Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The kitchen of Rita-Anne Smith was cozy if not simple. No overstated frills, just warm cozies beneath a teapot at the center of the table. The room was dark but not oppressively so. For a woman that had learned to live with the dark, her home was anything but. Bright colors from cookery, ceramics and the like dotted the home. Quilts with vibrant greens, yellows and purples fell across the living room overstuffed couch.

The warmth from the radiator making the room feel like a soft well loved dwelling.

Rita-Anne sat and seemed to stare out from her sunglasses, seeing into my soul with a tenacity that not even the sighted had.

"Where are you running from child?"

"Not running, just have no where to go."
It wasn't the whole truth. How was one to explain being dropped in the middle of a new dimension though?

“Well up you get, we'll go to the police they'll know what to do with you.”

“Even if I can't remember anything?”
Feigning memory loss seemed the best option.

"Don't lie to me child." Her voice turned hard and she tapped her finger against the table demanding my attention and truth.

"Yes ma'am. It's true though I have no where to go."

An almost oppressive silence followed until the woman sat back, her fingers reaching across the tablecloth until she reached her tea cup. She brought it to her lips with an ease that only came with years without sight.

“You will stay with me, then.”

In a week's time I was helping around the house, still not quite sure about this new life around me.

I was fortunate to be found by Rita-Anne Smith. She was a feisty older gal with a fiery temper and a big heart. Despite being unable to see physically she could see others in a way that was uncanny. She knew right off the bat I was different.

"Bring me my purse."

I handed it to her and watched as her fingertips grazed over the items before settling on an envelope and took it from her purse and slid it across the table to me.

"You are now Quinn Abigail Smith, my daughter."

"How?" I looked at the inside birth certificate with new DOB as January 1, 1973. My age still the same, I was 12 in both dimensions. My parents written as Rita-Anne's younger sister and her husband that had passed several years back.

"Never mind that."

And we never spoke of it again. To this day I'm not sure how she managed to get my identity secured.

She enrolled me in school and we set a routine that was cozy and well loved.

Several months after living with her, her son's wife had a little baby boy who was promptly named Mickey. He was the cutest baby I had ever seen, not that I had seen many babies but that didn't change the fact that he was absolutely adorable.

He liked me from the very start. When his family visited his mother would ask me to hold him when he got fussy and he'd just stare into my mahogany eyes, with his own a shiny obsidian.

Then one day he came to live with us, he was barely two but his mother was having a rough time when his father left her for another woman.

"Don't spoil the boy, Quinn. He needs to learn how to take care of himself." 

He was two and learning how to put his toys away, but I'd help singing him a funny little song as I marched his toys into his toy box.

"Maybe if I make it fun, he'll like cleaning up."

Rita-Anne tsked her teeth, "Not everything will be that easy."

"I know."

And I learned. He was usually rather quiet but sometimes he'd getting tired and the temper tantrums would be epic.

When I was 14 I went to a wedding with Odessa, Mickey's mum, to help out. One of her close friends was getting married. I was introduced to little baby Rose Tyler. The name was familiar. Sure enough when I checked the categorized knowledge I'd been given I found she was from future events. And I realized I had a chance. A chance to change one event in the present.

A man was crossing the road when a car came rushing toward him. I ran faster than I ever before using my first amount of ability and grabbed him out of the way. We fell to the ground the vase in his hands crashing to the ground.

"Blimey!" He sat back up watching the car, that almost ran over him, crashing into a parked car across the street.

That was how the Rose Tyler, from my timeline, was able to grow up with a father.

Chapter Text

The first 20 years of my life on planet Earth, dimension 23815, were spent making money to support my new family. 

I found a love for design. Art had become something abstract in my previous life on my Earth, but I had found myself in a vibrant new world. Familiar but different, archaic in some ways but never the less new and exciting. 

I started with photography with a camera that I saved up for and still got second hand. Everything starting out in black and white but soon started bursting with colors as I soaked in my new timeline. 

I'd been given an outline of events to come all stored in my Mind Palace, which all Starlings and alike were encouraged to create. It helped protect my family when alien threats were set upon London. I didn't have access to Time's song like a Starling in another timeline did, but I had enough information to make do.

I was able to make good investments with my hard earned money. I had been a preteen in 6088 confined to my bed fascinated with tech from the past. 

I'd long hoped to have a camera like the one I owned when I transversed dimensions. 

I was fortunate in some ways not to be a traditional Starling instead I was one of the aliens' almost hybrids. All successful hybrids could shape-shift, I could not and several others were the same. We, those of us who couldn't shape-shift, were then placed in a timeline to live out the rest of our long lives. The rules that applied to Starlings didn't apply to us and so in some ways we could fly underneath the raider unnoticed. Still mostly human but with a twist. 

---

Mickey Smith grew up well. Well loved by his grandmother and his aunt, me, perhaps a little spoiled on occasion but he had a good head on his shoulders. 

He would see Rose Tyler often in their childhood, whenever he was with his mother she'd often visit Jackie. Rose and him became thick as thieves causing mischief for their mothers going on little adventures through the Powell estates. On occasion I'd be called to scout them out, knowing their favorite hideaways after babysitting them so often. It was just natural that as they grew older and hormones came into play the two of them would end up boyfriend and girlfriend. Rose Tyler was a dreamer like her father always trying new things, and Mickey was a thinker always trying to build new things. Rose was a little let down when Mickey got a scholarship (he'd been determined not to have me pay his way) and she felt a little left behind as academics weren't her forte. She preferred creative pursuits over academic.

He would visit every weekend, while she worked at Henricks to save up to travel somewhere new and exciting. 

They'd promised each other a trip to Europe once they saved up for it. 

Then one Saturday I got a call from my nephew sounding panicked, odd sounds came on the other line but his yells were muffled. I tried to call Rose but found her phone was off.

"Typical." 

Thankfully I had invested in a company that hadn't existed on my Earth that had gotten the technology of 'Find Your Phone' long before Apple did on mine. 

I made it to the nearest library and quickly signed onto my account and found Mickey was moving. I waited until his dot stopped before setting the coordinates into my phone, somewhere near the London Eye my nephew was and I was coming to get him.

I checked my Mind Palace for the cliff notes of what was going on and was relieved that for now he would be safe, but I gave my mum a call to make sure she stayed inside for the night. It wouldn't have for her out and about while mannequins walked the night killing unsuspecting shoppers and pedestrians. 

"What is it?"

"Stay inside tonight. I know you had the knitting group tonight but please stay inside." 

She wasn't one to argue when it was important.

"What about you?"

"I need to find Mickey. Call the gals and tell them to stay home too."

"You find our boy and keep him safe. I'll take care of the rest." The phone's dial tone sounded in my ear and I nodded satisfied before thinking of Rose's mum and giving her a call. 

"Jackie, do me a favor and stay indoors tonight." 

"Is this one of your feelings again?" Jackie had gotten used to me acting 'strange' and giving warnings throughout the time she'd known me. When one of her Wednesday gals had foregone one of my warnings and gotten hurt, ever since then she followed my instructions. 

"Yeah."

"Alright then." She let out a long sigh, "Right when there was a big sale too."

I chuckled before hanging up and looked at the skies. It was getting late. I needed to find Mickey soon. I took a taxi and was dropped off at the London Eye before glancing down at my cellular phone which showed how close I was nearing Mickey's location. From the cliff notes of events I had, I knew in order to follow Rose and the one named the Doctor I needed to go underground. 

Following my signal, I crossed the bridge and then looked for an entrance to beneath the Thames. Finding a manhole, I cranked it open until the latch was loose and red glowing light shone from it. I dropped into the hole after I landed I glanced at my phone to see it no longer had any signal but I had an idea where to go. The air was hot and humid underground and I followed where it got hotter until I reached a door. A long scale of steps downwards showed at the bottom a vat that looked like molten lava with a gaping mouth and sunken eye holes.

Looking down my eyes made contact with Mickey who was tied to some piping at the side of one of the many metal staircases. I pressed my finger to my lips and he gave a minute nod. 

Sounds of steps against the grating stopped my silent endeavors. 

"Quinn?" Rose's voice sounded from behind.

"Well now it knows we are here."

I looked behind to see a tall man with shaved head, piercing blue eyes and an intense gaze who looked at me with question.

"What are you doing here?"

"My nephew is here, where else would I be?" 

"Nephew," he whispered before Rose shouted Mickey's name running down the steps toward him. He walked down several levels of steps and looked down upon the molten lava looking alien. "I seek audience with the Nestene Consciousness under peaceful contract according to Convention 15 of the Shadow Proclamation." 

A gurgle like voice spoke and for the first time I noticed the words translate in my mind, either the TARDIS was nearby or my intuitive polyglot abilities were coming forth. "Approach." 

I stepped down the stairs before reaching where Rose and Mickey were hugging. Rose having gotten him loose from his bindings. From my satchel I carried, I gave Mickey a water bottle and a granola bar. 

He guzzled the water and ripped the granola bar wrapper to shreds before wolfing it down. 

"Be careful don't choke." 

The man, the alien, the Doctor as he was called in my mind walked past us and continued down until he was level with the Nestene Conciousness. 

I followed after cautiously after glancing up and Rose and Mickey and getting their go ahead. 

The red like glow of the Nestene gave the Doctor an odd visage as he stared down at it high on his platform. 

"Am I addressing the Conciousness?"

A hisslike, "Yes," replied.

"Thank you. If I might observe, you infiltrated this civilization by means of warped, shunt technology. So, may I suggest with the greatest respect, that you shunt off?" 

I looked up at Rose and Mickey that looked at the Doctor with wide eyes and I knew what they must be thinking. I once would tell them fairy tale versions of the Doctor's past. Naming his enemies the tin cans (Cybermen) and pepper pots (Daleks), the doctor from the stars that traveled through space and time righting wrongs and saving lives. I wondered if they were putting things together now, that he wasn't just a fairy tale but actually a real man. From Rose's starry eyed look and Mickey's gaped mouth of shock I think they did. 

The growling wet sound of the Nestene cursed at the Doctor.

"Oh, don't give me that! It's an invasion, plain and simple. Don't talk about constitutional rights." 

A screech came from the beast below and the Doctor was having none of that.

"I am talking!"

His gaze stared down and passionately began to speak of planet Earth with both admiration and something like derision.

"These stupid little people have only just learned how to walk. But they are capable of so much more. I'm asking you on their behalf. Please, just go."

"Doctor!" I called out as I was grabbed behind by Auton. They were quick to grab onto the Doctor too. They searched his pockets finding a capsule of dark green.

"That was just insurance. I wasn't going to use it." 

The screaming and screeching rose echoing in the room. I wondered if I could pull away from the Autons when the Doctor couldn't. Their arms like hard plastic binding my arms back. 

"I'm not your enemy, I swear, I'm not." 

A door opened above our heads and the iconic blue box that was in all my downloaded files was shown from above. 

"Yes that's my ship." 

I only had one Auton watching me and holding me back and since I wasn't struggling like the Doctor its grip was not as firm. I would most likely only have one chance, before the grip on me hardened even more. I had been exercising and soaking in the sun's glow earlier in the day instinct telling me I'd need it later. I didn't use my almost-hybrid abilities often, too conscious of the possible watching eyes that could report me to the higher ups that monitored anything alien. No, I was careful, but that didn't mean I didn't have access to them. If I timed it just right I thought I'd be able to break myself free. 

Rose called down, "What's going on?"

"It's terrified. It's going to the final phase. It's starting the invasion. Get out, Rose! Just leg it, now!"

As soon as lightning shot from the Nestene I slipped from my leather jacket letting the Auton hold it while I ran toward the one with vial and karate kicked it straight into the Nestene. 

The Doctor meanwhile took the chance to throw his Auton over his shoulder into the Nestene, grabbing me as I teetered on the edge almost falling in myself. 

I turned toward him, "Let's get the kids out of here, yeah?"

Screams of the Nestene sounded below us as we raced up to where Rose and Mickey stood. I grabbed onto Mickey's hand and the Doctor grabbed onto Rose's and we pulled them towards the blue box. Explosions rocked the room from above and we ducked before making it to the blue box where the Doctor opened its doors. We fell in one after another as earthquake like tremors came around us. 

Mickey's eyes wide as he looked around at the inside of the space ship, "It really is bigger on the inside." 

"Yep." The Doctor sped to the console and started flipping switches an almost wheezing sound came from the time ship as it moved away from the exploding lair. "Wait, what did you mean by 'it really is?'" 

As the ship settled again, Rose was on the phone with her mum. "You are safe?" She glanced at me, her shoulders relaxing, "Of course she did." Rose let out a laugh. 

Mickey just kept staring at the ship in wonder.

"How was she built? She's amazing." 

All the while the Doctor leaned on his console looking at me with consternation. 

"Oh, I don't think we've met properly. I'm Quinn Smith, that one's aunt." I pointed at Mickey who was still staring at the console engine with a look of pure delight. 

The Doctor pointed at himself, "I'm the Doctor." 

Mickey pointed at the Doctor in excitement, his eyes sparkling with glee, "He's the Doctor. A doctor from the stars?"

I gave a secret smile while the Doctor looked confused before he nodded. 

"Oh, this is brilliant!" 

"Inspired, Mickey?" I smiled at his childlike look of wonder mixed with his engineering spirit.

"Oh absolutely." He nearly skipped out the doors, before looking at the inside one last time almost yearning. 

Rose who had stepped out to talk with her mom, looked back at the Doctor. "So I guess that's it then."

"Yes I'll be off." He clapped his hands before glancing at Rose, "Unless you want to come with me?"

Oh, I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass me by. "Do you think I could hitch a ride too?" 

"Do you think you could handle it?" He looked at me questioningly. 

"Oh I think I could."

"Is it always this dangerous?" Rose looked inquiringly at the Doctor her eyes wide.

"Yeah." 

I knew what her answer would be. Even if she was different from the different timelines, my Rose would never turn down an adventure.

"I'd suggest getting your passport, Rose, your mum will never believe you went traveling if you didn't bring your passport."

Rose looked at me, "You are so sure I'm going to go." 

I laughed, "Oh, are you not? Then I guess this adventure ship is all mine then?"

The Doctor cleared his throat, "It's mine."

I looked at Mickey, "Go grab her passport. Tell her mum Rose and I are going on a girls trip, enough time waiting for you to graduate."

Mickey sprinted off and was back in a couple minutes. "Jackie said don't forget to call once you reach your destination." 

I was slightly surprised she let her go so easily then again a night in, probably with the Wednesday gals on the phone and a nice sherry, probably put Jackie in a good mood.

"So where to Doctor man?"

He wrinkled his nose at me, before letting out a resigned sigh

. "Anywhere in time and space, Rose gets first pick." 

Rose had just finished hugging and kissing Mickey goodbye when she walked in. 

"So Rose where to?" I asked.

"Somewhere fantastic!"

Chapter Text

"Right then Rose Tyler, where do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time?"

Rose glanced from me to the Doctor, "Forwards?"

An ascending tone was heard as the ship began to rev up. 

The Doctor flipped a switched, turned a dial, and spun a wheel and the time ship wheezed as it rumbled. 

The Doctor held onto the console glancing over at Rose's expressions as she watched the center engines light up with awe on her face. He glanced at me and I merely glanced at him from the corner of my eye looking at the soft green light wondering if I would be able to understand the time ship one day. Would her wheezes turn into sounds, then into words? Perhaps the longer I was around her, with my slight telepathic leanings I would be able to hear her. 

The Doctor spun a dial before gesturing to the doors. "There you go. Step out those doors, its the 22nd century. 

Rose was nearly bouncing on her toes, looking back at the doors her eyes wide.

"That's a bit boring though, want to go a bit further?" 

Rose nodded and looked at me a wide grin on her lips. I could see it in her eyes all her wildest dreams were about to come true. 

The Doctor pumped several levers, turned some dials and the rumbling of the time ship echoed in the room. Our faces lit by the light of the engine.

"Ten thousand years in the future. Step outside, its the year 12005. The new Roman Empire." 

Rose looked back at the doors before raising an eyebrow at the Doctor, "You think you are so impressive."

"I am impressive." 

Rose just shook her head and giggled.

"You are just riling him up, Rose." I glanced at the Doctor who got a determined look in his face.

"Right then you both asked for it. I know exactly where to go." 

Dials were turned. Levers were pumped. A bell dinged and the time ship settled. 

"Where are we? What's out there?"

The Doctor just gestured towards the doors, while I glanced down at my satchel suddenly glad I had some favors left over from the last wedding I'd done on Friday. Hopefully they would plenty for the people we'd meet soon. 

Rose ran out the doors and the Doctor nodded to me, "After you, Quinn Smith." 

I nodded before exiting to see Rose standing upon an observation deck overlooking the planet Earth. 

I waited, leaning against the blue box. I waited for the Doctor to get his introduction over with, waiting to see Rose's features crumble when she realized what day it was. 

It was a bit cruel to bring her to see the death of her planet for her first trip. But I knew from the database in my mind that this Doctor was still aching from having his own planet disappear. He was hardened and war-torn, and a little short-sighted. 

"This is the year 5.5/Apple/26. Five billion years in your future. This is the day hold on..." The sun rose over the horizon, "This is the day the sun expands. Welcome to the end of the world." 

I didn't have to see Rose's face to see her eyes were in shock and sad, not knowing if the people were off the planet yet.

The Doctor gestured us to follow, "Come along." 

We left the observation room and walked down halls of beige and pillars of black stone. 

An automated announcer spoke of guests above our heads and Rose ran to keep up with the Doctor and my long strides. 

"When they say guests do they mean aliens?"

He nodded. 

"Why would they come to see a planet burn?"

"People find all sorts of things entertaining." I spoke up, "But probably they have some sort of stakes in the materials of the Earth after it implodes."

The Doctor used his sonic device on a wall panel and pocket doors opened to a great gallery room with skylights looking out to space and wide expansive windows at the far back. Long almost morrocan looking chandeliers hung between each alcove between the pillars holding up the rooms cathedral like ceilings. 

"I saw it once in a thing for school, a news extra or something. It talked about the sun expanding and that takes hundreds of years."

"Millions," the Doctor corrected. "But the planet is now owned by the National trust and they've been keeping it preserved."

"Is that why it looks like our Earth? Instead of the continents shifted?"

The Doctor hummed, "They did shift, but the Trust shifted them back. But now that's money run out nature takes over."

"How's long it got?" Rose's lips were pulled down in a slight frown.

"Half a hour and then it got roasted."

"Is that why we are here then? To save planet Earth?" Her gaze looked so hopeful.

"Nope." The Doctor shook his head.

"What about the people?" Rose looked shocked and she looked to me. Her eyes wide.

"Most likely all gone, right Doctor? Off into the stars?"

He nodded. 

We turned as a voice broke our concentration on the Earth. 

"Who the hell are you? This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked! They're on their way any second..."

"That's who we are, guests. We have an invitation, see here." The Doctor held up a blank piece of paper, "I'm the Doctor and these are my fellow guests, Rose Tyler" he pointed to his right where Rose stood, "and Quinn Smith." He pointed to me.

"I apologize for not waiting along with the other guests, we just couldn't wait to see your excellent setup." I leaned forward, "You keep a very organized deck, well done." 

The blue alien's cheeks went pink, "Yes, well, apologies, et cetera. We might as well start then." He went over to the entrance where there was a clear podium and mic, "We have in attendance the Doctor, Rose Tyler and Quinn Smith! Thank you all staff to their positions." He clapped his hands. A whole bunch of shorter beings in what looked like elastic suits and helmets walked in formation toward the pocket doors before standing at attention waiting the other guests. "We have representing the Forest of Cheem, we have trees. Namely Jabe, Lute and Coffa. There will be an exchange of gifts, representing peace." 

"We don't have any gifts." Rose whispered.

"I've got something that will work as long as there's no more than twenty guests." 

The Doctor raised an eyebrow.

"Next from the solicitors Jolco & Jolco, we have the Moxx of Balhoon." Another alien with blue tinge to the layers of his skin, sat upon a hovering chair that brought him forth into the room.

"And next, from Financial Family Seven, we have the Adherents of the Repeated Meme." 

I leaned over the Doctor towards Rose and whispered, "A fake name if I've ever heard of one." 

"The inventors of hyposlip travel systems, the brothers Hop Pyleen! Thank you." In came aliens with rough looking skin, ridges over their side eyes and what didn't look like any mouth or nose; dressed in black and white robes covered in fur. 

As more guests were announced, the representatives of the Forest Cheem stepped forward. A lovely lady with a burgundy gown with ruffles at the bodice that looked like tree bark, and with beautiful golden embroidered flowers. She came forth first giving a polite head nod toward the Doctor.

"The gift of peace. I bring you a cutting of my grandfather." 

I opened my satchel and offered a small filigree lace bag, "A gift of peace in return. Delicacies from Old Earth." 

The Lady Jabe handed the gift to her attendants. "Thank you." Her eyes drifting toward the Doctor who was back to grinning after having giving me some curious side-eye.

The steward's voice came up again, "The sponsor of the main event, please welcome the Face of Boe." 

Another guest came before us as my gaze drifted over to the Face of Boe's, his large eyes making contact with mine, his lips lifting into a smile. 

"The Moxx of Balhoon." The Doctor sounded bringing my attention forward again.

The alien upon the hover chair came forward, "My felicitations upon this historical happenstance. I bring you the gift of bodily saliva." 

I thankfully wasn't in the spitting zone, but Rose and the Doctor were despite that the Doctor let out a small chuckle pass his lips as he glanced at Rose wiping her eye. 

"Thank you very much. Quinn, you had a gift as well?"

I bowed my head in respect at Moxx of Balhoon and offered him the favor.

I raised my head just in time to see the Adherents of the Repeated Meme. They couldn't have found a more hilarious name if they tried. As they offered the ball of silver to Rose, I gave a favor to one of the others. 

The steward spoke up again, as the last guests were given the favors and we received their range of strange and wonderful gifts. 

"At last but not least our very special guest. Ladies and gentlemen and trees and multi-forms. In memory of the dying Earth below we bring forth the last human, Lady Cassandra O'Brien." 

Rose couldn't stop staring, her jaw slightly dropped.

"Be careful a fly might fly in." I glanced at Rose. 

"I bring forth gifts!" Lady Cassandra drew the guests attention back to herself.

The Doctor and I watched as Rose looked lost in the oddity of Lady Cassandra. 

"I think it might be a little too much all at once." 

"She'll get used to it." The Doctor whispered. 

"Oh I have no doubt it. Rose has the tenacity to rise above any occasion." 

He looked at me as the beats of Tainted Love began to play, "You talk as if you were a mother hen." 

"I've seen her grow up. I've been there during the laughter, the joys and the sorrows." I walked over to Rose, "Need some help carrying those?" 

I pointed toward the gifts and picked up the gift from the Adherence of the Repeated Meme I would have to find somewhere to store this away from her soon. 

I watched out of the corner of my eye as the Doctor began to dance to the music. His head bobbing to it. 

I shook my head before looking back where Rose had been only to see she was gone. The Doctor had gone after her only to be stopped by Lady Jabe just as she was about to flash a device at him I stood in front of it.

"I know you are curious Lady Jabe, but that's rather presumptuous of you, don't you think?" 

She looked at me, her head held high. "It was only curiosity."

"Well sate your curiosity on what that thing gives you about me for now." 

Before going back after Rose I asked one of the attendants if he could place the gifts I received in a safe. He was quick to give a bob of his head before taking the items. I hoped he was quick about it, so he wouldn't be in danger but my priorities were Rose and the Doctor and for now getting that device from the Adherents of the Repeated Meme as far away from Rose was my first course of action. 

I was just passing by when I heard a yell, I ran down the hall to see a pair of legs flailing inside a vent. I ran forward grabbing a hold of the legs and yanking them back through. 

A blue alien woman's face was injured, cuts and burns all along her face. The tapping sound of metal against metal had me looking back where she came, summoning my strength I punched one of the devices flat. The other seeing its companion down ran off no doubt to inform its owner. 

I looked back down at the woman helping her up, my breath letting out a sigh of relief when I saw her still breathing. Looking down at the devices she had I figured they were used to unscrew the shaft grate. After some fiddling I got the grate back on. 

I leaned down and pulled the woman up to sitting position and ran to get one of the workers. I was quick to explain what happened informing them of the possible infestation and the injured plumber. 

I closed my eyes and leaned against a pillar, now that I knew the plumber was safe I needed to check on Rose. 

It was one of the many gifts from becoming an almost-hybrid, low-grade telepathy the more connected with the person the stronger the connection. 

I discovered I could fight off Mickey's nightmares when he was five, and when Rose's father passed later on when she was 16 I became an even more fixed place in the family. While Jackie grieved and Rose felt like she had no where to go, I would tell her stories like when she was little and tuck her into bed at night. She would sometimes push me away but sometimes I found I could feel her emotions reaching out to mine when she needed me, like I was being drawn to her side. 

So when I closed my eyes I reached out to her and found her location quickly. Her emotions were high; she was angry but also scared. Then as if she could sense me, relief went through her as if she remembered she wasn't completely alone in this strange new place. 

"EARTH DEATH IN 20 MINUTES." Came over the intercom. 

I went back toward the gallery that we first arrived at. I came pressed a button and was just about to go into the gallery when something like turbulence shook the whole station. 

The door opened and I heard the Doctor say, "That wasn't supposed to happen."

"I'm forgetting something." I whispered before my eyes widened as I checked my mind's database and began racing back down the hallway the first worker I saw, "I give you permission to speak. Where is the steward's office?"

I ran down the corridor only to hear the Doctor and Rose following after me. 

Alerts sounding off, Rose branched off following me while the Doctor went back in the direction of the main hall.

"What's wrong?" Rose whisper-shouted after me.

"I...think something bad's happened to the steward." 

We came before the door only to see smoke escaping from the compact door and horrible burnt smell. 

"I'm too late." 

(Meanwhile with Doctor...)

Lady Jabe directed him down the hallway behind her rooms where the maintenance duct.

"Who's in charge with Platform One?"

The Doctor kept his voice chipper, it was always exciting when something went wrong. His conscience cringed thinking of the loss of life, but no that happened no matter what. He could not change that. 

"There's just the steward and the staff. The rest is controlled by the metal mind."

The Doctor nodded, "The computer. Then who controls that?"

"The Corporation One."

The more Lady Jabe spoke of what was behind Platform One the more suspicions the Doctor had. 

A corporation could easily be influenced by the richest bid, in some case even controlled by one.

"So what you're saying is, if we get in trouble there's no one to help us out?"

The Lady Jabe looked sombre, "I'm afraid not."

"Fantastic!" 

When they neared a panel and the Doctor began to sonic it. He needed to find out in the back end what was happening to the ship.

"You are quite curious Doctor. I tried to scan you earlier." 

The Doctor didn't pause but his gaze grew more intent.

"But the one named Quinn Smith stepped in the way. You do collect the most interesting women by your side."

The Doctor's brow furrowed and he looked to the side. 

"The system couldn't make up its mind, but one thing is for certain she is a legend." She leaned forward, her voice in an undertone, "A legend without a home. Like forgotten Starlight." 

Chapter Text

Rose might have been just a bit too abrasive. Not that the 'bitchy trampoline' wasn't asking for it with her racist leaning speaking. 

But even though I was quick to protect Rose we were quickly surrounded before we could blink. 

I sighed, now we had found ourselves in a dangerous position. 

I believed I could survive the direct blaze of a sun, but Rose was an ordinary human without Starlight infused in her veins. 

I was quick to pick Rose up, checking the back of her head a breath of relief when I noticed it wasn't too bad. 

"Rose." I turned her head gently from side to side. 

Her eyes blinked open, "Quinn?"

"SUN FILTER DESCENDING."

"What's going on?" 

I glanced behind her and saw that the sun shield on the gallery window was indeed descending. 

"We need to get out of here." I looked at Rose knowing she'd get scared when she saw what I was about to do, "No matter what happens stay low until I get you out of here." 

I turned my attention to the pocket door. There was no way I could pry it open without getting some sort of dent in the middle for a handle. 

"Close your eyes, Rose." 

Taking a deep breath, I pulled back a punch and then slammed it into the door. It gave a shudder but didn't even dent. I did it again and again as I heard Rose cry out behind me. 

"Quinn!"

"Stay low!"

My knuckles were turning red but it was when I felt my clothes burn off my back and the heat of the unfiltered sun rays soaking into my skin that I felt a burst of unfiltered strength rush through me and I pounded the edge of the pocket door again. A dent had formed enough for me to now start pulling the door. I paused if anyone was on the other side they could be harmed. 

"If anyone is out there get out of the way." 

"Oh, it would be you." The Doctor's exasperated voice sounded muffled from the other side.

"SUNFILTER RISING, SUNFILTER RISING!"

Knowing what would happen helped me and I looked back to see Rose's eyes wide staring at my back, my clothes were in shreds. 

"SUNFILTER DESCENDING."

"The computer is getting clever." I could almost here his intrigued whisper.

I shouted at the Doctor through the door, "Just stop the filter from descending. I'll do the rest!"

I quickly tied what I could back around me. My midriff showed and only like a bikini bit of material was left. My pants thankfully hadn't taken a hit yet.

"SUNFILTER RISING!"

As soon as I heard that I got stronger and opened the pocket doors only to see a very surprised Doctor walking away and coming forward. 

"What happened to your clothes?" 

I raised an eyebrow, "They got burnt off." 

He was quick to swing his jacket off, and offer it to me. 

"Thanks!"

It fit so that the hem was just above my knee. I looked in the inside pocket and saw the TARDIS embroidered on it. Perhaps it would come in handy later on for more than one reason. I snapped the metal buttons closed all down the jacket, just in case.

Rose ran up to us in a stage whisper she told me, "We will be talking about what happened later."

"Oh, I have no doubt about it."

"I'd very much like to join that conversation as well." The Doctor chimed ahead of us.

I rolled my eyes, "Not the time, Doctor, don't we have a culprit to catch?"

The next couple of minutes played out just like it did in the databank in my mind. 

Face of Boe was blamed by the 'bitchy trampoline' but then the little metal spiders things' master ended up being the Adherence of the Repeated Meme who then of course ended up being just a scapegoat for the 'last' human Lady Cassandra. 

"At arms!" Lady Cassandra yelled and her clean suited entourage pointed sprayers at the Doctor.

"What are you going to do moisturize me?"

I let out a laugh. Then cleared my throat when I saw the glare from others.

"Right not the time."

Lady Cassandra gave side eye, "Your too late anyway. My little spiders have 

control of the mainframe...I'm not just a pretty face." 

"EARTH DEATH IN THREE MINUTES." 

Lady Cassandra continued to monologue before teleporting away; but not before an explosion rocked the ship. 

The Moxx of Balfoon was a fluster with fear, "Reset the computer!"

"Only the steward knew how." Lady Jabe spoke.

"No, we can do it by hand. There must be a system restore switch. Jabe, come on!" The Doctor shouted.

"Don't think for a moment you are leaving us behind." Rose looked indignant after running after the Doctor.

I shook my head before looking behind me at the room at the other guests, "Stay away from the windows. Go in the halls, stay in the shadows." 

Then I was running after Rose, the Doctor and Lady Jabe.

Alarms blared through the station.

"EARTH DEATH IN TWO MINUTES. HEAT LEVELS CRITICAL."

We raced through the halls, through the maintenance duct before arriving to a room with large fans speeding up at dangerous speeds. 

"Where's the switch?" Rose spoke up.

The Doctor pointed on the other side of the fans, "Where else would it be?"

The Doctor quickly pulled down a lever, and watched as the fans slowed down. When he let go they sped up again. 

When Lady Jabe stepped forward to pull down the lever, I stopped her. 

"You've seen what I am, I'll survive you won't." 

She stepped back and tore some of her skirt wrapping my hands with it.

I nodded towards the hallways, "You should go back to the hallway stay out of the heat the best that you can. Rose..."

"I'm staying with you." 

I shook my head, "Either go with the Doctor or Lady Jabe, right here is going to have all the heat filtered in. You won't survive it unhurt." I pulled down the lever and caught the Doctor's eye. "I'll survive Doctor, focus on getting through."

"HEAT LEVELS RISING!"

I watched Lady Jabe take Rose by the arm and ushered her out of the room.

The Doctor looked back after passing through the first fan's path. 

"Keep going Doctor!"

"HEAT LEVELS RISING, HEAT LEVELS RISING!"

I grit my teeth as I felt the heat rising to an uncomfortable level. 

I felt as the remainder of my clothes, other than the Doctor's jacket, fell to pieces burning to charred pieces below me. I was glad I had buttoned the jacket earlier or the Doctor would get quite the show when he returned.

"Raise shields!" Was heard shortly afterwards. 

The Doctor came back through as quickly as he could. Running to my side, "You can let go."

"Right." I swallowed. 

My palms were singed but not blistered or burnt like so many others would have been. 

The Doctor took my hands in his turning them over, the fabric from Lade Jabe had disentegrated like the rest of my clothes.

"How?" 

I gave a wobbly smile, "If I were completely human I wouldn't have survived." 

When we arrived back in to the main hall I was grateful to see Lady Jabe safe with her family along with Rose. Rose ran to our sides, her gaze eyeing my barefoot feet and my new fashion statement of only a leather jacket. 

The Doctor looked over at the rest. There thankfully were not as many casualties as in the data-banks, it would seem that most took my advice. 

I looked to the Doctor, "I remember you spoke of the Shadow Proclamation with the Nestene, would they involve themselves with this? Perhaps Article 15?" 

"Article 15?" The Doctor looked at me with a perplexed expression, "They may not even deal with such a situation." 

"But they might?" I nodded toward Lady Jabe, "Could she file for it?" 

The Doctor looked over at the Cassandra's ostrich egg, his visage dark. 

"It could have been so much worse Doctor but it wasn't. We raised the shields in time." I sighed, "Look I know for a fact that if you do what you are thinking, it won't be the end of her. She'll be back and worse she'll put Rose in danger which is something I can never have." 

He raised an eyebrow, "Where did this knowledge come from?"

"I'll tell you when we are back in the TARDIS."

While I helped some of the passengers get back on their ships safely, without a steward it fell to whoever stepped up to the plate and I, with my loads of experience of organizing events under my belt, stepped up. 

When I was helping the Face of Boe, I looked him in the eye and spoke, "I suppose I'll be meeting you soon?" 

His deep voice sounded in my head, 'Quinn, the Starling.'

"Not quite."

The chuckle sounded in my head, 'You always denied it but you are as much one as any other.' He bowed his noble head, 'Until next time we meet, old friend.' 

I returned to an empty hall to see Rose looking out at the rocks and dust. 

My hand slipped through hers just as the Doctor slipped his hand in her other. 

"Come along, Rose Tyler." 

And he brought her back to Earth. 

I knew they needed this moment, it was important. 

I changed, grateful to the TARDIS's large wardrobe. It wasn't my own clothes but they felt nostalgic. Like getting a new outfit from a vintage shop. I stepped out of the TARDIS and went up to where the Doctor and Rose stood. 

Just in time to hear the Doctor say, "I'm a Time Lord. I'm the last of the Time Lords. They are all gone. I'm the only survivor. I'm left traveling on my own because there's no one else." 

He turned his head, his baby blue eyes latching on to mine.

"You have us. If you want?" I spoke and I watched as he turned toward Rose.

"You've seen how dangerous it is, do you want to go home?"

"I don't know..." Rose looked around sniffing before she said, "I want...chips." She let out a little laugh, "Before we go back in that box, I want chips."

"I'll pay." Thankful I'd slipped my wallet into the Doctor's jacket before my jeans had been disintegrated. "Rose, you should also give your mum a call." 

She took out her cell and was quick on it. Hopefully this would mean Jackie wouldn't be too worried in the end. 

"May I?"I looked at the Doctor's arm, and he raised it with a smile and I slipped my hand through his elbow.

Rose, with a laugh, did the same on the Doctor's other side and we nearly skipped off to get chips.

Chapter Text

Rose had checked in with her mom, who was upset she hadn't called sooner; and told her we were still traveling and not sure when we were heading back home. 

Rose and I were just about to leave the rooms the TARDIS made for us when my door slammed shut with me on the bedroom side of the door. The door disappeared as if never being there in the first place.

"Quinn?" Rose's voice could still be heard on the other side of the wall.

There was a pulsing inside my head and a wave of what felt like worry came through our bond but also I sensed she wasn't the only one worried.

I stroked the walls, "Are you alright, ol' girl?" 

"I'm going to go get the Doctor!" Rose shouted before no doubt running off to get him.

I leaned against my bedroom's wall waiting to hear her come back and when she did she sounded winded. 

"We are going to the past. I have to get changed, the Doctor is checking to see what went wrong with your door." 

After a bit I heard the deep curious voice of the Doctor, "How odd, she won't let you out no matter what I try."

"Maybe she wants me to sit out this adventure for some reason." 

I could almost imagine his brow furrowing as he stared at where my door once was. 

"You just keep getting curiouser and curiouser, Quinn Smith."

"Make sure to keep Rose safe, Doctor."

After what must have been ten minutes passed, the door reappeared and clicked open. Curious about what the TARDIS would do I made my way to the console room and tried the front doors only to find them locked. 

"Well the idea of the Gelth creeped me out anyways." 

After a bit I found where the kitchen was and made myself a nice cup of tea. The refrigerator was well stocked and after a bit of waiting I decided to make some of my signature macarons. They were a rave at the small weddings I would do on occasion, the big ones always had their on caterer but the budget brides always requested them when hearing by word of mouth. 

They were out of the oven cooling and I was setting about getting the kettle on when I heard the classic wheezing sound of the TARDIS engines with their breaks on. I smiled and called down the hall, "Cookies and tea, anyone?"

Rose ran down the hall and greeted me with a smile, "You'll never guess who we met!"

I glanced at her dress, "Oh, who knows I might be able to." 

I looked up from Rose's beaming face to see the Doctor leaning in the doorway. 

"Charles Dickens, The Charles Dickens and there were these aliens called the Gelth and they..." 

I smiled as Rose excitedly told me the story of the Gelth and unknown heroine maiden. 

"...and Gwen saved the whole world but only us and Charles Dickens will ever know." 

I set Rose's tea on the table and turned toward the Doctor, "How do you like your tea Doctor?" 

"Black, two sugars, please." 

I nodded before making up his tea, before handing it to him and then plating the salted caramel macarons on a pretty platter I found in the cupboard.

"You never told us your story, Quinn Smith." 

I had just placed the platter on the dining table and Rose was quick to grab the first one when her eyes widened.

"Yes, how did you do that, Quinn? It was like you were..."

"Impervious?" 

Rose nodded. 

"This will be a long story." 

The Doctor sat by Rose and I sat across from them.

"We told you of our adventure." He raised an eyebrow, "Won't you tell me your story?"

I fiddled with the rim of my teacup before raising my eyes to make eye contact with the Doctor, "I was not born on this Earth, in fact I wasn't even born in this dimension or timeline." 

"Dimension, timeline?" Rose cocked her head to the side. 

"Think of a dimension as an encyclopedia of a certain world filled with all its details. A timeline is like an edition of that encyclopedia, each edition has little changes here and there." I took a deep breath before letting it out and taking a sip from my tea, "I come from another dimension, another timeline and another Earth." 

"How did you come to our world?" The Doctor spoke his gaze intent. 

"I suppose you could say I was rescued from dying on my old Earth. There were others who only had their consciousnesses rescued, but I was one of the select few that had my whole self." I licked my lips, the next bit was perhaps harder to believe. "The alien race that saved me was of a far more advanced technological standing than my Old Earth. They had found a way to harness the power of starlight, their whole culture surrounded starlight to the point that they were infused with it in their DNA." 

"How is that possible?" Rose wrinkled her brow.

"Even now I don't understand it myself." 

"What happened after they rescued you?" The Doctor was direct with his questioning. 

"We were given the choice either to return to our Earth..."

"...and die." the Doctor said matter-factually and I nodded.

"Or we could be changed. Our DNA rewritten, to become hybrids of the alien race. I was one of the failed hybrids because I couldn't shape-shift, a fundamental thing they required. Failed hybrids were sent to a random dimension to live out the rest of their natural lives." 

"They just abandoned you." Rose's hands clenched on either side of her cup. Her eyes widened, "Grandma Smith adopted you when you were twelve." 

I nodded, "She always knew I had an untold story, but she never asked." I smiled looking down into my tea, "She accepted me as I was." 

Rose spoke in an undertone, "There's something you are still not saying." 

I smiled, "Can't a girl have her secrets?"

The Doctor shook his head, "You knew who I was before I ever introduced myself. When I was before the Nestene, you called out my name."

I let out a chuckle, "I suppose I did."

Rose nodded, mouthing the words 'the stories'. 

"The aliens had knowledge about several of the timelines of this Earth, they downloaded that information into my head. I do not know everything that will happen in time but I do know about the Doctor and his adventures."

I watched the Doctor tense. 

"How much do you know?"

"The basics. A cliff notes version if you will." 

"That is dangerous information you have." 

"And yet I've already been able to save lives with it. I know I can't change a fixed event, but I can help others along the way." I had an idea what was going on in his head, "I wouldn't suggest abandoning me Doctor, it won't change what I know. And wiping my memory won't work, my mind has a quite good protection surrounding it."

"He can do that?" Rose stared wide eyed at the Doctor, a hint of fear in her eyes. 

"I won't." He stood before looking across the table at me, "You are right about one thing, Quinn Smith, I'll have to keep an eye on you." 

I sent him a wink, grinning when I saw his cheeks rise with a slight blush.

"I look forward to it."

When we landed back in London our time, Rose left to see her mum while I glanced at the Doctor.

"I better check in with my mum too and Mickey." I watched the Doctor cross his arms over his chest, "Don't worry you'll be seeing me again Doctor."

He pulled a new phone out of his pocket, "To replace your old one, the TARDIS is on speed dial 1." 

I smiled, "Thank you Doctor. Keep in touch with me too, just in case."

He caught my arm before I turned to leave, "Is something coming?" 

"Save the people. Don't put on the badge." I winked before heading out. 

I programmed my new phone to have my mum's number as my '2' speed dial, Mickey as '3', Rose '4' and so on. 

It was when I got to my mum's that I heard her call from inside 'Come in' after I knocked. 

"Hello mum." 

"Where have you been, girl? And don't tell me that nonsense about traveling with Rose."

"It wasn't absolute nonsense. I was traveling with Rose but also with another." 

"A man?" 

I sat down and watched the news as it covered the new crash landing of an 'alien' spacecraft. 

"A doctor from the stars." I whispered. 

"I'm not a child, Quinn, I don't listen to your fairy tales."

"Some fairy tales are based on truth."

After a call with Mickey with him yammering about how long it was since he heard from me I told him to beware those that fart. 

He let out a laugh, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You'll know when it happens, Mickey. You better stock up on vinegar at your house. I'll call the grocer to drop some off. It will ward off the farters."

He laughed but then spoke, "Does this have anything to do with the ship in the Thames?"

I was quiet before speaking up, "Bring the vinegar over to Jackie's if you have to. Only throw the vinegar when you see the green from beneath." 

"Cryptic as ever, Auntie." 

I let out a laugh, "You never know who might be listening." 

I had to be careful how much I changed but I could at least make sure Mickey was prepared well ahead of time. 

After giving a promise to call to my mum, I left the following morning to go to my studio to pack a bag. 

When I made it back to Rose's later in the evening, I was relieved to see the TARDIS still there. I walked in and the Doctor glanced at me.

"Here to stay then?"

I laughed, "Would that be so bad?"

"It can get lonely traveling." 

"I won't be alone though, will I?"

He circled around the console, "Your nephew turned me down. Offered for him to come travel, he said 'maybe next time'. Not sure I've had that answer before." 

"He hasn't graduated from college yet. He's trying to focus on that right now."

"All time and space and he's worried about college."

I shook my head, "Not everyone's adventure is the same, Doctor."

Chapter Text

Our next adventure would seem to be in an odd museum, a museum of alien artifacts. 

I checked my database and winced when I realized which one this was, I wasn't sure how to protect Rose without damning her. The only thing that had protected her from the Dalek had been it being given her DNA, without that it...well it might not have even woken up. 

I turned toward Rose and spoke in an undertone, "No matter what Rose do not touch the pepper pot." 

"Like in the old stories? One of them is here?"

"Pepper pot?" The Doctor furrowed his brows.

"Yes and its more dangerous than anything you can imagine. In fact..." I looked at the Doctor, "Maybe we should just get back in the TARDIS and leave. Us being here will only cause trouble." 

"The TARDIS veered off course due to the help signal until it goes away we will continue to be brought back here." 

I let out a sigh, "Doctor prepare yourself. This one is going to be rough." 

Signals went off as the Doctor touched an exhibit's glass case. 

"Here we go."

Private soldiers in full combat gear came around us escorting us through concrete hallways until we were brought into an office. A man with an mustache and a giant avant garde portrait of himself behind his desk. 

I watched as the Doctor showed the rich man how to use the device in his hand. Rose watched in wonder while I just smiled. 

"Who exactly are you?"

"I'm the Doctor. Who are you?"

"Like you don't know." 

"Is that so surprising that someone doesn't know who you are?" I asked, the man barely glanced at me before standing from his executive chair walking around to face off the Doctor.

"The question is, how did you get in? 53 floors down, you and your little cat burglar accomplices. You are quite the collector yourself, such a variety of specimens." 

The urge to punch the smug look off the man's face rose inside me, but I calmed myself. A small insect of a man like him wasn't worth it, plus if I didn't hold back I might accidentally kill him. 

Rose though had no such worries, "I'll smack you if you continue to talk like we are items." 

"Ooh and she's English too. Little Lord Fauntleroy, got you a girlfriend."

The rich snob gestured to young man that rushed forward, his beady eyes giving Rose a once over.

"Sorry I'm taken." Rose grinned wryly. 

The kid, young man, that the rich guy pointed to gestured to his boss, 

"This is Mr Von Statten. Mr Von Statten owns the internet." 

Rose laughed, "Really?"

The Doctor looked at Von Statten with raised eyebrows, "So you are just about an expert in everything, except the things in your museum. What you don't understand you lock up." 

I sensed foreshadowing, but there was no way to warn the Doctor well except for one thing but I thought it rather rude to try to send a thought into his head so soon in our relationship. I tapped his shoulder but he gave me a little shake of his head.

As the two men went back and forth about how the Doctor got in and whether he knew about the Cage. I sighed. I had to make the decision now, stay with the Doctor possibly subject myself to possible torture as well or...stay with Rose and test whether I could survive a Dalek's gun-ray. 

"Goddard, inform the Cage we are heading down." 

I looked at Rose and this time sent a thought right to her, her eyes widening as soon as she received it. 'Don't touch the pepper pot.' 

When Von Statten ordered the young man to look after Rose, I stood close to the Doctor.

"Rose..."

"I know I won't touch anything I'm not supposed to." She sighed. "You look after the Doctor."

She could see how indecisive I was. So could the Doctor, he reached out and held my head. I felt an almost feather-light touch at the barrier surrounding my mind. I sent him all my worry and fear, his eyes widened. I sent him two sides of what could happen, one I was tortured alongside him or two I possibly get killed trying to protect Rose. It was an impossible choice. He pursed his lips, he couldn't see what would cause the trouble but he knew all about impossible choices. 'Will she survive without you?' I nodded my head. 

"Stay safe." He told Rose, before turning to me and holding out his hand. I slipped mine into his, the weight almost seemed to lift off my shoulders as I held his hand. My hand feeling so small in his. But the calm quickly dissapated when I realized how he would be triggered in just a few short moments. I sent a thought toward him 'I'm here for you, Doctor. No matter what you are about to see. You are not alone.' 

We traveled in a lift back down to the level where we started, we stepped through concrete halls into a room with a barricade door shielding us from seeing what was inside the next room. 

"We've tried everything. The creature has shielded itself, but there's definite signs of life inside." 

"Inside? Inside what?" The Doctor inquired, looking with blatant curiosity at the vault like door the only thing between him and his worst enemy.

I tensed. I knew what was coming but I knew I couldn't shield the Doctor from what happened inside. The only thing I could do is send a thought his way, as I squeezed the hand that held mine. 'Prepare yourself, Doctor.'

"Go ahead Doctor. Impress me." Von Statten grinned and nodded eagerly toward the opening vault door.

I went to follow only for them to close the door after the Doctor.

"Don't open that door until it talks."

I didn't even bother looking back at the man. 

My hands shook at my sides, and I placed my hand upon the door. I could open it if I needed to but not before showing my abilities. 

I placed my forehead against the door hearing from the computers behind me as the Doctor offered his help only to react in fear as the Dalek awoke. 

"EXTERMINATE! YOU ARE THE ENEMY OF THE DALEKS!"

"Let me out!" The Doctor shouted through the door but no sooner had I reached for the door crank than a gun was cocked right in my face. I didn't think even I could survive a shot at point-blank. 

I raised my hands and stepped away from the door and stared at the screen as I watched the Doctor circle the Dalek taunting it. 

I watched as the Doctor got so lost in his confrontation with his most hated enemy he spilled secrets that he wouldn't even tell his closest companions and I looked at Von Statten who looked gleeful with how much information was being spilled. 

"The end of the last Great Time War. Everyone lost."

"AND THE COWARD SURVIVED." 

I watched the Doctor's face sneering as he spoke of the signal drawing him in before falling into something like grief mixed with anger and loss.

"But there's no one else coming 'cause there's no one else left."

"I AM ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE."

"Yep." The Doctor smiled but I knew his were cold.

"SO ARE YOU." 

I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see his sadness and I reached out, 'You are not alone, not anymore Doctor.'

"WE ARE THE SAME."

'You will never be like a Dalek, Doctor. Even when filled with hate, you still have something they will never have.' 

I opened my eyes to see the Doctor look up at the camera and shake his head. 

"No, I know what to do." He looked back to the Dalek, "I know what you deserve." 

I winced as I watched him flip a switch and try to electrocute the Dalek to death. 

I listened as the Dalek begged for mercy and the Doctor did not listen instead triggered the electricity to grow more intense. Until Von Statten ordered his mercenaries to get the Doctor out with him shouting to let him kill it. 

When I my eyes at last met the Doctor's eyes I found them wild, his whole body tense and fighting against the mens' hold on him. 

"Last in the universe." Von Statten clapped his hands as he walked back into the room where we were his gaze fixed on the Doctor. "Let's see what you are now, Doctor." 

My fists tightened at my sides and I heard the Doctor warn me in my mind, 'Don't. Stay safe.'

"What about you?" Von Statten turned his head toward me, "Are you alien?"

I laughed mostly to evade the question, "Do I look alien?" 

"Well he didn't and yet here he is." He stared at me, "Best check now shouldn't we?"

"Let her go! You have me." The Doctor shouted.

"Oh but why miss the opportunity to find out just how both of you tick."

We were escorted into the elevator as the Doctor was questioned regarding the Dalek. 

They had me watch as they scanned the Doctor with a red ray gun looking thing the Doctor squirmed in his bonds his features full of pain. 

"Two hearts...oh this is terrific. I'm so going to patent this." Von Statten rubbed his hands together like a comic book supervillain.

"So that's what you do. You don't just collect this stuff, you scavenge it." The Doctor stared down his oppressor, resolutely not looking in my direction. He was trying to get all of Von Statten's attention on him only. 

"Oh the advancements I've made with alien technology." 

As Von Statten walked toward the ray, the Doctor called out through clenched teeth from the pain. "You have to listen to me Von Statten. You have to destroy the Dalek before it gets out. I swear, no one on this base is safe. No one on this planet!" The Doctor let out a yell as the ray continued to scan him.

My gaze started fog up. I didn't have to share thoughts to know how badly the Doctor was in pain for numerous reasons. His gaze connected with mine.

"Doctor." I whispered. 

It was when the Doctor was drooping in his bonds, sweat dripping from him that an alarm started blaring.

"Condition red! Condition red!" Sounded over the intercom.

"Damn it, Rose." I whispered, "She just had to touch it." 

I looked up to see the Doctor had made eye contact with me, and I watched as pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. 

He turned his head toward Von Statten, "Release me, if you want to live." 

As soon as they released him I raced forward with a towel near by wiping his brow and chest before handing him his clothes. 

Soon we were making our way back to Von Statten's office. 

On the screen was Rose and the English young man outside the Cage's cell. 

"I'm sorry." Rose spoke into the camera, "It's all my fault." 

As the soldier beside Rose was in denial of the Dalek getting out the Doctor shook his head, "The Dalek is a genius, it can calculate a thousand billion combinations in one second flat."

I spoke into the camera, "Rose, you need to get out there now."

As the soldiers began to shoot at the Dalek that came out of the vault, the Doctor shouted, "Rose, get out of there now." 

She seemed frozen watching as the Dalek came out of the vault. 

I looked away as soon as the video went blank.

We watched as Goddard told them the progress of the Dalek as it absorbed all the energy from the different systems. 

I paced back and forth as Von Statten continued to value the Dalek over his men. 

I closed my eyes and focused on finding Rose, 'Don't underestimate it, Rose. Just run. Run as far and as fast as you can.' 

I ran my fingers through my tight curls. 

Von Statten began pacing as more reports of deaths came through. "Surely it can be reasoned with, there has to be something it wants."

The Doctor glared and shook his head, "Closest city?"

"Salt Lake City."

"Population?"

"1 million." Von Statten replied.

"All dead." The Doctor looked back to the map screen watching the progress of the Dalek through the levels. 

"Why would it do that?"

"Because it honestly believes they should die. Humans are different and anything different is wrong. Its the ultimate in racial cleansing and you Von Statten you've let it loose!"

The deaths of men trying to defend the base continued to rack up. 

The screen came up live again.

"It wants us to see." 

We watched as no bullet hit its frame and instead the Dalek rose in the air, sending a blast toward the fire extinguisher, water rained down and all it had to do was hit the ground with another blast and everyone fell down. 

The Dalek turned its attention toward the video screen even as the Doctor tried to find a way to stop it from getting to the rest of the base.

The Dalek requested the Doctor, and he told how he extrapolated the DNA from Rose and how he regenerated due to the time travel residue. How it had searched the internet but found no trace of Daleks. 

"WHERE SHALL I GET MY ORDERS FROM NOW?...I SHALL FOLLOW THE PRIMARY ORDER...I WILL DESTROY, CONQUER!" 

"What for? What's the point? Don't you see its all gone? Everything you worked for and everything that you stood for." 

I looked at the Doctor and saw the desperate look in his eyes, he wasn't just talking about the Dalek. A part of him was just as lost. 

"THEN WHAT SHOULD I DO?"

The Doctor tensed, "Alright then, you want an order, a command? Kill yourself. Why don't you finish the job and make the Daleks extinct? Rid the universe of your filth." The Doctor walked closer and closer to the screen, his hands clenched at his side, his gaze intent upon the Dalek. His face turned ugly as he shouted, "Why don't you just die!"

"You would make a good Dalek." 

Then the screen went black.

The Doctor stood staring at it, his voice coming in an undertone. 

"Seal the vaults." 

I called Rose.

"Not the good time."

"Where are you?"

"Level 50, 51." 

"Run, Rose, run faster than you've ever run before."

I hoped she wouldn't have to risk the Dalek's 'mercy'. 

But as the bulkheads closed by order of the Doctor and I asked, "Rose, where are you?" 

"I'm sorry. I should have listened." A choked sob came from her throat and I nearly broke my phone from the fear of knowing what she was about to face now. "Tell the Doctor it wasn't his fault." 

I looked up and knew the Doctor heard her, even as his eyebrows lowered over his eyes and he rounded the desk. Coming to my side. 

"You said she would survive." 

I looked at the Doctor as we heard, "EXTERMINATE!" over the phone's speaker. 

The Doctor stared at me with an intensity that almost brought chills down my spine before he turned on Von Statten with the anger. 

When the English young man came through the Doctor turned on him too, "You were sure quick on your feet." 

"I wasn't the one who closed the bulkhead."

The screen on the computer came on again to show the Dalek and Rose.

"Doctor!" I pointed toward the screen and he was quick to run to it.

"OPEN THE BULKHEAD OR ROSE TYLER DIES."

The Doctor gasped as he saw Rose alive. 

He stared before looking at Von Statten, "I killed her once I can't do it again." 

"Now what are we going to do?" 

I felt as if I could only sit back and watch as the next couple things happened. As the English boy showed the Doctor the uncatalogued weapons, as the Dalek and Rose came up the lift and the Dalek spared Von Statten for some reason. 

As Rose offered it freedom, I sent a thought her way 'It won't be that simple, Rose. Prepare yourself for its request.' 

I felt like all I was moral support. 

I watched as the Doctor followed after with the gun, his gaze going to me before leaving the room. 

This was a moment that Rose needed to give the Doctor and I knew I couldn't give much more than. 

I waited a moment before I came down the hall and up the level. 

"WHY DO WE SURVIVE?"

"I don't know." I came to stand by the Doctor who's weapon was pointed toward the ground. 

"I AM THE LAST OF THE DALEKS."

"You aren't even that. You are changing and I'm so sorry." 

"Isn't that good?" Rose's voice wobbled as she looked between the Doctor, me and the Dalek.

I shook my head even as the Doctor explained that change was a death sentence. 

"ORDER ME TO DIE. GIVE THE ORDER." 

I stepped closer standing beside Rose as she glanced at me shaking her head, eyes full of tears as she glanced back at the Dalek its squid-like features wincing as if in great pain. I slipped my hand in hers. 

"THIS IS NOT LIFE. THIS IS SICKNESS. I SHALL NOT BE LIKE YOU! OBEY! OBEY!"

Rose trembled, "Do it." She whispered.

"ARE YOU FRIGHTENED, ROSE TYLER?"

"Yeah." 

The Dalek's eye glittered, "SO AM I." 

I pulled Rose back to where the Doctor was standing and we watched as the Dalek rose in the air and self-destructed in a bubble shield.

Any other Dalek not fused with Rose would not have cared, but even in this moment of disparity it sought to protect Rose from its own destruction. 

Chapter Text

I'm glad Rose didn't feel the need to bring along the English boy like in other timelines. She might have sympathized with him but perhaps her loyalty to Mickey stopped her from bringing along the boy, either way I looked at her proudly as she stepped through the TARDIS doors and shut them behind her.

"Nice warning, don't touch the pepper pot." She shook her head at me.

"I don't know how more specific I could have been." 

Rose looked at me, "You knew though that I'd survive if I did, didn't you?" 

I nodded. 

"It was either I go with you and risk causing a bigger problem by accidentally touching it myself. Or I go with the Doctor." I preferred to not tell her about him being tortured. 

Or how his PTSD was triggered by facing off his greatest enemy. 

I noticed the Doctor at the controls ready to go on another adventure as if trying to distract himself. He caught my gaze and gave a quick smile that didn't reach his eyes, as if he thought he'd reassure me but then gave up halfway through. 

"Could we go to a vacation planet? Somewhere where you can see that nothing will go wrong." 

"What do you need a break?" 

I shook my head, "There's a time for everything Doctor."

As if making up his mind he nodded and took us to a water planet where the people of it traveled by bubble above and below the sea. We individually got a bubble and enjoyed bouncing over the waves laughing and giggling as we could hear each other since our bubbles were linked by a telepathic field across the planet. You could hear the joy and the muffled conversations of others traveling, and it was fascinating. We explored the seas, enjoying the various wildlife of the planet before finally retiring to the under the sea hotel. 

Rose looked through one of the windows, "It's a bit creepy isn't it? Creepy and beautiful."

I nodded, "Being so far down with all that water in-between us and the surface."

"What a pair of laughs you two are." The Doctor humphed before Rose and I glanced at each other then burst into giggles. 

The Doctor treated Rose and I to a spa treatment. I finished early and came out to see the Doctor standing on the edge of the room staring out at sea his face a blank slate. I approached slowly wanting to make sure he knew I was coming in his direction, I'd read up on PTSD once after accepting a bride and groom who both had retired from the army. I wanted to make sure I didn't do anything that might trigger them, and make the wedding planning as stress-free as possible. 

I stood beside him, making sure he had space just in case he needed it. I looked out at the dark sea alongside him. 

I wanted him to know he had someone beside him for comfort if he needed it. 

It wasn't until later when we were back in the TARDIS after our vacation trip. I came out from my bedroom unable to sleep hoping to get a cup of chamomile. I turned around and nearly jumped as I saw him sitting there in the dark staring out into space. I turned on a couple more lights before sitting down across from him, warming my hands on my tea cup and waiting for him to come out of his thoughts. 

He startled when he finally blinked seeing me sitting drinking my tea in front of him, my movements slow and nonthreatening. 

"If you ever feel like you need to talk or rant, I'm good at listening." 

He was quick to shake his head, his hands shook slightly where they rested on the table. He stared down at the wood grain of the table his voice low, "You wouldn't understand." 

I nodded, "Probably not but sometimes we don't need someone to understand us, we just need someone to hear us. So our thoughts aren't just in our heads driving us mad." I took a sip of my tea, it was still a tad too hot. "I've taken therapy." 

He looked at me with a solid stare.

"It was one of the mysterious things about my mum. She had connections to get me a whole new identity. I went through a rough patch when I was 18, when she noticed I was circling she found a therapist with the tightest security and privacy protocols...all for a budget too." I chuckled. I looked down into my tea my thoughts turning to the past, "When the aliens changed my DNA, it was extremely painful. For most of it I was placed into a medical coma, but that didn't stop the nightmares. My mind would try to construct some reason why I was in pain." 

"Do you still have them?" His brow ridge set heavy over his pretty blue eyes.

"Sometimes." I made invisible designs on the table with my index finger, "When I'm stressed, or sometimes its random something reminds me of it during the day." 

The Doctor stared down at my hands, "The nightmares won't go away. I keep thinking about all the people that lost their lives, I hear their screams in my dreams." His hand that had sat on the table tightened into a fist. "I tell myself I had no choice, but I can't help but wonder..." 

Silence reigned. 

I knew what I'd like to say, that the impossible choice was not what it seemed but he probably wouldn't believe me. I wasn't sure if he had already done it yet, probably not. 

"Would you like a cup of tea?" 

He shook his head, by the time his gaze lifted to mine it had cleared some to leave a tired but mischievous look in his eyes. 

"What I'd really love is one of your famous cookies."

I let out a laugh and rolled up my pajama sleeves, "Alright then but you are helping." 

It was sometime while we were sifting the flour that a puff came up into the Doctor's face, he sputtered. I couldn't help the laugh that burst from me. 

The Doctor took a pinch of flour between his fingers before blowing it into my face. 

I coughed and squeezed my eyes shut before my hand reached out for the bag full of flour and grabbed a handful before throwing it in the Doctor's direction. 

This descended quickly into a full on flour fight, coating the kitchen in fine white. Rose would find us later covered head to toes in flour. 

The Doctor's laugh bursting through the kitchen echoing around us. It was a beautiful thing. A hope swelled in my heart that I could make him make that goofy smile again soon.