, clearly shocked that not everyone had died like he believed.

"Mayar, one of very first Kings of the Silver Monsoon."

The Doctor looked stunned by the piece of information, his forceful arm barring me lowered down, "...you're Kaeya's grandfather."

Now it was Mayar's turn to be shocked, "You knew my granddaughter?"

"Knew her?" the Martian scoffed lightly, part of him seeming lost in thoughts, "I knew her straight to the core."

"Who are you?" Mayar questioned, "All of you?"

"I'm Minerva," I finally stepped around the Doctor, Martha doing the same on the other side, "That's the Doctor and Martha."

"Are you human? I don't believe humans have acquired space travel yet..."

I looked at the Doctor, wondering if he wanted to go with that lie or tell him who he really was.

"They're human," he gestured to Martha and I, "I'm...I'm a Time Lord."

You could tell he struggled to name himself, and the look Mayar was now giving him wasn't helpful, "And you dare step foot on my home after what you did?" Mayar stepped forwards.

"But he didn't do anything," I started to frown, who the hell did he think was?

"Yeah? His people put an end to my people, my family."

"You said it, his people. He didn't do anything except come and try to find your granddaughter."

"And if I picked up your words correctly, not all your people died," Martha joined in, "Or am I wrong?"

Seriously, love Martha right now.

"There were survivors," Maya conceded, looking solely at the Doctor, "If that eases your conscience a bit."

"Who survived?" the Doctor asked, his eyes glossy already, "How?"

"If you really knew Kaeya then you should know she wouldn't go down without a fight. She gave her life to save the little people we had left. But you know what, now that I think about it, I do believe you and Kaeya knew each other."

"You do?"

"Yes, my granddaughter spoke so good of the Time Lords she just had to have gotten all that silly affection for them from you. You filled her head with all the good your people did."

"I did't, I always told her the truth..."

"I wonder, do you ever wake up in the middle of the night to think how many people died because of your lousy war? Let me give you an estimate of my planet, a million. That includes children. My son died, my daughter-in-law, my granddaughter died, and many more after. Tell me, how do you live with that?"

"With all due respect, SHUT UP!" I ordered, never feeling like harming an old man but this one was asking for it.

"How do you maintain a relationship with a man like that?" he moved on to me.

"Because you don't know him like we do," Martha spoke up now, probably feeling the same anger as I felt, "We listened to the story and you don't even give a chance."

"Amazing, you've got two women arguing on your behalf, how does that feel?" Mayar asked, bitterly smiling at the Doctor.

"Look, I swear to you I wanted to save Kaeya, I was looking for a place that she and the rest of you could live in," the Doctor paused, taking a shaky deep breath, "But I was too far away by the time I heard of her death, of the planet's death. But I still came back because I cared for her-"

"No, that's a lie!"

"It's not!"

"You and your people aren't capable of care! Of love!"

"But I was!" the Doctor shouted, actually making all three of us flinch, Mayar with wide eyes, "I knew Kaeya down to the core and she knew me! We didn't know why our species hated each other and we didn't care! We became the best of friends without a care. I showed her what you couldn't, I showed her pieces of the world!"

"Kaeya couldn't leave the planet," Mayar tried to form a comeback, but he was still faulty, "We needed the col-"

"I came, I brought her gifts from the galaxies and she loved them. And you know what? I loved seeing her study those objects. I made her happy, that's the one thing that actually does ease my conscience. Because while you and your family tried to restrain her from her true potential, I liberated her. I made her laugh when you made her cry, I made her curious when you made her world bland, I comforted her when you scared her. And when she died..." the Doctor paused, shaking his head while his hand went to his cover his eyes, "...it was the end of my motivation to keep going. I stopped the War, I ended my own kind because Kaeya died. So do not come and tell me that I am not capable of caring for her because you have no idea just how wrong you are!"

I blinked and a tear strolled down my cheek, my heart beginning to break with the realization of just how much he "cared" for her. That wasn't care...that was love. He loved Kaeya.

"Perhaps...I could be wrong," was all Mayar could say, "...perhaps," he turned around and walked away.

"Maybe we should go..." Martha began to suggest but the Doctor had already left on his own.

"Coming here was the worst idea ever," I mumbled, biting my lip.

"Hey, it's okay," Martha turned to me, "You can't cry for a dead woman."

"I told you I didn't want this because of a heartbreak...and it happened anyways," I sniffled.

"You can't let this bring you down."

"Tell me how am I supposed to feel then?" I rubbed my eyes before more tears emerged, "He didn't have to say it but we all know...we know he loved her."

"I can see how that would come about but-"

"I can't do this right now," I shook my head, collecting myself to go after the Doctor, "You go talk to Mayar, yeah? Find out more about this place?"

"Why?" she frowned, confused with the idea.

"I still have to write something and besides, maybe there's something we can use to make the Doctor feel better."

"And what are you going to do in the mean time?"

"I'm going to make the Doctor feel better," I forced my best smile.

"But you aren't..."

"I don't care because I want him to be okay. He's helped me with Olivia and now it's my turn. I won't let him blame himself for something he didn't do. Not ever," I walked past her, rubbing away the last of my tears before I would find the Doctor.

~0~

"Doctor?" I called, spotting him sitting at the edge of a cliff, "Hey! Martian!" I tried running but the snow slowed me down. After much struggle, I finally reached him and plopped down beside him, "Are you okay?" he nodded, looking down at the iced lake below the cliff, "Somehow, I think that's a lie."

"Well, could be because you're clever..."

I smiled, "That I am, Martian. So, last time you helped me so now I help you. Though I'd help you regardless..." I waited for him to say something but he never did. He kept staring at the iced lake, so lost and silent. This wasn't him at all. "...You know it's not your fault, right? The fall of this planet...you didn't do it. Kaeya died for other reasons, one of those for a noble cause, but none of it was your fault."

"I wish I knew who killed her," he cut me off, his teeth gritting with anger and pain. There was a raw, ferocious, anger that genuinely scared me for a bit. I'd seen him plenty mad before but never like that. "I want to know who put their hands on her and killed her..."

"I don't think you do..." I tried to say but he cut me off with a sharp 'I do'. "And then what? What would you do?" I challenged him. "Because we both know you wouldn't kill them."

"Yeah? How can you be so sure?" he glanced at me with a dark tinge in his eyes, "You know all the people I killed..."

"Because of Kaeya, yes, I do now," I reminded, "But I bet if you had the chance to make that decision again...you wouldn't."

He scoffed, "Right."

"I'm serious. I think that you were blinded by rage and pain, your friend had died...and you wanted to put an end for her. Perhaps in another scenario, given the proper thought about it...you'd make an alternate decision."

"Yeah? And why would I do that?" he rolled his eyes.

"Because it's what Kaeya would've liked for you to do."

He glanced at me again, taken aback by the words I chose, "...she never liked violence..."

"See?"

"She was the sweetest thing out there..." his gaze returned to the iced lake, "...incapable of hurting anyone. Her voice...it was so delicate, so soft...beautiful."

"Aha," I looked down, fiddling with my fingers. I wouldn't stop him from talking about her. I spoke hours of Olivia, telling him how crazy beautiful she was, all her personality traits...I'd allow for him to do the same about Kaeya. It would liberate him from his guilt, and hopefully make him feel a little better.

"She was beautiful, Minerva. When I met her, she was just...a goddess. I think she'd be like the Selene of your mythology."

"Oh, you mean Selena? Of the moon?"

He nodded, "Mhm, she was wonderful..."

"Hm, I can tell. Your smile seems to be kinda..." I gestured to his face, "...stuck," he caught himself in the middle of another grin and quickly stopped, but I could still see a remnant of it at the corner of his mouth, "How did you even meet? You said Kaeya couldn't leave the planet because it was cold so you came...how'd you do it?"

He sighed, glancing back at the iced lake. I wondered what was so damn interesting of a lake, "It all started when I was just a kid and saw her for the first time. It was my first year in the Academy and we had a trip to see a constellation nearby the Silver Monsoon. Everyone else didn't care about the planet that looked like the Earth Christmas I liked so much. I was at the window and I was looking down...and then I saw her. She stood on that lake right there," he pointed ahead, "And she looked up to our ship. I never forgot that face...such a pretty little face. She had these big icy, blue eyes, and she seemed so curious. I could tell she was wondering who I was...what the ship was...what were all those little kids, like her, doing in that ship looking down at her planet."

"But you didn't speak to her, then?" I questioned, looking at the lake, picturing that little girl right there. That's why it was so important to him, it was where they first met...

"No, we were never allowed down on the planet. We were forbidden to visit the planet, much less to make contact with its inhabitants. But we returned every year, and I was always on that ship...and she was always on that lake, staring up. Years passed, and it seemed like we were aging at the same time. And you know, it looked like she knew exactly when we would return because she was always there, standing, sitting, on that lake. All on her own. By the time I was a teenager," he glanced at me, eyeing me up and down, "Probably about your age."

"I doubt you were seventeen," I teased, "Well, I'm almost eighteen in a couple months...so eighteen?"

"No, but I was young."

"Hm, really?"

"Yes, really."

"Doctor, triple digits?"

"...no."

"I think you were!"

"Are you gonna let me continue?" He raised an eyebrow.

I raised my hands, surrendering, "Fine, fine, go ahead."

"Well, like I was saying, we both looked like we could be around the same age. But by that time, I grew tired of just getting a five minute glimpse of her and so I devised a plan."

"What kind of plan?"

He smirked, "The one where I snuck out of the ship and went down to the planet."

"And did it work?"

"...no."

I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head at his failure, "Oh no, and what happened?"

He sighed, "That was the last time I saw her...I was kicked out of the program for sneaking out."

I immediately stopped laughing, knowing that must have been pretty hard for him, "And...and then what happened?"

"They made more trips of course but I never got to see that glimpse of her until..." he began smiling, letting me know that the story hadn't ended so badly, "...I borrowed a TARDIS one day-"

"Borrowed?" I raised an eyebrow, "N-n-no, you told me you borrowed it and ran off with your granddaughter...never returning that box to this day. That's not borrowing."

"This was before I actually stole it," he corrected, shaking his head, "I was...what?" again, he eyed me, determining his next age comparison on me, "An adult? Maybe Olivia's age? Twenty?" I nodded, gesturing for him to continue, "I borrowed a TARDIS one day and took it to this planet, just a little after the students had finished their annual trip. And Minerva?"

"Yeah?"

"...she was right there," he pointed at the lake, his grin so wide it looked like his face would crack, "At first, I didn't see her...but then I turned around and there she was; standing beautifully across me."

I couldn't help the disappointment I felt within me. He seemed so lost in the thought of seeing her again, it made me wonder if he'd ever think of me like that. But I shook those thoughts away and focused on the most important thing here, he was smiling.

"She was so beautiful. She'd changed since the last time I saw her. She was taller, her hair was shorter, and she was dressed like a true princess. Silver and white. I'll never forget that. She was so beautiful," he re-emphasized it and I mouthed the word off to the side where he couldn't see how jealous I was turning.

"Did you talk or did you just stare?" I asked in a mutter, realizing a moment later that was probably rude. Minerva, you are not gonna let your jealousy get in the way of an important moment for the Doctor. He didn't deserve that. Neither did Kaeya.

"We talked," he nodded, oblivious to my feelings, "For the first time, we actually talked. I got to know her. Her name was Kaeya, princess of the Silver Monsoon."

"That's a weird name, you know."

"You're clever, you should know its meaning."

"It has a meaning?" I blinked, genuinely surprised at it.

"Every name's got a meaning. Look at yours, Minerva: the goddess of wisdom."

"Yeah, and what does Kaeya mean?"

"The monsoon flower," he smiled, "And she was a beautiful flower."

I rolled my eyes, "Got it. She was excessively beautiful. What did you talk about? I can't keep writing she was beautiful, you know."

He chuckled, "Yeah, sorry. She told me how shocked she was to see that great big ship over her planet for the first time. Said she'd been playing on the iced lake over there. And after we left, she asked her parents who we were and why we couldn't come down. But they didn't tell her anything. All they said was that she should hate us and stay away from us because we were bad people."

"Why would they think that?"

"I don't know. To this day, I don't know why the Silver Monsoon and Gallifrey detested each other."

"But that didn't stop Kaeya, did it?"

"She calculated the exact day and time we'd pass over her planet each year...and even after I was kicked out, she kept waiting...to see me. Of course, that never happened anymore until I borrowed the TARDIS."

"Bet she was really happen then..." I said, knowing the exact feeling she must have had. I had that same feeling when I decided to leave the box of wonders and him to finish my education. Just the thought of knowing I would actually be staying made my heart beat twice as fast.

"She seemed like it," he nodded, "And we then we started talking. I learned a lot about her, and you know what?"

"What?"

"She didn't live a very happy life."

"Well, apart from being forbidden to leave the planet I couldn't see why she wouldn't be happy."

He smiled, "But that never stopped her hope. While she couldn't leave, she set herself to know about the world. And so each time I came to visit her, I brought her a little gift from a planet, sometimes my own. She loved them all and she tried to study them down to its last detail. I loved seeing the look she gave each time I brought her something. It was...wonderful. Her favorite gifts were the ones from Earth I was able to get from Gallifrey. And then, when I finally left home, I traveled to all these places, always bringing her things from them. But her favorite was always Earth. She thought you were all fascinating."

"Hm, I can't help but feel like an experiment subject."

"You're not. She just liked you all. She tried learning everything she could of the humans. She knew your eating habits, your favorite leisure activities, your customs, beliefs. Heck, do you know she learned about the mythology you all invented? She loved the Roman mythology most of all; she said her favorite goddess was Venus cos she was immensely beautiful. And well, Kaeya didn't consider herself as such."

"Well," I grinned, "I would vouch for the goddess Minerva. She's a pretty cool lady."

"Good thing you're not biased," he remarked, nudging me and getting a laugh out.

"Just give me wisdom over beauty any day!"

"Oh, but you have both already."

I froze, glancing at him with semi-shocked eyes, "You think so?"

He shifted in his seat, giving me a quick glance with a faint smile, "Y-yeah. I told you that, remember?"

"Right..." I rubbed my arm, looking down as a blush went through my cheeks.

"Kaeya loved it all, though," he continued after a moment his gaze wondering to the lake again, "She was truly exceptional."

"Doctor, I know I asked you this before but now I ask you to answer with honesty. Did you love her?"

Silence.

"Doctor?"

Silence.

I took a long, deep breath, "Alright, I won't insist," even if it continued to gnaw at my head.

"I told her that one day I'd figure out how to bring her to other planets," he continued like the dire question hadn't been asked, and with no other option I listened, "I swore to her I'd whisk her away and show her the universe," and by the slow change of happy to glum on his face, I knew that's where the story ended, "And then the war started..."

"And she died."

"I'm sorry," I said with all honesty, "I understand what it's like to lose someone you care so much about."

"Then tell me, how can you ask me not to blame myself for Kaeya's death if you continuously blame yourself for Olivia's?"

I looked away, biting my tongue to keep myself from answering in a way I couldn't. That I cared for him deeply and just couldn't bear for him to blame himself. That I couldn't stand seeing him not smile and ramble on about the stars. I couldn't.

"I said it before, Minerva, your eyes and mine share a great pain. The only difference is that mine are old and horrible, while yours are young and filled with potential."

"Don't say that," I sighed, "We share the pain, that's that. But here's what I think about yours, Kaeya doesn't blame you. She wouldn't want you to burden yourself like this."

"You think so?"

"I know so," I assured, patting his hand, "And look at it this way, she's probably looking over Earth right now, making that visit she wanted for so long."

"I sure hope she is. She deserves at least that."

"C'mon," I let go of him and jumped to my feet, nearly slipping over the cliff, "Yikes, better be careful there."

"Where are we going?"

"You seem to just love that lake," I gestured to it with my head, "So let's go take a look. It'll be a walk down memory lane."

"Uh, no thanks," he shook his head.

"Oh c'mon!" I reached down and tried pulling him up, "Just a walk!"

"No, Minerva."

"Why not? Is it because that's yours and Kaeya's lake? Am I not allowed on it?"

"What? No! I'd love to take you to the lake!"

"Then!?"

He sighed, "I guess I just don't feel like I could step on it."

I let go and smiled sadly at him, "We can take baby steps then."

"Baby steps?" he looked up, looking offended at the term.

I placed a hand on my hip, tilting my head, "What? Big Time Lord can't take a baby step?"

"I can take an adult step!"

"Yeah, you're not classified as an adult in my book."

"What!?" he jumped to his feet, making me beam I finally got him up, "I'm far older than you are-"

"Yes, thank you for reminding me of that, gramps," I patted his cheek, earning a glare from the Martian, "So how about you take me down there?"

"Minerva, you need to take back that 'gramps' thing," he warned as I turned for the cliff, peering down to search for the perfect way to get down.

"Why? I'm seventeen and you're what? 903 years old?" I took a step forwards, nearly slipping again but caught by the martian, "Woah, sorry gramps."

"I'd rather you call me Martian!"

I beamed, gasping, "Really?"

"Yes. Because I'm not old!"

I grabbed his sleeve as I stepped forwards again, "Well, Martian, I can see a way down now. We'll just need to go-" my foot slipped and I went forwards, the Martian reaching to grab me but instead fell along with me.

We toppled down the cliff, the snow - although cold and wet - cushioning our tumble. I fell against the iced-lake, finding just how hard it actually was, enough to bruise my back I'll tell you that. Of course, it wasn't as bad before the Martian literally fell on me with a hard thud, making me yelp of pain.

"Minerva are you alright!?" he asked quickly, although his moves were much slower as he had also been hurt. He lifted his head and looked down at me, and suddenly my pain seemed like a petty thing with him so close to me.

Unlike the last time we found ourselves in this situation, before we landed on McDonnell's ship, I felt nervous. But this time...this time, I found myself smiling at the Martian right above me, "Hello..."

He smiled back, "...hello."

The ground beneath us, and everywhere around us, began shaking like an earthquake. It sounded like the cliff behind us was toppling down more snow, like an avalanche!

"Minerva, watch out!" the Doctor huddled me closer, reaching over and covering me.

A few minutes later, it finally stopped. He looked around, finally getting off me. I sat up and found the cliff had opened up a passageway across us. "That...that wasn't there a moment ago," I pointed, looking at it with wide eyes.

"No, no it wasn't, " he scrambled to his feet, running for it and stopping right at its entrance, "Looks like it hasn't been opened in centuries."

I slowly got up, nervous I'd slip on the ice. Actually, it wasn't even slippery! It felt like actual ground.

"I wonder where it leads to..." the Doctor continued, poking his head inside the passageway.

I trembled, now feeling the coldness of the planet as Martha had whined about earlier. Of course, she wasn't covered in snow and wet. I suddenly crinkled my nose at a fowl smell around us, on me, "Doctor, what is that smell?"

"That would be the snow mud currently covering us," he replied absently, still inspecting that passageway.

I nearly gagged as I smelled my arm, "Oh god, I need a shower."

"Yeah it'll take months for it to fully come off."

"Excuse me?" I asked, wide eyed, "Months?"

"What do you say, Minerva? Shall we take a look?" he turned around, ignoring my current state of denial.

I sighed, letting it go for the moment and made my way over, peering inside the darkness before us, "S-sure. You got a light or something?" And like hearing me, torches hung up on the wall lit up, allowing us to see the pathway clearly.

"I think we're good, don't you think?" the Doctor grinned, stepping inside.

"You think I could use one of those torches to dry myself? And possibly use it as a heater?" I asked, slowly following.

"Well, I don't think-" he stopped at the sound of his foot kicking something.

We looked down to see an old, dusty book on the ground. He picked it up, turning it over and seeing the title worn off by the time it had been here. He opened it up, skimming a few pages of it.

"Stop!" I exclaimed, putting a hand over the page he was currently on, "Look," I pointed, "Those are the Roman goddesses and Gods. Kaeya was fascinated by them, right?"

He nodded, "Very."

"So then...this was her book?"

"Possibly..."

"Well, did anyone else on this planet have a liking for Earth?"

"I don't know. Maybe...maybe not?"

I sighed, a shiver combined with it, "Well, I'm willing to bet it was hers. Maybe this whole cave thing is hers too," I gestured to it and walked a few steps ahead, "Maybe this was her sanctuary."

"Should we even be here then?"

"It opened for us, didn't it? She wants us here."

"But why?"

"Maybe she'd like her old friend to visit her. After so many years. Maybe it's me that shouldn't be here..." I started taking a step back at the sudden realization.

But I felt hands on my shoulders that stopped me, "I'd like her to meet my clever friend. She's pretty good."

I smiled, glancing back, "You think so?"

He shook off his coat and placed it around me, "I know so. You're very good."

I felt an instant heat from the coat, but most of all, I felt my face warming up at our closeness, "You're not so bad yourself," I tugged the coat closer, "And thanks."

"Now c'mon!" he pulled me ahead, running who knows where!

~0~

"I didn't know she had a whole bookcase of Earth books," I remarked as I went through what seemed the eighth bookshelf in this room.

The Doctor had found what appeared to be a library. It was old, it was cold, and it smelled like soggy, dirty socks. But there were bookshelves spread all around, chuck full of books...all about Earth.

"How did she even get these?" I looked over to the Doctor and saw him swaying his head, "I should've known. You brought them."

"I didn't think she'd actually keep all of them," was his defense statement, "But then again, she did say she had a whole library dedicated to Earth."

I plucked out a book that read Cinderella on the cover, "Maybe to meet the princesses? Cinderella, really?"

"She liked the gown because it was almost like hers."

"Cinderella sucks. I'm more of a Rapunzel fan."

He scoffed, "Figures," he looked over my hair.

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Ha, ha, so I'm a little bias."

"You know, Kaeya thought the Earth fairy tales were a bit boring. Ridiculous, actually. Complete fantasy..."

"Ridiculous?" I frowned, looking back at the row of classical fairy tales on the shelf, "But they're the most famous ones!"

"And a bit unlikely," he walked over, taking the book from me, "I mean, seriously, a wooden puppet whose nose grows big when they lie?"

"A 903 year old alien with a box that's bigger on the inside?" I countered, smirking, "I'll have you know these fairy tales are fantastic. Especially for the kids. I mean, c'mon, servant girl gets a fairy godmother, servant girl sneaks to the ball, servant girl meets Prince and loses her shoe at midnight...then the Prince finds her and they live happily ever after. Who thinks that's bland!?" he made a face and shrugged, placing the book back in its spot, "Okay fine, let me tell you a new one then: Human girl travels all her life, human girl meets Martian and he takes her to see galaxies. Isn't that such a cute fairy tale-oh wait - I'M LIVING IT!"

He smiled, "Point taken."

"Thank you," I nodded, turning away for another bookshelf, "I'm sure Kaeya can see that now."

"So...I'm a fairy tale?" he raised an eyebrow, the hint of a smirk growing at the corner of his mouth.

"Hold your horses there," I held a finger to him, "I said the whole thing in general is the fairy tale. Stop the ego from growing. You're not a fairy tale."

Yes he was...

"Really?" he pretended to pout.

"You're not!"

He was...

"But are you really sure?"

"Yes," I went along, stopping between a gap of two bookshelves. I passed a hand down the cold wall, feeling it somewhat...hollow?

"That's too bad..." he came over, "...because I think you're a fairy tale."

I glanced at him, stunned he had actually said that. That was the second complement I received in less than an hour, "Really?"

He blinked, "Um...yeah, because you're...you're very clever, and...and, and human."

"Oh...so I'm a fairy tale because you've never met a human so clever? What, we're highly unlikely? I'm ridiculous? We're all supposed to be stupid?" I leaned against the wall, watching him curiously work out that one. As much as I wanted to believe that was a compliment...it did sound like an insult in the end.

"No! That's not at all what I meant!"

"So what did you mean by that?"

"I just..." he swayed his head, sighing, "...see, you're clever and you're just..."

"Human," I nodded, "Yeah, I got it. Human and surprisingly smart," I rolled my eyes, "You know what, maybe this is where we part. I'll go find Martha and you can visit your dead girlfriend..." I started removing his coat, getting off the wall.

"No, no, please don't," he moved to stop me, trying to push my hands down as they fiercely worked to take off the damn coat, "Minerva, stop, you're overreacting." But I continued, and I guess frustrated him because he just stopped and pushed us back to the wall, "Are you gonna stop and let me explain?" he demanded seriously, enough seriousness to leave me still and just nod, "Thank you," he sighed, "Listen, you're sweet, you're insanely clever, and you don't take advantage of it. Most humans would. You said it yourself, with power comes chaos...especially with humans. You're not like that though," he smiled softly, "You'd never be. That's why you're a fairy tale, because another girl like you would be unlikely. You're one of a kind. So, why don't you keep that coat," he tugged it closer, enveloping me in its warmness, "And you accompany me to see an old friend. Yeah?"

I started smiling, blushing and nodding, "Okay..."

We both smiled, looking at each other for a moment until we felt another shaking. This time, it came from behind me and the Doctor quickly pulled me off to see the wall sliding open.

"Was Kaeya fond of puzzles?" I blinked, seeing the newest dark passageway ahead of us.

"It's a possibility..."

"There's no lights this time," I peered inside, "How are we supposed to get through?"

"Let's see," he walked ahead.

"Uh, Doctor, maybe you should be careful," I called, staying by the doorway.

"It's fine!"

"But it's dark!"

"Yeah but it's not like I'm going to-"

And he slammed into a wall...

I winced at the thud, hearing the groans a few seconds later, "Let me guess, there's a wall in front of you?"

"...that's..." he groaned again, "...a possibility."

I rolled my eyes and took slow, careful steps ahead, using the wall as a guide, "Where are you?"

"Over here," he called louder.

"If I crash into the wall you're as good as dead. And the possibility of regenerating is very slim."

He chuckled, "I'm holding out my hands, just reach out."

I nodded, though I realized he couldn't see it so I stopped. I held out one hand while the other remained on the wall, "I can't feel you!"

"Then get off the wall!"

"I'm not on the wall!"

"Yes, you are. Now let go."

I sighed and did as told, stepping forwards. I had to admit I felt a big relief when I touched a hand, "Oh thank god."

"See, nothing to worry about," he said, "Just don't move forwards."

"Let me guess, is there a big scratch on your head, Doctor?"

"...no."

I laughed, "Liar."

"Oh shut it, it really hurts."

"We'll deal with it later you big baby. Now tell me how we're going to go down the passageway."

He sighed and turned us for the wall, "Well..."

But the wall started moving away from us, leaving us to follow as it moved. The Doctor let go of my hand and went slightly ahead, the darkness fading as icy blue squares on the ground lit up. But just like that, the rock stopped moving.

"Doctor!" I called, feeling myself slip on one of the ice squares.

He quickly returned, catching me before I fell. And suddenly, the rock slid again. We looked at each other then the rock that kept moving. We let go of each other and the rock stopped moving.

"That's just weird," I pointed, "What? Did you and your girlfriend make it like this?"

"Minerva stop, I've never been in here," he said, taking my hand once more, watching how the rock moved again.

I pulled my hand away, making it stop, "Then what's going on?"

"It looks like some sort of security mechanism."

"What? The kind where you need to hold hands?"

"Maybe it was for her parents..."

"So what do we do?"

He glanced at me, then my hand, "Well, if we want to get ahead, you'll need to hold my hand."

I pretended to study him and his hand, "...I'll manage."

He smiled and reached for my hand, once again the rock moving. This time, we walked after it, neither of us saying a word. What could I say, really? At the end, the rock stopped sliding forwards and moved to the side, allowing us to see a room behind. We entered an ice room that was in a cylindrical shape, a small one at that.

"What is this place?" I asked, intrigued by the design, but not more than what was held in the center, "And what is that?"

There was a circular table, an ice table, in the center with a necklace propped up; a glass dome covered it.

"Welcome," a voice rang around the room, startling us.

"Kaeya?" the Doctor frowned, looking around frantically, bringing me as well until I pulled my hand away, "Where are you!? Are you here!?" I grew sad as I watched him desperately trying to find the girl, knowing he must miss her a lot.

"This is an interface," a hologram of a young woman appeared beside the table, "Here to help."

"Kaeya..." the Doctor whispered, stepping forwards, taking in the hologram's appearance which I assumed was the blessed princess.

She was beautiful, no doubt. I assumed the silver gown the Doctor had mentioned was the one she wore at the moment. It was an A-line dress that went down to her feet. It had a squared-neckline with angel sleeves, a ruched bodice, an over skirt covering the forepart of the underskirt, a small train of it behind. Her short, ashy brunette fell above her shoulders in soft curls, her icy blue eyes looking as lively as ever...even for a hologram. She was beautiful, and she didn't look a day over twenty-five.

I swallowed hard, finding myself to be an intruder in this room.

"She's just a hologram...she's not real," the Doctor said quietly, shaking his head. He turned around and it shocked me to see him actually walking for the exit. That was my job!

"Doctor!" I called, making him freeze, "And just where do you think you're going?"

"She's not real."

"Real or not, she wants you here."

He glanced back, looking between the hologram and I, "How do you know?"

"I don't," I shrugged, "But I say she does. Look at this place. It seems like no one's entered in centuries. Not even Mayar! And he was her grandfather. Why would it suddenly open for us? Why would it open for you?"

He turned completely, facing me but with a solemn look, "You think she wants me here?"

"Let's ask," I moved for the hologram, "Interface, what is the purpose of the room?"

"It holds the Silver Monsoon's most prized possession," she gestured to the necklace on the table, the dome moving up from it, "Responsibility of the princess of the Silver Monsoon, princess Kaeya. She swore to protect it at all costs."

"What does the necklace do?" I asked, looking back at the Doctor, offering my hand for comfort.

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Not what I asked but okay," I smiled as the Martian came forwards and took my hand, "What's the purpose of the necklace?"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"I know that...what is the necklace's purpose?"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Why does it keep saying that?" I glanced at the Doctor, confused.

He looked at the hologram and the necklace repeatedly, a minute later focusing solely on the necklace, "There's something familiar about it..."

I looked at the necklace, really focusing this time. It was baby blue and white...

It had a chain with three shapes hanging at the bottom, "Doctor, how many suns does the planet have?" I asked.

"None," he answered quietly. I glanced at him, surprised, "They only ever had the moon..."

"But there's two suns," I pointed at the necklace, "And the moon."

"I don't get it."

I frowned, staring harder at the necklace. There had to be an explanation for it, "Interface, what are the symbols' purpose?"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Yes, I get it-"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

I sighed, hoping to push my frustration down for the sake of the Martian beside me, "But-"

"It belongs to princess Kaeya."

"Oh my god, yes! But please stop saying that I get it. It belonged to..." I trailed off, finally getting it, "Oh...she made the necklace."

"She what?" the Doctor asked, looking at me weirdly.

I looked at him, "She made the necklace."

"How do you know?"

"Take a good look, Martian, and tell me what you see."

He did that...and nothing.

"Doctor?"

He shrugged.

"You are so oblivious! You're a stupid genius," I shook my head before leaning towards the necklace, "There's two suns, Doctor. And you said this planet has none," I glanced at him, seeing he was finally processing it as he leaned forwards, "So why put two?"

He let go of my hand and went for the necklace, tracing fingers on the suns, "Oh Kaeya...she did say she'd love to see them rising."

"And I'm guessing the moon is for her. It's you two together, how she wanted it."

"But...but why?"

I sighed, practically forcing myself to speak my next words, "She fell in love with you, Doctor."

He blinked with wide eyes, looking between the necklace and I, apparently hearing these words for the first time, "But I..."

"Take the necklace," I said quietly, rubbing my arm, though the fact I still wore his coat only made me feel worse. I shouldn't be here.

"I-I can't! Why'd you even think that?" he shook his head, stepping back.

"Why else would we be here?" I snapped, feeling guilty the second after; it wasn't his fault that he also made a human fall for him, he made Rose so why would I be an exception? How did Martha avoid it? "If this thing allowed us inside, it was for a reason. Plus, this thing," I pointed to the necklace, "Was made for you two. She's not here anymore but you are. The right thing would be for you to take it and put it somewhere you deem right."

He sighed, glancing at the holographic had remained quiet, and I swore it was almost watching us like it understood us, "I suppose...for Kaeya..."

"Yes," I moved for the necklace, reaching to take it when... "Ah!" I jerked my hand back, feeling my fingertips burn like before.

"Are you okay?" the Doctor quickly took my hand to inspect it.

"Yes, I..." I glanced at the necklace, finding a similarity between its material and the crystal at Lazarus' event, "...hey, is it the same crystal that Lazarus had?"

"Hm?" he looked at the necklace, taking it from its place and carefully touching it with a finger tip, "I think it is."

"Why doesn't it burn you?" I looked at his hands that could freely touch the necklace with jealousy.

"Maybe it's not supposed to be touched by humans..."

"Then how did Lazarus use it?"

"Gloves?"

"I'm telling you right now, I don't think Kaeya likes me," I looked at the hologram with narrow eyes, "She thinks I'm an intruder here."

"She doesn't. I know she would've loved to have met you."

"Lies," I scoffed, "I bet her spirit is right here and scowling at me."

"Spirit?" he scoffed now, "Ha!"

"You don't believe in the afterlife?"

"No...well...no."

"Well I do, and I believe Kaeya brought you here and I believe she doesn't like me," and I completely meant that.

The Doctor still seemed unconvinced, then...

"Hide it," the hologram spoke up, both the Doctor and I turning to it with shock. The hologram turned its head to the Doctor, "I will guide you until it is time."

"Excuse me?" the poor Martian blinked, stunned as I was the hologram was actually speaking like it understood us.

"I vowed to return one day and it is not me who has entered the sanctuary."

"But you died, Kaeya," he gritted his teeth, both angry and sad at the fact, "You can't return."

"I will return," she smiled, "But in the meantime, I will guide you on this journey."

"Guide..." I whispered, familiar words returning to me as I pondered, "...Guide. Moon guide...Moon spirit! Ha!" I exclaimed, startling the Doctor with my sudden excitement, "Remember the Face of Boe's words back on New Earth?" he stared but with no idea what I was saying. I sighed, coming beside him, "He said the moon spirit would guide you. She's it!" I pointed at the hologram, "I told you she'd be looking out for you wherever she was!"

"So...what?" he blinked.

I sighed again, smacking him upside the head, earning a big 'ow' from him, "You're meant to be here and take the necklace. She guided you here."

"But she's dead..." he whispered, his gaze falling to the ground.

I smiled sadly, "So? Just because she died doesn't mean she's gone. It's like my grandfather. I understand that he's dead. But I refuse to believe that he's really gone. I know that he's still looking out for my grandmother and I, and heck, even my mother. He's still taking care of us and Kaeya is doing the same for you."

He slowly nodded, looking up with watery eyes, "She's not gone?"

"She's right there," I pointed at the necklace, "And there," I pointed to his hearts.

He hugged me unexpectedly, but of course I didn't mind. I hugged right back, a hidden smile on my face. I glanced at the hologram, feeling slightly guilty that I enjoyed this hug in one of her favorite places.

But then she winked...

I looked at her oddly, shaking it off as the Doctor pulled back, "So, you'll take it?"

He nodded, "I'll honor her with it."

"Good," I looked around, finding nothing else to look at, "Should we get going then?"

He sighed and looked at the hologram, "Yeah, she's been disturbed enough."

"Thank you Kaeya..." I said quietly, feeling awkward.

She was dead and here I was trying to get her boyfriend. I wasn't exactly the best person right now...

But the hologram flashed a smile and held out her hand to her right, the ice wall sliding to the side, "Thank you."

"Doctor, how can she understand us if there's no more programming?"

"Kaeya's final orders, I suppose."

"Yeah but she acts weird..."

"She's just doing what she's programmed to do."

"But she winked at me!"

He laughed, pushing me for the new passageway, "Yeah, right."

"But she did!" I glanced back at the hologram, seeing her smile and wink again, "Look!" I turned him around but the damn thing reverted back to its blank state, "Do it again!"

She glanced at us, as if studying us, before uttering three words that would break a piece of my heart, "I loved you. I will find you one day."

I looked at her for a moment, never hating myself so much for being right, "Told you," I turned around and began walking for the passageway.

~0~

"There you are!" Martha greeted us with big hugs when we met her and Mayar in a cave. But then she caught the whiff of the snow mud and immediately backed away, pinching her nose,"What is that?"

"Snow mud," the Doctor replied, nodding, "Leaves a good scent for a couple of months."

"You mean you're both going to be smelling like that for MONTHS?"

"My reaction exactly," I nodded.

"We're used to it," the Doctor shrugged, "You'll be too."

"Okay..." she said, unconvinced as she returned to Mayar, "There's no perfume or anything?"

"No ma'am," he replied, quite amused. It seemed like he was in a much better mood now and of course it had to be because of Martha. She was wonderful like that!

"Yeah, we'll see about that," she shook her head.

"Where did you two go?" he asked us.

The Doctor and I glanced at each other, both having agreed before finding the two to keep Kaeya's sanctuary a secret. She had let us in for a reason and that means she didn't want anyone else to know about it.

"We went to the lake," I answered, "Lovely by the way."

"Ah," Mayar nodded, his hard look returning as he looked at the Doctor.

"You know your princess would disagree with how you're treating him," I said to Mayar, earning an equal harden look back. I felt bad for ruining Martha's work but I would not allow him to make the Doctor feel bad again.

"Minerva," the Doctor placed a hand on my shoulder, "It's alright-"

"No!" I shook his hand off, "It's not. Your princess, your granddaughter, Mayar, would be very disappointed in you."

"You don't know anything about her!" he snapped, stepping up.

"You wanna bet?" I laughed bitterly, stepping up as well.

"Minerva," the Doctor called from behind, reminding me of our agreement.

"I know she had a fascination for my planet, and do you know what was her favorite thing? The peace and harmony we had. And do you know why we had that? Because we were always together. But look at you, you're old, and bitter. You make yourself out to be the lonely victim and you blame the last person of the species that killed your family. But guess what? The fact is you're not alone, your people are still out there, living a good life. Why don't you go after them?"

"Because I don't have a family..." he answered me, barely above a whisper.

"Family isn't just those related by blood. It's having good friends who care about you just like a family would. So instead of blaming people for what happened to your planet, why don't you go and find your own people who thankfully survived because of Kaeya? The Doctor was not responsible for it and I'll be damned if I ever hear that again."

He took in my words, seeming to actually think about it. And I sure hoped he would.

Martha, seeing the tension rising to a brink, moved beside again, clearly breathing through her mouth, "Why don't we go look around instead? There was some drawings in the entrance of the cave that I'm sure you'd love to see, Minerva."

I glanced at the Doctor, seeing he was in no more spirit to be on this planet, "Why don't we go home instead? I think I got enough."

"You sure?"

I nodded, whispering, "Believe me. I got more than I bargained for."

She blinked, not getting. I mouthed 'talk later' then gestured for her to start walking.

~0~

Back in the TARDIS, I was able to write a story with what Martha was able to get from Mayar and from what I got from the Doctor, lots of Kaeya. Afterwards, Martha and I sat in the console, me telling her everything that had happened to the Doctor and I while on the Monsoon. I did burst into sobs a few times here and there but she was really good at comforting.

"So, Kaeya actually loved him?" Martha blinked, taking in the most important aspect of the story, the necklace not so much of her concern for some reason.

"She said she'd find him one day..." I whispered.

"But she's...dead!" Martha got quiet for a second as she thought then nodded, "Yeah, dead!"

"Well if you think about it, her body was never found..."

'Don't deduct, she's dead."

"I can't help it. If she's alive and she finds the Doctor...Martha," I teared up again, "They loved each other. It's going to be the repetition of Rose and this time, I won't be able to handle it."

It was true. When Rose was around, my feelings weren't the same and so as bothered as I was with her and the Doctor, I wasn't heartbroken. But if it were to happen now, where my feelings stand, I don't know what I'd do. Of course, I wouldn't stand between them, I couldn't. I'd let them be happy, because if the Doctor was happy then I would be to...for him.

"Minerva, I don't know what to say anymore," Martha sighed, looking completely lost for words now. That was a first, "But...are you okay?"

"Honestly Martha, I don't know," I shrugged, really not knowing how I felt about this, "I mean, on the one hand, I feel completely jealous and angry towards Kaeya but on the other hand, I understand her and I'm so sorry that she died."

"That seems normal. I probably would feel the same."

"Does it make me a bad person if I'm angry with a dead girl? Just because she happened to love the same man that I fell for?

She smiled softly, shaking her head, "No because that same person that's angry just finished up a story on the other girl. Plus, it's not like you'd kill her for it. It's natural to be jealous."

"Still, I can't help feel guilty for it."

"Don't be," she gestured to my notebook, "No more guilt. Because you're incredibly sweet and on another occasion, you two would have been good friends."

"I swear, if she ever did come back and the Doctor loved her and wanted to be with her, I wouldn't dare step between them. Ever. Because if she was the one that made the Doctor happy then I'd be happy too."

"See, it's that trait that makes you different from Rose," Martha pointed, leaving me perplexed onto how we moved onto Rose now.

"What? ...what?"

"You know my disdain for her, but apart from all that, I truly believed she was selfish. She treated you badly because she thought, she assumed, you liked the Doctor."

"She was just jealous..."

"But did she ever stop to wonder that maybe the reason why the Doctor was more...close..." she tried finding the right word but by the face she was making it was clear that she hadn't found it.

"We weren't close," I corrected quietly, remembering just how distant the Martian and I actually were in those days, "He didn't even know my name."

"'Close' wasn't the word I wanted but he interacted better with you," she paused for a moment, probably trying to think of better words but once again came up with nothing, "And I don't think Rose ever stopped to think that maybe he actually liked you back then."

"He did not," I informed flatly, knowing it was a fact.

"Yes, but maybe it was developing at that time," Martha clarified, "Maybe he didn't even know it. And hey, maybe you didn't even notice. But the biggest difference between you and Rose is that you would never be rude to Kaeya nor treat her the way Rose treated you because you shared the same affection for the Doctor. You would step back and allow the Doctor to be happy with whomever he chooses."

"I would, I really would step back," I whispered, looking down as I felt tears prick in my eyes, forcing themselves free.

"And that's what Rose didn't do," Martha said softly, offering a smile of comfort, "She was rude to you and she made it seem like it was your fault. She never stopped to wonder what the Doctor wanted. It was just what Rose wanted. That's pretty selfish of her."

"Thanks Martha," I hugged her, "You have no idea how much of good friend you are. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be completely lost with your feelings for the alien," she chuckled.

"Very," I agreed as I pulled back, "Martha, I'm so sorry for what I said after we left McDonnell's ship. I didn't mean to be rude to you and-"

She raised a hand, stopping my apology midway, "I get it, don't worry."

"But I'm really sorry," I insisted, "You have been nothing but kind to me and not to mention patient with this new dilemma in my life concerning my blood. I'm very sorry."

"Minerva, it's okay," she assured, "If I was mad, I wouldn't have gotten the Doctor to come and talk. I know what you were saying was out of the moment. It's fine."

"Oh Martha," I hugged her again, "You're such a good friend to me!"

"Hey, I'm just glad you're feeling better. After everything from the ship, you've been a little, um..." she made a face, possibly trying to be cautious of her words.

"Emotional, crazy, mess, wreck, yeah," I sighed, "I do feel a lot better, though. It was just the hype of the moment...but I'm better...progress..."

"It's not all better, though, huh?"

I shook my head, "It's too much, Martha. One day, I'm going to break."

"No you won't, because your friends are here for you."

"Thank you," I smiled.

""Minerva?" we heard the Doctor call, making us look over and see him by the corridor's threshold, "Can I talk to you for a second?"

By the look he wore it seemed he had found something interesting in the necklace. I glanced at Martha, smiling apologetically for leaving her.

"You know what," she stood up, "We were done anyways. Take my place," she gestured to the empty spot beside me before walking off.

The Doctor waited for her to be a good distance in the corridors before approaching me and taking out the necklace, "So I studied..." he took the seat Martha had left, "...and turns out it does need to be kept hidden."

"Why?"

"Remember that crystal with Lazarus?"

"Yeah..."

"It's made out of the same material. I think this necklace came from that crystal."

"And...what would that mean, exactly?"

"I don't know, the crystal changed Lazarus, remember? It unlocks, it heals, it makes certain genes dominant."

"Why would Kaeya make it into a necklace, then?" I frowned, so lost there were no coherent thoughts in my head.

"There's something more," he stared at the necklace, "Its registering large amounts of energy, like there's something living inside it."

"That's not possible," I shook my head.

"I don't mean actual life," he shrugged, his gaze still locked on it, "Maybe the energy is large enough to create life."

"You know, maybe it's registering spirit energy," I wiggled my fingers, getting a smile out of him, "You know? Like that paranormal stuff when they're hunting for ghosts. Like in the movies where the spirits look after things that should never fall in the wrong hands."

He raised an eyebrow, "...now you've gone too far. You've been watching too many movies."

"Just Scary Movie Two," I shrugged.

"No more," he pointed.

"Let's focus on the necklace, shall we?" I took it by the chains, avoiding the symbols which seemed to want to hurt me for some reason, "I suppose she made the necklace thinking in you," I looked at the two suns, understanding Kaeya's curiosity for them, "She really loved you..."

"Don't say that," he whispered, staring at the necklace sadly.

"It hurts, doesn't it? To lose someone you love." It didn't matter if it was love for your family or romantic love, love was love, and any time you lose someone it hurt millions. And I understood that perfectly with Liv and my grandfather.

"Please don't..."

"Why don't you accept that you love her?" I found myself asking the same question Martha had annoyed me with, now fully understanding the need to just know why one would refuse to accept feelings that were so clear.

"Because, I...no," he shook his head, looking as if it actually pained him to even think of the possibility.

"Doctor, it's alright to admit it. Sure, it could hurt because she's not with us anymore, but..." I stopped when he shook his head even harder, "...Doctor?"

"I'm so confused," he mumbled, shutting his eyes and leaning back on his seat.

I frowned at the way he looked, so pained and really...disdained. I just wanted to comfort him, maybe like Martha did to me, but I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to hug him, and all these things a friend couldn't say like how much I cared for him, how precious he was, and most of all, I couldn't kiss him til he was better.

"Minerva," he opened his eyes, opening his mouth to say something.

"Yes?"

But he closed his mouth and shook his head, "No, nothing."

"Doctor, you know you can talk to me about Kaeya whenever you want," even if it broke me inside, "Whenever you need a little reminder that it wasn't your fault, I'm here."

I managed to get a dim smile from him, "Thank you," he sat up, "And actually, I've yet to thank you for sticking up for me today. You looked so sure of what you were saying..."

"Because I am sure. I know it wasn't your fault. Mayar should be ashamed of how he treated you. Kaeya wouldn't have approved."

"Thank you," he said sincerely, "I'm just sorry I didn't get to show you the planet so you could write."

"Oh! That wasn't a problem, actually, cos looook," I picked up my journal beside me and waved it for him to see, "Guess what I just finished?"

"You wrote something?" he took it from me and opened it up.

"Star-Crossed, I call it," I watched him open the first page, "A tale of two people who became the best of friends despite of the differences of their people. Sounds a bit cliche but I changed it up. You're a Martian," I smirked as his face fell.

"I'm a...what?"

"Martian."

"You didn't."

"But I did," I nodded, my smirk threatening to turn into a big laugh.

"Minerva!"

"Kaeya remains of the monsoon and the moon."

"Why'd you make me a Martian?"

"Because I thought it'd be funny...and I knew it'd tick you off."

"Minerva!"

I started to laugh, "I'm really not sorry, though."

He sighed, so crossed yet not uttering another word for a minute or two as he skimmed a few pages, "Is that Martha?" he pointed at a paragraph that contained her name.

"Yes, it is. You can't expect me not to write in my best friend."

"I don't see a Minerva in here," and he skimmed more pages, "Why not?"

"Um...there was no purpose for one," I shrugged.

I did think of writing myself into the story but it actually pained me to write myself in a story where I still couldn't have the Doctor. Instead, I made Martha Kaeya's best friend, and the Doctor the one she loved...which she did.

"There's always a purpose for one," the Doctor mumbled as he continued his search for a name that would never pop up.

"Not in here there wasn't," I sighed, "But I think it turned out really well if you wanna give it a proof read before I turn it in."

"I'd love to," he handed back the journal.

"What?"

"Read it to me," he gestured, "The author should read her own work."

"Is my audience going to listen or cut me off at the end of each sentence?"

He raised a hand, making a promise, "I shall wait until the end to give my opinions."

"And constructive criticism? Because it'd be really useful. My writing grades aren't that hot right now, so...yeah?"

He nodded, "Til the end."

"Okay then, I hope Kaeya likes this. I know she thought Earth's fairy tales weren't good because they were unlikely. But, I believe I wrote her one that maybe she could dream up where she is. And in this story, she gets a happy ending."

He looked at me for a moment, making me question whether I had angered him or not, "You did that for her?" he asked quietly.

I nodded, "Yeah. She deserved a good ending and in this one she'll get it. Hopefully this is one fairy tale she'll like."

He smiled, "You did that for her...you're incredible."

I smiled, looking at my notebook to hide my blush, "Am I now..."

"Let's see, you listened to my ridiculous fantasy with a princess, went with me through a cave we had no idea what we'd find, but most of all made me see that I wasn't to blame for her death. And on top of that, you wrote a story about us. Yeah, you're incredible."

"You always say such things..."

"Because you always do such things."

"Well, thank you," I exhaled a bit shakily that I hoped he hadn't noticed, "So, shall I read?" he nodded, gesturing for me to begin, "Alright..."

But as I read, through the biggest smile I think I ever had, I felt his look on me the whole time.

And I hoped Kaeya would forgive me because I truly loved the attention I received from him and even if she were to pop around any time, things wouldn't change. I'd still enjoy his attention. But I promised myself one thing, and I intended to do so: if Kaeya was alive, and she returned, I would leave the TARDIS for good. Because under no circumstances would I be a third wheel again.

No more.

#ocappreciation #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #doctor who #10th doctor #oc: Minerva Souza #oc: Kaeya Louvier #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 25: Utopia

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: 10th Doctor x Female OC

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: The travelers have reached the end of the world thanks to one Captain Jack Harkness. There, they meet professor Yana who seems to be in possession of a familiar watch and jewel...

// Story Masterlist //

"And so you better be careful from now on," my grandmother, now her actual senior self, finished giving the Doctor, Martha and myself the biggest lecture of the world.

The woman had played us all like fools.

She knew we were time travelers, she remembered perfectly meeting me in 1969, on my birthday. She was chuck-full of questions but I had my own questions for her. If she and my grandfather had seen me in 1969 then they had always known I would somehow, inexplicably end up in that year. They raised me practically knowing I'd somehow time travel and never said a word! I even asked my grandmother how exactly she knew the Doctor wasn't called 'John Smith' and in fact was just 'the Doctor'. She'd just given me a smile and said I had to wait for someone else in the family to give me the answer because, apparently, there was a whole story behind it.

As soon as we had retrieved the box of wonders, the Doctor had taken us to 2007, to my grandmother's front step, November 1st...a day after my birthday. She knew perfectly well where we had been at. As soon as we returned home she made us all sit down and fully explain to her completely of our lives. And to my surprise, the Doctor had told her everything. Starting with his origin, up until today. I felt bad he spilled almost all his life to her, even if it was just the common things Martha knew about him. After his full explanation, I pulled him to the side and told him he didn't have to do that. He shouldn't have to. It was his life and he should speak whenever he wanted to, not just cos one of his companion's grandmother kept asking questions. Even Martha's family wasn't well informed of her whereabouts. But the Martian assured me it was fine and that after so many years of not seeing my grandmother she deserved to know what her granddaughter was really up to and how much I "accomplished". It meant so much to me what he had done. It really only increased my hopes he was doing this because of another reason...one that perhaps could explain his secret kiss.

And I'd tried to talk to him about that lately, but it seemed like every time I was so close to asking him something always came up. It had only been a week since we got out of 1969 and each time I was so close, the Doctor came up with a new adventure for us, or Martha interrupted because she was still sick, or there was a phone call from my grandmother or something. But I was always interrupted I wasn't going to let this one slide, no sir.

The Doctor had kissed me and I wanted to know why.

And now that Martha was finally better and became one less interruption, I became my own interruption. I'd taken care of Martha all week and just when she seemed to be better...

"Achoo!" I sneezed loudly, making the Doctor and Martha jump in their spots.

"Bless you," Martha handed me a tissue.

"Sorry guys," I sniffled.

"Maybe we should get you to bed," the Doctor suggested, Martha nodding in agreement and already moving us for the corridors.

"No," I shook her off and walked back to the Doctor, "I wanna know where we're going."

"Well the answer to that is Cardiff," he slung his arm around my shoulders, "And the response to your answer is, 'yes you're going to bed'."

"No," I shook my head, refusing to leave my spot. I looked up at him, "Doctor, we need to talk," I informed him in a low whisper.

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah...well...actually, no..." I shook my head, really unable to answer that firmly. Inside, my heart was practically bursting with joy. Every time I remembered his kiss, I felt my heart beat so fast that I was afraid he could hear it. I felt my lips tingle when I remembered whose pair had been on them. There was even a stupid grin on my face each time I remembered the sensation of them...

But it also felt like a curse.

No matter how happy I was, despite being ill, I had to think of Kaeya. In the beginning, she had been the reason why the kiss the Doctor and I shared in China hadn't led to anything. The Doctor had thought of her instead and last time I heard, he was still in love with her. Then there was Rose. I knew he didn't love her but...she still managed to attract him. The two women had done something that I just couldn't do to get him to tell me what he felt for me. And despite our small kiss, which I wasn't even supposed to know about, it could have been just a small tease of what I would never get. Which was it? A kiss to show that there was a connection, or a kiss that defined our relationship as just a friendship?

"Why are we going to Cardiff?" Martha asked, ending the silence that had fallen which I didn't even notice.

"Cardiff is built on a rift in time and space, just like the California and the San Andreas Fault. The rift bleeds energy and every now and then I need to open the up engines, soak up the energy and use it as fuel."

"In other words it's a pit stop," I teased, still gazing up at him, I just couldn't stop..

"Ha, yes," he shook his head, placing a hand on my forehead, "No fever, but still," he tried turning for the corridors.

"No!"

"Hey wait a minute," Martha stopped us, a suspicious look in her eyes as she looked at the Doctor, "They had an earthquake in Cardiff a couple of years ago, was that you?"

"Yes," I answered for him, "I wasn't there but apparently it was Slitheen."

"No one told you to go to some camping trip," the Doctor shrugged.

"No one told me you were coming. In fact, you didn't even tell me you stopped by." There was a hint of sadness in my tone as I looked away, "I wouldn't have known it was you if Mickey hadn't explained the whole thing to me."

I didn't like to remind him it was during the time he barely acknowledged me but he always knew his last incarnation was more attached to Rose than anyone else.

"Right, sorry about that," he pulled me into his arms for a nice, warm hug, "It was a long time ago. Lifetimes. I was a different man back then. And definitely not one I'd like to be again."

"Because of the big ears?" I grinned up until I started coughing and pulled away.

"Oi," he pointed back, frowning, "Watch it."

"And now it's been replaced by big hair."

"We-" he stopped, thinking hard on that one, "It's big, good hair."

I rolled my eyes, coughing one final time, "If that's what you'd like to tell yourself," I walked past him to the console, blushing at my sudden thought of running my hand through it. Thanks to that kiss, I've been having more and more thoughts of him that always made me blush.

"I'm gonna let that one go because you're currently sick and diddly-daddling," he moved to lever on the console, "Well, Finito. All powered up," he looked at the monitor for a second and had a look of panic for some reason.

"Everything alright?" I was able to ask before he literally yanked me to his side, his arm around my waist, while the other pulled the lever and sent the TARDIS off.

"What's going on!?" Martha cried as she clung to the chairs.

The console sparked and the Doctor and I fell back on the floor with a thud. He quickly pulled himself and checked up,"We're accelerating? The year one billion. Five billion. Five trillion. 50 trillion..."

I pushed myself up to the console and grabbed on for what seemed my life, "What? Why?"

"The year 100 trillion! That's impossible!"

"Why? What happens then?" Martha questioned.

"We're going to the end of the universe," he said, eyes full of shock.

The box lurched one final time then came to a halt, all three of us glancing at each other. Neither of us moved for a good minute or two.

And then I sneezed, "Sorry. So are we gonna see where we are?"

"I don't know." the Doctor said, his eyes fixed on the doors, "We've landed..."

"And where, would be the question be," Martha fixed herself.

"No idea."

"Hm, say that one again, it's rare," I remarked.

"Well, not even the Time Lords came this far. We should leave. We should go. We should really, really...go."

I smirked, "Meaning..."

He grabbed my hand and ran us out the door, Martha hollering us yo wait up. We were in a very bleak environment, sort of cliffs of different sizes.

"Oh my god!" Martha exclaimed, making us see a man on the ground completely unconscious and then ran towards him, "Can't get a pulse. Hold on, you've got that medical kit thing," she rushed back to the TARDIS.

I coughed and moved forwards...only for the Doctor to pull me back, maintaining a tight grip on my hand, "Doctor, what's wrong? We've got to help him and I doubt he can do anything when he's unconscious."

But he just stared at the man with a cold look as if the man was a menace.

"Here we go, out of the way!" Martha pushed past us, "Sorry!"

"Funny, he doesn't look very futuristic," I remarked, studying the man as much as I could from a distance. "That coat looks more like World War II."

"I think he came with us," the Doctor said, calmly.

"How do you mean? From earth?" Martha looked back.

"Must've been clinging to the outside of the TARDIS all the way through the vortex. Well, that's very him."

"You know him?" I blinked, now really confused on why we couldn't move up to the man. "From where?"

"He traveled with us back in the old days. With Rose and I."

"Hold on, is that...is that Jack?" I looked at the man, unconsciously pulling my hand from his, "That flirty man Mickey talked about?" He had a lot to say about that Jack man. Apparently, Jack lived to flirt and it was plain annoying. I suspected there was more to that but Mickey always got riled up so I saw no point going any further on the subject.

"But he's...I'm sorry, there's no heartbeat," Martha shook her head, "He's dead." Suddenly, he came back to life with a huge gasp, grabbing Martha and scaring her along.

"So much for dead," I blinked, confused.

"It's all right now, just take a deep breath," Martha instructed, helping him sit up despite still processing what had just happened.

"Captain Jack Harkness. And who are you?" he asked as he came around.

"Martha Jones."

"Nice to meet you, Martha Jones," he said, flirtatiously.

There it was. I chuckled, "Yup, that's him!"

"Oh, don't start!" the Doctor scolded Jack, still displeased for some reason.

"I was only saying hello!"

"I don't mind," Martha smiled, helping him up to his feet.

I sneezed, "Sorry!"

"And who's the one with the adorable sneeze?" Jack moved onto me, studying from head to toe, "Let's see, brunette, very...very long hair, the green eyes, not so tall...Minerva Souza?" I opened my mouth to argue over that last description but ended up sneezing again, making him laugh, "Adorable!"

"Th-thanks," I sniffled, holding out my hand to shake his, "Promise I've washed my hands."

He chuckled, "I believe you," he shook my hand, "Jack Harkness, and it's very nice to meet you."

"No!" the Doctor pointed at him, "NO," he glared, pulling me back.

"But he was just saying hello," I frowned with confusion.

"Thank you!" Jack exclaimed.

"Hey, you're like the man from 1913," I pointed, confusing him for a moment.

"1913?"

"Yeah, see, apparently I made some poor man named Jack fall in love with me."

"Well," Jack smirked as he ran a hand through his hair, "Us Jack's do have some lookers and good hearts."

I laughed, "I guess so." I looked over to the Doctor and saw him still giving Jack a rather cold look. I didn't understand what it was for. I mean, this was Jack! An old companion of his had returned and he wasn't happy?

"Doctor," Jack said, flatly.

"Captain," the Doctor returned in the same manner.

"Good to see you."

"And you. Same as ever...although...have you had work done?"

Jack scoffed, "You can talk!"

"Oh, yes, regeneration," the Doctor nodded, "How did you know this was me?"

"The police box kinda gives it away. I've been following you for a long time. You abandoned me."

"Did I? Busy life. Move on."

I frowned at their words, abandoned? The Doctor would never do that to anyone...right?

"I just gotta ask...the Battle of Canary Wharf. I saw the list of the dead. It said Rose Tyler," Jack's voice lowered, clearly the blonde had been important to him as well, though I presume less than the Doctor.

"She's alive," I answered, his gaze immediately picking up, "She's perfectly safe."

"Really?" he looked at me incredulously, "You're not joking?"

"Parallel world safe and sound. And Mickey! And her mother!" the Doctor added.

"Oh yes!" Jack exclaimed, hugging him excitedly.

I looked at Martha, slightly upset, "Yay..."

Martha noticed my silence and clapped her hands, separating the two men, "Oi, are we just gonna stand here and hug all day?"

"I don't mind," Jack pulled away and held out his arms for me, "Next hug?"

I chuckled, flustered a bit while Martha laughed as well.

"Uh, no," the Doctor pulled him back, however, pointing a very serious finger at him, "No."

"What's the matter, Doctor? Don't like hugs?" Martha smirked as she came over, stopping beside me, "Can I get one?" She asked Jack.

"Of course," Jack was all for it. He pulled her into a hug while I stayed by the Doctor's side.

"How come I can't hug him?" I frowned, looking at the Doctor with confusion.

"Yeah Doctor, how come?" Martha's smirk widened for some reason.

"Because...because he's..." He'd open his mouth as if to speak but then he would close his it, "...cos he's a flirt and he'll make Minerva uncomfortable."

"Oh how very thoughtful of you," Martha smirked, "Blame him instead," she nodded towards Jack.

"You know what, Minerva and I are going to look around now," the Doctor announced and pulled me to the side where we started walking ahead.

"That was a bit rude," I whispered to him. Not to mention his excuse didn't exactly make sense to me. The last time I remember someone flirting with me had been in China and that was a bad experience but I never said someone flirting with me would make me uncomfortable. Where would he get that idea?

"Just looking out for you," he shrugged, looking straight ahead.

I dared to think he might be jealous or something, considering how flirty I was told Jack was, "Doctor, we need to talk," I whispered so Jack or Martha wouldn't hear since they were right behind us.

"About what?"

"Um..." I bit my lip, this wasn't the ideal place to talk about such a thing, "...can we just, can we just talk as soon as we're finished here?"

"Sure," he noticed my seriousness and nodded, "Are you alright?"

"Hm? Yeah, yeah, fine..."

"So, you wanna tell us more about yourself?" Martha asked Jack, "No offence but you don't really seem normal."

"Nice of you to say," he pretended to be hurt, "Well, I suppose I should start where the Doctor and I had left off...I was stranded in the year 200,100, ankle-deep in Dalek dust, and he-" he made a quick gesture towards the Doctor, "-goes off without me. But I had this," he tapped a device wrapped around his wrist, "I used to be a Time Agent. It's called a vortex manipulator. He's not the only one who can time travel."

The Doctor turned around, looking very irritated again, "Oh, excuse me, that is not time travel. It's like I've got a sports car and you've got a space hopper."

"Wow, boys and their toys," I laughed.

"All right, so I bounced," Jack shrugged, "I thought '21st century, best place to find the Doctor' except that I got it a little wrong. I arrived in 1869 and this thing burnt out so it was useless."

"Told you," the Doctor muttered.

"So I had to live through the entire 20th century waiting for a version of you that would coincide with me."

"Wait a minute, that would make you more than a 100 years old," Martha said, confused.

"And looking good, don't yah think? I went to the time rift, based myself 'cause I knew you'd come back to refuel. Until finally I get a signal on this detecting you and here we are."

"Doctor, why would you leave him behind?" I asked, curious, that just didn't seem like him.

"I was busy," he shrugged casually.

"Busy?" I took his casualness of the topic with offense for Jack, Martha and myself. He really looked like he wasn't the least bit guilty about leaving Jack behind...when the man was in the same room as daleks. Thinking about it just made me angrier. "So is that what you're gonna do to Martha and I one day? It's gonna be a "busy day" and all...or is that just fancy code for getting bored?" I yanked my hand out of his when he remained silent. "Do you get bored with your companions one day and disappear?"

"Not if you're blonde," Jack muttered.

"Oh, she was blonde? What a surprise?" Martha said, sarcastically.

I wasn't joking and they weren't helping. "Doctor?"

"We're at the end of the universe, all right? We're at the edge of knowledge itself and you're busy...blogging! Come on," he reached for my hand again but I stepped away from him.

"No, no, see, because...this, this right here," I pointed, "This is really learning what happens to us. Rose was right, you'll just stop talking about us one day and..." I couldn't even finish the sentence, the thought of him never talking about me anymore in the future when he's got some new companion...it hurt. It hurt my insides and worst of all, he seemed angry that I was saying that, like it wasn't his fault at all. He had the responsibility to at least tell us how our fate as companions would end, both to me and Martha, "...you're just gonna leave me behind," I whispered, moving ahead from them all.

Like Sarah Jane, I could be dropped off and never spoken of again until one day we magically re-meet and an explanation is forced out of him. It was hard, especially with everything that I felt, to even think of that possibility. Now I knew exactly what Rose had felt on the day we met Sarah Jane. It was as if all the hope and practically our world crumbled down at the thought that the man we cared for so much would one day leave us out of the blue, with no explanation given. But somewhere inside of me wanted to think that Rose and I were different, at least to the Doctor. The Doctor said he hadn't loved Rose and he'd given me a secret kiss. Yes, I know they'd kissed in the past too, I saw one of those but it didn't mean anything to the Doctor. With me...there existed that possibility that it could mean something. And if the kiss meant something, I had to mean something to him beyond friendship...and that would mean he couldn't leave me behind, right?

"Minerva, come back," the Martian called.

"No, leave me alone," I shook his hand off my arm, "Go leave me behind like you did to Jack."

"Okay, listen to me please," he turned me around, "It was different, okay? Jack is just...something complicated, and I'll admit it: I was scared. I didn't know what to do and leaving him was wrong, alright? It was outright wrong."

Well, there was at least guilt on his face now. He wasn't completely horrible. "Really?" I asked, still studying his every movement.

"Yes, really. I won't ever leave you behind, do you hear me? Never."

"So...you're not gonna pick up some ginger and leave me?"

He smiled warmly, "Never. The only ginger I want in my box is me. I deserve to be ginger."

He got me to smile as usual, shaking my head, "You'd make a fine ginger."

"I would," he agreed with pride, "Now I know your sick and all, but you really need to understand that I will never drop you off. I don't want us to be separated. I simply refuse to lose you."

That last one made my heart flutter, "Yeah?"

"Oh yeah," he nodded, "We're a team, and a good one, and I don't plan on giving up my partner for anything."

"Me neither," I said.

"Good, I hope that clears up your doubts," he hugged me, "Always together."

"Always," I nodded.

"You okay, Minerva?" Martha's voice called, and as we pulled away she and Jack were just catching up, "How do you feel?"

"Fine, now," I shrugged, smiling as I felt my hand being taken by the Doctor again.

Martha's eyebrows raised at the action, probably thinking something had been said. I gave her a sharp look before she dared to open her mouth, I wanted to say it to the Martian. I wanted to talk to him and finally tell him everything he makes me feel. I had to be me and it had to be alone.

"Hey, what's that?" Jack nodded behind us, making us all turn around to see the edge of the cliff and a desolate ruins below.

"Is that a city?" Martha moved up beside me, gazing out.

"A city or a hive. Or a nest. Or a conglomeration," the Doctor explained, "Looks like it was grown. But look there. That's like pathways, roads…Must have been some sort of life. Long ago."

"So what killed it?"

"Time. Just time. Everything's dying now. All the great civilizations have gone. This isn't just night. All the stars have burned up and faded away into nothing."

"It must have an atmospheric shell. We should be frozen to death," Jack looked up to the sky, missing the look the Doctor was giving him, still a bit cold.

"Well, Minerva, Martha and I, maybe. Not so sure about you, Jack.

"So what about the people, then?" I asked, wanting to divert any more disagreements between any of us, "Do they all just die? No survivors?"

"I suppose we have to hope. Life will find a way."

"Well," I tilted my head, seeing a man running alone one of the pathways below, "I don't think he's having much trouble with it."

Of course then we saw a group running after him.

"Is it me, or does that look like a hunt? Come on!" the Doctor started running to help the man, pulling me with him and the other two trailing behind.

Jack let out a big laugh as we ran down a roadway, "Oh, I've missed this!"

I had to laugh as well, "You're insane!"

He reached the man first and grabbed him, "I've got you!"

"We gotta run! They're coming!" the man pointed back to the chasers.

Jack passed the man along to us then pulled out a revolver and aimed it at the group.

"Jack, don't you dare!" the Doctor yelled.

Jack fired up into the air instead, making everyone stop in their tracks.

"What the hell are they?" Martha asked, the chasers looking like humans but we all know that wouldn't confirm anything. Looks are deceiving.

"There's more of them. We've got to keep going," the man insisted, terrified for his life.

"I've got a ship nearby. It's safe, not too far, it's just over there," the Doctor pointed up to where the TARDIS was only to see more of the creatures running from that direction, "Or maybe not."

"We're close to the silo. If we get to the silo, then we're safe."

"Silo?" the Doctor looked at us.

"Yes, please," I nodded, sneezing.

"Definitely," Martha agreed.

'Silo, here we come!" Jack exclaimed and we all ran again.

~0~

We arrived to a gated property where human guards stood by the doors. "It's the futurekind! Open the gate!" the man, Prada, apparently, yelled as we ran forth.

"Show me your teeth! Show me your teeth!" One of the guards ordered.

"Show them your teeth," he said to us. We stood on the other side of the gate with wide smiles and allowed them to see our teeth. "Human! Let them in!" the guard yelled.

The gates opened and we ran inside, nearly dropping to the ground out of exhaustion. I coughed like crazy, never having problems with asthma but run while your sick and you'll magically be out of breath in less than a minute.

"Humans. Humani. Make feast," one of the chasers said to us from the other side, the gates properly closed again.

"Go back to where you came from. I said go back! Go back!" the guard aimed a gun at them.

"Oh, don't tell him to put down his gun," Jack swayed his head.

"He's not my responsibility,"the Doctor shrugged.

Jack scoffed, "And I am? That makes a change."

"Jack, guns aren't nice, nice people shouldn't have them," I tried to ease that tension that just kept coming back between those two, "You shouldn't have one," he just smiled.

"Kind watch you. Kind hungry," the creature said before they all left.

"Thanks for that," the Doctor said to the guard.

"Shouldn't have ran," Martha moved over, putting a hand on my back as I coughed again.

"Sorry, but I wanted to live."

"My name is Padrafet Shafekane," the man had moved to the guard, "Please tell me, can you take me to Utopia?"

"Oh yes, sir. Yes, I can," the guard nodded, leading us into a large tunnel that was carved into a mountain.

~0~

"It's a box, a big blue box. I'm sorry, but I really need it back. It's stuck out there," the Doctor was saying to the guard that brought us inside.

"I'm sorry, but my family were heading for the silo. Did they get here? My mother is Kistane Shafekane. My brother is Beltone," Padra added, the poor guard juggling both insisting men.

"The computers are down but you can check the paperwork. Creet!" the guard called and a young boy, nearly nine or ten by the looks of it, stuck his head around a corner, "Passenger needs help."

"Right, what do you need?" He walked over, holding a clipboard in his arms.

"A blue box, you said," the guard continued with the Doctor.

"Big, tall, wooden. Says, 'Police'."

"We're driving out for a last water recollection. I'll see what I can do," the guard said before leaving.

"Sorry, but how old are you?" Martha asked the little boy.

"Old enough to work. This way!"

He led us down the corridor where people were on the ground, almost camping, "Anyone? Kristane and Beltone Shafekane! Anyone know the Shafekane family? Anyone called Shafekane?"

"This is like a refugee camp," I whispered to the others.

"Stinking," Jack said just as we passed a fairly large man who didn't seem too fond of his commentary, "Oh, sorry, no offence."

"Don't you see that? The ripe old smell of humans," the Doctor opened his arms, looking brightly.

"I do not smell like this," I frowned.

"No, you smell like," he took a sniff of me, "Vanilla...and apple-scented tissues."

"Shut up," I mumbled, crossing my arms, discreetly smiling to myself.

"You survived," he reminded, "Oh, much better than a million years evolving into clouds of gas. And then another million as downloads, but you always revert to the same basic shape. The fundamental humans. End of the universe and here you are. Indomitable! That's the word! Indomitable! Ha!"

"Is there a Kistane Shafekane?" Creet continued to call.

Finally, a woman stood up, "That's me!"

"Mother?" Prada went straight for her arms, encasing her in a big hug.

"At least his mom cares," I mumbled, thinking no one would hear me.

"We care for you," Martha reminded, the Doctor nodding in agreement, both making me smile.

"Captain Jack Harnkess," we heard Jack announce. We looked back and saw him shaking a good-looking man's hand, "And who are you?"

"Oh, brother," the Doctor rolled his eyes, "Stop it!" he called and walked for a door, using the sonic on it, "Give us a hand with this," Jack reluctantly took his hand back from the man and joined us, "It's half deadlocked. See if you can overwrite the code," Jack got to work on the keypad beside the door while he continued with the screwdriver, "Let's find out where we are," the Doctor said, right before the door slid open and almost fell out if it wasn't for Jack grabbing him.

"Gotcha, how did you ever cope without me?" Jack teased.

"Now that is what I call a rocket," Martha peered down.

"So then these people aren't refugees, they're passengers," I took a peek as well.

"They said something about Utopia," the Doctor said, remembering, "Perfect place. 100 trillion years, it's still the same old dream. Do you recognize those engines?"

"Nope, whatever it is, it's not rocket science," Jack shook his head, "But it's hot, though."

"Boiling," the Doctor closed the door, 'But if the universe is falling apart, what does Utopia mean?"

"The Doctor?" an elderly man hurried up to us but directed himself to Jack instead.

"Uh, no, that's me," the Doctor raised a finger.

"Good," the man turned to him and shook his hand, leading him away, "Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good."

The Doctor looked back to us, dead serious, "It's good apparently."

~0~

The elderly man, a professor, had led us into a lab where a blue, insectoid alien greeted us, "Chan-welcome-tho." she nodded.

We nodded and walked along, gazing upon the machinery.

"This is the gravitissimal accelerator. It's part of the ..." the professor trailed off as he brought the Doctor further inside.

"Hello, who are you, if I may ask?" I questioned the greeting alien.

"Chan-Chantho-tho," she smiled.

"Captain Jack Harkness," Jack smiled a flashy smile.

"Stop it," the Doctor called.

"Can I say hello to anyone?"

"Chan-I do not protest-tho," the alien confessed.

"Maybe later, Blue," he winked at her then joined the Doctor, "So what have we got here?"

"Minerva, do you hear that?" Martha whispered to me, nodding to Jack's backpack. We started following the man like dogs, wanting to know what was up with that strange bubbling noise.

"Except without a stable footprint we'll never achieve escape velocity. If only we could harmonize the five impact patterns and unify them, well, we might yet make it. What do you think, Doctor? Any ideas?" the professor said, looking about the machines.

"Well, um, basically..." the Doctor sighed, "Not a clue."

"That's twice in a row, Martian," I gave him a sharp look, "You're failing."

"It's not my fault, I've never been here," he defended himself, the professor seeming very disappointed behind him, "I've never seen a system like it. Sorry."

"No, no, I'm sorry," the professor moved around dejectedly, "It's my fault. There's been so little help."

I noticed Jack finally setting his backpack at a sitting area, so I pulled Martha with me and headed for over, "Oooh, whatcha got there?" I peered beside him.

"Curious one, I like it," he tapped my nose.

"Jack!" the Doctor nearly shouted, making us all flinch.

Jack rolled his eyes and opened up his backpack, pulling out a jar with a hand inside, bubbling in its water, "I believe you were curious about this," he pulled up a certain jar with a certain hand.

I tilted my head, eyeing the strange yet familiar hand. "Hey, I know that hand. Doctor! Come here!"

"That's my hand!" the Martian walked over to us, "That's my hand!"

"I said I had a Doctor detector," Jack smiled proudly.

"Chan-is this a tradition among your people-tho?" Chantho asked, confused.

"Not on my street," Martha shook her head, "Now what do you mean that's your hand? You've got both your hands, I can see them."

"Long story, I lost my hand Christmas Day," the Doctor replied, "In a sword fight."

"And you just grew another hand?"

"Um, yeah, yeah I did. Hello," he waved his fingers.

"Might I ask what species are you?" the professor asked.

"Time Lord. Last of. Heard of them? Legend or anything?" he answered, and clearly awaited to be noticed but to his dismay, nothing, "Blimey, end of the universe is a bit humbling."

"Chan-It is said that I am the last of my species too-tho," Chantho said.

"Sorry, what were your name?" he turned to her.

"My assistant and good friend, Chantho," the professor answered for her, "A survivor of the Malmooth. This was their planet, Malcassairo before we took refuge."

"The city outside was yours?" I asked.

She nodded, "Chan-the conglomeration died-tho."

"Conglomeration! That's what I said!" the Doctor exclaimed.

I glanced at him with a disapproving look. "You're supposed to say sorry."

"Right, yes, sorry," he quickly became serious.

"Chan-most grateful-tho."

"I'm sorry but, you grew another hand?" Martha was still stuck on the jar, glancing between it and the Doctor's current hands.

"Hello again," he waved his fingers, "It's fine. Look. Really, it's me," he held out his hand to her.

"But...I..." she glanced at me.

I shrugged. I had a lot of time to process that and move on from it. "I was there."

"And you're not bothered?"

"His surprises have ceased to have an affect on me."

"Oi," he frowned, as if that statement was an utter offence.

"Just like the name the Oncoming Storm has no more meaning to me," I decided to add with a smirk.

"Just because you're sick does not mean you get to be ruder than usual!"

"Says the man who was more excited he was correct than respectful for someone who lost their entire people," I crossed my arms, just daring him to make a comeback.

He opened his mouth when Martha put a hand over his shoulder, "I wouldn't."

And he closed his mouth, losing silently.

"Chan-you are most unusual-tho," Chantho chuckled, lightly.

"So what about those things outside? The Beastie Boys," Jack brought our attention back, "What are they?"

"We call them the Future Kind," the professor replied, "Which is a myth in itself, but, uh, it is feared that they are what we will become unless we reach Utopia."

"And Utopia is...?" the Doctor asked.

"Oh, every human knows of Utopia," the professor said, slightly confused, "Where have you been?"

"Bit of a hermit."

"A hermit with friends?"

"Hermits United. We meet up every ten years. Swap stories about caves. It's good fun...for a hermit. So, um, Utopia?"

The professor led us to a computer that displayed a navigation chart, "The call from across the stars over and over again. Come to Utopia. Originated from that point," he pointed to a blinking red dot.

"And where is that?" I asked.

"It's far beyond the Condensate Wilderness. Out towards the wild-lands and the dark matter reefs. Calling us in. The last of the humans. Scattered across the night."

"And what do you think's out there?"

"I don't know, a colony? Some sort of haven? The Science Foundation created the Utopia Project thousands of years ago to preserve mankind-to find a way of surviving beyond the collapse of reality itself. Now perhaps they found it. Perhaps not. But it's worth a look, don't you think?"

"Oh, yes!" the Doctor exclaimed, happily, "And the signal keeps modulating, so it's not automatic. There's a good sign. Someone's out there. And that's...oh, that's a navigation matrix, isn't it? So you can fly without stars to guide you."

But the professor seemed distant from us, lost in a trance, "Professor," I stepped over, setting a hand on his arm, jerking it back when I heard something in my head...drums? My chest started to hurt for a minute that I had to rub my hand over my heart.

"I..." he shook his head, "Right then, that's enough talk. There's work to do! Now if you could leave, thank you," he walked away.

"You alright?" the Doctor called after him.

"I'm very fine and very busy!"

"Minerva?" Martha gently shook me. "Hey, you okay?"

I had a frown on my face. The pain in my chest was taking its sweet time fading away but I was also focusing on the faint snippet of drums that I had heard. That had certainly never happened to me. Where had it come from?

"Minerva?" Martha called again and turned me around. "Hey, what's going on?"

"I thought...I thought I heard something..."

"Like what?"

"Don't know...drums? I think Kaeya left some consequences. After I take her stupid necklace and guard it with my life this is what I get?" I sighed, "She and I are going to have some interesting things to talk about when she gets here."

"Good thing is you'll no longer wear the necklace," Martha patted my arm.

I nodded, promising myself I would never even touch that necklace. Kaeya would not have anymore opportunities to nab things that weren't hers. I understood she'd done it with good intentions but that was just not okay in my book.

"Except that rocket's not going to fly, is it?" the Doctor was asking the professor. Of course he hadn't noticed anything. "This footprint mechanism thing, it's not working."

"We'll find a way!"

"You're stuck on this planet and you haven't told them, have you? That lot out there still think they're gonna fly."

"Well, it's better to let them live in hope."

"Quite right, too. And I must say, Professor..." the Doctor removed his coat and tossed it to Jack, "Um, what was it?'

"Yana."

"Professor Yana. This new science is well beyond me, but all the same, a boost reversal circuit, in any time frame, must be a circuit which reverses the boost. So, I wonder what would happen if I did this?" he took out the screwdriver and used it on a nearby circuit, switching it on and giving power to everything.

"Chan-it's working-tho!" Chantho exclaimed.

"How did you do that?" Yana asked, incredulously.

"Oh, we've been chatting away. I forgot to tell you, I'm brilliant."

"Way to be modest about it," I smiled softly, "But yes, you are."

"You three?" he pointed at Martha, Chantho and I, "We're gonna some more materials."

"Yes, sir," I saluted.

~0~

"Boy am I glad to see that thing!" Martha exclaimed as we returned to the lab and saw the TARDIS being placed on the floor.

"That makes two," I nodded, sneezing.

"Bless you," she said, "And as soon as we get out of here, you're going straight to bed."

"Yes, mum," I teased.

"Connect those circuits into the spar-same as that last lot but quicker," Jack ordered.

"Yes, sir," Martha smiled.

"That's captain to you," he pointed, making us laugh.

"Professor, are you okay?" I frowned, watching him once again distance himself.

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm fine," he seemed to be coming but the issue was that he kept having these moments. "I'm fine. Just get on with it."

"You don't have to keep working. We can handle it," the Doctor came over, also concerned.

"It's just a headache. Just—Just noise inside my head, Doctor. Constant noise inside my head," he shook his head.

"What sort of noise?"

"Drums," I said quietly, both of them looking at me with surprise. I was beginning to understand where those drums were coming from but now how I had heard them.

"How did you know?" Yana asked.

"Um..." I couldn't exactly say I heard it when I touched his arm, could I? I would have the Doctor on me for that and I felt like there were other things that should be his top priority right now. "...lucky guess, excuse me." I hurried off before anything else could be said.

"How long have you been with the professor, Chantho?" Martha questioned Chantho as I joined them, both working on the circuits.

"Chan-17 years-tho."

"Long time," I remarked.

"Chan-I adore him-tho."

"Oh, right, and he..." Martha trailed off.

"Chan-I don't think he even notices-tho."

"I know how that feels," I nodded.

"Uh, no," Martha pointed, "You're noticed now. He knows you're there and you know he's there. I don't know what's keeping you apart."

I sighed and continued my work in silence. If only she knew what had happened in 1969. But no, this was a secret I wanted to keep to myself and only talk about it with the other person responsible for the secret. She'd get to know about it after everything had been said.

~0~

Professor Yana was having some trouble with a computer he was using to communicate with another person, "I'm here! We're ready! Now all you need to do is connect the couplings. Then we can launch," but he lost connection with Atillo, one of the guards, "God sakes! This equipment! Needs rebooting all the time!"

"Anything we can do?" Martha questioned, us two walking over, "We've finished that lot."

"Yes, if you could," the professor stood up and Martha took his seat, "Just press the reboot key every time the picture goes out."

"Certainly, sir. Just don't ask me to do shorthand."

"Are you still there?" Atillo's voice called from the screen.

"Ah, present and correct. Send your man inside. We'll keep the levels down from here," Yana replied.

"He's inside. And good luck to him."

"Captain, keep the levels below the red," Yana looked back to Jack.

"Where is that room?" I asked, curious.

"It's underneath the rocket. Fix the couplings and the footprint can work. But the entire chamber is flooded with stet radiation."

"Stet? Never heard of that," the Doctor remarked.

"You wouldn't want to. But it's safe enough. We can hold the radiation back from here."

We watched on the screen as the worker worked inside the room but an alarm went off and Yana quickly pointed to Jack, 'It's rising! 0.2. Keep it level!" Yana ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

"Chan-we're losing power-tho!" Chantho cried.

"Radiation's rising!" the Doctor added.

"We've lost control!" Jack yelled.

"The chamber's going to flood," Yana looked at the screen.

"Jack, override the vents!" the Doctor ordered.

Jack held up two cables that were sparking at its tips, "We can jump start the override!" he put both cables together.

"Don't! It's going to flare!" the Doctor warned but it was too late. Jack screamed in pain then collapsed on the ground.

"Oh, not again!" Martha rushed over to him.

"Chan-don't touch the cables-tho," Chantho pushed the cables away from us.

"Jack!" I exclaimed, Martha and I going over to check on him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Yana sighed.

"The chamber's flooded with radiation, yes?" the Doctor asked, calmly.

Martha moved me so she could start doing mouth-to-mouth on Jack.

"Without the couplings, the engines will never start. It was all for nothing!" Yana shook his head.

"Oh, I don't know..." the Doctor over to us, pulling me up, "Martha, leave him."

"You've gotta let me try," she struggled to return.

"Come on, just listen to me," he reached for her and pulled her to her feet as well, "Leave him alone. It strikes me, Professor, you've got a room a man can't enter without dying. Is that correct?"

"Yes..."

"Well..." he looked down to Jack just as he gasped for air, coming back to life, "I've got just the man."

"Was someone kissing me?" Jack asked, panting for air.

"Impossible man, you are," I almost laughed as I moved to help him up.

"Was it you?" he pointed. He didn't look that upset if it was the case that I'd 'kissed him'.

"No."

"...do you want it to be you?"

"Stop it," I gave him a stern look, though chuckling in the end.

Jack grinned. "You learn fast."

"Oh stop it, I think they've got a job for you."

"Yes, we do," the Doctor nodded, pulling me away from him, "Start heading out."

"Head where?" Jack frowned, looking around.

"I don't know, just go," the Doctor shooed him off.

"You're being rude," I turned to him, "Why?"

"I...don't know, gotta go!" And he rushed off after the man who apparently could never die.

"What just happened?" I looked at Martha who was smirking, "What?"

"Too oblivious," were her last words before returning to her work.

~0~

"We lost picture when that thing flared up. Doctor, are you there?" Martha asked, still working on the computer. I stood beside her, wanting to know what those two fools were doing. The lack of supervision was concerning for me.

"Receiving, yeah. He's inside," the Doctor answered.

Alright, I was more worried over the Martian...but Jack couldn't die, so...

"And still alive?" Martha looked at me, still psyched out.

"Oh, yes."

"But he should evaporate. What sort of man is he?" Yana inquired as he joined us.

"We've only just met him," I replied, "The Doctor travels through time and space and picks people. Oh, I think I just made us sound like stray dogs."

"Kind of, yeah," Martha smiled, "But...maybe we are...well, you're more than that."

I rolled my eyes, "You're just as important as I am, Martha."

"So you're just as important as Rose?" she tested me, knowing I would contradict myself.

"He travels in time?" Yana asked, a bit absently.

"Yup, that's the TARDIS back there. The sports car of time travel, he says," I pointed, "Conceited Martian."

"And yet you're head over heels for him," Martha mumbled, receiving an elbow in her ribs afterwards. "Ow..."

"When will you learn not to expose my feelings over a comm. that the Doctor can possibly hear us through?" I whisper-shouted at her, recalling McDonnell's ship where the same thing happened oh-so-many times.

"Oops?" She tried. I shook my head, what would I do with her?

"When did you first realize?" the Doctor's voice came over the computer screen, startling me for the moment but as they continued I relaxed as he hadn't heard anything.

"Earth 1892. Got in a fight in Ellis Island. A man shot me through the heart. Then I woke up. Thought it was kinda strange. But then it never stopped. Fell off a cliff, trampled by horses, World War I, World War II, poison, strangulation, a stray javelin…In the end, I got the message, I'm the man who can never die. And all that time you knew."

"Poor Jack," I whispered, "I'm gonna scold the Doctor when he comes back."

Martha smiled, "Yeah, then he'll sweet-talk his way out of it as usual."

"That's why I left you behind. It's not easy even just…just looking at you Jack, cos you're wrong," the Doctor said.

"Thanks."

"You are, I can't help it. I'm a Time Lord. It's instinct. It's in my guts. You're a fixed point in time a space. You're a fact. That's never meant to happen. Even the TARDIS reacted against you—tried to shake you off. Flew all the way to the end of the universe just to get rid of you."

"So what you're saying is that you're, uh, prejudiced?

"I never thought of it like that."

"Yeah."

"Last thing I remember back when I was mortal…I was facing three Daleks. Death by extermination. And then I came back to life. What happened?"

"Rose."

"I thought you sent her back home," Jack said.

"She came back. Opened the heart of the TARDIS and absorbed the time vortex."

I didn't like hearing about the last regeneration of the Doctor. It made me feel guilty that while Rose had been sent back and done her best to get back inside the TARDIS I hadn't even been there to help. I was on recruitment for a club. It made me feel so bad that each time the Doctor had returned I wasn't even there to greet him. Even if I was ignored I still wanted to see the old goof. So when I returned and heard about Rose and the TARDIS I was devastated. I spent weeks trying to call but I suppose the timelines were out of sync because months for us had only been a couple minutes for the blonde and Martian.

"What does that mean, exactly?" asked Jack.

"No one's ever meant to have that power. If a Time Lord did that, he'd become a god, a vengeful god. But she was human. Everything she did was so human. She brought you back to life but she couldn't control it. She brought you back forever. That's something, I suppose. The final act of the Time War was life."

"Do you think she could change me back?"

"I took the power out of her. She's gone, Jack. She's not just living on a parallel world, she's trapped there. The walls have closed."

"Hey," Martha whispered to me. "You okay?"

"No..." I admitted, "...whenever he talks about Rose, I just..."

"Don't think of her, then."

"It's not that easy, after everything," I sighed, "I know he doesn't love her, but she did. And at one point he was attracted to her. It's troublesome because then I get to thinking, what if they had more time together? What if she hadn't been sent to the parallel world? Would...would he had fallen in love with her?"

"Minerva, what's the point of you getting upset over the past? Get it through your head, Rose is gone. She's from the past. Whatever happened, happened. But that's it."

"Sorry," I shook my head and turned away, stopping when I noticed Yana was staring at the TARDIS, "Professor?"

"Time travel. They say there was time travel back in the old days. I never believed. But what would I know? I'm just a stupid old man," he let tears stream down his face,"Never could keep time. Always late, always lost. Even this thing never worked," he pulled out a fob watch from his pocket, "Time and time and time again. Always running out on me."

My eyes widened, Martha immediately moving beside me, "Can I...can I have a look at that?" I reached for him.

"Oh, it's only an old relic," he chuckled, "Like me."

"Where did you get it?"

"I was found with it."

"What do you mean?"

"An orphan in the storm. I was a naked child found on the coast of the Silver Devastation. Abandoned with only this," he held it out, "Well, this and a crystal."

"What crystal?" There was an odd feeling in my stomach.

He walked across the room, rummaging through some things. Martha and I exchanged glances, wondering if it could be the same...no...no that was ridiculous of us...right? We were at the end of the universe for god's sake!

"This," the professor returned holding a baby-blue and white crystal in his hand, "I supposed it was an heirloom of some kind."

I was horrified at the sight of the familiar crystal. "Oh my god," I put a hand over my mouth, stumbling back.

"Have you opened the watch?" Martha stood up, coming up beside me, her eyes flicking from the crystal to the watch.

"Why would I? It's broken."

"How do you know it's broken if you've never opened it?" I turned the watch over, looking at my necklace's pendant and finding the same types of Gallifreyan symbols on both.

"It's stuck. It's old," he took the pocket watch and tried opening it, "I don't know."

Martha reached for the crystal, turning it over as well, giving me a nod. It was the same one. It was Kaeya's.

"Let me see," I took the crystal from her only to hiss in pain and nearly drop it at the sensation of a burn, "OW!"

Martha lunged for the crystal, catching is just before it reached the floor, "Got it!"

"What is it?" the professor moved beside me to inspect my hands.

"Chan-is everything alright-tho?" the alien also joined us.

"We, um...we should go see if the Doctor needs help," I reached for Martha, she linking arms with me.

"But your hands..." the professor tried to reach for me again but I stepped back.

"They're okay...we're, um...we're gonna go to the Doctor..."

And we dashed off.

~0~

"Doctor!" Martha and I yelled when we found him and Jack working at the control panels.

"Ah, nearly there, the footprint is a gravity pulse," the Doctor was saying, "It stamps down, the rocket shoots up. Bit primitive. It's gonna take the both of us to keep it stable."

"Doctor, it's the professor," I tried, but he continued to mindlessly work, "Doctor?"

"Kind of busy here..." he mumbled.

I frowned and stomped my foot, "Listen to me!"

He stopped and turned, "Gosh, you get a cold and suddenly you become so demanding."

"Can you just listen, this is important. The professor's got this fob watch and it's the same as yours. Same writing on it. Same everything."

He turned back to the controls, "Don't be ridiculous."

"He said he had it all his life," Martha added.

"I'm serious, stop being ridiculous."

"Doctor, you always say I'm always right, well this is no time to doubt that!" I frowned, "Please listen to us. The professor had a crystal too!"

"Seriously, stop being ridiculous."

"We're not!"

"So he's got the same watch," Jack shrugs, "What's the big deal?"

"But the crystal? What about the crystal?" I moved in front of the controls, stopping the Doctor from his work, "Doctor, it was Kaeya's crystal. The one from Lazarus' experiment. I swear."

"That's impossible," he said, sternly, "It can't be."

"But it is! And he's got the fob watch too."

"What is the big deal of a crystal and a watch?" Jack turned around.

"But it's not a watch," Martha said, "It's this chameleon thing..."

"No, no, no." the Doctor snapped, getting irritated again, "It's this...this thing, this device, it rewrites biology, changes a Time Lord into a human."

"And the crystal belonged to the people of the Silver Monsoon," I added.

"But that species is extinct," Jack remarked.

"Except they're not," I corrected, "And that crystal survived too."

"It can't be!" the Doctor moved me out of the way and went on to fix an ongoing alarm.

"That means he could be a Time Lord. You might not be the last one," Jack said.

"Keep it leveled!"

"But that's good, isn't it?" Martha asked, "You're not alone anymore."

"Yes, it is, course it is. Depends on which one, though. And why would he have a crystal of the Monsoon? There was absolutely no way for a Time Lord to get their hands on that crystal."

"Doctor, it's the same!" I exclaimed, frustrated he was so keen on denying it, "He could be a Time Lord and if he is, he has the crystal!"

"But they died, the Time Lords. All of them, they died."

"Not if he was human! Think about it, Kaeya was able to survive and who knows how she did it. If this Time Lord had a fob watch then they could've easily survived!"

"What did he say?" he yelled, suddenly, "What?"

I flinched, completely scared by his sudden change, "Uh...he looked at the watch like he could hardly see it. Like the perception filter was still active. He said the crystal was just an heirloom or something..."

"What about now? Can he see the watch now?" he asked, slightly lower in volume.

"I...I don't know, I...I'm sorry," I stepped back.

"If he escaped the Time War then it's the perfect place to hide," Jack walked over to us, "The end of the universe."

"Think of what the Face of Boe said. His dying words," Martha said, "He said..."

He launched the rocket and finally put his whole mind on the subject. But he blinked all of a sudden, like he had realized something, and glanced at the monitor before picking up a phone, "Lieutenant, have you achieved velocity? Have you done it?" After receiving the answer he hung up and dashed away.

We quickly followed and ran behind. As soon as we reached the main door, it became locked.

"Get it open!" the Doctor yelled, 'Get it open!"

He worked on it with the screwdriver while Jack on the keypad. Finally, it opened and we ran through. In one of the corridors, the future kind had already gotten through so we had to go into a new direction and run even faster. We reached the lab door but again, found it locked.

"Professor!" the Doctor looked in through the window, "Professor! Let me in!"

"They're coming!" I cried, watching the future kind get closer, 'Someone do something!"

"Professor! Professor, let me in! Let me in!" the Doctor insisted, pounding on a small window, "Jack, get that door open!" Jack nodded and got to do that, "Professor! Professor, where are you?! Professor! Professor, are you there?! Please, I need to explain! Whatever you do, don't open that watch!"

"They're coming!" Martha and I cried, poor Jack frustrated with his lack of success.

"Professor! Open the door, please! I'm begging you, Professor! Please! Listen to me!"

"Oh for god's sake!" I snatched Jack's revolver, "Guns aren't nice! But their exterior are!" and I hit the door's keypad with the butt of the revolver, handing it back to Jack as soon as it was done.

The Doctor ran for the TARDIS, professor Yana against it for a second before stepping inside and locked it. The Doctor tried the key but it wouldn't work for some reason and so he tried the sonic...only for the same results to arise. So then he started pounding on the door, "Let me in! Let me in!"

"Oh my god," Martha gasped, diverting our attention to the blue alien on the floor, "Chantho!" She ran for her and checked for vitals, "She's dead..."

"Hey! Minerva, you broke the lock!" Jack exclaimed, struggling to close the door.

"Oh sure, focus on the bad side," I ran to go and help him.

"I'm begging you! Everything's changed! It's only the two of us! We're the only ones left! Just let me in!" the Doctor continued to pound on the TARDIS, nothing happening unfortunately. A couple seconds later, a scream emerged from the TARDIS and when I gave a quick glance there was a faint light coming from it...regeneration.

That couldn't be good.

"Ah!" Martha yelled when the door was nearly pushed open by the Futurekind from the other side.

"Doctor! You'd better think of something!" Jack called.

"Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! Doctor—ooh, new voice," a new man's voice emerged from the TARDIS speakers, "Hello," the new, apparently younger man now, spoke in a lower voice, "Hello," and now in a higher voice, "Hello," he spoke now normally, "Anyway, why don't we stop and have a nice little chat while I tell you all my plans and you can work out a way to stop me? I don't think!"

Martha's head snapped over to the TARDIS, "Hold on! I know that voice!" she stopped helping us.

"Martha!" I cried, struggling to help Jack on my own, screaming when one of the Futurekind's arm broke through the door's small window.

"I'm asking you really properly! Just stop! Just think!" the Doctor pleaded.

"Use my name," we heard the new man order.

"Master. I'm sorry."

"Tough!"

The TARDIS started wheezing...beginning to de-materialize. The Doctor pointed his screwdriver at it, though it still managed to leave.

"We can't hold on much longer, Doctor!" Jack called.

"Oh, no you don't! End of the universe. Have fun. Bye bye!" the new man shouted joyfully.

"Doctor, stop him!" I shouted frantically, seeing the blue box of wonders disappearing from our very eyes.

#ocappreciation #doctor who #10th doctor #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #doctor who imagine #10th doctor imagine #dw imagine #10th doctor fanfics #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 15: The Losses and the Gains

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: To help Minerva finally open up about her past, the Doctor takes her to a Guinguette where the trio can relax and give Minerva their full support.

// Story Masterlist //

I couldn't maintain my sobs under a low volume as I stood in front of my big sister's gravestone. I think my eyes were literally water-wells because the amount of water that streamed down from them were ridiculous, but then again...this was Olivia. Liv. My sister...and she was dead.

"Go ahead," the Doctor urged me, gesturing for me to do what we had come to do.

He had brought me to the one place that could potentially pave the way for my 'recuperation': Olivia's burial site. He and Martha stood behind me while I stared endlessly at Liv's tombstone. I don't know how, but I managed to tell Martha the same story I told the Doctor. And to my luck, she didn't reject me either. She was with the Doctor on this one; I had been wronged, not the other way around. But more importantly, forgetting who was right and wrong, they both comforted me and helped me stand where I am now, the one place I had never been to despite all the traveling I did.

When my mother prevented me from attending Olivia's burial, I thought I'd never gather my courage to come on my own later on. Because as time went by, I was sure that it was my fault Liv was in a coffin and buried. I felt like I'd be a hypocrite for coming to mourn her. I felt like she would judge me from above, and if she could, she'd order me to leave her alone. So when the Doctor told me where we were going, I was initially very resistant to it. But he told me that I was wrong, that everything I thought about Liv was just wrong. He said, if I wanted to be okay, I had to come here. I had to start by finally mourning her.

But the question that burned in my head was...would I ever be okay? Would I ever be fine?

I stepped up and knelt down, placing an orange tulip on Liv's tombstone, her favorite flower, "Olivia, it's me...Joyce, like you used to call me, huh? I forgot about that nickname. I seem to have a thousand, honestly. I know I never came here before, but I hope you're not too angry with me. You know how Mom can be. But honestly, I was afraid to come here. I think you're judging me, calling me a hypocrite because it's my fault you're here...buried..." I paused, swallowing very hard, "...but I just want to say, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for everything I said to you. I was just a jealous kid. Mom and dad always prioritized their time for you and work, and I was so jealous..." I shook my head, looking back and realizing just how bad I was to her at times, "...but it wasn't your fault. You were a good sister, even if we weren't very close, you were different from Mom and Dad. You tried to help me when I needed it, even when I was that annoying little sister that bugged you," I smiled a little, wiping some tears off my face, "But just know that...I'm so sorry, please forgive me." That was the last I could say before I burst into sobs.

"C'mon," the Doctor helped me up, keeping me right beside him and holding my hand, "She knows it's not your fault."

"But what if she doesn't? What if she thinks I killed her too?"

"She can't," Martha said, taking my other hand, "She doesn't."

The Doctor agreed, nodding his head, "Olivia Souza is much smarter than that. She would never think her little sister killed her."

"I miss her so much, Doctor, so much," I covered my mouth and muffled more sobs.

"It's okay," he turned and hugged me, "Just mourn her, let go of your guilt."

I felt like an utter child the way I sobbed, but neither he nor Martha reprimanded me for it. Instead, Martha moved over and joined the hug, both gripping me tightly, like one small family.

~0~

"Minerva, you can't keep this up," the Doctor warned as I was brought to the console room by Martha, practically by the hair.

"I want to go back to my room. I need to finish my school work that I still haven't returned," I cried, releasing myself from Martha's grip.

"I doubt the little work you brought with us from the hospital takes you a full week to finish," the Doctor said, getting a sharp look from me, "You've locked yourself in your room doing school work with no breaks. You can't do that!"

"It's not healthy," Martha said softly, "You've got to talk to us."

"What I need to do is get back to work," I snapped, "I need to be forgiven."

"Olivia has-"

"She's not the one I'm talking about," I cut the Doctor off, "I should've told you this but then again I thought you would've realized it too. I bury myself in work so that I can forget. Liv will never forgive me as well as my mother, but maybe, maybe my grandmother will. But I just need to work hard," I swallowed hard, another round of tears making its way to my eyes, "I need to work."

"Minerva that's not healthy," Martha repeated, much more concerned, "Self blame, withdrawing, anger is part of psychological tr-"

"It's MY FAULT!" I shouted at her, making her jump, "It's my fault, and I have to make up for it," I turned and hurried off for my room.

"Minerva!" the Doctor called, following after me, "Minerva!"

"Leave me alone! I don't want to do it anymore!"

"Do what?" he caught up in one, two and turned me around.

I looked up with glossy eyes, taking everything I had not to cry anything, not in front of him, "This," I gestured to us, "I can't..."

"I'm not following," he eyed me with confusion.

"I don't want to cry in front of you anymore," I confessed, "I feel like I could re-fill the river Thames we drained up with Donna after all the crying I've done. It embarrasses me that you've seen me like this. You weren't supposed to. I was just supposed to tell you what happened to Liv and then move on like I did with Jackie and Mickey. But you make me go in depth and tel you everything and I makes me cry," I quickly rubbed off said tears, "I wanna talk to you but I don't want to cry anymore."

"We can work with that," he declared, looking like an idea had just sparked in his head, "We'll talk, and I know just the place. A lively place where the only thing you can do is smile, laugh, eat, or dance. Or all of the above!"

"I'm not up for any of that, Doctor," I shook my head.

"Go to the wardrobe and dress for 1848."

" I don't-"

"I know you love playing dress up in that room so go and pick out a dress or I will go in myself and take out the first thing I see and I guarantee you will not like it so go," he pointed ahead, acting so authoritative it was actually kind of amusing I just had to smile a little, "Heeey, you're smiling!'

"I don't know how you do that," I shook my head.

"It's a gift," he shrugged and turned me for the wardrobe room, "Now go."

"But I don't want to-"

"Yes, you do, now go!"

"But what about Martha?"

"Oh yes! Go get her too! 1848, remember that."

"Where are we going?"

He grinned deviously, "My secret."

"But-"

"Just go or I'll choose the dress, and trust me-"

"I don't want that to happen, yeah," I rolled my eyes and started for Martha, "I got it.

Whatever this Martian had in mind, I was so not in the mood for it.

~0~

"There, you look pretty," Martha complemented, pushing part of my hair over my shoulder and moving aside to allow me to see myself in the mirror.

As much as I hated the idea of going somewhere, the Doctor was right, I did love playing dress up with the wardrobe room. The fact there were clothes from all types of historical periods fascinated me! At times, the Doctor would often be searching for me only to find me lounging around, picking out clothes I would wear on our next trips. Though because this was a sudden trip, an unexpected one, I wasn't entirely sure what to wear - that the fact that my head couldn't deal with such petty things. But Martha stepped in, and she took care of it, as usual.

Right now, I wore an ankle-length, midnight blue dress of organza silk. Its long-sleeves were laced up and reached to my wrists. The dress was in a v-neckline manner and the bodice area was black and laced up as well; the same type of black lace outlined the the dress' hemline. The skirt was in a tulle style with many flounce layers to expand and make the dress wider as it would belong to the 1840s. My hair cascaded down with only two twists on either side of my hair, held up with black pins.

"Do you think it needs earrings?" Martha asked, now checking herself in the mirror.

She wore an elegant, deep red dress. It was another long-sleeve, with a red and black pattern adorning her arms and, bodice area, and skirt. It was a straight across neckline style with a small, black necklace falling above it. Along the hemlines was a shiny, black silk laced pattern. Her hair was picked up and even curled at the end. She looked stunning!

"Whatever you do, Martha, you'll look great," I shrugged, watching her choosing between two pairs of black earrings, "But I think the people in that time didn't really care about them."

"Yeah, or didn't know what they were," she chuckled and set the boxes down, "Change my mind, I don't want any."

"Then I suppose it's time to go," I sighed and walked for the doors.

"You're not so happy with this mysterious trip, are you?" she crossed her arms.

"I'm afraid," I opened the doors.

"You shouldn't be. Your sister forgave you, I mean, she probably knows it really wasn't your fault, but-"

"I'm afraid I'll let the Doctor down," I corrected, cutting her off midway.

"Of what?"

"He's gonna expect some big, miraculous recovery of a pain that's lasted for over three years, plus the pain before Olivia's death. He's going to want to see me get over it by the time we return and...and I can't do that, Martha," I shook my head, shutting my eyes as I felt a bit of water rushing up to them, "I can't."

"Hey, hey," she walked over, putting a hand on my shoulder, "He doesn't expect that from you. Neither of us expect that from you. Don't feel pressurized, please. What he expects, what we both expect, is for you to confide in one of us, both of us if you like, so that you can finally breathe a little. I'm no psychologist, barely a Doctor," she paused and we both smiled, "But I know it can't be good for someone to keep such a trauma bottled up, especially if that kid already had problems with her family to begin with."

"I'm no kid," I argued weakly, smiling.

"No, you're not," she smiled back and opened the door for us and we started walking towards the console room, "You're pretty grown up."

"Yeah..."

"I mean, you take care of yourself on your own, that includes education and personal needs without bothering anyone else. You're really mature and grown up," she shrugged, "Never seen anyone like you."

"Thanks."

"And sometimes, you're even more grown up than the Doctor," she whispered, though our laughter was loud.

"Is that a laughter I heard?" the Doctor called, working on the console; more like breaking things as usual, "From Minerva?"

"It's not out of this world," I mock-glared.

"After a week, I think it is," he walked over, stopping to study us both.

"Oh here we go," Martha rolled her eyes, "Fashion criticism time. Alright, give us your worst."

He rolled his eyes at her and shook his head, "You look like red wine."

"I can't tell if that's an insult or not, can you?" she glanced at me.

"Red wine is usually elegant," I offered, shrugging.

"Oh, I'm elegant," she considered it for a while more, "Okay, I'll take it. And what you got for her?" she nodded to me, "Smurf?"

"Oi," I frowned for a second and made her laugh, "You picked this one out. Were you trying to make me look bad?" she playfully rolled her eyes while shaking her head.

"You look...beautiful," the Doctor remarked, looking me over.

"Mmm, I get red wine and she gets 'beautiful', I got you alien," she narrowed her eyes as if warning him, "I got you."

"Martha stop," he ordered lightly, "You really do look beautiful though," he smiled at me and suddenly I had an actual blush warming up my face, "How are you feeling?"

"Um..." I cleared my throat, hoping his oblivion would actually work to my favor at the moment while my blush disappeared, "...just..." I shrugged, no answer for that question, and I wondered when exactly I would be able to answer it.

"Well, I was hoping this place could kind of cheer you up," he sighed, looking at me for another moment, only enforcing the dang blush, "Hopefully I'll manage to do that."

~0~

We stepped out all together, my eyes covered by the Doctor's hands yet Martha freely looking around. It only made me squirm even more when I heard her gasp and 'awe'. As bad as I felt, my curiosity always won over.

"Can I please see, now?" I asked for the third time in the one minute we'd been here.

"Oh, seems like I'm doing well so far," I could almost hear the Doctor's cocky grin with that remark.

"It's only because you're covering my eyes and therefore my curiosity will obviously rise," I clarified, "Now can I please see?"

"You're gonna love it, Minerva," Martha assured, though sounding distracted as she probably was still looking around.

"One...two...three," the Doctor took his hands off my eyes and allowed me to see what was so 'great' that made my friend gasp and awe.

I blinked, looking around as the sun partially covered up my vision. It was very beautiful, I'll admit first. There were bright, green vines covering buildings and trees, and...tree-houses? There were people inside those 'tree houses'! Others were inside the main building where the laughter and clattering of dishes alerted us it was another restaurant building. But there were tables set down on the ground, adults chattering while children scurried around. There were small games set around, different pairs playing them while others opted for horse rides around the establishment. I think I even saw an elegant swing set behind the several trees and besides the building.

"Where are we?" was all I could say at the sight, eyes quickly scanning one thing and another.

"Le Plessis-Robinson," the Doctor answered, "A guinguette, mind you. Opened in 1848 and was a hit for several years."

"Those are tree houses," I pointed up.

Wrong," he moved beside me, hands behind his back, "Those are private places to have a nice meal with friends and family."

"But that's incredible," Martha gawked, "Oh I am so riding a horse," she quickly glanced at me, "After we talk of course, you first."

"Don't let me hold you back, Martha," I said, "Go on if you'd like that."

"No, I mean it. Look, I get why you told the Doctor about your sister, but you had no obligation to tell me. And yet, you did. It makes me think I'm becoming a part of your friendship, and I'm so thankful."

"Well, before we cry for unnecessary reasons," the Doctor began and took each of our hands into his. "Why don't we begin on this trip's purpose?" he glanced at me and moved aside, leaving me in between them. "The whole point is for you to talk."

"But I don't want to cry-"

"And that's the beauty of this place," he gestured ahead of us, "It's one big distraction! Anytime you feel like you're going to cry and you don't want to, just stop talking and we'll do something else, anything you want. Then, when you feel confident to continue, start talking again and we'll listen."

I looked at him oddly, "So this is like a hit-play-and-pause-button thing?"

"Yup!" he grinned excitedly, "And I'm with Martha on the horse riding. I had a horse once, his name was Arthur, remember I told you about him?" I nodded, recalling he had left said horse with Madame de Pompadour, "Maybe we can hit that pause button and go horse riding."

"I've never ridden a horse in my life," I informed then smiled at my friend's excitement with the horses, "But I suppose I could watch you."

"Excellent!"

"But it could take hours for me to finish," I admitted, "I've never really unleashed everything and I since don't want to cry it'll take even more to finish."

"Then it'll take more to finish and that's that," he gripped my hand, "We're here for you and anytime you want to start then start. Don't mind us."

I looked between them, their encouraging faces willing me to begin as soon as possible. They had such faith that I'd start telling and feel better about it, and truthfully, I wanted to feel better...and I wanted to tell them everything. So I would.

~0~

We walked around the guinguette, just taking a look at what was around and what we'd be doing when I 'paused'.

"I was born on October 31st, 1990," I began, "To Sophia Souza Lozano and Nicolas Souza Lane. I'm the youngest of two, my sister being...seven years older than me. We were a small family, well," I shook my head, "If you can really call us a family. Ever since I could remember, I've been below my sister in everything. My parents love me, at least I hope they do, but it was always clear they had a preference for Liv."

"Why do you say that?" Martha asked, eyeing the Doctor as if they were both agreeing to be cautious in case I had a mini-episode.

"My parents are amazing lawyers, they're just brilliant at what they do and they love it. They built this law-firm that they run and they wanted Liv and I to follow in their footsteps. Liv always had a knack for it and so she was on board the moment she knew of my parents plans for us. But me...not so much. And I suppose that's the first error I committed that got me cast off as the inferior daughter. But even before that, I was never given a proper chance to be a good daughter. It's made me think why would they bring in a child into the world if they were gonna hate it."

"Don't say that," the Doctor frowned, "Beneath all the cruelty there has to be some love from your parents."

"Yeah well let me know if you find it," I sighed, "You know, there are tons of photo albums from Liv's childhood, starting with her first ultrasound picture. I don't even have that. There are no pictures of me until I was about one, one and a half maybe. I was never even given a chance," I stopped walking, feeling the wave of tears begin to rise, "I can't..."

"And it's okay, hit pause," the Doctor said softly, "C'mon, let's go play a game or something."

I nodded and let them lead me off to play some game, hoping I would calm soon enough.

~0~

"I'll get it," Martha exclaimed, throwing a ring at the columns of bottles. The ring went over and fell on the ground, "Aw, never mind. I quit."

"Martha, you do it like this," the Doctor took one of her rings and threw it...only for it to hit a bottle and drop to the ground.

Martha scoffed, "Yeah, I think I'll try that...never."

He rolled his eyes and took another ring from her then handed it to me, "Why don't you try, Minerva?"

"I don't know, I feel like I should just watch you two instead," I shrugged.

"Oh you just like seeing us lose," Martha shook her head, "Try one."

I sighed and took the ring, well this was the point of a 'pause', "Okay."

"I'll go get some more," Martha quickly jumped on the opportunity to enhance the distraction and ran off.

I aimed for a certain bottle and suddenly stopped, silently contemplating, "You know, my mother kept her pregnancy a secret from my family," came out instead.

"Excuse me?" the poor Doctor questioned, having to stop and see the pause button had lifted.

"When my Mom was pregnant with me, she didn't tell anyone. My grandmother said one day she just stopped by with a one year old toddler in her arms, Olivia just eight years old. She didn't tell anyone she was pregnant, except my father. Why did she do that?" For once, I had left the Martian speechless. I sighed and set down the ring, walking away from the stand.

"Minerva, hold on," the Doctor called, quickly catching up.

"Was she thinking of abortion?" I turned to him, "What mother does that?"

"We may never know what ran through her head but the point is, she didn't. She kept you and because of her there's a beautiful, intelligent, young woman traveling with me."

"No thanks to her, she only birthed me. The person I am today, personality-wise, is because of my grandparents. I practically raised myself with the help of them."

"Thank god, no offense," he quickly retracted from any bad ways it could've been taken, "I don't want you to be like your mother. You're definitely not."

"Do you think my mom ever regretted not aborting?"

Next thing I knew, his finger was over my lips, "That question will never be asked again, understand?" he raised a serious eyebrow, "If there's one good thing she's done is give birth to you."

"Birth? What birth?" Martha returned to us, new rings on her wrists, "What happened to the game?"

"I hit the play button," I replied.

"Apparently, good old Sophia hid her pregnancy from her family, not revealing Minerva until she was one," the Doctor explained, gritting his teeth.

Martha looked horrified, "Oh my god," she looked at me, "Your mom has serious issues."

"Funny, that's what she told me," I shrugged, "She always said there was something different about me, something she didn't like."

"And what could that be?"

"She didn't ever tell me...but she said I could cause lots of pain. And that she wouldn't allow me to hurt anyone."

"That sounds ridiculous," Martha shook her head.

"No, that sounds like a paranoid human," the Doctor corrected, looking like he was thinking of something.

"As ridiculous or paranoid it may sound, she was right. I did hurt someone, Liv."

"No you didn't," they both said, stepping closer to me.

"Look, Olivia was old enough to make her own decisions," Martha began.

"And she chose to drive in a state she shouldn't have," the Doctor continued, "Lots of people tend to do that and it's no one's fault but theirs."

"She could've walked," Martha reminded.

"Or better yet, she could've stayed and worked things out with you," the Doctor reached for my hand, Martha doing the same.

"But she didn't," she sighed.

"And what happened after that was not your fault."

"And we're sure she knows that."

"But that's not what my Mom thinks, what most of my family thinks," I reminded, "Tell me, how do you get rid of an idea that's been implanted in your head for four years?"

"Because it's not, and deep down you know it," the Doctor answered, "But also, deep down, you think of your blame and accept that it because you think, if you accept that fault then your mother would forgive you. But it doesn't work like that, Minerva. Primarily because it's not your fault."

"That's not the only guilt I carry," I admitted, "Olivia's death was just the beginning of the guilt, then when I left home..." I shook my head, blinking rapidly the tears away, "Let's go play some more," I quickly walked off, hearing them right behind.

The dead couldn't forgive me, but could a sweet, old lady?

~0~

"Oh, look at that," Martha walked ahead of us, gesturing to the one swing set we'd seen earlier, "Isn't it pretty?"

There was one swing, with a wooden seat that I'm sure wasn't comfortable unless you worse a dress with layers like Martha and I wore. Beautiful vines covered the chains and poles, a few pink roses sprouting as well.

Martha plopped down, giving a few small pushes with her feet, "Eh, it's more for show," she crinkled her face as the chains creaked, "Oh! Why don't we do the horse rides? In sure that'll put you in a good mood," she stood up.

"I'm not sure," I said, "The idea scares me."

"We could always eat first," the Doctor suggested.

"How about I just sit on that swing for a while?" I pointed, the beautiful swing just taunting me to come over.

"Okay," she moved aside and I walked over, sitting down and putting my hands around the chains, "I feel like a princess," I admitted sheepishly.

"And I bet the horses would make you feel even more like a princess," Martha edged on for the horse rides, "Cinderella?"

"First of all, not blonde," I reminded, gesturing to my brunette hair over my shoulder, "And no blue eyes."

"Can't we just try to ride?" she looked between the Doctor and I, looking so hopeful we would say yes.

"Go see how it works," I sighed, "And we'll ride them."

"Oh thank you!" she rushed over and hugged me, running off towards the horses.

"Way to stick to the subject!" the Doctor called after her, shaking his head.

"Oh leave her," I smiled after our friends, "She came to time travel not to hear some girl's life story."

"It's a story we want to hear," he assured.

I sighed and gently pushed myself, "My grandparents used to take me to this park and I always had to go on the swings."

"Yeah?" he leaned against the pole.

"But I wanted to be a 'big girl' and push myself," I smiled, recalling the taunts my grandfather used to do to get me to push myself when I got lazy.

"I bet you were a sassy and argumentative five year old," he smirked.

"You'd be shocked to know I wasn't. When you grow up isolated, it's sort of impossible to be sassy on your own."

"How lonely was your childhood?" he asked, now serious.

"I felt like my real parents were my grandparents. I had a big, big house, with all the toys a kid could want and yet I was the loneliest. My grandma taught me how to cook, how to sew, how to read, how to be kind, be respectful, be caring...my grandpa taught me how to ride a bike, skates, how to sing songs with him. He loved to have little duets with me. They taught me basically everything I know. They were my parents. Mine wouldn't even greet me in the mornings. I was lucky to eat dinner with them, their work consumed most of their day and Olivia was too old to play with me. I had two or three friends out there but a kid wants their parents with them, you know. I wanted my mom and dad, but they were never there."

"When you said your parents wanted you to be a lawyer..." he trailed off, cautiously pausing to see how I'd react.

"Clearly, I was never close to my family, and when I told my mom I didn't want to be a lawyer, things got worse. She yelled so much that day I wondered how she didn't lose her voice. This was before I was thirteen, but it didn't matter. I suppose I let her down."

"Hey, if you didn't want to follow in their footsteps then it's okay. No one can tell to what you're working in. No one gets to choose your profession."

"After that day, my isolation increased," I sighed, looking down, the lonely night when I was afraid of the monsters in the closet, "And then Olivia died...that was the last straw for my parents and me. I...emancipated myself."

"What?" he stood away from the pole, shocked.

I swallowed hard, keeping my eyes focused on the ground, I didn't want to cry yet, "The reason my school work didn't have any mention of my parents is because they're not legally responsible for me. I filed for emancipation two months after my 14th birthday."

"Minerva," he whispered, his footsteps following after wards, appearing in front of me, bent down to my seating level, "You what?"

"I couldn't take it anymore, Doctor," I shut my eyes, "I was just done. I wanted to get the hell out of the house."

"But you could've gone to live with your grandparents-"

"My grandfather had died and I wouldn't become my grandmother's burden." A tear started strolling down my face, but I still wanted to continue, "Such a sweet woman didn't deserve it. Oh god, she was so upset when she heard of the emancipation. She begged me to stay with her but I couldn't. And I didn't...and I disappointed her. To this day, I don't think she forgave me either. That's why I work hard on everything I do, so hard so that one day I can go and visit her and make her proud of me. Olivia's dead and I'll never forgive myself for it but my grandmother is still alive and I can still earn hers. I could still have a chance. I want to make her proud of me...but maybe it's too late."

"It's never too late," he smiled softly, taking out a cloth from his pocket and pressing it to my cheek, drying it clean from tears, "I don't think she cares about forgiveness. I think she just wants to see her granddaughter."

"Do you think?" I sniffled, slowly able to look at him.

"From the little I've talked to her, I know that's what she wants. She just wants her granddaughter to come back, to answer her calls. And when you do go back, I know she'll be so proud of you. You've done the impossible. You saved the world, what other granddaughter has done that?"

"That was you."

"I didn't do it alone so don't sell yourself short. You've made her proud countless times now. You've done good, Minerva, and it's about time you realize it."

I exhaled in a shaky manner, dropping from my swing to him for a hug, "Pause!" And I started to cry nonetheless.

~0~

" So you...emancipated yourself?" Martha blinked, her eyes so wide I thought they'd just pop out her head.

We had caught her up as soon as she returned, wanting all of us to be on the same page. We had moved to go eat lunch, up on a tree. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It was like a tree-house, but very sturdy and large, and not at all wobbling or creaking. The same, beautiful vines were wrapped around the wooden poles and roof. There was a wooden table, where Martha, the Doctor and I sat, a whole course meal set in front of us. Everything was just...amazing, too bad we had visited under these circumstances.

"Martha, she hasn't hit play," the Doctor reminded her, taking a sip of his drink.

"Oops, sorry!" she exclaimed, alarmed she'd pushed me too far.

"Play," I said calmly, feeling like this was becoming oddly easy as the day went by.

"Are you sure?" the Doctor asked.

"Yeah," I nodded, taking a deep breath, "I'm ready."

"So, um, emancipation..." Martha fiddled with her food, trying to act like her curiosity wasn't getting the best of her, "...how did you do it?" Her eyes widened again at the thought.

"With a lot of evidence," I replied, "I was fourteen, legal age to file, and my parents didn't care very much. They thought I was only joking but by the time things were too far it was too late."

"But don't your parents have to, like, authorize?"

"I presented everything that showed what a life I lived and the judge was even surprised. I proved I could handle myself, I was intelligent back then too," I caused both to smile, "And I'd have a steady job for a while. I'd work with my uncle, he's a photographer and traveled around the worlds."

"Is that where you got your adventurous spirit?" the Doctor asked.

"In a sense, yeah," I nodded, "He's my mother's brother, and completely opposites. Along with my grandparents, he believed in me. He understood me. My mom and him had the same argument over what he should be when they were young. He was just like me."

"What do you wanna become?" he asked.

I thought about it and resulted with an unknown answer, and I was embarrassed to admit it so I moved on like it was never even asked, "My uncle, Aaron, was the first to know about my plans for emancipation and...he helped me."

"He helped you?" both friends repeated with surprise, but I understood very well; it wasn't common for a mother's brother to help their niece file for emancipation against his sister and brother-in-law.''

"He's the one that helped me find a lawyer; apparently Greyson owed him a favor, good lawyer," I leaned back on my chair, "Together, we worked for my freedom. And Uncle Aaron even helped me the first couple of months after I was emancipated by bringing me along on his trips as an assistant. We both loved to travel so much, I suppose it's what bonded us."

"And where's your uncle now?" the Doctor questioned, "Do you speak to him?"

"Not really," I shook my head, "I don't have his number anymore. But if I could, I would speak to him."

"So we got a good uncle, grandmother, grandfather," Martha counted on her fingers, "So why don't you call any of them?"

"Because I can't, Martha. Every time I hear my grandmother's voice I think of how much I made her suffer. I can hear her begging in my head not to leave and I can't get rid of it."

"But you want to go back, don't you? You want to see her again if not you wouldn't 'work so hard'," the Doctor said, "You plan on returning."

"Maybe, one day," I shrugged, thinking of the day I would finally gather all my courage and visit my grandmother, "But I have to work more. She has to see how much I've accomplished. I want to make her proud of me and earn her forgiveness."

"You do," Martha nodded, the Doctor agreeing as well, "It's amazing how much you've done and not even realize it, Minerva. That's what I like about you, you don't show off in the least."

"Thanks, but I don't think it's enough. Besides, I can't just go blabbing about traveling in time to her. She's old and she wouldn't be able to handle something like that."

"Oi, give her some credit," the Doctor scolded lightly, "I think to handle losing two granddaughters, one for four years and still remains alive has been a lot."

"Yeah..." I contemplated his words, wondering how much pain I put my grandmother through. God, I hoped she'd forgive me one day, "...I can't...I just can't..." I looked at the table, seeing our fruit was still missing and feeling more tears come through, I quickly stood up, "...you know what, there's still some fruit we haven't got, I'll go get some." And I scurried off, or at least I tried to.

"Oh no you don't!" the Doctor called, his sounds of footsteps coming closer and closer down the stairs.

"Catch her!" Martha called, peering down from above.

"Thanks for the help, Martha!"

"Oi, I've got heels and a dress!"

"Got you," the Doctor spun me around midway through the spiral stairs, "Come on, Minerva. The whole point is to talk, not to run away."

"I'm sorry," I looked away, ashamed of my action, "It's just...too much..."

He nodded, "I know, and I'm very proud you're taking the step to talk us."

"I'm glad I made one person proud..."

"Stop it, just stop it," he ordered seriously, "You've got to stop putting so much blame on yourself! You've been tortured enough all your life and you won't continue to do it while you're with us. No more."

I looked at him and I couldn't help chuckle a little, albeit bitterly, "You thought I was such a 'beautiful complexion' when in reality I'm nothing but an ugly, horrible mess. Look at me," I let my arms fall beside me, frustrated with my life.

"Oh, don't say that," he put a hand on my cheek, rubbing away loose tears with his thumb, "I don't take back my words. I see a complexion, a much more complex complexion," he made a face that was able to get a faint smile from me, and in return he smiled as well. "But beautiful nonetheless..."

"Face it Doctor, I'm not the innocent girl you met. I'm not a good person."

"I could say the same for you, I'm no innocent man either," he shook his head, taking his hand off me.

"But what you did was without choice," I reminded, disliking the pain in his eyes when he spoke of that moment. He was very right, it was the same pain in my eyes, only his was enhanced with the thousands of people that died. And I hated it, I hated how tortured he looked, "I look at you and I just see the Doctor, someone who's always there when people need his help."

"Really?" he raised an eyebrow, seeming in doubt.

"Oh yeah, I see the ridiculous, banana-loving, alien that I time travel with."

He smiled, "Really? That's good, that's very good," he seemed so excited I actually laughed, "And that's even better," he pointed.

"Oi! You two?" Martha's voice made us look up, the woman looking down at us rather impatiently, "Are we going to have lunch or stand on the stairs?"

"Well?" the Doctor looked at me, gesturing the way back up, "That chicken smelled really good you know."

"And pasta, I love pasta," I nodded, taking hold of his hand, "Did you do that on purpose?" I questioned as we started back up, me holding a piece of my dress so I wouldn't trip.

"Maybe. Psychic paper does wonders for us."

"I thank you for your consideration in me, it means a lot."

"There you are," Martha walked over to us as soon as stepped onto the shack, "Are you okay?" she looked at me.

I sighed, looking at the table to avoid the answer of the question, "So how's about that lunch?"

"Definitely," she nodded, understanding I just couldn't answer to that yet, and returned to her seat as did we, "So, I was thinking we could maybe find your uncle," she said slowly, and rather casually, "If that's okay with you."

"I think it'd be a good idea," the Doctor agreed.

"I...I guess I wouldn't mind," I considered it, knowing Uncle Aaron would have so many stories of his own adventures to tell me if we spoke again, "Yeah, I definitely wouldn't mind."

"Excellent!" the Doctor grinned with so much excitement at the answer, "And your grandmother?"

"I don't know..." I shook my head, "...I don't feel ready."

"Well, regarding the promise I made to Jackie, I'm going to tweak it."

"How so?"

"I'm bringing you home," he nodded, chuckling at my deep frown I immediately gave. Had he not heard everything? I didn't want to go home! "I'm bringing you to your real home, with your grandmother. That's where you'd be more happy."

"I'm not ready, Doctor," I said quietly.

"But you will be," he said with so much assurance I almost believed him.

"There's no pressure though," Martha said, "But I'm with the Doctor on this one, you definitely will be ready."

"Maybe..." I shrugged, smiling sadly, knowing that day was just too far away.

~0~

"Olivia was a good sister, we weren't as close as I wanted us to be, but...she was different from my parents," I explained as the Doctor and I took a walk around the guinguette's outskirts, our arms linked with each other.

"Minerva, who is Olivia?" he asked, encouraging me to talk more about her.

"Olivia Sophia Souza was this amazing, perfect woman that ever walked the earth," I smiled at the memory of my sister, "She was beautiful. And I'm talking like super-model beautiful. She was blonde, tall, icy blue eyes," I chuckled a little, "They say she was the splitting image of my mother when she was young. My mom was blonde back in her day, though she dyed it brown for some reason, but other than that, same blue eyes and figure. She truly was my mom's daughter. Me, I was the odd one."

"Now why do you say that?" he frowned, "You're beautiful too, and with jade eyes!"

I smiled, "Both my parents have blue eyes and so did Olivia. I got my green eyes from my grandmother, but that's all I got. I look nothing like them, much less act like them," I paused, sighing, "Olivia had the aspiration to be a lawyer. She wanted to be one, independent from my parents feelings. She had their support from the start. She was perfect, Doctor. She got good grades, did sports, knew how to talk to people and how to help-"

"You know how to do all that too," he pointed, "You're intelligent, you've beat me at several sports-"

"Yeah but you suck at them anyways," I cut him off.

"Oi!" he pouted, "I'm not that bad."

"Let's not go into that," I patted his arm.

He sighed, still sounding annoyed but let it go, "Anyways, Olivia?"

"Oh, are we talking about her now?" Martha walked over, "Mind if I join?"

"Please," the Doctor gestured for her to move beside me, "Minerva's belittling herself and it's quite frustrating."

"I'm not be-"

"Shush it," he pointed again, "Martha?"

"Stop belittling yourself," she sighed.

"I lived in the shadow of my sister," I explained, "And it wasn't her fault, she never gloated about it. She tried to help me, actually. She thought I should give the whole lawyer thing a chance, thinking it'd be good for me and my parent's relationship. She was a good sister. And even when I was little, and my parents didn't take her away from me, she'd play dolls with me. She'd tell me not to be afraid of the monsters under my bed, she'd tell them to go away," I chuckled, "She once yelled at my closet for five minutes because I told her a monster had come out and said he was gonna eat me. Before we grew up, Liv and I did share some kind of bond."

"So then how could you think she'd blame you for her death?" the Doctor asked.

"The day Liv died is not a day I like to remember," I sighed, wishing so hard I could forget it. But after many years of the accident, I found it impossible. "She took me out for lunch, our parents locked up in their office for work. We went by our favorite place, both pasta lovers. She's actually the one that got me into pasta," I chuckled lightly, soon finishing when I spoke of what happened next, "She started up with the whole lawyer thing. She insisted that I should try it because I was still young and indecisive. But I knew it wasn't a tantrum. I didn't want to be a lawyer. To this day, I still don't want to be one. The simple thought of it makes me cringe. I started getting frustrated when she told me that this was the reason my parents and I couldn't get along; that it was because of me and my snappy attitude. But then I lashed out..." the yells of that day started replaying in my head, "...I flat out told her it was because of her that my parents didn't love me. It was because of her that they never spent time with me. It was her fault...and it wasn't. I yelled at her because I was jealous. I was jealous that mom loved her and gave her all the time she needed while I was lucky to get a goodnight kiss. Olivia denied it, but I think she knew I was right, deep down. There was a look in her eyes... I think she knew it, but she didn't want to admit that she was the preferred daughter. It wasn't her fault, I know that now. I was just so tired of being ignored that the argument made me blurt everything and it got her dead. She got angry and told me to get home on my own. She just left after that and it only took me five minutes afterwards to realize how unfair I was to her, how sorry I was. I planned on apologizing as soon as she came home. I was going to, I swear, I..." and my voice broke, fresh tears preparing to stroll down, "...but she never came home."

"We're sorry," the Doctor said.

"I was waiting at home when my mom called. She told me Olivia got in a car accident and a man brought her into the hospital. It was because of that stranger that she even lasted a little longer. My mom was so upset, she was crying and asking what had happened. Why wasn't I with her? And then I told her..."

"And what she say?" Martha asked softly, half guessing it wasn't very nice.

"She said it was my fault. If I knew how to control myself Olivia would still be alive..." I sighed, "...I made her lose her daughter."

"But she still had you, her other daughter, and she should have been there for you too," the Doctor said.

"There was so much blame, so many words said from her...sometimes it makes me think that I'm not even related to her because her hatred is just so much, so bad...how does a mother hate their child?"

"But she can't hate you!" Martha exclaimed, shaking her head in exasperation, "No mother is capable of that!"

"But mine is. There's this look in her eyes, one that makes me think that if she could, she'd have me locked up for the rest of my life."

"But we're never letting that happen," the Doctor declared, "Ever."

"She's called, you know," I gritted my teeth, angry at all those times, "My father kind of just, washed out on the whole fathering thing. He's never called, but my Mom...she called a couple of times when I was with Uncle Aaron. I took them because I thought she'd tell me I was forgiven but it wasn't, it was never like that. She just kept yelling and yelling and ordering me to come home so she could make sure I wouldn't hurt anyone else, that I wouldn't take anyone else's children from them. After that, I stopped...and I grew angrier and angrier; angry that she wouldn't forgive me and angry because it was my fault. She stopped calling for years, up until Christmas time, last year," I glanced at the Doctor, "I don't know how she did that but she contacted Jackie. She had this whole 'nice' act, but it didn't last long. I don't know what that was...but I haven't heard from her since."

"And your grandmother?" he asked, knowing she was a different story.

"She's always called," I sighed, smiling sadly, "My grandma is so sweet like that. But I can't bring myself to take her calls. Ever. I'm not ready yet, I don't have much to prove I've done good. Plus, I'm afraid my mom got to her and she blames me for Liv's death."

"Minerva, she chose to drive off," Martha reminded, "That's not your fault."

"But I can't tell her how sorry I am now, how much I regret telling her all that. I don't hate her, I do love her, and it's not her fault our parents chose her."

"That's what you told her?"

"I yelled at her so much, I think the whole thirteen years of isolation and reprimands of my parents was unleashed."

"Well, she knows that now," the Doctor said, "Olivia knows that her sister is sorry for what was said and she most definitely forgives you and knows, for the dozen time, that it was not your fault for her death."

"C'mon," I shook my head and we walked off, the pause button activated.

~0~

"Martha, why do you care so much about me?" I asked suddenly, stopping our walk we had taken after lunch.

We started talking about small things, nothing important but everything had gone quiet. And then I started to wonder this exact question, and I got curious to know.

I could understand the Doctor since this was the whole point of traveling together; to get to know each other, but Martha? I knew her so little before the hospital, only touching bases on our families, friends and occupations. She'd taken such an interest in me, like a friend would, but too fast. I've had little friends in the past back at home but even those took several months to develop into an actual friendship. Yet with Martha, everything was happening so fast. One moment, the woman doesn't even know I'm a time traveler and the next she knows about my sister's tragic ending and my mother's cruel blame...and she was so calm about it. After the Doctor and I returned from New New York, I sat Martha down, with the encouragement of the Doctor, and repeated my story to her. And it wasn't even the Doctor's encouragement that made me tell her, I wanted to tell her.

"Because I'm your friend," Martha answered like it was an obvious thing, "I mean, at least I hope you consider me as your friend," she chuckled nervously, "Because then that would be awkward."

"I do see you as a friend," I nodded, "I see you almost like a best friend even, though it's a bit fast I know."

"Hey, it's like they say, you can fall in love with someone in one day. Same thing goes for friendships. You could meet someone early in the day and by night, you're practically best friends."

"Yeah, I suppose that makes sense," I thought back to Mickey and considered how fast we became best friends as well, "I'm lucky to meet people like you," I hugged her out of the no where, "I meet Mickey, Jackie, the Doctor, you, and you all make me so much better," I sighed, "Thank you."

"Hey, no problem," she chuckled, pulling away, "I'm glad we're becoming good friends."

"Me too," I admitted, "I've never really had a woman for a friend, a real friend."

"What about Rose?" she raised an eyebrow, a bit confused.

Well...the blonde had been...sort of one...for a short time...right?

"Minerva?"

"Uh, sorry Martha but that's another story for another day," I smiled a bit, "But just know you're something different Martha Jones, much different than Rose Tyler, and I am so glad we took you on-board."

"No complaints from me there," she raised her hands, making us both laugh.

"But seriously, thank you."

"For what?"

"Listening, for listening to every bit of information I've said all day," I shrugged, "I know it's a lot, and boring."

"Boring is the last word on my mind," she did a look that said just how screwed up my life really was.

"Well, just, thank you, you know. I know when the Doctor offered to bring you along for trips, you expected the fun, the excitement of them. You had no obligation to hear me out or anything."

"But I wanted to, I still do in case you wanna keep sharing," she smiled, "Listening to your story made me think about my own family. We're not the, um...picture-perfect family as you may have noticed," she shook her head, me recalling the yells of the blonde, now identified Martha's father's girlfriend, "But we do have a special bond. We're there when we need each other. I have my brother and sister and..." she looked at me, sadness pouring from her eyes.

"I don't have that," I finished what she couldn't, "It's okay to say it, Martha. I'm realistic."

"I just find it incredible what your mother has done to you. I find your whole life incredible. Most importantly, I find it incredible how strong you are even after all of that."

'Strong?" I repeated, waiting for her to reconsider her choice of words, "I'm not so sure 'stro-"

"You are, and you need to see it. The easier path is to break and let it consume you, but you don't. I know you have times where you fell like it will consume you but you don't let it. You keep yourself on check on your own and that's incredible. I think you're the strongest woman I've ever met, and I truly hope you remain like that."

"Oh Martha, you're so sweet," I smiled.

"I mean it. You're strong and I know that you'll get better. You'll see that Liv's death wasn't your fault, and you won't let your mother's words affect you anymore. You'll look back and see how wrong she is, and how innocent you are. One day, your mother will ask you to forgive her. Sophia didn't lose a daughter that day, she lost two. She cast you off your whole life and the one day she really needed you, she completely lost you too."

"Would it be crazy and wrong to say I would forgive her in a heartbeat?" I asked sheepishly, knowing with 100% assurance that I would forgive my mother.

"Not at all," she shook her head, "Because she's your mother; of course you'd forgive her."

"Sadly, I don't think that day will ever come."

"Well, in the meantime she comes to her senses," she linked arms with me, "You're not alone in this. You've got me and the Doctor and we will not allow you to carry this guilt anymore."

"My ridiculous, banana-loving alien and humany doctor best friend."

"Interesting chronological order you have there," she pointed, eyeing me with a smirk for some reason, "And...humany?"

"Oh, sorry, the Doctor says that sometimes, guess it kinda stuck."

"Oh, there's a surprise," she chuckled, "You two are so, 'aah'!"

"'Aah'?" I tilted my head, "What exactly does that mean?"

"Weeeell," she swayed her head, "It's-"

"Martha, it seems you bothered the workers so much for your horses that they've finally agreed to let us ride them earlier than planned," the Doctor walked towards us.

"Another time," she winked at me, leaving me even more perplexed, "Did I hear we're riding horses?" she asked the Martian once he was close enough.

"Yes, they're getting him for us," he nodded.

"Great! Because I want that one!" she let go of me and ran a little of to the side, pointing at a tanned horse, "See it?"

We glanced to her direction and saw the horse she was pointing at, drinking some water at the moment.

"I want that one," she reiterated, very serious.

The Doctor rolled his eyes then taking a lavender flower from his back, "And I happened to pick this out for you, it's a crocus."

"It's very pretty," I took it from him, touching its soft petals and looked up at him, "Thank you."

"It's the flower for happiness," he cleared his throat, his eyes seeming to struggle to stay on my level.

"Oh, that's nice to know," I turned the flower over.

"Because, you know, I want you to be happy. I intend to see you happy..."

Martha cleared her throat as she walked over to us, whispering as she moved behind me, "That's what 'aah' means," she patted my shoulder and walked off, chuckling to herself.

I raised an eyebrow, still misunderstanding but finding a very warm blush on my face.

~0~

"Whaddya say, Minerva? Wanna ride one?" Martha eyed me with a smirk, rounding a horse.

"No, but I know you do," I put my hands together, not wanting any of those animals licking me or whatever they did.

"You're not actually scared are you?"

"I'm afraid of horses, yeah..." I looked after one that trotted past us.

"Oh c'mon! The smartest woman I know, the one who's helped save the world is afraid of...horses?"

"Seriously?" the Doctor walked over, a man besides him.

"Yes," I confessed sheepishly.

"That's something I didn't know," he smirked.

"I assure you ma'am, these horses are quite calm and very tamed," the man said.

"Oh, this is Benson," the Doctor gestured to the older man, "He's going to help us ride these horses."

"You mean you two," I pointed to him and Martha who had moved beside me, "Because I won't be riding them."

"Oh c'mon," Martha tugged on my arm, "My dad taught me and it was the most incredible experience ever! We grew up in the city, c'mon, being on a horse in the open is so different from what we're used to."

"The land is very safe," Benson added, gesturing the forest behind the guinguette.

"We'll do it!" Martha quickly volunteered us, "All three of us, now show me horse Benson!"

The man smiled and nodded, walking off to a nearby horse that was tied up and brought it over, chuckling at how I backed away as they grew closer, "She's calm, ma'am, I assure you with my life."

"What's her name?" Martha moved to the tanned-colored horse, petting its mane.

"Alicia."

"Hello Alicia," Martha cooed, "Aren't you the prettiest horse out here?"

"Her name's Jessica," the Doctor suddenly said, making us all look at him, "What? I speak horse."

"Her name's Jessica?" Martha raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, and she's not the prettiest, she says the most beautiful horse here."

"Quite conceited then," I said, receiving a neigh from the horse.

"Jessica says it's not conceited if it's true."

Martha laughed, Benson just looking at us like we were crazy, "Alright then, I want a calm and excited ride, Jessica," Martha patted the horse again, "Benson?"

"Right away ma'am," he nodded and started readying up the horse.

"I'm not riding them," I whispered to the Doctor, "Not in this world."

"It's not that bad," he shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"They're bad, they're all bad," I looked from one horse to another.

"Now don't be rude. I happen to know that, that horse over there-" he nodded to a grey horse that was drinking water, "-seems to like the pretty girl in the blue dress wearing a purple flower on her head."

"He did not say that!" My hand instinctively raised to the crocus I wore on my hair, I hadn't wanted to lose it so I stuck it in the one place I wouldn't forget it, my head!

"He did," he chuckled, "And he's making his way over right now."

"You realize you sound so ridiculous right now," remarked Martha.

"It's what the horse is saying," he gestured to the horse that was indeed making its way over to us.

"Ma'am?" Benson called, Martha turning, "Alicia's ready."

And the horse neighed.

"Jessica," the Doctor reminded.

"Don't listen to him," Martha waved the Martian off and got on the horse with the help of Benson, "Woah," she took hold of the reigns, "I like it," she grinned.

"Horse is nearing," the Doctor coughed.

I only a had a chance to glance to the left when there was loud neigh sound and a big, gray muzzle greeted my face, "AAH!" I yelped and jumped back, bumping into the Doctor that was in a fit of laughter.

"Minerva, he likes you," Martha smiled, the horse coming closer to me, "Take a ride."

"N-n-no thanks," I shook my head, wanting to step back but the Doctor had stuck himself behind me and forced me to stay still, "I like ground, ground is nice, ground is not dangerous."

"His name is Marcel," Benson walked over, holding back the horse by its reins it already worse, "And I'd have to agree with Mr. Smith, he does seem to like you."

"Problem is I'm afraid," I tried leaning back when the horse forcefully took a step forwards, "Very, very afraid. Plus, I don't even know how to ride a horse. One of the things I've yet to do."

"So get on it," Martha exclaimed, "It'll help you distract yourself. We've done a lot of talking, you deserve some fun."

"And I will have fun, waiting for you here," I pointed to the ground, "On the ground."

"Marcel is tamed, good mannered, and very obedient," Benson said, petting the horse, "And if he's taken a liken to you, then he will most definitely take care of you."

"I...I can't," I shook my head and hands, wanting to be as far away as possible from the horse.

"Minerva, the sun is going to be setting and I want to take a ride, pleeease?" she clapped her hands together, my eyes widening at how careless she was. She could fall!

"Martha please take hold of the reigns!" I exclaimed, so fearful at the moment, "Please!"

"Sure," she shrugged, calmly re-holding the reigns, "So will you come?"

"I...I guess," I sighed. She, once again, let go of the reigns and clapped excitedly. I smiled softly, liking how happy she looked. I suppose she and the Doctor did deserve some time of fun after the stories I'd let out on them, "But I don't know how to ride one," I frowned as Benson started to prepare the horse as well, "Can it go like...really slow?"

Benson chuckled, "It's quite easy to maneuver them."

"Says the man who works with them all day..." I looked at the horse, my heart beating faster as I thought of the many ways I could fall and hurt myself.

"Oh don't be so scared," the Doctor walked me up to the horse, "It likes you very much. Though he says your dress looks like water."

"He's not gonna try and eat me, is he?" I mumbled, getting back a laugh from the three, "I am very serious."

"She's quite the amusing one," Benson remarked, stepping away from the horse.

"Up you go," the Doctor moving the horse closer to us.

"Martha, how mad would you be if I said I changed my mind?" my eyes widened as I took in the actual size of this horse.

"I'd be very discontent," she shrugged.

I sighed, "Marcel...don't eat me." And the hose neighed as if he was really responding to me...and he was.

"He promises he won't," the Doctor translated.

"Or drop me?"

The horse neighed, sounding odd.

"He says you offend him," the Doctor said.

"Sorry," I made a face, resigned to having to climb up this monstrosity.

"Ready?"

"...no."

"Up you go!" he exclaimed, helping me up and swing a leg over the horse, "Now hold on."

"No!" I leaned forwards, gripping the reigns, "I change my mind! I change my mind! I don't want to ride this anymore!"

"Minerva, you're not even moving," Martha moved her horse in front of mine, "And he won't drop you."

"I don't care! I don't want to do this anymore!"

"All that time with your uncle and not once did you ride a horse?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, acting as if I wasn't crying for help.

"No! He tried to but...I always said no!"

"And look where that's got you now?"

"Help me, Martian! Help me! Get me down right now!" I shouted, shutting my eyes.

Marcel neighed and even moved a little, scaring me even more.

"Yes, yes, but she's not over-dramatic; she's had a tough day," the Doctor spoke to the horse.

"Get me down!"

"The sun is setting!" Martha complained, "Minerva, please?"

"I'm so sorry Martha," I shook my head, "But I can't. You go ahead, though."

"Alright, I've had enough," the Doctor sighed.

"Sir, what are you-"

"Marcel and I have a point to prove," the Martian said before I felt the horse move again and an arm wrap around my waist, "Minerva, I'm going to need you to open your eyes."

I opened only one eye and saw his hand holding the reigns while the other held me, "Please tell me you're not..."

"...gonna ride the horse and prove you're wrong about being dropped?" he grinned, "Why yes, yes I am."

"Finally!" Martha exclaimed, "I'll race you!" she laughed and commanded her horse to, running off before us.

"Don't you dare," I warned but he only laughed and made the horse spring after our friend, "Get me down!" I shouted.

Martha laughed and came to an abrupt stop, her horse even tipping her back just a bit that made my heart beat at light speed thinking she'd fall back like the movies, "Let's not torture the poor girl," she turned around.

"Someone get me down from here," I was completely froze in place, breathing heavily.

"It's not that bad is it?" the Doctor asked, chuckling for some reason.

"Let's see, I could potentially die from an abrupt stop, the horse could eat me, or worse, one of you could fall and die!"

"And you think we'd let that happen?" Martha raised an eyebrow.

"The whole point of this is to talk and have some well-deserved fun," the Doctor reminded, 'And that does not include dying."

"Did your uncle die riding a horse?" Martha moved her horse besides us.

"Well, no..."

"Then why would we? We both know how to ride horses," she laughed as her horse neighed, "And the horses like us! Everything is going to be fine."

And the Doctor made Marcel start moving again, slowly for my sake, while Martha moved at the same pace next to us, "Where were you when your uncle rode the horses?" the Doctor asked, probably seeing I was still slightly frozen from fear.

"Um...Ohio," I made sure to look ahead in case either of them missed a rock or something that'd make us fall, "...there was a horse stable and his friends were the owners."

"What were you doing there?" Martha joined in on the distraction.

"He wanted to cheer me up...it was right after I emancipated myself. We went to Ohio for these competitions for the horse-riders and we happened to have a chance to ride them."

"And you didn't?"

"Does it look like I'm having fun?"

She laughed, "You should be!"

"How'd you even learn?" the Doctor asked out of his curiosity.

"Surprised I know something you do too?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

He shook his head, "Ha, ha, no, I just want to know."

"It was a family vacation," she shrugged, "Tish was a scary cat and Leo wanted a race...so I gave him one...and won!"

"And you didn't fall?" I glanced at her, hoping the Doctor would keep a look ahead because I certainly didn't want to fall.

"No! We didn't have the race right at the first moment, we practiced and then..." she swayed her head, "...we had a race when our parents weren't looking."

"And you didn't fall?"

"No, we didn't fall!"

"Do you have that little faith in Marcel and I?" the Doctor frowned.

"Well Doctor, let's face it, your piloting skills aren't very um," I cleared my throat, "...good."

"You're a bit rude when you're scared, you know that?"

Martha scoffed, "You call it rude, we call it the truth."

"You know what, maybe I should get down and leave Minerva to ride the horse on her own," and he stopped the horse and started doing just that.

"N-n-n-no! I take it back!" I forced his hand on the reign to remain there, "You're a wonderful pilot and always right and please don't let go!"

"Wooooow," Martha smirked, "The necessity is big isn't it?"

"I can't help my fears," I shut my eyes, "Doctor?"

"I'm not going anywhere," he said like it was obvious, wiggling one his hands out from underneath mine to hold the reigns properly and wrapping his other arm around my waist again, "You're very gullible when you're afraid."

"You're not leaving?"

"No!"

"And now that that's settled," Martha cleared her throat and moved a little ahead of us, "How's about a little race? I heard there's a little lake at the center of the forest.

"Noooo!" I shook my head.

"That's a challenge I like!" the Doctor exclaimed happily.

"NO!" I shouted, looking up at him so he could see my determination to not have this race, "Unless you let me down from here, there will be no race!"

"Winner gets to choose the next place we go to?" he grinned.

"No!"

"Please?"

"No!"

"Winner gets to-"

"No! No, no, no, no," I shook my head, "N-"

"On your marks..." Martha suddenly said, smirking when I looked at her, "...get set..." the Doctor took hold of the reign with his free hand, all set.

"Martha," I gritted my teeth, "Don't you d-"

"GO!"

Next thing I knew, we ran like the wind and I screamed at the top of my lungs, terrified for my dear life and my friends.

"Minerva, quit your yelling and look at how beautiful this place is!" the Doctor ordered, even laughing a little.

I cracked open an eye, seeing Martha getting ahead. I opened both eyes as we closed in on the trees of the forest. I blinked, beginning to smile, the sun shining its orange tinge as it set down. It was actually...pretty beautiful.

"How's it look?" the Doctor asked, stopping the horse from its running to only frolic around.

"...very pretty," I whispered.

"Not afraid anymore?"

"...no."

And Marcel neighed, the Doctor chuckling, "Yes, I told you she would."

"What?" I glanced up at him.

"He said you should've known you would've liked it. He's a very good horse."

"And a big and scary one," I added, the horse neighing in response.

"He resents that."

"But a very talkative horse too," I started to smile.

"Oh yes, he is," the Doctor nodded, Marcel neighing again.

"I take he wasn't happy with that remark?"

"Not one bit."

"Martha's winning," I reminded, the woman getting deeper in the trees.

Marcel neighed.

"Yes, Marcel doesn't do races apparently. Also, he doesn't like hearing you scream."

"Sorry Marcel," I actually petted him, "It must be nice being able to speak to animals," I said, seeing him pull on the reigns, Marcel frolicking a little more strongly, but actually not that scary.

"It comes in handy," the Doctor shrugged.

"It must be nice doing everything you do, huh?"

"What are you getting at?" now he looked down at me with a curious expression.

I ignored his closeness and looked ahead, suddenly wanting to answer what I had ignored earlier, "I don't know what I want to become."

"Hm?"

"You asked me what I wanted to be. If I don't want to be a lawyer, or a photographer, what do I want to be?" I looked around, now entering through the trees, finding an immense beauty and the rest of the surroundings, "The answer is: I don't know."

"What about your drawings? You're really good at them. Have you ever considered maybe painting?"

"Would you take me back to Da Vinci?"

He scoffed, "Right after I visit Elizabeth I."

I smiled, "I love to draw, and maybe I would like painting but...I don't know. I love helping people too... I-I just love learning a little bit of everything, you know. I can't really see myself locked in one career," I sighed, "I wanna try everything. Perhaps that was what my mother disliked, dislikes to this day, the most about me, I'm more liberal. I want to go out and do stuff, and she wants me locked up in an office and that's something I can't see myself doing," I sighed again, a deeper sigh, more contemplative, "You know what I wish? I wish humans could have a bigger lifespan so that I could try everything, anything. But I know there isn't time...I just wish I could live a little longer, so I could see what's out there, what my world has to offer...to a human like me. What do you think?" I glanced up at him, seeing a soft smile on his face.

"I think...I think a human likes you deserves that," he mumbled, his smile growing.

"Think so?"

"I do, I very much do."

I swallowed hard for some reason, looking at him for a moment until I felt a blush and looked ahead, "Thanks..."

We moved along again and in silence. Martha's horse barely made a sound now that we had slowed down even more. But it gave me a chance to look around. I really loved this environment, it was so brightly green with the enhancement of the sun shining over the trees. It made me wonder what other planets looked like...and it made me wonder...

"Doctor, what did your planet look like?"

"You wanna know?" he didn't sound too happy about it for some reason.

"Yeah, you know, looking around here," I gestured to the scenery, "It makes me wonder what yours was like. Can I know?"

"Well, for started, we had two suns," he said, pausing I gasped.

"Seriously, two?"

"Mhm, one would rise in the south, and it would make all the mountains shine like you wouldn't believe it."

"Two suns," I repeated, fascinated by that detail, "I bet the sunsets were really beautiful, weren't they?"

"Yeah, the whole sky was a burnt orange..."

"Like a sunset all day? A twilight all day..." I smiled, "And what else?" I sounded like a child but I was so curious!

"Well, in the mornings, the suns would shine and the trees that were silver would catch its light and the forest looked like it was on fire. It was truly beautiful."

"Very," I whispered, "And?"

He chuckled, "Our citadel was enclosed with a mighty glass dome and our suns shined brilliantly above us. But what really got me was the mountains, oh those mountains."

"What about them?"

"They're deep red, Minerva, and the're capped with snow. It was an endless sight..."

I looked at him, realizing this must not be an easy topic for him, and here I am burdening with my questions, "I'm sorry."

But he just smiled, "I wish I could show you. You'd be enthralled..."

"I already am," I corrected, "It sounds wonderful. Especially the snow caps, I love snow."

"I wished it could've stayed like that, but then war started and I had to..." and he paused, making me look up and see him staring ahead, quickly filling with pain at the memory.

"It's okay, Doctor, you don't have to continue," I said softly, regretting my decision to ask him about his home.

All day his sole purpose was to make me happy and what's the first thing I do? Remind him of a terrible, painful memory. Yeah, good going Minerva.

"I do. You told me how your sister died, even when it's not your fault, and you deserve to know why I killed them all, why I killed my own people."

"You don't," I assured, "You're not ready-"

He stopped Marcel suddenly, Martha's trotting disappearing completely, "I had a friend before the war started, she loved hearing about Gallifrey. I told her one day I'd find a way to bring her there...but I never did," his eyes fell down for a moment, a clear struggle to say his next words apparent on his face, "She died because of us. She and her whole planet died because of what my people did. I was going to save her, I was going to take her somewhere safe, somewhere she could survive...but I was too late. I let her get killed. She was innocent," he shook his head, "Her whole species were just innocent bystanders," and then he started speaking with so much anger, such that it startled me how much he changed in a matter of seconds, "When I found out she died at the hands of the Time Lords, I knew it was time to stop. I'm against violence, and you know it," he looked at me and I quickly nodded, "But I couldn't let it continue. Kaeya died because I delayed making that decision. If I would've done something just a bit earlier, then maybe she'd be alive today."

"You feel guilty," I whispered, completely understanding his pain and loss for a moment.

"How could I not? She used to admire us, she had such admiration for me...and I let her down. When she died, it was like an alarm went off in my head: you have to stop this. Because if I didn't, others like her would go down and I would not allow it."

"So you ended it, you ended it to save the innocent," I bit my lip, not even able to imagine him killing all those people, but never judging what he had to do for the sake of others.

"I killed them and this is my punishment, remembering all of those I killed and knowing that my friend died because I didn't save her."

"Have you mourned her?" I asked curiously, thinking it could perhaps help as it did manage to help me last week, even in a small way, "You know, kinda get closure and say goodbye."

"I wish I could, but I don't even know where she is; her body was never found. And I searched, I searched the whole damn planet and she wasn't there. I don't know where she ended up...where she's spending eternity in. I just hope wherever she is, she was able to forgive me."

I hated, I hated seeing him like this. His guilt mixed in with his grief and an extra layer of anger. It was the same I carried, and I understood him. For once, I could understand the 903 year old Time Lord because for a split moment, we both lost someone we cared about...and we felt responsible for it.

"We're not so different in the end," I sighed, placing my hand over his on the reigns, "But perhaps we can help each other. You've helped me enough, now let me help you. I can listen, be there when you need me to. We can talk."

"Oh Minerva," he sighed, moving us again, "This is help enough. I love this. Being here, with my sassy human, helping her, on a horse, in a beautiful forest, and just...moving along. This is what I need, moments like these."

"Well, there's no complaints from me," I shrugged, getting him to chuckle, "Hey, you're laughing, that's good. Now I know how that feels, making other people laugh."

"You're good at it too," he mumbled, pulling on the reign again and moving Marcel, his other arm around my waist tightening when I yelped at a sudden hop over a rock, "I won't drop you," he mumbled.

I smiled sheepishly, another blush starting up again. Holding me closer meant I was even closer to him. If I concentrated, I could probably feel the rhythm of his two hears behind my back.

"You know, I don't even think we're trying to race," Martha called, appearing between two trees across us, "I could have easily done two rounds and still win. Is there something I'm missing out on?" she smirked, eyeing us.

"You win," the Doctor waved her off.

"I was thinking that on the way back we could teach Minerva how to actually ride a horse," she suggested, "On her own."

"Then maybe I could drop him off," I pointed back to the Doctor, Marcel neighing right after.

"Oh, that's unity," the Doctor frowned, "Thanks Marcel."

"What he say?" Martha asked.

"He's on Minerva's side!" he exclaimed, indignantly, "I can't believe you'd trade me in for a girl."

And the horse neighed again.

"Wouldn't you?" I glanced at him curiously.

He had this serious look that would be sure to tell me how wrong I was but then it sort of, softened? "...I suppose, if it's you, then..." And he looked away afterwards.

I pondered on his words until I found Martha smirking again, interrupting my thoughts.

What the hell is she smirking about? I wondered.

"So Minerva," she called, "How are you feeling?" her smirk faded into a smile.

I a real and genuine smile as I looked between her and the Doctor. "I think I'm fine. Maybe not the miraculous recovery you want, but I think I'll get there one day. But for the moment, I actually feel quite...fine," My smile grew as my gaze remained on the Doctor. He eventually met my eyes and smiled back.

#dw imagine #10th doctor #ocappreciation #ocapp #doctor who #doctor who imagines #10th doctor imagines #10th doctor fics #doctor who fics #tenth doctor fics #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(OC Face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter 11: The American and the Martian

Chapter summary: Christmas is just around the corner when Donna Noble arrives, but how will Minerva and the Doctor's dynamic change with Donna in the mix instead of Rose Tyler?

We were in the TARDIS with no real destination in thought; we just floated in space. We couldn't think about any place right now - actually, I couldn't think of anything right now but the Doctor could. Soon as we had returned to the TARDIS, he asked to finally hear my story. So I finally spoke. I sat on the Captain's chair, spilling most of my story to him without ever once being interrupted. There were only a few things that I couldn't really tell him, things that I admitted out loud I wasn't ready for.

"My real name is Minerva Joycelin Souza. I made my middle name my first name so my parents couldn't track me down. It's a simple change but believe me, they haven't found me. I'm way smarter than them," I shrugged, not caring how those two would take it, "All they have is phone numbers from the people I've been with."

"So you're a runaway?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, "A runaway from home?"

"No..." I said quietly, looking up at him. I wanted to leave clear that I was not some child who made a rash decision. I was a grown up and I had been one for a very long time now. "I was tired. I was tired of home. They, my parents, aren't the best and I couldn't take living with them anymore. They blame me for something that I swear wasn't my fault. It couldn't be."

"Do you want to tell me that?" he asked cautiously, understanding the mental association was just stronger than my need to tell him.

"Honestly, no..."

"And that's okay. But when you feel like it's time, you just sit me down and I swear I'll listen this time."

"Thank you. "

"Have you ever talked to your family since you left?"

"Once or twice...the most recent being this year. But I won't want to speak to them."

"But they're your family!"

"That's their biological name but they are not!" I snapped, jumping off my chair. I realized I had startled him by the way he was looking at me, and for that I felt guilty. I waited until the anger had decreased to speak again, and when I did I spoke much softer, "Doctor, they're my family, yes, but they haven't earned that name. I have parents, aunts, uncles, cousins...but do you know what I was? Isolated. I felt like I was always alone..."

He placed his hand over mine, making me look up, "Do you still feel that way?"

"...no," I answered, surprisingly sure.

"Joy, I mean...Minerva, I never wanted to ignore you. I didn't even realize I was doing it. Guess you were right, all my head could think about was Rose. I wanted to show her everything...and in doing so, I forgot to be a good person to you."

"You weren't rude," I reminded, "Ignoring, but never rude."

It seemed like he was thinking about something and I could only guess on what, "Jo-Minerva, do you have any idea why Rose would keep your phone calls a secret from me?"

Easy, because she was jealous. I couldn't be that mean to somebody who wasn't around to defend themselves anymore...but it's not like she didn't deserve it. Focus Minerva! "She...she found out about my real name and I suppose it scared her a bit," I replied.

"She didn't tell me anything about that..."

"Of course not, I asked her to keep it a secret."

Rose was gone and never coming back. What good would it do to tarnish his memory of her over something as petty as jealousy? He didn't need to know about that, and he never would. I could do that for him.

"You asked her to keep it away from me?" he raised an eyebrow, disliking the idea, "What? You thought I'd be angry you lied about your name?"

"No, I wanted to be the one to tell you." That wasn't a lie. I didn't want Rose to spill because it wasn't her story to tell. I was never afraid of her but it did terrify me knowing I could push her to the point of making her tell the Doctor about something she didn't even understand.

"Okay, understandable," he nodded, conceding, "Does that mean she knew everything, then?"

"No. She knew nothing except about my real name. But even that was complicated seeing as she thr..." Somehow, I can see keeping her threat a secret would be a bit complicated seeing as I tend to ramble now thanks to the alien.

"As she what?" he asked.

"Nothing! I asked Rose to keep it a secret, end of story."

"Alright..." he nodded, seeming to buy it for now, "...so this family of yours," he went around the console as if to set in coordinations, "Where are they?"

"I'm not going, Doctor," I informed quietly. I knew what he was thinking of. If I told him where they lived he might take me there when I least expect it! I wasn't going to give him the chance!

"How else do you expect to fix things?"

"I don't."

"You haven't seen your parents in how many years?"

"...four."

"So then the right thing to do is-"

"To make it five years."

He mock-glared, tilting his head, as that was clearly not the answer he wanted, "Do you understand I made a promise to Jackie that I'd bring you home? Plus, now that I see how much it affects you, I want to bring you home."

"No thank you. I just wanna know you and I want you to know me and not my family."

He sighed and let the console go. I could tell there was going to be slight tension over that topic.

"Okay, well how about a call to see if they're alive? I don't care how angry and sad you are because of them, I know you want to know if they're alive."

It was my turn to sigh as he was right. No matter how much my parents and I disagreed, I still wanted them to be okay. "I don't have a cell phone, though."

That caught him off guard, "Come again?"

"Another thing you don't know about me. I don't have a cell phone. I don't believe in them. I don't believe in wasting my time talking over the phone with someone when I could use that time to be outside doing things that matter."

He grinned, "I really like you, you know that? First human I ever hear say that one."

"I'll call, but I won't say anything," I stood up, smiling just a bit as he went to the phone, "I'll let them answer."

"Parents or grandmother first?"

"Grandmother," I mumbled as I took the phone and started dialing. It felt so odd actually dialing those familiar numbers. I hadn't done so in so long and when she called, well...I had thrown the phone away. Poor Mickey wasn't so happy about that.

"Hello?" my grandmother's sweet voice answered, making my breathing hitch quite loudly. The Doctor placed a hand over my shoulder, encouraging me to speak. "Hello?" she asked again, pausing a few minutes before speaking again, "...is that you, Minerva?"

I literally threw the phone at the Doctor, making him scramble to catch it, "I can't," I shook my head, feeling the tears building up inside my eyes. "Hang up, please."

He stared for a few seconds, looking sad but trust me not as much as I was. Silently, he placed the phone over his ear, "I can assure you that you're granddaughter is safe and well. She will be fine," and he hung up.

"She's alive, she's alive, she's alive," I whispered to myself, my tears turning into those of joy, "Oh thank God."

"And your parents?" the Doctor asked.

"...I'll call the house. If they're alive then they won't answer. They'll let one of the maids do it."

"Maids?" he raised an eyebrow, acting as if he was judging me for leaving such a grand place.

"Oh shut up," I took the phone back, "I don't like to be waited on. It's demeaning to them," I started dialing and surely enough, Hayley, one of my mother's favorite maids, answered.

"Hello? If this is the window repairment shop, Mrs. Souza is very upset you're late. She will not stand for it and will go ahead and hire a new crew. Mr. Souza has already begun the recruitment, thank you."And she hung up before I even got a word out.

I placed the phone in its place. It wasn't the same feeling I got when I heard my grandmother's voice but there was still joy inside me knowing that my parents were safe too. "They're alive."

"Are you okay?" the Doctor asked, turning me to face him, "I know you probably hate me for forcing you like that but-"

"You did not force me," I corrected him, "It does make me feel better knowing they're alive."

"Hopefully, little by little, we can make some progress."

" I hope you're talking about just us," I clarified, "Because it's my only goal right now. Getting to know the ridiculous, banana-loving alien in front of me."

"There's not gonna be much progress if you keep calling me that," he warned with a finger.

"Well I need a better nickname!"

He rolled his eyes and opened that gob of his to argue when a strange noise, coming from the doors, made us stop.

We peered around the console to see a bright ginger woman, dressed in a wedding dress, turning around.

"What?" the Doctor stepped out, completely baffled by the appearance.

"Who are you!?" the ginger demanded.

"But-"

"Where am I!?"

"What!?" the Doctor's eyes were nearly popping out his head by how wide they were.

"What the hell is this place!?" the ginger shouted.

"You can't do that, I wasn't...we're in flight!" the Doctor exclaimed, "That is-" he pointed at her, "That is physically impossible! How did...?"

"Tell me where I am. I demand you tell me right now!" the ginger glared. Her green eyes were full of anger and it almost looked like she could kill with that look, "Where am I!?"

"Uh...you're in the TARDIS," I answered this time, the Doctor too bewildered to keep up with the answers the woman needed, "And if you could please calm-"

"The what?" she said, her voice loud as a yell even though it didn't even seem she was trying to yell anymore.

"The TARDIS," I repeated, kind of scared to keep answering for fear of another shout.

The Doctor walked to the console, probably to figure out how we had a new visitor.

"That's not even a proper word!" the ginger snapped, "You're just saying things!"

"I-I'm not..."

"How did you get in here?" the Doctor demanded.

"Well, obviously, when you two kidnapped me! Who was it? Who's paying you? Is it Nerys?" she looked between us, "Oh my god, she's finally got me back. This has got Nerys written all over it."

"Who the hell is Nerys?" the Doctor glanced up.

"Your best friend!"

"Hold on, wait a minute, what're you dressed like that for?" he looked her over, clearly not getting the whole 'wedding dress' concept.

"I'm going ten pin bowling," she shrugged sarcastically, "Why do you think, Dumbo? I was halfway up the aisle! I've been waiting all my life for this!" she began walking around the console, "I was just seconds away! And then you! I don't know, you drugged me or something!"

"We haven't done anything!" I said, tilting my head at her. There was something vaguely familiar about her but I couldn't quite place her just yet.

"We're having the police on you! Me and my husband - as soon as he is my husband - we're gonna sue the living backsides off ya!" There was a satisfied smile on her face after making her threat and that's when I remembered!

"Wait a minute, you were there," I pointed slowly but a few seconds later I was practically stabbing my finger in the air. "You saved me from that Auton!"

"That what?" she raised an eye brow, apparently having no idea what I was talking about.

"It's you. You told me he'd be here. And..." I looked at the Doctor, "I guess she meant you."

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about!"

"Yeah, I have to agree this time," the Doctor nodded, not that I was listening to him much.

"But it's you!" I walked for the woman instead. "You talked about a 'hot knife' not being as awesome as a screwdriver and no one else has a sonic screwdriver!"

"Stay away from me!" she backed away.

"Maybe it just hasn't happened yet," I whispered to myself, thinking logically. If that woman knew about the sonic screwdriver then it meant that she knew the Doctor, but that clearly wasn't the case right now. It had to be in her future. "Time travel..."

"You're insane!" she turned and ran for the doors.

The Doctor watched her open the doors and walked for her once she halted in awe, "You're in space. Outer space. This is my...space ship. It's called the TARDIS."

"How am I breathing?"

"The TARDIS is protecting us."

"Who are you?"

"I'm the Doctor," he gestured to himself and this is my friend, "Joy, sorry, Minerva," he smiled apologetically. It would take getting used to but he was making the effort.

"I'm Donna."

"Human?" the Doctor looked her over.

"Yeah...is that optional?"

"Well...it is for me."

"You're an alien..." she stated, the idea suddenly hitting her.

"Yeah. I just don't understand any of this," he started walking back for the console, "This can't happen. There's no way a human being can lock itself onto the TARDIS and transport itself inside," he started jumping around, full of energy. He began rambling things that I couldn't comprehend and much less Donna. He held up an Opthalmoscope to Donna's face, "Some sort of subatomic connection? Something in the temporal field? Maybe something pulling you into alignment with the Chronon shell. Maybe something macro mining your DNA within the interior matrix. Maybe a genetic-" Donna slapped him, making him stumble back.

I giggled but kept my distance from the two. I didn't want to be next on that list!

"What was that for!?" cried the Doctor, holding a hand to his cheek.

"Get me to the church!" Donna screamed.

He let go of his contraption and hurried to the controls, "Fine! I don't want you here anyway! Where is this wedding?"

"Saint Mary's, Hayden Road, Chiswick, London, England, Earth, the Solar System, " she stopped her pacing by a rail, "I knew it. Acting all innocent,"' she turned around and held one of Rose's blouses, "I'm not the first, am I?" she strode over to the Doctor, fuming, "How many have you abducted?" the Doctor's gaze fell to the console, "Has he got you abducted too!?" she looked at me, "Tell me if he does and I swear we'll get him-"

"No! No!" I shook my head, shaking my hands for emphasis, "I'm not abducted. And neither are you. No one is abducted!"

"This is yours then?" she gestured to the blouse.

"No, that's...that's our friend's blouse." The phrase 'our friend' was being used very loosely here.

"Where is she then? Popped out for a space walk?"

"She's gone," the Doctor replied, quietly.

"Gone where?"

"I lost her..."

"Well you can hurry up and lose me!" Donna shouted. She studied the Doctor who had grown quiet and still, realizing it was a touchy subject, "How do you mean, lost?"

The Doctor looked up from the console and started marching up to Donna with quite a dark face; it almost looked scary. He snatched Rose's blouse from Donna's hand then went for the doors, "Chiswick."

Donna quickly rushed out, holding the sides of her wedding dress and hurrying into the street. I hurried after her, knowing just how well the Doctor's piloting skills were. Sure enough, Donna was pretty peeved to find she was in another location.

"I said 'Saint Mary's!" she yelled, "What sort of Martian are you? Where's this?"

The Doctor was stroking the TARDIS, almost obliviously, "Something's wrong with her. Like...she's re-calibrating," he suddenly rushed back inside, "She's digesting!" and I could see him going around the console in a rush, "Donna?" he called out, "You've really gotta think. Is there anything that might've caused this?"

But the ginger seemed too preoccupied...with the TARDIS. She was finally realizing the actual size of its exterior and well, she started rounding it in bewilderment.

"Anything you might've done? Any sort of alien contacts? I can't let you go wandering off in case your dangerous. I mean, have you...have you seen lights in the sky? Or...did you touch something? Something, something different? Something strange? Something made out of a sort of metal or...who're you getting married to? Donna?"

She stepped back, glancing at me for reassurance she hadn't just imagined its exterior. I nodded, "It's okay."

"Donna?" the Doctor called again, oblivious to what was going on out here, "Are you sure he's human? He's not a bit overweight with a zip around his forehead, is he?"

Donna placed a hand over her mouth, utterly shocked and afraid, "No!" she dashed past me.

"Donna!" I called after her, glancing back to the Doctor, "Doctor! Donna's left!"

"What?" he ran outside and passed me as well, "Donna!"

"Oh, thanks!" I frowned, trying to catch up in the menace called heels. When I caught up, they were around the corner of a street, Donna looking around.

"Leave me alone," she ordered, "I just want to get married."

"Come back to the TARDIS," the Doctor said.

"No way. That box is too...weird," She did a slight shiver.

"It's just bigger on the inside, that's all."

"Oh that's all?" she mimicked his calm tone then looked at her watch, "Ten past three! I'm gonna miss it!"

"You can phone them. Tell them where you are," the Doctor suggested. I started looking around for a pay phone on the street.

"How do I do that?"

"Haven't you got a mobile?"

Donna and I turned back to him, and just...stared. Was he serious? Well, judging by his clueless face, the answer was a yes!

"I'm in my wedding dress," Donna began, and you could easily tell she would be doing some yelling in a moment, "It doesn't have pockets! Who has pockets? Have you ever seen a bride with pockets? When I went to my fitting, do you think I said, 'Alison, the one thing I forgot to say is give me pockets'!?"

The Doctor blinked, "This man you're marrying...what's his name?"

She smiled at the mention, "Lance."

"Good luck Lance."

I whacked his arm, "Not funny."

"No stupid Martians are gonna stop me from getting married. To hell with you two!" she yelled then ran off.

I frowned, slightly offended, "I'm not Martian."

"I'm not from Mars," the Doctor said feebly.

"Well we can't leave her alone, can we?" I said then ran after Donna.

"Taxi!" Donna was calling on the streets.

"Look, another one!" the Doctor pointed, running after it but to no avail.

"Taxi!" Donna and I called but with no results.

"There's one!" I pointed. We must have called for a dozen taxis but none would stop, "This is like New York all over again!" I sighed.

"Do you have this effect on everyone?" the Doctor looked to Donna, "Why aren't they stopping?"

"They think I'm in fancy dress," Donna gestured to her wedding dress.

"Stay off the scotch darling!" a passing taxi driver shouted.

"They think I'm drunk," Donna frowned.

"You're fooling no one, mate!" another car shouted as they passed.

"They think I'm in drag,"" Donna threw her head back, exasperated.

"Hold on, hold on," I put my fingers between my mouth and whistled like I've never whistled before, succeeding in stopping a taxi in front of us.

"Nice," the Doctor praised as Donna quickly got in.

"Thanks. One more thing you don't know about me," I smiled, "I've been on the road and you gotta learn how to have a heck of a whistle to get around."

"Saint Mary's in Chiswick, just off Hayden Road," Donna was instructing as we got in, "It's an emergency, I'm getting married!"

And we began driving off, "You know it'll cost you, sweetheart? Double rates today," the driver replied.

'Oh my god! Do you have any money?" Donna glanced at us.

"Uh..." I looked to the Doctor, "I told you I lost all my money."

"What about you?" he asked Donna.

"Pockets!?" Donna gestured to her dress.

And the taxi came to halt right there. As the Doctor and I climbed out, Donna got into a full argument with the driver...some very...interesting words being said.

"And that goes double for your mother!" Donna yelled, slamming the door of the taxi, "I'll have him. I've got his number. I'll have him. Talk about the Christmas Spirit."

"It's Christmas?" I blinked, suddenly taking in a few of the decorations on the street.

"Maybe not on Mars but here it's Christmas Eve."

"Hey?" I clapped my hands, grabbing her attention, "Not Martian. Not alien," I pointed to myself, "Human."

"Oh...hello," she smiled, as if that made it all the better. I almost laughed if the situation wasn't so rushed.

"Look, a phone box," the Doctor pointed.

"Oh thank goodness! We can reverse the charges!" Donna dashed for it.

"How come you're getting married on Christmas Eve?" the Doctor questioned her.

"Can't bear it. I hate Christmas. Honeymoon in Morocco. Sunshine: lovely."

"You don't like Christmas?" I frowned. How could anybody hate Christmas!?

"Nope," she opened the doors of the phone box, "What's the operator? I've not done this in years!"

"Just...just call the direct," the Doctor used the screwdriver on the phone.

"What did you do?" Donna demanded, her voice rising in volume.

The Doctor looked around, "Something...Martian. Now, phone! We'll get money!"

I giggled as we ran to a cash machine, "So, you're Martian now?"

"Shut up," he muttered.

"Okay...Martian," I giggled again, making him sigh, "You know, I like the sound of that..."

He quickly saw where my thoughts were headed and shook his head, "Don't you dare."

We waited in the line for this annoyingly slow man in front of us. While the Doctor started hopping from one foot to the other in his impatience, I started looking around. I noticed a few masked Santa's that were playing trumpets. I tilted my head, studying them, feeling like they were looking straight at me. I took a step forwards, not taking my eyes off them.

"What are you looking at?" I mumbled, remembering the last ones from our last Christmas.

"Minerva!" the Doctor exclaimed, suddenly pausing to smile at himself, "Hey, I got it right this time."

"Good for you, now focus!"

"Right, I've got it," he pulled me back towards Donna.

"But Doctor, look!" I pointed to the Santas and he stopped running to look, "Didn't we see those Santa's last year?"

He remained quiet, obviously remembering them, "C'mon," he pulled me again.

"Oi! Thanks for nothing!" Donna's yell turned us back, "See you in court, spaceman!"

My eyes widened when I saw her driver was a masked Santa, "Doctor, look...again!"

"Donna!" he shouted but she had already left. He looked back to the Santas and saw they had their trumpets as weapons, "Get ready to run," he pointed the sonic at the cash machine and made all the money fly everywhere in the street. As the people scurried to get the money, we ran back to the TARDIS.

"But what do they want now?" I said, frantically pacing back and forth while he worked on the console, "I thought we got rid of them last Christmas! And are they after Donna?" I stopped pacing and turned to him, my rambles getting the best of me, "What do they want now? What are they doing here? And what does Donna have to do with them?"

"I don't know Rose!" he shouted distractedly, "Now shush!"

I froze, my eyes blinking rapidly. He looked up, just now donning on him what he had said.

"M-Minerva, I'm..." He stood straight, "I'm sor-"

"Funny, I don't recall having a third name," I spat, forcing myself to focus on the problem with Donna, "Let's get the ginger back," I walked up to the console, hanging on.

He stared, probably feeling bad but not as bad as I felt. Quietly, he got back to work. Out of the no where, sparks started flying from the console.

"Woah!" I pulled back.

"Behave!" the Doctor hit the console with a hammer.

"Because that's gonna help?" I yelled, raising an eyebrow, "And where'd you even get a hammer from?"

The shakes became even more violent as we hurried to catch up to the bride.

The Doctor attached some string to the console, "Hang on!" He placed the string between his teeth and headed for the door.

I watched as he opened the door, revealing the highway, "Please tell me you're not gonna jump..."

"A certain ginger will," he mumbled before shouting out to her, "Donna, open the door!" I could only see a somewhat view with him blocking the way, "You've gotta jump!" Donna yelled something back, but I couldn't make it out, "Listen to me, you've got to jump! Whatever that thing is, it needs you. And whatever it needs you for, it's not good. Now come on!"

I moved alongside the the console, seeing Donna getting ready to jump from the car.

"Trust me," the Doctor said, much calmer now.

"Is that you said to her? Your friend?" Donna was asking, "Did she trust you?"

"Yes, she did. And she is not dead. She is so alive! Now jump!"

And with that, she did. Donna jumped and landed on top of the Doctor. I half smiled, returning my gaze to the console, rubbing it and silently apologizing for the Doctor's rudeness with a hammer...not that she could understand me anyways, but the thought counts!

~0~

Donna and I sat on the edge of building's roof, our legs dangling millions of feet up above the ground. The Doctor was trying to bring down the smoke coming from the TARDIS.

"Did we miss it?" I asked Donna as she was checking her watch. She looked so disappointed my heart almost broke for her. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life and...she was spending it with a stranger, an alien, and a smokey box.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry."

"It doesn't matter."

But I knew it did. Those were my words that I used when things most certainly did matter.

"We'd better give her a few hours," the Doctor walked over to us.

"We missed it," I told him, looking straight ahead. I was still a little edgy since his little mix up with the names. I know it wasn't the time or place, but I was fairly annoyed.

"Oh...sorry," he took a seat beside Donna, putting her in between us, "Well, you can book another date..."

"Course we can," Donna said, absently.

"Still got the honeymoon," I added.

"It's just a holiday now."

"Sorry..." the Doctor said.

"It's not your fault."

"Oh! That's a change!" he exclaimed.

"Wish we had a time machine...then we could go back and get it right," she sighed.

"Yeah...but...even if I did, I couldn't go back on someone's personal timeline...apparently," he shrugged off his jacket and placed it around Donna.

"God you're skinny," she frowned, trying to close the jacket around her, "This wouldn't fit a rat."

"Oh and you'd better put this on," he handed her a ring.

"Oh, do you have to rub it in?" she said, sadly.

"Those creatures can trace you. This is a bio damper; should keep you hidden," he slid the ring on her finger, "With this ring, I thee bio-damp."

"For better or for worse," Donna went along, "So, come on then. Robot Santa, what are they for?"

"Basic robo scavenger. The Father Christmas stuff is just a disguise. They're trying to blend in. We met them last Christmas."

"Why, what happened then?"

"Great big spaceship? Hovering London? You didn't notice?" the Doctor raised an eye brow.

"I had a bit of a hang over," she shrugged.

"Right...Well, we spent Christmas Day just over there, the Powell Estate. With this...family," he grew quiet, "My friend, she had this family. Well, they were..." he paused, just staring ahead, "Still...gone now."

Donna noticed the change of attitude and so turned to me, "So what's the story with you?"

"Me? What do you mean?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Well, dressed like that...got a hot date?"

I looked down to my professional clothing and sighed. Funny how things could change so quickly. A few hours ago I was talking to Mickey about how nervous I was to tell the Doctor about Torchwood...and now Mickey was gone again, probably for good this time. "No...it's for my job." I looked up, sighing again when I realized I was back to zero again. I didn't have a penny to my name. "I had this job..."

"With those heels? What kind of job was it?"

I glanced at her, smiling at her thoughts, "I worked for Torchwood," she clearly never heard of it as well, "Boss was kind of demanding with attire. Doesn't matter now though, she's gone...it's all gone."

"What about you?" the Doctor asked her, clearly wanting to change topics, "I'd like to know what camouflaged robot mercenaries want with you. And how did you get inside the TARDIS?" Donna rolled her eyes and shook her head, "What's your job?" he took out his screwdriver from the jacket.

"I'm a secretary."

"It's weird, I mean..." he started scanning her, "You're not special, you're not powerful, you're not connected, you're not clever, you're not important-"

"This friend of yours, just before she left, did she punch you in the face?" Donna snapped, whacking the screwdriver away, "Stop bleeping me!"

"What kind of secretary?" I asked, trying to relieve her irritation of him.

"I'm at HC Clements. It's where I met Lance. I was temping. It was a bit posh really. I'd spend the last two years at a double glazing firm. Well, I though, I'm never gonna fit in here. And then..." she paused, a great smile spreading across her face, "He made me a coffee. That just doesn't happen. Nobody gets secretaries a coffee. Lance! He's the head of HR. He don't need to bother with me...but he was nice...and he was funny," she shrugged happily, "It turned out he thought everyone else was really snotty too. So that's how it started, me and him- one cup of coffee. That was it."

"When was that?"

"Six months ago."

"Bit quick to get married..." the Doctor remarked.

"Well...he insisted," Donna rolled her eyes, "He nagged and nagged. He just wore me down and I finally gave in."

"What does HC Clements do?"

"Security systems, you know...entry codes, ID Cards. If you ask me, it's a posh name for 'locksmiths'."

I smiled, "Keys?"

"Enough of my CV. Come on, it's time to face the consequences. Oh, this is gonna be so shaming. You can do the explaining, Martian boy."

"Yeah, I'm not from Mars," the Doctor shook his head. He stood up and held out his hand, "C'mon."

"Oh, I had this great big reception all planned. Everyone's gonna be heartbroken," Donna sighed.

I stood up on my own and walked for the TARDIS, "I've never been to a wedding before. Well, one that I've wanted to anyways. My parents always dragged me to these important ones "

"Don't like your family?" Donna asked.

I sighed, "Let's just see yours instead."

~0~

Unfortunately for Donna, the reception seemed pretty lively when we entered..even on the account of the missing bride. One by one, the guests began noticing us and stopped dancing (and having fun). Finally, the music was cut to leave us as the center of attention.

"You had the reception without me?" Donna crossed her arms. I didn't know her very well, but I was pretty sure that in a few seconds she would burst from anger.

"Donna...what happened to ya?" a man stepped forwards.

Donna had a death glare I would not want to be caught on, "You had...the reception...without me?" her voice grew louder and no one answered her. She glanced at the Doctor and I, "They had the reception without me."

"Yes, we gathered," the Doctor nodded.

"Well, it was all paid for, why not?" a woman asked.

"Thank you, Nerys," Donna snapped.

"Well, what we were supposed to do?" an older woman walked for Donna, "I got your silly little message in the end, 'I'm on Earth'? Very funny. What the hell happened? How did you do it? What's the trick because I'd love to know."

The whole room began speaking at once. Poor Donna just looked on from one face to the other, probably getting overwhelmed. Suddenly, she burst into tears, making the babbling die down. The man, I assumed to be Lance, went to hug her and soon everyone applauded. On a turn, Donna winked at us.

"Oh she's good," I smirked.

It didn't take much to get the party back on. The music blared up and people begun their dancing. Even I was reeled into the dance floor by Donna. I felt a little bad leaving the Doctor back but, I didn't really know what to say to him. In any case, he didn't seem to want to dance. He had moved himself to the bar and just stared at us. I felt like he was staring at me most of the time, probably thinking I had already forgotten the others by the few laughter's I had given. It just seemed like we had different ways of remembering. Mickey wouldn't want me to be sad and isolating myself. I had to keep moving on. Though I suppose maybe it was a different story for the Doctor and Rose, seeing their feelings were a bit stronger than just friendship. He'd probably take more to heal. But I had to admit, the way he was staring, I couldn't help think he was seeing in me the ghost of a girl who was no longer here.

"What's the matter, love?" the young man I was dancing with snatched me out of my thoughts, "Don't like the music?"

"It's good," I nodded, smiling.

He grabbed my hands and pulled me forwards and back, making me laugh, "You're a good dancer!"

"Thanks, so are you!"

"Oi? American?"

I nodded, "Yeah!" I felt a hand on my arm pull me back. I looked back and saw the Doctor, "What are you-"

"It's important," he pulled me out of the dance floor.

"Oi, I was dancing back-"

"Huon Particles."

"What?"

"I'm assuming you know what that is, as HC Clements was part of Torchwood's properties."

I blinked, "Oh..."

"What does Torchwood have to do with this?" he demanded, actually seeming angry.

"Woah, woah, woah, you should not be using that tone with me. You're not on my good side right now," I warned, crossing my arms. "You know what my name is right?"

He sighed, "I'm sorry. It was in the heap of a moment and-"

"Yeah, I know, you're so used to her," I rolled my eyes, "Anyways, I knew Torchwood had acquired separate lands. I just didn't know HC Clements was one. I don't remember it..."

"Yeah, well bigger problem is Huon Particles are very old..."

"Meaning...?"

"It can't be hidden," he turned to Donna.

"Uh oh," my eyes widened. We rushed to a window and peered out. Sure enough, there stood the fake santas, "What do we do?"

"Donna!" He shouted, running for her, "Donna, they've found you!"

While they spoke, I rushed for the door. Hopefully, we'd make a clean escape. I opened it and found two fake santas. I frowned, seeing our way blocked off, "Screw you!" I ran back to Donna and the Doctor, "Back door...not the way to go."

We hurried to the window and saw the Santas now held a remote.

"What are they gonna do?" Donna asked.

"Christmas trees," the Doctor glanced to the big one they had in the room, "Get away from the tree!" he shouted to the guests, "Don't touch the trees!"

"Oh for God's sakes, the man's an idiot," Donna's mother yelled. "What's a Christmas tree gonna...oh!"

The large tree's decorative spheres were floating away from it and moving over the heads of the guests. Suddenly, they began dropping and making small explosions around the room. We took cover but the Doctor ran for the DJ's spot.

"Oi! Santa!" He called, "Word of advice: if you're attacking a man with a sonic screwdriver..." he spoke into the microphone, "Don't let him near the sound system," he held the screwdriver to the amplifiers and caused an eerie screech from them.

We covered our ears and watched as the Santas fell into pieces on the floor. When it stopped, we stood from our hiding places and looked around. Mostly everyone crowded around the dismantled santas on the floor.

I walked to the Doctor, still getting my ears to work again. He held out a console to me, "Look at that, remote control for the decorations."

"But that means there's another remote control," I said, taking hold of it, "For the robots, I mean."

"They're not scavengers anymore. I think someone's taken possession."

"Oi, you two," Donna walked over to us, "People have been hurt and you're a doctor."

"Nah, they wanted you alive, look," he threw her a sphere, "They're not active now."

"All I'm saying is you could help."

"Gotta think of the bigger picture..." he fiddled with the device. He wasn't even listening, "There's still a signal!" and he ran off.

I looked to Donna, "Sorry," and I ran after him.

"There's someone behind this," he explained as we hurried outside.

"But who?"

"And why are they following me? What have I done?" Donna caught up with us.

"If we find the controller, we'll find that out. Oh!" he raised his screwdriver into the air, "It's up there! Something in the sky!"

"When isn't there, honestly?"

"And now I've lost the signal," he put his arm down, "Donna we've got to get to your office, HC Clements. I think that's where it all started."

"Lance can give us a lift," Donna quickly offered as Lance himself ran out of the building.

~0~

When we arrived at HC Clements, the Doctor hurriedly went to Donna's office and her computer, "This might just be a locksmiths but HC CLements was brought up 23 years ago by the Torchwood Institute."

"Isn't that where you worked?" Donna pointed at me, "Exactly who are they?"

"They were behind the battle of Canary Wharf," I sighed but Donna remained strangely quiet. I looked up to see her in an oblivious state, "Cyberman invasion..." I tried but she was still quiet... "Skies over London filled with horrid Daleks?"

"Oh I was in Spain," She waved me off.

"They had Cybermen in Spain," I smiled softly.

"Scuba diving."

I shook my head, very amused by this ginger.

"Okay you two are missing the big picture!" the Doctor exclaimed, running to a new computer, "Torchwood was destroyed but HC Clements stayed in business. I think...someone else came in and took over the operation."

"But what do they want with me?" Donna put a hand over her chest, "I haven't done anything.

He turned around and faced her, "Somehow you've been dosed with Huon energy. And that's a big problem because Huon energy hasn't existed since the Dark times. The only place you'd fine those particles now is a remnant in the heart of the TARDIS. See?" he grabbed a mug and a pencil, "Say, this is the TARDIS," he held the mug, "And this is you," he gestured to the pen, "The particles inside you activated. The two sets of particles magnetized and WHAP!" he threw pencil inside the mug, "You were pulled inside the TARDIS."

"I'm a pencil inside a mug?" Donna questioned, clearly not liking the idea.

"Yes, you are. 4H. Sums you up. Lance?" the Doctor called, "What was HC Clements working on? Anything top secret? Special operations? Do not enter?"

"I don't know, I'm in charge of personnel. I wasn't project manager," Lance said, quite on the defense.

I rolled my eyes and sat on the desk the Doctor had been at with the computer and began searching for the map of the building.

"Why am I even explaining myself?" Lance exclaimed, "What the hell are we talking about?"

"Shut up," I snapped, causing them to turn to me, "If you'd all quit your yapping you'd see there's something terribly wrong here."

"Like what? Besides everything else..." Donna said sadly.

"Doctor you've seen it, and I know Torchwood like the back of my hand," I pointed to the map on the screen, "We're on the third floor and Torchwood always lied about its floor plans."

He nodded and walked for the elevator, "There's a basement underneath the reception area, yes?"

"Yes," I stood up from my seat and followed him, "But..."

"But if you look on the lift, there's a button marked 'lower basement'," he finished my thought as he took a look on the buttons of the elevator.

"Whole floor that doesn't exist on the official plans. Typical Torchwood," I rolled my eyes, having seen enough building plans from Yvonne's computer.

"You're telling me this building's got a secret floor?" Lance walked towards us with Donna.

"No, we're showing you."

"It needs a key," Donna said.

"No we don't," the Doctor sonicked the elevator, "Right then, thanks you two, but we can handle it from here. See you later."

"No chance, Martian," Donna stepped inside, "You're the man who keeps saving my life and I ain't letting you out of my sight."

"Going down!" I exclaimed.

"Lance?" Donna used an authoritative tone.

"Maybe I should go to the police..." he backed away.

"Inside. Now," she pointed. He quickly joined us and stood beside her.

"To honor and obey?" the Doctor asked him.

"Tell me about it, mate."

"Oi!" Donna exclaimed. I bit down my chuckle, earning a mock-glare for a second, "Like to get married?"

"No thank you. I can make them obey me without the wedding dress," I replied proudly, crossing my arms.

The elevator opened up to a dark corridor that was slightly illuminated by a green light.

"What goes down here?" Donna looked around.

"Let's find out," the Doctor stepped out.

"Do you think Mr. Clements knows about this place?"

"The mysterious HC Clements? I think he's part of it," he looked around, "Oh, look, transport!"

"Oh, no thank you," I said when I saw what had caught his eye.

"Electric scooters?" Donna trailed after the Doctor, "In my wedding dress?"

"Forget that, I have heels," I pointed.

"Women," the Doctor muttered to Lance.

Donna and I glanced at each other, ready to smack both of them.

"If you two are so worried over your attire, we'll gladly come back for you," the Doctor said, hopping onto one of the scooters.

"You'd like that wouldn't you," I walked over to him, placing a hand over my hip, "But you're forgetting I'm the one with the Torchwood knowledge so you need me."

"Then I suggest you hop on so we can get going," he smiled sweetly.

I sighed annoyed, and went around to step on, "If you drop me you are more than dead, do you hear me? Regeneration will not be enough to fix you!"

"Loud and clear!" he exclaimed excitedly as he made us go.

We strode down the corridors, somehow and for whatever reason, we burst into laughter. All except Lance of course who didn't seem to be so amused.

"Look!" I pointed to a 'Torchwood: Authorized personnel only' sign. I tugged on the Doctor's sleeve, "Stop here!" He stopped and I jumped off, hurriedly going for the door, "Wonder what's up here."

"I say let's go in," the Doctor said, already moving to open the door up.

"Ah, ah," I waved my index finger, "Don't you see?" I gestured to the sign, "Torchwood Personnel only. And you sir, are not Torchwood Personnel."

"Hm," he mock glared then turned the wheel on the door, opening it. There was a ladder on the other side of the door. He looked back, a slight smirk on his face, "I don't suppose you'd like to climb a ladder with a skirt would you?" I glared, crossing my arms. He leaned closer, "Hmm?"

"Don't push me today, alien," I warned, setting him back a little, "Go ahead."

He started up for the ladder and called back, "Don't go anywhere!"

"Couldn't if I tried, you're my ride!" I yelled as he went up, earning a laugh.

"What's he doing?" Donna walked over to me.

"Gonna see what's up," I pointed up, "Literally."

"He's coming back, right?"

"He better."

She smiled, "Good."

He returned a couple of minutes later, "Thames floor barrier! Right on top of us!" he jumped from the ladder to the ground, "Your little institute snuck in and built this place underneath!" He pointed to me.

"Yvonne didn't tell me about that..." I frowned.

"So there's a secret base hidden underneath a major London landmark?" Donna asked.

"I know! Unheard of," the Doctor started walking, us following, and soon led us into a lab, "Oh look at this! Stunning! Particle extrusion!"

"And what does it do?" Donna questioned.

"Particle extrusion. Hold on..." the Doctor rushed to a bubbling tube, "Brilliant. They've been manufacturing Huon particles. In case my people got rid of Huons, they unraveled the atomic structure."

"You're people...?" I asked. He never told me about them and I'd love to know about them.

"They're rebuilding them! They've been using the river!" the Doctor continued his ramble, "Extruding them through a flat hydrogen base so they've got the end result: Huon particles in liquid form."

"And that's what's inside me?" Donna questioned as he raised up a small test tube.

He turned a knob on top of the tube and made the liquid turn gold...as well as Donna. I clasped my hand over my mouth, keeping my gasp muffled.

"Oh my god!" Donna cried, looking down at herself.

"Because the particles are inert, they need something living to catalyze inside and that's you," the Doctor pointed, "Saturate the body and then...HA!" he suddenly shouted, making Donna jump, "What's the happiest day of a human being?"

"Oh! The wedding!" I pointed, excitedly, beginning to understand.

"Exactly!" he nodded, "And you, Donna Noble, are getting married! That's it! Best day of your life, walking down the aisle, oh you're a body's a battleground! There's a chemical war inside! Adrenaline, acetylcholine, WHAM go the endorphins, oh you're cooking!" Again, he made Donna jump, "Yeah, you're like a walking oven! A pressure cooker, a microwave, all churning away, the particles reach boiling point, SHAZAM!"

And she slapped him...again.

This time, I let out a laugh, and a loud one.

"What did I do this time!?" the Doctor cried, stumbling back and rubbing his face again.

"Are you enjoying this?" Donna snapped.

He looked down, ashamed, "Sorry."

"Just tell me," She walked up to him, "These particles...are they dangerous? Am I safe?"

"...Yes."

"Doctor, if your lot got rid of Huon particles...why did they do that?"

"Because they were deadly..."

Donna gasped lightly, "Oh my god!

"I'll sort it out, Donna. Whatever's been done to you, I'll reverse it. I'm not about to lose someone else," he put his hands on her shoulders.

Suddenly, we heard crashing and bangs from all around the room. We looked around and saw a wall sliding up.

"Oh, she is long since lost," a raspy voice filled the room.

The moving wall revealed to us a round, deep hole in the floor and, slowly, we approached it. I couldn't help but notice Lance had slipped out of the room. Of course, I didn't believe it to be that important. Poor guy was probably just scared.

"I have waited so long, hibernating at the edge of the universe..." the voice continued, "Until the secret heart was uncovered and called out to waken!"

"This is very Torchwood," I remarked, looking down into the dark hole.

"How far down does it go?" the Doctor questioned.

"Down and down, all the way to the center of the Earth!"

"What for?" I raised an eye brow.

"Dinosaurs?" Donna tried.

"What are you on about, dinosaurs?" the Doctor turned to her.

"That film, Under the Earth, with dinosaurs. Trying to help!"

"That's not helping," he said serious, shaking his head.

"Such sweet couple," the voice remarked.

"Only a madman talks to thin air and trust me, you don't want to make me mad," the Doctor looked around, "Where are you?"

"High in the sky, floating so high on Christmas Night."

"I didn't come all this way to talk on the intercom! Come on, let's have a look at you!"

"Who are you with such command?"

"I'm the Doctor."

"Prepare your best medicines, doctor man, for you will be sick at heart."

Then, out of the no where, appeared a gigantic, red...spider...? It growled at us but didn't come forth.

"The Racnoss...but that's impossible, you're one of the Racnoss!" the Doctor looked that thing over and over in awe.

"Empress of the Racnoss."

"It's just her?" I raised an eye brow, "Where's the rest of her kind? Or is she the only one? You are, aren't you?"

"Such a sharp mind for a human."

"The Racnoss come from the Dark Times, billions of years ago..." the Doctor explained, "They were carnivores, omnivores, they devoured whole planets."

"Racnoss are born starving, is that our fault?" the Empress snarled.

"They eat people?" Donna questioned.

"H C Clements, did he wear those...um...black and white shoes?" the Doctor asked her.

"He did!" Donna nodded, "We used to laugh, we used to call him the fat cat in spats!"

The Doctor pointed to the ceiling where we could see a pair of black and white shoes sticking out from a web. My mouth hung open.

"Oh my god!" Donna cried.

"Mm, my Christmas dinner," the Empress laughed.

"But you shouldn't exist," the Doctor yelled, "Way back in history, the Fledgling Empires went to war against the Racnoss, they were wiped out."

"Except for me," she said, proudly.

"But that's what I've got inside me, that Huron energy thing!" Donna exclaimed, "Oi! Look at me, lady, I'm talking. Where do I fit in? Oi! Look at me, you! Look me in the eye and tell me!" Lance was slowly creeping up behind the empress with a large axe in his hand.

"The bride is so feisty!" the Empress looked Donna over.

"Yes, I am. And I don't know what you are you big...thing! But a spider's just a spider and an axe is an axe! Now, do it!" Donna yelled to Lance.

And he swung the axe but suddenly stopped a few inches away from the empress. Both of them began to laugh while staring at Donna.

"That was a good one. Your face," Lance said to the empress, imitating her.

"Lance is funny," the empress turned to us again.

"What?" Donna looked from one to the other.

"I'm sorry..." the Doctor said, quietly.

"Oh that..." I began frowning, wanting to kill both of them for their cruel plan.

"Sorry for what?" Donna asked, still not getting it, "Lance, don't be so stupid. Get her!"

Lance looked at Donna, giving a sarcastic pout, "God, she's thick. Months I had to put up with her. Months. A woman who can't even point to Germany on a map."

"I don't understand..." Donna said, feeling slightly offended.

"How did you meed him?" the Doctor asked her.

"In the office..."

"He made you coffee..."

"What?" Donna looked to Lance.

"Every day, I made you coffee," Lance spat, "Duh?"

"You had to be dosed with liquid particles over six months."

"He was poisoning me?"

"It was all there in the job title: the Head of Human Resources," the Doctor gritted his teeth.

"This time, it's personnel," Lance said before going into a fit of laughter with the empress.

I glared, "You bastard."

"Oi, careful with that tongue little girl," he stopped for a moment.

"But...we were getting married," Donna said, trying to wrap her mind around the idea.

Lance smirked, "Well I couldn't risk you running off. I had to say yes! And then I was stuck with a woman who thinks the height of excitement is a new flavor Pringle. Oh I had to sit there and listen to all that yap, yap, yap-'Oh, Brad and Angelina-is Posh pregnant?' X Factor, Atkins Diet, Feng Shui, split ends, text me, text me, text me, dear God, the never ending fountain of fat, stupid trivia!" Donna only stared, her eyes close to tears, "I deserve a medal."

"So what are you then?" the Doctor yelled, "The Empress' consort?"

"It's better than a night with her," he made a face as he glanced at Donna again.

"But I love you..." Donna feebly.

"That's what made it easy," Lance cackled, "It's like you said, Doctor-the big picture-what's the point of it all if the Human Race is nothing? That's what the Empress can give me. The chance to go out there and to see it. The size of all. I think you understand that, don't you, Doctor?"

"You're not getting any of that," I spoke up, earning his attention.

"Oh, and why is that?"

"...because you're gonna end up dead tonight anyways," I said flatly, even shrugging for casualness, "Either that spider over there is gonna betray you, or you just gonna do something stupid and die. Either way, you've seen the last of your days."

"Who is this girl?" the Empress questioned, looking me over before glancing at the Doctor, "And the little physician?"

"What she said, Martian. That one is human," Lance replied, pointing to each of us.

"The big point here is, what's down there?" the Doctor moved along the hole again, "The Racnoss are extinct. What's gonna help you four thousand miles down?"

"I think he wants us to talk," Lance glanced at the Empress, "That's tough! All we need is Donna!"

"Well tough for you because you're not having her!" I yelled.

"Oh my god you're so annoying!" Lance snapped, "Didn't your parents ever teach you not to speak until your spoken to?"

"Sorry, it doesn't apply to spiders and trash."

"Kill her as well," the Empress ordered.

I rolled my eyes, "Because this is the first time people want to kill me?"

"At arms!"

"Ah, now, except..." the Doctor remained calm, letting me know there was a plan coming up, "I'd like to point out the obvious..."

Donna and I gathered around him as the guards came closer.

"They won't hit the bride. They're such very good shots." the Empress assured.

"If you think about it," the Doctor continued, "The particles activated in Donna and drew her inside my spaceship. So reverse it...the spaceship comes to her!" He turned the knob on the test tube from earlier, making Donna glow again.

"Fire!" the Empress yelled.

But the TARDIS was already around us.

"Off we go!" the Doctor exclaimed, dashing for the console, "Donna, remember what I said before about time machines? Well, I lied. And now we're gonna use it," he sent us shaking again.

He hadn't noticed Donna was crying. She stood with her back to us and silently wept. When the TARDIS stopped the shakes, I walked over to her.

"I don't know how much help a 17 year old girl can be for a heart broken bride but...maybe when she has a Martian for a friend I could be somewhat..." I brought her to the doors. I didn't even know what was on the other side of the doors but right now, I didn't care.

"No human's ever seen this," the Doctor joined us, "You two will be the first."

"All I want to see is my bed," Donna muttered.

"Welcome to the creation of the Earth," he opened the door for us. We both gasped at the beautiful, colorful sight, "We've gone back 4.6 billion years. There's no solar system, not yet. Only dust and rocks and gas. That's the Sun over there, brand new. Just beginning to burn."

"Where's the Earth?" Donna looked around.

"All around us...in the dust."

"Puts the wedding in perspective. Lance was right. We're just...tiny."

"Well, we progress," I shrugged.

"It's what you do," the Doctor nodded, "The Human race...making sense out of chaos. Marking it out with weddings and Christmas and calendars, This whole process is beautiful, but only if it's being observed."

"So, we came out of all this?" Donna asked.

"Isn't that brilliant?"

"Very..." I whispered, looking around. I hadn't seen anything like this since the very first trip Rose and I took with him. It made me miss the traveling a lot more than I really thought I did.

"Eventually, gravity takes hold. Say one big rock that's heavier than the others starts to pull other rocks towards it. The dust and gas and elements get pulled in, everything piling in until you get the..."

"Earth," Donna and I answered together.

"But the question is...what was that first rock?" the Doctor peered out.

"Look," I pointed to a star-shaped rock floating about, "What is that?"

"The Racnoss..." he rushed back inside, "Hold on, the Racnoss are hiding from the war! What's it doing?"

"Just...exactly what you said," I replied, "Everything's being pulled in by the rock."

"Means they didn't just bury something at the center of the Earth. They became the center of the Earth. The first rock."

"Oh great, our planet has a nest of spiders," I muttered, closing the doors.

Suddenly, the TARDIS shook and sent us all to the ground.

"What was that?" Donna asked.

"Trouble," the Doctor used the console and pushed himself back up.

The TARDIS continued to shake violently, making it hard for us to keep on our feet.

"What the hell is it doing?" I yelled.

"The trick I pulled...particles pulling particles...it works in reverse and now they're pulling us back!"

"Well can you stop it!?" cried Donna, "Hasn't it got a handbrake? Reverse or warp or beam or something?"

"Backseat driver, oh wait a minute!" he reached underneath the console, "The extrapolator!" he pulled it back up, "Can't stop us but it should give us a good bump!" he began whacking it repeatedly, "Now!" When the TARDIS stopped, he looked up and ran to the doors, "We're about 200 yards to the right now come on!"

"But what do we do?" Donna panted for air as we ran.

We stopped in front of the door with the ladder again, "I don't know! I make it up as I go along! But trust me, I've got a history!" the Doctor pulled up his stethoscope to the door.

"I still don't understand, I'm full of particles but what for?" Donna asked.

"There's a Racnoss web at the center of the Earth but my people unravelled their power source. The Huon particles ceased to exist but the Racnoss are stuck." He explained.

A hand flung over my mouth and pulled me back. Donna was in the same predicament and as the Doctor continued his ramble, we were brought back to the Racnoss as hostages. Wow was that man oblivious.

"Up to the webs you go!" the Empress laughed as we were brought in.

"Oi! Let go of me!" Donna yelled as she brought up.

"And as for you," the Empress looked at me, "I think you'll make a fine snack for my children."

"Oi, listen spider, I refuse to surrender," I rolled my eyes.

"Hm, interesting, you remind me of someone..." she tilted her head.

"Hate to be them if they knew you."

"She had the same word, 'refuse' in her vocabulary. Probably what got her killed in the end," she started laughing again.

"Yeah well I'm not dying, sorry to tell you," I snapped.

"Activate the particles! Purge every last one!" she ordered. I looked up and saw Donna had been placed in the web beside Lance. "And release!" the particles rushed down into the hole, "The secret heart unlocks and they will waken from their sleep of Ages."

"What's down there?" Donna asked.

"How thick are you?" snapped Lance.

"My children, the long lost Racnoss," the Empress replied, "Now will be born to feast on flesh!" Sure enough, the little pitter-patter of spiders were heard from down the hole, as if coming up, "The web star shall come to me!"

"Let me go!" I struggled with the stupid robot clasping my hands together.

"My babies will be hungry! They need sustenance. Perish the web!" the Empress ordered.

"Use them! Not me!" Lance was quick to yell.

"Funny little Lance," the Empress turned to them, "But you are quite impolite to your lady friend. The Empress does not approve."

The web sustaining Lance loosened up and let him fall straight into the hole, "Lance!" Donna cried.

"Told you," I muttered, pausing my struggles for a moment.

"My children are climbing towards me and none shall stop them!" the Empress hissed and turned to a robot standing on a staircase, "So you might as well unmask my clever little Doctor man."

The Doctor removed his cloak and mask and smiled, standing in a staircase rail, "Oh well, nice try. I've got you, Donna!" He used his sonic and made the web loosen just a big.

"I'm gonna fall!" Donna yelled, frantically.

"You're gonna swing! I've got yah!"he held out his arms for her.

She used the web and swung towards him, but unfortunately smashed right into the wall underneath Doctor.

"Oh...sorry," he said with wide eyes.

"Thanks for nothing!" Donna yelled from the floor.

"The doctor man amuses me," the Empress smirked, then turning to me, "The human girl, not so much. Throw her in!"

"What?" my eyes widened as the robots started dragging me towards the hole, "No, wait! Stop!"

"Empress of the Racnoss, I give you one last chance!" the Doctor yelled, "I can find you a planet. A place in the universe to coexist. Take that offer and end this now!"

"Doctor!" I cried as I grew closer to the hole, "Help! Please help me, Doctor!"

"Don't worry, I'm coming Rose!"

My eyes widened, and for a moment, I was struck. He had done it again. Again. And it wasn't the right time or the right place, but it had gotten to me. It really had. I could feel the prickly feeling of tears whelming in my eyes as I neared the hole.

"Minerva I'm so sorry!" he quickly retaliated, "Please! I-I'm sorry!"

"Don't!" I screamed, gritting my teeth, "Just...don't."

"I decline the offer, doctor man," the Empress laughed.

"What happens next is your own doing," he declared, "Relax."

Suddenly, the robot behind me stopped and when I looked around, I saw every single one had done the same. Quickly, I ran away from the hole, keeping a careful eye on the robots.

"What did you do?" Donna asked.

"Guess what I've got? Pockets," he took out a remote control from his inside pocket, waving at Donna.

"How'd that fit in there?" She gasped, intrigued.

"Bigger on the inside."

"My children may feast on Martian flesh," the Empress hissed.

"Oh but I'm not from Mars," he shook his head.

"Then where?"

"My home planet is far away and long since gone. But its name lives on. Gallifrey."

That sent the empress off, "They murdered the Racnoss!"

"I warned you. You did this," the Doctor had a different look now, so cold and rigid. No matter how angry and upset I was with him, I could tell he was worse.

A few baubles were thrown in the air and quickly rushed for the walls and even around the Empress. They began smashing and letting all the water from outside rush in at large. One of them exploded near the Empress' feet and caused a fire. I quickly rushed for the stairs in which Donna was before I was gobbled up by the water.

"My children!" cried the Empress. I looked back and saw the hole being filled with water, "No! My children!"

I joined Donna and as we looked around as the Doctor continued. Donna looked up, almost frightened, "Doctor! You can stop now!"

I looked up and saw he was watching the Racnoss writhe in pain but he showed no emotion. He stood cold and completely unaffected. It almost scared me. I had never really seen him like that and I decided that I never wanted to see that expression on him again. With a sigh, and another bite of my tongue, I called up to him. "Doctor! We should go! Please, listen to me...she'd want you to go!" that made him look down, "You didn't survive to die for a spider...we should go."

"Time I got you out!" he shouted after a moment and so we ran up the stairs.

"But what about the Empress?" Donna asked as we hurried up the ladder.

"She's used up all her Huon energy, she's defenseless!"

We reached the top and the first thing I noticed...the Thames was completely empty now. No water. At all.

"Hey, there's one problem," Donna said, catching her breath.

"What's that?" the Doctor asked.

"We've drained the Thames!"

The two erupted into laughter. I looked away, not wanting my upset face to ruin their fun.

~0~

We materialized in front of Donna's house and led her out into the dark streets, her home across.

The Doctor was pleased the TARDIS was working up again, "She can survive anything," he said, smiling.

"More than I've done," Donna sighed.

He scanned her up and down with the sonic, "All Huon particles have gone. No damage, you're fine."

"Yeah...apart from that..." Donna looked around, "I missed my wedding, lost my job and became a widow on the same day."

"I couldn't save him."

"He deserved it," she pretended to be fine. I gave her a look, making her rethink, "No, he didn't," she started for her house, "I'd better get inside. They'll be worried."

"You're the best Christmas present they could have," I said, suddenly remembering she hated Christmas, "Oh...you hate Christmas, sorry."

"Yes, I do."

"Even if it snows? the Doctor asked, doing something with the TARDIS and causing a ball of light to emerge from the box of wonders and explode in the sky.

"I can't believe you did that!" Donna laughed.

I held out my hand and caught bits of snow in it, making me smile to myself, "I love snow."

"Basic atmospheric exciation," the Doctor explained.

"Merry Christmas," she smiled.

"And you!" I exclaimed, "What are you gonna do with yourself now?"

"Not getting married for starters...and I'm not gonna temp anymore. I don't know...travel?" she thought, "See a bit more of planet Earth. Just go out there and do something."

"You could always..." the Doctor trailed off.

I looked back, giving him a nod. If Donna came along, maybe he'd finally stop using Rose's name on me. Show him how different we are from her. More importantly, how different I was from her. That was something he needed to learn fast.

"What?" Donna asked.

"Come with me," he finished.

"No."

"Okay," the Doctor quickly said, almost like he was barricading himself from any other rejection.

"I can't..." Donna continued.

I frowned but didn't make an insistence.

"No, that's fine," the Doctor assured.

"Do you live your life like that? Just like today?"

He remained quiet, "...Not all the time."

"I think you do and I just couldn't."

"But you've seen it out there," I said quietly, "We could see more."

"But it's also terrible," she said, growing serious, "That place was flooding and burning and they were dying and you just stood there like...I don't know...a stranger. And you made it snow...I mean, you scare me to death!"

"Well then..." the Doctor said, so low you could barely hear him.

"Tell you what I will do though, Christmas dinner," she clapped her hands, 'Come on," she gestured with her head, "Mum always cooks enough for twenty!"

"Donna..." I said, giving her a soft smile. The idea was tempting but...I knew the Doctor wouldn't do it.

"Oh, what about you?" she turned to me, "You said you were human...got your family around here? We could give them a call."

"They're a bit busy..."

"On Christmas?"

"Work," I shrugged, "No time for anything."

"Then with more reason, you two should come."

"Oh all right then," the Doctor said, "But you better go in first and warn them. And...don't say I'm a Martian," I looked back; he was lying, "I just have to park her properly, she might drift off to the Middle Ages. I'll see you in a minute," he gestured for me to follow.

Yup. We'd never see this ginger again.

As he started the materialization program, we heard Donna shouting from outside. The Doctor stopped and rushed out, "Blimey you can shout."

"Am I ever gonna see you again?" I heard her ask.

"If I'm lucky."

"Just...promise me one thing: Don't travel alone."

That took me by surprise. She said it more like a warning...

"I won't," he assured.

"No, but I'm serious. Minerva, she seems like she has some reigns on you. Better keep her around. She can stop you when you need to be stopped."

I took her words into consideration. The Doctor had remained quiet for a moment but then assured her he would.

"Doctor?"

"Oh what is it now?" he replied, somewhat irritated.

"That friend of yours...what was her name?"

I looked up and waited for the response.

"Her name was Rose," he then closed the door and turned around.

"Glad you know her name," I whispered as I entered the TARDIS.

I watched him enter a few minutes later, going directly for the console to set us in motion. Without hesitation, I walked over and blocked him from it with my hand.

"Minerva?" he frowned, looking up at me.

"I'm not Rose. You know that, right? I'm not her. I'm Minerva. And I'm sorry, but I will never be her."

"I know."

"Then why do you keep calling me that?" I demanded, trying my best to not get angry but...this was just the last straw, "I know you want Rose here and I know you're angry because I'm here and she's not. But that is not my fault!"

"No, I don't think of it that way!" he quickly exclaimed.

"I saw the way you looked at me back at the reception. And I could bet everything I have that you weren't seeing me...you were seeing Rose. She was the one dancing, not me," he stayed quiet, not even angry or upset. It made me think that I was right, and for once, I didn't want to be, "You're upset with the universe because I survived and she didn't. I'm here and she's trapped in another world. And, I'm sorry Doctor. I really am but it's not fair. I don't want to be here if all you're ever gonna see from me is Rose Tyler. I'm all for getting to know each other but it's not going to be happen if you're not seeing me. I swear to you I will walk out those doors right now and you will never see me again because I'd rather return to my old life than be the reminder of a ghost that will not and cannot ever return," I walked past him, doing my best to maintain as neutral as possible...and failing.

"Minerva, wait," he called out, catching up and grabbing my arm to turn me around, "I'm so sorry. I know I keep saying it and it's not enough to make it up to you. But the truth is, yeah, I am upset. But I'm not upset that you made it. I am relieved you made it, that you are here in this world with me and more importantly where your family is. I am so happy for you, believe me," he paused, slowly letting go of my arm, " I'm upset because she didn't. But that does not mean I wish I could replace you with her. I'd like both of you to be here. I'm sorry for calling you Rose. The way you called for help, the way you rambled...I don't know, I imagined her right beside you, adding on to what you said. But that was wrong. By doing that I hurt you, again, and made you believe things that aren't. You are most definitely not her and you will never be her...and I don't wanna change that. You seem like a lovely girl, and I'd like to get to know that girl. Rose was...she is wonderful. But she's not here anymore. You are not a replacement, but you are all I have left of the short glimpse of a happy life I had. And if you walk out those doors, I'm afraid that I'll never get that happy life back again. You're not a replacement, you're my hope. I want to be happy, but I need my friend to be with me. Please, Minerva...Minerva Souza, don't walk out on me."

Seeing him now, the way his face had no more grins nor remnants of curiosity as he usually did, made me feel like I just had to stay. Donna was right, he needed someone. Someone to stop him. He seemed awfully sincere and, maybe, I should give him another chance. It had been a mere day since he had lost his friend and I wasn't making things easier by expecting him to just move on in an hour. I needed to put in my part and help him, help progress our relationship together.

"Say my name," I ordered quietly, "Say my name, Doctor."

"Minerva Souza," he quickly said it, "Minerva Souza, the American, the clever girl, the seventeen year old American girl I'd love to travel with."

"I'm not the British girl who worked in the shop..." I warned, "...and certainly no longer 'Joy'."

"No, you're not. You're much different, and I wanna know what those differences are," he began to smile a little, and it was quite contagious, "And besides, I think 'Minerva' is much more fitting for you. Just as pretty, right? Forgive me?"

"Forgiven," I smiled, "But you better get my name right, Martian!"

He mock glared for a second before hugging me, "Minerva, I got it. Now and forever. I promise."

"Good, because the next time you say mix it up, I won't just leave, I'll ruin the most precious thing you have."

"What?"

I pulled back, a slight smirk on my face, "Your hair."

His eyes widened and his hands immediately flung to his hair, "No!"

"Is my warning clear now, Martian?"

He nodded fast, "Loud and clear."

"Good," I walked past him towards the corridors, "If you don't mind I'm gonna raid the wardrobe for some sleeping clothes."

"Off to bed already?"

I sighed, "Yeah, this human needs some kind of rest after everything. Maybe read a book."

He nodded, "The TARDIS has a room for you. And there's this big library you could check up."

"Really?" I asked, completely curious now, "How big?"

"Really big," he smiled.

I gasped quietly, "You never mentioned that room before."

"I did..." he said sadly, "To Rose."

"Oh..."

"But, your room, that's always been there. The first time you stayed with us, we barely got sleep and then you just..left. And then we took those non-stop travels so I never got the chance to tell you the TARDIS had already prepared a room for you. It always remained in case you want to stay again. For real."

"I want to stay," I smiled, going for the corridors. I suddenly stopped when I remembered my first encounter with Donna, "Doctor," I looked back, "I met Donna before. That day we first met, I met her right before you came."

"Did you?" he was still unconvinced.

"Yes, I met her! She killed the first Auton with this hot knife and then she said, and I quote, 'Might not be as 'awesome' as a screwdriver but it sure as hell gets the job done'. What other screwdriver could she be talking about?"

He sighed and thought about it, "I suppose...maybe in the future, we'll get a nice surprise."

"I'd like that," I admitted, smiling at the thought of seeing Donna again, "Have a good night, Doctor. And...merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," he said, a faint smile on his face.

I grabbed the first pajamas I saw and walked into my room. It was Christmas again and I would be taking a shower and going to sleep. How different it was from last year. With Jackie. With Mickey. With Rose. All set up at the table and pulling crackers for a paper crown. How different it had all been.

This year, I'd be spending Christmas alone.

I stepped out of the shower and dried my hair with the towel. I brushed it and let it fall down to my waist as usual; letting it air dry. I looked around and at my solemn room, letting out a heavy sigh. A knock on the door made me turn back. I went to open it and found the Doctor standing on the other side.

"I, uh...stepped out for a bit," he said. I looked around, not really understanding, "I was going to bake these..." he pulled out a bag of snicker-doodle mix from behind his back, "But then I realized I didn't know how..." he smiled softly, "Can you help me?"

I looked at the bag then up at him, recalling Jackie's attempts to find a shop open on Christmas just for this cookie mix. I supposed maybe...he did listen at times. "With some hot chocolate?" he nodded silently, "Then yes," I smiled, stepping out from my room and closing the door, "I'd love to."

Maybe I wouldn't be spending Christmas alone.

I might just be spending it with a lovely friend this year.

#10th doctor #doctor who #ocapp #ocappreciation #dw imagines #10th doctor imagines #doctor who imagine #10th doctor imagine #doctor who fanfics #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #dw fanfics #donna noble #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere #noblecrescentedit

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 13: The Shakespeare Code

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: The Doctor and Minerva and take Martha to meet the one and only Shakespeare...and a couple of witches too.

// Story Masterlist //

"But how do you travel in time? What makes it go!?" Martha was questioning as the TARDIS shook in its violent ways as was the usual.

The Doctor, trying to 'pilot', actually jumped on the console. "Oh, let's take the fun and mystery out of everything. Martha, you don't wanna know. It just does now hold on tight!"

"Hey, she's asking some very good questions that - AH!" The TARDIS had shaken far too violently that it threw all of us down.

Once the TARDIS came to a stop, the only sound in the room was our collective jagged breathing.

"Blimey!" Martha sat upright with a laugh. She looked terrified yet fascinated - the perfect combination for someone aboard the TARDIS. "Do you have to pass a test to fly this thing?"

"Yes, and I failed it," the Doctor casually answered as he got up. He strode for the doors, licking up his trench coat on the way.

"Shocker!" I called to him while I helped Martha stand up. "How hard is it to drive a box?"

"Oi, it's a lot harder than you think," he threw me a sharp look as he fixed his coat.

"Aha...''

"Now make the most of it, Martha. You get one trip and one trip only," he explained once Martha and I joined him at the doors.

"I don't think she needs a reminder," I said serious, really not liking the way he said that. I knew he didn't want a replacement for Rose but did he really have to remind Martha about this one-trip deal? Martha wasn't at fault for the unfortunate ending of Rose.

"Where are we?" Martha asked as soon as we stepped out.

We were in an Elizabethan street in the dark night. People were off and about in their errands in the old street, not even realizing we'd literally came out of a box.

"Oh you're kidding me!" Martha gasped, "You're so kidding me!"

"We're really not," I chuckled at her. Her eyes looked ready to pop from her eyes. I wondered of this is what I (and Rose) looked like to the Doctor when we took our first trip.

"We actually time traveled! Where are we? No, sorry-" Martha shook her head, unaware that she was rambling too fast to properly understand her questions. "I gotta get used to this whole new language! When are we?"

"Hey, she sounds just like you now," I nudged the Doctor.

"Ha, ha," he rolled his eyes. He suddenly pulled Martha back as man above dumped out something from a bucket.

"Mind the loo!" the man yelled.

I stared in disgust, "Apparently we're somewhere before the invention of a toilet."

"I've seen worse. I've worked the late night shift at AE," Martha shrugged, not at all perturbed.

We smiled and continued to walk. However, she lingered behind a bit.

"But are we safe?" she made us turn around, "Can we move around and stuff?"

"Of course we can. Why do you ask?" the Doctor seemed somewhat confused as he looked back to the woman.

"It's like in the films. You step on a butterfly; you change the future of the human race," Martha looked around, genuinely worried.

I chuckled, "Then don't step on butterflies!"

"What have butterflies ever done to you?" the Doctor said and continued walking.

"What if, I don't know, what if I kill my grandfather?"

"You planning to?"

"No!"

"Well, then," the Doctor smiled, amused.

"This is London," Martha finally walked.

"This seems about late 1500s, right?" I asked, glancing about.

"1599 to be exact," the Doctor corrected.

"Not that far off," I said proudly, "I'm getting better at it."

"Oh, but hold on," Martha began once more, "Am I alright? I'm not gonna get carted off as a slave, am I?"

I turned around, frowning at such an idea, "Martha!"

"What?" she chuckled lightly, "Who do you think they're gonna take? The brunette with jade eyes and pop perfect peach-colored skin..." she signed, holding up her hand, "Or me?"

"They'd have to take us both of us," I moved beside her, "Because I wouldn't let anyone take my friend. And in any case, he's not even human," I gestured to the Doctor.

"Elizabethan England is not so different from your time," he explained, "Look, they even got recycling."

"So you two just...time travel?" she asked, glancing between us.

"Yup," the Martian and I answered.

"...together?"

"Okay, see, that right there," I pointed as I left her and moved up to the Doctor. We both shared an agreeing nod then turned to Martha. "Why does everyone ask that in that tone?"

"Mhm," the Doctor hummed in agreement.

"I don't get it."

"Do you think it has something to do with us?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "How we interact? Or...I don't know," I scratched my head.

Martha raised a hand, as if to be picked on for the correct answer, "I don't know, it's just a bit...odd, that's all."

The Doctor and I shared a glance, before I spoke to Martha, "What is? The time travel, or the man and woman's friendship? If I were you, I'd go with the time travel."

"Humans," the Doctor shook his head, earning a whack from me.

"Okay, okay, I get it," Martha gestured with her hands, "I should be focusing on the whole time travel business. But cut me some slack," she walked up to us, "A couple of hours ago I thought you," she pointed to me, "were a school volunteer and you," she pointed to the Doctor, "were just a patient."

"Well I was, but then he," I gestured to the alien, "stuck his nose into my school work and found the hospital which apparently had plasma coils."

"Excuse me, I did not stick my nose into your work," the Doctor said defensively.

"Yeah, then what we're you doing reading my English journal?"

"...I got curious," he mumbled.

"And then I'm the one that causes trouble!"

"Leonardo Da Vinci," he spat, having the audacity to even be irritated.

" Oh, we're on that page, are we Martian?"

"What happened with Leonardo Da Vinci!? What? What?" Martha, excitedly, asked.

"Martha, there's one thing you have to know if you're going to travel with the Doctor. It's okay for all the women to fall for him but god forbid that one man falls for you."

"That's not true!" the Doctor was quick to yell.

"The painter had a crush on me," I explained, ignoring the Martian for the moment, "He wanted to paint me but the idiot over here ruined it and now the painter hates us...well, him more than me. There was a lot of running around that city."

"He was twice your age!"

"Says the man that's 903 years old!"

"You're 903 years old?" Martha blinked, staring at him in awe.

He looked between us, lost for words for either cause until, "Yes, but...Minerva!"

"Those women were what, 25? Maybe 30?" I raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk on my face as I knew I had won.

"So I get protective of my friends, is that a crime?"

"Well he's got you there," Martha nodded.

"Yes, okay," I agreed, "But, there is a difference between protective and overprotective. And you," I pointed to the Doctor, "have surpassed that difference."

He opened his mouth to retaliate when Martha's hand covered his, which I took as an advantage and opened my mouth to continue...when her other hand covered mine, "Are we just going to argue all night?" she asked, looking between us, "Because I'd really like to see something in this trip."

The Doctor pushed her hand down and nodded, "Yeah, of course we are," he turned and walked ahead.

"Sorry," I linked arms with her and followed the Doctor, "We tend to do that a lot, lately."

"No worries, you should see my brother and sister when they get started," she shook her head.

"If I'm right, we're just down the river by Southwark right next to..." the Doctor pulled us towards the corner of the street and turned us to find a...building? "Oh, yes, the Globe Theatre!" He exclaimed, "Brand new. Just opened. Though, strictly speaking, it's not a globe ; it's tetradecagon-14 sides-containing the man himself."

My mouth fell slightly open, "Do you mean Shakespeare is in there?"

"Oh yes!"

"Oh my god..." Martha looked as if she had just won the lottery, "He's really in there!"

"Would you ladies accompany me to the theatre?" he held out his arms for us.

Martha and I linked arms with him, "We'd love to!" I answered.

"Martha, you can tell everyone you've seen Shakespeare when you get home," he said as we walked for the theater.

"Then I could get sectioned!" she exclaimed then laughed.

~0~

I don't think I've ever been so excited for a play. But it was just so amazing...and written by Shakespeare! I loved his plays! And it was mighty surprising that the Doctor managed to get through the entire play quietly. Usually he'd make remarks about whatever play we were seeing - I still hadn't forgiven him for ruining Othello - but this time, his lips were sealed.

"That's amazing! Just amazing," Martha praised when the play had finished and the actors were taking their bows. "It's worth putting up with the smell. And those are men dressed as women, yeah?"

"London never changes," the Doctor replied.

"Forget that, I wanna see Shakespeare!" I exclaimed, frantically searching for the man.

"Me too!" cried Martha, "Author! Author!" she chanted with her fist in the air, "Do people shout that? Do they shout 'Author'?"

A man beside us picked up her chant and soon, the whole audience picked it up.

"I guess they do now," I laughed, joining in on the chant as well.

And finally, the man of the hour emerged on stage, taking his bows and blowing kisses.

"It's Shakespeare!" I exclaimed, beaming, "It's really him!"

"Now there's a genius! The genius!" the Doctor said, "The most human Human that's ever been. Now we're gonna hear him speak. He always choose a the best words. New, beautiful, brilliant words.

"Shut your big fat mouths!" Shakespeare yelled, sending the audience into laughter.

"Oh, well..." the Doctor frowned, disappointed.

I smiled, "Well they do say never meet your heroes."

"And yet, you're here," he reminded.

"I said I love the man's work, I never said he was my hero," I countered.

"You have excellent taste!" Shakespeare continued, "I'll give you that. I know what you're all saying. 'Loves Labor's Lost', that's a funny ending, isn't it? It just stops! Will the boys get the girls? Well don't get your hose in a tangle, you'll find out soon. All in good time. You don't rush a genius," he took another bow and suddenly stood right back up, almost like a jerked up, "When? Tomorrow night. Come tomorrow night for my brand new play. A sequel, no less, and I call it 'Loves Labor's Won'!"

As we exited the theater, I felt somewhat confused with Shakespeare's words. As far as I could remember, nobody in the present knew about the play he announced for tomorrow. "Uh, Doctor, I don't know if I'm right or not but...I don't really recall that new play 'Loves Labor's Won'. And I've read most of his plays..."

"It's the lost play. It doesn't exist," the Doctor replied, "It's in rumors. It's mentioned in list of his plays but never ever turns up. No one knows why."

"We could tape it," Martha suddenly said, "Sell it when we get home and make a mint."

The Doctor flatly looked at her, "No."

"That would be bad?" she asked, slowly getting it.

"Yeah."

"Um, so how come this play disappeared?" I asked, bringing their attention back.

"Well..." the Doctor looked between Martha and I, "I was just gonna give Martha a quick little trip in the TARDIS but I suppose we could stay a little longer."

I smiled at Martha, "Meaning we get to meet Shakespeare upfront."

~0~

"Hello!" the Doctor led us into the room that held the one and only, Shakespeare, "We're not interrupting, are we?"

"Oh, no, no, no, no. Who let you in? No autographs," Shakespeare was too engrossed in his writing to look up yet. "No, you can't have yourself sketched with me. And please don't ask where I get my ideas from. Thanks for the interest. Now be a good boy and shove-" He finally raised his head to give us the time of day. "Hey, nonny nonny. Sit right down here next to me," he gestured to Martha, his eyes gleaming at her, "And you two," he looked to the two men beside him, "Get sewing on them costumes. Off you go."

"Come on, lads. I think our William's found his new muse," a woman with a tray led the others out.

"Sweet lady," Shakespeare motioned for Martha to sit down. Martha smiled sheepishly and sat across his desk.

"I love your work," I walked up to his desk and plopped down beside Martha, "It's brilliant!"

He smiled, "And another sweet."

I smiled brighter, "Oh...thank you...you're very kind."

"Such unusual clothes," he observed both of us, "So...fitted."

Martha and I looked each other, examining our outfits. They were pretty normal for our time but perhaps not for the current era.

I wore a black, long-sleeved shirt tucked under a yellow and black plaid skirt with tights underneath and black flats. Martha, on the other hand, wore her party outfit that consisted of jeans, her brilliant red jacket, and a blouse underneath, with boots. Wise girl...

The Doctor moved up and held out his psychic paper to Shakespeare, "I'm sir Doctor of TARDIS and these are my companions, Minerva Souza and Martha Jones."

Shakespeare observed the paper for a moment then looked up, "Interesting, that bit of paper. It's blank."

"Oh, that's...very impressive," the Doctor blinked, looking to the paper, "That proves it. Absolute genius."

Martha took the psychic paper from the Doctor and studied it. She frowned at it seconds. "No. It says so right there. Sir Doctor, Minerva Souza, Martha Jones. It says so."

"And I say it's blank," Shakespeare smiled at her.

The Doctor took back the psychic paper, "Psychic paper. Um, long story," he frowned, glancing at me, "Oh I hate starting from scratch."

"I think it's nice," I countered, smiling at Martha, "It's refreshing to have another friend with us."

"Psychic," Shakespeare tested the word, "Never heard that before and words are my trade. Who are you? More's the point, who is your delicious blackamoor lady?"

Martha's eyes widened, "What did you say?"

"Oops...isn't that a word we use nowadays? An Ethiop girl? A swarth? A queen of Afric?"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this," Martha looked away.

"Maybe you should stop," I chuckled, "We're not from around here."

"They're from a far off land," the Doctor explained, "Freedonia."

"Excuse me!" a man barged into the room, "This is abominable behavior. A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script. As master of the Revels, every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed."

"Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'll send it 'round, Lynley," Shakespeare waved him off.

Lynley looked indignant, "I don't work to your schedule, you work to mine. The script, now!"

"I can't."

"Then tomorrow's performance is cancelled."

"It's all go, 'round here, isn't it?" I remarked.

"I'm returning to my office for a banning order. If it's the last thing I do, Love Labor's Won' will never be played," and with that, Lynley walked off.

"Mystery solved I guess," Martha resolved.

"I find that hard to believe," I muttered, walking for the doors.

"What?" the Doctor followed me.

I peered out into the corridor, "You're telling me 'Love's Labor's Won' is lost because of an angry boss? Please..." I scoffed.

"And why couldn't it be?"

"Have things ever gone so easy for us?" I whispered, making sure Martha or Shakespeare wouldn't hear.

He thought, already knowing the answer, "Well..."

Before he fully answered, there was a scream coming from the outside.

"There you go!" I exclaimed before running towards the scream.

We ran out into the street and saw Lynley on the ground, spitting out water.

"It's that Lynley bloke!" Martha exclaimed.

"What's wrong with him?" I frowned.

"Leave it to men, I'm a doctor," the Doctor ran for Lynley.

"Yeah, well I'm a doctor too!" Martha rushed after him, "Near enough."

With nothing to do to help, I watched over the two "doctors" that were examining Lynley. The Doctor stood around him and looked about in the street, like he was searching for something.

"Gotta get the heart going. Mr. Lynley, can you hear me?" Martha asked, "You're gonna be alright," she prepared to start mouth-to-mouth but water started pouring out from Lynley 's mouth.

"What is that?" My eyes widened in alarm.

The Doctor knelt beside Martha, "I've never seen a death like it. His lungs are full of water, he drowned and then...I don't know...like a blow to the heart, an invisible blow."

"Miss?" I called to the women of the inn. "What was your name?"

"Dolly Bailey, ma'am."

"Dolly, this man died of natural cause to the heart," I said the first words to come to mind, "Can we have some sort of officer or authority take him away?"

"Yes, ma'am," she nodded.

"I'll do it ma'am!" a young brunette girl offered and ran to do the task.

"Why did you tell them that?" Martha demanded from me, slightly irritated.

"No, she did the right thing," the Doctor nodded, "This lot still have got one foot in the Dark Ages. If we tell them the truth, they'll panic and think it was witchcraft."

"Okay, what was it then?"

"Witchcraft."

~0~

"I've got a room, Sir Doctor," Dolly Bailey smiled, "I'm afraid there's only one, however. Is that alright?"

"Just fine," the Doctor assured.

She nodded and left, leaving the Doctor, Martha, Shakespeare and myself to walk walked down the inn's corridors.

"Poor Lynley. So many strange events. Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor?" Shakespeare looked at Martha, still bewildered.

"Where a woman can do what she likes," Martha nodded proudly, making me chuckle.

"So then, what are you?" the man moved onto me.

"Oh, I'm...more of free traveling girl," I said slowly, hoping that made sense.

"Ah..." he still eyed me, like he was just noticing something, "And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old?"

"I do a lot of reading," the Doctor shrugged.

"A trite reply. Yeah, that's what I'd do. But you," he directed himself to Martha again, "You look at him like you're surprised he exists. He's as much of a puzzle to you as he is to me. And then Miss Souza, you look at her and notice such grief in her eyes."

"That's um...that's not true," I forced a dim smile.

"I don't mistake that grief because it's the same one I share, though I assume you're not a mother..."

"God no!" I shook my head, disliking the course in which this conversation was heading for.

"Martha, why don't you take Minerva and see that room, yeah?" the Doctor suggested, already moving me ahead.

"Sure," Martha nodded and we left for that room, "That Shakespeare, huh?" she shook her head with a smile of disapproval.

"Not liking the admirer?" I joked, hoping to forget the man's words fast.

"He's...different," she laughed softly, "Really twice my age now, huh?" she chuckled.

I opened the door to our room, "You're lucky the Doctor's not on your case about it. Still, not every woman can say, 'Shakespeare likes me!'"

"Hm, not very five star," she looked around.

It was a fairly small room with one bed that seemed rather old and two night stands on either side of it. There was a wooden table in the front of the only window with legs that were ready to snap at any moment. The dresser set on the opposite side seemed alright, but I wouldn't trust that my clothes wouldn't have wooden bits if I hung them there.

I headed for the bed, jumping for it and landing on my back, "I've seen worse!"

"You have?"

I nodded as I scooted up to one of the pillows and laid my head down. "I've been on the road and sometimes...there's no motels."

"Really?" she walked up to the foot of the bed.

"Sometimes, I'd settle for the great outdoors."

"Weren't you scared?"

"You wouldn't believe how beautiful the night is when you spend it outside. My favorite place so far is this desert I spent a night in. It was...different," I smiled. I wouldn't tell her that it had been the same night I witnessed a a strange man coming out of the box of wonders after seemingly crasremembering the strange man I had seen with a box of wonders like the Doctor's.

Then again, now that I was well informed, I knew that it was the same TARDIS and it was the same man, just one regeneration later. I gotta say, now that I knew it had been a future Doctor I'd seen, I wished I could've gotten closer to see how he looked. I was only granted a small glimpse of him; he wore bow ties and had nice hair. I wish I could see him again.

But the thing that made me the happiest about that day was the fact that he had called my name out. He wanted to get back to me and that meant we still traveled together. After two regenerations we still traveled together. And on the slight chance we didn't, he was still going back for me...

"You spent a night in the desert?" Martha's eyes widened, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Who did?" the Doctor walked in.

"Minerva!"

"Really?"

"Mhm," I nodded, propping my elbows on the bed and sitting up, "Something else you don't know, it was that same desert where I saw you."

"Um...I don't suppose any of you have a toothbrush?" Martha looked between us, the thought just striking her.

"Oh, wait," the Doctor patted his pockets and pulled out a brush, "Contains Venusian spearmint."

"Oh, thanks," she took it from him, "So, who's going where? There's only one bed."

I turned to the side, snuggling into the pillow, "You two can figure it out. I'm taking this side of the bed. In any case, we could just throw the Doctor to the floor."

"Hm, or we can just throw Minerva on the floor," I heard him mutter.

"No, because then Minerva will hurt you."

"Don't worry you menace, I don't mind the floor," he assured, the sarcasm just dripping from his tongue.

"You should think I'm a menace," I warned with a smirk.

"Um, I'm gonna go and use this," Martha said, assuming she meant the brush, "And, I don't really mind where I end up," I heard her footsteps then the door shut.

A moment later, the bed shuffled. I turned to the other side and saw the Doctor laying down with his hands behind his head.

"What are you doing?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I figured if I'm not gonna sleep here, I should at least get to feel how comfortable it is."

"I was only joking, Doctor. I'll be fine anywhere," I said, moving to sit up.

"No, don't worry about it," he stopped me. I laid back on the pillow, watching him in his thoughts, "I'm sorry for what Shakespeare said to you."

" Huh? Why are you sorry? Wait, what's there to be sorry about in the first place?" I frowned, severely confused.

"And I'm sorry for being so protective of you because you're right, I am overprotective," he shifted to his side, leaving us face to face, "I shouldn't be but I am."

"You know, Shakespeare is like twice the age Martha is, why haven't you acted the same?"

"Because I don't know her and frankly, as rude as it may sound, I don't care," he admitted, and it did sound rude but I awaited for him to explain himself before I snapped at him, "Minerva, I feel like you've been hurt enough and I took it upon myself to make sure that nothing and no one hurts you again."

That damn Martian always manages to escape that scold, doesn't he? I had to smile at him. "That's very sweet of you but I'm okay now. I've got a really good friend with me that makes me happy. Plus, I'm pretty sure Da Vinci wouldn't have hurt me. He just wanted to paint me."

He leaned closer and whispered, "Twice your age and never gonna happen."

"903 and alien," I reminded, "What would those women say, hm?"

"Nothing because they'd be too focused on my looks!"

I laughed, "And the ego rises to incredible levels! Focus on the problem at hand instead!"

"Yeah alright," he said and I assumed the only reason he moved on was to avoid bickering with me. Smart move. "Well, for starters, there is such a thing as psychic energy but a human couldn't channel it like that. Not without a generator the size of a Taunton and I think we've have spotted that."

"Maybe it's not human then," I offered the only logical reason.

"We're missing something, Minerva. Something really close, staring me right in the face and I can't see it."

"I...I don't know," I mumbled, feeling slightly lost in his eyes after he'd shifted closer. I never realized how deeply brown his eyes were. He always moved too fast for me to notice anything about his physical features on a deeper level. "Perhaps-"

"Rose would know," he said, oblivious to what I was thinking. Of course he'd be. "She'd say exactly the right thing."

Even though I tried hiding it, I had to frown, "Was she the only one who would said 'exactly the right thing'?"

"She'd definitely have the right words to calm to my ego," he chuckled, "She'd know what to do next."

"Only one, huh," I turned away from him, very irritated. Nice to know my input mattered to him, "Goodnight."

It doesn't even matter if Rose is stuck in another dimension. All my clever ideas, my words and ways would never suffice in comparison to Rose's. I would still and probably always be second best for him.

~0~

It was the middle of the night when we heard a shout from outside. I jumped out of bed and the Doctor already half way to the door. Martha and I quickly ran after him and entered Shakespeare's room to see Dolly Bailey on the floor, unconscious. Martha ran to the window while the Doctor ran to the woman.

"Her heart gave out. She died of fright," he looked up.

"She's dead?" I blinked, glancing to Shakespeare who was just waking up on his desk.

"Minerva? Doctor?" Martha called from the window.

"What is it?" I walked towards her.

"What did you see?" the Doctor asked.

"A witch."

"Oh, sweet Dolly Bailey," Shakespeare sighed, making us turn to him, "She sat out three bouts of the plague in this place. We all ran like rats. But what could have scared her so? She had such enormous spirit."

"Rage, rage, against the dying of the light," the Doctor walked back to the desk.

"I might use that."

"You can't. It's someone else's.."

"You know," I began thinking, looking straight to Shakespeare, "Lynley and Dolly both died the same day and they were both connected to you. That's a bit strange."

"Are you accusing me?" He quickly jumped on it with alarm.

"No," I shook my head, "It's just strange."

"Yeah, and I saw a witch out there," Martha pointed, "And you've written about witches."

"I have? When was that?" Shakespeare asked, confused.

"Not, not quite yet," the Doctor whispered to Martha,

"Peter Streete spoke of witches," Shakespeare announced.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Our builder. He sketched the plans to the Globe."

"The Architect. Hold on," the Doctor smiled, "The architect! The Globe! Come on!"

~0~

"What exactly are we doing?" Martha inquired once we were near the stage.

I took a seat on the edge of the stage, letting my legs dangle below, "Not exactly sure, but I'm guessing we're about to find out.

"Why are we here?" Shakespeare asked, "I do not understand."

The Doctor had brought us to the Globe Theater with no explanation whatsoever. We watched from the stage as he looked round and round. It was his thought process only it was on speed. He was striding from one place to another, mumbling things under his breath.

"Is he ever going to talk to us?" Martha asked me after a few minutes passed by.

"It's just his way," I whispered. We watched for a bit more until he finally started asking questions out loud.

"The columns there, right?" he began, "14 sides. I've always wondered but I never asked...tell me, Will, why 14 sides?"

"It was the shape Peter Street thought best, that's all. Said it carried the sound well," Shakespeare responded.

"Why does that ring a bell? 14..."

"There are 14 lines a sonnet," Martha offered.

"So there is. Good point. Words and shapes following the same design. 14 lines, 14 sides, 14 facets...oh my head. Tetradecagon...think, think, think! Words, letter, numbers, lines!"

"This is just a theater!" Shakespeare exclaimed.

"Now hold on," I raised a finger, "A theater could hold much power if the right words are said. Capture the moment and capture the audience," the Doctor pointed to me, agreeing. I smiled, proudly.

"It's like your police box!" Martha exclaimed, "Small wooden box with all that power inside."

"Did I mention I like both of you?" he stopped pacing, "Tell you what, though. Peter Street would know. Can I talk to him?"

"You won't get an answer," Shakespeare shook his head, "A month after finish this place...he lost his mind."

"What happened?" I asked.

"Started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling. His mind was addled."

"Well, where is he now?" the Doctor asked.

"Bedlam."

"What's Bedlam?" Martha questioned.

"Hospital. It's the madhouse."

"Well I'll tell you one thing," I hopped off the stage, "Suddenly he's not looking so mad now, is he?"

"We need to go there. Let's go," the Doctor walked for the exit.

"Wait! I'm coming with you. I want to witness this at first hand!" Shakespeare cried, rushing to follow us. When he caught up, he wasted no time in flirting around with Martha.

"Do you really think Peter will talk to us?" I asked the Doctor, giving Martha and Shakespeare an occasional look back. Martha seemed very much entertained, although not very approving.

"It's like you said," the Doctor replied, "He might not be that mad."

"I was only suggesting..."

"But you're usually right."

"I am, aren't I?" I smiled.

"Whoah, Nelly!" we heard Martha, "I know for a fact you've got a wife in the country!"

"But Martha, this is Town," Shakespeare reasoned.

"Okay, come on, we can all have a good flirt later," the Doctor looked back.

"Is that a promise, Doctor?" Shakespeare smirked.

"Oh, 57 academics just punched the air," the Doctor frowned as I laughed softly, "Now move!"

~0~

This building was horrible. We passed what seemed like an endless amount of cells with patients who were nowhere near any humane care. All the screams and cries from the 'patients' were so heartbreaking. At least to me anyways because others...well...

"Does my lord, Doctor, wish some entertainment while he waits?" the jailer guiding us asked, "I'd whip these madmen. They'll put on a good show for ya!"

"No, I don't!" the Doctor snapped.

"Wait here, my lords, while I make him decent for the ladies," the jailer went off.

"This place is disgusting," I spat, "And I'm not talking smell-wise. How could people actually whip these, 'patients'-" I put my fingers in quotation marks, "-to entertain the public?" I shot look at Shakespeare, "You put your friend in here?"

"Oh, and it's all so different in Freedonia?" he raised an eye brow.

"But you're clever!" Martha exclaimed, "Do you honestly think this place is any good?"

"I've been mad. I've lost my mind. Fear of this place set me right again. It serves its purpose."

"Mad in what way?" I asked, fairly intrigued.

"You lost your son," the Doctor said softly.

"My only boy," Shakespeare looked down, "The Black Death took him. I wasn't even there."

"We didn't know," Martha shook her head, "Sorry."

"It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. To be or not to be...oh, that's quite good."

"You should write it down," I pointed, smiling.

"Hm," he considered it, "A bit pretentious?"

"This way, my lord!" the jailer called us.

We walked up to the cell and waited for it to be unlocked, "They can be dangerous, my lord. Don't know their own strength." the jailer opened it up.

"I think it helps if you don't whip them!" the Doctor said, fairly annoyed, "Now get out!"

"That's Peter?" I pointed to the man sitting against the wall, his legs in front of his chest and head covered with his arms.

"He's the same as he was. You'll get nothing out of him," Shakespeare said, staying back.

"Peter?" the Doctor slowly approached him, even placing his hand over Peter's shoulder, "Peter?" Peter looked up, completely silent. The Doctor placed his fingertips on the sides of Peter's temples, "Peter, I'm the Doctor. Go into the past, one year ago. Let your mind go back, back to when everything was fine and shining. Everything that happened in this year since happened to somebody else. It was just a story. A winter's tale. Let go. Listen. That's it, just let go," Peter lied down on his cot, "Tell me the story, Peter. Tell me about the witches."

"Witches spoke to Peter. In the night, they whispered. Got Peter to build the Globe to their design. Their design! The 14 walls; always 14. When the work was done..." Peter laughed, "They sapped poor Peter's wits."

"Where did Peter see the witches? Where in the city?" the Doctor crouched beside him, "Peter, tell me. You've got to tell me where were they?"

"All Hallows Street."

"Too many words," an old lady suddenly appeared beside the Doctor. Quickly, he moved back to where we were.

"Who the hell are you?" I demanded.

"Just one touch of the heart," she ignored me, laying her hand on Peter's chest.

"No!" the Doctor yelled.

But Peter shrieked and died in less than a second.

"Witch! I'm seeing a witch!" Shakespeare cried.

"Oh, oh, I'll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals," the woman turned around.

"Let us out! Let us out!" Martha turned to the door, struggling to open it.

"I don't think that's gonna work," I said, looking back, "We're in a madhouse. Everyone wants to get out."

"Who will die first, hm?" the woman pointed at us.

"Well, if you're looking for volunteers," the Doctor walked towards her without a moment's thought.

"Doctor don't! Don't you dare!" I yelled at him but he kept going. Of course he would!

"No mortal has power over me," the woman laughed, wickedly.

"Oh but there's a power in words. If I can find the right one...if I can just know you..." the Doctor stopped a few inches away from the old woman.

"None on Earth has knowledge of us," the woman assured.

"Then it's a good thing I'm here! Now think, think, think...Humanoid female, uses shapes and words to channel energy...ah, 14! That's it! 14! The 14 stars of the Rexel planetary configuration! Creature, I name you Carrionite!"

And just like that, she disappeared, crying out.

"What did you do?" I asked, confused just like everyone else was.

"I named her. The power of a name. That's old magic," he turned around with his usual grin on his face.

"But there's no such thing as magic," Martha stated.

"Well it's just a different sort of science. You lot, you chose mathematics. Given the right string of numbers, the right equation, you can split the atom. Carrionites use words instead."

"Use words for what?" Shakespeare asked.

"The end of the world."

"We should go," Martha said, "I don't think I want to spend another minute here."

When the jailer hurried on back and let us out, we walked with a hasty speed.

"I never wanna come back here," I muttered, almost shuddering.

"Hopefully, we won't," the Doctor said. I smacked him without even looking at him and took pleasure when he cried in pain. "What was that for!?" he frowned.

"For scaring me out of my wits!"

"Wha - I wasn't gonna actually die..."

"But I didn't know that! Next time, a little warning would be nice."

"Alright, sorry. "

"So what about these Carrionites?" Martha questioned, moving beside us, "What are they?"

"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe," the Doctor explained, "Nobody was sure if they were real or legend."

"Well, I'm going for real," Shakespeare nodded.

"But what do they want now?" I asked.

"A new empire on Earth. A world of bones and blood and witchcraft."

"But how?" Martha asked, not sure if to herself or for us.

"I'm looking at the man with the words," the Doctor looked straight at Shakespeare.

"But I've done nothing!" he cried, indignantly.

"What were you doing last night when the Carrionite was in the room?" I asked, suddenly thinking.

"Finishing the play."

"What happens on the last page?" the Doctor questioned.

"The boys get the girls. They have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought provoking as usual, except those last few lines..." he paused, "Funny thing is, I don't actually remember writing them."

"That's it. They used you. They gave you the final words. Like a spell, like a code. 'Love's Labor Won', it's a weapon!" the Doctor exclaimed, "The right combinations of words, spoken at the right place with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing! And yes, you can have that."

Shakespeare smiled, amused. "Very well."

We returned to Shakespeare's room and grabbed a map of the town. They placed it on the desk and began studying it for the street that Peter has given us.

"There it is," Martha pointed, "But...what now?"

"We're gonna track them down," the Doctor said, glancing to Shakespeare, "Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play!"

"I'll do it!" he shook the Doctor's hand, "All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing."

"Now don't complain," I smiled.

"I'm not. It's marvelous. Good luck, Doctor!"

"Good luck, Shakespeare," the Doctor replied, motioning for Martha and I to head for the door, "Once more unto the breach!"

"I like that. Wait a minute...that's one of mine!" Shakespeare exclaimed.

I chuckled, "I think you just made his day."

"Oh, c'mon!" the Doctor rushed out.

~0~

As we approached All Hallows Street, we looked around at the houses but found ourselves lost for which one it could be.

"This might take a little longer," I frowned, peering into a corner.

"Sorry, but there's something I think I'm missing here," Martha stopped walking, "Last time I remember, the world didn't end in 1599. I'm still here. And so is Minerva."

"Oh, how to explain the mechanics of the infinite temporal flux?" the Doctor threw his head back, thinking for a moment, "Oh! I know! 'Back to the Future'! It's just like that!"

"The film?"

"No, the novelization. Yes, the film!" he snapped, "Marty McFly goes back and changes history."

"And he starts fading away..." Martha whispered, 'Oh my God, are we gonna fade?"

"You two and the entire future of the human race. It ends right now in 1599 if we don't stop it."

"Oh great, and I had so many plans," I frowned.

"We need to find that house," the Doctor looked around, "But which one?"

Suddenly, a door to a house ahead of us opened up.

"I...think we found it..." I pointed a shaky finger at the house. Witches. These were actual witches we were going to go face off...

We headed for the house and as soon as we entered we found a familiar brunette woman standing across from us. It was the same young woman that had been there when Shakespeare's boss had died.

"I take it we're expected," the Doctor looked at the woman."

"Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time," she smiled, almost taunting him.

"Right then, it's my turn," Martha stepped forth, "I know how to do this. I name thee, Carrionite!" she pointed to the girl but she remained standing, "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?"

"The power of a name works only once. Observe," the girl pointed at Martha, "I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee Martha Jones."

Martha fell to the ground in that instant. I almost lost it and rushed to her side. "Martha!" I glared up at the girl who couldn't be more smug. "What did you do?"

"Only sleeping, alas. Curious, the name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time. And as for you," She now pointed at me, "For the one that called herself Joy-"

"We have done enough of this," the Doctor cut her off, "What are you doing here?"

The girl, scowling at being cut off, turned to him with a pointing finger, "Well, I guess you'll be next. Now you, Sir Doctor." She paused, seeming confused, "Oh...fascinating. With you, there is no name. Why would a man hide his title in such despair? Oh, but look. There's still one word with the power that aches."

"The naming won't work on me."

"But your heart grows cold. The north wind blows and carries down the distant..." she leaned closer, a smirk playing on her lips, "Rose."

That set him off. He angrily marched up to her, "Oh, big mistake 'cause that name keeps me fighting! The Carrionites vanished!"

"The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness."

"And how did you escape?"

"New words. New and glittering from a mind like no other."

"Shakespeare," I whispered in realization.

"His son perished. The grief of a genius."

"Of course, when someone you love dies, your words become powerful," I mumbled.

"Spoken by one that knows the pain," she remarked, making me quiet down immediately.

"Shut up," I muttered, keeping Martha's head off the ground.

"Behold, the one who could not forgive and lost a certain...Liv."

My eyes shot up, and I assumed the anger I felt flourish through my body was the same one that the Doctor felt when the stupid witch brought up Rose. "Shut up!" I jumped up to my feet. ""You better shut your mouth before I shut it for you!"

The Doctor grabbed my arm, pulling me back to his side. "What is that?"

"It's nothing," I tried charging for the girl but he had a good hold on my arm.

"Uh, yeah, definitely nothing. How many of you are there?" he demanded from the girl.

"Start with your name so that I know who I'll hurt," I spat.

She glared, "Just the three. I am Lilith. But the play shall restore the rest. Then the human race will be purged as pestilence. And from this world we will lead the universe back to the old ways of blood and magic."

"Hmm...busy schedule...but first you gotta get past me," the Doctor met her face to face.

"Oh, that should be a pleasure considering my enemy has such a handsome shape," she smirked, running her fingers along his face.

I glared, and when I caught myself I shook my head of it. What was that!?

"Now, that's one form of magic that's definitely not gonna work on me," he said, serious, and to his credit he only seemed irritated she was touching him.

"Oh, we'll see," she pulled a lock of his hair and backed away to the window.

"What did you do!?" he quickly flung his hands to his head.

"Souvenir!"

"Well, give it back!" He rushed after her but she flew out through the window, levitating herself outside.

"Now that's just cheating," he stopped at the windowsill.

I knelt down to Martha, seeing she was waking up again, "Martha? Are you alright now?" I sat her up, "Martha?" I looked back to the pair across from us.

All I saw was the Doctor letting out a shrill cry before falling to the floor. Quickly, I moved to his side, Martha right behind me.

"Oh my god!" I exclaimed, laying him on his back with the help of Martha, "Martha?"

"I've got it!" she listened to his heartbeat, "Hold on, mister." She sat him up, "Two hearts?"

"You're making a habit of this," he moved to stand. When he did, he nearly fell again if Martha and I hadn't caught him, "I've only got one heart working! How do you people cope?" he looked between us.

"'Cause we're not aliens!" I exclaimed, "We're just that good!"

He rolled his eyes, "I've got to get the other one started. Hit me! Hit me on the chest!" Martha did as told, "Ah! Other side!" This time, I hit him, "On the back! On the back!" Martha went again. "Left a bit!" she moved to the left, "Ah, lovely," we let him go and he stood perfectly, "There we go! Ba-da-boom! Well, what are you standing there for?" he looked between us, "Come on! The Globe!"

And we ran again. We were running down the street when he made a turn that we had not made before. I stopped running, out of breath, "We're going the wrong way!" I yelled.

"No, we're not!" he continued. I rolled my eyes and waited just a moment. He ran back and passed me, "We're going the wrong way!"

"You don't say?" I sarcastically gasped and rushed after him.

We stopped in front of the theater which held a red glow shinning up to the sky, Inside, the audience was screaming and scrambling to get out.

"What now?" Martha exclaimed.

"Back door!" the Doctor ordered, and we rushed again.

We ran in through the backstage and found Shakespeare rubbing his head.

"Stop the play! I think that was it," the Doctor rushed up to him, "Yeah, I said, 'Stop the play'!"

"I hit my head!"

"Yeah, don't rub it, you'll go bald," the Doctor muttered. He turned at the sound of the screams that were growing louder, "I think that's my cue!" he ran to the stage.

"Not much of a people person right now, is he?" Martha asked, going to help Shakespeare.

I sighed, "He's a bit busy."

We both helped Shakespeare onto the stage where all the chaos was centered.

"Come on, Will! History needs you!" the Doctor grabbed him.

"But what can I do?" Shakespeare asked, helpless.

"Reverse it!"

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"The shape of the Globe gives words power, but you're the wordsmith, the one true genius. The only man clever enough to do it!"

"But what words? I have none ready!"

"You're William Shakespeare!" I reminded, "You always have the right words."

"But these Carrionite phrases, they need such precision!" he shook his head, "I'm not sure if I can do this..."

"Trust yourself," I smiled, "Your words are perfect."

"You think so?"

I nodded, "Didn't I say? I loved all your work."

He smiled, looking out to the audience and sky, "Close up this den of hateful, dire decay! Decomposition of your witches' plot! You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not! Foul Caionite spectres, cease your show! Between the points..." he glanced at the Doctor.

"7-6-1-3-9-0!" the Doctor yelled.

"7-6-1-3-9-0!" And banished like a tinker's cuss, I saw to thee..." He looked to the Doctor for help again.

"Expelliarmus!" Martha suddenly shouted.

"Expelliarmus!" the Doctor joined.

"Expelliarmus!" I yelled afterwards.

"Expelliarmus!" Shakespeare finished it off.

"The deep darkness! They are consumed! Ahh!" Lilith screamed as she and the rest of her kind were sucked up into the cloud...but along with them went every script and copy of the play.

"The play..." I said, sadly, my curiosity of its words getting the best of me.

When the audience saw everything gone, they erupted into applauds and cheers. The Doctor took a bow, as if he were part of the play. The rest of the actors returned and also took their bows.

"They think it was all special effects," Martha looked around.

"Your effect is special indeed," Shakespeare glanced at her.

"Oh Shakespeare," I shook my head, "So many words and so not the right ones..."

~0~

"Okay, I just drank something and it tasted really good...but I don't know what it was," I plopped down in one of the theater's audience seat. Martha and Shakespeare laughed, both sitting on the edge of the stage, "I mean it. Perhaps the Doctor is right...I shouldn't drink everything offered to me."

"Good props store back there! I'm not sure about this though..." the Doctor walked onto the stage wearing a ruff collar and a skull in hand, "Reminds me of a Sycorax. Whaddya think Minerva?"

"Kind of," I shrugged.

"Sycorax. Nice word. I'll have that off you as well," Shakespeare said.

"Copyright it," I joked, earning back a smile from the Martian.

"How's your head?" He walked over to the pair.

"Still aching," Shakespeare sighed.

"Here, I got you this," the Doctor removed his collar and placed it around Shakespeare's neck, "Neck brace. Wear that for a few days till it's better."

I smiled, "Although, it does suit you. Might wanna keep it."

"What about the play?" Martha asked.

"Gone. I looked all over, every single copy of Love Labor's Won went up in the sky," the Doctor shrugged.

"My lost masterpiece," Shakespeare frowned.

"You could write it up again," Martha offered.

"Better not. There's still power in those words," the Doctor pointed, "Maybe it should best stay forgotten."

"I've got new ideas," Shakespeare announced, smiling, "Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons. In memory of my boy; my precious Hamnet."

"Hamnet?" I repeated.

"That's him."

"Hamnet?" I raised an eye brow.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing," I held up my hands in defense, leaning back on my seat, "Nothing..."

"Anyways, time we were off. I've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity," the Doctor held up the Carrionites' crystal, "And we've gotta take Martha back to Freedonia..."

My smile slightly faded. I didn't really like the idea of that.

"You mean travel on through time and space," Shakespeare corrected.

"You what?" the Doctor blinked, definitely not expecting that.

"You're from another world like the Carrionites and Martha and Minerva are from the future. It's not hard to work out."

The Doctor remained in place, dumbfounded, "That's...incredible. You are incredible."

"We're alike in many ways, Doctor. Martha, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse," he took Martha's hand, "A sonnet for my Dark Lady. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate-"

"Will! Will!" one of the actors ran in, "You'll never believe it! She's here! She's turned up!"

"We're talk of the town!" another actor exclaimed, 'She heart about last night! She wants us to perform it again!"

"Who?" I asked.

"Her Majesty! She's here!"

And then, Queen Elizabeth I herself walked in! My mouth nearly hit the ground from excitement.

"Oh my god!" I cried happily, almost jumping my place. The Doctor held a hand out for me to take and get on stage. "Doctor, it's her! It's a Queen! She's a Queen! She's Queen Elizabeth!"

"I know!" the Doctor exclaimed and I dared to think we were sharing the same stupid grins on our faces. I'd have to ask Martha later on. "Queen Elizabeth I!"

However, when the Queen looked at us both her entire face fell into a deep fury. "Doctor!"

She, on the other hand, did not look so pleased to see him, "Doctor!"

"What?" the Doctor asked, slightly taken back.

"Uh...she looks mad. Doctor she looks mad - why?" I grabbed his arm, shaking him a bit until he shoved my hand off.

"Minerva, quit that!"

"Minerva?" the Queen suddenly glared at me now. "You're Minerva?"

"...I'm afraid to answer..." I admitted and might have grabbed onto the Doctor's arm again, this time out of fear. She looked infuriated with us - the both of us! I've never even met the woman!

"My sworn enemies!" she raged as loud as the wind would carry her voice.

"What!?" the Doctor blinked.

"What is she-"

"Off with their heads!"

"WAIT-" I exclaimed in utter shock but Elizabeth seemed like she'd already decided this a long time ago.

"Off with their heads!"

"Uuh...should we maybe run?" Martha called from below.

"M-Martha makes a good point, Doctor..." I pulled back a step but Elizabeth seemed to have found yet another reason to be angry.

"Martha Jones!?"

Martha froze like a deer caught in headlights.

"She just started traveling with us! Doctor! What did you do!?" I turn on the Time Lord fast, having half a mind to throw him to the Queen so Martha and I could make a run for it. (We'd eventually come back for him with the TARDIS...)

"RUN!" Martha had the good sense to yell at us.

"Right, argue later! C'mon!" I grabbed the Doctor's hand and ran us down the stage, leaving Martha to follow us.

"Stop that pernicious travelers!" We heard Elizabeth yell from behind.

"What just happened!?" Martha was probably scared but she was laughing like she couldn't believe it...and truthfully neither could we.

"No idea! We've never even met her!" the Doctor exclaimed.

"She sure seems to know all of us, though! Way to go you idiot!"

"She called your name too, let's not forget! How do I know it wasn't your fault!?"

"Because it's never my fault!"

"Oh!"

"You guys are hilarious!" Martha said as we reached the TARDIS.

We anxiously waited for the Doctor to unlock it. Elizabeth's guards were incredibly fast.

"You think maybe we could just talk - AH!" I ducked down the moment I saw an incoming arrow. It hit the TARDIS instead but it wasn't the last one coming for us.

"IN!" the Doctor grabbed my arm and shoved me inside. He quickly ran inside and closed the doors, making a hasty sprint towards the console. "Off we go then!"

"What is it that we supposedly did to her!?" Martha continued to laugh as we took off.

"I suppose whatever it was he hasn't done it yet," I shook my head, catching a smell from my hair that hadn't been there five minutes ago, "Oh..." I grabbed a strand of it and sniffed it, "Okay, no more drinking things."

"Told you," the Doctor smirked.

"I asked you to come with me! I don't know my way around drinks," I reminded, "But you wanted to play dress up on the stage."

"I was not playing dress up."

"Mhm," I turned around and headed for the corridors, "Anyways, if you two don't mind, I'm going for a shower. Doctor, if you mind, I'm going to raid the wardrobe again."

"This place has a wardrobe?" Martha asked, sounding shocked, "Really?'

"Comes in handy when you don't have clothes," I shrugged, "Reminds me, I'm gonna need to go back to Earth soon. I have so many things to do. I haven't even turned in my volunteering proof! I don't want to fall behind again."

"Sure," the Doctor said, oddly quietly despite the spectacle that had just happened to us.

"See you in a bit," I waved and rushed off.

#doctor who #10th doctor #ocapp #ocappreciation #10th doctor imagines #doctor who imagines #dw imagine #doctor who fics #10th doctor fics #tardis #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop Everywhere

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(OC Face claim: Victoria Camacho)

// Story Masterlist //

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Chapter 8: A Friend

Chapter summary: An alien masquerading as a friend nearly finishes off the world, just another casual trip for our travelling trio!

Author’s Note: Now before anyone comments on it, Rose using the name "Minerva" is done on purpose. It will be discussed in the next chapter!

"You would not believe the assignment I have," I groaned as I entered the apartment, "Oh..." I stopped when I saw the Doctor, Rose and Jackie sitting at the couch, "You're back again? Weird, you were just here last week," I threw my school bag on the floor,"I haven't even ate whatever the stuff was Mickey brought me. I don't care what he says, it doesn't look edible. Where is Mickey anyways?" I looked around, "Eating?" They remained quiet. "I just asked a question? Did he go home for clothes or...?" I waited but still I received no answered. I took a moment and studied their faces. "Wh-what happened?" My heart started picking up. "Doctor, don't tell me he's dead-"

"He's not," he assured, standing up, "He's perfectly fine and alive. In fact, I'd say he's pretty happy."

"Then where is he?" I asked, swallowing hard with a nerve-wrecking feel.

He sighed, reaching inside his coat and taking out an envelope. He handed it to me without a word. I looked at the envelope and him for a moment before taking it, knowing however happy Mickey apparently was, I wouldn't be.

Dear Minnie,

You're probably the only regret I have of staying here because I won't be able to say goodbye to you in person. I'll never give you a hug and a proper goodbye. And for that, I'm really sorry, please forgive me. I'll admit, this idea started out as an impulse but...then it became important for me to go through with it, because I really wanted to.

I'm in a parallel universe and I don't believe we'll ever talk to each other again, much less see each other. I am staying here by choice, and that's because I don't believe I have anything else in your world. Besides you, I'm pretty much on my own. Here, I have my grandmother whom I loved so much and had to bury in your world. But in this world, my new home, I still have her. And I know you'll understand me because of Isadora. If she had died in your world but you had the chance to stay in a world where she was alive, you would do it, right?

I know you'll be fine because you're with them. You're with Jackie and Rose and the Doctor. They'll take care of you or you'll take care of them. You don't need me. Just last week we spoke about Isadora and the rest, and my advice still stands. Talk to everyone, beginning with Rose and the Doctor. Tell them how you feel then go for the rest. Talk to them. I'm sure it'll do you good. I know it will.

Good bye my Minnie. I guess this Mickey has to find you in this world too. Wonder what you're like here? I hope you're not as stubborn too! Please take care of yourself, just like you always have. I'll miss you.

Love,

Mickey Smith.

I looked up, my tears hurriedly strolling down my face. I shook my head, as if denying this would help anyone.

The Doctor sighed, "Joy I'm so sorry-"

"No. That's not true...this isn't true," I started sniffling loudly, "Please tell me it's not! He can't be gone!"

"He chose to stay."

"Noo..." my voice cracked, "He just left...he was supposed to come back!"

"Joy we're really sorry," Rose stood up, "If he could've he would've returned to say goodbye but parallel universes are impossible to travel through."

"So I'm never gonna see him anymore? Possibly my best friend and he's gone now. Forever!" I threw the letter down and rushed to Rose's room, slamming the door and bursting into sobs.

The only person who knew every last detail about me was gone. And he'd never come back. If I thought I was alone before now it's really true. I wouldn't be able to talk to anyone now. Jackie was a fine woman, but she was like a mother. I needed a friend.

My best friend was gone. What would I do now?

~0~

"Joy, can I come in?" the Doctor was knocking on the door. With no answer, he slowly opened it. "I don't...I don't really have words for you..." he admitted, slowly approaching me by the bed and sitting down, "I wish I could comfort you but...there's nothing I could do to make you feel better and I'm sorry."

"Did he have fun?" I asked, keeping my head rested on a pillow. "Did you bring him to fantastic places?"

"Yeah, we had amazing times," he quickly said, sensing that'd make me feel knowing Mickey had had fun, "You saw how excited he was when we were going to leave."

I smiled, remembering it all, "Yeah..."

He sighed, "I'm sorry, Joy. I know how hard it is to say good bye to people you care about."

I looked at him, sitting up, "Thank you for bringing me the letter."

He smiled, handing me the letter I had thrown earlier. He took my hand, gripping it as he stared deeply into my eyes, even startling me with the sudden intense. "Joy, whenever you need me, you just call and I swear to you I will come. If it's four a.m and you need me, call and I will be here by 4:01. Do you understand?"

I blinked, replaying his words to make sure I had heard right, "But...why do you say that?"

"Huh?" He frowned, clearly not expecting that as a response.

But I mean really, after nearly a year of knowing him he'd never told me anything like that, much less given me that intense stare. "It's just out of character that's all..."

He sighed, seeming to struggle with something, "Before we left Mickey he said some words to me..."

My heart skipped a beat, my eyes wide as the thought of Mickey spilling everything to the Doctor came to mind. What if he had? No, no...the Doctor would have said something already...right?

"Joy, perhaps, I haven't been around very much but...you know I consider you my friend, right?"

I swallowed hard, gathering my courage for what would come next, "Doctor, what did Mickey tell you?"

He shook his head, faintly smiling, " It's not important. All you should know is that I'll be here when you need me. You and Rose are the two most important people in my life. My glimpse of happiness, I call both of you."

" You've never called me that..." I said quietly, looking down at my lap.

"...no, I guess I haven't," he said after a moment, as if realizing it as well. Good. "But you listen to me, Joy Souza, I care about you, I always have."

"R-Really?" My eyes watered up, never hearing so kind words from him like that.

"Oh Joy," he scooted closer, taking me into a hug.

I cried for Mickey and for his touching words. I supposed Mickey hadn't told him everything just something that'd get the Doctor's mind working towards the grand realization.

"And, sorry for being nosy but, we went through your bag and I happened to have found an assignment..." he began, pausing as I looked up, "...how about I help you with that?"

I knew exactly where he was going with this. A dim smile spread on my face, already accepting the offer. Right now, I just needed to get out of here.

~/~

"London 2012!" I exclaimed, walking excitedly down the streets, "30th Olympia!" I twirled around.

"Careful, you'll fall," the Doctor warned, "Tell us again why you wear heels to school?"

"Huh?" I immediately looked down and realized I was still in my school uniform, "Oh c'mon," I turned around to them, "You didn't even give me a chance to change."

"Well when I said 30th Olympia you didn't exactly give me the chance to tell you," he countered.

Rose laughed, "I like it. Wish they were that fashionable back when I was there."

"Hm," I crossed my arms, "I don't like this."

"Oh you look fine. We're in an amazing time, Joy," the Doctor walked up, "Forget about it."

"Yeah, you're in the brink of the Olympics," Rose joined us, linking arms.

"Exactly, I'm in London and in the middle of the streets during the Olympics...in my school uniform," I frowned.

"Oh just focus on your article will you?" The Doctor linked arms as well. "Make this the best damn article you've ever written."

Rose chuckled, "I still don't understand why'd you join the journalist club."

"Sarah Jane," I admitted, "She talks so much about it I figured I'd give it a try. And plus, this academy's got a well rounded club for it."

"No more public school?" She raised an eye brow.

"After the Krillitanes I said no. And thanks to the Doctor for pulling some strings, I got into an even better school."

"Least I could after blowing up your old one," he swayed his head.

"And I'm almost caught up now. I should be graduating by the end of the year."

"We'll be there front row," Rose nodded.

"You better be. I already reserved seats for you two and Jackie and Mick-" I stopped, my smile vanishing.

The two stared sadly at me, "You know, you're name's Joy, live up to it," the Doctor poked my arm.

"Yeah..."

"You know, fun fact, I was here for the last Olympics they had in London; Wembley 1948. I loved it so much," he began his rambles and I knew he was telling us this just so that I'd keep distracted.

Rose suddenly let go of my arm and stayed behind, looking at something. The Doctor didn't seem to notice as he continued leading us ahead.

"Now what was his name...?" He thought, "Mark...? John?...Maybe Mark? Legs like pipe cleaners but strong as a whippet."

I chuckled, "That's a good way to remember someone. I dread to think how you'll remember me," And truthfully I did. Would he even remember me?

"The annoying, clever girl who challenges me on everything I do and say," he teased.

I smiled, proudly, not accepting the tease, "Well, I don't know how clever I am but I do challenge you because you're wrong sometimes. And, if we're being descriptive, I'll remember you as the daft, ridiculous alien."

He stopped walking and thought about it for a moment, making me snigger at his expressions. "You don't really think I'm ridiculous, right?" He frowned.

'What if I do?" I crossed my arms, deciding to tease him for the moment.

"I wouldn't like it..." His gaze fell to the ground.

I slightly ducked and caught his gaze, "I also think you're a kind, funny man."

He smiled softly as I stood straight again, "Yeah?"

I nodded, "Yes."

"Well," he swayed his head as he pretended to think again, "That's okay I guess."

"Doctor? Minerva?" Rose cut in, and we glanced over to find her not so pleased.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

I could have sworn she gave me a quick glare before reverting to a smile. "I just thought you should come and see this." She gestured to a paper on the wall as we approached her.

There was a flyer of missing children, with no leads on either case.

"What's taking them?" I asked, still reading through the information.

"Snatching children from a thoroughly ordinary street like this. Why's it so cold...?" the Doctor looked around, "Is something reducing the temperature...?""

"It says they all went missing this week. Why would a person do something like this?"

"What makes you think it's a person?" The Doctor challenged.

A door opened, not far from us, and a woman was seen throwing out her recycling bag in front of her house. I noticed she was giving looks all around, like she was afraid. She quickly returned back in her house and shut the door.

"It's got the whole street wise scared," I remarked, "What could get-" But I saw the Doctor had already left and Rose right behind him.

I rolled my eyes, "Kind, funny and forgetful man," I mumbled as I hurried to catch them.

We stopped by a front yard with a mini-soccer goal on it. The Doctor stuck out his hand in front himself then knelt down and moved his hand around the grass.

It seemed strange to me and so it prompted for me to ask about it, "What are you-"

"Sh," He held up a finger.

I rolled my eyes and looked around. I noticed Rose was helping some people move a car on the street.

The Doctor giggling brought my attention back to him. "Tickles!" He exclaimed.

I made a face, "What are you-"

"What's your game?" A man suddenly approached us, not very happily.

Must be his house...

The Doctor struggled to come up with an answer as he got up from the grass, "My...um...Snakes and Ladders? Quite good at...Squash. Reasonable," the man only grew more irritated and the Doctor more nervous, "I'm...being facetious, aren't I?"

I nodded, "Annoyingly."

"What the hell do you think you're doing on my property?" The angry man advanced towards the Doctor.

"Woah, there," I cut in between the two, "We should calm down."

"Move aside, girl," he put a hand on my arm.

"Try anything and you'll have to learn how to eat with your feet," I snapped, pushing his hand away.

"We're police officers!" The Doctor pulled me back, "And I've got a badge and...and a car."

"This one is an officer?" The man looked at me.

"She's in training!" The Doctor flashed his psychic paper to the man. "It was either that or hair dresser."

"I still could make you look like a fashion disaster," I remarked, trying to follow with the lie.

"What are you two doing?" Rose joined us with a few other people.

"Are you officers?" A woman beside her asked.

"The police have knocked on every door but there's no clues or leads," came another neighbor.

"Look, kids run off sometimes, alright?" The man snapped, "That's what they do-"

"Dale Hixon in your garden, playing with your Tommy and then..." one of the women began, "Right in front of me he vanished. Like he was never there to begin with! There's no need to look ant further than this street. It's right here amongst us."

The Doctor looked from one to another, not quite following, "Why don't we-"

"Why don't we start with him?" A new woman pointed at one of the men with us. "There's been all sorts like him in this street, day and night!"

The accused man looked indignant at such an idea, "I'm fixing things up for the Olympics!"

"Taking an awful long time about it," snapped the man from the garden.

"I'm of the opinion that all we've gotta do is just-" the Doctor tried again but the arguments continued.

"What you just said is slander!"

"I don't care! It just makes sense!"

"I really think we need to just-" the Doctor tried once more but in vain.

"I want an apology from her!" The man pointed to the woman.

"Stop picking on him!" another woman yelled, "And stop pretending none of this is real!"

"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" I screamed, making them all flinch, "Shut the hell up already!"

"Fingers on lips!" the Doctor yelled over me, "Now!" He placed his finger on his lips and prompted for all of us to do the same. Everyone slowly obeyed, even myself.

I sighed, "I feel like I'm a second gra-"

"Sh!" He gestured with his finger.

"But-"

"SH!"

I only made a small noise again before he did the same again. Eventually, he won and I was shut.

"Alright, in the last six days, three of your children have been stolen," the Doctor began, "Snatched out of thin air?"

"Erm...can I...?" One of the woman slowly removed her finger from her lips. When the Doctor nodded she went right ahead. "Look around you, this was a safe street 'til it came. It's not a person. I'll say it if no one else will. Maybe you're coppers or maybe you're not but I don't care. Can you please help us?"

And that was all we needed to hear before we quickly agreed.

The Doctor sent everyone home until further notice while he, Rose and I remained on the crabby man's front yard.

"Sorry you can't write your article," Rose said as the Doctor sniffed his way around the yard.

I shrugged, "It's alright."

"Now Joy, we'll help you with that article right after this," the Doctor called.

"Don't worry, I can always search it up on the internet...like a normal student would do."

It wasn't so much for the assignment I had joined the pair for the trip. I knew that if I was at home with Jackie, all I'd do was sulk over Mickey...like he was dead. And he wasn't. He was breathing and happy. I couldn't sulk over that. Yet, I miss him so much. I needed a distraction...

"Too bad you're not, though," the Doctor looked up. I mock glared. He stood straight and inhaled deeply, "Do you smell that? In the air?"

Rose and I sniffed the air and there was indeed something different in it.

"It smells like metal," I remarked.

The Doctor pointed, nodding. He walked past us towards the alleyway again, "So, Danny Edwards cycled in one end but never came out the other, " he explained and suddenly stopped walking, "There it is again!" He exclaimed, showing us the back of his hand, "Look at the hairs on the back of my manly hairy hand."

"There's that smell again," I made a face as I looked around, "Like a burnt fuse plug..."

"There's a residual energy in the spots where the kids vanishes. Whatever it was, it uses an awful lot of power to do this."

We continued walking down the streets. The Doctor started going ahead of Rose and I.

Rose suddenly turned for a cat. "Aren't you a beautiful boy?" She cooed, reaching down for it.

"Thanks! I'm experimenting with back-combing," The Doctor was quick to respond.

I giggled when he noticed Rose had meant the cat.

"Look Joy," Rose returned with the car in arms. I sneezed. "Isn't he beautiful?" I sneezed and I covered my mouth to sneeze again. "Are you okay?" She asked and the cat jumped off her arms.

"Yes-" I sneezed again.

Rose followed the cat towards a cardboard box, "Come here!"

I sneezed and sneezed, even making the Doctor turn. "Joy, what's the matter?" He walked over to me. He placed a hand over my shoulder but my continuous sneezing eventually shook it off.

"Doctor!" Rose called with an urgent tone.

I sneezed one final time again. The Doctor was in a struggle between who he should take care of first. With a hand, I motioned for him to go to Rose.

"Hold on, Joy," he said before running to Rose.

It's not like I needed him anyways; I was quite used to being on my own. And besides, I knew exactly things hadn't changed. I was on the trip for the assignment and distraction, not to be noticed...though it wouldn't hurt as usual.

I looked up to the sky and took a deep breath multiple times, "Stupid cats," I muttered. I could hear the Doctor rambling on to Rose about some iron residue but I couldn't make out the rest. My eyes felt watery and I knew it wouldn't stop unless I had my pills.

Too bad I was kind of far away from home.

"Alright, now what's wrong with you?" the Doctor returned.

"I'm fine now," I said with a scratchy voice.

"Are you sick?"

"It'll pass," I coughed, "Can we just get out of this spot, please? That would be a major help."

He nodded and led us down the street, "I sent Rose looking."

"What for?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"For anything, really. I don't know what we're dealing with."

"You know, that metal smell is kind of familiar..." I looked at him, "It's at the tip of my tongue but I can't say it."

"It'll come to you later. Are you feeling better now?"

I nodded, "Yeah, like I said, it'll pass. Although a glass of water could be some good use...and maybe a good distraction."

He chuckled, "I'm good at that!"

"I bet you are," I smiled, going ahead of him, "I think I'm smelling that scent again."

"I was talking to Rose about these little cakes, you know, cause I thought I saw some in the last street," he started to ramble as I sneezed more, "Did you ever hear have one of those little cakes with the crunchy ball bearings on top?"

I sneezed, and felt the scent getting stronger, "Actually..."

"No, but do you know those things?" He continued rambling and didn't listen. This was probably the first time he was talking to me about something he liked. That didn't happen too often. "Nobody else in this entire galaxy's ever even bothered to make edible ball bearings. Genius."

"Yes, but, I think-"

We heard a yell from our blonde companion and so we quickly rushed to go and help her. The Doctor arrived first and when I saw what she was being attacked by, I had to stop and process it.

"Stay still!" the Doctor instructed as he pointed his screwdriver at a ball of scribble. The ball stopped and dropped onto Rose's hands. "Are you okay?" He pulled her up.

"Yeah, cheers," Rose mumbled.

As they hugged, I stood watching with very much intrigue what Rose was holding in her hand. When they pulled back I quickly joined them and took the scribble ball from her.

"Hey!" She frowned but I ignored it and turned the ball over.

"I'll give you a fiver if you can tell me what the hell it is," the Doctor pointed, "Cause I haven't got the foggiest."

"Well, I can tell you you've just killed it," Rose shrugged.

"It was never living. Just animated by energy."

"And I assume it's the same one taking these people?" I asked, my eyes fixated on the ball.

"Correct."

"It's weird," I tilted my head, "I can tell you that this is familiar to me. But I don't know why," I looked up to them.

"Get out of here, you can't think it's familiar," Rose pointed at it, "It's not possible."

"I'm telling you!" I insisted, "It's like...I can't put my finger on it."

"You might be clever but not that much," she mumbled, making my eyes snap at her.

Had she really just said that? That was...rude. And I didn't see Cassandra anywhere which meant she wasn't possessed...

"Well, let's take this into the TARDIS then," the Doctor grabbed the ball and started walking, leaving us behind to have a sort of stare down.

"What?" She asked.

"You tell me," I said, my eyes half-wide as I turned away from her and followed the Doctor.

~0~

As the Doctor analyzed the ball, my mind racked itself for the word I was looking for to identify the similarity I had thought of between it.

"Get out of here!" the Doctor exclaimed as he read from the console's scanner.

"What it say?" Rose asked as he grabbed the ball again.

"Joy, by any chance, does this answer the word you were looking for?" He took out a pencil from his pocket and actually erased a part of the ball.

"Graphite!" I yelled immediately, pointing. "Same thing as a pencil!" I laughed excitedly and clapped my hands. "That's what I wanted to say!"

"You had it way before any of us," the Doctor smiled, handing me the ball to examine, "Maybe you should lead the trips."

"I would," I quickly approved the idea, "And I'll start by saying why make a scribble to attack people if that person or thing has enough power to create something much bigger and stronger? Thoughts, Doctor?" I glanced at him and smirked as he thought. Even Rose was thinking, although she still didn't seem happy and it was kind of getting to me honestly.

"I..." the Doctor said, clearly not having the answer, "Well..."

"It's like a child's drawing," I continued, turning the ball over, "When I made mistakes I'd scribble the heck out of the paper. I still do, actually."

"The girl," Rose suddenly said, her eyes widening.

"What girl?"

"Something about her gave me the creeps...even her own Mum looked scared of her," Rose continued, but to herself more than answering me.

"I don't know what has me more," the Doctor shook his head, "The fact that you figured this out before me," he pointed at me, "Or that you're actually deducting," he glanced to Rose.

"Actually, it's the fact I've done this more than once to you already," I leaned closer to him, smiling sweetly as he frowned at the revelation.

~0~

"Are you sure she'll let us in?" Rose asked as we approached the house of the little girl we had as suspect.

"Why wouldn't she?" the Doctor replied.

"Three strange people wanting to see someone's little girl? Yeah, I'd let them in," I said before knocking on the door.

For the first time, there was no response. The Doctor went ahead and knocked again, slightly louder than I had. A woman suddenly opened up.

"Hello! I'm the Doctor and this is Rose and Joy! Can we see your daughter?"

"No, you can't," the mother replied.

"Okay. Bye," the Doctor surprised me as he turned around and started walking away.

"...Why?" the mother suddenly questioned. The Doctor stopped and turned around. "Why do you want to see Chloe?"

"There's something interesting going on in this street and I just thought...well, we thought, she might like to give us a hand."

"Sorry to bother you," Rose caught on and began backing away.

"Yeah, we'll just let you get on with things...on your own. Bye again!" the Doctor waved.

"Wait!" the mother called, "Can you help her?" She looked so desperate now.

"Yes, I can."

"I'm Trish," the mother greeted as she brought us into the living room, "My daughter, Chloe, stays in her room most of the time. I try talking to her, but it's like speaking to a brick wall. She gives me nothing and just asks to be left alone."

"What about her dad?" I questioned.

"Died a year ago."

"I'm sorry," I said quickly said.

"You wouldn't be if you'd known him."

"Well let's go and say hi!" Rose exclaimed.

"I should check on her first..." Trish was hesitant, already backing for the staircase behind her, "She might be asleep."

"Why are you afraid of her?" the Doctor asked.

"I want you to know before you see her that she's really a great kid. Really, she is."

"I'm sure she is."

"She's never been in trouble at school and you should see her report from last year. All A's and B's."

"Can I use your loo?" Rose stood up. Trish nodded and Rose went off, giving us a slight nod as she walked for the stairs.

"She's in the choir!" Trish continued. "And she's singing in an old folks home. I just want you to know all these things because right now, she's not herself."

I heard some noises in the kitchen which drew me to go. I poked my head inside and saw a little girl by the fridge, which I assumed to be Chloe, "Hello," I waved. She turned around and drank from her glass. "I'm Joy Souza."

"I'm Chloe Webber."

"How are you doing?" I took a step forwards.

"I'm busy. I'm making something."

"I heard you draw some really neat things," I continued, hoping to make small talk, "You know, I draw too. I'd love to see your work...maybe even share ideas?"

"Joy?" the Doctor walked in with Trish.

"Just making a friend," I pointed to Chloe.

"Oh, hello there," he turned to her, "I'm the Doctor."

"Chloe Webber. I'm making something so I must go."

"Wait!" I exclaimed, "If you're drawing something, you wanna show us? We could give you pointers or something...?"

"They don't stop moaning," She suddenly said, looking straight ahead.

"Chloe..." Trish called.

"I try to help them but they don't stop moaning."

"Who don't?" the Doctor asked.

"We can be together," Chloe whispered.

"Sweetheart," Trish walked to her.

"Don't touch me Mum," Chloe snapped, making Trish freeze in her spot, "I'm busy," she spat then walked out.

"But I really wanted to see your drawings!" I called, rushing after her. "C'mon, Chloe!

"Doctor!" I heard Rose call from upstairs.

"Uh oh," I glanced back, "Doctor, Rose needs your help and fast!"

Like light speed, the Doctor went up the stairs with I, Chloe and Trish behind. We entered Chloe's bedroom and saw Rose staring to the closet.

"I'm coming to hurt you!" a roaring voice from the closet yelled.

The Doctor quickly shut the closet doors and turned to us.

"What was that?" I pointed.

"A drawing," Rose answered, "The face of a man."

"What face?" Trish went to reopen the doors.

"No!" Rose quickly barricaded the doors with her body, "Best not."

"What have you been drawing?" Trish demanded from Chloe.

"I drew him yesterday," Chloe replied, not seeming to be bothered by any of this.

"Who?"

"Dad."

Trish frowned, "But he's gone now. With all the lovely things in the world, why him?"

"I dream about him, staring at me."

"I thought we were putting him behind us. What's the matter with you?"

"We need to stay together."

Trish sighed, "Yes we do."

"No. Not you. Us," Chloe corrected, "We need to stay together and then it'll be alright."

"Trish, the drawings," Rose gestured to the wall covered with them, "Have you seen what drawings she can do?"

"Who gave you permission to come into her room? Get out of my house," Trish ordered, seeming angry.

"Tell us about the drawings, Chloe," the Doctor turned to us.

"I don't wanna hear any more of this."

"But that drawing of her dad," Rose insisted, "I heard a voice. He spoke."

"He's dead!" Trish snapped, "And those are kids pictures. Now get out!"

"Chloe has power. And she's using it to take children away. She's snatching them."

"Get out."

"Have you seen those drawings move?"

"I haven't seen anything."

"Yes you have," the Doctor slowly walked up to us, "Out of the corner of your eye."

"No," Trish stared him dead in the eye.

"You've dismissed it, because what choice do you have when you see something you can't possible explain? And if anyone mentions it, you get angry so it's never spoken of, ever ag-"

"She's a child," Trish reasoned.

"And you're terrified of her. But there's no one to turn to because who's gonna believe the things you see out of the corner of your eye? No one. Except me."

"Stop it!" I exclaimed, causing them to look at me. I knew my eyes were watery but I shook my head, hoping to get rid of them quick. "I don't like arguments in front of a child, okay? So either quit this and let us help, or take this down stairs away from Chloe," everyone remained quiet. I looked around, taking in a deep breath. "Now get out."

"Excuse me?" Trish raised an eye brow.

I glanced at her, my watery eyes making her shift uncomfortably. "I'm just gonna talk with her."

She sighed and nodded. My two companions however, did not seem very pleased.

"Joy, I don't think you do this," the Doctor said as Trish was walking out of the room.

"You don't get it. Neither does Rose. Only I do," I said quietly, rubbing one of my eyes.

"What's there to get?"

"Just go downstairs. I know what I'm doing," I snapped and gestured for the door. Chloe looked at me as the three walked out of the room. When Rose closed the door behind them I let out a big sigh. "Chloe..."

She walked towards her bed and sat down, "You're alone."

"I get it. I really do," I walked up to her, reaching for her desk chair and bringing it in front of her, "I know what it's like being afraid of a parent," I smiled faintly, holding up two fingers, "Try two," she stared at me with no response, "Mine never hit me though, I don't know about you..."

"I'm alone," She said, "But we can be together."

"Like...you don't have any friends?" I tried, "Because, I know how that I feels too. I don't really have much friends either...and the ones that I have right now, they don't even know my name," I sighed, "I had one best friend though, and he knew so me well, but..." I looked away, "He's gone now...so I feel alone again. Is that how you feel? Plain alone?"

"You are alone," she said, coldly, "Your people are gone."

'Yeah..." I faintly smiled, "...I have a lost some."

"We can be together."

"Yes, we can. Everyone can be," I agreed, "But, you have to tell me what's going on. I may not be much of a help but...one of the people I'm with...he can help you."

She pulled her legs up and crossed them. I believed that would be all I'd get out from her. Although I don't think I got much to start with. The door opened and I glanced to see the three coming back in.

"What did you do?" Trish quickly demanded.

"Nothing," I replied quietly, "Just talked."

"I think it's my turn," the Doctor walked to us.

I stood up and brought Chloe's desk chair back to her desk. I looked back and saw him placing his fingers on Chloe's temples. A few seconds later, she fell back on her bed with her eyes shut.

"I can't let him do this," Trish began walking to us.

I joined her and moved her back to where Rose was, "It's okay, just trust him."

"Now we can talk," the Doctor stood straight.

"I want Chloe. Wake her up. I want Chloe," Chloe was whispering but I didn't think it was her that was speaking.

"Who are you?" the Doctor asked.

"I want Chloe Webber!"

"What've you done?" Trish cried, frantically.

"What is it?" Rose asked.

"I'm speaking to you," the Doctor continued, walking around the bed, "The entity that is using this human child. I request parlez in compliance with the Shadow Proclamation."

"I don't care about shadows or parlez," snapped 'Chloe.'

"So what do you care about?" the Doctor asked.

"I want my friends."

"You're lonely, I know. Identify yourself."

"I am one of many. I travel with my brothers and sister. We take an endless journey. A thousand of your lifetimes. But now I am alone and I hate it. It's not fair and I hate it!"

"Name yourself!" the Doctor ordered.

"Isolus."

"Oh..." the Doctor breathed, "You're Isolus. Of course."

"Our journey began in the Deep Realms when we were a family," 'Chloe' began drawing on a paper beside her but not needing to open her eyes for it obviously.

"What's that?" I asked.

"The Isolus Mother, drifting in deep space. You see, she jettisons millions of fledgling spores; her children. The Isolus are empathic beings of intense emotion, but when they're cast off from their mother, their empathic link, their need for each other, is what sustains. They need to be together. They can't be alone." the Doctor looked to the drawing.

"Our journey is long," 'Chloe' continued.

"The Isolus children travel inside pods individually. They rid the heat and energy of solar tides. It takes thousands and thousands of years for them to grow up."

"Thousands of years just floating through space?" I raised an eye brow, "Don't they get bored?"

"We play," 'Chloe' answered my question.

"You just...play?"

"While they travel, they play games. They use their ionic power to literally create make-believe worlds in which to play."

"In flight entertainment," Rose remarked.

"Helps keep them happy. While they're happy, they can feed off each others love. Without it, they're lost."

"So they need love to survive," I smiled.

"One more thing we have in common," 'Chloe' spoke.

My smile faded, "Okay..."

"Why did you come to earth?" the Doctor inquired.

"We were too close," 'Chloe' began drawing on a new paper.

"That's a solar flare from your sun. Would've made a tidal wave of solar energy that scattered the Isolus pods," the Doctor studied the drawing.

"Only I fell to Earth. My brothers and sisters are left up there and I cannot reach them. So alone."

"Your pod crashed...where is it?" the Doctor asked.

"My pod was drawn to heat..." 'Chloe' answered, "And I was drawn to Chloe Webber. She was like me. Alone. She needed me and I her."

The Doctor stroked Chloe's head, "You empathized with her. You wanted to be with her because she was alone like you."

"I want my family. It's not fair."

"I understand," the Doctor nodded, "You wanna make a family but you can't stay in this child. It's wrong. You can't steal anymore friends for yourself."

"I am alone."

A sound from the wardrobe made us turn around, "I'm coming to hurt you," that same voice roared, "I'm coming."

"Trish, how do you calm her?" the Doctor asked rapidly as Chloe began jerking about. "When she has nightmares, what do you do?"

"I...I..." Trish hurried to her daughter, "I sing to her!"

"Then start singing!"

"Chloe...I'm coming," Chloe's dad warned, "Chloe...Chloe..."

Trish began singing to Chloe but the banging on the closet wouldn't stop. Slowly, it began to dissolve. Trish became in tears as she hugged her daughter. "He came to her because she was lonely..."

When everything became calm we left Chloe in her room, fast asleep. We walked downstairs to the living room where Trish began picking up every pencil lying about.

"I thought it was over..." She said, picking up a few pencils from the floor, "When Chloe's dad crashed the car, I thought we were free."

"Did you talk to her about it?" I asked.

"I didn't want to," Trish looked down.

"Trish, that's why Chloe feels so alone," I said, walking to where she stood, "If there's no one to speak to...you feel alone," I looked down, "No one to hear what you feel..."

"Her and the Isolus...two lonely kids who need each other. It's so desperate to be loved. It's used to a pretty big family," the Doctor said.

"So it's gonna keep pulling kids in," Rose shook her head.

I felt sad for the little creature. Maybe in a way, we were the same. But just like I got my help, so would it.

"We need to find that pod," I announced.

"But it crashed," Rose said, "Isn't it destroyed?"

"It's been sucking in all the heat it can," the Doctor reminded, "Hopefully that should keep it in a fit state to launch."

"Then let's go!" I exclaimed, rushing for the doors.

"It must be close. It should have a weak energy signature that the TARDIS can trace. Once we find it, we can stop the Isolus," the Doctor looked around the streets, "Let's get to work!" he rushed off.

"C'mon, Rose!" I pulled her away as she had gotten distracted with something.

We caught up with the Doctor and entered the TARDIS. As he worked, Rose and I fiddled around the console, not really having any other purpose for the moment. But, while she stood across from me around the console, I kept trying to think of a reason as to why she was suddenly so different around me. But I couldn't think of anything! I don't consider myself a white dove but I hadn't been rude or anything...

"You know, Joy, I'm impressed you knew the Isolus was lonely before it even said anything," the Doctor said as he worked, bringing me out of my thoughts, "Almost like you knew what it felt."

"Funny..." I said quietly, ignoring his eyes that were on me and silently questioning the reason.

"I knew it was lonely too. But, that's normal. I know what it's like to travel a long way on your own. But...you?"

"Well...that's...that's just coincidence."

"Is it?" he eyed me as he walked to the chair beside the console. Rose joined him and helped him with whatever he was building in his hands.

"Yes..."

"You know what I find very interesting?"

"What?"

"The way you ordered us out of Chloe's room like you owned the place. Impressed, don't get me wrong. But the way you looked at us...like we were doing something ungodly."

'I just don't like arguments in front of children."

""Did you have that around as a kid?" He asked.

"...no," I said quietly, "I've seen it but...no."

He didn't believe me, that was obvious but he let the subject go, "Well, hopefully with this thing, we can get the Isolus back home."

"If you ask me it sounds more like a tantrum," Rose shook her head.

"You were a kid, Rose." I reminded, faintly smiling.

"Yes! And I know what kids can be like. Right little...terrors."

The Doctor stood up and walked to the console, "Gum, please," he held out his hand to Rose.

She spit her gum into his hand which he then used on the device. "I've got cousins, and they can't have their on way. That's being part of a family."

"What about trying to understand them?" the Doctor asked, sticking the gum into the device.

"Easy for you to say," Rose walked to the chair, "You don't have kids."

"I was a dad once," he replied absently.

Rose dropped to the seat, eyes wide. "What did you say?"

I admit, I had to stop and process that one too. Of course, it didn't bother me as much as it did to Rose. I moved beside him and peered down at the device.

"I think we're here!" the Doctor exclaimed, "Now then, this Isolus doesn't want to conquer or destroy the world."

"It's just lonely and wants to get back home," I smiled.

"There's a lot of things you need to get across this universe," He continued, "Warp drive...wormhole refactors..."

I looked around and realized the idiot had missed a blinking, flashing screen. I pointed to it but he kept rambling on.

"You know the thing you need most of all? You need a hand to hold," he glanced over and saw my hand which he took into his with a big smile.

I giggled and pointed to the screen, "No, I meant look over there, you idiot."

"Oh..." He looked down to the screen, "It's the pod!"

"Is it in the street?"

"Yes!" he grabbed the device and ran to the doors.

I looked back at Rose, going to tell her we should follow but instead found her directly glaring at me. She stood up and marched up to me, thinking she'd probably do something but then pushed past me towards the doors. I turned around and watched her leave. I sighed and threw my head back, looking up to the ceiling, "You're alive," I gestured to the TARDIS, 'Can you tell me what I did?" There was a faint wheezing sound, causing me to chuckle, "Now if only I could understand you," I headed for the doors.

"So it's about two inches across. Dull grey, like a gulls egg. Very light," the Doctor was explaining when I had caught up.

"So the pods travel from sun to sun using heat?" I questioned, moving ahead of him. "And that's why it was attracted to a heated part around here?"

"Wouldn't that mean the pod needed just heat then?" Rose added, closely following me for some reason.

There was a crash behind and when we turned we saw the Doctor's device broken into pieces on the ground. What's worse, the Doctor had vanished!

"Doctor?" Rose called.

"Rose," I tugged on her arm, my finger pointing to the now-vanished TARDIS ahead.

"Oh no..." she whispered, "Brat tantrum," she muttered then dashed to the Webber's home.

We pounded on the door like our lives depended on it. Trish opened but didn't get a word out before Rose pushed past her to the stairs.

"It's okay! I've taken all the pencils off her!" Trish called after her.

"I don't think you did," I said, following Rose.

Rose burst into Chloe's room and ran to her desk, snatching Chloe's newest drawing.

"Leave me alone!" the Isolus now demanded, "I want to be with Chloe Webber! I love Chloe Webber!"

"You have to bring him back!" I exclaimed.

"No."

Rose let the paper go and grabbed Chloe's shoulders, "Don't you realize what you've done!?" She yelled, "He was the only one who could help you, now bring him back!"

"I love Chloe Webber."

"I know," Rose sighed, "I know..." She looked down to the paper and picked it up, "Doctor, if you can hear me, I'm gonna get you out of there. I'll find the pod," she looked up at us, "Don't leave her alone. I'm gonna go find the pod." she rushed out.

I sighed, looking at Chloe, "He was gonna help you."

"I could draw your people. Make you be together again."

"Can you just stop?" My voice broke, "No matter what you say or do will bring back my best friend or my family. Everyone's mad at me and I don't want to see them. So please, have pity on me and just stop," I walked out as well, close to tears again.

I sniffled quietly, wanting so bad to be alone myself. But I had to go and help Rose. I walked out and saw her speaking to one of the road workers. She was picking at the newly fixed pavement so I knew she was finding the pod.

"I found it!" She exclaimed, looking up, "Joy I found it!" I smiled as she rushed back, "Look," she held up her hands.

"That's great! C'mon!" I pulled her back inside.

"Trish! We've found it!" Rose exclaimed, "I don't know what to do with it but maybe the Isolus will just hop on board." Trish sat on the couch. "Hang on, I said not to leave her alone!" Rose's eyes widened.

My God. Em...what's going on here?

The TV suddenly became audible to our ears.

The worker Rose had taken the axe from came marching into the house. "I don't care if you've got Snow White and the Seven Dwarves buried under there, you don't go digging up-"

"Shut up Kel, and look!" Rose yelled and pointed at the TV.

The crowd has vanish! They're gone...everyone. Thousands of people have just gone. Uh...right in front of my eyes. But this is impossible!

"That stadium won't be enough," I shook my head, "The Isolus has four billion brothers and sisters. We're in trouble."

"Chloe!" Rose yelled, running for the stairs, "Chloe!"

We rushed up and found the door unable to open. "Chloe open up!" I pounded on the door. "We have your ship! We can send you home!"

"Chloe!?" Trish joined in.

"Back up you two," Rose instructed then with her axe, crashed down the door. She stuck her hand in the hole of the door and opened it for us.

As soon as we got inside, Chloe's 'Dad' was yelling from the closet. Chloe was busy drawing what looked like the planet on her wall!

"We've gotta stop her!" I pointed.

"If you stop Chloe Webber I will let him out," the Isolus warned as the closet doors rattled, "I cannot be alone. It's not fair."

"Look!" Rose held out her hands with the pod, "I've got your pod!"

"The pod is dead."

"It only needs heat!"

"It needs more than heat."

"It needs love," I whispered, "Doesn't it?"

Because when someone is or feels alone...all you need is love to remind you that you are never alone. Platonic or not, you need it.

"I don't..." Rose looked around, desperately, "I don't know..."

"But I do," I snatched the pod from her hands, "Because I understand," I looked at everyone for a moment. "And while I'm gone, you might want to check the drawings."

"Why?" Rose asked.

"Because I think they just moved," I nodded then rushed out. I looked around the street and saw a crowd at the end. "The torch was the symbol of hope, fortitude, courage...and love," I recited Sarah Jane's story, recalling the short story she had given to me as an example before taking the school's assignment, 'And that's exactly what I'm looking for." I smiled, dashing towards the crowd. I pushed myself towards the front of the crowd but was stopped by a policeman. "I've gotta get closer!"

"No way," he shook his head.

I groaned, "Moron!" He gave me a dirty look but I didn't care. The pod chirped in my hands and so I backed out from the crowd and turned my back on them. "You felt it, didn't you?" I asked it, bringing it closer to my mouth. "I understand you. Believe me. And here's my help: Feel the love," I whispered then threw the pod into the air. When I saw it rush to the torch, I jumped up and down in excitement. "Yes!"

One by one I saw all the children that had gone missing materialize on the street.

"Now then, where would that alien be?" I looked around, remembering where he had disappeared but not finding him. "But everything came back to life...all the drawings..." I started blinking rapidly with realization, "Hold up..." I turned around, "Everything came to life. Oh my god..." I ran back to the Webber's home as the thought of the closet returned to my head. I arrived but found the door shut. "Rose! Trish! Chloe!" I pounded on the door.

"The door is stuck!" Rose shouted, pounding on the door. "Where's the Doctor?"

"Uh..." I looked around, "He's not here..."

"WHAT?"

"Not important right now, sorry," I looked for another way in. I could hear Chloe's dad advancing to them.

"Help us!" Trish yelled, "Please!"

"It's not real!" I yelled, "Rose, tell them it's not real! It's just because they're so afraid of him! Rose!"

And she did. I could hear but I could also hear Chloe's Dad and he sounded much closer. Suddenly, I heard singing...? They were singing!

"Keep singing!" I yelled.

Boy I could really use Rose's axe right now.

When everything died down, the door finally opened and out came Rose.

"Are you okay?" I asked but her only answer was a silent nod.

She walked past me and into the streets, to which I assume she would be looking for the Doctor in. While we didn't work together, we had both went looking for the Doctor only to come up with nothing. We returned to the Webber's in defeat, hoping he'd be there instead.

"Nothing?" Trish asked when we returned.

I shook my head and took a seat on the couch, "Kinda hoping he'd turn up here..."

She smiled and turned the television on where the Olympics were being broadcasting again. Everyone had returned to the stadium and it was as if nothing had happened.

"Eighty thousand people, so where's the Doctor?" Rose whispered, "I need him."

I looked at her and saw she was almost going to cry, only adding to the tension we felt.

"Chloe?" I sighed, turning to her, "You think I can borrow a pen and a paper? I have to do some school work," she stood up and went for the things.

The torch bearer seems to be in a bit of trouble. We did see a flash of lightening earlier which seemed to strike him...um, maybe he's injured...he's definitely in trouble.

Definitely. He just collapsed.

Chloe returned with a pen and a journal. I smiled, taking it into my hands, "Thank you," I looked back to the TV as I placed the journal on my lap, "Guess I better get started."

Does this mean that Olympic Dream is dead?

"Joy, look," Chloe pointed. I looked up and saw the Doctor on the TV screen running with the torch in hand,"It's him!"

There's a mystery man, he's picked up the flame...we've no idea who he is...he's carrying the flame, yes! He's carrying the flame and no one wants to stop him!"

It's more than a flame now, Bob. It's more than heat and light.

"It's hope, courage and love," I smiled and looked down, beginning to write.

~0~

It was night by the time I had finished the article. The people were out in the streets, celebrating, including Rose who had been dragged out by Trish and Chloe. Once I had properly finished, I left the Webber's house and hurried into the streets to go find the TARDIS and type it up. Of course, at the whiff of a dessert, I had to stop and find its source. I found a table and saw it was filled with small cupcakes.

"Oh..." I said, taking a deep inhalation of their scents.

"You can have one," a woman said, coming up behind the table.

"Don't mind if I do," I grinned and took one of them off the table. I turned and began walking again, getting ready to take a big bite out of my dessert when I saw the Doctor across the street. "Hey!" I called, making him turn around. "You are in so much trouble you ridiculous alien!"

"Annoying, clever girl," he strolled right up.

I mock-glared for a minute before holding out my cupcake, "I might be those things but I listen to you."

Hopefully he'd start doing it as well...

He became ecstatic with it and took it right off my hand, "Top banana!"

I nodded, "Yup!" He took a big bite out of it, causing me to chuckle, "Do you like it?"

"Mm. I can't stress this enough. Ball bearings you can eat - masterpiece!" He exclaimed.

"Ridiculous, banana-loving alien."

"You have got to stop that," he mock glared and took another bite.

"Stop what?" I asked innocently.

"That," he pointed.

"I have done nothing except bring you your cupcake, so quiet." I said, pointing right back.

"What's that?" He looked down to my paper I held.

"It's my article," I waved the paper, "See?"

He took it from me and read it, "This is brilliant!"

I chuckled, "You think so? I wrote it in the heap of the moment!"

"You're an excellent writer, Joy!"

"Thanks, I dabble, I dabble."

"Do you also dabble in saving the world?"

"What?" I raised an eye brow.

"I know what you did. Once again, I owe you a thanks," he smiled.

"Thank you for bringing me here. Believe it or not, it actually did help me," I said quietly, "I hope Mickey lives a good life."

He nodded, "And he hopes the same for you," I swallowed, my eyes slightly becoming teary, "Oh, none of that," he pulled me for a hug which I immediately retreated to.

It reminded me of our last hug before he had taken Mickey along. He never did ask me what made me cry. But for that one split moment, I didn't think he was doing it to ignore me...he did it to avoid more pain. For once, he thought of me and did something to help. It wasn't the kind of help where he saves my life, but one that a friend would do...

"I'm gonna miss him," I sniffled and pulled back, "But I know he's going to be so happy and that makes me happy." I saw Rose coming up from across the street and looking directly at us. Wanting no problems, I backed away from him.

"What are you doing?" He frowned.

"Um...Rose," I pointed past him, "She's been kinda worried."

"Oh..." He glanced over his shoulder and she immediately smiled.

"I'm gonna go back to the TARDIS," I announced, "Have fun."

"Oh, Joy, wait," he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, "It's a night for celebration."

I looked at him then at Rose who's smile was faltering. Finally donning on me, I smiled, "I think I'll be better in the TARDIS," he didn't seem convinced as I released myself from his grasp, "I'll just wait over there," I turned around and walked towards the direction Rose was coming from, ignoring her glares, "Oh, Joy, you're such an idiot," I said to myself as I walked farther away.

She was jealous.

~0~

I was just about to open the TARDIS doors when Chloe came around and leaned against it with a smile, "Hey!"

I smiled and desisted from the doors, "Hello, feeling better now?"

She nodded, "I remember what you said back there...in my room."

"I said a lot of things, Chloe. Gonna have to be more specific."

"You said you were alone...like me."

It took a lot in me not to stop smiling for her sake, "But you're not. You're gonna make friends and be the great little girl you are!"

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You said you didn't have friends."

"Well, I have two," I corrected, but then I remembered Rose and thought I should reconsider the amount now.

"But they don't know you."

I sighed, "Maybe one day they will..."

"What's your name?"

"Joy."

"No, I want to be your friend. What's your name?" She grabbed my hand and looked up at me.

I smiled softly, touched by her gesture, "...Minerva."

She smiled back and gave my hand a small squeeze, "Thank you, Minerva."

#10th doctor #doctor who #10th doctor imagines #dw imagines #ocappreciation #ocapp #10th doctor x oc #10th doctor x original female character #doctor who fics #doctor who fic #rose tyler #noblecrescentedit #oc: Joy Souza #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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saiilorstars · 4 years

Text

Next Stop, Everywhere

Chapter 12: The American and the Martian

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

// Story Masterlist //

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Chapter summary: Hospitals are never nice. But this time Minerva and the Doctor get to deal with space rhinos while meeting one Martha Jones!

“Thanks, Loraine,” I picked up my paperwork from the hospital desk.

“No problem. That’s 10 hours of community service for you,” the blonde woman on the other side of the desk replied with a grin, “You can definitely go home now.”

“Uh…I don’t think so. I’d like to continue for a few more days…these patients need some company,” I smiled as I skimmed through the papers just to double check that everything was fine. Last thing I needed was for one stupid error to ruin all the hours I had accumulated. “Some very specific pateints indeed…”

“Oh, aren’t you sweet,” Loraine sat back down in her seat, “Well, go ahead then. You know Mr. Stoker loves having you around. ”

“Yeah, to shame his medical students,” I looked up, serious. I didn’t quite like that man. “Although I have to admit some of the things I know is like so elementary; it’s a crime for them not to know.”

Loraine laughed as I gathered the rest of my papers off the counter. “Well, go and shame them some more!”

I smiled and went on my way, greeting a few of the other workers along with some patients. I turned for a new corridor, up to where I saw the medical students crowding around a patient, with Mr. Stoker at the head. I wondered what torture the man had come up with for his medical students today.

“Need help?” I walked up to them, sweet grin on my face. I found people were rather fond of my “sweet” smiles and grins. It probably wasn’t good to lie but it sure got the Doctor and I out of trouble when we really needed it. And he needed it more than I did. My mouth wasn’t nearly as big as his.

“Ah, Miss Souza. We could always use your expertise,” Mr Stoker nodded happily, gesturing for me to come closer.

“Nonsense, I can’t know more than your brilliant students here,” I squeezed through the students until I walked up beside the patient’s bed, “Although, I have to say, one of you missed an important detail in Miss Carolina’s chart. She’ll be going home by tonight. Gotta be careful, guys.”

“Excellent,” Stoker clapped, “See? This is what you should strive to be,” he looked to the students, “I don’t know why Miss Souza didn’t decide to become a doctor. She has all the makings.”

I smiled softly, “It’s not my calling. I’m perfectly fine being a volunteer. The patients are intriguing…” I glanced down to a not-so-human-patient beside me, “I like speaking to them.”

“Well, the least you could do is oversee my students in their work,” Stoker gestured.

I nodded, “I’m all ears.”

“Here we have John Smith who was admitted yesterday with severe abdominal pains. How are you today, Mr. Smith?”

“Aw, not so bad, still a bit…you know. Blah,” the Doctor shrugged.

“Jones, why don’t you see what you could find?” Stoker instructed a dark-skinned young woman to come up. “Amaze me.”

Out of everyone, I firmly believed that Martha Jones was the bravest of the students. Everyone else seemed kind of squeaky, especially when it came to Mr. Stoker. I watched as she approached the Doctor’s side with her stethoscope in hand.

“That wasn’t very clever, running around outside, was it?” she asked the Doctor with a light smile, giving the impression that she already met the Doctor. I frowned. That had to be a mistake. At least the Doctor seemed as confused as I was.

“I’m sorry?”

“On Chancery Street this morning. You came up to me and took your tie off.”

My frown had slowly turned into a scowl that was directed at the Doctor. I didn’t have to actually say anything for him to know that if he’d wandered off without telling me…

He gave me a look expressively saying that did not happen.

It better had not.

“What did I do that for?” the Doctor asked Martha afterwards, probably to keep the conversation going.

“I don’t know, you just did,” Martha shrugged. She didn’t seem like a liar either which only further puzzled the Doctor and I.

“Not me. I was here, in bed. Ask the nurses. Ask that one,” he pointed a thumb at me.

“Yeah, he talked my ears off for three straight hours,” I commented, making several of the students - including Martha - chuckle. The Doctor didn’t look so amused with me.

Martha shook her head once she sobered from her laugh. “That’s weird…cause it looked like you. Have you got a brother?”

“No, not any more. Just me.” It sounded so easy the way the Doctor would say things like that. Sometimes I wondered if he was even telling the truth. I figured with how old he was, sometimes things just slipped from that big brain of his. Of course I didn’t have the courage to ask him stuff about his family. We’d only just started officially travelling together.

“As time passes and I grow even more infirm and weary, Miss Jones,” Stoker crossed his arms, awaiting for Martha to finally finish.

“Sorry, right,” Martha placed her stethoscope on the Doctor’s chest. She grew confused as she passed it to his other heart. The Doctor only winked at her.

That smug little alien. I had to bring a hand to my mouth because if not, I probably would’ve laughed there and then. If it had been anyone else instead of Martha, I was sure they would’ve fainted…or squeaked. But all Martha did was stare at the Doctor and then her stethoscope. She must have been wondering if something was wrong with her expensive tool.

“I weep for further generations,” Stoker shook his head, startling Martha, “Are you having trouble locating the heart, Miss Jones?”

“Um…I don’t know. Stomach cramps?”

“That is a symptom and not a diagnosis. And you rather fail basic techniques by not consulting first with the patient’s chart,” he picked up the chart but dropped it on account of an electric shock.

“That happened to me this morning,” Martha pointed.

“I had the same thing on the door handle,” another student added.

“And me, on the lift.”

“Well, there’s probably a thunderstorm moving in,” I offered, seeing them become alarmed.

“Yes and lightning is a form of static electricity,” Stoker added, “As was first proven by…anyone?”

“Benjamin Franklin,” the Doctor replied.

“Correct!”

“My mate Ben, that was a day and a half,” the Doctor gave a shake of his head as he started on another of his stories. That’d been what he talked about with me over the past few days, his past travels. And they were kind of good. “I got rope burns off that kite, and then I got soaked…”

“Quite…” Stoker said, confused. He must have thought there was a delirious diagnosis they missed.

“And then I got electrocuted,” the Doctor finished. He looked around, content with his story. I shook my head when he looked my way. One thing I’ve learned in these past few months is the man does not know when to stop talking.

“Moving on now…” Stoker backed away and gestured for his students to follow, “Miss Souza, will you accompany us?”

“Uh, no…I think I’ll stay here and oversee these patients,” I replied, setting my papers on the bedside table.

“Very well,” he nodded and led his students away.

Once they were out of hearing shot, I whacked the Doctor with a strong might on his arm, “Are you serious!?”

“Ow, hey, you know you’re actually stronger than you look right?” he frowned, rubbing his arm, “I learned that the hard way,” he mumbled, moving to rub the back of his head as he remembered the big old smack I gave him just last week after he belittled my school’s educational system. Apparently the human education system was primitive in comparison to his old “academy”…whatever that was anyways. Point was, I did not stand for it.

Again, he did not know when to stop talking. And so now, he learned I wasn’t just a frail little human girl.

“’My mate Ben…I got rope burns off that kite, and then I got soaked. And then I got electrocuted,” I imitated him before whacking his arm again, “News flash, regular people in this time are not friends with Benjamin Franklin!”

“I can’t help it! It slips sometimes!” he defended him as he rubbed his arm again, “And can you quit with the hitting?”

“Human too strong for big, bad Time Lord?” I raised an eyebrow, pulling the chair nearby and moving it beside the bed.

He sighed, “How was your day?”

I rolled my eyes, a hint of a smile creeping up on my face, “It was fine. I woke up, checked the TARDIS and it was fine.”

“You didn’t take her anywhere did you?” he raised an eyebrow, suspicious of my lonely nights in the box of wonders.

Since he was stuck in the hospital all day and night, I was left with the TARDIS at night. When we first made the arrangements, the Doctor had been truly worried that I’d be scared to stay inside on my own. It was touching that he cared but I had to remind him that I’d been on my own for quite a while now. Years worth. And truthfully, I didn’t think there was a safe place than the TARDIS. Plus, I had adventures of my own inside the box. I was finally discovering all the rooms it and I couldn’t be more enthralled with it!

“I don’t even know how to fly her,” I reminded, easing his doubts, “But I gotta say, I don’t like the idea of you spending the nights here on your own.”

“Worried?” he teased, smirking.

“Yeah, for the other patients,” I crossed my arms and took pleasure seeing that smirk drop from his face. “You’re not exactly the careful one. You’re a walking a disaster.”

“Thanks,” he rolled his eyes.

“You’re welcome,” I said, looking around and seeing Martha studying up another patient. I stood up and started towards her but I stopped after only a few steps. With a sigh, I kept myself in my spot and just watched.

“Something on your mind?” the Doctor asked after a moment of silence.

“I made a friend, that one over there, Martha Jones,” I pointed discreetly, “She’s bloody brilliant in the profession.”

“You’ve spoken then?”

I nodded, turning back and coming to pick up a folder from the table, “I got my hands on special x-rays because of her,” I held one of them up high and smiled, “This hospitals is wonders.”

“Glad to see someone’s having fun in all this.”

I glanced at him, lowering the paper, “Well, I’ve got to do something while you’re in here. Making a friend and learning is just my right combination. Plus…I really did have to do community service. High school is lovely,” I shook my head.

He picked up my school folder from the table and took a glimpse at the papers, “Two more years, right? Sorry about that.”

Now that he knew I was a year behind because of him, it seemed his guilt had risen as well. I kept telling him it was alright, that’d I continue catching up as I had been for some time…but it still got to him.

“Why do none of these school reports have any mention of your parents?” he suddenly asked, looking up from the papers.

“Not important,” I snatched them from him, growing serious.

He raised an eyebrow, “Now I’m thinking it is important.”

“It’s not.”

“You know, we still need to go and see them. I promised Jackie I would take you.”

“Later…” I turned around, “Much…much later…”

“Still not ready?”

“No,” I shook my head.

While I had managed to tell the Doctor a good part of myself, I was still holding back the biggest guilt I carried since I was thirteen. I just couldn’t get my mouth to speak those words. And I tried, believe me, but I felt that fear of rejection and I just couldn’t. I knew that worried him but as long as he was able to keep a close eye on me, he was alright. I tended to become what one might say “depressed” when I really got to think about it, and he was concerned I’d try something stupid. I never really had done anything so I didn’t understand why he was so edgy. But that was one thing I also learned about him, he tended to become a bit overprotective, as he once was with Rose. I admitted it did feel nice to finally be a part of that, it gave me a funny feeling…

“Minerva?” he called, giving me that look over when he thought I was entering that phase.

“I’m fine,” I waved him off, “Just please don’t make go back to them.”

“I won’t,” he assured, eyeing me cautiously, “Just calm down.”

I plopped down beside him, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happens to me, but I just get so-”

“Frantic?”

“…maybe.”

“Why does it happen? You’re afraid, that I get, but is it really that much?”

“My mother terrifies me,” I confessed, almost shuddering at the idea of seeing her again. “My father…while not the best, was still less scary. If I go face to face with them, I won’t be able to handle it. And whenever I think of that, that moment we meet again, I panic…”

And I knew he thought that wasn’t okay, not just to be afraid of your parents, but health-wise. Ever since Canary Wharf, we started traveling together and consequently, getting to know each other. Unfortunately, he seemed to have picked up one some of my “unhealthy” emotions and personality traits. But, he didn’t seem to want to tell me what exactly those unhealthy traits were from, or why they happened. I just knew they stemmed from my parents…and that fatal day.

“You shouldn’t though,” he placed a hand over mine, “It’s like I told you a while back, it's never your fault. Do what you do, say what you say, it can’t be.”

“I wish my parents were like that…”

“If they aren’t, I can always try and convince them.”

I smiled at his offer, taking my hand back and shaking my head, “I think my mom would chew your head off if you tell her she’s ’wrong’.”

“Oh, she's that kind of person, huh?”

“Like what?”

“She’s your mum,” he looked away, making a face, “It’s best not to say it.”

“Oi!” I whacked his arm, “I know she’s my mom so I pretty much know what you’re going to say. And yes, she is that kind of person. Whatever she says, it’s right. Whatever she does is right. I’m always wrong.”

“Even when it’s about her own daughter. Are you sure you’re not adopted?” he asked jokingly, raising an eyebrow as he pondered, “Maybe your real parents are more understanding…”

“I’m pretty sure I’m not adopted,” I chuckled.

“Mm, well, worth a shot!”

I stood up, still shaking my head, trying to seem disapproving but my smile was canceling it out. “I’m going to go see if I can talk to Martha.”

“Make a new friend, you know, one that's not an alien,” he whispered, “Maybe it’ll do you some good.”

“Yeah,” I pretended to consider it, “Maybe it would be good for a human to have a human friend. I wouldn’t have to deal with a pompous alien who thinks he’s all top-shot,” I smirked as he scowled at the words.

“Wha - I don’t think I’m a top shot!”

“Of course not, I am,” my smirk widened as I backed away.

“Minerva!”

I laughed, though it was cut short when the building started shaking. Fear quickly rushed through my body as I struggled to stay on my feet. “Doctor!” I tried reaching fro the foot of his bed but instead I fell forwards. I’m pretty sure I heard his body land with a thud somewhere else.

The building continued to shake for several minutes in which chaos promptly set in. Patients screamed as they toppled off their beds or fell from standing up. Desks and bed-stands were knocked over, pulling some of the curtain-dividers in the process. No one was left standing when the shaking finally stopped. Despite everything being still, I was afraid to move for the first couple of minutes. It wasn’t until the Doctor found me that I finally stood up, and that was, again, only because he helped me.

“What-what just happened?” I clung to his arm until I gathered my bearings. Things might have still been spinning in my eyes.

“Are you okay?” he slowly let me go when he was sure that I was able to stand on my own. Once my eyes could see clearly, they widened. Everything was dark outside. “Minerva? Are you okay~?”

“Yeah, but Doctor, it was day-time…” I pointed a shaky finger towards the window yet when he looked back he didn’t seem so surprised.

“Yeah, this is where it starts,” he walked me out of his ‘room’. “Now stay here!” He instructed before going back and shutting the curtains around the room to change.

I forgot about his one instruction and turned for the windows again. I saw Martha and another student inching closer to them. By this point, almost everyone had realized the big environment change and started panicking. People rushed past me, some of them pushing me a bit. I started pushed my way through until I could reach the windows.

The sight nearly took my breath away.

There was no more sun and light. Space was all around us in all its dark, starry glory. My eyes lowered to the ground where the moon craters were. I touched the glass and realized it wasn’t as cold as it was supposed to be. Something is helping us stay alive, I realized.

“Oh my god we’re on the moon…” Martha was as breathless as I would be if I was talking, if I could talk.

“But we can’t be!” the student beside Martha shook her head frantically.

She was one of the squeaky ones.

“But look where we are,” Martha said, far more calm than her friend. “It’s got to be real.”

“It is,” I nodded at her. She wasn’t squeaky at all. “And do you know the funny thing?” both students turned to me, awaiting for the answer with curiosity, “We’re still breathing. How and, most importantly, why?”

“What do you mean why!?” Martha’s friend exclaimed, almost bursting into sobs right there and then.

“It means we’re wanted alive…which is good for the moment,” I tried to say for her sake but she didn’t calm down.

“She’s right,” Martha agreed, nodding, “If we were wanted dead, the air would’ve been sucked out the moment we appeared on the moon. And yet, here we are.”

“Very good points you two,” the Doctor appeared behind us and promptly thumped the back of my head.

“Ow!”

“I thought I told you to stay with me!”

“You wanted me to stay by your bed while you changed when this-” I made a gesture at the window, “-was the sight!? C'mon!” He rolled his eyes in return. “And can I just ask…what is going on with your hair?”

It was hilarious how fast his hand flung to his hair. Sometimes I couldn’t tell what the Doctor loved more: the TARDIS or his hair.

“There’s something wrong with your hair,” I giggled.

Both his hands flung to his hair now, fully alarmed,. “What? Why? How does it look?”

“This is what happens when you don’t spend like two hours on it each morning, huh?”

“I do not spend two hours!”

“Three?”

“Minerva!” he half-shouted, and content, I turned to the window.

“So anyways, big picture here, Martha?” I glanced at her, seeing she was still looking between the Doctor and I, “Is something wrong?”

“N-no, I suppose not…”

The Doctor walked up to the window, attempting to get into business mode but there was still one hand pressing the back of his head. “How are we still breathing?”

“But we can’t be!” the other student still cried out.

“We are,” I snapped, making her turn to me, “Don’t waste time by denying the facts, please.”

“Have we got a balcony on this floor or a veranda…or…anything really?” the Doctor asked Martha, trying to remember her name no doubt. He hadn’t made friends with anyone in the building unlike me…

“It’s Martha,” I reminded.

“Martha, yes,” he nodded his head, “…Jo…J…”

“Jones,” I mumbled.

“Jones! Martha Jones! How about that balcony or something?”

“By the patients’ lounge,” she replied, looking a bit amused with the two of us.

“Good, let’s go!” he pulled me forwards.

“Wait!” Martha called, “I’ll go with you!”

“You could die,” the Doctor looked back with a warning expression. It didn’t seem to deter Martha one bit.

“We might not.”

“Excellent! Let’s go!” I exclaimed, excited to have her around for this bit.

We ran down the hallways until we reached the balcony doors which were shut. We took a deep breath before the Doctor opened the doors and we stepped out.

“What do you know, we’ve got air!” I said, happily looking around.

“But how does that work?” Martha asked in awe.

“Just be glad it does,” the Doctor looked out ahead, seriously.

Martha stared out, her eyes looking from one thing to the other, “I’ve got a party tonight. It’s my brother’s twenty-first. My mother’s going to be really, really…”

I glanced at her when she trailed off. Her eyes had only slightly un-widened but they were still flickering pretty fast. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah…”

“Are you sure?”

“We could go back inside,” the Doctor offered.

“No way,” she quickly shook her head, “I mean, we could die any minute but all the same…it’s beautiful.”

“You think so?”

“How many people want to go to the moon? And here we are!”

“Standing in the earth light,” I sighed, looking to our beautiful planet across us.

“What do you think happened?” Martha asked.

“What do you think?” the Doctor challenged.

“Extraterrestrial,” she didn’t hesitate to answer. “It’s got to be. A few years ago that would’ve sounded crazy but in these days?” She laughed softly, “That spaceship flying into Big Ben, Christmas, those Cybermen things. The battle at Canary Wharf…that’s how we lost my cousin, Adeola.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, sadly, remembering the scene of her death. Truthfully, I had nightmares of that day, once in a while, that’d wake me up from my sleep.

“We were there. In the battle,” the Doctor said, “Sorry.”

“I promise you, Mr. Smith, we’ll find a way out,” Martha glanced at us, “And you, Minerva. If we traveled to the moon then we can travel back. There’s got to be a way!”

“It’s not Smith,” the Doctor corrected, “It’s not my real name.”

“Then who are you?”

“I’m the Doctor.”

“Me too, if I can pass my exams,” she smiled, “What is it then, Doctor Smith?”

“Just the Doctor.”

Martha stopped and considered it, “How do you mean, just the Doctor,” she looked back at me and I nodded, “But…so people just call you 'the Doctor’?”

“Uh, yeah,” the Doctor nodded, a small smile on his face.

“Well, I’m not. As far as I’m concerned, you’ve got to earn that title.”

“Well, I’d better start then. Let’s have a look,” he picked up a pebble and threw it out, “There must be some sort of force field keeping the air in.”

“But that means the one we’ve got is limited supply…” I looked over, “What would happen when we run out?”

“You’re pretty clever, think you know the answer to it.”

“We’re all gonna suffocate,” I declared before panicking, “But who would do that?”

“Heads up! Ask them yourself!” the Doctor pointed to a couple of ships landing in front of the hospital.

“Aliens. That’s aliens. Real, proper aliens,” Martha gasped as we watched the armed aliens march towards us.

“Judoon,” the Doctor stated.

“Aren’t those like…the galactic police?” I inquired. I remembered one of his stories included aliens with that name.

“Hm, you actually do listen,” he said with a sarcastic surprised tone.

I smirked, “Well, not all your rambles are useless. Some are actually educational.”

“Hm. Let’s go!”

He led the way back into the hospital. We walked for the main floor but then hid on the mezzanine level instead, behind a few potted plants, when the 'Judoon’ started making their way in. People were going even more frantic now.

“Oh, look! You’ve got a little shop! I like a little shop!” the Doctor exclaimed, excitedly.

“Not now!” I scolded, recalling his ridiculous likes of little shops from New Earth. “People are literally scared to death here!”

“So these 'judoon’, what are they doing?” Martha asked, “Did they bring us to the moon?”

“Neutral territory,” the Doctor replied, finally tearing his eyes from the shop, “According to galactic law, they’ve got no jurisdiction over the earth and they isolated us. That rain? Lightning? That was them, using an H2O scoop.”

“Galactic law?” Martha tried understanding, “Where’d you get that from? If they’re police, are we under arrest? Are we trespassing on the moon or something?”

“I think they’re just looking for something,” I pointed, “See? They’re marking people with a 'human’ sign and since they keep going they obviously don’t want something human soo…” I trailed off, glancing at the Doctor, “Bad day for you.”

“Why?” Martha asked, receiving a look from the Doctor, waiting for her to make the calculations, “Oh you’re kidding me…don’t be ridiculous. And what are you then?” she pointed at me, “Alien too?”

“No, didn’t you just hear me? I said bad day for him not me,” I pointed to the Doctor, “I’m as human as they come.”

The Doctor wasn’t pleased and stood up, Martha and I following him until we entered an office. While he worked on a computer, we kept an eye on the Judoon that were searching the lower levels.

“They’ve reached the third floor!” I exclaimed.

“What’s that thing?” Martha asked. I looked back and saw him using the sonic on the computer.

“Sonic screwdriver,” the Doctor replied without even looking up.

“Well if you’re not going to answer me properly!”

“No really, it is. It’s a screwdriver and it’s sonic. Look.”

“What else have you got? A laser spanner?”

“I did. But it was stolen by Emily Pankhurst, cheeky woman,” he muttered before hitting the computer. “Oh this computer! The Judoon must have locked it down. Judoon platoon upon the moon. This is your fault!” he pointed at me with a violent finger.

My eyes widened indignantly. “Me!? What did I do!?”

“You had to go and volunteer!”

“I needed the service for school!” I countered, marching up to him, “We can’t all live in a stupid box!”

“Oi! Don’t diss the box!”

“Then don’t accuse me for alien trouble, Martian!”

“Don’t call me that!” he pointed again and I felt so tempted to bite him but that might have been described as childish. “If you hadn’t volunteered, I’d never have noticed the plasma coils around the hospital!”

“If you don’t get your finger out of my face, you’re gonna lose it! God, you’re an idiot!”

“Oi! You two done yet?” Martha called from the doorway, not amused. “This is not the time for your couple fights!”

“We’re not together,” I declared, looking back at her, “He’s too much of an idiot for someone so clever like me.” And I awaited the snap from said idiot.

The Doctor scoffed as he returned to the computer, “You wish you had someone like me!”

“Uh, no, his last name starts with a ’D’ and ends with a 'iCaprio!”

“Seriously?” Martha called again, coming up to us and heaving a sigh, “Can someone just tell me what those things are looking for?”

“Something that looks human but isn’t,” the Doctor replied in a mutter.

“Like you?”

“Like me. But not me.”

“Has to be a shape changer if they’re categorizing each and every one of us,” I pointed out.

“Well…can’t we just leave the Judoon to find it?” Martha asked.

“No. They’d declare the hospital guilty of harboring a fugitive, they’ll sentence it to execution,” the Doctor answered.

“All of us?” I blinked, “But that’s…”

“If I can find this thing first…Oh! Just that they’re thick! The Judoon are thick!” he exclaimed, throwing his head back, “The Judoon wiped the records! Oh that’s clever.”

“Okay, what exactly are we looking for?” Martha asked, trying to keep up.

“Any patient admitted in the past week with unusual symptoms.”

“Maybe there’s a backup or something. Hospitals usually have them,” I suggested.

“I’ll go ask Mr. Stoker! He would know!” Martha exclaimed before running out of the room.

“DiCaprio? Seriously?” the Doctor looked up when it was just us two. He seemed at a cross between offence and amusement. “I didn’t peg you for one of his fans.”

“Have you seen Titanic? He was a genius! And good looking,” I leaned against the desk and I’m sure a dream smile had to have taken place on my face. “Don’t think you can offer me something better than that, right?”

“Mm,” I shrugged.,“Can you offer me better?”

He scoffed and loudly, “Time Lord.”

“Is that supposed to mean something?” I turned around to face him.

“Lots, actually!”

“Sounds more like a deal breaker to me!”

Now a true offence had cross his face. “Minerva!”

“Oh get to work, Martian,” I gestured to the computer, “You can come up with flirts later.”

“Don’t call me Martian,” he muttered before resuming his work.

I took to heart what I said about liking the 'Martian’ nickname Donna had used. I branded him with it ever since and it couldn’t be more amusing to watch him get so irritated at it. These months had served well to get to know each other, and it also helped us to get at each other’s necks. Example, I for one, liked pears and would like to have one again…but he hated them. Minerva doesn’t get pears anymore. He, on the other hand, I discovered, was very impatient. And now that he knew I drew, I asked him if I could sketch him once. The man lasted five minutes before he jumped out of his chair.

But even throughout learning the bad sides of each other, we still grew closer…and apparently, to others, we “flirted”. And from a different perspective, like Martha’s to say, I could see where they would think that. I theorized it was due to the Doctor’s guilt of ignoring me. As soon as we started traveling after Canary Wharf, he took me to so many places where he asked every possible question about me, and I to him. We’d gotten close, inevitably, and somehow entered that phase of our relationship, flirts. But it was harmless, all harmless flirting.

“Restored it!” the Doctor exclaimed, snapping me out my thoughts.

“To Martha we go!” I ran out of the room first.

“You’ve take a liking to her, huh?”

I nodded, “Yeah, I’m telling you, she’s so nice! Possibly a good friend if I had the chance to get to know her.”

On turning a corridor, we bumped into Martha herself.

“I found her!” she cried, out of breath from an apparent run she’d done. “She’s over…”

“Doctor, what is that?” I pointed to the black suited figures coming up behind Martha.

“Run, run, run!” the Doctor pushed Martha and I down the hallway.

We ran down the stairs but came across the Judoon and turned the other way. We ran inside the Radiology room and slammed the door as if it would actually do something. The Doctor ushered us into another room towards the end, behind a window that would protect people during exams.

“When I say 'now’, press the button,” the Doctor ordered.

“There’s many buttons here!” Martha cried.

“Figure it out!”

“Gee, you’re so helpful!” I snapped before rushing to a bookshelf in search of a manual. I found it in a matter of minutes and together, Martha and I figured out how to basically turn it on.

“Now!” The Doctor ordered.

Together, Martha and I pressed the big, yellow button when the leather-clad figure emerged into the room. It received a mass amount of radiation before falling face-down to the floor. Martha turned the machine off but neither of us moved out of protective cocoon.

“What exactly did you do?” I asked the Doctor.

“Increased the radiation by five thousand percent. Killed him dead.”

“Wouldn’t that kill you?”

“One thing you don’t know about me: We used to play with roentgen bricks in the nursery,” he declared with a grin that I suspected was more or less the same one he had when he would play with…those bricks.

“…right,” I tucked some hair behind my ear. “When I was a kid, I used to play with bouncy balls but you…you would play with…radiology. Cool.” His smirk expressed his belief that it was indeed 'cool’.

“You two are mad!” Martha exclaimed with a shake of her head.

“It’s safe for you to come out, I’ve absorbed it all. All I need to do is expel it ” And then, he started bouncing and hopping like crazy.

“Should I even ask what you’re doing?” I stepped out with Martha but for safety reasons I kept us away.

“If I can concentrate I can shake the radiation in my body and move it into one spot. It’s in my left shoe!” he pointed at the precise shoe. My head and Martha’s just followed his bouncy moves while he hopped all around. “Out, out, out, out, out. Out, out, ah, ah, ah, ah. It is, it is, it is, it is, it is hot. Ah! Hold on.” He stopped hopping, removed his shoe and threw it in a dustbin. “Done.”

I possibly stared like an idiot but sometimes…he was just too much. It was in these moments that I would wonder what Rose used to do in these situations. Probably fawn over him. The sour thoughts would come to mind which would then make me push her and it all away.

“You’re completely mad,” Martha breathed in.

“Right. I look daft with one shoe,” the Doctor took off his other shoe and threw it in the dustbin as well, “Barefoot on the moon!”

“Yes, because that was the problem,” I nodded, crossing my arms. “Doctor!”

“What?” he genuinely asked. I had to laugh.

“So what is that thing?” Martha walked over to the corpse but I quickly pulled her away. Who knows what could leak from the corpse.

“It’s just a Slab. Basic slave drones,” the Doctor moved around the corpse. “Solid leather, all the way through. Someone has got one hell of a fetish.”

“It came with that woman, Mrs. Finnegan,” Martha said. “It was working for her like a servant.”

“My sonic screwdriver,” the Doctor suddenly remembered and rushed to the machine his sonic was sticking out from.

“She was one of the patients,” I said to Martha once I remembered the old woman. “She was so sweet…”

“My sonic screwdriver!” the Doctor continued to whine behind us. I glanced back and saw the sonic had been more or less destroyed by his gimmick with the machines.

“She had a straw like some kind of vampire,” Martha said.

“I loved my sonic screwdriver!”

I walked to the whining alien, silently took his 'screwdriver’ from his hands and threw it away in the dustbin, “I’m sure the TARDIS can make you a brand new one. Can we focus, please?”

“Right, sorry,” he quickly set himself up again.

“Doctor! Miss Finnegan is the alien!” Martha exclaimed.

He smiled at her and I assumed it wasn’t because she’d basically figured out our culprit. “You called me 'Doctor’.”

“Anyways,” she obviously didn’t want to admit that, “She was drinking Mr. Stoker’s blood.”

“Drinking blood?” I made a face and shuddered. “Are we dealing with vampires? Do vampires exist?”

“No,” the Doctor pointed at me before exclaiming, “That’s it! Shape changer remember? Internal shape changer. She wasn’t drinking blood, she was assimilating it! If she can assimilate the blood, mimic the morphology then she can register as human! We’ve got to find her and show the Judoon!” He raced out of the room, leaving Martha and I to follow him into the corridors.

However, not three steps forwards we saw another Slab coming down. We retreated behind a water cooler until it passed.

“That’s the thing about Slabs, they always travel in pairs,” the Doctor whispered.

“What about you?” Martha asked, “Haven’t you got back up or something?”

“Ooh humans,” he shook his head, “We’re stuck on the moon running out of air with Judoon and a bloodsucking criminal, you’re asking personal questions. Come on.”

“Humans?” Martha chuckled lightly, “I’m still not convinced you’re an alien.”

And as soon as we stepped out of our hiding place, a Judoon shined a blue light on the Doctor’s face.

“Non-human,” it concluded.

“Believe it now?” I mumbled to Martha who was wide-eyed with the shock.

“And again!” the Doctor exclaimed before we ran. We ran up the stairs and entered a new floor where people were gasping for air on the floor, “They’ve done this floor and with any luck, since Judoon are just a bit logical they won’t be back.”

We started walking but Martha stopped by her friend a few minutes later. To her credit, the squeaky student seemed less squeaky now and more serious.

“Where are we going now?” I asked the Doctor a few steps away from Martha.

“Stoker’s office.”

“Do you think we’ll have sufficient time? Look at these people!” I pointed at the patients scattered down the hallway. None of them seemed to have strength left to keep walking. The air was thinning. “Pretty soon, Martha and I are human and unlike you we’re gonna slow down…”

“We’ll get it done before that happens,” he assured, “Now c'mon, where’s the office?”

“Over there,” I pointed ahead as Martha re-joined us.

“Let’s go then!”

And again, as usual, we ran. When we entered the office, there was no one there except for a dead Mr. Stoker.

“But she was here!” Martha said frantically.

The Doctor went to examine Stoker on the ground, “Drained him dry. Every last drop. I was right. She’s a plasmavore.”

“What’s she doing on earth?” I raised an eyebrow. “And in a Hospital?”

“Hiding. On the run. But she’s still not safe. The Judoon could execute us all,” he stood up and we walked back out into the corridor, “If I was plasmavore surrounded by police, what would I do?”

“Find the non-human. Execute,” We heard Judoon not far away.

“Where did she go, then?” I asked him, though he seemed to be come up short, “What would she need?”

“I…I don’t know,” he looked around, suddenly spotting the MRI room sign, “Ah, she’s as clever as me…almost.”

“What? What’s she gonna do-”

A loud crash sound followed by the screams of the patients rang through the hallway, “They’re coming!” I exclaimed, “Doctor, you gotta go and stop her before we’re all dead. Martha and I will…distract, I don’t know. How do you distract alien rhinos?” I glanced at them, seeing they were marching their way over.

“They’re coming!” Martha shouted.

I panicked and shook the Doctor’s arm. “Doctor, ideas!? This would be the perfect moment to use your big mouth!”

“Yeah, you might be right about that one,” he said, though rather nervously. He took my hand off his arm and kept it in his own hand. “Did I ever get to the part about genetic transfers with you?”

“In your stories?” I made a face, hoping that would make it a clear 'no’. “Doctor, I’m sorry, but sometimes I just tuned you out!”

He rolled his eyes. “Okay, well, maybe you should have listened! Believe me when I say that I am so sorry for this but I trust you most.”

“Oh, what are you on about now, Mar-”

I was just about to turn around when his hands flung to my face, pulling me forwards to his lips for a kiss. I made a funny noise as I couldn’t exactly express my shock with my mouth. Of course after a few seconds I started to truly feel the press of his lips against mine and…and it was pretty nice. But just when my eyes closed, the Doctor pulled away.

“What…?” I blinked fast in an attempt to speed my brain back up.

The Doctor, to his credit, did seem like he was a bit dazed as well, but it dropped from his face seconds later to be replaced by a smugness no one could outmatch. “DiCaprio wouldn’t have anything on me! But I’m sorry, Minerva, it was to save thousands of lives okay! I trusted you more!”

“No!” I shouted after the him when he rushed off. I hoped I had enough clear anger to make him realize his mistake. “I am 17, I have never been kissed before, and a stupid alien stole my first kiss!”

That made him freeze and look back. “Offensive,” he pointed. “But, I will ignore it,” he then turned around and continued on his way.

“He did not just do that,” I muttered with balled fists as I watched him leave.

Martha moved beside me, now truly looking amused. “Hm, makes me wonder what you do when you are together.”

“Shut up,” I snapped, although there was a blush on my face for a moment. I shook my head in hope of getting rid of that. “We should just go.”

Before she made another remark, I pulled her down a hallway and ran. It wasn’t long before we met up with more Judoon.

“Halt,” one of them grabbed Martha and shined its blue light on her, “Human.”

“Now, listen,” Martha said as they moved onto me, “We know who you’re looking for. She’s this woman. She calls herself Florence.”

“Human,” it concluded on me, “With non-human traits suspected. Non-human element confirmed. Authorize full scan.”

My eyes widened, “Get away from me! I do not consent, you hear me!? I do not-”

But another Judoon moved behind me and grabbed my arms still. Another Juddon backed Martha up when they commenced their 'scan’.

“You gotta listen!” I cried. “We know who you’re looking for! We can take you to them!”

The Judoon scanning me took my hand and made a cross just like Martha’s, “Confirmed: Human. Traces of facial contact with non-human.”

“Oh, tell me about it!” I huffed.

“Continue search,” the Judoon handed me a piece of paper, “You will need this.”

“What for?”

“Compensation.”

“Oh give me a break!” I snatched the paper and chucked it to the side, “We know where the alien is! The MRI room!”

Martha and I shuffled our way out of the Judoon and ran for the MRI room, thankfully a couple other Judoon were headed that way from the other end of the hallway.

“Scan him! Confirmation: deceased,” we heard as soon as we entered the room.

“What!?” I pushed myself inside and the Doctor lying on the ground unconscious. “Doctor! Hey!”

“Stop,” the Judoon ordered. “Case closed.”

“But it was her!” Martha pointed at the old lady in front of us who couldn’t look more triumphant. “She did it! She murdered him.”

“The Judoon have no authority over human crime.”

“But she’s not human!” I yelled angrily, dropping to my knees beside the Doctor, “C'mon Martian, wake up.”

“We’re telling you, she’s not human!” Martha insisted.

“Oh, but I am,” Mrs. Finnegan raised her hand, showing off the 'X’ that branded as humans, “I’ve been cataloged.”

“No you’re not!” I shouted, “You assim…” I paused, glancing at Martha who quickly understood, “She drank his blood…she drank the Doctor’s blood and do you know what happens after that?”

“I get to do this!” Martha snatched one of the Judoon’s scanners and pointed it at Finnegan.

“Oh, I don’t mind. Scan all you like.”

“Non-human,” the Judoon declared.

“But, what?” Finnegan repeated, utterly confused.

“Confirm analysis.”

“Oh, but it’s a mistake, surely. I’m human. I’m as human as they come!”

“He did this on purpose,” I spat, “You drank his blood and now you’re caught.”

“Confirmed: Plasmavore. I charge you with the crime of murdering the princess of Patrival Regency Nine.”

“She deserved it!” Finnegan snapped, “Those pink cheeks and those blond curls and that simpering voice. She was begging for the bite of a plasmavore.”

“Do you confess?” the Judoon questioned.

“Confess? I’m proud of it! Slab, stop them!”

And sure enough, one of them did but the Judoon easily disintegrated it with its own shoot.

“Verdict: guilty. Sentence: execution.”

“Enjoy your victory, Judoon, because you’re going to burn with me. In hell!” Finnegan smirked. The Judoon disintgrated her as well.

“Case closed.”

“What did she mean, 'burn with me’?” Martha asked just as an alarm came off the radiology machines. “That scanner shouldn’t be doing that. She’s done something.”

“Scans detect lethal acceleration of monomagnetic pulse.”

“Do something!”

“Our jurisdiction has ended. Judoon will evacuate.”

“Minerva! Do something!” Martha cried.

“I…I don’t know,” I looked around, “I…I really don’t. I can’t think straight! Doctor, wake up!” I shook him but the damn Martian wouldn’t move.

“All units withdraw.” And all the Judoon left like that, like they weren’t at fault for all this chaos!

“We’re gonna run out of air!” Martha knelt down beside the Doctor and I, “Can I?”

I nodded and stood up, watching her work on his hearts till I started becoming dizzy. The air was definitely thinning now.

“One, two, three, four, five. One, two, three, four, five!” Martha began CPR with all her force that was surely fleeting. “Two hearts! One, two, three, four, five! One, two, three, four, five!”

“Oh…” I put a hand to my head, feeling even dizzier. “Martha, the air…” I knelt down again but even that did no good.

“I know!” Martha coughed, her CPR movements slowing down as well. “One, two…three, four…five.”

Little by little, my body crumpled on the ground. My vision started blurring but I could still see Martha’s figure doing CPR. “Maybe…a nap…” I mumbled when my head fell against the cold floor. I heard the Doctor’s sharp gasp when he came back to life, but everything was just a mesh of colors in my eyes.

“The…the scanner…” Martha began to say with a ragged breathing, “She did something…”

The last thing I saw was the Doctor’s bare feet moving around the room before everything went dark.

~0~

“You missed it, Minerva! It was raining on the moon!” the Doctor exclaimed as he handed me a glass of water. The loss of air did nothing for him, clearly. He was all over the place just like usual!

With a weak smile, I nodded and took a sip of my water, “Must have been nice.”

I sat on the seat of the console room, letting the Doctor continue his ramble about the rain on the moon. Frankly, I was bit more concerned of Martha’s whereabouts. I don’t remember how I ended up back on the TARDIS, but I assumed the Doctor had saved her as well. But, I had a another idea that was sparking in my brain and I had to put it into action.

“Doctor, can we go back to Martha?” I asked, stopping him in the middle of his story.

“Martha?” he stopped and cocked his head. “What for?”

“She helped.”

“And?”

“I just thought…” I grew slightly nervous, the idea of Martha being a possible replacement to him emerging in my head. She was definitely not that! She was wonderful!

“Minerva?”

“I was thinking…if that was alright I mean…” I tried getting all the words out from my mouth before I grew way too nervous, “…you could…um…bring Martha with us?” I thought he would immediately decline and say something about 'We just lost Rose’ and 'It’d be replacing her’ and blah, blah, blah, but he was quiet. He was actually thinking about it. I watched him think while he threw his new screwdriver in the air, catching it and throwing it.

“Okay,” he stood straight after a few minutes and walked to the controls.

“What?” I blinked, not sure if I had heard right. Could it truly have been that easy?

“I said okay.”

“Are…are you sure? You’re not mad?”

“No, you’re right. She did help us. The least I could do is bring her somewhere nice. And besides, I have a new screwdriver,” he waved it.

“So we’re bringing Martha?” I excitedly stood up from my seat.

He nodded, “Yeah. It’d be nice to have someone around, you’re probably getting tired of my old gob.”

“Just a little,” I teased, finishing the last of my water.

“Very funny, now hang on,” he instructed as he pulled the lever of the console.

Once to the designated spot, I literally dashed out the TARDIS, so excited to have Martha along.

“Minerva, wait up!” the poor alien rushed to catch up.

I rounded a corner, stopping when I saw Martha coming out of a party, her parents and siblings outside as well, along with a raging blonde. My smile faded as I realized they were all arguing.

“Oh, I’m never talking to your family again!” the blonde shouted and walked off.

“Oh, stay, have a night out with Clive!” Francine, Martha’s mother called after her.

“Don’t you dare. I’m putting my foot down,” Clive, Martha’s father, warned.

“You coming?” the blonde called back.

'This is me, putting my foot down…“ and he followed her anyways.

"Doing it for the last twenty five years!” Francine exclaimed.

“Please,” Clive pleaded.

“Clive, stop now!”

And the family disbanded, Tish after her mother, and Leo after their father. Martha was the only one left in the middle and I knew exactly how that felt. Martha was distraught, probably wondering where she’d gone wrong.

I swallowed hard and turned away, my excitement all gone and forgotten. “I don’t want to see anymore,” I mumbled and headed back for the TARDIS.

“What - Minerva!?” the Doctor hurried to catch up with me. “Hey! With those long legs of his, it didn’t him long to catch up. He had his arm around my shoulders in ten seconds flat. "Hey, it’s alright.”

“No, it’s not. I hate seeing families argue. And did you see Martha’s face? I know that face,” I shuddered a breath. “It’s the face you make when you know it’s your fault.”

“Then we can go,” he gestured to the box of wonders in front of us, “Name a place and we’ll go. We’ll forget about everything here and just go somewhere brilliant! How about an art museum? Vincent Van Gogh tickle your fancy?”

I smiled at his attempt to help me out, but there was somebody I didn’t want us to forget. “What about Martha?”

“Do you really want her here that much?”

“Well, it would be nice, wouldn’t it? Get our minds off things…you with…Rose. And me with…my own parents.”

“Ahem,” someone cleared their throat, making us turn around and see Martha standing across us. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No,” I answered, shrugging the Doctor’s arm off my shoulders. “You saw us?”

“Oh yeah,” she nodded, walking up to us. “I went to the moon today.”

“A bit more peaceful than down here,” remarked the Doctor.

“You never even told me who you are…”

“The Doctor.”

“And you know who I am,” I reminded.

“But you never said you knew an alien,” she smiled softly, gesturing to the one standing beside me.

“Well it’s not something you go and blab about.”

“But…what sort of species?” she looked at him, “She says she’s human but what about you?”

“I’m a Time Lord.”

“Right, not pompous at all then.”

“Minerva and I thought, since you helped us today…you might fancy a trip.”

“What, into space? I can’t…I’ve um…got exams and things to do. I have to go into town first thing and pay the rent, I’ve got my family going mad…”

“It travels in time!” I offered, remembering how that had sweetened the deal with Rose and thought it could work again.

“Get out of here!” Martha backed up, her eyes giving the box of wonders a new look. “Really?”

“We can,” the Doctor nodded.

“That’s going too far!”

“I’ll prove it to her,” he said as he stepped inside the TARDIS.

I moved beside Martha and watched the TARDIS de-materialize. I laughed when Martha lost it at the disappearing box.

“N-n-no,” she waved her hand where the box had been, “Is this…that’s not…”

I pulled her back and watched the TARDIS reappear in its spot.

“Told you!” the Doctor stepped out with his tie in hand.

“But…that was this morning!” Martha exclaimed, “Oh my god! You can travel in time!”

The Doctor began putting on his tie again, looking at me, “I told you I didn’t leave the hospital.”

“For once, you didn’t wander off,” I smiled.

“But hold on, if you could see me this morning, why didn’t you tell me not to go into work?” Martha questioned, “Could’ve saved me a lot of trouble.”

“Crossing into established events in strictly forbidden,” the Doctor explained, “Except for cheap tricks.”

“And that’s your spaceship?” she pointed to the TARDIS.

“It’s called the TARDIS. Time and Relative Dimension in Space.”

“But it’s made out of wood…and there’s not much room…I mean, you two are probably already squished or something…”

I chuckled lightly, “Not exactly.”

The Doctor opened the doors for her, “Why don’t you take a look?”

As she went in, we could hear her gasps. We entered behind her and watched her as she took everything in. Her eyes nearly bugged out when she saw the room, but her smile was everlasting.

And then it dropped. “Oh, no, no, no!” She raced out of the TARDIS just to make sure she was seeing correctly even if it defied all laws. “But it’s just a box! But it’s huge! How does it do that? It’s just wood!” We heard her knocking against the TARDIS. “It’s like a box with that room just crammed in! It’s bigger on the inside!” She ran back inside and laughed, completely missing the Doctor mouthing the famous last line.

He gasped for dramatization, ignoring my mock-glare on him. “Is it? I hadn’t noticed.” He closed the doors and took off his coat, throwing it onto one of the rails.

“But is there a crew? Like a navigator and stuff? Where is everyone?”

“Just us,” I replied.

“Just you two?” she raised an eye brow.

“We had a friend…” the Doctor said quietly, “Her name was Rose…”

“Where is she now?” Martha caught on the subject, seeing it a touchy one like Donna had.

“With her family. Happy. She’s fine,” the Doctor looked up, “Not that you are replacing her because you’re not!”

Martha took it with a smile, “Never said I was.”

“Good…” he nodded, “And just on trip to say 'thanks, you get one trip, then back home. We’re good on our own.”

I glanced at him, not really approving of this. That wasn’t really part of the plan…

“Okay…” Martha nodded, “And I can choose? Anywhere I want? In time and space?”

I nodded, “Anywhere you want.”

“Oh this is going to be fantastic!” She laughed lightly.

“Yes!” I clapped my hands, “But if you don’t mind, could we start maybe a little later? I’m actually kind of hungry…”

“Me too,” she quickly nodded, “With all the organizing and my family I don’t think I’ve ate anything.”

“I’ll show you the kitchen!” I volunteered, moving for her, “Doctor? Would you like to accompany us?”

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

“Okay,” I shrugged, “We’ll be back a little later.”

~0~

We had planned on just a snack. Really. We had. But then…

“Pass me the brownies!” Martha pointed.

“What? You can’t mix pasta with brownies!” I frowned, almost gagging at the idea. “That sounds disgusting!”

“It’s not and hurry it up!” She laughed and tried reaching over. I slid the plate to her and watched her bite into a brownie, “Oh, now these are delicious!” she smiled, “You’re a really good cook!”

“Thanks, probably the only thing I didn’t learn on the road,” I set my plate down on the floor. “Learned it right at home.”

“Who taught you? You’re mum?”

I scoffed, “Please, for her, dinner was a frozen meal you get from a liquor store.”

“Dad?”

“Take out. My grandmother taught me…” I sighed, reminiscing all my lessons with my sweet grandmother, “She taught me everything I know.”

“Good grandma,” she nodded, biting again into her brownie.

I dove my fork into my pasta again, “Yeah…she is.”

There was a knock by the threshold, making us both look up, “Uh, ladies?” the Doctor walked in, “Why are you on the floor when there’s a perfectly good table right there?” He pointed at the table that was completely empty. Martha and I looked at each other and laughed, “I was being serious.”

“We found it more comfortable,” I replied, wiping my mouth from brownie crumbs.

“Gave us more free space,” Martha gestured, “Can’t you see we have a mini-buffet going on?”

“Uh…sort of?” he looked down to our plates.

“Want some?” I asked, “There’s pasta and minty-fresh brownies.”

“No, thanks.”

“Oh c'mon, you have to have at least one,” Martha held up a plate of brownies to him. “They’re really good. And after a day like today, we all deserve something sweet.”

“Okay,” he grabbed one and took a bite, “Not bad.”

“Minerva is such a good cook!”

“That she is,” he agreed.

“Thank you both,” I grabbed one as well and bit into it. They were pretty good if I say so myself.

“Minerva, I need your help for something,” the Doctor said, “It’s with the console. Think you can come with me just for a bit?”

“Uh, sure,” I said, standing up, “Don’t know much about spaceships though. Sure you want me for the job?”

“I just need an extra person. Won’t take long,” he gestured for me to go first.

“See you in a bit,” I said to Martha then walked out, “So what’s wrong with the console?”

“I can’t exactly tell,” he replied, “It’s just making this weird sound…”

“Well, it’s probably all that hammering you give it,” I shook my head, smiling to myself. I was sure that if the TARDIS could actually talk, she would’ve yelled at the Doctor for hours for all the damage he’d done to her. “I know if someone kept hammering me I’d probably go out of my way to ruin your plans.”

The Doctor didn’t say much on our walk. Even when we reached the console, he said nothing so I went ahead and opened my ears up for any strange noise. Minutes passed by and no matter how much I waited, I didn’t hear anything. With a frustrated sigh, I turned to the Doctor. “I don’t hear a noise! Is it like a noise that humans can’t hear?”

“Oh, uh, I lied,” he suddenly said, moving past me to the console.

I was left blinking in my spot for a couple minutes. “Wait, what!?” I spun around again and rushed to his side. “What do you mean you lied?”

“I lied. There is no noise. Console’s fine, see?” he made a show of touching the controls and sure enough, nothing strange happened. “Like I would ask you to help me on my console?”

One of my eyebrows shot up in offence. “First of all, rude. Second of all, why did you lie!?”

“Because I wanted to apologize in private.”

“What for…?”

“Stealing your first kiss, apparently.”

My eyes widened and before I knew it, I turned away out of embarrassment. After everything was said and done, I realized I acted far too childish for a situation that had required a 'genetic transfer’. “No, Doctor, you don’t have to say anything. I was rude and selfish. I was very selfish. I was putting something so stupid like a first kiss over a thousand peoples’ lives. I’ve never done anything like that and I hope it never repeats itself. There’s no excuse.”

He touched my arm but even then I wouldn’t look at him. “You don’t have to be so hard on yourself. It was important to you, that’s all.”

“Yes, but…nothing should matter over so many peoples’ lives, Doctor! You’d never be so selfish! That’s why I’m the human. I let little things get in the way of the big picture…and that’s wrong.”

“You’re being harsh on yourself and that is something I will not stand for,” he forced me to face him then placed his hands on my shoulders. “And, if it helps, I feel guilty too.”

“About what? You saved the people in the hospital. You saved me…again.”

“But after that, I still have to live with myself, and I think I’ve hurt you enough.”

“I’m not hurt,” I shrugged, and I dare to think that the chuckle that slipped through my lips would be convincing enough. “A bit…surprised, yeah. But I mean, wouldn’t you be?”

“I took someone’s first kiss. And it really meant a lot to her,” he sadly smiled, letting go of my shoulders.

“Surely, you’re not going to feel guilty for something that ridiculous, right? It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes it does!” he nearly shouted, startling me, “I don’t want to hear those words from you when things clearly do matter to you. This mattered, and I’m gonna fix it. So name a person.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, what’s that bloke you talked about earlier? The one that’s clearly not better than me, who was he?” he turned to the console, hands wiggling as they prepared to work the controls.

“Doctor, what are you talking about?” I almost laughed at his crazy face.

“Outside those doors will be waiting someone to kiss,” he pointed, “I took one and you’re getting it back.”

Somehow, this didn’t surprise me. It was ridiculous, but it was also a nice gesture. Of course I had to laugh - what a stupid alien!

“There’s not some other alien out there waiting for me, right? Like those Zygons you told me about, the ones with the big suckers?” I mimicked said suckers with my hands, making him smile a bit.

“No, there will not be any aliens waiting for you. You deserve better.”

“Better? As in human?”

“…better as in, well, better than me.”

“Oh, don’t put yourself down like that,” I frowned. I hated when he did that; I wondered if that’s what he felt with me whenever I put myself down? If so, then I might understand his frustration. “And you know what, fine, I accept your deal. But I get to choose, right?” he nodded and so I thought, but the idea had already started forming before the question had been asked. “I don’t want DiCaprio. I don’t want a Zygon.”

“Then who?”

“A first kiss is supposed to be meaningful, you know, with a meaningful person…”

“Yes…”

“I’m looking at him.”

“Sure…” But of course, he paused when the words finally got to him. “Wait, what?”

“A friend who’d go to these measures just for a stupid human custom has to be meaningful. You’re becoming to be a good friend,” I said, trying to make it sound casual and not let him see my blush. “I want you to know that, I’d like for you to understand it.”

“Thank you,” he said, sounding truly surprised. “But…you need to pick someone be-”

“If you say 'better’ I’ll kick you,” I deadpanned, immediately shutting him up.

“Fine, but pick someone worthy, I swear I’ll make it happen. But honestly, it shouldn’t be a problem considering it's you.”

Despite my efforts to be casual, that little line sparked a tingle. “And…and what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

The Doctor’s eyes widened and suddenly the back of his head must have been itchy because his hand dug into his hair. “Uh,uh, n-nothing…”

“Doctor, what did you mean?”

“It’s embarrassing!” he declared, moving around the console.

“Why?”

“Minerva,” he gestured for me to stop with a hand, “I’d just…rather not talk about it.”

“Talk about what? You haven’t said anything!”

“Yes, and don’t you think that’s a sign to stop considering how much I usually talk?”

“Oh you’re good,” I acknowledged, but I hopped in front him and stopped his walking, “But I still wanna know! I’m very curious as you can see!”

“Minerva,” he whined, looking away.

“Oh please!?” I clapped my hands together, putting that sweet smile that’d get me just what I wanted. It worked one everybody including him too!

“Fine! Alright, fine,” he sighed and set a hand on the console, struggling to say his next words, “I…think you’re pretty…and a good kisser.”

Well, with those types of compliments who wouldn’t blush? I tucked some hair behind my ear and cleared my throat. “Well, uh…thanks for that. Especially since it was a first-time for me and…and you’re far more experienced…”

“I, well…thank you…” the Doctor said slowly. “So then…how’s about it, then? Got anyone in mind?”

I took in a breath and once I exhaled, I knew what I wanted. “It’s okay, Doctor. You don’t have to do anything. I’ll take the one I received.”

Apparently, that wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “I need you to let go of your silly pride and-”

“It’s not a pride thing, not this time,” I took his hands and gave them a light squeeze. “I’m fine now, really. Thank you for going through ridiculous measures just to make me feel better. I don’t think you should feel guilty anymore.”

“So that’s it, then? That’s your first kiss? A quick and forced one?”

“Yes, and it’s alright,” I chuckled, seeing him so worked up about it, probably even more than me now. “Now c'mon, let’s go back to Martha. I get the feeling we won’t be seeing any brownies if we delay a minute more.”

“Alright, fine,” he nodded, but gripped my hands, forcing me to stay in place, “I can’t give back what I stole, but I can make it better.”

“What does that-”

“I can give you a better first kiss!” he grabbed the sides of my faces.

“That’s really not necessary…” I said nervously.

“Minerva, I’ve hurt you okay, and you’ve done nothing but give me your kindness. You forgive me in a heartbeat…always. Even when I ignored you, you had already forgiven me and don’t you dare so that’s not true because I remember. I remember your words last Christmas with Rose. You had forgiven me already when I didn’t deserve it.”

“You remembered,” I blinked, surprised he actually remembered what was such a long time ago. I honestly thought it’d never come back to him seeing how long it was. And now that he remembered, he looked so…destroyed.

“Jackie was right, you should’ve slapped me.”

“That’s kinda why I did in the 50’s,” I admitted, making a face at my brutal act, “Sorry about that…”

“Still, I feel awful.”

“You’re guilty,” I frowned, disliking the manner in which his eyes diverted from looking at me, “And I don’t like it. Stop it.”

“I guess that’s one thing we have in common, we’re both guilty,” he sighed, stepping back.

“The difference being that you have repaid your guilt while I could never do that. But hear me now, Martian, everything is fine. Let’s just forget about today and think of where we’re going to bring Martha, who by the way is still in the kitchen waiting for us so let’s go back and enjoy a nice lunch-slash-dinner,” I chuckled, still confused as to how exactly the whole 'day’ and 'night’ thing worked in this box of wonders. “And then go somewhere fantastic! Might I suggest the past?”

“Incredible,” he declared in a low whisper.

“What is?”

“You. Are you really just gonna let it go?”

“Doctor! Focus on the big picture! Get over it. It doesn’t matter. Now let’s go!” I grabbed his hand and walked for the corridors.

“Noo,” he turned me around, face to face with him, “I can’t. I promised to be a good friend and…”

“What are you…?” I frowned.

“I can’t take it back, but I can make it better!”

I saw him leaning down and I should’ve stopped him…but I didn’t. I just stood there, watching him press his lips against mine. I wasn’t going to lie, I didn’t want to at first but then he started growing on me. His hands slowly slid down to my waist, gently bringing me closer to him. My hands eventually came to rest on his arms and despite my awkwardness, I fell under his charm. His lips felt so warm and so soft that I just had to respond. And it was weird at first, but we soon found our sync together almost…almost like we already knew what to do for each other.

Don’t be ridiculous, Minerva. You’ve never even kissed anyone! A statement I could no longer say.

For it being just a kiss between friends it felt so good. Now, I’ve never been kissed before but I felt like it could become so much more. It wasn’t even long before I felt what I had always heard about a first kiss. That little spark…

It was fantastic. It was perfect. It was my first kiss.

The Doctor slowly pulled away after a few minutes. Despite my dazed moment, I could see a slight blush on his face. “Was that…was that good?”

“I can’t believe you just did that,” I started giggling…like an idiot. But he didn’t seem to think so judging by the smile on his face. “DiCaprio would have nothing on it.”

He practically beamed at that. “Really?” A smugness took his face over and this time, I couldn’t get angry. I laughed at him instead.

“You’re ridiculous Martian man!”

“I’m not Martian,” he frowned immediately. “Is there any way you could stop calli-”

'Never.“

”…that’s not nice.“

"You stole my first kiss,” I pointed with another laugh. “So we’re even.”

“Alright, fair enough. So…we’re good?”

“We were good before, but now…now we’re really good.” I looked away for a moment to calm my warm face. He was so smug now, of course he’d be, but there was one more thing I had to do. “But I do have to do one more thing.”

“And that’s?”

I slapped him across the face.

He stumbled back with a hand on his cheek. He was rightfully stunned with the sudden hit. “What was that for?! I thought you just said we were good-”

“That was for kissing me in the hospital without permission!”

He dropped his hand, about to argue, when he realized it was a very true fact. “Okay, I deserved that one.”

“Mhm,” I nodded but chuckled and pulled him into a hug. I was probably confusing the hell out of him right now. “And this is for right now. You’re doing good, Martian. Let go of your guilt, okay?”

“I will when you will,” he countered and I pulled away.

“And now I think it’s time to get back to Martha, don’t you think? She’ll be wondering what’s taken so long,” I tried pulling him for the corridors again but found myself pulling and pulling while the man just stood there, “C'mon!”

“No, you go,” he freed himself of my hand, “It seemed like you really wanted to get to know Martha since you met her in the hospital. Go and do that.”

“But we’re supposed to be doing the same, come with us.”

“No, you deserve this. Go and make a friend who’ll listen on the first round.”

“Thank you,” I gave him another hug, “I won’t lie, it feels nice having her around, even if it’s just for one trip.”

“Exactly,” he pulled away, “So go one and find out who she is and make sure she’s not a threat or anything.”

“Yeah right,” I shook my head, “I think Martha is going to lead to some very good times.”

“Eh…” he swayed his head as he considered it, “…we’ll see.”

“You should consider bringing on another companion,” I edged him on as I walked off.

“Maybe…”

“It’ll be a yes soon,” I warned, glancing back, “I can feel it,” I grinned and continued on my way.

Once I was a decent distance away from him I stopped and placed my fingers went to my lips, getting a shiver down my spine…but a good kind. I shook my head, suddenly remembering who had gotten angry at me for thinking that this precise action was something I was after. Oh, if she was here I’m sure I would’ve gotten more than a slap from her. I continued walking, trying to forget what had happened but my mind kept drifting back and back…

One thing I did allow myself to think about was that I could definitely see what Rose was so worked over about. The man was a really good kisser and I certainly wouldn’t mind kissing him again.

Thank god she’d never know that.

#doctor who #10th doctor #ocapp #ocappreciation #dw imagines #dw imagine #10th doctor imagines #doctor who imagines #10th doctor fics #dw #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere #noblecrescentedit

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