Child of the Stars

by Sanfan11

Summary:

Things were good. Not brilliant or amazing. Just good. Good for her anyway. She wasn't looking for family or adventure and she definitely wasn't planning on being chased down by a madman and his friend hell bent on proving she was a alien. Unfortunately life; didn't quite agree with Cara.

Chapter 1: And I was Having A Good Day, Kinda

 

                                                                                                       

 

‘How could this day have gone so weird?’ Cara thought to herself, pulling herself up out of her bed.  Her day had started pretty good…well good…well-it was okay really.

And somehow ended with her being held captive in a pink bedroom, with a crazy person outside the room convinced he was an alien and that she was something special.

She was normal. I mean, you couldn’t possible pick someone with a more boring life that her. She had followed her usual routine; just like she did every day.

Wake up, eat breakfast, greeted a ‘good morning’ to Miss Hardy (her guardian) Before making a beeline for the Powell Estate; specifically Jackie Tyler’s flat.

It was Christmas time, but that really wasn’t a big deal for her. She had a job to do.

Finally making her way there, passing the small little alleyway. A big blue police box was right outside, almost hap-hazardly thrown here. Cara rubbed her head, a familiar sting of pain shooting in her mind.

Ever since she was little she was prone to headaches. Eventually she had grown a neat tolerance over them, but occasionally a stab of pain would shoot though her head. But it was more of an annoyance that a concern.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she returned her attention to the mysterious box. She’d past the alleyway over a million times and never seen the box there before, but after staring at it for a couple of minutes; she decided to ignore it for the time being.

 Finally making her up the steps, knocking on the door.

Hearing a shout from inside. “Mickey get the door would ya!?”

She smiled. Jackie Tyler was truly an irreplaceable person.

The door opened. “Oh! Hey there Cara, how are ya?” Mickey asked, leaning against the door. Cara shrugged, tucking some of her brown hair behind her ear. “Alright, I suppose. Jackie busy?” she asked, rocking on the balls of her feet.

“Mickey who’s at the-”Jackie started, spotting her. “Oh, hey there sweetheart.” Jackie greeted, shooting her one of her classic smiles. “How you been?”

“Same old same old.” Cara said, holding up the bag of cookies. “Got your order.”

“Aww, thank you!” Jackie said, taking the biscuits, handing her some money. “Howard’s gonna love these. How’s the Miss Hardy, she alright?” she asked, glancing back at Mickey. “Fell down the stairs a couple weeks ago, had a cast and everything.”

“She’s alright, her cast got removed today and she’s up-”
“Mum! Where’s the stethoscope--Oh, who are you?” the woman asked, joining them in the doorway.

She was blonde-haired, with bright blue eyes and a huge likeness to Jackie. Cara didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know who she was.

Rose Tyler, Jackie Tyler’s ‘runaway’ daughter as she was labelled in there community.

“Oh, Rose. This is Cara, she’s the girl that brings me my cookies. From the orphanage.” Jackie added, slightly hushing her tone on the last word. “Hi.” Cara greeted, giving Rose a small wave.

Rose waved back, before turning to her mother asking about the stethoscope. Cara watching her with interest. There was something off about her.

Not anything bad, just odd.

“Well, I’d best be going.” Cara said, eager to remove herself from a growing argument between Rose and her mum about the stethoscope.

“Bye Mickey, Rose. See you next week Jackie!” Cara called, hearing a muffled “Bye, sweetheart!” from Jackie.

That was a perfect normal human interaction.
Wasn’t it?
Nothing odd or strange.
Because it was normal.

NORMAL. And that was it.

Well….that wasn’t all of it…

~

The rest of the day, was alright. She went back home and started to tinker with her latest invention. The Hold-it-all. The name was a work in progress. Essential it was a bigger on the inside based idea.

Something that was small, but able to hold a lot of things. So far, it wasn’t going well, but she was going somewhere so that was something. She was fairly lucky for an orphaned child, well as good as it could get.

Pulling out her toolbox, Cara pulled out the screwdriver fidgeting with the machine. Rubbing her hands on her jeans, pulling out tissue from her pocket, wiping the screwdriver.

They had a nice guardian who actually cared about her kids. Their building while small; was a fun place and all the kids were really nice. Cara only wished she arrived sooner. Nevertheless, things were good. Normal and good.

“Inside! Everybody inside!” came Miss Hardy’s voice. The running footsteps of children coming in. Furrowing her eyebrows, Cara jumped up running down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

Miss Hardy hardly ever yelled.

“Cara, good.” Miss Hardy said getting out a sigh of relief as she shut the door. “John, Emily, Danica, Emma, Kiran, Olly, Sam.” she counted, pointing to each of them.

“Everyone has to stay inside, there’s a crisis outside and everyone to stay inside.” she said, her voice returning to its usual level. “Alright?”

“Yes, Miss Hardy.” The children chorused. She nodded.

“And no one turn on the TV.”

~

About 2 hours after that, Cara began to count the money from the cookie drive. As the oldest of the lot, it was her responsibly that everything was accounted for and not a penny more unless it had a good reason.

After about an hour of this, Cara noticed Jackie had accidentally given her 10 pounds more than what she owned.

“Alright everyone.” Miss Hardy said entering the living room. “Crisis taken care of. You are all free.” she said, laughing as Emily and Emma eagerly ran to door to go play. John and Olly directly behind them.

Cara grinned, grabbing her coat. ‘Back to the Powell Estate.’

~

Walking on side on Bloxom Road, just around the comer of the estate. Cara saw possibility the weirdest thing that day.

Jackie and Rose Tyler with Mickey Smith, and a man pyjamas having a giant group hug with the Prime Minister and a man in a suit watching them just a little way away.

Suddenly a bright green beams streaked across the sky, hitting something as a loud BOOM! rang out.

Cara let out a scream, stumbling backwards as the sky was lit with red and orange light as thin bits of debris began falling to the ground.

The man in pyjamas glancing at her, before returning his gaze to the Prime Minister. Cara’s eyes locked onto the sky staring up in horror.

Her head was starting to hurt again.

Taking a few deep breaths, Cara slowly walked towards the group, spotting the blue box once again. ‘Wasn’t that in the alleyway?’ she thought another sting of pain shooting though her skull.

“Cara! You okay?” Mickey asked jogging towards her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. Cara blinked, nodding slowly. “What the bloody hell was that?” she asked, glancing back up at the sky. “I-

“Oh, Cara? What you doing out here?” Jackie asked, gently taking her arm, looking her over worriedly.

It was a good thing too. She felt like she was swaying.

“I-Your-” she spluttered out weakly. Her head was swimming. Rose and the man in pyjamas came over. The man starting to speak, but she couldn’t hear anything.

Just buzzing.

The man pulled something out of his pocket. More taking. Buzzing. Buzzing.

Dark spots starting to form into her vision. The man bent down, waving something, taking sharply. The pain was getting worse.

Something was warm was placed on her cheek. A sharp withdrawl.

Buzzing. Buzzing. Buzzing.

Cara blinked, the man’s worried eyes filling her version.

Then darkness.

Chapter 2: These People Are Crazy!

 

                                                                                                     

 

 

Somehow ended with her being held captive in a pink bedroom, with a crazy alien outside convinced she was special.--- Then darkness.

~

Someone was singing to her. She couldn’t really make out the words, but she could hear the tune.

It was slowly and calming, like a warm hug; without the actually hugging. She could feeling the person gently stroke her hair as they sung. Whoever they were, was being so careful. As if she might disappear into thin air, if they brushed the wrong bit of hair or pulled a strand.

The person was happy, a kind of happiness that you couldn’t describe. Even calling it pure euphoria seemed like an understatement. But there was something else, tucking inside the happiness there was fear, a light sprinkling of it. Nerves maybe.

She could feel it. It was strange, feeling that weren’t hers; but it felt right somehow.

There was something else though; she couldn’t describe it, a sort of deep warm, feeling, but whatever it was; it was powerful.

She never felt so at peace. All the pain was gone, leaving a warm presences in the back of her mind. The hand paused, stroking her cheek gently. Cara smiled, leaning closer towards the hand.

She never felt safer.

~

Something was shining in her face, Cara groaning, attempting to block out the light, tugging the covers over her head. It light didn’t let up. “No…” Cara whined, lazily opening her eyes.

Pink.

She shot up, looking around the room. This wasn’t her room.

The bed was too big and not a bunk and the entire room was in different shades of pink. A colour that she was not accustom too. Cara slowly pulling the covers higher, the call of sleep having to be put on pause.

Where was she?
The room looked familiar, but for some reason she couldn’t quite place it.

A part of her wanted to call out, but another was rather against it.

Before she could cautiously weigh her options, the door opened revealing the man from the road. The man in pyjamas.

He was taller than she thought or maybe it was just the hair. He had big hair, brown. A little like hers, but hers was slightly darker.

His eyes were dark brown, but bright alive with energy, the eyes seemed to grow when he spotted her.

“Hello,” he greeted, smiling wildly at her. Cara blinked, staring back at him. He wasn’t wearing pyjamas anymore; instead they were replaced with a brown a pinstripe suit and a pair of Converse sneakers.

“How you feeling?” he asked, walking towards her, gently taking a seat on the end of the bed. Cara watching him, slowly edging backwards on the bed.

The man didn’t seem the least bothered by her silence as he leaned closer towards her; seeming to study her face. “I’m the Doctor.”

Nothing.

“I know this seems strange to you Cara, but I promise your safe here.” he said gently. “How do you know my name?” Cara asked, swallowing hard. Her throat was completely dry.

“Jackie told me.” The Doctor said simply. Cara slowly un-tensed. “Jackie?”

“Yeah.” The Doctor said, smiling again. At least now she knew why the room looked familiar. It was Rose Tyler’s. She remembered when Jackie showed it to her a few months ago, when she thought Rose was still missing.

It was nice. If this man knew Jackie then she was alright.

“How to you know her?” he asked, the question seemed simple, but he looked at her like it would unlock the secret of the universe.

“I, um…I bring her cookies.” Cara said lamely, her answer while true sounding pretty pathetic. The Doctor nodded, suddenly getting up handing her a glass of water from a table.

‘How did he know?’ Cara thought taking the glass gratefully.

‘You said your throat was dry.’

Cara choked on her water. The Doctor instantly flying to her side, taking the glass from her, gently rubbing her back, while she had a mini coughing fit.

“What did you do?” Cara cried, jumping up the second she recovered. Crawling to the end of the bed, almost on the floor. “Its okay, it’s okay.” The Doctor said raising his hands in a ‘surrender’ gesture.

“You-You’re in my head!”

“You never had a psychic connection before?”

“You have!?” Cara gasped, her eyes (if possible) widening even more. “What’s going on?” Rose asked, coming in taking in the scene in front of her.

“You’ve never been psychically linked before?” the Doctor asked, pulling out something from his pocket, waving it over her.

“No! What are you doing?” Cara asked, glancing at Rose, hoping for some sort of human reaction.

“That doesn’t-that doesn’t make any sense.” The Doctor mumbled, looking at his weird stick. “I-How old are you?”

“Wha-”

“Just answer him, trust me. It’ll make sense when you do.” Rose said kindly, suddenly turning Cara.

Cara desperately wanted to argue, but this was really a two against one situation. And she didn’t have Miss Hardy or Jackie to hide behind.

“Thirteen. I’m thirteen.” Cara said, rubbing her wrists, edging closer towards Rose. She seemed the most normal for the time being.

“Thirteen. You’re thirteen.” The Doctor whispered to himself, the two girls almost seeing gears turning in his head. “What are you?” he asked suddenly.

Cara furrowed her eyebrows. “Wh-I-I don’t understand.”

“What are you?” the Doctor repeated, bending down to her height, waving his stick-thing again. “Human? A-”

“Yes. I’m human.” Cara answered instantly. “I’m obviously human.” The Doctor paused, staring intensely at her. “How’s your head?”

“Good. Great actually. All the…pain’s gone.” Cara mumbled, for the first time realising that for the first time she had no pain at all. Not even a normal one that she usual had. Her mind was completely clear.

“For the first time?” the Doctor asked, setting down his stick-thing.

Cara nodded. “Yeah.” she whispered. The Doctor swallowed hard, blinking rapidly. His eyes glazed over. “Rose, could you-”

“Er, sure.” she mumbled, catching the hint. Quickly exiting the room, shutting the door with a light click. ‘Oh, take me with you…’

The Doctor gently took Cara’s hands (earning an odd look from Cara), sitting her back down on the bed.

“Cara, do you know what a Timelord is?”

“No.” Cara replied, her mind inching to ask why, but sensing this was a very deep and important moment. Why she wasn’t bolting to the door, she didn’t really know. The Doctor nodded, saying nothing.

Cara bit her lower lip, deciding to risk it all. “What is a…Timelord?”

“Timelords are, were inhabitants of the planet Gallifrey.” The Doctor explained slowly as if trying to find the best words suited for this conversation. “We created and upheld Laws of Time. For years we were able to protect the timelines. Although we physically resemble humans. Timelord physiology is different--Cara are you following?”

“Yeah,” Cara stammered, glancing unsurely at the Doctor. “Different how?”

“We have two hearts, better strength and stamina, two or three brain stems depending, a respiratory bypass system, boasted larger brains, lower body temperature and as Timelord’s the ability to regenerate.” he explained slowly. “Do you understand?”

“Yes.” Cara said, tucking some hair behind her ear. “Little question though, how do I fit into any of that?”

“Young Gallifreyans were known as Time Tots.” The Doctor started. “They are our children. When they are young, Time Tots are incredible powerful and to protect their minds and their emotions from harm. Their parents connect to their minds, sort of like a psychic tether. Until the Time Tot is old enough and trained to protect their mind and their emotions themselves…Alright?”

“Hmmm.”

“When, in the unlikely event that a Time Tot’s telepathic connection, to their parent’s is severed. They subconsciously search for someone else to-connect to. In this case a Timelord would establish a connection and take over the job of protecting the child’s mind and the child. Sort of like a guardianship.” The Doctor continued, noticing her stiffen slightly at the word.

“When a Time Tot hasn’t been ‘connected’ or ‘bonded’ to another, their mind is—vulnerable and dangerous, not just to them, but to anyone around them.” The Doctor finished, still holding her hand tightly.

“Cara,” he said, his eyes locked onto hers. “I am a Timelord and you are a Time Tot; the last Time Tot in existence.” The Doctor said, leaning back watching her intently.

Cara looked up at him, her dark eyes transfixed on his.

 “Bullshit.”

Notes:

Thank you all to my readers!

Thank you all for those who, faved and followed! Brilliant!

Anyways as usual, please feel free to comment, PM, fav, follow, whatever really. :)

Till next time...

Chapter 3: It's Official: I Have a Stalker

 

                                                                                          

 

“I am a Timelord and you are a Time Tot; the last Time Tot in existence.”
“Bullshit.”

~

The Doctor stared, seeming rather surprised. Cara jumped up, folding her arms, happily that she was good at making quick escapes and keeping a person talking.

She had already located her jacket and shoes and which window was open. “Utter poppycock.”

“I-”
“I’m sorry, but do you honestly think, I am meant to believe I’m an alien for the planet Galifey-”

“Gallifrey.” The Doctor corrected.

“Whatever.” Cara replied, discreetly sliding on her shoes. “And I’m a ‘Time Tot’ and the reason I have headaches is because I haven’t been ‘bonded’. Do I really look that stupid?”

“Cara listen to me, I-” the Doctor started, getting up. “I think I’ve heard enough.” Cara said sharply, grabbing her jacket.

“I don’t know, what you and Jackie’s daughter are playing at and I don’t care, but whatever it is. Leave me out of it. I’m going home.” she said pulling her jacket on, marching out the door; almost toppling Rose who were clearing attempting to listen in.

“Cara, wait!” The Doctor called, following her. “It’s dangerous for you-”

“What leave?” she said, whipping around facing Rose and the Doctor. “No offense, but I’ve had quite enough, of you two.  You’re all crazy!” she cried, grabbing the door handler, slamming it behind her.

Jogging down the steps, taking two at a time Cara zipped up her jacket, glancing over her shoulder. Finally reaching the bottom, pulling up her hood; she ran all the way home.

~
“You’re all crazy!” Cara cried, grabbing the door handler, slamming hard behind her.  The Doctor instantly made his way to the door, about to follow her.

Rose grabbing his arm, holding him back. “Wait, if you go after her—your just gonna scare her.” she said, gently.

The Doctor sighed, running his fingers though his hair. “I can’t leave her out there alone, Rose, she could really hurt herself.”

“Ya, I know, but—you can’t go after her. Not now-”

The door opened as Jackie walked in setting down a bag of groceries. “Oh, what’s this? Cara up yet?”

~

Cara leaned back on her bunk, curling up in a little ball. She shared a room with Sam, a girl about two years younger than her. Shutting her eyes, she looked up, staring up at a few old drawings.

She used to draw a lot when she was little. When she was eight her foster father had gotten furious at her for some strange reason, before throwing all of her pictures into the fire. After that drawing seemed—silly almost.

Something pointless.

She always drew the same thing somewhere in the corner of her pictures. A little doodle. Circles, with smaller ones on the inside, and lines connecting to each thing. Almost like the inside of a watch.

The exact same one. Never a line out of place, Cara sat up lightly tracing over one of her pictures. Before, reaching under her bed, pulling out a box. It was a little box, round with a little glass lid over it. The symbol again, drawn on the glass lightly.

A sharp knock on the door, snapped Cara out of her daze. “Come in.” she called, sliding out of her bed. Miss Hardy walked in, smiling at her from the doorway. “Hey, you okay?”

Cara shrugged. “Yeah,” she said, plastering a smile on her face. She hadn’t told Miss Hardy about the whole ‘I’m a Timelord’ and ‘The Doctor’.

She didn’t really want her to hear about the whole thing, if it sounded crazy to her, she could only imagine what Miss Hardy would think. Probably ship her, Rose and the Doctor to a mental home.

Instead she told her that the beam had freaked her out and that Jackie told her to stay over since it was too late to walk back home. Lucky for her, the story was believable.

Jackie Tyler was a notorious mother hen. 

“Great.” Miss Hardy said. Her eyes were sparkling. “I have gre, no--wonderful news.” she said, clapping her hands together, grinning from ear to ear.

“Really?” Cara asked, crossing her legs leaning forwards; attempting to feel excited. “What?”

Miss Hardy stepped back as a man in a long brown coat walked in. A coat, a pinstriped suit with big hair. Cara stared wide eyed. ‘Oh, come on!’

“We found one of your relatives. A blood relative.” she said excitedly, clapping her hands together again.

The Doctor smiled at her, tucking something into his pocket. “Hello, there Cara.” he said, grinning at her. “I’m the Doctor."

~

“Okay,” Cara mumbled, shutting the door behind Miss Hardy, glancing back at the Doctor who was sitting on a chair near her desk; looking around the room with interest. “How did you find me?”

“You’re my Time Tot, I’ll always be able to find you.” he said as if he were stating the obvious. “What’s this?” he asked, pointing to one of her inventions.

“Nothing,” Cara said, waving it off as the Doctor continued to play with the bits of machinery and papers on her desk. “What did you mean your?”

“I bonded with you. Can’t have you running around with an unprotected mind so young.” The Doctor replied, pulling on a pair of glasses inspecting one of her inventions. “Did you make this yourself?”

“Yes.” Cara said, sliding down on her bed, running her fingers though her loose hair. “You’re not going to stop about this Time Tot thing aren’t you?”

“You can’t possible not think a part of you knows I’m telling the truth.” The Doctor said wryly, glancing at her before returning his attention onto the invention. “What’s it do?”

“It’s a replication.” Cara said, jumping up taking it from his hands. “It’s supposed to be able to recreate things that you’d need. Clothes, food, whatever with just a single cell of the thing that is intended to be replicated.”

“Does it work?”

“Well, considering I’m not sitting in a room filled with teddy bears. No.” Cara said, jumping up, tossing it back to the Doctor. “All it does is replicate smoke and the occasionally explosion.”

“What do you mean, I know your telling me the truth? That I’m an alien from another planet and apparently have two hearts and telepathy?” she asked, pacing up and down her room.

“Clever girl like you. You can’t possibly think that’s not a possibility?”
“Why not?”

“You’re still listening to me.” The Doctor said simply, leaning back in the chair, smirking at her. “If you didn’t believe me you’d have turned me out already, or told Miss Hardy about this morning. You trust me. Well a part of you does anyway. You’re trying to fight it, but there’s a part of you that instinctively does. It has for a while. Instinctively trying to find me. That’s why you came back-”

“I came back to give Jackie her money back.” Cara shot back instantly.

“During an alien crisis, the only thing on your mind is giving Jackie Tyler her 10 pounds back?” The Doctor said sceptically, raising an eyebrow.

Cara swallowed hard, biting her lower lip; watching the Doctor stare at her a smile playing on his lips.

“Okay,” she said, pausing in her pacing. “Say, I believe you. Hypothetically,” she added, seeing the Doctor’s face instantly light up. “I would want to see some proof.”

The Doctor nodded thoughtfully. “I could give you that.” he said slowly getting up, tucking his glasses back into his pocket.

Cara smiled, grabbing her jacket from her bed. “Good, where we going?”

“You’ll see,” he said mysteriously, striding towards the door, opening it for her.

“Wait,” Cara said, pausing in the doorway. “How did you convince Miss Hardy you were a long lost relative of mine?”

“Oh,” the Doctor said, digging in his coat pocket, fishing out a small brown leather pouch, almost like a wallet thing. “With this.” he said, flipping it open showing it to her.

Cara blinked, staring at the paper. “It’s blank.”

“What-” the Doctor started, glancing at the paper, before back at her. Starting to grin like mad man. “Oh! Oh Cara, you and I are going to have some fun.”

Notes:

I'm so glad you all are enjoying the story! Thank you all for following and favouriting! (?)
Anyways as usual, please feel free to comment, PM, fav, kudos follow, whatever really. :)

 

Till next time...

Chapter 4: Proof, Proof is Good, Right?

 

                                                                                                           

 

“I would want to see some proof.”--“Oh! Oh Cara, you and I are going to have some fun.”

Walking with the Doctor was (oddly enough) rather enjoyable. He was an animated person, fun and interesting with a mouth that went a mile a minute.

A part of her felt a little sad, when he figured out she wasn’t a Time Tot, he was going to leave.

Not that it bothered her. She just met him.

A madman who thinks he’s an alien, but he was nice company. Nice company, especially adults were hard to come by.

“You alright? You’re quiet.” he asked facing her, walking backwards. “Fine.” Cara said automatically. The Doctor raised an eyebrow, not seeming to believe her. It was odd, she was very convincing.

“Is that it?” Cara asked, spotting the blue box. It had moved again, back where she first saw it, tucked away in the alleyway.

The Doctor nodded, shooting her another grin before breaking into a run towards the box. Cara giggled running after him.

The box was a beautiful shade of blue with a little patch of paper talking about it being a police box. It looked rather normal, simple even. Slowly reaching her hand out, Cara gently touched the wood.

A jolt of electricity seemed to shoot though her, the box suddenly radiating energy.

 The Doctor leaned against the box, slowly opening the door for her inclining his head to the door. A knowing look playing on his face.

Glancing at the Doctor, Cara looked back at the box, stepping inside.

~

‘Oh my god.’

The box was—not a box. It was a room; the most wonderful and biggest room she’d been in. It was circular with swirly sort of gold columns, an underneath (probably the engine, if this thing even had one) a little step towards the console.

A mixture of buttons, leavers, pulley’s it was probably all there with a large sort of glowing tube thing that went up to the ceiling.

The entire room was glowing. Alive with energy making her skin tingle.

It was beautiful.

The light click of the door, finally snapped her out of her daze. The Doctor watching her, a soft smile on his face. “Cara, welcome to the TARDIS.”

The second the words came out of his mouth, the lights started to flicker, as the whole room made a noise. “Whoa, what was that?” she asked, instinctively stepping back, glancing around the room.

“Aww, she likes you.” The Doctor said gleefully, jumping up to the console, throwing his coat onto one of the pillars. “Makes sense, poor old girl. Hasn’t had a Time Tot to look after in years.” he said stroking the console.

“It’s—
“Yeah, yeah.” The Doctor said, leaning against the console looking at her eagerly.

“Dimensional, it has it’s own dimension that it operates in doesn’t it? Like its own little world--” Cara started, the Doctor deflated slightly.

“-Essentially bigger on the inside. You are an alien; aren’t you?” Cara finished, turning to him. The Doctor grinned nodding. “Yep, yep, yep-i-di-do.” he said, looking around at her, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

“Yep-i-di-do?” Cara repeated, playfully raising an eyebrow at him. The Doctor shrugged, walking towards a corridor.

“Right, let’s go prove you’re an alien.”

~

“You know, I think I like this better than any other doctor’s appointments I went to.” Cara said swinging her legs on the bed, looking around like a kid in a candy store. There was so much to see.

The Doctor pulled a big scanner thing, almost like a portable X-Ray, scanning her. So far, he had taken a little bit of blood, taken her temperature and was now scanning her with a strange circular device. “Why?” he asked, pulling on his glasses, glancing at a screen covered in strange symbols that she couldn’t quite place.

“They usually end in tears. Not mine-” she added quickly, when the Doctor raised an eyebrow. “Had a bad habit of kicking my doctors.” she said, as one of the Doctor’s machines went ding. “Please don’t add me on that list.” he mumbled, backing her giggle.

“Huh, that’s odd.” he mumbled, striding towards her, gently placing his hands on her face, staring into her eyes. “What you doing?” Cara asked, leaning back.

“Yes, there it is…”
“There’s what?”

“Perception filter. A strong one, by the looks of it.” The Doctor said, pulling a chair with his foot sitting down, before pulling out his blepping stick-thing.

“Send you to another planet, place a strong enough perception filter to trick anyone to thinking your human, but still able to be detected by a Timelord. Clever.” he said, glancing at his blepping pen thing. “Very clever…it in your head…how’d they do that?” he mumbled, to himself.

“In my head?!” Cara cried, the Doctor nodding absentmindedly. “Alright, what is that? What’s a perception filter and do you believe I’m human now?” Cara asked, crossing her legs fiddling with the end of her T-shirt.

This was starting to freak her out a little.

“Sonic screwdriver.” The Doctor answered, holding up his sonic. “No. And a perception filter is a telepathic effect which misdirects your senses. It draws the attention away from the object, making it unnoticeable, but not invisible. The TARDIS has one, why no one really sees it.”

“I did.” Cara said, watching the Doctor fiddle with some dials. “Exactly.” he said, sitting back down, once again placing his hands on her face. “Now Cara, I’m going to disable it. I don’t know, you’ll react to it. So-”

“Will it hurt?” she asked, the question sounded childish, but for some reason was the first thing that came out. The Doctor paused. “I don’t know, but I’ll try to do it as gently as I can.” 

Cara nodded, shutting her eyes tight. “Do it.”

The Doctor pressed the tips of his fingers to her forehead.  ‘This is so freaky.’ she thought. She could feel him, the Doctor walking around in her head.

It was strange, but it felt right.

It was like a warm presence was there. Holding her hand in the dark. Like she wasn’t alone, like she’d never be alone again. It was like someone was giving her a hug. The warmest, most comforting hug in the universe.

The odd feeling was back. The deep warm, powerful feeling. She felt like she would nod off there and then. She was safe, she was safe with the-

“Agh!” Cara cried, a jolt of pain shooting though her head. It was like someone had taken two jumper cables and plugged them into her ears, whiles dowsing her in cold water; in the middle of winter. 

“Ah…Oww…” she moaned, blinking a few times to get her bearings. The Doctor was massaging his own head, but seemed to recover much quickly than she was.

Cara sighed, shutting her eyes. Even her eyelids were tired now.

“Cara, Cara are you alright? Cara,” the Doctor said worriedly, looking her over for injuries. Cara ‘hmmed’ leaning (well falling) onto him, her mind too sore and tried to think.

The Doctor swiftly transitioned himself onto the bed, allowing her to lie on him. Looking down at her, he gently began to stroke her hair. Humming to himself, as he shut his eyes.

‘You’re okay, you’re safe, you’re okay, you’re safe.’

~

“This passing out business, is very irritating.” Cara groaned, rubbing her head.

She was in a new room now. (How many rooms where there?) Some sort of kitchen. It was possible the strangest kitchen she’d ever seen, as it had its usual cooking appliances and then it had some of the weirdest looking contraptions as well.

If she didn’t believe the Doctor was an alien before, this definitely confirmed it.

“Your body has been though a tremendous amount of strain, its surprising you haven’t been out for longer.” he said, handing her a glass of water, tucking a small device into his pocket. Almost like some kind of microchip. Interesting

Cara waved the water off. But the Doctor clearly wasn’t taking no for an answer; as he reappeared with a straw and promptly stuck it in her mouth. “Drink.”

Taking a sip, Cara instantly made a face. “That’s not water.”

“No, it’s not. Drink, it’ll help.” The Doctor insisted, still holding the glass for her.

“It tastes disgusting.” Cara whined, pouting. “I know, its pear flavoured.” The Doctor said, making a face at the word. “But trust me, you’ll feel better after you drink.”

Sighing Cara took the glass from him, sipping on it. After a few seconds of watching her, the Doctor jumped up disappearing into the TARDIS.

Cara sipped her drink, unable to shake the feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Something felt different, she could feel it.

The warm feeling in her mind hadn’t left her, she could still feel it, except she now had a name for it. The calming presence of the Doctor.

Her mind felt- faster somehow; the more she sipped she slowly began to crawl out of her daze as bits and pieces started to fit in.

She could feel the TARDIS’s hum of telepathic energy, the Doctor on the outskirts of her mind. How slow a second seemed, how fast it was too. She could feel the rushing over the air so much louder now, the rips and tears of time.

Her heart was pounding in her chest, but it felt strange.

Wrong.

Setting down the glass, sternly telling herself she was being stupid, but her curiosity was too powerful to control.

 She slowly reached down with her left hand, checking her pulse. Instantly withdrawing, Cara stared at her hands, squeezing them tightly.

A light hand was placed on her shoulder, glancing up Cara was met with the Doctor’s kind eyes. He smiled softly, gently stroking her cheek. “Welcome home.”

~

“What now?” Cara whispered, trailing her fingers across the TARDIS’s console. She gurgled back in response, flicking her lights on and off again.

“Well, you’d…stay with me. On the TARDIS.” The Doctor said, scratching his ear nervously. Cara looked up sharply. “I, I’d take care of you—

“I…I don’t know,” she said instantly, looking down. Things made no sense anymore.

The past 48 hours alone had been crazy, and that was before she found out she was an alien from another planet with another alien from the same planet who apparently ‘bonded’ with her and wanted her to stay with him on his time-traveling ship.

Despite all of that, that hadn’t really jumped into her mind. Being taken care off like a child--

“You are a child, Cara. You’re thirteen.” The Doctor said suddenly, breaking her train of thought. “You’re a practically a 2 year old in Gallifreyan standards, you’re lucky I’m not following you around with a bottle and diaper.”

 “Do you really have to do the mind-reading thing!” Cara cried, scowling. ‘I resent being called a 2 year old.’

“I can’t help it, you’re too young to have control of you telepathy. Besides that Time Tot’s don’t exactly hid things from their parents.”

“I’m not your child, Doctor!” Cara snapped, turning away from him instantly regretting it.

The Doctor’s looked down, saying nothing. After a couple seconds of silence, Cara paused wondering if he was going to yell at her. Or--

“I know this is difficult for you, Cara. But I-I only want to help you.” he said, softly. “I know-I understand, you’ve been hurt in the past-”

‘He saw…’

“I did.” The Doctor confirmed, leaning against the TARDIS wall across from her. “And if I could have found you before that I would have. You have no reason to trust me at least not completely and that’s okay, Cara. But please let me help you, let teach you. It’s only the two of us, Cara. We’re the last ones. Just a chance. One chance.”

Cara paused, glancing up at the Doctor. “One chance?”

“Just one.”

Cara paused. “Deal,” she said, getting up suddenly realising how tiny she was in comparison to him. “One chance, but I if don’t like it…can you take me home?”

“Yes.”

“Promise?”

The Doctor paused, for a split second Cara wondered if he was starting to regret his ‘one chance’ words. Then she remember he could probably hear her thinking this.

“I promise.”

Chapter 5: Welcome To You're First Alien Planet :)

 

                                                                                                         

 

 

“So, anywhere in Time and Space right?” Cara asked, glancing at the Doctor who was pacing around the console. “Anywhere and everywhere.” he answered, pressing a few buttons on the TARDIS. ‘That’s so cool.’

The Doctor chuckled. “It is.”

Cara smiled, getting up following his footsteps. “So you can hear, everything?”
“Anything and everything.”

“So, can talk to me in here too; like before?” she asked, watching him swoop around the console, looking like a thin brown bat. “I can,” the Doctor replied. “Just thought maybe, when you’re more comfortable…”

“You can do it.” Cara said suddenly, placing her hands on the TARDIS console. The Doctor looked up at her. “Cara, are you sure?” he asked, shooting her a worried look.

 “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure.” Cara said, nodding. “Do it, whenever you’re ready,” she said, shutting her eyes tightly. “Are you doing it? Do I have to concentrate?”

‘You are sure about this, Cara?’
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
The Doctor chuckled lightly. ‘Cara.’

“Yeah?” Cara said, opening an eyelid, the Doctor was smiling, an amused look plastered onto his face. “What?” she asked, staring at him blankly. ‘Cara,”

 “Wh—Oh!” she cried, her eyes widening in realisation. The Doctor starting to laugh.

“Yeah that, that’s makes sense.’

~

‘These are brilliant, Cara.’

Cara snorted, tossing a few t-shirts into a bag. ‘There useless.’ she thought back.

Before they were going to wherever they were going. The Doctor refused to tell her, insisting it will be a surprise. They had come back to the Miss Hardy’s home, to pack some things for her.

‘Nonsenses, there gorgeous.’ The Doctor replied, holding up on one of her machines. ‘But they don’t work.’ Cara thought, throwing in two more jackets and another pair of sneakers.

‘Maybe, but the idea is well beyond; normal human capability’s in this current timeline. In fact, I think now you might just be able to finish these.’ he mused, setting it down, his attention now drawn to her old pictures she’d draw.

Cara smirked, it was clear that the Doctor seemed extremely interested in her. It was so strange…no ever really was…

Once again the thought that he could possibly have heard all that filtered into her brain. But even if he did, he seemed to pretend like he didn’t.

‘These symbols.’ The Doctor started after a few minutes of silence. Well it had technically been silent for the past half hour, but that didn’t really matter.

‘Yeah?’

‘When did you start drawing them?’ The Doctor asked, showing the picture, pointing to the corner. Cara paused, rubbing her back of her neck. ‘Well…I—Not sure. Always, I guess...Why?’

The Doctor shrugged, packing in a few more books. Before discreetly tucking the picture into his coat pocket.

~

Three Days Later…

Inside the TARDIS; the Doctor began to ‘prep’ the TARDIS for take-off; Rose was ready to come aboard once again and they were blasting off to their new destination.

Cara had been staying with the Doctor the past three days. To say they were the most exciting three days of her life, seemed like an over exaggeration.

But they were.

Her time with the Doctor and the TARDIS had been filled with fun and craziness. The bond between her and the Doctor had started to become more noticeable to her, along with some other ‘alien’ qualities.

Like being able to hear insanely quiet things; and almost feel time itself.

It was safe to say, that she definitely didn’t believe she was human anymore. Something while still daunting---was oddly enough slightly comforting, things that didn’t make much sense, began to.

Plus her headaches becoming non-existent was brilliant.

Rose opened the door to the TARDIS; shooting a small smile at her as she pulled off her bag. The Doctor had been a little worried with Rose; even offering they go off for a little bit and pick her up a later on. But Cara denied that, she didn’t want to be a bother then she already was or might be.

The Doctor made a little noise (almost like a tut), from the console. Rose and Cara looked up at him, Cara joining him on his right. The Doctor grinning at them, pulling down a lever with vigour. The TARDIS beginning to dematerialize.

Making its strange noise as it went. Cara liked the noise, it gave her chills down the spine. Happy, thrilling ones. Chills of adventure.

“So, where are we going?” Rose asked, holding onto the console.

“Further than we've ever gone before.”

~

Stepping out onto a wide field of grass, Cara looked around; a breeze of windy making her hair fly everywhere. “Did we just?” she started, glancing at Rose and the Doctor; her eyes shining with wonder.

Rose nodded, smiling at her. “Yeah.”

“It's the year five billion and twenty three. We're in the galaxy M87, and this...this is New Earth.” The Doctor said, standing behind her, placing at hand on her shoulder.

The city looked like something out of a movie. With flying cars and shining tall strangely shaped buildings, while still holding the strange bit of nature tucked between the technology. 

“That’s—” Cara started, bursting out into laughter, unable to express her excitement any other way. “Wow.” she breathed out. “Not bad. Not bad at all!” The Doctor said, watching the youngest twirl around, eager to take in every bit of the new world in front of her.

“That's amazing. I'll never get used to this. Never. Different ground beneath my feet!” Rose cried, jumping up and down. “Different sky!”

“What's that smell?” Cara asked, suddenly. The Doctor bending down, pulling up a few strands of grass. “Apple grass.”

“Apple grass!” Rose cried, smiling. “Yeah, yeah.” The Doctor agreed. “So grass made out of apples or apples made out of grass?” Cara asked, glancing back the two of them.

 The Doctor and Rose shared a look, the Doctor taking a lick from one of the strands. “You know, I’m actually not sure.” The Doctor said, smiling down at the grass. “Brilliant.”

“That's beautiful.” Rose said, gazing up at the Doctor. “Oh, I love this. Can I just say...travelling with you... I love it.”

 “Me too.” The Doctor said, grinning at her, scooping up Cara his arms, making her laugh. “Come on!” he said, grabbing her hand, taking Roses in his other as they ran off.

~

“So, why is there a New Earth?” Cara asked, lying between the Doctor and Rose on his large coat. “So, the year five billion... the sun expands, the Earth gets roasted.” The Doctor started.

“That was our first date.” Rose added smiling at Cara; gently tucking some hair behind her ear. “We had chips.”

“The world blew up and you had chips?” Cara asked, glancing between the two of them.

“Kinda…” the Doctor said, waving it off. “So anyway, planet gone, all rocks and dust, but the human race lives on, spread out across the stars. Soon as the Earth burns up... oh, yeah, they get all nostalgic... big revival movement...go find this place.” he said sitting up, taking a look once again at the big city. “Same size as the Earth, same air, same orbit. Lovely. Call goes out, the humans move in.”

“What's the city called?” Rose asked. “New New York.”

 “Oh, come on.” Rose said sceptically. “That’s not very creative.” Cara said, looking up at the city.

“It is! It's the City of New New York!” he said, pausing. “Strictly speaking, it's the fifteenth New York since the original. So that makes it New New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York.” The Doctor said, making Cara giggle.

“What?” The Doctor asked, noticing Rose staring at him. “You're so different.”
“New New Doctor.”

“Whatch mean?” Cara asked, furrowing her eyebrows. ‘New New?’ The Doctor chuckled, ruffling her hair. ‘Tell you later.’

“Can we go and visit New New York... so good they named it twice?” Rose asked, getting up. The Doctor nodded, pulling his coat off the ground. “Well... I thought we might go there first.” he said, gesturing to a large building in the distance a little away from the city.

“What is it?” Cara asked, standing on the tippy toes to see the whole thing. “Some sort of hospital. Green moon on the side; that's the universal symbol for hospitals.” he explained whipping out his wallet thing, which Cara now knew was psychic paper.

“I got this. A message on the psychic paper.” The Doctor said, Cara reading it over his shoulder. “Ward 26.” she mumbled.

“Someone wants to see me.” The Doctor said, tucking it back into his pocket.

 “Hmm! And I thought we were just sight-seeing.” Rose said cheekily. “Come on then! Let's go and buy some grapes.” she said linking arms with the Doctor, who quickly took Cara’s hand pulling her between them as they made their way to the hospital.  

~

“Bit rich coming from you.” Rose said, as they walked in. The hospital while definitely futuristic seemed to have the same basic layout as any old hospital would. Except enlarged by like ten. (Pun intended)

“I can't help it, I don't like hospitals. They give me the creeps.” The Doctor said, Cara nodding in agreement.

“Very smart.” Rose commented looking around. “Not exactly NHS.”

“No shop. I like the little shop.” The Doctor said, looking around for a little shop. “Why, what would you do in it?” Cara said, looking around as well, but keeping closer to the Doctor. The Doctor shrugged. “You know…shop.”

“I thought this far in the future, they'd have cured everything.”

“The human race moves on, but so do the viruses. It's an ongoing war.” The Doctor said, as a nurse walked by. A cat nurse. “Huh.” Cara mused, nodding as she watched more of them appear. “Don’t see that every day.”

Rose’s reaction was less subtle. “They're cats.”

“Now, don't stare.” The Doctor said, lightly. “Think what you look like to them, all--Pink and yellow. That's where I'd put the shop.” he said, pointing over Rose’s shoulder. “Right there! See?” he said, walking towards the lift, with Cara in tow. “Ward 26, thanks!” he called up to the lift.

“Hold on! Hold on!” Rose shouted, rushing towards the lift, the doors closing before she could make it. “Oh, too late,” the Doctor called though the lift doors. “We’re going up.”

The lift began to make a strange humming noise; making Cara look around touching the odd little spouts. ‘What do those do?’

“Ward 26. And watch out for the disinfectant.”
Cara traced her fingers along the spouts. ‘Does it eject something?’
“The disinfectant! The di... oh, you'll find out.”

“Find out what?” Cara asked, just as a noise rang out in the lift.

Commence stage one: disinfection.

Came a voice from above them as bright green lights began to flash. “Doc, what’s stage one di—Ah!” Cara screamed as a jet of liquid (which was some kind of futuristic disinfectant) rained down on them like a very powerful rain storm or very angry shower.

 The Doctor laughed, smoothing his hands through his hair; thoroughly enjoying his mini shower. The same could not be said, for Cara who was ducking underneath his soaking coat; clinging on for dear sweet life.

After a few seconds the downpour stopped, allowing Cara a few seconds of air. “What was—”

“Oh! Close your mouth.” The Doctor said. “What?!” Cara cried, shutting her mouth, just as a white cloud of smoke was jetted onto them, curtsy of the spouts. “So that what it does.” Cara mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Suddenly a blow-dryer started up; nearly shooting her backwards, before slowly getting the hang of it; as she attempted to fix her hair.

The disinfection process happened another three times, so by the time she and the Doctor arrived in Ward 26, she looked a little more put together.

Well besides her hair, which was sticking up like crazy; unlike the Doctors whose hair for once seemed perfectly tidy. ‘Oi!’ the Doctor said, grinning at her pulling out a comb from his pocket, giving Cara’s hair a good long messed up ruffle, before handing it to her.

“Welcome to Ward 26.”

~

“Nice place. No shop, downstairs. I'd have a shop. Not a big one…just a shop.”
‘So people can?’

“So people can shop.” The Doctor said, Cara snorting. “The hospital is a place of healing.” The nurse, Sister Jatt replied a tad miffed.

“A shop does some people the world of good. Not me. Other people...”
‘Jackie Tyler.’
‘Yeah.’

“The Sisters of Plentitude take a lifelong vow to help. And to mend.” Sister Jatt said, as they past beds with their main patients seemed to have bizarre illness’s she’d ever seen. One man looked like he was turning to stone.

“He is,” the Doctor said. “What?” Cara whispered, just when a woman walked up to them.

“Excuse me,” A woman in a tight bun said sharply. “Members of the public may only gaze upon the Duke of Manhattan with written permission from the Senate of New New York.”

“That's Petrifold Regression, right?” The Doctor asked, inclining his head to the Duke.

“I'm dying, sir.” The Duke answered, before his strange assistant person did. “A lifetime of charity and abstinence. And it ends like this.”

 “Any statements made by the Duke of Manhattan may not be made public without official clearance.” the woman said instantly. Cara couldn’t help, but feel bad for the Duke. The woman seemed to have as much empathy as a mosquito.

 Frau Clovis!” the Duke cried out pain, returning her attention to him. “I'm so weak…”

 “Sister Jatt!” Frau Clovis snapped, glaring at the Doctor and Cara. “A little privacy, please!”

The Doctor scowled at the woman, lightly steering Cara away. ‘Are you alright?’

Cara paused, trying to remember how to talk in her head again. The room seemed to spin, this whole hospital giving a bad feel, twisting the insides of her gut.

“Shush, shush.” The Doctor hummed, wrapping an arm around her rocking her gently as he spoke. It was oddly calming.

“It's rather unusual to visit without knowing the patient.” Sister Jatt said, looking around. “No. I think I've found him.” The Doctor said, Cara following his gaze.

There seemed to be a giant head, floating in a giant machine oddly enough reminding her of a jar, in the corner of the ward near the window.

“Novice Hame, if I can leave this gentleman and his child in your care?” Sister Jatt asked. Cara slipped out of the Doctors arm, bending down staring at the…head? Person? Alien? In the odd jar thing.

“Who are you?” Cara found herself whispered, sitting on her knees lightly touching the glass that separated the head from them. “That Cara, is the Face of Boe.”

“Face of Boe.” Cara repeated, tracing her fingers along the Face of Boe’s glass.

“I'm afraid the Face of Boe's asleep. That's all he tends to do these days. Are you a friends, or...?” Novice Hame started. Cara liked her voice, it was soothing. Very nursly.

The Doctor smiled, glancing down at her, before back at Novice Hame. “We met just the once on Platform One.”

“What happened to him?” Cara asked, trailing her fingers over the glass, waves of sadness seeming to roll off her. The Doctor staggered back slightly, not expected the wave of emotion her received.

 “I'm so sorry. I thought you knew.” Novice Hame said, sadly. “The Face of Boe is dying.”
“Of what?” The Doctor asked, looking at the tank.

“Old age. The one thing we can't cure. He's thousands of years old. Some people say millions.”

“That’s impossible.” Cara whispered. “Oh…no…I like impossible.” he said, kneeling down next to Cara, placing one hand on her shoulder, his other like hers against the tank.

 “I'm here. I look a bit different, but it's me. It’s the Doctor.”

Notes:

Thank you to all my readers; you all are amazing!
Are you all enjoying/liking Cara (so far?)?
Anyway, as usual, please feel free to comment, PM, kudos, follow, whatever really. :)

Till next time...

Chapter 6: I Hate Hospitals, But I Met Boe!

 

                                                                 

 

‘Hope, harmony and health. Hope, harmony and health.’

“That is so creepy.” Cara mumbled to herself stretching her legs on the sterile hospital floor. They had been with the Face of Boe for about 15 minutes and still no Rose.

“That's very kind. But there's no need.”
“You're the one working.” The Doctor replied to Novice Hame, handing Cara a cup of water (more like putting the cup in her hand; with a stern look that said ‘please drink it.’)

Cara took the drink, staring suspiciously it at. ‘Real water?’ she thought, the memory of the disgusting pear stuff floating into her brain.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. ‘Yes.’

“There's not much to do. Just maintain his smoke. And I suppose I'm company. I can hear him singing, sometimes. In my mind...such ancient songs...”

Cara tentatively took a sip, happy that this water tasted like water. “Are we the only visitors?” Cara asked, watching the Face of Boe let out a strange puff.

“The rest of Boe-kind became extinct. Long ago. He's the only one left. Legend says that the Face of Boe has watched the universe grow old.” Novice Hame said, the Doctor and Cara sharing a smile.

“There's all sorts of superstitions around him.”

“Like what?” Cara asked, edging closer to her; like a child eager of a story. Novice Hame grinned at her. “One story says that just before his death, the Face of Boe will impart his great secret. That he will speak those words only to one like himself.”

“What does that mean?” the Doctor asked, his eyes now transfixed on the tank. “It's just a story.”

“Tell me the rest.”

“It's said he'll talk to a wanderers. To the man and child without a home’s.” Novice Hame said, her voice turning almost mystical. Cara looked up at the Doctor; watching his face change instantly.

 “The lonely God and the child of Stars.”

~

“What does that mean?” Cara mumbled tracing her fingers along the tank. “Hmm?” she paused, placing her head in her hands thoughtfully. “Why…why was the Doctor all strange when Novice told him about the story…Why call him the lonely God?”

The Face of Boe stirred, but said nothing. “You know; it would be nice of you to least answer. I know you’re not asleep.” Cara grumbled, a shout of joyful laughed from behind her distracting her from Boe.

The apparent Duke of Manhattan; the one who she was pretty sure meant to be dying or turning to stone. Yet here he was laughing like nothing ever happened.

“What?” Cara breathed out, getting up walking towards him.

~

“Past tense! Completely cured!” the Duke said happily, letting out another shout of laughter.

“Isn’t that impossible?” Cara asked, appearing next to the Doctor who to was looking at the Duke in confusion. “It’s meant to be.”

“Primitive species would accuse us of magic, but it's merely the tender application of science.” said a voice form behind Cara, making her jump. It was another cat nurse; except this one was more…creepy.

The bad feeling that had entered her stomach grew. This cat-person was not good. “How on Earth did you cure him?” the Doctor asked, pulling Cara close to him.

For once she was very happy that he did.

“How on New Earth, you might say.” The nurse replied smoothly. Cara shrank closer to the Doctor. “What's in that solution?” the Doctor said sharply, clearing not falling for the nice act.

“A simple remedy.”

“Then tell me what it is.” The Doctor replied, a challenging tone in his voice. “I'm sorry. Patient confidentiality.” The cat nurse said ‘sweetly’. “I don't believe we've met. My name is Matron Casp.”

‘Oh my god; she runs this crazy place?’

 “I'm the Doctor and this is Cara.” he said stiffly, rubbing Cara’s arm who had almost completely vanished behind him.

“I think you'll find that we're the Doctors here.” Matron Casp said sternly.

 “Matron Casp...” Sister Jatt said, walking towards them. “You're needed in intensive care.”

“If you would excuse me.” Matron said, walking off with Sister Jatt, the two talking in hushed tones. “Awfully suspicious for an intensive car wing, don’t you think?” Cara said, instantly pulling herself away from the Doctors side.

“Yeah,” the Doctor mumbled sounding a little flat; put out almost. “That Matron’s hiding something, something not good.” Cara continued, watching them disappear down the hall way. “Shouldn’t we follow?”

A flicker of a smile flashed onto the Doctor’s face; before disappearing replacing it with what only could be known as a stern ‘you-better-listen-look.’

He was surprisingly good at it. “Cara,”

“Yeah?” she mumbled, already beginning to feel like she should listen. Why did she feel like that?

“Stay with the Face of Boe and don’t move. Okay? I mean it.” The Doctor said, looking down at her. Cara wiggled uneasily.

“Okay…” Cara mumbled, looking down at her sneakers; spotting Rose finally enter Ward 26. “But you better come back soon.”

~

“Ya think the Doctor’s gonna come back soon?” Cara mumbled glancing up at the clock, leaning against the Face of Boe’s tank.

The Doctor and Rose had been gone for over thirty minutes. ‘Relax little one.’  A deep voice chimed in his head. Cara’s eyes widened, turning around. ‘You---you can talk like this?’

The Face of Boe chuckled in her head. ‘Indeed.’

‘That’s so cool.’

‘Did you hear me earlier?’ The Face of Boe wiggled his head, in what Cara guess to be some kind of shrug. ‘Hear is a very—’

“Oww!” Cara hissed, a sharp pain suddenly shooting though her head. ‘Are you alright, little one?’

“It’s,” Cara said needing a second the gather her thoughts. “The Doctor, something happened. Something happened to the Doctor.” she said, jumping up.

Just as a loud alarm sounded out. The cat nurse’s looked around in worry, Cara spotting Sister Jatt and Matron Casp hurry past.

‘The Doctor gonna so mad.’ Cara thought, slipping out of the door following the nurses down the halls and into a secret metal door.

~

“I hate hospitals.” Cara grumbled quietly to herself, walking down the metal steps taking two at a time, just to be able to see the nurses. The Intensive Care unit was intensive; but she was a hundred percent sure it was far from care.

She was in a huge room dark with hundreds, maybe even thousands of green doors and rooms. The entire room giving off sinister dark vibes.

Half of her wanted nothing more than run back, find a corner and hid there forever; but she couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t do that.

“Anything we can do to help?” Matron Casp asked, she and sister Jatt staring down Rose. ‘What the hell is going on?’ Cara thought, ducking behind one of the green door.

For once it was a good thing she was small and short.

“Straight to the point, Whiskers. I want money.” Rose said, but I didn’t sound like Rose. She wasn’t an expert, but she knew Rose’s voice, and it sure as hell wasn’t this. Too pitchy.

“The Sisterhood is a charity. We don't give money. We only...accept.” Matron said, making roll her eyes. ‘Seriously?’

“The Humans across the water pay you a fortune. And that's exactly what I need. A one-off payment. That's all I want...oh, and perhaps a yacht. In return for which, I shall tell the City nothing of your institutional murder. Is that a deal?”

Cara furrowed her eyebrows. ‘Institutional murder? What is she—’ Cara froze, slapping her hand over her mouth, to prevent the scream that wanted to come. She made the unfortunately mistake of looking inside the greed door.

“I'll tell them! And you've no way of stopping me! You're not exactly Nuns with Guns, you're not even armed.” Rose snapped, throwing her hair about.

“Who needs arms when we have claws?” Matron replied, shooting her sharp claws out, hissing menacingly. Rose blinked. “Well, nice try.” she said, spinning around calling out. “Chip? Plan B!” she shouted.

Suddenly the green doors opened, Cara jumped backwards; hiding place be dammed. “What the hell did you do?!” Cara cried, just as the Doctor came out form on of the green rooms.

‘Oh, I’m so screwed.’

“What've you done?!” The Doctor shouted, catching a glimpse of Cara near Sister Jatt. “What the hell are you doing here?!”

“Site seeing?” Cara tried, running to his side, dodging the newly emerging people. “Gave the system a shot of adrenaline, just to wake 'em up. See ya!” Rose said, running off.

 “Don't touch them!” the Doctor shouted, pulling her closer to him blocking her from the flesh. “Whatever you do, don't touch! Come on!” he cried to Cara taking her hand. The two dashing after Rose and Chip.

“I told you to stay upstairs!” the Doctor hollered at her, seeming to decide to kill two bird with one stone; scolding her and chasing after Rose.

“I didn’t listen!” Cara shouted back. “And a good thing to---Ah!” Cara screamed as the doors started to explode open, sparks flying everywhere as they ran.

“Starting to regret it now…”  Cara mumbled skidding to a halt, watching as all the strange zombie-people break out of their cells. “Oh, my God...” Rose gasped, making Cara roll her eyes she did cause this.

“What the hell have you done?” the Doctor snapped, staring out at the thousands, advancing towards them. “It wasn't me!”

“One touch and you get every disease in the world, and I want these bodies safe, Cassandra!” The Doctor yelled, looking pointy at Rose; gesturing between her and Rose.

 “Who’s Cassandra?!” Cara cried, Rose smiled at her taking her hand. “Cassandra: the Last Human, pleasure to meet you.”

“But, Rose? What are you her evil twin? Actually, what is happening?!” Cara shouted, the zombie people advancing on them causing them to edge closer together.

Cara pressed between Rose and The Doctor. “Doc? What do we do?”

“We've gotta go down!” The Doctor said pointing to the stairs. “But there's thousands of them!” Cassandra-Rose whined in fear. “She makes a good point.” Cara added, just as one of the zombie lunged for them.

“Run! Down! Down! Go down!” the Doctor shouted, as they broke into a run down the steps; Cassandra-Rose in lead, with Chip, Cara and then the Doctor.

“Keep going! Go down!”

~

Cassandra-Rose, Chip, Cara and the Doctor, burst thought the door of the hospital basement. Cassandra-Rose instantly flying to the lifts, slamming her fingers against the buttons.

“I won’t work. There’s a quarantine. Everything would be frozen.” Cara said instantly, looking around wrinkling her nose. ‘It stinks in here.’

‘Really? Now?’ the Doctor echoed in her mind, shooting her a look. Cara shrugged. ‘What?’

“This way!” Cassandra cried, running the other way. “Again!” Cara groaned, as she and the Doctor began following her. They hadn’t gotten far, when a loud whimper was heard from behind them.

They had left Chip behind and the zombies had made their way down.

“Someone will touch him!” the Doctor cried, starting to go back, Cassandra catching his arm. “Leave him! He's just a clone thing, he's only got a half-life! Come on!”

“We can’t just leave him!” Cara shouted back, the Doctor pulling her behind him, as the zombies began to full up the room. “Mistress!”

“Cara go!” the Doctor shouted, have shoving her out the door to Cassandra. “Bu--Doctor!”

~

“I can’t believe we just left him there.” Cara said sadly. Cassandra slamming the door behind them. They were in another room, one with a giant machine, bad plumbing and once again a horrendous stench.

“Well, you’re welcome to go back if you want.” Cassandra snapped. “Hey!” The Doctor said warningly, waving his sonic around. Cassandra said nothing, trying another door, before slamming it shut again.

It quite clear they were trapped, well beside the little ladder thing. The Doctor smiled at her, an echo of ‘Clever girl.’ entering her mind as he rubbed her shoulder comfortingly.

It was odd, but she felt better already.

“We're trapped! What're we going to do?” Cassandra wailed.  “Well, for starters, you're going to leave that body.” The Doctor said angrily walking towards her, gesturing to the strange machine. “That psychograft is banned on every civilized planet! You're compressing Rose to death.”

“Wait, Cassandra’s in Rose’s mind.” Cara asked, though was really more of a statement. The Doctor nodded.

“But I've got nowhere to go. My original skin's dead.” she said, gazing at the ladder; Cara spotting a small tank thingy with a brain inside. Cara rolled her eyes. ‘Typical.’

“Not my problem. You can float as atoms in the air. Now, get out.” he said, pointing his sonic at her, Cara didn’t know what it would do, but she had feeling she didn’t want to know. “Give her back to me.”

 “You asked for it.” Cassandra said taking a deep breath. A cloud of smoke coming out of Rose entering the Doctor’s. “Wh-” Cara started, glancing at the Doctor waiting, something seemed to be happening; but she couldn’t tell what, not even mentally.

The Doctor must have blocked her or something. Can you even block people mentally?

“Blimey, my head...” Rose groaned, sounding more like herself, as she looked around the room then directly at Cara. “Where'd she go...?”

Cara pointed at the Doctor who straighten up weirdly. “Oh, my. This is...different.”

“Cassandra?”
“Yep.” Cara mumbled, as the Doctor wriggled around weirdly.  

“Goodness me, I'm a man. Yum. So many parts! And hardly used...” Cassandra-Doctor said, once again beginning to wriggle around wildly. “Ah…ah! Two hearts! Oh, baby, I'm beating out a samba!”

Cara covered her mouth, trying to laugh. It seemed rather inappropriate providing the situation. “Get out of him.” Rose cried instantly.

 “Ooh, he's slim.” Cassandra said, running a hand down the Doctor’s body. Cara bit her lower lip. ‘Do not laugh.’

“And a little bit foxy.” he said suddenly. Cara making a face. ‘Yuck.’

 “You've thought so too. I've been inside your head...” Cassandra teased coming closer to Rose, making Cara gag from behind her. “You've been looking…you like it!”

 The zombie people suddenly burst through the doors making them all jump.

“What do we do? What would he do? The Doctor! What the hell would he do?!” Cassandra cried, slapping Rose’s arm. Cara already looking up the ladder thing. It went all the way up.

“Ladder! Come on!” she cried, waving towards it. “Out of the way, Blondie!” Cassandra-Doctor shouted, shoving past Rose.

Cara already expecting her reaction, simply dodging it allowing her to go first. “Go on!” Rose said, picking her up, putting her higher up on the ladder, before following herself.

~

“If you get out of the Doctor's body, he can think of something.” Rose shouted form behind Cara. “Yap yap yap...God, it was tedious inside your head. Hormone City.” Cassandra replied calmly.

“Look I know you want to stay or something; but we’re all going to die if—” Cara started, just as Rose let out a scream. “Get off!” she shouted, Cara glancing over her shoulder to see none other than Matron Casp. ‘Oh, come on!’

“All our good work! All that healing!”

Cassandra-Doctor rolled his eyes.
“The good name of the Sisterhood... you have destroyed everything!”

 “Oh, go and play with a ball of string.” The Doctor said dismissively. The Matron hissed. “Everywhere…Disease! This is the Human World. Sickness!” she cried, before letting out a loud wail of pain, her face beginning to break out in boils.

“No,” Cara breathed out, watching the Matron fall down the shaft. The zombies were here; and while they may hope for it. The ladder was going to end soon.

“Move! Go! Go!” Rose shouted, as they climbed higher.

Cara quickly shut her eyes; dearly hoping that he would somehow hear her.

‘Doctor. Help us. Please…’

Chapter 7: Goodbye New Earth and Cassandra

 

 

                                                                                                               

 

“Now what do we do?” Cassandra whined, banging against the locked door. Cara glanced behind her. They zombies were getting closer. “Rose, there getting closer.”

“Use the sonic screwdriver.” Rose said. Cassandra-Doctor taking out of the Doctor’s pocket holding it dangerous, her nose, well his nose wrinkled. “Careful!” Cara warned.

“Yay ya.” Cassandra replied. “You mean this thing?”

“Yes, I mean that thing.” Rose said tiredly. Cara couldn’t blame her, Cassandra was exhausting. “Well, I don't know how. That Doctor's hidden away all his thoughts.”

‘Clever. Wonder if I could do that?’ Cara thought.

“Cassandra, go back into me, the Doctor can open it. Do it!” Rose ordered, Cassandra sighed. “Hold on tight.” she said, turning into smoke and leaping back into Rose.

“Oh…Chavtastic. Open it!” Cassandra-Rose shouted, at the Doctor. “Not 'til you get out of her.” he growled. Cara groaned, having a feeling how this was going to go. “There gaining on us!”

“We need the Doctor.” Cassandra shouted. “I order you to leave her!” the Doctor yelled back. Cassandra obliged; leaping back into the Doctor. “No matter how difficult the situation, there is no need to shout.”

“Cassandra, get out of him!” Rose yelled, Cara tightening her grip on the ladder. Her arms were starting to hurt. ‘Come on…’

“But I can't go into you, he simply refuses...he's so rude.”

“I don't care. Just do something.” Rose replied. Cassandra-Doctor sighed, looking down at Cara. “Well I guess you’ll do.” she mumbled, turning to smoke and leaping into her.

“Cassandra, no!” shouted Rose, though it sounded muffled like someone had glued earmuffs on her.

Cara took back; every single moment she whined about her headaches. This was the top trump. Imagine a normal headache then times that by a thousand and then add someone constantly kicking in the shin repeatedly.

That would give you about a fraction of what she was feeling.

She felt like she was screaming; the silent kind that seemed loud even though no noise came out of her mouth.

“CASSANDRA!” The Doctor roared, he must have been really yelling; because even half deaf she could hear him. “You get out of her! You get out of her right now! Or else-”

“You and the yelling. I don’t really see the pr--”
“Your killing her! I’m warning you, if there is just one scratch on her mind I will--!

“Alright, alright.” Cassandra snapped, it was strange, she could hear her voice, but it definably did not sound like that. “Oh, I am so gonna regret this...” she mumbled, jumping out of Cara.

Cara’s body sagged in relief, her brain was swimming, so much so she could t even construct her thoughts right. She didn’t remember letting go of the ladder or climbing up; but the first thing that came into focus that she was tucking in the Doctor’s arms, as he set her down into the now opened door.

Setting her down gently on the floor, Cara not even bothering to protest of getting up. She couldn’t explain the feeling, it was like she was drained. Completely drained.

“That was your last warning, Cassandra!” the Doctor snapped, a little quieter than before.

Cassandra-Rose didn’t seem to hear him; simply staring into space. “Inside her head... they're so alone... they keep reaching out, just to hold us... all their lives and they've never been touched.” she whispered.

 The Doctor held out a hand, helping her up. Before bending down scooping Cara up; who rested her head against him.

~

“Ahhh!” Frau Clovis yelled running at them, brandish a chair around wildly. “We're safe! We're safe! We're safe. We're clean! We're clean! Look, look.” the Doctor called out, showing her one of his hands, balancing Cara on his knee.

‘Where does he learn this stuff?’

“Show me your skin.” she said suspiciously. “Look! Clean. Look... if we'd been touched, we'd be dead.” he said reasonably.

 Frau Clovis nodded setting the chair down. The Doctor turned around, setting Cara down next to the Face of Boe.

“You okay, hey, hey. Alright?” he said, worriedly looking her over. Cara nodded, the effects of Cassandra’s jump wearing off.

 “I’m so sorry, I didn’t react fast enough. I didn’t think she’d go into you.” The Doctor mumbled, stroking her hair. Cara subconsciously leaning into the hand. “It’s not your fault, I sucky at handling having people jump into my brain.” she joked lightly.

“You too young, mind hadn’t even developed. I don’t how bad the damage is…” the Doctor continued, she could feel him in her head, poking about. “Can’t tell, maybe a deeper look would—

“Ehem?” Cassandra started the Doctor shooting her a dark look, returning his attention to Cara. “Maybe—”

“Doc.” Cara said, stopping him. “This can wait, it’s not important. I’m fine.”

“It is important. It’s you.” The Doctor said instantly. Cara paused swallowing, before pulling a smile on her face. “Save the world, then I’ll let you run, whatever test you want. And I won’t whine I promise.”

The Doctor paused, seeming to consider this. “Deal.” he said ruffling her hair, turning his attention the Ward, but hovering around near her. “So, how's it going up here? What's the status?”

“There's nothing but silence from the other wards. I think we're the only ones left. And I've been trying to override the quarantine.” Frau Clovis reported, fiddling with a small device in her hands. “If I can trip a signal over to New New York, they can send a private executive squad.”

“You can't do that. If they forced entry, they'd break quarantine.” The Doctor said instantly. “I am not dying in here.” Frau Clovis snapped.

“We can't let a single particle of disease get out. There is ten million people in that City, they'd all be at risk! Now, turn that off!” The Doctor ordered.

“Not if it gets me out.” Frau Clovis hissed back, glaring at him.

“All right, fine.” The Doctor said angrily. So I have to stop you lot as well. Suits me. Rose. Novice Hame. Everyone! Except you, Cara.”

“Yay!” Cara said dryly, patting the Face of Boe’s tank. It appeared her Time Totness (that was it right…Right?) made her recovery while taxing, much faster; not hundred percent, but she was slowly beginning to feel better.

“Excuse me your grace. Get me intravenous solutions for every single disease. Move it!” The Doctor shouted. Everyone ran around, gathering the multi-coloured solutions. Cara helping the Doctor find a rope.

(The Doctor making faces at her for not resting; but Cara simply stuck her tongue out at him and tossed him the rope), as he tied it around himself.

Grabbing the solutions the inhabitants of the Ward had gathered; she and Cassandra began attaching the solutions onto the Doctor. “How's that? Will that do?” he asked.

“I hope so.” Cara said, tying the last one slowly trying to piece together the Doctor’s plan.
“I don't know! Will it do for what?” Cassandra asked.

The Doctor ignoring her question walking past her to the lifts sonicing them open. “The lifts aren't working.” Cassandra said she and Cara behind him. The Doctor peered down the shaft. “Not moving. Different thing.” he replied.

Cara looked down. “So what’s the plan?” she asked.

“Here we go.”
But you're not going to-!”

“Huh?” Cara asked, turning around, just as the Doctor leapt into the middle of the shaft clinging to a metal pole thing. “Doctor!”

“What do you think you're doing?!” Cassandra cried. Cara shaking her head. “Being stupid.” she grumbled under her breath, finally understanding the Doctor’s plan. “There are easier ways; you know. Could have just go a few floor down…”

“Come on then!” he cried, gesturing to Rose. “Not in a million years.” Cassandra replied, looking at him disdainfully.

“I need another pair of hands and not yours.” The Doctor added, shooting Cara a look. The younger rolled her eyes, pouting. “But I wanna zip-line…”

“What do you think?” The Doctor asked, glancing at Cassandra-Rose. “If you're so desperate to stay alive. Why don't you live a little?”

Just then, more zombies had appeared from the next room. “Oh, come on!” Cara groaned, as the doors to Ward 26 shut behind them.

“Least I get to zip-line!” she squealed, jumping into the Doctor’s arms. “Hope you can carry both of us.”

“Please, I’m the Doctor.” The Doctor replied cockily. Cara rolled her eyes, holding tightly onto the Doctor’s neck. “Least I know, if we fall your ego might just save us.”

“And she say’s I’m rude.” The Doctor grumbled playfully.

Cassandra screamed, suddenly jumping in, gripping onto the Doctor from behind. Cara having to duck to prevent herself from getting squished. “You're completely mad. I can see why she likes you.” Cassandra said cheekily.

 “Going down!”

~

They whizzed down the shaft, screaming like mad people; though Cara’s was more of delight than fear (something you could not say for Cassandra). Releasing the Doctor, Cara jumped onto the roof of the lift.

“Well, that's one way to lose weight.” Cassandra said, straightening her clothes.

“We’re directly above it.” Cara reported, opening the trapdoor, popping her head into the lift. The Doctor nodded. “Now, listen. When I say so, take hold of that lever.” he said to Cassandra. “There's still a quarantine down there, we can't!” Cassandra snapped back.

“Hold that lever!” the Doctor said, Cassandra backing down instantly, doing what he asked off her.

“I'm cooking up a cocktail. I know a bit about medicine myself.” he mumbled, ripping the solution packet, pouring it into the clear container where; Cara guessing where the disinfectant went.

“Well, that’s hygienic.” Cara said dryly taking the empty packets from him.

“Now, that lever's going to resist. But keep it in position.” he instructed, opening the trapdoor to the lift. Cara sitting next to Cassandra-Rose, placing a hand on the lever. “Hold onto it with everything you've got.”

“What about you?” Cassandra asked, glancing at the trapdoor.

“I've got an appointment. The Doctor is in.” he said, grinning at them. “How long have you been saving that one?” Cara asked, smirking. The Doctor chuckled, dropping down into the lift.

“I'm in here, come on!” the Doctor shouted, beckoning towards the infected zombie people. “Don't tell them!” Cassandra hissed. “Then what’s the point?” Cara said, looking down at the Doctor. “Pull that lever! Come and get me, come on! I'm in here, come on!”

 Commence stage one: disinfection.

“Hurry up, come on!”

Cara smiled, as the solution rained down on the infected; soaking them properly. “Come on, come on. All they wanna do is pass it on. Pass it on!” The Doctor shouted joyfully; Cara laughing from above him.

“Pass on what? Pass on what?!” Cassandra asked her. Cara smiled at her, giving her a cheekily wink. “You’ll see...”

~

“What did they pass on? Did you kill them? All of them?” Cassandra asked, as she and Cara jumped out of the lift.

“No. That's your way of doing things.” The Doctor said, walking into the room. The infected people had been cured, totally cured. No boils, no sickly look about them.

They looked like people; normal and slightly dazed people.

“I'm the Doctor and I cured them.” he said proudly, looking around at the New Humans.

 A small woman coming up and hugging the Doctor. “That's right! Hey, hey! There we go, sweetheart!” he said gently, hugging her back. The woman looking at Cara with interest; before wrapping her in a tight hug too.

“This is nice.” Cara said, the new human’s hug so warm. Cara could feel the joy and warmth from echoing form the woman. So happy that she could be touched. “Aww…bye.” Cara said, waving; as the woman walked off sitting down.

“It's a new sub-species, Cassandra!” The Doctor said, rubbing a man around the shoulders; grinning at him. “A brand new form of life! New Humans! Look at them, look! Grown by cats... kept in the dark, fed by tubes, but completely! Completely alive!” he exclaimed his face alive with joy.

Cara laughing as she twirled around the New Human’s, most of them eagerly reaching out to her, wide-eyed and happy. So truly happy.

“You can't deny them, because you helped create them.” The Doctor said, excitedly pointing to Cassandra; who rolled her eyes. “New Humans; brilliant!” Cara said, smiling.

“The human race just keeps on going. Keeps on changing. Life will out! Ha!”

~

This is the NNYPD. Please step away from the shuttles. All staff will present themselves to the officers for immediate arrest. I repeat...immediate arrest. All new life forms will be catalogued and taken into care.

The PA sounded, when they walked into Ward 26, spotting Novice Hame who had just been lead away by a police officer. “You know, I thought we’d have had robot officers by now.” Cara said, watching as the police did their work.

“Don’t worry, only a few decades away.” The Doctor replied, patting her shoulder.

All visitors to the hospital will be required to make a statement to the NNYPD.

“Face of Boe!” the Doctor cried, dashing off into the Ward. “I can’t believe we forgot him!” Cara called from behind him.

“You were supposed to be dying.” The Doctor said cheekily skidding to a halt in front of Boes’s tank. The Face of Boe was looking much better than he did a few hours ago. ‘There are better things to do today. Dying can wait.’

“Oh, I hate telepathy.” Cassandra complained. “Just what I need, a head full of big face.”

“Tell me about; I had you in my head.” Cara shot back, making the Doctor snort.

‘I have grown tired with the universe, Doctor, but you and your child have taught me to look at it anew.’

 Cara looked down, blushing lightly.

“There are legends you know, saying that you're millions of years old.” The Doctor said bending down in front of the tank. The Face of Boe chuckled. ‘There are? That would be impossible.’

“Wouldn't it just? I got the impression...there was something you wanted to tell us.” The Doctor said waving over to Cara, who shyly walked forward, bending down.

‘A great secret.’
“So the legend says.”
‘It can wait.’

“Wha-Why?” Cara whined, the Doctor nodding, looking quite put-out. “Oh, does it have to?”

‘We shall meet again, Doctor and Cara for the third time... for the last time...and the truth shall be told. Until that day...’ he said, the whole tank glowing before vanishing from site.

“Did you see that?” Cara breathed out, staring at the Doctor. “That is enigmatic. That... that is... that is textbook enigmatic.” The Doctor said nodding at the space where the tank had been.

“You can say that again.”

“That was textbook enigmatic.” he said ruffling her hair, getting up facing Cassandra-Rose. “And now for you.”

 “But... everything's happy. Everything's fine... can't you just leave me?” Cassandra moaned. “You've lived long enough. Leave that body and end it, Cassandra.” The Doctor said sharply, Cara could tell he didn’t like this, but it had to be done.

 “I don't want to die!” Cassandra cried, beginning to cry.  “No one does.” The Doctor said gently. “Help me!”

“I can't.”

 “Mistress!” Chip shouted, suddenly appearing like a ghost. “Ah! You're alive!” Cassandra said, staring at Chip in surprise.

“I kept myself safe. For you, mistress.” Chip said, his eyes wide. “A body... and not just that, a volunteer...” Cassandra murmured softly.

“Don't you dare.” The Doctor said warningly. “He's got a life of his own.”

“But I worship the mistress!” Chip replied, Cassandra-Rose winking at him. “I welcome her.”

“You can't, Cassandra, you...”

Cassandra ignored him, leaping into Chip's body instantly. Rose fell forward, gasping the Doctor lunging to catch her. “Oh! You all right?” Rose paused, before losing her balance again. “Whoa! Okay?”

“Yeah.” Rose said eventually getting her bearing, smiling up at the Doctor. “Hello!” she said, once again Cara deciding to avert her gaze, giving them some privacy. “Hello. Welcome back.” The Doctor greeted, releasing her gently.

“Oh, sweet Lord. I'm a walking doodle.” Cassandra said snarky. Cara shaking her head at him. “You can't stay in there, Cassandra. You can’t possible enjoy living like that; jumping from person to person.”

“That's not fair. I can take you to the City. They can build you a skin tank and you can stand trial for what you've done.” The Doctor said, staring at Cassandra-Chip.

“Well, that would be rather dramatic. Possibly my finest hour. And certainly my finest hat. But I'm afraid we don't have time. Poor little Chip is only a half-life. And he's been through so much. His heart is racing so. He's failing. I don't think he's going to last...” Chip said, his legs suddenly giving way.

The Doctor and Rose, catching him just in time, setting him down on the floor. “You all right?” the Doctor asked.

“I'm fine.” Cassandra-Chip paused seeming to struggling to find the words. “I'm dying.”

“I know.” Cara said bending down sitting across from him, Cassandra-Chip nodded seeming to take in this information. “But that's fine.” he said, slowly. “That’s alright.”

Cara nodded. “It is.” she said, somehow strangely enough, feeling it. While there was pain; there was calmness a kind she hadn’t experienced from Cassandra before.

“I’m scared, but its—its going to be okay? Isn’t it?” Cassandra asked, not looking and the Doctor or Rose; but at Cara. Cara paused, seeming to be thinking rather deeply about this question. “Yes. I think it will be.” she said slowly.

Cassandra nodded, seeming to relax. “I can take you to the City.” The Doctor started.

Cassandra shook his head. “No, you won't. Everything's new on this planet. There's no place for Chip and me anymore. You're right. It's time to die.” Cassandra said, looking at Cara smiling. “And that's good.” he said warmly.

The Doctor and Rose shared a look, helping Cassandra-Chip to his feet.

“Come on. There's one last thing I can do.”

~

Cara sat on the bottom steps of the TARDIS. A strange feeling overcoming her. Cassandra was dead. Shutting her eyes, Cara took a deep breath, before looking up at the roof of the TARDIS.

She couldn’t explain the feeling inside her. A strange one. She was sad, but no entirely. She didn’t seem to feel bad or guilty about Cassandra’s death. Just---

‘Acceptance.’ the thought echoing in her mind. The Doctor walking to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Cara patted it with her own hand.

She was at peace.

At least for now.

 

 

 

Chapter 8: Cara and the Doctor: Proxima Centauri

 

 

                                                                                                     

 

 

“Alright,” the Doctor said, removing the last medical alien device he had. “You are official issued a clean bill of health. You’re fine.”

“Could have told you that.” Cara said, jumping off the bed; true to her word she had been silent the entire time the Doctor was bleeping her, pointing things at her and basically giving her a full body check-up, mind included.

“I have to make sure.” the Doctor said, tucking away his devices. “You have no idea, what kind of damage Cassandra could have done to you. You might not have recovered from it.”

“I know, but…” Cara paused not sure how to end her sentence.

How could she say it; how could she say that it wasn’t important, that it didn’t matter; because she didn’t. How could she say, that that his kindness scared her. Because one day, he might not be.

How could she say, that she was scared that if she got too close she might get burned again.

“You had more important things to do.” she said, shooting him a smile, turning to the door. “Kay, I’m gonna go---”

“You matter, Cara.” The Doctor said softly, making her freeze. “You are the only thing that matters.”

Once again, the mind-reading had been forgotten on her part. Stupid. “You’re not stupid.” The Doctor said, calmly. “Please stop…” Cara mumbled, sitting back down on the bed. “Please don’t lie.”

“What do you mean?” the Doctor said, turning around looking at her. The eye contract was still strange to her, usually she would always avoid it. But with the Doctor (as much as she tried) she couldn’t avoid his.

“I’m the only thing that matters,” Cara repeated. “Come on Doc, we both know that’s not true.” she mumbled, glancing to a corner of the room. “You just don’t wanna admit it…It’s not bad or anything, I just…I--”

‘I don’t want to get in the way…’

“Cara, Cara look at me, please.” the Doctor said, gently tucking some of her hair behind her ear. “Love is a hard thing, it comes and goes, but one thing I’ve learned is that—I can’t love someone in the way that you’re thinking. They may be able to spend their entire lives with me, but I can’t do the same for them.”

“And I know, how Rose feels, but my priorities; they aren’t her—”
“But, they could be. If I wasn’t around you could—”

“No. If you weren’t around…It wouldn’t have been better…Not in the slightest. But you Cara, you’re my Time Tot and I know, you don’t understand that—not yet, but in any situation, all the time, every time. You come first.” The Doctor said, a soft smile as he continued to stroke her hair.

“Rose is my friend, and I love her very much; as my friend. You are my child, Cara. You’re my daughter and it’s okay if, you don’t see me like a father and it’s alright if you can’t accept that right now.”

“But I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.” The Doctor said, wiping a stray tear from her face. Cara touched, her cheek, she hadn’t even noticed she was crying. “Promise?” she whispered.

“Promise.”

~

“So, one chance?” the Doctor said, fidgeting with his sonic. “Hmm?” Cara said, looking up, too preoccupied, watching the Doctor, tossing the sonic. It was so cool.

“One chance,” the Doctor repeated, pausing in his sonic flipping. “If you want to go home, Cara…it’s okay, wouldn’t blame you after Cassandra and the infected...I could come too, stay in…London…get a….flat and…a job...” the Doctor spluttered, seeming terrified at the prospect.

“Doc—”
“It would be different, but a safe environment would be the best…Yes, I’ll tell Rose, drop her home—”
“Doc—”
“Normal life can’t be that bad--I mean humans do it all the time.”

“Doctor!” Cara called out, sharply cutting him off. “I want to stay.” she said, the TARDIS making the lights flicker like mad. “You do?”

Cara nodded. “Yeah, the hospital was—terrifying and dangerous, but it was also—the most brilliant experience of my life. And I’m sure I’ve lived a lot less than you, so I don’t have much to compare to. I want to stay, with you. And the TARIDS.” Cara added.

The Doctor smiled, a big infectious smile that instantly made her grin too. “Fantastic!”

~
“Where are we going?” Cara giggled, as the Doctor dragged her to the console room. “Anywhere. What’s the one place you’ve always wanted to go to?” the Doctor asked, flipping down levers and flicking on switches.

Cara paused, suddenly glancing at the TARDIS doors. “Are we near Earth?”

“Orbiting ‘round Jupiter, why?”

Cara ran to the door, yanking them open. Looking out the stars, she could find. “There.” Cara said pointing to a far off star. It was small, but bright. A strong illuminating light that made you feel as if the star possessed magic.

“Proxima Centauri!” the Doctor cried, in joy sticking his head out. “Good choice, lovely place, gorgeous planets; huge things. Let’s go!” he cried, flipping big lever; the TARIDS Noise filling the room.

Cara laughed, shutting the door and they were off.

~

Cronarus Mobius, a planet orbiting Proxima Centauri was the greatest place she ever stepped foot on. (Though she felt like that would change quite a bit)

It was bright place, despite the light of their star barely reaching them; filled with lilac plants due to Proximx’s ‘cold light and lack of warmth.

Apparently in three hundred years, the star with turn into a cold star. Despite this, the place had the kindest creatures called, Flowasrs. Inhabitants that were like giant butterfly’s and birds with long wings that felt like pure silk, and slipped through her fingers.

It rained flowers and the trees talked of magic and mystery threw thought and angelic like songs.

After dancing though the flowers and running on the water, she and the Doctor had travelled to Alirairs.

A planet in a far off galaxy that rained starlight, and had crystal as lightbulbs not to mention the best ice-cream she and ever eaten.

They had so much fun, laughing and talking and having fun. They hadn’t even noticed the time…

~

“I still can’t believe you; duelled the Granderliermaster and ate a pear ice-cream, to convince them we were dignitaries!” Cara giggled, taking a spoonful of her ice-cream as the Doctor opened the TARDIS door.

“Well, it’s quite easy if you spit it—Oh!” the Doctor paused, Cara peaking over his shoulder.

“Oh, there you are.” Rose said awkwardly, standing in the middle of the room. “Wondering where you gone.” she mumbled, spotting Cara from behind him.

“Oh, we just went out, got ice-cream while you were sleeping.” The Doctor said lightly, Rose nodded. “Ah, so where’d you two go?” she asked.

“Oh, well just Proxima Centauri,” The Doctor answered. Rose bit her lip. “Never been there, why, why didn’t you wake me.”

Cara glancing at the Doctor; that was a surprisingly good question. Why didn’t they wake Rose? She had forgotten (then again she never really knew Rose that well; only really talking to her when Cassandra inhabited her body) but the Doctor and Rose seemed to be extremely close.

“Didn’t want to disturb you; humans and their sleep. Cara and I don’t really need much and she napped a while; before I gave her a check-up. So, I decided we should go have some fun.” The Doctor said, lightly, but Cara could hear a light edge in his voice. “Problem?”

Rose shook her head. “No, no.” she said shaking her head, watching Cara as she jumped out from behind the Doctor; patting the TARDIS, watching it glow, and making a noise.

“Not at all.”

Chapter 9: Mental Conversations and Queen Victoria

 

                                                                                                   

 

 

 

There was tension. Not a lot; but it was there.

It had been a few weeks, after she and the Doctor ‘ran’ away. While Rose seemed a little miffed at them, she didn’t seem angry. Well as far as she knew.

Which was good, Cara hated to having been a dependence on the Doctor already, she didn’t want it to affect his friend too. Still it was rather hard to talk to Rose.

The TARDIS began flickering her lights angrily at her. “Alright, alright relax.” Cara grumbled. “I’m going. I’m going…” she said, walking towards the console room.

“I can take you to the Battle of Trafalgar, the first anti-gravity Olympics, Caesar crossing the Rubicon or…Ian Dury at the Top Rank, Sheffield, England, Earth, 21st November, 1979.”

“I have no idea, what you just said.” Cara said, walking in. “What’s an Ian Dury?”

“You don’t know?!” Rose and the Doctor cried, staring at her wide eyed. “No…” Cara said slowly, staring at them. “Am I meant to?”

“Sheffield it is!” Rose said, grinning at Cara, making her smile. Maybe she was starting to warm up to her. “You’re gonna love it.”

“Hold on tight.” The Doctor said, pulling a lever down. Making them all lurch forwards, Cara gripping onto the console, as they spun thought the Time Vortex.

“Ah Haha!” the Doctor yelled, running around like a madman, whacking the console with a hammer to the music. “I don’t think she likes that!” Cara shouted, feeling the TARDIS’s annoyance at him.

Just as the TARDIS lurched forwards again, the movement stopping, making them topple to the floor, laughing. “That never gets old.” Cara breathed out jumping up, pulling the Doctor’s hand, who pulled Rose’s hand helping them all stand up.

“1979. Hell of a year!” he said, running to the door, grabbing his jacket. Cara already waiting by the door.

 “China invades Vietnam...The Muppet Movie! Love that film. Margaret Thatcher...urgh...Skylab falls to Earth with a little help from me; nearly took off my thumb.” The Doctor said, Cara opening the door, running out into…A field. “This is Ian Dury?” she asked, looking around.

“I like my thumb. I need my thumb. I'm very attached to…”he faltered staring at a bunch of soldiers, there gun’s raised, Cara holding her hands, up looking more annoyed than afraid.

“...my thumb.” he said, raising his hands up, Rose doing the same, as the guns clicked. “1879, Doctor.” Cara said, slowly edging nearer to him.

“Same difference.”
“It’s really not.” Cara replied, just as a man on a horse spoke up.

“You will explain your presence. And the nakedness of this girl and the impropriety of the other one.” The man said in a Scottish accent. Were they were in Scotland? Cool. Cara thought, glancing down at herself. ‘What’s improper about jeans?’

‘1879. Woman and girls only started wearing jeans in the 1960’s.’ the Doctor thought, turning to the man. “Are we in Scotland?” he asked, in a perfect Scottish accent.

‘How the hell did you do that?’
‘Language.’
‘You say it.’
‘Doesn’t mean you have too.’

 “How can you be ignorant of that?” the man asked, interrupting the mental conversation.

“Oh, I'm... I'm dazed and confused. I've been chasing this...this wee naked child over hill and over dale. Isn’t that right, ya...timorous beastie?” The Doctor said, glancing Rose; who nodded, speaking up. “Ooch, aye! I've been oot and aboot.” she said, in a (hilariously) but terrible Scottish accent.

“No, don't do that.” The Doctor said, Cara biting her lower, to stop herself from giggling. “Hoots mon!”

Cara snorted. “No, really don't. Really.” The Doctor said, nudging Cara with his shoe. She got the message. Shut up and don’t laugh.

“Will you identify yourself, sir?”

“I'm Doctor James McCrimmon. From the...Township of Balamory. Eh...I have my credentials, if I may…” he said gesturing towards his pocket. The Captain nodded, as the Doctor reached into his pocket, pulling out his psychic paper. Rose and Cara putting down there hands, Cara wishing she brought a warmer jacket.

“As you can see, a Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh. I trained under Doctor Bell himself.” The Doctor said, showing the psychic paper around.

“Let them approach.” came a sharp voice from the carriage at the guards were armed around. “I don't think that's wise, ma'am.”

“Let them approach.” The voice insisted. The Doctor gestured to the carriage, towards the carriage. “You will approach the carriage. And show all due deference.” The man said, tucking the gun back to his side.

‘What’s all due deference mean?’ Cara asked, as they walked towards the carriage. ‘Respect and compliance.’ The Doctor replied, staring at the carriage.

A Carriage that held Queen Victoria.

 “Rose, Cara...might I introduce her Majesty Queen Victoria. Empress of India and Defender of the Faith.” The Doctor introduced, smiling. “Rose Tyler, Ma'am.” Rose said, curtsying lightly. “And my apologies...for being so naked.”

“I've had five daughters. It's nothing to me.” The Queen said, glancing over at Cara. “Cara, I presume.”

“Yes, Ma’am. A pleasure to meet you.” Cara said, dipping her head lightly. “Beautiful manners.” Queen Victoria said, turning to the Doctor. “But you, Doctor...show me these credentials.” she said, the Doctor handing her his psychic paper.

“Why didn't you say so immediately? It states clearly here that you have been appointed by the Lord Provost as my Protector.” The Queen said, looking up at them.

“Does it?” the Doctor said, sounding too surprised, Cara shooting him a look. “Yes, it does! Good! Good! Um...then let me ask...Why is Your Majesty travelling by road when there's a train all the way to Aberdeen?”

“A tree on the line.” The Queen replied, stonily.

“An accident?”

“I am the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Everything around me tends to be planned.”

“An assassination attempt?” Cara blurted out, unable to keep quiet any longer. “What, seriously? There's people out to kill ya?” Rose said, in surprise.

“I'm quite used to staring down the barrel of a gun.” The Queen replied calmly. ‘So assassination attempt.’ Cara deduced.

“Sir Robert MacLeish lives but ten miles hence. We'll send word ahead, he'll shelter us for tonight. Then we can reach Balmoral tomorrow.” The man on the horse informed.

“This Doctor and his daughter will come with us. And his…timorous beastie as well.” The Queen stated. Cara smiling shyly, the Doctor beaming next to her; like a child on Christmas day.

“Yes, Ma'am. We'd better get moving, it's almost nightfall.”

“Indeed. And there are stories of wolves in these parts. Fanciful tales intended to scare the children.” The Queen said, shooting Cara a soft smile. “But good for the blood, I think. Drive on!”

Rose grinned at the Doctor, as the door closed.

The Doctor taking the Cara’s hand, as they walked behind the carriage. “It's funny though, 'cos you say ‘assassination’ and you just think of Kennedy and stuff. Not her.” Rose said walking next to the Cara, who was between them. Another thing that was happening a lot.

“1879... she's had... ooh... six attempts on her life?” The Doctor said squeezing her hand.
“Seven counting this one.” Cara added.

“And I'll tell you something else: we just met Queen Victoria!”

“I know!”
“What a laugh!”

“Amazing!” Cara giggled, skipping to keep up with them. “She was just sitting there!”

“Like a stamp.”

“All regal and pristine.” Cara said fancily. “I want her to say ‘We are not amused’. I bet you five quid I can make her say it.” Rose said, lightly slapping the Doctor’s arm.

Cara grinned; falling back a little. The odd cold, bad feeling like the one at the hospital entering her. ‘No, no, not now…’

“Well, if I gambled on that, it'd be an abuse of my privileges of traveller in time.” The Doctor said, not seeming to notice her worry. Good.

“Ten quid?”
“Done.”

~

After about half an hour of walking; they finally made it to a large rustic building. Cara shivered, the chill of her bad feeling, running up her spine. More than the cold. ‘Okay?’

He’d been pestering her; for 15 minutes straight. ‘I am not pestering!’

Cara swallowed hard trying to drown her mind of thought, the annoying thing is; the more you try not thinking the less you succeed.

‘That’s not going to work Cara. Cara, Cara, what’s wrong?’

“You’re Majesty.”

“Sir Robert. My apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?” the Queen asked, Cara shifting uncomfortable on her feet, feeling the Doctor’s eyes on her, both mentally and physically.

‘Cara, you can’t ignore me when I’m in your head.’

 “She's... indisposed, I'm afraid. She's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her, the kitchens are barely stocked...I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on.” Sir Robert said, almost nervously. He didn’t seem to want to Queen to stay.

‘Strange.’ Cara thought loudly. The Doctor rolled his eyes. ‘Really?’

“Oh, not at all! I've had quite enough carriage exercise. And this is...charming. If rustic. It's my first visit to this house.” The Queen said cheerfully. “My late husband spoke of it often. The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside?”

“And please excuse the naked girl.” Queen Victoria added. “Sorry.” Rose mumbled.

“She's a feral child. I bought her for sixpence in old London Town. It was her or the Elephant Man, so...” The Doctor joked, glancing at Cara attempting to get a smile out of her.

Rose smiled tightly. “Thinks he's funny but I'm so not amused.” Rose said, looking pointedly at Queen Victoria. “What do you think, Ma'am?”

“It hardly matters. Shall we proceed?” she said, turning to Sir Robert; as they made their way to the house. “So close.” Rose muttered. “Hmmm.” Cara hummed, quietly disagreeing but, not wanting to start anything.

‘Cara.’
‘Shh…’
‘Cara, you can’t shush me; I’m in your head!’

‘Giving me a headache.’ Cara shot back, irritably. The Doctor made a noise of annoyance, before turning to the carriage.

“What's in there, then?” The Doctor asked, catching a glance at the wooden box. “Property of the Crown.” said, the man from the field, which she now knew was Captain Reynolds. “You will dismiss any further thoughts, sir.”

The Doctor made a face; earning a small smile from Cara.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close to him, shielding her with his coat, as they made their way inside.

~

“This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour.” Queen Victoria said, staring at a huge telescope in the middle of the room. Sir Robert had been giving them a tour; finally showing them to the best place in the house. The Observatory.

“Wow.” Cara whispered, the Doctor nodded, his eyes twinkling. “Beautiful.”

 “All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession... he spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself.” Sir Robert said proudly.

“I wish I'd met him, I like him. That thing's beautiful. Can I um...?” The Doctor asked, gesturing to it.  “Help yourself.”

 The Doctor and Rose move forward to examine the telescope and the wheel next to it. “What did he model it on?” The Doctor asked. Cara lightly tracing her fingers over the telescope, peering through the scope.

“I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little... shall we say, eccentric.”

The Doctor laughed. It was staring at an odd patch in the field far off from anything. “Interesting.” she murmured, standing up.

“I wish now I'd spent more time with him. And listened to his stories.”

“Before he went away.” Cara said off-handily, too engrossed in the markings on the telescope; making them all glance at her strangely. “Yes, indeed.” Sir Robert said, quietly.

“It's a bit rubbish.” The Doctor said, pulling attention away, from Cara’s odd comment. “How many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top, that's stupid kind of a...But it's pretty! It's very... pretty.” The Doctor said quickly. Cara smirking, Rose patting him fondly on the arm.

 “And the imagination of it should be applauded.” Queen Victoria added. “Mm!” Rose said, suddenly. Cara shutting her eyes. 'Please don’t.’

“Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty. Stargazing. Isn't that a bit fanciful?”

 “You could easily... not be amused, or something...? No?” Rose said faltering under the Queen’s gaze.

“This device surveys the infinite work of God.” the Queen started, the Doctor shaking his head at Rose, a light smile on his face. ‘Least you’re finding something funny.’ Cara thought bitterly, the bad feeling growing worse with each passing second.

It was like someone had opened a can of worms and emptied it into her. She felt sick.

“What could be finer? Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath. Steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairy tales.”

 “Stars and magic. I like him more and more.” The Doctor said, wandering around the room, taking Cara’s hand squeezing it. ‘Shhh…Cara, relax…It’s alright.’

“Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company. Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg.”

‘I’m fine. I’m fine.’
‘No, you’re not. Tell me what’s wrong, Cara.’

“When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported.”

“So, what exactly is the wolf?” Cara asked, eager to end, or better pause her mind interrogation. ‘I’m not interrogating.’

“It's just a story. Nothing to fear.” Sir Robert said, kindly. “I love stories. Could you tell us it?” Cara insisted. “Yes, could you?” The Doctor asked, from behind her. ‘You’re not getting out of this that easily.’

“It's said that-
“Excuse me, sir. Perhaps her Majesty's party could repair to their rooms. It's almost dark.” said, one of Sir Robert’s (servants?)

“Of course. Yes, of course.” Sir Robert said, instantly nodding.

“And then supper.” The Queen added. “And... could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness.”

“It's not amusing, is it?” Rose jumped in, the Queen shooting her a look before returning her attention back to Mr Robert. The Doctor turning to Rose mouthing: Stop it.

Rose simply poking him playfully, smiling.

“Sir Robert, your wife must've left some clothes. See to it. And while you’re at it; find something for Miss McCrimmon as well.” she said turning to the Doctor. “While you see like a commendable parent Doctor, a young lady should never be out in improper clothing.”

The Doctor nodded sheepishly. “Sorry, about that your, Majesty.”

‘Ha, ha. You got scolding.’

‘Don’t think you’re getting out of yours.’

Cara scowled, the Doctor smiling at that. ‘Very funny.’

‘Aren’t I just?’

 “We shall dine at seven. And talk some more of this wolf. After all... there is a full moon tonight.” The Queen said, turning to Sir Robert, who looked a little queasy.

“So there is, Ma'am.”

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 10: A Werewolf, Yes Werewolf I'm not Crazy!

 

                                                                                                           

 

 

Skirts were strange.’ Cara thought to herself, pulling the long skirt on over her jeans and sneakers. She had a feeling that (as it usual was with the Doctor) that she could or would be running.

Might as well be prepared.

“Cara.” The Doctor said suddenly opening the door, closing it behind him. “What’s wrong?” he said instantly, folding his arms, looking down at her.

“Do you know how to knock?” Cara replied, copying his stance. Hoping she might divert his attention away from that to her snark.

“Cara.” The Doctor said warningly. “Nothing! Doctor, for the last time, I am fin—Ah!” Cara lied, a sharp pain suddenly shooting though her. The Doctor flying to her, shaking his head. “No, you not.”

“There’s this…feeling…” Cara started sitting on the bed; the Doctor next to her. “This bad, awful feeling—”

“Like someone emptied a can of worms, cold water down your bad, the twisting in your gut like there’s a snake whined around it…” the Doctor listed, seeming to know exactly what is was.

Cara nodded. “Yeah.”

“Time sense.” The Doctor said, glancing at her, seeing her confused face. “It’s basically like an instinct, how we as Timelord’s know what fixed points are, or vulnerable points in time that can be changed, or what wouldn’t impact time as much…Time Tots are usual much more sensitive to it.” he explained. “Must be why it’s affecting you so badly.”

“I felt it; at the hospital…but not like this. Doc, I think something bad is going to happen...Really bad.” Cara whispered, glancing up at him. “Can’t you feel it?”

The Doctor paused, running his hand though his hair. “Lightly, but if you’re feeling it as deeply as you are, you’re definitely more Time Sensitive.” he sighed nodding his head, seeming to formulate a plan.

“Alright, I’ll try and block some of it out, help you along…Little bit of influence on your emotional and mental state should do it…” the Doctor mused to himself.

Cara shooting him a look. “Infu--Emoti-What?--”

“I’m really out of practice, should have sensed the discomfort.” The Doctor said mumbling something in a different language; irritably at himself. “Really have to think about this—

“Wait, Doc-” Cara started, just as a loud bell rang out. “Oh, Supper time…” the Doctor said, looking up. “Probably going to need it. Mental and emotional transference and manipulate without practice. Errgh…” the Doctor said, making a face.

Cara stared back blankly, sighing to herself. “When this is over, you really need to give me a crash course on this stuff.”

~

“Your companion begs an apology, Doctor. Her clothing has somewhat delayed her.” The slightly creepy servant said; after they had finished some of there food.

“Oh, that's all right.” The Doctor said, licking his finger. His Scottish accent returning. “Save her a wee bit of ham.”

“The feral child could probably eat it raw.” The Queen said smartly. Captain Reynolds laughing loudly (a lot more than was needed for that comment). Cara stared at him weirdly; she and the Doctor sharing amused looks.

“Very wise, Ma'am! Very witty!”

“Slightly witty, perhaps. I know you rarely get the chance to dine with me, Captain, but don't get too excited...I shall contain my wit in case I do you further injury.” Queen Victoria said, sharply. The Captain slowly deflating like a lead balloon. “Yes, Ma'am. Sorry, Ma'am.”

“Besides, we're all waiting on Sir Robert! Come, Sir! You promised us a tale of nightmares.” The Doctor said, shooting Cara a cheeky grin.

“Indeed. Since my husband's death, I find myself with more of a taste for supernatural fiction.”

“You really miss him.” Cara said softly. The Queen instantly turning to her. “Very much.” she said, seeming to be lost in her thoughts.

A sudden deep sadness running though Cara. One that she knew was not her own.

“Oh, completely. And that's the charm of a ghost story, isn't it? Not the scares and chills, that's just for children, but the...hope of some contact with the great beyond.” she said, the Doctor watching her, a strange look on his face again.

Much like the one at the hospital. When Novice Hame called him the ‘lonely God’. She still didn’t understand and the Doctor seemed to avoid telling her.

Except this time she knew why.
He didn’t want to make her sad.

“We all want some message from that place...it's the Creator's greatest mystery that we are allowed no such consolation. The dead stay silent. And we must wait.” The Queen finished.

Cara slowly sliding her hand in the Doctor’s, squeezing it tightly.

Queen Victoria shook herself out, as if trying to get rid of her sadness. It diminished, but didn’t disappear.

‘Are you okay?’ Cara thought, glancing at the Doctor his face pained and solemn. ‘Yes, of course.’

Cara raised an eyebrow. ‘You not getting out of it that easily.’ she thought relaying his own words to her. The Doctor’s lips twitched. ‘Cheeky.’

“Come! Begin your tale, Sir Robert. There's a chill in the air. The wind is howling through the eaves. Tell us of monsters!”

~

“The story goes back three hundred years. Every full moon, the howling rings through the valley. The next morning, livestock is found ripped apart and...devoured.” Sir Robert said, quietly. His voice mysterious and a little fearful.

Cara spotting some of the servants whispering to each other in the back.

“Tales like this just disguise the work of thieves. Steal a sheep and blame a wolf, simple as that.” Capitan Reynolds said confidently.

Cara suddenly had an urge to move. Something was calling her. She glancing to the Doctor; she could feel him in her head, but of some reason he didn’t seem to sense this.

She couldn’t quite reach him too. Like there was a rushing train between them. Stopping then continuing. On and Off.

“But sometimes a child goes missing. Once in a generation. A boy will vanish from his homestead.” Sir Robert said gravelly.

‘I’m going to go check on Rose.’ Cara thought when she could feel the bond strengthen.

The Doctor nodded, glancing at her. ‘Be careful, there’s a low level telepathic field. I can feel you-------but you might not always feel me…..Come right back.’

Cara nodded, discreetly sliding out of her seat, disappearing down the hall.

~

Cara walked down the halls, dodging the guards and servant people as much as she could. Eventually she found her way to a locked brown door.

Cara smirked, pulling out a hair pin in her jeans pocket. ‘Who’s says you need a sonic screwdriver.’ she thought, bending down, proceeding to pick the lock.

“Are there descriptions of the creature?”
“Oh yes, Doctor. Drawings and woodcarvings. And it's not merely a wolf. It's more than that. This is a man who becomes an animal.”
 “A werewolf?”

Pushing open the door, Cara walked in staring at the man in the cage. “Cara?”

“Rose?” Cara said surprised, turning around staring at her. She, and what seemed to be most of Sir Roberts household were locked and chained to the wall. The man in the cage growling and hissing under his breath.

“How you down here? How’d you find us? Where’s the Doctor?” Rose asked instantly, hardly giving Cara time to breath.

“Up--Upstairs. What’s going on—” Cara started, bending down facing the man in the cage.

“Don’t child!” a well-dressed woman said sharply. “He will kill you.” she whispered fearfully.

“But’s he’s—”

The man jumped violently against the cage, making them all flinch. His eyes were completely black, looking like someone poured liquid into them.

Cara took a step back, her heart hearts hammering in her chest. “You! The child of a million galaxies and the burning planet.” The man hissed, his voice thick with pure hatred.

“The one that billions died for, just for one to live…The wolf...the wolves...the creator and destroyer…the child of stars…” The man said, gazing up at her, laughing.

A laugh that sent chills down her spine. Cold, distant, evil. “Who are you?” Cara whispered, staring at him. It was…angry and hurt…and so deeply sad.

The wolf stared up at her, his pure black eyes shining.

 “The wolves send their love…”

~

“My father didn't treat it as a story. He said it was fact. He even claimed to have communed with the beast, to have learned its purpose. I should've listened. His work was hindered... he made enemies. There's a Monastery in the Glen of Saint Catherine. The Brethren opposed my father's investigations.”

“Why are you here? You don’t belong here.” Cara said, swallowing hard.

“I belong nowhere. Because of you…” the wolf hissed, slamming himself against the cage.

 

“Perhaps they thought his work ungodly.”
“That's what I thought. But now I wonder... what if they had a different reason for wanting the story kept quiet?”

“Don’t bother with him!” Rose snapped, all her back burning irritation at Cara unleashing. “Get the Doctor!”

“What do you mean, because of me? I don’t know who you are.” Cara continued, ignoring Rose. The wolf hissed. “Lies.”

“I’m not, I promise.” Cara replied, bending down, letting out a string of whimpers from behind her. “Why…why are you doing this, I know you don’t want to…”

“You know nothing!”

Cara nodded. “Alright…but that boy and person you’re inhabiting; he hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Cara!” Rose shouted. “Get the Doctor!”

Cara ignored her, turning her attention to the Wolf. “What about him, hmm? I know you’re not heartless. Whoever’s making you do this, it’s wrong. You have to understand, you can’t—”

“CARA!”

“You don’t have to do this.” Cara finished. The Wolf pressed his head against the bars. “I have…no choice.”

“What if they turned from God and worshipped the wolf?”
“And what if they were with us right now?”

Suddenly the doors were thrown open, moonlight flooding inside directly over the Wolf’s cage. “Stupid girl.” Rose grumbled under her breath.

‘Heard that.’ Cara thought, stepping back, turning to the prisoners. Following the chains, all she needed was…

Cara smiled, jumping over in the middle of the locked up prisoners. “So brave…” Rose mumbled under her breath. Cara rolled her eyes, finding it safe to say: Rose did not like her.

Picking the lock, Cara glanced over her shoulder, the Wolf, grabbing the bars, the cold wind rushing though the room.

“All of you! Stop looking at it! Flora, don't look. Listen to me. Grab hold of the chain and pull!” Rose ordered, as she began yanking on the chain. “Come on! With me! Pull!”

A satisfying click ran out, Cara disposing of the main lock. Running over to the right she tried that one. Growling sound’s emitting from the cage.

“Wonderful, we’ve got our own personal Remus Lupin.” Cara grumbled under her breath, finishing the lock on the right. Jogging around to the final one on her left.

“I said pull! Stop your whining and listen to me! All of you! And that means you, your Ladyship! Now come on, pull!” Rose shouted, all the people pulling on the chain.

They all stand, helping Rose pull on the chain trying to free it from the wall. Cara swallowed hard, as the wolf let out another hiss.

“Child of Stars….you’re first….”

~

“What is the meaning of this?” Queen Victoria cried, standing behind Captain Reynolds, who was pointing a gun and Father Angelo and Sir Robert. The former who was staring out of the window, chanting in Latin. The Doctor shutting his eyes concentrating hard.

The room was in chaos, but he needed to focus he needed to hear her.

Cara was there, but he kept on losing her, like an on and off phone signal. Why, why did he let her out of his site…why did he let her go alone?

 It was Parenting Rule 1: Never leave the child alone. Alongside: Never let the child play with low-level radiation blocks until they learn not to put them in their mouths.

Oddly enough, he always used to forget that one.

Her emotions were erratic and strong. Powerful even, as he could feel them beginning to affect him. Every single emotion of hers, running though him like a water.

“Explain yourself, Sir Robert!”
“What's happening...”

She was scared, terrified.
Hurt, worried, afraid…So afraid, so alone...so scared and alone.

“I'm sorry, Your Majesty, they've got my wife.” Sir Robert mumbled, snapping the Doctor out of his stupor.

“Cara! Where’s Cara!” the Doctor shouted at Father Angelo. “Where’s my daughter!? Where is she?!”

~

The Wolf began to transform. His skin bulging, as he screamed. His bones cracked and broken in unnatural ways. His screams were awful to hear.

But Cara could feel it; pain like she had never experienced before. She wanted to scream, scream and cry. But they were all going to die, all of them.

Unless she picked this lock. It was all well and good, if they broke the chains on the walls. But the lock bound them together.

Unless she and Rose broke them…Well she would be wolf supper, not that Rose wouldn’t mind. And no she did not come up with that by herself. Rose’s annoyance and anger at her were rather strong.

“Three... Pull!” she shouted, Cara fumbled with the lock.

The transformation was almost completely, she thought. He did look similar to Werewolf-Lupin, but considering she was basing her knowledge about werewolf’s on Harry Potter…

“One... two... three... pull!”

Update: The Werewolf was definitely scarier than the one in Harry Potter. Maybe because this one was directly in front of her and attempting to attack all of them.

“One, two, three, pull!”

 But maybe it was just a scary werewolf. She didn’t really have much information to know which one, she thought, cracking the lock. Just as the chain’s snapped.

Brilliant for them.

Bad as well; as the wolf in question had just broken the side bars of his cage.

‘Oh shi--’

 

~

Hiya! So thoughts?

Anyone catch the Good Omens reference?

Thank you all for reading and faving and following! I love that you guys are enjoying the story!

Anyways, as usual please comment, kudos, fav, follow, PM, ect. :)

Till next time... :)

Chapter 11: Running, Running and Yes, More Running

                                                                   

 

Werewolf. It had to be a gigantic fricking Werewolf.

Was being attacked by say an angry llama or a mildly homicidal rabbit too much to ask.
No.

Werewolf.
Big angry werewolf that was currently rearing to attack them.
Yay.

Cara rolled her eyes, despite the situation; a logical thought taking over her fear and dipping into her curiosity. ‘Come on, werewolf. Seriously, what were these monks on, thinking they could control something like that? Unless, this thing was like a puppy, needing to be trained in…Or it just chose to follow the monks, stupid decision really, but-’

“Where the hell have you been?!” Rose shouted, snapping Cara out of her train of thought. ‘Oh, Hi Doc.’

The Doctor turned around, staring at her, before back at the werewolf. Wide-eyed, just as the werewolf broke the bars of the cage. “Oh, that's beautiful!” he mumbled, Cara running to him taking his hand. “Yeah, also trying to kill us.” she added.

 “Get out!” Sir Robert shouted, guesting to the door, as the staff and his wife began clamouring out of the cellar. “Right.” The Doctor said seeming to remember the urgency of the current situation, turning around ushering everyone out.

“Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!” he shouted, lightly pushing Cara towards the door. “Go! I’m coming!”

Cara nodded disappearing out the door. Rose behind her; the Doctor appearing a few seconds after them. Slamming the door behind him, locking it behind him with his sonic.

“Go up!” the Doctor said, running past taking Cara’s hand as he led them up the steps. The howl of the wolf ringing out.

“Okay, that’s pretty cool.”

~

“All of you at my side, come on!” Lady Isobel said, running past Cara with her female staff.

“It could be any form of light modulated species triggered by specific wavelengths. Did it say what it wanted?” he asked, his word tumbling out of his mouth, so fast Cara needed a second to register them.

“The Queen, the Crown, the throne, killing her.” Rose said, pointing to Cara. “You name it.”

“What?” The Doctor said, glancing at her. “Why’s it want to kill you?”

“How am supposed to know? It didn’t exactly give me step to step explanation of its plans.” Cara replied sharply. “Just hissing and cryptic threats.”

A loud banging sound came from the direction of the cellar making them all turn. “Is it-”

“Cara stay with Rose.” The Doctor said, walking out of the room and down the corridor. Rose following him to the end of the room, suddenly taking Cara’s hand.

Cara gladly took it, a swirl of emotions traveling into her. Fear, worry, anger, hurt—

The Doctor ran back into the room, taking her hand pulling both her and Rose behind a line of men. (the staff and Sir Robert) Their guns drawn.

“Wait they can’t just-” Cara started, just as the wolf barged in.

“Fire!” a man cried, the Doctor pulling her into his chest, covering her ears with his hand. ‘Shut your eyes, close them tight.’

Cara shut her eyes tightly, burying her head into the Doctor’s jacket. ‘Make it stop…’

“Fire!”

~

It seemed to go on forever. The constant sound of the bullets, the shouts of the firing squad. The only thing that distracted her was the Doctor’s humming. His light relaxing constantly humming in her head. Taking a deep breath (the first proper on in a while) Cara relaxed into him, until it finally stopped.

‘It’s over, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s all over now.’

Opening her eyes, Cara looked around. The room was filled with smoke and the wolf was no-where in site; but it didn’t sit well with her.

She highly doubted that the Wolf would be bested by a few 1879 bullets.

It was a nice hope, so she kept thinking it. Maybe it was gone. But if the wolf was gone…that meant the boy was too. “All right, you men, we should retreat upstairs, come with me.” The Doctor ordered.

“I'll not retreat. The battle's done. There's no creature on God's Earth that could survive such an assault.” The man (who said fire) snapped.

“I'm telling you, come upstairs!” the Doctor said angrily. “And I'm telling you, sir that I will sleep well tonight with that thing's hide upon my wall.” The man replied in the same tone; striding calmly across the room, glancing everywhere for the wolf.

The Doctor watching him, glancing behind at Cara and Rose. “Rose, stay near Cara.” he ordered. As the man came back, smiling lightly. “Must've crawled away to die-”

The man was lifted clean of the floor and into the ceiling making Cara gasp, covering her mouth to stiffen a scream.

Rose grabbing hold of her tightly pulling her close covering her eyes as the sound of crunching bones, the man’s scream and the wolf’s growls mingled together.

“There's nothing we can do!” the Doctor shouted, grabbing hold of Cara and Rose, pushing them into the next room.

~
“It killed him. It just killed him…” Cara whispered, as they ran up the steps. The Doctor in the front, her behind him, Rose behind her and Sir Robert at the back.

She had seen death before: at one of her foster homes, Matron Casp; but this one, this one felt…real. And it scared her, no it terrified her. Sure, that man wasn’t the best man, but he didn’t deserve to die.

‘I know.’ The Doctor said, the thought floating into her mind. ‘I…’ he paused, not seeming to know how to finish his thought.

But he didn’t need to, Cara could feel it. The Doctor’s emotions were usual ‘guarded’ as she put it, but she could feel them now. And she could understand them.

It was sad and horrible, but it’s what happened…it’s just what happens.

Cara took a deep breath as the Doctor’s emotions disappeared. Suddenly feeling calmer than she had since this this morning in the TARDIS. Which was odd, since she was still freaking out, but not that that much…Weird.

Cara looked up at the Doctor (well the Doctor’s back, but…) ‘Doc?’

‘Hmm?’
‘Are you doing some Timelord thing?’
The Doctor paused. ‘No?’

Cara snorted lightly, making Rose and Sir Robert look at her. The Doctor smiled, ruffling her hair, pulling her to his side as they walked up the steps.

~

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” Sir Robert called, the second they ran into the room. The Doctor, locking the door behind him with the sonic. “Do you think it will follow us?” Cara asked, glancing between Rose and the Doctor.

The two remaining silent. Before the Doctor bolted off into the next room, just as Queen Victoria came down the stairs. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Cara mumbled to herself.

“Sir Robert! What's happening? I heard such terrible noises.” she said, reaching the bottom. “Your Majesty, we've got to get out.” Sir Robert said quickly. “But what of Father Angelo? Is he still here?”

“Captain Reynolds disposed of him.” The Queen said, a little too quickly in Cara’s opinion.

“The front door's no good, it's been boarded shut.” The Doctor said, running back into the room. “Pardon me, Your Majesty, you'll have to leg it out of a window.” he said, gesturing out though the door.

The Queen following with her head held high. Cara going in next, the Doctor, Rose and Sir Robert behind them.

“Excuse my manners, Ma'am, but I shall go first, the better to assist Her Majesty's egress.” Sir Robert said, walking in front of the Queen to the window. “A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh.”

“Yeah, any chance you could hurry up?” the Doctor said, impatiently. Sir Robert climbing onto the window sill, opening it.

The second he did the sound of gunshots rang out, making them all duck down. The Doctor, made his way to the window, staring out of it at the Monks. “I reckon the monkey boys want us to stay inside.”

“I’ll say.” Cara said, poking her head out from under the Doctor’s arm. “Monks with guns. Haven’t heard that one before.”

“Do they know who I am?” the Queen asked Rose. “Yeah, that's why they want ya. The wolf's lined you up for a…a biting.”

“Now, stop this talk.” The Queen said sharply. “There can't be an actual wolf.”

The instant the word left her mouth, a loud howl rang out through the house. “Well, that’s well timed.” Cara said turning around, running into the hallway; where the wolf was currently battering down the door. “Seriously?”

“What do we do?” Rose asked, staring at the door.

“We...run!”
“Is that it?!”
“You got any silver bullets?” the Doctor shot back.
“Not on me, no!”

“There we are then, we run.” The Doctor said, Cara swallowing hard, nodding. She got the message. “Your Majesty, as a Doctor, I recommend a vigorous jog.” he said, jogging on the spot. “Good for the health. Come on!”

Cara nodded, flying up the staircases. The Doctor and the Queen behind her, with Rose and Sir Robert at the back. The sound of breaking wood, reached her ears.

The wolf was out.

Glancing down for the middle staircase. Cara could see it, the creature suddenly looking up.

Its eye burned into hers.
The Wolf bashing its teeth widely, bounding after them.

Cara shook her head, forcing herself to move up the steps. “Come on! Come on!” the Doctor shouted. They were at the top; there was nowhere else to run.

Still in lead, Cara led them down the winding corridors, the wolf practically on their heels.

Rearing back it lunged, when Captain Reynolds appeared holding his gun. Firing it into the wolf’s face. The creature, stumbled backwards, padding down a corridor. Stunned, but not dead.

Captain Reynold, ducked against the wall of the corridor, the rest of them taking a well-deserved breathing space.

“I'll take this position and hold it. You keep moving, for God's sake! Your Majesty, I went to look for the property, it was taken. The chest was empty.” The Captain said, all in a rush as he reloaded.

“I have it. It's safe.”

The Captain smiled. “Then remove yourself, Ma'am. Doctor, you stand as Her Majesty's Protector. And you, Sir Robert, you're a traitor to the crown.” Captain Reynolds said cocking his gun.

“Bullets can't stop it!” the Doctor cried. “They'll buy you time. Now, run!” Captain Reynolds ordered, positioning himself at the end of the corridor, gun raised.

Cara stared at him, his emotions were strong. He was completely ready, ready to die for this and with pride. “I’m so sorry.” Cara whispered, the Doctor tugging on her sleeve as she followed him into another room. Rose behind her.

Rose stopped outside the door; her eyes transfixed down the corridor. The sound of gunshots, and screams. “Rose?” Cara said, realising she was still outside, frozen.

“Rose!” the Doctor cried, rushing into the corridor, pulling her into the room. Cara slamming the door shut.

“Barricade the door!”

~

“Wait a minute, shh, shh, wait a minute...” the Doctor whispered, after the fray of stacking pieces of wood and chairs and anything heavy subsided. The wolf howled lowly, almost sad.

“Its stopped.” he whispered, standing on a chair pressing his ear against the door. “Is it?” Cara asked quietly from next to Sir Robert, edging closer to the Doctor. “It's gone.”

Cara let out a sigh of relief, listening closely to the wolf’s footsteps outside. “It’s surrounding us.” she whispered. The Doctor nodded, climbing down from his chair. “Shh, shh…” Rose hushed. “Listen...”

There was dead silence, so quiet Cara could her hearts beating in her chest. The Queen’s quiet tinkles when her bracelets and bangles clinked together as she shook. Petrified with fear.

Rose’s and Sir Robert’s heavy breathing; trying to be quieter, but only getting louder. Glancing around the room, following the wolf’s footsteps.

“Is this the only door?” the Doctor asked softly.

“Yes.” Sir Robert whispered back. “No!” he cried out, making them all flinch. Dashing to another door on the side of the room, he and the Doctor barricading it shut.

Cara slowly walking behind them, near to one of the walls. “Shh!” Rose hissed again. Cara freezing, looking around uneasily. The creaks of wood and the claws of the Wolf scratching around, before slowly disappearing into the distance.

“Why isn’t it coming in?” Cara asked quietly. “It’s broken down thing heavier than those doors.”

“Yeah,” Rose agreed. “I don't understand. What's stopping it?”

“Something inside this room.” The Doctor answered, walking around the room, his eyes sweeping across it. “What is it? Why can't it get in?” he mumbled to himself.

Cara looking around too, her hand brushing against the wood of the wall.

The second she did, the wolf threw itself against the wall. Cara jumping back, the Doctor pulling her away from the wall. The room dipped into silence again. Rose, Sir Robert and the Queen shaking and breathing heavily.

Cara held onto the Doctor’s hand, the two of them still. The wolf, scratched against the wall, before padding off again. ‘Doctor,’

‘Yes?’
‘I think…let me try something.’ she thought. Slowly unwinding herself from the Doctor’s arm, walking to the wall again. She hadn’t even touched it, when the wolf lunged again.

Cara flinched back. The Doctor instantly pulling her away again. ‘It only reacts like that to you.’ The Doctor thought. Cara nodded. ‘Like a homing device…You don’t think…do you think that’s how it’s able to find us…Because of me?’

‘No, it locked onto the Queen’s scent ages ago. You and Rose just help it along. That’s all.’ The Doctor replied (she had a feeling he was lying) as he dragged her into the middle of the room. ‘Stay in the middle, don’t go near the walls.’

Squeezing his hand tightly, Cara and the Doctor waited patiently as the Wolf eventually padded off into the distance.

“I'll tell you what, though...” Rose said breathlessly after a few seconds of silence.

“What?” the Doctor asked, turning around glancing at her. “Werewolf!” Rose whisper-shouted, smiling. Cara laughed lightly.

“I know!” the Doctor said in delight. Rose letting out another light laugh, hugging him. “You all right?”

“I'm okay, yeah!” Rose replied, happily; the happiest she’d been in a while. The Doctor grinned, patting her arm. Turning to Cara smiling wickedly.

“No,” Cara said, hearing his thought. “No, no, Doc. Don’t you dar-” she started, the Doctor ignoring her, scooping her up in his arms, hugging her tightly. “Ufhg.” Cara grumbled, poking her head out. “I can’t breathe.”

“I'm sorry, Ma'am. It's all my fault. I should've sent you away.” Sir Robert said from behind them, pausing the happy moment. “I tried to suggest something was wrong, I...thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?”

“Well, they were bald, athletic... your wife's away…I just thought you were happy.” The Doctor commented. Making Cara snort, before attempting to cover it up as cough.

“I'll tell you what though, Ma'am,” Rose started, cheekily. “I bet you're not amused now.”

“Do you think this is funny?” the Queen snapped, glaring at them. “No, Ma'am, I'm sorry.” Rose whispered, looking down.

“What, exactly, I pray someone please, what exactly is that creature?” The Queen said, quickly, glancing between the three of them.  “You'd call it a werewolf, but technically it's a more of a lupine wavelength haemovariform.” The Doctor answered, scratching the back of his head.

“And should I trust you, sir? You who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?” The Queen said sharply.

The Doctor paused, his eyes widening; Cara realising that he had completely dropped his Scottish accent. “Oh... right, um...”

“I can explain that, Ma’am.” Cara jumped in, suddenly knowing if she didn’t the Queen might never trust them. “Well…You see…um,” Cara started, suddenly regretting her decision of speaking. ‘Stupid mouth.’

“My father here…Dear old dad,” Cara started pointing to the Doctor, glaring at him, from the corner of her eye. ‘Why did you have to put on an accent?’

“Um, when he was studying with Mr Bell; he often had to travel…leaving me with…my Mum!” Cara continued, waving her hands excitedly, gesturing for the Doctor to jump in. “Who was English. Wonderful woman; but to be quite honestly she never could shut up. So that’s how I picked up her accent. And when my father returned from his er-”

“Travels.” The Doctor put in. “Yes, travels. My mother…talked coz, she never could shut up and eventually he started to pick up her accent too…but he’s Scottish, so—”

“Comes and goes, Ma’am.” The Doctor said, nodding furiously. “Scandal with the in-laws.” Cara added. “Last time, someone broke a vase in rage, Ma’am.” she said, she too nodding furiously.

They looked like a pair of vintage bobble heads.

Queen Victoria blinked, glancing between the two of them; taking a few deep breaths calming herself. “No matter…I'll not have it. No, sir, not you... not that thing... none of it.”

“This is not my world.”

 

Chapter 12: Tooth and Claw (and Diamonds)

                                                                                               

 

 

After about forty-five minutes in the library, mostly consisting of Cara stroking the books, the Queen glaring at Rose and the Doctor. Sir Robert having what Cara would call, a deep look into himself and the Doctor examining every inch of the library, with Rose next to him seeming to try and decided whether, she liked or disliked Cara.

“What is that smell?” Cara mumbled, sitting on the carpet watching the Doctor and Rose. “Which one, wood, books, blood…” Rose asked, trailing off. Cara shook her head, deciding to ignore the morbid comment. “No, there’s a smell…”

The Doctor traced his fingers of some woodwork, a carving. “Mistletoe...”

“Maybe.” Cara said, sniffing. “What’s mistletoe smell like again?”

“No, yes,” the Doctor said suddenly turning to Sir Robert. “Sir Robert, did you father put that there?”

“I don't know, I suppose...”

“On the other door, too...a carving wouldn't be enough... I wonder...” he said, leaning over licking the woodwork. “Pinnacol of hygiene you are.” Cara said, wrinkling her nose in mild disgust; standing up.

“Viscum album, the oil of the mistletoe, it's been worked into the wood like a varnish! How clever was your dad? I love him!” The Doctor cried, happily. “Powerful stuff, mistletoe. Bursting with lectins and viscotoxins. Also what you’ve been smelling.” The Doctor said, gesturing to Cara.

“And the wolf's allergic to it?” Rose asked. “No, it just thinks it is.” Cara said, her eyes lighting up, remembering her earlier thoughts.

 “The monks needed a way to control the wolf. So maybe they train it; like a puppy, if it’s good you give it a biscuit, if it’s bad you spray it with water. They trained it to react to certain things, like the mistletoe. Right?” she asked, glancing at the Doctor.

“Right!” The Doctor said, grinning at her. “Nevertheless, that creature won't give up, Doctor, and we still don't possess an actual weapon.” Sir Robert said sadly.

“Well aren’t you just a ray of sunshine.” Cara quipped up, from the next to Doctor. “Oh, your father got all the brains, didn't he?” the Doctor sneered.

“Being rude again.” Rose interjected. “Good. I meant that one.” The Doctor said, striding over to the one of the bookshelves.

“You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world.” he said, pulling on his glasses. Cara smiled, she loved the glasses. “This room's the greatest arsenal we could have.” he said pulling out some books, tossing them to Cara.

“Arm yourself.”

~

“Biology, zoology... there might be something on wolves in here...”
“Hold on, what about this?”
“...some form of explosive...”

The voices chimed together, the four of them flying though book after book. Cara paused her reading, seeing the Queen sitting in a corner. “Are you alright, Ma’am?” she asked, sitting down on the carpet next to her.

She clearly wasn’t, but it was conversation started that seemed appropriate. “I am…not at my best, child. But I shall be fine.” The Queen said reassuringly.

“I know how you feel.” Cara said, tucking some stray hair behind her ear. “It’s hard, everything starts off, normal and boring; and then suddenly something happens and everything, everything just changes. And you’re thrown into this, strange place where strange things happen. For no reason, they just do.”

“And you’re scared. You’re so scared, because you don’t know. And you think your alone and in some way you sort of are, but it’s okay. Because even if doesn’t make sense, the fear and the loneliness won’t last. And you’ll be alright. Soon enough.” Cara said, smiling kindly at her.

The Queen stared back at her. “You are wise, child,” she said after a couple of seconds. “But I must know. This Doctor—

“You can trust him.” Cara said instantly. “I haven’t-have known the Doctor my whole life. But even if I only knew him of a few weeks or days or even hours. You can trust; that he will do his best to save everyone.”

“A noble sentiment, but no—”

“Imagine it...” the Doctor marvelled, his voice suddenly turning dark. Like when you would tell someone a horror story. “The Victorian Age accelerated... starships and missiles fuelled by coal and driven by steam... leaving history devastated in its wake... “

“Sir Robert!” the Queen said suddenly standing up. “If I am to die here...”

 “Don't say that, Your Majesty.” Sir Robert said, quickly. “I would destroy myself rather than let that creature infect me. But that's no matter. I ask only that you find some place of safekeeping for something far older and more precious than myself.” she said opening up her bag.

“Hardly the time to worry about your valuables.” The Doctor commented from the table. Cara making an annoyed ‘stop it’ noise. ‘Rude again.’

“Thank you for your opinion. But there is nothing more valuable than this.” The Queen said calmly, pulling out a diamond the size of Cara’s hand.

“Is that the Koh-I-Noor?” Rose asked in awe, edging closer to it. “Oh, yes... the greatest diamond in the world.” The Doctor confirmed, shuffling forwards.

“Oh, look who’s worried about the valuable now.” Cara said smarty.

The Queen chuckling lightly. “Given to me as the spoils of war. Perhaps its legend is now coming true. It is said that whoever owns it must surely die.”

 “Well, that's true of anything if you own it long enough. Can I?” he asked, holding his hand out for the diamond. Queen Victoria paused, before, handing it to him. Cara standing on her tippy toes to see it.

 The Doctor pushed his glasses down, to his nose. “That is so beautiful.” he said, lower it, pointing the bits of particular shine to Cara. “How much is that worth?” Rose asked.

“They say... he wages of the entire planet for a whole week.”

“Good job my mum's not here. She'd be fighting the wolf off with her bare hands for that thing.” Rose said, making Cara laugh. “She'd win. Why do you travel with it?” the Doctor asked the Queen.

“My annual pilgrimage. I'm taking it to Helier and Carew. The Royal Jewellers at Hazelhead. The stone needs re-cutting.”

“Oh, but it's perfect.”
“In every way.” Cara said, stroking the diamond gently.

“My late husband never thought so.”

“Now, there's a fact, Prince Albert kept on having the Koh-I-Noor cut down. It used to be forty percent bigger than this. But he was never happy. Kept on cutting and cutting.” The Doctor said, pulling off his glasses. ‘Aww, I like the glasses.’

The Doctor put them back on, making a funny face with them. Cara giggled; the Queen smiling softly at her. “He always said... the shine was not quite right. But he died with it still unfinished.”

“Unfinished... oh, yes!” the Doctor cried, his eyes widening, tossing the Koh-I-Noor back to the Queen.

 “There's a lot of unfinished business in this house. His father's research, your husband, Ma'am, he came here and he sought the perfect diamond, hold on, hold on...” he cried, ruffling his hair violently. “All these separate things, they're not separate at all, they're connected! Oh, my head, my head! What if, this house, it's a trap for you, is that right, Ma'am?”

 “Obviously.”

“At least, that's what the wolf intended. But! What if there's a trap inside the trap?”

“Umm, I’m confused.” Cara said, raising her hand. “Trap inside the trap?”

“What if his father and her husband weren't just telling each other stories. They dared to imagine all this was true. And they planned against it. Laying the real trap not for you...” the Doctor said, pointing to the Queen. “But for the wolf.”

 Cara squeezed as a sprinkle of plaster fell from the ceiling. Looking up, the werewolf walking over the glass dome above their heads. “That wolf there…”

“Okay, this is getting scary.” Cara said, backing away as the dome began to crack. “What do we do?”

“Run!” The Doctor shouted, tossing the books to the fall, running to the door. “Out! Out! Out!” he shouted, as they destroyed there barricade; running out into the corridor. Cara slipping out the crack, the Queen, Rose and Sir Robert following as the Doctor slammed the door shut.

“Gotta get to the observatory!” the Doctor shouted, was turned a corner. “Wait, wait, wait!” Cara shouted, suddenly skidding to a halt. “If the mistletoe was in the walls of the library, isn’t the wolf trapped?!” she cried, making them all pause.

The Doctor stared back, stepping closer to the library. “It should, unless-” the sound of the door being smashed to bits rang out. “It’s adapting, getting stronger…Run! RUN!”

The Doctor shouted, the rest of them running down the corridors. Rose turning around, freezing at the site of the wolf. Letting out a scream, just as the wolf opened its mouth. Then, almost out of nowhere; Lady Isobel threw a pan of boiling water onto the wolf.

The wolf bounding away down another corridor. “Good shot!” the Doctor praised. “It was mistletoe!” Lady Isobel called out. The Doctor, Cara and Rose following the wolf down the corridor, making sure it was gone.

“Girls, come with me. Down the Back stairs, back to the kitchen. Quickly!” Lady Isobel ordered her and her maids running off.

“Come on!” the Doctor said, running down the corridor. “The observatory's this way!” Sir Robert called out. Running up the staircase. “It’s coming!” Cara called from the top. “Faster!”

~

“No mistletoe on these doors, your father wanted the wolf to get inside! Get inside I just need time! Is there any way of barricading this?!” the Doctor asked. Cara, Rose and the Queen inside. Cara making her way to the telescope.

“Just do your work and I'll defend it.” Sir Robert said.

 “If we could bind them shut with rope or something!”

 “I said I'd find you time, sir.” Sir Robert said, determinedly. “But you’ll die.” Cara said instantly. Sir Robert paused. “I know.” he said softly, glancing at the Doctor. “Now get inside.”

The Doctor stared at him for a second. “Good man.” he said, turning to the Queen, as Sir Robert shut the door. “Your Majesty, the diamond.”

“For what purpose?”
“The purpose it was designed for.”

 ~

“Are sure this is going to work?” Cara asked, helping the Doctor and Rose, turn the wheel. It was heavy, heavier than anything. But the cogs were slowly starting to shift, the telescope beginning to rise. “Is this the right time for stargazing?” Rose asked sarcastically.

“Yes, it is.”

A scream rang out, Cara shutting her eyes; her senses suddenly bombarded with emotions. Pain, pain, pain, fear, anger, pain, sadness, pain.

“Cara, Cara, listen to me, listen to me, breath. Just breathe.” The Doctor cried, desperately trying to look over the wheel to check on her. “Cara!”

Cara releasing the wheel falling to her knees, covering her ears. “Its okay, it’s okay.” The Doctor cried, desperately trying to calm her.

She could feel the werewolf battering the door. The gears grinding against each other. She could feel Sir Robert dying. The last breaths of him. Suddenly it all stopped. The emotions flying out of her, like someone closed a tap.

Cara let out a relived breath of air, lying back; the world starting to come into focus again.

“You're seventy percent water but you can still drown. Come on! Come on!”

Picking herself up, Cara stared as the Light Chamber; lit up like a giant blinking billboard. The Werewolf broke through the door, the door wood splintering everywhere. “I was out for two seconds, what the hell did I miss?”

“Language!” the Doctor shouted, diving across the floor, throws the Koh-I-Noor into the beam of light. A bright prismatic beam of light; hit the werewolf, lifting it off the ground.

The moonlight washing over it; the werewolf slowly retaking human form, a glowing human form, but human form. “Make it brighter. Let me go.” The Wolf whispered.

The Doctor slowly walked across to the light chamber; flicking a switch. The light brightened, making Cara squint.

The wolf let out a howl, before vanishing into the moonlight. Cara let out a sigh of relief, leaning against the light chamber. “Are you okay?” The Doctor asked, turning to her. Cara nodded, leaning against him, shutting her eyes. The Doctor, wrapped an arm around her, gently kissing the top of her head.

“Your Majesty? Did it bite you?” the Doctor asked suddenly, walking over to the Queen who as staring intense at her arm. “No, it's...it's a cut.”

“If that thing bit you...” the Doctor stared warily, glancing at Cara and Rose.

“It was a splinter of wood when the door came apart.” The Queen said simply, but her eyes were glassy, almost in some sort of trance.

“Let me see.” The Doctor asked, Queen Victoria sharply pulled her hand away. “It is nothing.” she said, the Doctor staring at her, clearly not believing her, but not in the mood to start and argument.

Turning back to Cara, the Doctor picked her up (against her tired protests) carrying her; holding her head, so she could only see his coat. The Queen and Rose walking to the door, the Doctor gently pressing a finger to Cara’s head.

Making her instantly fall asleep.

~

THE NEXT DAY…

“By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub the: Sir Doctor of TARDIS.” The Queen said, tapping The Doctor on each shoulder with a sword.

Long story short, they were currently being knighted. Which was awesome to say the least. Despite the circumstances of why they were.

“By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub the: Dame Cara of TARDIS.” The Queen said, smiling at her, tapping Cara on each shoulder. ‘This is epic!!’ she thought, the Doctor grinning at her. ‘I know!’

“By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub the: Dame Rose of the Powell Estate. You may stand.” she said, Cara, The Doctor and Rose rising.

“Many thanks, Ma'am.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Thanks! They're never going to believe this back home.”

“Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving a message from the great beyond; I think your husband cut that diamond to save your life. He's protecting you even now Ma'am, even from beyond the grave.” The Doctor said kindly.

“Indeed.” The Queen agreed. “Then you may think on this, also: that I am not amused.”

Cara’s eyes widening, letting out a laugh. Rose smiling from ear to ear, the Doctor playfully groaning, unable to hide his smile. “Yes!” Rose whispered.

“Not remotely amused.” The Queen said, Cara swallowing, trying to wipe her smile off her face. “And henceforth...I banish you.”

“Wh-Wh-Excuse me?” Cara asked, staring at the Queen, the Doctor and Rose sharing equally stunned looks. “I'm sorry?”

“I rewarded you, Sir Doctor. And now you are exiled from this empire, never to return. I don't know what you are, the three of you, or where you're from, but I know that you consort with stars, and magic, and think it fun. But your world is steeped in terror and blasphemy and death and I will not allow it!” the Queen said venomously.

“You will leave this shores and you will reflect, I hope, on how you managed to stray so far from all that is good. And how much longer you will survive this...terrible life. The life you, Doctor drag your own child into.” The Queen said, turning to Cara.

“My dear girl, I would ask you remain in my care, but I know very well you will not accept. But I pray you leave this life of death and destruction, before it consumes you.” Queen Victoria said, stepping away from them.

“Now leave my world. And never return.”

~

 “Woah!” Dougal the farmer, cried, as it can to a halt; Cara spotting the TARDIS. ‘Oh, I missed you.’ she thought, jumping off the farmer cart, with the Doctor and Rose.

“Cheers, Dougal!” the Doctor called, waving to the man, returning to their current discussion. “You know, the funny thing is, Queen Victoria did actually suffer a mutation of the blood! It's historical record haemophiliac. It used to be called the Royal Disease. But it's always been a mystery because she didn't inherit it. Her mum didn't have it her dad didn't have it, it came from nowhere!”

“What, and you're saying that's a wolf bite?” Rose asked.

“Well, maybe Haemophilia is just a Victorian euphemism.”

“For what werewolves?” Cara asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Could be!”

“Queen Victoria's a werewolf?” Rose asked, staring at the Doctor. “Could be! And, her children had the Royal Disease. Maybe she gave them a quick nip.”

“So, the Royal Family are werewolves?”
“No,” Cara said disbelievingly. “Well... maybe not yet. I mean, a single wolf cell could take... a hundred years to mature...might be ready by... oooh... early 21st century?” The Doctor said, shrugged.

“That’s insane!” Cara said, shaking her head.

“Mind you... Princess Anne!” Rose said, tucking some hair behind her ear. “I'll say no more.”

“And if you think about it... they're very private. They plan everything in advance. They, they could schedule themselves around the moon, we'd never know!” Rose mused, the Doctor sniggering, opening the TARDIS door. “They like hunting! They love blood sports!”

“But, that’s crazy!” Cara said, jumping in, shutting the door behind her. The Doctor laughed, staring up the TARDIS.

“Oh my god! They are werewolves aren’t they?!” Cara cried out, making the Doctor and Rose burst out laughing.

Rose fake howling, as the TARDIS engines started, and they disappeared once again.

 

Chapter 13: TARDIS Talks

                                                                                                     

 

The chatter of children and the loud school bell mingled together as Cara got up from her seat, tucking her books into her bag. Walking into the hall and up the steps. Smoothing down her uniform, Cara made her way to the Physics classrooms.

“And that everyone is why revision is essential to anything you need to learn. Class dismissed.” The Doctor or John Smith as of now, said sending this class off.

Cara leaned against the door, waiting for the rest of the children to leave before coming in. Dumping her things on the side of the Doctor’s desk, before promptly sitting onto of the desk. Watching the Doctor rub his writing of the board.

“Off.” he said, without even looking at her. “Fine.” Cara pouted, hopping down before taking a seat on the desk in the front. “So, how’s domestic physics teacher going?”

~

1 WEEK AGO…
The TARDIS.
9pm. Earth.
Parked outside the Powell Estate.

It had been a few quiet weeks since the Werewolf and Queen Victoria; well quiet by ‘Doctor Standards’ (as she called them) anyway. They had been to a few planets, explored a few intergalactic markets, watched a movie in the ‘best cinema’ in the universe and had established ‘The Rules.’

After all that, they were currently on an investigative mission at one of the nearby schools after Mickey had given Rose a phone call. So far despite only being here for a day she had quite an exciting day.

Earlier that day…

“Come on!” Cara cried excitedly, running up the steps (seeming much more excited to be seeing Jackie again, than Rose was) the woman in question scowling behind the Doctor walking sulkily up the steps.

She had been like that for a while now, usually trudging behind her and the Doctor, occasionally smiling and laughing when he joked with her or when Cara felt bad and drew back at bit.

“Jackie, we’re back!” Cara shouted bursting through the door. “Jackie! Jackie?!”

“In the kitchen, love!” Jackie called back, Cara running in, freezing. “Miss Hardy?” she said staring at the woman in the kitchen.

She and Jackie looked like they were in the middle of tea, before she came in. “Cara.” Miss Hardy breathed out, staring at her wide eyed as if she’d seen a ghost.

“What are you doing here?” Cara asked, just as the Doctor poked his head in. “Hello, hello-”

“You.” Miss Hardy said, getting up of her chair, a strange look crossing her face. “Hallo, Miss Hardy, how are-”

“You piece of shit!” Miss Hardy shouted, slapping the Doctor clean across the face.

~

Now, it was not every day that Cara would see her pervious caretaker and her current guardian have a free for all fight in the middle of Jackie Tyler’s kitchen with Rose and Jackie in the middle trying to break it up.

And by break it up, she meant pull Miss Hardy of the Doctor (who she was mercilessly screaming at; with the Doctor attempting to run away) He was failing miserably.

 ‘Ouch.’ Cara thought sipping her juice box in the corner, watching this. Despite it being, quite frankly not good. It was rather entertaining.

“Alright! Alright, that’s enough!” Jackie shouted loudly. “Not in my house and certainly not in my kitchen. Now you can either work this out, or get out. Both of you.” she added, looking pointy at the Doctor (who had been smirking  at Miss Hardy taking a scolding, his face falling instantly when he realised he was included.)

“Now sit down.” Jackie ordered, marching them all into the lounge. Sitting the Doctor and Miss Hardy down next to each other. Rose next to the Doctor on the armchair and Jackie in middle on her chair.

Cara decided to sit cross-legged on the floor next to Jackie, decided it would be best for everyone if she was there, rather than on the couch, or god forbid between them.

“Always the mothers…every time…” the Doctor grumbled, rubbing his cheek. “Now what’s this all about?” Jackie asked, glancing between the two of them.

“You kidnapped my kid.” Miss Hardy snapped instantly.
“What?”

“You kidnapped my kid and hid her away for five bloody months that’s what.” Miss Hardy said, turning to Jackie. “I was vetting this Doctor and he seemed like an alright bloke, then I came across something; the only ‘Doctor’ who worked for UNIT wasn’t him. Completely different guy.” she said, making them all ‘ohh.’

“I went up to tell him and Cara, but they were already gone. Bags packed, bed empty. You took her. What think that stupid I wouldn’t find out, what you do to her, hmm? You and Jackie’s daughter; what the hell did you do to her?” Miss Hardy started, jumping up again ready to launch into another yelling.

“No, no, no.” The Doctor said quickly. “You don’t understand-I am the Doctor. It just-

“A title, that’s like-” Cara started. “A title that’s passed down. Really, it is. But I am him, the Doctor.” The Doctor explained.

 “He really is.” Rose added, from the armchair. “You are?” Miss Hardy asked, glancing at her. “So what do you do with the Doctor?” she asked suspiciously “Oh, I’m his-”

“Rose is my friend and traveling companion.” The Doctor answered instantly, not noticing Rose’s face fall a little. “So you travel?” Miss Hardy questioned. Cara nodding. “Yep.”

“A lot?”

Cara bit the inside of her cheek. “A fair amount, with Rose and the Doctor.” Cara answered, trying to keep her answers vague but informative. If Miss Hardy caught even the slightest slip-up…

“What do you do on these travels? Is it dangerous?” Miss Hardy pressed, leaning closer to her.

Instantly thoughts of the flesh at the hospital, the werewolf, that strange group of half octopi people chasing them flashed though her brain. “No.” Cara said, shaking her head. “Pretty normal, boring sometimes.” she added, the Doctor letting out a silent sigh.

 Jackie glaring at him from over Miss Hardy.

After that lucky escape, with Jackie Tyler being their saviour of the evening and the Doctor getting the short end of the stick with Jackie having a go at him the second Miss Hardy left.

Luckily after that, Mickey arrived and the plan was put into place. Soon enough they were mailing a lottery ticket into the Physics teacher of Deffry Vale High School.

~

“But I don’t wanna go to sleep!” Cara giggled, getting up of her bed. “I’m not tired.” she cried jumping up and down on her bed excitedly.

Being a Time Tot, while it came with many annoying things; like the constant need and dependence on the Doctor and what she referred to as breaks of ‘childish moments’ like this one (The Doctor always rolled his eyes at that, referring to these moments as her ‘acting her age’.)

It did come with one very cool thing. And no, it wasn’t the ability of super senses, or two hearts or even the time travel.

It was story time.                              

A silly as it sounded, Cara loved it when she got to listen to the Doctor’s stories. Whether they were made up or true, or came from a book they were always the best to listen to.

The Doctor had the incredible power to make any story come to life, as if it were happing right in front of them.

Usually story time was after Rose turned in for the night, or when the Doctor remembered Cara should be sleeping at a certain time; something that Cara and the TARDIS had to remind him off.

The Doctor chuckled, watching her smiling. “Not tired, ay?” he said, a gleeful twinkling in his eyes. Reaching out the Doctor scooped her up making her laugh, before plonking her on the bed, he sitting next to her.

“Can you tell me a story? Please?” Cara asked, gazing up him. The Doctor paused pretending to think about it. “Well, how about I tell you one story and then bedtime?” he negotiated.

“Deal.” Cara said grinning widely as she began pulling her covers over her, resting her head between the Doctor’s shoulder and her pillow.

Her room (which was constantly shifting a rearranging itself) was at its core fairly simple. A tall bookshelf filled to the brim, a bed (with sheets that had stars on them) a desk with chair and a few bits of writing equipment, her cupboard and a small empty wooden chest (which was empty because she had no clue what to put in it.)

“So, what’s it today hmm? How about…oh! The time I crashed into Ancient Egypt and stopped a Pharaoh from being assassinated, or the time I drove my old car Bessie into the ocean? I missed Bessie, she was a great old car. Wonderful, just a true beauty I mean you should have seen her--”

“Can I hear about Sarah Jane again?”

“Sarah Jane Smith.” The Doctor said, smirking at her. “A clear favourite I see.” he teased, Cara playfully hitting him on the shoulder. “Come on! I love hearing about Sarah Jane! She sounds amazing!”

“She was,” the Doctor mused, his eyes glazing over a little as he remember. “Oh she was, did I ever tell you that she snuck into UNIT Headquarter and into the TARDIS? Sarah Jane Smith. She was brilliant.”

“I wish I could have met her…” Cara said, tracing lightly over the Doctor’s hands. “Oh, she would have loved you.” The Doctor said. Cara shot him a dubious look.

“I’m serious, she would have.” The Doctor said, shutting his eyes sighing to himself. Seeming to be lost in memory.

Before lazily opening his eyes, starting to play with her hair. Cara didn’t mind, simple curling up next to him, allowing the words to wash over her. As the Doctor weaved his tales of his adventures with the miraculous, brilliant, wonderful Sarah Jane Smith.

~

“So, basically all Timelords are Galifreyians, but not all Galifreyians are Timelords?” Cara mused, holding out the sonic. The Doctor was doing ‘maintenance’ (which was Doctor for mess about the TARDIS when he got bored) while Rose was busy securing her job at the school, leaving them to ‘fix up’ the TARDIS.

“Yes,” the Doctor replied, his head stuck into the wiring of the TARDIS. He looked quite comical, with only one hand free and the rest of him bobbing up and down on the floor as he fiddled with the circuits.

“Sonic.” he said, Cara handing it to him. The Doctor pulling his head out, a long cord wrapped around his neck like a snake, before going back in.

“When you ‘manipulate’ me, can you just, make me feel happy or sad? Is it like a full blown change or-

“No, the bond allows me to influence the emotional and mental state. But not the way you’re thinking. It’s sort of like…if you were feeling scared I could calm you down. I can’t take away the fear, but I can make you feel a little bit better.”

“Like a dampener? Or like an emotional check-er?” Cara asked, furrowing her eyebrows. “Checker, that’s a word right?”

The Doctor shrugged. “Eh, and yes,” he said waving the sonic. “Kinda off like an emotional checker. Same with your mental state. I can’t control it, but I can make you, susceptible.”

“Making me think twice, and influencing me to make a decision you want me to make.” Cara said wryly. The Doctor poking his head out; looking at her mildly amused face seeming to challenge ‘how you gonna play this one?’

 “Well, when you put it like that…yes. But I-I don’t that to you…often.” he mumbled to himself, suddenly extremely interested in his sonic.

“Why do you, do that then?”

“Why do humans strap their kids into large puffy car-seats?” the Doctor replied. “To keep them safe.” Cara answered.

The Doctor nodded. “Exactly. Our bond Cara, is not just a way to communicate;” the Doctor said, bending down to her height. “It’s a deep rooted instinct and power to protect a child like you. Children like you. With it, we can protect and find a-a-and help…it’s our car-seat for everything.”

 “Does it…does it make you care?” Cara said softly after a few seconds, looking up at him. “I’m just asking.” she added quickly, shrugging.

The Doctor smiled softly at her. “No,” he said causally. “The bond is like a car-seat and a car-seat is a tool. I mean, why would waste time and money installing one and making it sure it was the right colour and the right size if you didn’t care who was sitting in it.”

“Be pretty stupid.” Cara said lightly.
“Daft.” The Doctor agreed. “Caring actually makes it stronger. Makes it connect, but it is hard. I know.”

“Doctor! You complete arse!” Rose shouted suddenly, her hurried loud footsteps echoing above them. “Well she’s not happy, what job you give her?” Cara asked, glancing at the Doctor.

The Doctor smirked.

~
“Dinner lady!” Cara said, bursting out laughing.

PRESENT

“She was furious! When I passed her in the halls, I was pretty sure she was going stab the next person who asked her to give them ‘extra chips’” Cara said, making the Doctor snort, trying to stiffen his own laughter.

“Ah, Rose Tyler—”

~

Hiya!!

So, thoughts?

Honestly, I really liked writing the last scene with Cara and the Doctor fixing up the TARDIS. I personally LOVE Sarah Jane Smith. RIP Elisabeth Sladen, you live on in our hearts. I also could not resist the ending (evil I know)

Thank you all for reading, reviewing, faving and following!
Anyways, as usual please review, like, fav, follow, PM, ect. :)

Till next time...

Chapter 14: PHYSICS! Milo and School (Yay?)

                                                                                                           

 

 

 

The school bell rang loudly, as Cara and the rest of the children hurried up the steps. Pushing open the door to her fath the Doctor’s classroom, Cara slid into her seat pulling out her books and pens.

It was fun going to school again.

The door swung open as the Doctor walked in plonking his bag down on the teacher's desk. Facing the class, the Doctor caught her eye, sending her a small wink (making her grin), before addressing the class.

“Good morning, class. Are we sitting comfortably?”

~

“So. Physics.” The Doctor said, scrawling the word 'physics' in capital letters on the whiteboard underlining it. “Physics. Eh?” the Doctor continued, tossing the marker onto his desk. “Physics. Phyyyyyyyysics. Physics! Physics. Physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics.” he said, leaning back as he did so.

Cara bit her lip, much the rest of the class who were looking at their new teacher rather interested. “I hope one of you is getting all this down.” The Doctor mumbled.

Care raising an eyebrow at him. ‘Why?’

 “Um, okay, let's see what you know. Two identical strips of nylon are charged with static electricity and hung from a string so they can swing freely. What would happen if they were brought near each other?”

‘Repel each other. They have the same charge.’ Cara thought, but keeping her mouth shut.

Her brain worked much faster and more effectively than the normal human brain, and while she was nowhere near the Doctor’s level (who was really?) or even the ‘average Time Tot level. Due to her being as the Doctor put it ‘an equivalent of a two year old’ she still was smarter than most humans. It was best to keep quiet when she could. In anycase, they all thought she was the ‘physics teachers kid’ so it was a given that she would know these things.

“Yes, uh, what's your name?” the Doctor asked, when a boy two seats away from her raised his hand.  

“Milo.”
 “Milo! Off you go.”

“They'd repel each other because they have the same charge.” Milo answered. “Correctamundo!” the Doctor cried, continuing his pacing. “A word I have never used before and hopefully never will again.”

Cara smirked.

“Question two, I coil up a thin piece of micro wire and place it in a glass of water. Then I turn on the electricity and measure to see if the water's temperature is affected. My question is this: how do I measure the electrical power going into the coil?” the Doctor asked, Cara and Milo's hand shot up.

This one was a tad harder.

“Cara.” The Doctor said, pulling his hands into his pockets. “You’d measure the current and PDs in an ampmeter and a voltmeter.” she said.

 The Doctor nodded, smiling at her. “Very good.” he said, glancing at Cara. ‘I’m going to try something.’

“Right then, Milo and Cara tell me this; true or false: the greater the dampening of the system, the quicker it loses energy to its surroundings.” The Doctor asked.

“False.”
“False.”

The two said instantly, Cara glancing at Milo from the corner of her eye. ‘That was fast.’ Cara thought.

“What is a non-coding DNA?” the Doctor asked, folding his arms leaning back. “DNA that doesn't code for a protein.” the two said in unison.

“Sixty-five-thousand-nine-hundred-and-eighty-three times five?” the Doctor asked now going rapid fire. “Three-hundred-and-twenty-nine-thousand-nine-hundred-and-fifteen.” Milo said instantly, Cara still processing the information.

The class rustled some whispering in the back, shooting looks, some impressed, and others disturbed. Cara suddenly felt rather lost. It was odd, usual she was the one who knew some things, or at least had some sort of light understanding.

“How do you travel faster than light?”

“By opening a quantum tunnel with an FTL factor of 36.7 recurring.” The Doctor nodding, his mouth dropping open slightly. Cara shut her mouth, suddenly realising she had been staring at him in surprise, guppy fish.

‘What the hell?’
‘Language.’

~

Taking a seat with a few other children she had befriending in her short time (a nice boy named Kenny, a long-haired pretty girl named Melissa, a blonde haired girl called Jane and another boy named Luke.)

They were currently talking about the new teacher AKA Mr John Smith AKA The Doctor AKA her fa, no. Her ‘undercover fake father.’ Cara reminded herself sternly.

“So he’s really your dad?” Melissa asked, leaning forwards. Cara nodded, taking a bite from one of the chips. They tasted a bit strange, but they weren’t bad.

“Yep.” she said, suddenly spotting the Doctor take a seat on the table behind there. ‘Reeaally Doc? Again?’ she teased, leaning back slightly shooting him an amused look.

The Doctor shrugged, taking a bit of his chip, making a face. ‘I don’t like it.’

Cara took a bite, seeming to take the taste under deep analysis. ‘There not bad.’

“Cara.” Melissa said impatiently, making Cara snap out of it, returning to the conversation. “Yeah, sorry.” she said, seeing Rose join the Doctor. “What were you saying?” she asked, doing her best to focus on Melissa.

“I said, he seems a bit young to be your real dad.” Melissa said suspiciously. “He’s older than he looks.” Cara replied, tucking some hair behind her ear. If she focused she could just—

“It's very well behaved, this place. I thought there'd be happy-slapping hoodies.---”

“My dad had me when he was 24 and he looks older than yours.” Melissa started, making Cara lose her focus. “Umm.” she spluttered, trying to think of a decently good story.

“Does your dad teach you physics and stuff?” Kenny interrupted, making Cara internally sigh with relief. “Yes, I learn a lot with him.”

~

“Happy-slapping hoodies with ASBOs. Happy-slapping hoodies with ASBOs and ringtones. Yeah? Yeah?” The Doctor said to Rose. “Oh, yeah! Don't tell me I don't fit in.” he said, happily looking over and Cara who was now in an engaged conversation with children at her table.

“Least Cara’s having fun. Think she’s doing okay? No, I’m sure she’s fine…Maybe.” The Doctor smiled to himself watching as Cara laughed. Rose following his gaze making a light miff. “Yeah, yeah.” Rose said stiffly, just as another dinner lady approached them.

“You are not permitted to leave your station during a sitting.” she said sternly. Rose stood up.  “I was just talking to this teacher.”

“Hello.”

“He doesn't like the chips.” Rose said, the dinner lady looked (well, death glared) at the Doctor. “The menu has been specifically designed by the headmaster to improve concentration and performance.” she said stiffly seeming rather insulted by it. “Now, get back to work.” she snapped at Rose, walking back to the kitchen.

“See? This is me.” Rose said, turning around gesturing to her uniform. “Dinner lady.”

“I'll have the crumble.”
“I'm so gonna kill you.” Rose said, following the woman, just as another teacher (Mr Wagner?) approached Cara and her friend’s table. The Doctor perked up, his grin vanishing as he began listening closely.

“Cara. You'll be joining my class for the next period. Milo's failed me...so it's time we moved you up to the top class.” Mr Wagner said, making her nod slowly, her eyes completely fixated on him. “Kenny? Not eating the chips?”

“Not allowed too.” Kenny said sadly. Mr Wagner gave a light nod, ignoring Kenny, turning to the rest of them. “Luke, extra class. Now.” he said, walking away, Cara, Melissa, Luke, Jane and a few other children following after him.

The Doctor watched them leave, shutting his eyes for a second; resisting the urge to run after Cara the second she disappeared from his site. Looking up, he watched Mr Finch who was staring down at all of the children from the balcony above.

Mr Finch looked down catching the Doctor’s eye, before returning his attention to the children. The Doctor shoved in a few more chips, stabbing his fork into a pile of them.

‘Cara. Cara, can you hear me?’ he tried, waiting patiently for an answer.

He didn’t get one.

~
Cara sat completely still, the picture in front of her screen taking her complete focus.

Nothing. Nothing was more important than this. Nothing. Only this. The most important thing in the world. Maybe even the universe.

“I'd like you all to put your headphones on now, please.”

Cara pulled her headphones on, her fingers brushing against the keys of the computer. She was ready.

‘Cara. Cara, can you hear me?

Cara paused, the name inching in the back of her mind; suddenly very aware she was. She was in a computer lab. Who was this, who was talking…name…name…

“Now, children...the things you will see...”
‘…D-’

The screen lit up, with the cube and the codes. Cara’s hands flying to the keyboard, typing at an unnatural speed. She had to solve it. She had to solve it.

She had to solve it.
She had to solve it.
She had to solve it.
She had to solve it.
She had to solve it.
She would solve it.

~

“And how’s my daughter doing, Mr Parsons?” the Doctor asked, nibbling on a biscuit.

“Oh, she’s a wonderful child Mr Smith. Brilliant, just brilliant. Never had a keener mind for History. Did you know she gave me the exact architectural influence and significance of the Pantheon and the area of the Gardens of Babylon in, setats? It was as if she was right there herself.”

“She did?” The Doctor said slowly, nodding not knowing when Cara learned how to calculate setats. “Huh, well she always had a love for old things.” The Doctor said, it was true, Cara loved old things, old Victorian clocks, old alien technology.

“And yesterday, I had a twelve-year-old girl give me the exact height of the Walls of Troy...in cubits.” Mr Parsons continued. “And, it's ever since the new headmaster arrived?” the Doctor asked, trying to contact Cara once again.

Nothing.
It was like a static fuzz was blocking there telepathic connection. Instantly the werewolf and Queen Victoria ran into his mind, the Doctor swallowed his biscuit trying to give his full attention to Mr Parsons.

There were two explanations: Something or someone was jumping onto their telepathic signal and disrupting it. Unlikely but still possible. Or that, Cara was somehow unconsciously blocking him or something in her environment was causing her to be unconsciously blocking him.

“Finch arrived three months ago. Next day, half the staff got flu. Finch replaced them with that lot.” Mr Parsons said gesturing to the group of smartly dressed teachers all huddled together. “Except for the teacher you replaced, and that was just plain weird, her winning the lottery like that.”

“How's that weird?” the Doctor asked.

“She never played. Said the ticket was posted through her door at midnight.”

“Hmm! The world is very strange.” the Doctor said, popping another biscuit into his mouth.

“Excuse me, colleagues, a moment of your time.” Mr Finch called out, making them all turn. The Doctor’s eyes widened, as he stood up. ‘It can’t be…’

“May I introduce Miss Sarah Jane Smith. Miss Smith is a journalist, who's writing a profile about me for the Sunday Times.” Mr Finch said, Sarah Jane smiling as she looked at all of them.

The Doctor could only stare in awe at the woman in front of him. The corners of his mouth beginning to twitch as they turned into a smile.

“I thought it might be useful for her to get 'a view from the trenches', so to speak. Don't spare my blushes.” Mr Finch finished, turning around leaving the room. Sarah Jane turned and as if by fate caught the Doctor’s eye.

“Hello!”
“Oh, I should think so!” The Doctor said smiling, unable to look away from her. Sarah Jane Smith. “And, you are...?” Sarah Jane asked. The Doctor blinked. “Hmm? Uh, Smith. John Smith.”

“John Smith?” Sarah Jane repeated. “I used to have a friend who sometimes went by that name.”

“Well, it's a very common name.” The Doctor replied, unable to keep the grin off his face. ‘Oh, Cara’s going to love you.’

“He was a very uncommon man.” Sarah Jane said holding out her hand. “Nice to meet you!”

“Nice to meet you! Yes! Very nice! More than nice, brilliant!” the Doctor said, taking her hand, shaking it happily. “Um... so, um, have you worked here long?” she asked, glancing around the room, before back at the Doctor.

“No! Um, it's only my second day.” The Doctor answered. “Oh, you're new, then? So, what do you think of the school? I mean, this new curriculum?” she probed. “So many children getting ill, doesn't that strike you as odd?”

 “You don't sound like someone just doing a profile.” The Doctor said grinning widely. “Well, no harm in a little investigation while I'm here.” Sarah Jane said wryly.

“No. Good for you.” The Doctor said, as Sarah Jane walked away to talk to the other teachers.  “Good for you. Oh, good for you, Sarah Jane Smith.” he said proudly to himself, just as the bell rang.

~

Walking into the corridor, as the students piled out of their respective classrooms. The Doctor walked among them, with a faraway look and a smile on his face. “Sarah Jane Smith.” he mumbled to himself, smiling widely.

Suddenly he caught site of a familiar mop of dark brown hair, walking out of a classroom. Striding over ignoring the odd stares of the other students, he gently took Cara’s arm falling in step with her.

“Where were you?” he said instantly, quiet enough not to be overheard, by anyone other than them. “Umm, in class…why?” Cara asked, looking up at him in surprise.

The Doctor paused, wondering for a split second if he was being paranoid. Cara raised an eyebrow, the green in her hazel coloured eyes shining in the afternoon light.

“You okay, Doc?” she asked, looking up at him worriedly. The Doctor blinked, nodding his head slowly. “Yeah, yeah, I’m alright. Come on, we better get to class.”

~

Hiya!!

Thoughts????

Thank you all for reading, commenting, faving and following!
Anyways, as usual please comment, like, fav, follow, PM, ect. :)

Till next time...

Chapter 15: Sarah Jane and DRAMA, I Choose to Ignore

                                                                                                   

 

 

“You’re kidding!” Cara cried, jogging to keep up with the Doctor as they made their way back to the school (at night). Rose and Mickey were talking a little way behind them. “Sarah Jane Smith! Are you sure?!”

The Doctor nodded. “Sarah Jane Smith.” he confirmed, shooting her a grin. “Wow.” Cara breathed out. “Are you going to tell her your…you?”

The Doctor paused, sliding out his sonic, unlocking the door. “I’m sure she’s here, tonight.” he mumbled, glancing at her. “Cara, no matter what you don’t leave my side tonight. Alright?”

“Why?” she asked. “Just don’t.” the Doctor said, pushing it open before pushing open the fire door, making them enter the main hallway.

“Oh, it's weird seeing school at night. It just feels wrong.” Rose said. Cara nodding in agreement; the hallways seemed sinister somehow, but at the same time exciting, like it was a whole new place.

“When I was a kid, I used to think all the teachers slept in school.” Rose said, as they walked past the corridor. Cara smiled at that, glancing at Rose. The woman shrugged past her, Mickey giving her a gentle poke, making her giggle slightly.

 “All right, team. Oh, I hate people who say team. Um...gang. Um...comrades?”

“Fam?”  Cara suggested, tucking some of her hair behind her ear, pulling her jacket around her tighter. The Doctor paused. “Fam?” he tried making a face.

“Uh...anyway, Rose, go to the kitchen and get a sample of that oil. Mickey, the new staff are all Maths teachers, go and check out the Maths department. Cara and I are gonna look in Finch's office. Be back here in ten minutes.” The Doctor instructed, walking up the stair.

“Come along, Cara.” the Doctor called over his shoulder, the younger bounding after him.

~

“I don’t like this.” Cara mumbled as they headed down the corridor. Suddenly loud screeches rang out, making Cara jump clinging to the Doctor’s arm. ‘What was that?’

The Doctor paused, Cara and him standing in silence. ‘Stay close.’ he replied, walking in the direction of the sound. Walking into another corridor, a door slammed in the distance, where the Doctor had parked the TARDIS.

The screeching had stopped leaving the Doctor and Cara hiding in the shadows. Staring at the maintenance closet door just as the door opened again a person slipping out of it, backing away slowly.

‘Is that?’
‘Yes.’

Sarah Jane seemed to notice them behind her, slowly turning around staring at the Doctor. “Hello, Sarah Jane.” the Doctor said quietly.

“It's you. Oh...Doctor…” she breathed out, a smile starting to spread across her face, slowly edging towards them. “Oh, my God, it's you, it's...it's...you've regenerated.”

“Half a dozen times since we last met.”
“You look...incredible.”
“So do you.”

Sarah Jane shook her head. “I got old.” she mumbled, catching a glimpse of Cara; who was shyly half hiding behind the Doctor’s long coat. “Who’s that?” she asked, forcing her eyes from the Doctor.

The Doctor smiled, putting his arm around Cara’s shoulders, gently pulling her closer to Sarah Jane. “Sarah Jane, this is Cara. She’s my Time Tot.” the Doctor said proudly, ruffling Cara’s hair.

Making the younger groan. “Docttoorr.” she whined, making a half-hearted attempt at fixing it. Sarah Jane laughed lightly. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Cara.” Sarah Jane said smiling kindly at her, before looking back up at the Doctor. “What're you doing here?”

The Doctor shrugged, glancing up at the ceiling. “Well...UFO sightings, school gets record results, I couldn't resist. What about you?”

“Same.”

They laughed, Cara smiling at the two. It was like watching to kindred spirts reconnect. It was beautiful.

Sarah Jane's smile faltered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I thought you'd died. I waited for you and you didn't come back, and I thought you must've died.”

The Doctor’s smiled faded, suddenly holding onto Cara tighter. “I lived. Everyone else died.”

“What do you mean?” Sarah Jane asked furrowing her eyebrows, glancing down at Cara. “Everyone died, Sarah. Everyone, but her.” The Doctor replied softy. His voice was heavy, seeming to carry much more than his words.

 Sarah Jane shut her eyes, shaking her head. “I can't believe its you.” she whispered.

The second the words came out of her mouth a loud high pitched wailing rang out. “Oh, Mickey!” Cara cried, the three of them turning in the direction of the sound.

“Okay! Now I can!” Sarah Jane half laughed out, grinning as they ran to the source of the scream.

Almost crashing into Rose, who came running from another corridor. “Did you hear that?” she cried, turning to them. “Who's she?”

“Rose, Sarah Jane! Sarah Jane, Rose.” The Doctor introduced. Rose made a face, one Cara noticed was similar to the one she often received from her.

“Hi. Nice to meet you.” Sarah Jane said, holding out her hand, a large fake smile and tone on her voice. Cara and the Doctor shared an awkward look, both sensing the strange feelings rolling off both woman.

“You can tell you're getting older, your assistants are getting younger.” Sarah Jane said, glancing at the Doctor.

“I'm not his assistant.” Rose snapped, glancing at the Doctor almost waiting for him to say something. The Doctor scratched his ear uncomfortably. Cara bit her lower lip, suddenly very interested in the ceiling.

It was quite a nice ceiling, if you really thought about it.

“No? I get you, tiger.” Sarah Jane replied coolly. “Mickey.” Cara reminded, dashing past the two, the Doctor directly behind her. ‘What’s wrong with them?’ she asked.

The Doctor made a face. ‘Long story, long uncomfortable story.’

~

“Sorry! Sorry, it was only me.” Mickey cried when they all walked in. “You told me to investigate, so I, I started looking through some of these cupboards and all of these fell out of them.”

Cara bent down, picking up a packet, the Doctor doing the same, taking a few and examining them. “Oh, my God, they're rats.” Rose said in mild disgust. “Cool.” Cara mumbled, making the Doctor grin at her.

“Dozens of rats. Vacuum packed rats.”

“And you decided to scream.” The Doctor said, getting up turning to Mickey.

“It took me by surprise!”
“Like a little girl?”

“Hey!” Cara cried from the floor, still looking at each rats. “Yes! Worse than a little girl. Baby, newborn baby in a bonnet.” The Doctor said.

“It was dark! I was covered in rats!” Mickey replied indignantly. “One, maybe two years old. I'm seeing fluffy hats, frilly skirts.” the Doctor sassed.

“Hello, can we focus?” Rose said, interrupting the impending argument. “Does anyone notice anything strange about this? Rats in school?”

“Well, obviously they use them in Biology lessons.” Sarah Jane answered. “They dissect them. Or maybe you haven't reached that bit yet. How old are you?”

The Doctor and Mickey shared discreet a look between them. “Excuse me, no one dissects rats in school anymore. They haven't done that for years. Where are you from, the dark ages?” Rose retorted.

“Actually dissection is something that is still practiced in many schools. But many schools abandoned the practice of dissection due to its overall health and safety fears.” Cara said, jumping up, dusting herself off.

“Like the chemicals used to preserve animals; which are very unhealthy for humans to inject or smell like formaldehyde. Not to mention the morals of it; as it is animal cruelty, though in 1752…” Cara trailed off, as they all stared at her. “I’m not helping.” Cara mumbled. Mickey nodding quietly behind Rose and Sarah Jane, the Doctor glaring at him from the corner of his eye.

Sarah Jane and Rose looked at her, their expression unreadable.

Cara swallowed hard. “I-I don’t really know how I should end this. So, I’m just going to walk away. Yeah, walking now. I’m over here. So…yeah...I’m stopping…now.” she said, stepping back, sitting on one of the desk.

“Anyway, moving on.” The Doctor said, looking at Cara. ‘You can tell me facts about dissection later.’

“Everything started when Mr Finch arrived. We should go and check his office.” The Doctor said, tossing the rat back to Mickey (who instantly dropped it), holding out an arm for Cara, to go first.

Walking out of the classroom, Cara with the Doctor, Sarah Jane and Rose with Mickey at the back. “I don't mean to be rude or anything, but who exactly are you?” Rose asked, she and Sarah Jane walking in front of the Doctor and Cara, bickering.

 “Sarah Jane Smith. I used to travel with the Doctor.”
“Oh! Well, he's never mentioned you.” Rose sneered. Cara looking at her in surprise. The Doctor always talked about the people he travelled with.

“Oh, I must've done! Sarah Jane! Mention her all the time.” The Doctor said, slipping his hand into Cara’s. She could feel his discomfort, which was rather sad since the Doctor was rather happy at seeing Sarah Jane again.

“Hold on...sorry...never.” Rose said, pretending to think about it

“Really?” Cara said lightly. “The Doctor talks about Sarah Jane all the time, and Jo, Susan and Bessie—”she started, shutting the mouth when Rose turned to her, wide-eyed and jaw-dropped.

It was suddenly clear that maybe, possible, Rose was not aware (or just ignored) that the Doctor travelled with. “Nevermind.” she said, Rose walking off in a huff. Sarah Jane looking a little please as she followed Rose.

“Still not helping then.” Cara mumbled to Doctor. “Don’t be silly, you’re helping a lot.” The Doctor replied encouragingly, incredible eager to listen to her. She was always so quiet around people, it was nice to hear to talk. 

“Ho ho! Mate!” Mickey cried, patting a hand on the Doctor’s shoulder. “The missus and the ex. Welcome to every man's worst nightmare.” he said grinning as he ran after the woman.

The Doctor groaned loudly, rolling his head back. “Ugh. Would it be mean to just leave them here and walk out.” he grumbled, making Cara chuckled. “Little bit, yeah.” she replied, smiling.

“Come on,” Cara said taking his hand, as they walked to Finch’s office. “It can’t get any worse.”

~

“Maybe those rats were food.” The Doctor mumbled, unlocking Mr Finch’s door with his sonic. “Food for what?” Rose asked, as the Doctor opened the door, peering inside.

“Sounding like breathing, really heavy breathing.” Cara mumbled from behind them, leaning against the wall.

“Rose...you know you used to think all the teachers slept in the school...?” the Doctor asked, his eyes fixated on the ceiling; walking inside allowing them too all have a look. “Well... they do.”

Bats. But like the biggest, scariest bats; you’d ever seen, were handing from the ceiling. “I think you were right about the rats, Doc.” Cara whispered.

“No way!” Mickey whispered-yelled turning on his heels running out of the school, Sarah Jane and Rose hurrying after him. Cara ran out next, the Doctor behind her shutting the door behind him.

A loud screech rang out from inside the room, making the two run after the (group? Fam? Whatever). Mickey and Rose burst through the front doors of the school panting heavily, Cara, the Doctor and Sarah Jane opting for speed walking.

“I am not going back in there. No way.” 
“Those were teachers!”

“When Finch arrived, he brought with him seven new teachers, four dinner ladies and a nurse. Thirteen. Thirteen big bat people.” The Doctor said. “Well that doesn’t sound crazy at all.” Cara said from behind him.

“Come on.” the Doctor said, making his way back inside. “Come on, you've got to be kidding!” Mickey cried.

“I need the TARDIS. I've got to analyse that oil from the kitchen.” The Doctor replied.

“I might be able to help you, there.” Sarah Jane said, taking the Doctor’s arm pulling him to the car park. “I've got something to show you!”

Standing around Sarah Jane’s park, she opened the boot; the Doctor pulling off a blanket of something. “K9!” The Doctor cried happily smiling at the metal tin dog. “Really?” Cara asked, looking eagerly at the robo-dog. “Cara, Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, allow me to introduce K9...Well, K9 Mark III to be precise.”

“Why does he look so...disco?” Rose asked sounding rather unimpressed. “Oi! Listen, in the year five thousand, this was cutting edge!” the Doctor said, turning to Sarah Jane. “What's happened to him?”

“Oh, one day, just pff...nothing!”
“Well, didn't you try and get him repaired?”

Cara lightly touching K9’s circuity. While the dog seemed rather old and rusty; it didn’t seem particularly damaged.

“Well, it's not like getting parts for a mini-metro! Beside, the technology inside him could rewrite human science. I couldn't show him to anyone!”

 “Ooh, what's the nasty lady done to you? Eh?” the Doctor cooed, stroking K9 lovingly. Cara smiled at the dog; a flash of pain suddenly going through her, the Doctor looked up. “Alright?”

Cara pulled her gaze from the sky. “Yeah.” She could have sworn something was up there,

“Look, no offense but could you three just stop petting for a minute? Never mind the tin dog, we're busy!” Rose called, she and Mickey already getting into the car.

Sarah Jane went to the driver’s seat as the Doctor closed the boot, giving Cara a light nudge on her shoulder. “Come on.” he said gently. Cara nodded opening the car door.

The odd feeling of something watching her still with her.

~

Sitting down between the Doctor and Sarah Jane Smith was probably the best way to end a day. Sarah Jane was just as the Doctor said she would be amazing. She was like the Doctor an animated person and with little to no trouble eagerly told her stories and talked with her as if she had known Cara her whole life.

It was a nice change.

“Ah!” the Doctor cried, accidently touching something hot again. The Doctor was trying to fix K9 with his sonic, Cara and Sarah Jane watching him and talking. “I don’t know why, keeps on overheating.”

“Maybe that’s the problem, with the ventilation or the cooling system?” Cara suggested. “Maybe,” the Doctor mumbled, drawing back, flipping his sonic up and down, before pausing, holding out the screwdriver to Cara.

Cara glanced down at the sonic, then back at the Doctor. “No, no-”

“Oh, come on, give it a go!” the Doctor said excitedly holding it out to her. Cara shook her head. “That’s a very bad idea, very bad—you know- I’ll probably end up blowing us all up or, or-”

“That’s why I’m here, just try.” The Doctor said holding it out to her, Cara glanced at Sarah Jane in some to rescue her. Sarah Jane smiled, nodding to it encouragingly.

‘Great there’s two of them.’

“There’s not even a fire extinguisher.” Cara said weakly, taking the screwdriver already known she had been beaten. “Alright, so it’s just this and this.” The Doctor instructed leaning over; pointing it out to her. “And remember it’s all about concentrating.”

Cara nodding, holding it up slightly awkwardly, pressing one of the buttons. “Like this?” she tried, the lights in the shop suddenly going out. “See!” Cara said, the Doctor reaching over, turning the lights back.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re learning. Just…humour me.” The Doctor said kindly, leaning back allowing her to fiddle with K9. Cara sighed, still looking rather unsure, before reaching over, fiddling with K9’s wires.

“I thought of you on Christmas Day. This Christmas just gone? Great big spaceship overhead, I thought, ‘Oh, yeah. Bet he's up there’.” Sarah Jane said to the Doctor, after a few moments of silence, the Doctor watching Cara.

“Right on top of it, yeah.”
“And Rose?”
“She was there too.” The Doctor said, holding out a few wires for Cara, as she fixed and connected them.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked cautiously. “Because you never came back for me. You just...dumped me.”

“I told you. I was called back home and in those days humans weren't allowed.” The Doctor replied, turning to her. “I waited for you. I missed you.” Sarah Jane said quietly. “Oh, you didn't need me!” the Doctor said, brushing it off. “You were getting on with your life.”

“You were my life.” Sarah Jane said the Doctor looking up at her. Cara doing her best not to intervene on this seemingly important moment. Squinting slightly she dug her hand into K9’s wires, pulling a few out and readjusting them.

“You know what the most difficult thing was? Coping with what happens next, and with what doesn't happen next. You took me to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, you showed me supernovas, intergalactic battles and then you just dropped me back on Earth. How could anything compare to that?”

“All those things you saw, do you want me to apologize for that?” the Doctor asked, sounding confused. “No, but we get a taste of that splendour…and then we have to go back.” Sarah Jane explained.

“But look at you, you're investigating. You found that school, you're doing what we always did.” The Doctor replied.

“You could've come back.”
“I couldn't.”
“Why not?”

The Doctor didn’t answer. Cara (against her will) yawned loudly making the Doctor chuckled. “Tired?”

“No.” Cara said indignantly, fighting the urge to yawn again. Just two more wires and it should work. She hoped it would work. Please god make it work.

“It wasn't Croydon, where you dropped me off, it wasn't Croydon!” Sarah Jane said sounding a little hurt. “Where was it?” the Doctor asked, worriedly. “Aberdeen.” Sarah Jane snapped.

“Right.” The Doctor paused. “That's next to Croydon, isn't it?”

Sarah Jane smiled shaking her head. Suddenly K9 sprung to life, making Cara jump out of her skin. “Oh, hey! Now we're in business!” the Doctor said, leaping to his feet, grinning at Cara; who was staring rather dumbfounded at K9. “You did it!” he said happily.

“I did?” Cara mumbled, glanced at Sarah Jane who was grinning too. “You did!” Sarah Jane said, giving her a hug from behind. “Really?” Cara said, staring at the K9, who had lit up, wagging his tail.

“Yes!” the Doctor said, ruffling her hair happily, laughing. “I’m so proud of you! Let’s see!” he said, standing in front of K9. “Master!” K9 said, in his robotic voice.

“He recognizes me!” the Doctor said ecstatically, Cara slowly getting up, watching K9 wag his ears. “Affirmative.” K9 replied.

“I did it.” Cara whispered to herself, a smile starting to grow on her face. “Rose, give us the oil.” The Doctor called holding out his hand.

~

The Doctor pulled off the lid of the jar, to dip his finger in it. “I wouldn't touch it, though, that dinner lady got all scorched.” Rose said quickly.

“I'm no dinner lady.” The Doctor said, Cara shooting him a ‘weird out’ look. “And I don't often say that.” he added, dipping his finger into the oil smearing it onto K9’s sensor. “Here we go. Come on, boy. Here we go.”

K9’s lights and buttons began to light up. “Oil. Ex, ex, ex, extract ana, an…analysing...” “Listen to it, man! That's a voice!” Mickey laughed grinning.

The Doctor and Cara glared at him.

“Careful! That's my dog!” Sarah Jane warned. Mickey stopped sheepishly.

“Confirmation of analysis: substance is Krillitane Oil.”

“They're Krillitanes.” The Doctor breathed out, wide eyed. “Is that bad?” Rose asked.

“Very. Think of how bad things could possibly be, and add another suitcase full of bad.” The Doctor said grimly. “And what are...Krillitanes?” Sarah Jane asked.

“They're a composite race.” The Doctor explained. “Just like your culture is a mixture of traditions from all sorts of countries, people you've invaded or have been invaded by, you've got bits, bits of Viking, bits of France, bits of whatever...the Krillitanes are the same. An amalgam of the races they've conquered. But they take physical aspects as well. They cherry-pick the best bits from the people they destroy. That's why I didn't recognize them. The last time I saw Krillitanes, they looked just like us except they had really long necks.”

“What're they doing here?” Cara asked, the Doctor looking at her, his eyes widening.

“TARDIS. TARDIS, now.” The Doctor said, taking Cara’s hand practically pulling her to the door. “Wai-Doctor!” Cara protested. ‘If this is about bedtime I’ve already missed it!’

“Doctor! What’s wrong?” Rose called, the Doctor pausing; stepping back, still gripping onto Cara’s hand.

“It's the children. They're doing something to the children.”

20 Minutes Later…

It took a while for Sarah Jane and Rose to eventually make the Doctor agree to go back to Sarah Jane’s for the night instead of the TARDIS. Luckily, Sarah Jane seemed to well versed in swaying him; soon enough they were packing K9 into Sarah Jane’s car.

“How many of us have there been, travelling with you?” Rose called out suddenly, making the Doctor and Cara pause. “Does it matter?” the Doctor said, clearly eager to get going.

“Yeah, it does, if I'm just the latest in a long line.” Rose said her voice trembling whether with anger with anger or sadness. The Doctor sighed, turning to Rose. “Can we not do this now?”

“No!” Rose shouted, angrily. “Cara, go in the car.” The Doctor said calmly, Sarah Jane and Mickey hearing the noise, poking their heads. Cara blinked, glanced between the Doctor and Rose, seeming to freeze. Rose tutted, shaking her head.

“Come on sweetie,” Sarah Jane said suddenly, taking her arm gently pulling her to the car.

~

“I thought you and me were... but I obviously got it wrong. I've been to the year five billion, right, but this...now this is really seeing the future. You just leave us behind. Is that what you're going to do to me?” Rose asked, her voice thick.

The Doctor said nothing; scratching his ear. “This is because of her isn’t it?” Rose said shakily. The Doctor shook his head. “No.”

Rose sniffed. “Then, why? Why-”

“I don't age. I regenerate.” The Doctor said. “But humans decay. You wither and you die. Imagine watching that happen to someone who you cares about you. You can spend the rest of your life with me. But I can't spend the rest of mine with you. I have to live on with Cara. That's the curse of the Time Lords.”

“But Rose you need to stop.” The Doctor said his voice turning stern and darker. Rose blinked staring at him in surprise, he never used a tone like that with her. “Sto-”

A loud screech rang out, as a Krillitane swooped down, descending on Sarah Jane, Cara and Mickey who were waiting outside of the car.

“Cara!” The Doctor shouted, running to the car. Sarah Jane and Mickey reacting fast, ducking down shielding Cara with their bodies. The Krillitane skimmed past them, fling off into the night sky, screeching.

“Was that a-?”

“Krillitane.” Cara finished, looking up at it, fly away.

“But it didn't even touch her, it just flew off!” Rose said, gesturing to Cara. “What did it do that for?”

 

 

 

Chapter 16: School Reunion, A Goodbye and Puke

                                                                                                         

 

Cara yawned, picking up a pillow in attempt to block the sun’s rays. “Ugh…” she moaned turning over; and promptly fell off.

“Oww.” Cara grumbled, poking her head out of the blanket she had been covered with; she had been asleep on a soft couch with a warm yellow blanket that had been covering her. “Where am I?”

“Sarah Jane’s,” the Doctor said, walking out of the kitchen, setting down two cups of tea, helping her up off the floor. “When-?”

“Last night, fell asleep in the car.” The Doctor said, tucking some of her loose hair behind her ear, sitting down on Sarah Jane’s coffee table. “I’m sorry about Rose.” Cara said instantly. “It’s all my fault a-” 

“No, no, no. You didn’t do anything.” The Doctor said sternly. “It’s my fault, I just thought…things would be different.” he said quietly.

~

The school bell rang loudly as the children flocked towards the building, excitedly. Closing the car door, The Doctor, Mickey, Rose, Cara and Sarah Jane got out of Sarah Jane's car; walking towards the school.

“Rose, Sarah and Cara, you go to the Maths room. Crack open those computers, I need to see the hardware inside. Here, you might need this.” The Doctor instructed handing his sonic to Sarah Jane, making Rose scowl, dropping her hand.

“Keep an eye on Cara, no buts.” The Doctor added, stopping the younger’s protest before it began. “Sarah Jane, don’t let her out of your site.” The Doctor said, turning to Sarah Jane, who nodded. “Mickey, surveillance. I want you outside.”

“Just stand outside?” Mickey asked, Sarah Jane tossed him her car keys. “Here, take these, you can keep K9 company.” she said.

“Don't forget to leave the window open a crack.” The Doctor reminded him.
“But he's metal!”
“I didn't mean for him.”

“What're you gonna do?” Rose asked, glancing at the Doctor.

“It's time I had a word with Mr Finch.”

~

“It's not working!” Sarah Jane said irritably, coming out from one of the desks, holding out the sonic. Rose was sitting next to her on one of the chairs, shooting Cara dark looks. Cara was sitting on top of one of the desks, quietly swinging her legs.

“Give it to me.” Rose said, taking the sonic, rolling her eyes before ducking underneath the desk. “Used to work first time in my day.” Sarah Jane said lightly.

“Well, things were a lot simpler back then.” Rose snapped, turning on the sonic, Cara hearing his familiar whirrs and buzzes. “Rose, can I give you a bit of advice?” Sarah Jane asked. Cara quietly sliding off the desk not wanting to hear this.

Walking down the line of computers, Cara caught site of a shadow quickly moving past the door. Glancing behind her at the two bickering woman.

“I've got a feeling you're about to.”
“I know how intense a relationship with the Doctor can be, and I don't want you to feel I'm intruding...”
“I don't feel threatened by you if that's what you mean.”

Edging to the moving shadow, Cara opened the door, looking back and forth though the empty hall. Nothing. She probably was just seeing things.

“Right. Good. Because, I'm not interested in picking up where we left off.”
“No? With the big sad eyes and the robot dog? What else were you doing last night?”
“I was just saying how hard it was adjusting to life back on Earth…”

Turning around, stepping back inside about to find a computer to break into. She felt something lunge forwards covering her mouth before she could scream.

“The thing is... when you two met... they'd only just got rid of rationing. No wonder all that space stuff was a bit too much for ya.”
“I had no problem with space stuff. I saw things you wouldn't believe.”

 The thing’s grip was tight, Cara fighting against it; kicking her legs about like mad, in attempt to get them to notice her. They seemed to busy arguing about how much ‘space stuff’ they saw.

“Try me.”
“Mummies.”
“I've met ghosts.”

‘Seriously?’ Cara inwardly moaned. The thing pulled her out into the corridor. Dragging her down the hall, Cara eventually, elbowing the thing hard enough. Turning to run, before Mr Wagner and the other Krillitane teacher caught her.

Mr Wagner, pounced grabbing her by her arms, his other hand covering her mouth again, the other teacher appeared holding a jar of Krillitane oil and a big spoon.

Mr Wagner moved his hand. “Doc-!” before she could finished, the other Krillitane, shoving the oil into her mouth. Cara gagged, making a face. ‘Gross!’

“Careful.” Mr Finch said, Mr Wagner covering her mouth again. Cara noticing he had thick gloves on. ‘Doctor! Doctor! Doctor! Help me!’

“She’s the Time child.”
“It’s Tot.” Cara corrected, sounding muffled with the gloves blocking her mouth. Mr Finch smiled. “Apologies.” Mr Finch said, his eyes snaking over her. “I wouldn’t waste your energy trying to contact the Doctor.” he said, bending down to her height, smiling. “You have much more important things to do after all.”

~

"How's it going?” the Doctor asked, walking into the Computer Lab. Rose and Sarah Jane laughed harder. “What? Listen, I need to find out what's programmed inside these.”

 They took no notice of him, half fall down in laughter. The Doctor furrowed his eyebrows. “What? Stop it!” he said quietly, like a puppy who had incidentally knocked something over.

“Sarah! Rose!” the Doctor said sharply, looking around the room. “Where’s Cara?”

~

“I can’t find her!” the Doctor growled, putting his sonic between his teeth, ripping a handful of wires out of a computer; hanging them around his neck. “I can’t find her!” he repeated, Rose and Sarah Jane running around the room, looking under all the tables and closets.

“I can’t find her!” he shouted, running the sonic along the back of the computer. “I can't shift it.” The Doctor hissed. “I thought the sonic screwdriver could open anything!” Sarah Jane cried.

“Anything except a deadlock seal. Finch. He must had done something, given her Krillitane oil, something in that is messing with our telepathic connect. There's gotta be something inside here. What're they teaching those kids?” he said setting down the laptop.

~

The room was silent, as the last of the Krillitanes attached the big wires to Cara’s computer in Mr Finch’s office. “You’ll lose, you know.” she said suddenly. “Lose what?” Mr Finch asked, plugging in the headphones.

One of the other Krillitanes, keeping a tight hold on Cara. (Especially after she gave one of the crazy lunch ladies a good hard kick.) They didn’t like that. “This. Your plan will fail, The Doctor will beat you.”

Mr Finch smiled, putting the headphones on her ear. “We’ll see my dear, we’ll see.”

The screen lit up. Instantly Cara snapped to attention, typing furiously on the keyboard.

“We’ll see.”

~
“You wanted the program, there it is.” Sarah Jane said, as every laptop in the computer lab lit up displaying the green codes. “Some sort of code…” the Doctor mumbled, staring at it wide-eyed. “No...No…they can't be...The Skasis Paradigm. They're trying to crack the Skasis Paradigm.”

“The Skasis what?” Sarah Jane asked, the Doctor still staring at the screen, the pieces all clicking into place. “The...God-maker. The universal theory. Crack that equation and you've got control of the building blocks of the universe. Time and space and matter, yours to control.”

“What, and the kids are like a giant computer?” Rose guessed.

“Yes.” The Doctor answered, pacing up and down. “And their learning power is being accelerated by the oil! That oil from the kitchens, it works as a...as a... conducting agent. Why Cara’s been able to calculate setats, could be why I can’t find Cara. Her minds too hyperactive…the oil makes the kids cleverer.”

“But that oil's on the chips. I've been eating them.” Rose said. “What's fifty-nine times thirty-five?” the Doctor asked quickly. “Two thousand and sixty five.” Rose answered instantly. “Oh my God...”

“But why use children? Can't they use adults?” 

“No, it's gotta be children. The God-maker needs imagination to crack it. They're not just using the children's brains to break the code...they're using their souls. And they must be using Cara as their spearhead, like a beacon to focus on.”

“Let the lesson begin.” Mr Finch said, walking in. The Doctor turned to face him, his face set. “Where’s my daughter?”

“Think of it, Doctor, with the Paradigm solved, reality becomes clay in our hands. We can shape the universe and improve it.” Mr Finch replied, ignoring the Doctor’s question.

“Oh yeah? The whole of creation with the face of Mr Finch. Call me old fashioned, but I like things as they are.”

“You act like such a radical, and yet all you want to do is preserve the old order. Think of the changes that could be made if this power was used for good.” Mr Finch continued.

 “What, by someone like you?” the Doctor said sceptically. “No...Someone like you.” The Doctor said nothing, clearing not expecting that answer.

“The Paradigm gives us power, but you could give us wisdom. Become a God. At my side. Imagine what you could do, think of the civilizations you could save. Perganon, Assinta...your own people, Doctor. Standing tall. The Time Lords... reborn. Think of your daughter, how happy she would be…You’d be her hero…”

The Doctor still said nothing, staring deep into Mr Finch's eyes; unable to look away.

 “Doctor, don't listen to him.” Sarah Jane said staring at him worriedly, the Doctor looked conflicted.

 “And you could be with him throughout eternity. Young...fresh... never wither, never age...never die.” Finch said, turning to Sarah Jane. “Their lives are so fleeting. So many goodbyes. How lonely you must be, Doctor. Join us.” he said looking back at the Doctor.

He had a faraway look in his eyes...the offer was so tempting, he’d never lose anyone again, he’d never had to tell Cara what he’d done. “I could save everyone...”

“Yes.”
 “I could stop the war...” the Doctor whispered. A small smile graced across Mr Finch's lips.

“No. The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love.” Sarah Jane said desperately. “Whether it's a world, or a relationship...everything has its time. And everything ends.”

The Doctor stared; his eyes drifting towards Sarah Jane taking her words in.

‘They're not just using the children's brains to break the code...they're using their souls. And they must be using Cara as their spearhead, like a beacon to focus on. Cara as their spearhead. They're using their souls.’

They were trying to manipulate him, use him. Use Cara. Use her soul. The Doctor’s eyes locked onto the screen.

The Doctor gritted his teeth, rushing past Mr Finch grabbing a chair; hurdling the chair though the screen smashing it to bits.

 “Out!”

~

A loud screech echoed through the school. As the Doctor, Rose and Sarah Jane ran into Mickey and Kenny. “What is going on?” Mickey asked, just as three Krillitanes half flew, half climbed their way towards them.

The Doctor and the others turned on their heels; running down the hallways the Krillitanes behind them.

Running into the lunch hall finding the door to be locked, the Doctor reached into his coat pulling out his sonic. Mr Finch burst through the doors; followed by his Krillitane brothers and sisters.

“Are they my teachers?” Kenny asked, he and the others crouching under the tables and chairs. “Yeah. Sorry.” The Doctor answered, edging towards a chair.

“Leave the Doctor alive. As for the others...you can feast.” Mr Finch ordered. The Krillitanes swooped down on them.

 The Doctor swinging a chair around widely as the others, tried to duck out of the way, screaming.

Suddenly, one of the Krillitanes was shot down with red laser beam as K9 wheeled into the room. Mr Finch roared loudly.

“K9!” Sarah Jane cried. “Suggest you engage running mode, mistress.” K9 instructed, continuing to blast the Krillitanes as the other took off running. “Come on!” the Doctor shouted. “K9, hold them back!” the Doctor called over his shoulder as the others ran out.

“Affirmative, master. Maximum defence mode!”

The Doctor pushed a door open. “Come on!” he shouted, ushering them inside, slamming the door shut, locking it with his sonic screwdriver.

“It's the oil.” The Doctor said suddenly, looking up the others all sitting in silence in the empty classroom. “Krillitane life forms can't handle the oil! That's it! They've changed the physiology so often, even their own oil is toxic to them. How much was there in the kitchens?”

“Barrels of it.” Rose answered, getting up as the Krillitanes reached the door, clawing and pounding against it. Just then a loud boom rang out, making the whole room shake.

“Wait, what was that?!” Mickey cried, gripping onto the table. “They broke the first code.” The Doctor said gravely. “We need to get Cara and the kids out of there. Okay, we need to get to the kitchens. Mickey-”

“What now, hold the coats?” Mickey sassed.

“Get all the children unplugged and out of the school. Mickey if you do find Cara get her out of here. Keep her safe,” the Doctor said, staring deep into his eyes. Mickey swallowed, nodding his head. “Yeah.”

“Now then, bats, bats, bats, how do we fight bats?”

Kenny strode over to a fire alarm setting it off. The Krillitanes moaned in pain, at the sound; the Doctor grinned flinging the door open, running past them. The Krillitanes in too much pain to hurt them.

“Come on!”

~

“Doctor! We don’t have time for this!” Rose shouted, as the Doctor and Sarah Jane burst every classroom door open shouting for Cara. “Then help me!” he shouted back, running out of the last classroom, running his fingers through his hair.

“Where could he be keeping her? Where is she? CARA!” The Doctor shouted, looking around widely. “Where else could they keep her? There’s no more-” Sarah Jane paused her eyes lighting up. “The office! The Principles office!” she cried out, running in the direction of it.

“But the kitchen is this way!” Rose shouted, pointing in the opposite direction. The Doctor ran past her following Sarah Jane. “Urgh!” Rose growled, running after them.

Bursting though Mr Finch’s office door, the Doctor ran in.

Cara was typing like mad, her eyes completely locked onto the computer screen all the cords linking up to her computer. Rushing forwards, waving a hand over her eyes, the Doctor starting to pull off her headphones.

The second he did, a buzz of electricity shot though her, making her wince in pain. The Doctor released the headphones instantly, buzzing his sonic around them.

Pulling them off, the Doctor bent down, giving her a gently shake.

“Cara. Cara, listen to me: you need to wake up now.” The Doctor whispered into her ear. Cara blinked, her gaze unmoving from the screen. “Doctor, there coming.” Sarah Jane said, from the door; she, Rose, Kenny and K9 waiting there.

The Doctor sighed. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing a hand against her head. Cara’s eyes rolled back, falling asleep instantly.

Untying her from her bonds, the Doctor picked her up, cradling in his arms like a baby. “Lets’ go.”

~

Reaching the kitchens, the Doctor buzzing the oil barrels with his sonic, Cara tucked into the crook of his neck. “They've been deadlock sealed!” he said, trying another. “Finch must've done that. I can't open them.”

“The vats would not withstand a direct hit from my laser.” K9 reported. “But my batteries are failing.”

The Doctor gazed around the room. “Right. Everyone out the back door. K9, stay with me.” The Doctor instructed, as Sarah Jane, Rose and Kenny ran out the backdoor.

The Doctor gently set Cara down on the floor, crouched before K9, whipping out his sonic. “You are worried, Master.” K9 said, as the Doctor began tinkering with his wires. “Yes.”

“For the young mistress?” K9 asked, his ears waving. “For Cara?”

The Doctor said noting, giving K9 his battery boost beginning to move the barrels of oil closer to K9 for a direct shot.

 “Capacity for only one shot, Master. For maximum impact, I must be placed directly beside the vat.” K9 said, the Doctor rushing over to him. “But you'll be trapped inside.”

“That is correct.”
“I can't let you do that.”
“No alternative possible, Master.”

The Doctor glanced over his shoulder, as a loud Krillitane screech rang out from behind them.  The Doctor looked at K9, understanding what has to be done. “Goodbye, old friend.”

“Goodbye Master.”

The Doctor stared down at K9; his eyes warm, but sad. “You good dog.”

“Affirmative.” K9 replied, waging his ears and tail. The Doctor placed his hand on K9’s head,  his hand briefly on K9's face, turning around picking up Cara, giving K9 one final look, before pushing open the door.

Coming out outside the Doctor, turned around locking the door behind him with his sonic. “Mff, w...wha-whas happening?” Cara slurred, opening her eyes, squinting at the light.

 

“Where's K9?” Sarah Jane asked, directly out of the door. “We need to run.” The Doctor said, turning around starting to run. “Where is he?! What've you done?!” Sarah Jane cried, sounding close to tears.

Cara wriggled out of the Doctor’s grip, taking a tight hold of the Doctor’s hand, grabbing one of Sarah Jane’s, the Doctor grabbing her other hand as they pulled her away.

The Doctor grabbed Sarah Jane's hand with his left hand, taking Cara’s with his right, as they ran, behind there was a loud boom, as the school exploded.

~

The children erupted in cheers and screams of delight, dancing around as the papers floated down on them. The chants of: “Kenny! Kenny! Kenny!” from the screaming children. Cara, the Doctor and Sarah Jane watching the joy.

The weight of the loss of K9 seemed to weigh down on the two of them. Cara felt it from both sides, but she mainly felt sick. Her head hurt, her body hurt. Everything hurt.

“I'm sorry.” The Doctor said quietly. “It's all right.” Sarah Jane said quickly. “He was just a... daft metal dog. Fine, really.” she said, before bursting into tears. The Doctor wrapped and arm around her, pulling her close, hugging her tightly as she cried.

The moment was beautiful, while painful.

Cara hated that she ruined it, by puking her guts out just ten seconds later.

~

“Better?” the Doctor asked, tucking some hair behind her ear. Cara glared at him in a ‘what do you think look.’ The Doctor smiled. “Bad question?”

“Very.” she croaked out, she was paler than usual, but feeling much better after she emptied her stomach. The Doctor pulled her close, humming under his breath. Cara shut her eyes, leaning into him. “What is that?” she asked.

“Hmm?”
“What you’re humming.”

The Doctor shrugged. “A song.” he said simply patting her bed, her warm cosy safe bed in the TARDIS, oh she missed it. “You should get some rest. Sleep off it off. Best medicine there is.” he said, pulling the covers over her, tucking her tight in the warm sheets. “I’ll er…let you sleep.” The Doctor said, getting up about to leave the room.

“Doc?” Cara called out suddenly. “Yeah?” the Doctor asked, turning around, his hand on the doorframe. “Can…would…could, you stay with me…please.” she said shyly, have hiding her face under the thick covers.

The Doctor smiled. “Sure,” he said casually, sitting back down on the bed. Cara smiled to herself, shutting her eyes.

Knowing she would be fine.

THE NEXT DAY.

‘Is she here yet? Doc? Doc? Doctor? Doctarrr?’ Cara sang in her head, as she rocked back and forth on the TARDIS floor. Rose and Mickey were conversing behind her, the Doctor just stepping outside, when he caught site of what might have been Sarah Jane.

‘Do you think she like the surprise? Doc?’
‘Relax would you.’ he chuckled. ‘She’s coming.’

Sarah Jane though the TARDIS doors, her eyes lighting up with a powerful glow. “Sarah Jane!” Cara cried, jumping up, half tacking her to the floor with her hug. “Oh! Hello!” Sarah Jane said happily, hugging her back tightly. “Feeling better?”

“Much.” Cara replied, stepping back letting her take in the room. “You've redecorated!” Sarah Jane said, gazing around the TARDIS, glancing back at the Doctor; who had shut the doors.

“Do you like it?”
“Oh, I, I do. Yeah. I preferred it as it was, but uh... yeah. It'll do!”

 “I love it.” Rose interjected, smiling at Sarah Jane. “Hey, you, what's forty seven times three hundred and sixty nine?” Sarah Jane asked.

“No idea. It's gone now, the oil's faded.”
“But you're still clever. More than a match for him.”
 “You and me both.”

Cara smiled, at the two woman, happy that they seemed to have worked their differences out. “Doctor...?” Rose asked, prompting him for the reveal.

“Um... we're about to head off,” the Doctor said, looking up from the console. “But... you could come with us.” he offered, smiling up at her. “It’d be fun.” Cara said, grinning from next to the Doctor.

“No... I can't do this anymore.” Sarah Jane said softly, dimming the smiles slightly. “Besides, I've got a much bigger adventure ahead! Time I stopped waiting for you and found a life of my own.” Sarah Jane said brightly.

“Can I come?” Mickey asked, suddenly. “Huh?” Cara asked, noticing Rose’s suddenly sour face. “No, not with you, I mean...with you.” Mickey said, gesturing to the Doctor. “Cause I'm not the tin dog. And I wanna see what's out there.”

Rose turned to the Doctor, mouthing a quick ‘no’ at the Doctor. Cara furrowed her eyebrows. ‘Why wouldn’t Rose want Mickey to go with them?’

“Oh, go on, Doctor. Sarah Jane Smith, a Mickey Smith. You need a Smith on board!” Sarah Jane said encouragingly. “It’d be nice to have Mickey around.” Cara said quietly. The Doctor glanced at her, before back at Mickey. “Okay then, I could do with a laugh.”

Rose rolled her eyes. Mickey laughed in delight, stopping when he noticed Rose’s not very happy face. “Rose, is that okay?” he asked.

“No, great. Why not?” she said disinterestedly. Cara and the Doctor shared a look.

‘Awkward?’
‘Awkward.’

There was an awkward silence. “Well, I'd better go.” Sarah Jane said, taking Rose aside; Cara, Mickey and the Doctor busying themselves. ‘Think she’s gonna be okay?’ Cara asked, glancing at the Doctor. The Doctor looked at Sarah Jane and Rose, nodding. ‘I think she will be.’

‘Think we can come visit?’
The Doctor smiled. ‘Course we can.’

Sarah Jane stepped back, the Doctor waiting by the doors. Giving Cara one last hug and a whispered Goodbye.

Sarah Jane Smith stepped out of the TARDIS.

The Doctor holds open the doors for Sarah Jane, who steps out of the TARDIS for the last time. Sighing to herself, Cara leaned over the railings waiting as the Doctor walked in closing the TARDIS doors.

Giving her a passing hair ruffle (she’d been getting used to those.) He jumped up onto the console. Starting up the engines. The TARDIS Noise (as Cara had dubbed it) rang out. “Do you think she’ll like it?” Cara asked, leaning against the console.

The Doctor smiled. “She’s going to love it.” He said, pulling down a lever as they vanished from site.

Leaving K9 behind them.

~

Hiya! Thoughts?

The next few chappy's are gonna be a whirlwind of angst and fluff, so be prepared XD

Thank you all for reading, commenting, faving and following!
As usual please comment, kudos, follow, PM, ect. :)

You all are amazing! 

Till next time…

Chapter 17: Fights and Ice-Cream

 

                                                                                               

“This is because of her isn’t it?”
“-But I can't spend the rest of mine with you. I have to live on with Cara. That's the curse of the Time Lords. But Rose you need to stop.”

~

Mickey had horrible timing. He knew he did, but this might just have topped it. He’d just been walking past the console room after the TARDIS showed him his bed room. And there. He’d only been on the TARDIS a few hours and Rose and the Doctor were already having a go at each other.

“I-I just don’t understand, Doctor!” Rose shouted, making him wonder how he didn’t hear them soon. “A total stranger who just happens to be part of the Timelords who were apparently meant to be dead, just comes in and suddenly you’re just—”

“What?” The Doctor asked unlike Rose his voice was levelled. Almost chillingly calm. It worried him, far more than his normal reactions.

“Different!”

The Doctor sighed, rubbing his face with one hand, the other still resting on the console. It was no surprise to Mickey who they were talking about. He was just happy that Cara was asleep. “Rose-

“No, don’t Rose me. She-she changed everything. Us, Doctor…I thought we were-” Rose paused, shutting her eyes taking a few deep breaths. “And know I sound crazy-”

“Yes! Yes you do,” the Doctor cried out, his calmness dropping slightly. “She is a child, Rose. A child. You don’t think, she doesn’t know. You don’t think, she doesn’t sense your hostility? You have no idea, what she has been though. But no, instead of trying to talk to her, to show her kindness, you Rose Tyler. You showed her cruelty, because of your own petty jealously.” The Doctor said, pacing around the console.

Rose huffed, turning around shaking her head, not meeting his gaze. Mickey could see her resolve failing. 

“Now I can’t change your feelings, but I suggest you evaluate your behaviour.” The Doctor continued. “Cara is my child, she my priority, my responsibility, which means nothing and no one is more important than her. You are my friend, Rose but don’t for a second thinks that gives you a free pass.”

Rose swallowed hard, turning around facing him again. “Did I do something wrong? Is that why?”

“No. I made my decision that Cara would come first no matter what…” the Doctor said, Mickey ducking behind the wall, as not to be spotted by him.

Usually he wouldn’t do something like this, but he had grown quite fond of the small child, who delivered Jackie’s cookies after Rose left.

“You know, she was worried about you. About her being here.” The Doctor said quietly. “She didn’t want to get in the way.”

“A thirteen year old child, a two year old by Timelord standards was ready to go back to being in pain and alone because she thought she’d be a burden. And she didn’t want to be a burden.” The Doctor said bitterly.

“Time Tots, Rose are one of the most precious things in the universe,” the Doctor said, meeting her eyes, his unwavering. “They require large amounts care and love to survive. If she stayed on Earth any longer by herself. She’d have died. Would have burned up from the inside, she’d have been dead before she was sixteen.”

“Is that why you did it?” Rose said sharply. “Just because she was the last one? Because she would have died if you hadn’t.”

“No!” The Doctor shouted, sounding almost disgusted. “I only found that out after I ran the deep scans. I took her in because she needed me.”

“She needed someone. And even if she wasn’t a Time Tot, I would have taken her in. Because she’s just a child Rose. She’s just a child. My child.” The Doctor breathed out, running his fingers though his hair. “Cara is my child, Rose. Whether you like to not: she’s not going anywhere. I can’t say the same for you.” he said his voice going hard.

“What?!” Rose gasped, wide eyed, the colour practically draining from her face.

“You recent toxicity affects everybody in this ship, Rose. Especially Cara. And of late, it’s been affecting her a lot.” the Doctor replied, folding his arms, looking at her with distaste.

“How-”

“The mental block. With Queen Victoria and the werewolf? Cara was with you, yes?” he asked. Rose nodded.

“Whenever I couldn’t connect with her telepathically it was because she was subconsciously blocking me. Out of worry, out of fear.” The Doctor said, gesturing his sonic to Rose. “She didn’t want to hurt you, hurt your feelings. She doesn’t even know she’s doing.”

“So that’s my fault?” Rose snapped.

The Doctor sighed again, turning around in a circle, making Mickey duck again.

“Cara needs love, care, support for her to grow.” The Doctor said softly. “I’d think, very long and very hard, about your actions, Rose Tyler. Before they get you left back home.”

Rose stared after him, the Doctor turning around not giving her second glance as he walked down a hallway.

Rose made a noise of irritation, something between a growl, an ‘urgh’ and a cry, she turned around storming off in his direction.

Mickey skidded down the TARDIS hallways, before walking towards her; whistling as if he didn’t hear anything.

Rose passed him, not giving him a single look before making a noise, like a choked sob, before running down the TARDIS hallways and out of site.

Mickey groaned, running his hands over his face and hair. “Great.”

~
It was rare Cara would seek out the Doctor.

Usually it was he who would jump out and drag her to places, but for some reason today she had the strangest urge to find him. He seemed…troubled almost. She could feel it dimly, but she could tell he was hiding it from her.

‘Huh, maybe I am getting a hang of this Time Tot stuff….’ she thought to herself, walking through the TARDIS corridors.

She didn’t really know where she was going, but at the same time she knew exactly where. She knew where the Doctor would be.

Turning a left, then a right, then another left, to more rights, down a straight corridor, then another two rights, one more left and then one final right. Cara opened the door, walking inside.

It was a big room (like all rooms in the TARDIS) filled with things: keepsakes as far as she guessed. Large robot heads, strange markers, books (lots of them) and on the side a strange wooden crib.

“That was mine.” The Doctor said suddenly, walking out from within the room, sliding off his large pair of protective goggles. “It’s pretty,” Cara said, trailing her fingers along the crib, over the markings. “What do they say?”

“Just doodles, a few words mostly, and my name.”

“And what’s that?” Cara asked, glancing up at him. “What’s what?”

“Your name, or am I not allowed to ask that?” Cara asked unsurely, it was strange but the Doctor’s name was never a question that surfaced often to her. It was like a feeling, like she already knew, but didn’t.

It was something known, but wasn’t known.
It was confusing.

The Doctor smiled at her. “You already know.” he said simply. Cara paused, thinking about this deeply. “Do you know mine?” she asked after a few seconds of warm silence.

“Yes.”

“Is it good?” Cara asked. The Doctor smiled, tucking some of her hair behind her ear. “It’s beautiful.” he replied. Cara sighed, smiling to herself before looking up at the Doctor. “Are you okay, Doc? Really?”

The Doctor stared at her, his face reflecting back in Cara’s warm eyes. “No.” he said. Cara nodded, slipping her hand into his. “Its okay, it’s okay to not be okay.”

The Doctor nodded slowly, watching her gaze at the crib. The silence was warm and comfortable, like its own invisible hug.

He hadn’t felt that in a long time.

“I want ice-cream.” Cara said suddenly, getting up. “You want ice-cream? We should get ice-cream.”

Not waiting for his reply, she walked to the kitchen dragging the Doctor (who she was still holding onto tightly) behind her.

~

“Chocolate, Mint Chip, Vanilla. The best, hands down.” Cara announced, eating a spoon full of mint chip.

“Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Schoolizeberry. Are the best in the universe.” the Doctor countered, taking a spoon of his Schoolizeberry.

“Impossible!” Cara giggled out, shaking her head.

“Oi, Shoolizeberry is-

“It sound like that weird fruit in the BFG. Doc, it sounds like a Snozzcumber.” Cara said, grinning at his shocked expression. “Well, try it, just try it.”

Cara glanced down at the yellow and hot pink ice-cream, before back at the Doctor. “If it tastes like a Snozzcumber, I’m so going to kill you.” she said, taking her spoon and taking a bit of it.

The Doctor watching her eagerly. Cara put it onto her mouth, still keeping s eye on the Doctor for signs if he was pranking her.

“Oh my-! How does it taste salty and sweet?” she cried out, staring at the bowl. It was delicious. It was shocking. The Doctor leaned back on his chair, a knowing look on his face.

Cara smiled, taking another spoon of her ice-cream. “Doc?”

“Hmm?”

“Is…” Cara licked her lips, unsure if she should voice her thoughts. Usually communication in her head was easier, easier and oddly enough far more natural to her. But talking…talking sometimes made things real. The Doctor paused, leaning forwards slightly. “Cara, you can talk to me.”

“I know…bu...It’s…” Cara shut her eyes, taking a breath. “Is the reason you sad, because of Rose? Cara asked, the Doctor going complete still.  “And me?” she added quietly.

The Doctor said nothing, scratching his ear.

“I’m not an idiot, Doc.” Cara said sadly, taking his silence as her answer.

“No. You’re not, and that’s not it, Cara you didn’t do anything. Believe it or not, but not everything on this ship is your fault.” he said lightly.

Cara let out a sigh, nodding. “Yeah.”

“This…this was between me and Rose. And I know, you feel responsible, but you’re not, Cara. I understand, you’re not used to been taken care of like this. But, I’m here to take care of you.” The Doctor said, sternly. “I’m the adult, more importantly I’m your parent. You’re the child, you’re meant to be running around, have fun. No need to worry about all this.” The Doctor said gesturing around the room with his spoon. “That’s why I’m here.”

“But I do worry, not just about Rose.” Cara said, swirling her spoon around the bowl. “I worry about you too.” she whispered.

The Doctor would have been the biggest liar in the whole entire universe if he was those words didn’t make his heart swell three times bigger. Both of them.

The Doctor nodded, pretending like what she said was no big deal. “Yeah,” he said copying her swirling in his own bowl. “How about, we just worry and take care of each other?” he suggested.

Cara paused her swirling, making the Doctor’s hearts almost drop out of his chest.

“Okay.” Cara said after a couple seconds of deep thought, eating another spoon of her ice-cream. The Doctor smiled, leaning back, shutting his eyes letting out a sigh.

Progress.

Cara watched the Doctor sigh to himself, taking her chance she quickly stuck her spoon into his ice-cream stealing a bit and putting it into her mouth.

The Doctor picked up his spoon, glancing at his bowl then at Cara who had her mouth full of Schoolizeberry. “You little thief!” the Doctor laughed out.

“I hafve not ifea what you talking bout.” Cara replied, making the Doctor let out a loud laugh. Cara swallowed her ice-cream. “You just…ate it too fast.” she lied, making the Doctor laugh harder.

Sliding the bowl in the middle the two began eating from them both.

“Mmmm, okay, mint chip it gets on my list.”

“See!”

~

Mickey smiled at them, just passing by when he caught the two having a deep conversation about ducks and geese over there ice-cream.

“Mickey! Why you loitering by the door?” the Doctor shouted out, catching him watching.

“Come have ice-cream with us.” Cara said, waving her spoon around. Mickey shrugged, (‘what the hell? he thought’) and walked over sliding in a seat next to Cara.

“Now as I was saying ducks are better because they are so much nicer! Geese are just jerks!”

 

Hiya! 

Okay, so crazzzy thing I was just chilling scrolling on Pintrest and I was just scrolled past this thing and then like 'Cara' just clicked into my mind, coz like this AMAZING ART looked so much like her (in my head the hair's a little darker and skin tone is a tad different, but that's like minuscule, everything else is like perfect), and I really felt the need to share it with you guys. 

A big thank you to the artist! (I think it's Babananas on Tumbr, but I'm not sure) Whoever you are I thank you! (if someone knows, dont feel shy to PM me)

(ps, I do have a disclaimer that I don't own pics and stuff, that I put on these chapters unless I tell you guys in one of these *beautiful* notes (LOL) 

Thoughts???

Do NOT Be shy, I love and accept all feedback. 

Anywho, thank you all for reading, commenting, faving and following!
As usual please comment, fav, follow, PM, ect. :)

You all epic!!! 

Till next time…

Chapter 18: Robots, Reinette and Rose

                                                                                                          

                                                           

 

 

“This button?” Cara asked, pointing a blue button on the side of the console. “That one, and then this lever and…” the Doctor paused, leaning over the TARDIS console, practically lying across the console to be able to reach another button. “Tttthhhhaaatt one.”

“How am I gonna reach tttthhhhaaatt.” Cara giggled, as the Doctor peeled himself off the console.

“Still trying to figure that out.”

Cara snorted, shaking her head leaning against the console. “You sure you should be teaching me this? I mean, what if I go off TARDIS joy-riding or something?”

“I’d give you a gold star.” the Doctor replied, dusting himself off. “You’re too good, it’s wrong.”

“What?”

“You don’t make mischief or cause trouble, you’re just really…really well behaved. Like a well-trained house-cat.” The Doctor said smirking to himself.

“Wh-?” Cara starting, making a face. “Second I learn, I’m a’ drive the TARDIS straight into Pisa and blame it on you.” she grumbled under her breath.

“Admitting your nefarious plans just proves my point.”
“Ugh!”

~

“So, where are we?” Cara asked poking her head from behind The Doctor, Rose and Mickey behind her as they ventured into the dimly lit room.

 “It's a spaceship!” Mickey breathed out, looking around the room. “Brilliant, I got a spaceship on my first go!”

 “Looks kind of abandoned...Anyone on board?” Rose asked turning to the Doctor smiling widely at him. “Nah, nothing here.” The Doctor said lightly, but unsmiling. They clearly were not friends just yet.

“Nothing?” Cara asked, wrinkling her nose at the smell. It was like something was burning.

“Well! Nothing dangerous. Well! Not that dangerous.” The Doctor paused, glancing at a smirking Cara. “You know what, I'll just have a quick scan... in case there's anything dangerous.”

“So where are we?” Cara repeated, leaning over the Doctor’s coat watching him tap buttons on the console “Yeah, what's the date? How far we gone?” Rose said, jumping on the Doctor’s other side.

Her wide smiling was starting to freak Cara out.

“About three thousand years into your future, give or take.” The Doctor said to Cara, pulling on a switch, light flooding the room. “Fifty first century?” Cara guessed.

“Fifty-first century. Good job.” The Doctor praised, ruffling her hair, looking up at the sky the shutters pulled back revealing the bright and beautiful space.

“Diagmar Cluster, you're a long way from home, Mickey! Two and a half galaxies!” the Doctor said. Cara wasn’t sure, Mickey heard him.

Mickey was glued to the window, gazing out in awe. Rose walking behind him, still smiling. Still freakily.

Cara looked around, the burning smell still lingering in the air. “Oh.” The Doctor said rather put-out holding up a large clunk of wires. “What is that?” Cara asked, inspecting the wires.

The Doctor continued to rummage around the control panel, picking up bits of the broken technology. “Dear me, had some cowboys in here! Got a ton of repair work going on.” The Doctor mused, tossing a piece back onto the floor.

Cara setting down her chunk of wires, glancing down at the console screen. “Doc?”

“Yes?” the Doctor said, dropping the latest piece of tech on the floor, leaning over her.

“Am I reading these wrong…or?”

“No.” the Doctor said, staring at the screen. “Now that's odd, look at that. All the warp engines are going...full capacity! There's enough power running through this ship to punch a hole in the universe...”

“But where’re not moving.” Cara said, glancing up at the Doctor. “So where's all that power going?”

“Where'd all the crew go?” Rose said suddenly. Cara straighten up, wrinkling her nose again. ‘What was that smell?’

“Good question, no life readings on board.”
“Well, we're in deep space; they didn't just nip out for a quick fag.”
“Nope, checked all the smoking pods.”

“What is that smell?” Cara blurted out, looking around the room. “Smell?” Mickey asked, peeling himself away from the window.

“Yeah, you can’t smell it?” Cara asked, the three pausing. “Yes,” the Doctor said, turning to Mickey. “Can you smell that?”

“Yeah, someone's cooking.” Rose said casually. “Sunday roast, definitely!” Mickey said happily. “No,” Cara mumbled. “That’s not a roast, not really…” she mumbled to herself.

The Doctor fidgeting with some buttons, a door opening up behind them. Turning around, the four walked though. It was still the ship, but on one of the walls and on a bit of floor was a strange old décor, and an old fireplace.

“Well, there's something you don't see in your average spaceship.” The Doctor said, whipping out his sonic. “Eighteenth century! French! Nice mantel.” he said, pointing the sonic at the fireplace. “Not a hologram.” The Doctor continued, bending down. Cara trailing her fingers along the fireplace mantel.

“Not even a reproduction, this actually is an eighteenth century French fireplace. Double-sided, there's another room through there.”

“What?” Cara cried, bending down peering through the flames. “Seriously?”

“Can't be, that's the outer hull of the ship, look.” Rose reported, peering out another window. The Doctor tearing his gaze from the fireplace. “Wh-”

“That’s make no-Hi.” Cara said, staring into two wide blue eyes across from her. A girl with long blonde hair, in a long nightgown in a fireplace staring back at her.

The Doctor turning around, looking at the girl. “Hello!”

“Hello...” the young girl said unsurely. “What's your name?” the Doctor asked kindly. Mickey crouching down behind them, watching the girl.

“Reinette.”

“Reinette, that's a lovely name,” the Doctor said in a friendly tone. “Can you tell me where you are at the moment, Reinette?”

‘Try talking to her, she’ll be more comfortable.’ The Doctor added in her head. Cara nodded.

 “In my bedroom.”

“Oh!” Cara said, catching a glimpse of the room inside. “It’s very pretty, Reinette. I’m Cara.” Cara said, smiling at the girl across from her. She was around her age, maybe 13 or 14, with long blonde hair that reached her hips.

Reinette shyly looking at the floor, a light blush on her cheeks. “Where do you live, exactly, Reinette?” Cara asked lightly, trying to make friendlier. “Paris, of course!” Reinette replied, as if it were the obvious.

Cara nodded. “Paris, right! We are…” Cara faltered. “Close.” she said. It wasn’t a lie, they were in the same universe and not time traveling. That counts. Kinda.

“Mademoiselle Cara, Monsieur, what are you doing in my fireplace?”

“Umm?”
“Oh, it's just a routine...fire check.” The Doctor said easily. “Can you tell me what year it is?”

“Of course I can! Seventeen hundred and twenty seven.” Reinette answered.

“Right, lovely! One of my favourites...August is rubbish though.” the Doctor added, making a face. “Stay indoors. Okay, that's all for now. Thanks for your help. Hope you enjoy the rest of the fire. Nice night!”

“Goodnight Reinette!” Cara said, giving her a small wave. “Goodnight Mademoiselle Cara, Monsieur.” Reinette said, getting up disappearing from the fireplace. The Doctor standing up, Cara jumping up too.

“You said this was the fifty-first century.” Mickey said accusatorially.

 “I also said this ship was generating enough power to punch a hole in the universe. I think we just found the hole. Must be a spatio-temporal hyperlink.” The Doctor said thoughtfully.

“Spatio-temporal link?” Cara repeated. “That’s a thing?”
“What's that?”
“No idea. Just made it up. Didn't wanna say magic door.”

Cara snorted. “Like spatio-temporal link, is any better?”

“And on the other side of the ‘magic door’ is France in 1727?” Rose guessed. The Doctor nodded glancing back at the fireplace. Before pulling off his coat, handing it to Cara. “Well, she was speaking French. Right period French, too.” The Doctor mused.

“She was speaking English, I heard her!”

“TARDIS.” Cara said simply, folding the coat around her arms. The Doctor, running his fingers across the fireplace, poking and pressing along it. “So what, the fire place is like…some portal to France 1727?” Cara asked, biting her lower lip. “But why that specific year? And why-”

“Gotcha!”

“Doc!” Cara shouted, as the wall rotated, taking the Doctor along with it. “Doctor!” Rose cried, staring in front of the fireplace. “Where’d he go?!” Rose cried, glaring at Cara.

Cara sighed, clutching the coat in her hands tightly. “How am I supposed to know?”

~

15 MINUTES LATER…

Well if Cara thought things were awkward with Rose before, they definitely were now. With the Doctor gone and Rose glaring at her, seeming to hope she would spontaneously combust and Mickey staring between the two, barely breathing.

Awkward was an understatement.

If she were totally honest, she really wished the Doctor would come to his senses and appease her. It was the coward’s way out of a problem, but in her limited experience with adults and what she knew about herself. Cara didn’t really see any other way out.

She wasn’t brave or strong and she didn’t think she was much of a fighter either. And though she hated admitting it to herself at the end of the day, she was a coward. A weak useless pathetic coward.

While this all seemed like a good old pity party she was having, it wasn’t like that. It was different, not the things were tell ourselves to say no too, not something we say to make ourselves feel bad, or tell ourselves it, so we can say we overcame them.

No.
This was the truth.
Her truth.
At least to her.

She was here by chance, brought by luck, with little to no value, besides being the ‘last of her kind’ Other than that, what did she have to show for herself?

She was a short orphan, over the age of 12, with a big mouth and was disliked by most adults. She was a coward. She was useless. She was exactly what Becca told her she was.

What Rose reminded her off.
Useless.

Now, that we’ve had an incredible detailed depressing look into Cara’s head. There is more, but…we should get back.

“Doctor!” Rose shouted, the fireplace swinging back into place. Cara blinked, snapping herself out of her head. The Doctor running past her grabbing a strange gun-like object from the wall.

A strange freaky mask-wearing man standing. No, nailed to the fireplace. Not a man then, robot. Her mistake.

Whipping around the Doctor zapped it, cold air rushing out of the gun. The Robot, convulsed, struggling to get free. Before going limb, freezing completely.

“Excellent, ice gun!” Mickey said excitedly. The Doctor calmly throwing the ice gun to Rose. “Fire extinguisher.” he said, turning to Cara, looking her over with worried eyes. ‘You okay?’

Cara nodded, snatching her ear.  ‘I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m-’ she thought to herself

“Where did that thing come from?” Rose asked, looking at the droid.

 “Here.”
“So why is it dressed like that?”

“Field trip to France, some kind of basic camouflage protocol; nice needlework! Shame about the face.” The Doctor said, pulling of the wig, revealing the droid’s actual head.

It was beautiful. Perfectly old fashioned, but marvellous. A clockwork mechanism, covered with a clear plastic-like egg shaped layer to protect its insides.

“That is gorgeous!” Cara burst out, tossing the Doctor’s coat to Mickey. Walking closer to the droid. “Look at that!” she cried. The Doctor nodded, grinning from ear to ear, sharing Cara’s giddy like excitement.

“It is beautiful! Oh, you are beautiful!” the Doctor cried, whipping out his glasses. “No really, you are, you're gorgeous! Look at that! Space age clockwork, I love it!”

“It’s even ticking! And look, look at that!” Cara squealed pointing to one of the clogs, grinning at the Doctor.

“I've got chills! Listen, seriously, I mean this from the heart, and, by the way, count those, it would be a crime, it would be an act of vandalism to disassemble you.” The Doctor said, looking wistfully at the droid, suddenly holding up the sonic screwdriver. “But that won't stop me.”

“What?” Cara cried. The droid creaking back, disappearing from site. Cara snorted. “That’ll stop you.” she said dryly.

The Doctor pouted stuffing the sonic back into his pocket. “Short range teleport, can't have got far. Could still be on board." The Doctor said, walking back to the fireplace.

“Where you going?” Cara asked, instantly regretting the pleading tone of it. ‘Stupid, what is wrong with you? Note to self, please don’t EVER do that again!’

“Why did it do that?”
 “What is it?” Rose asked, edging closer to the Doctor.

“Don't go looking for it!” the Doctor cried, pointing at the three of them. “Back in a sec.”

“But, Doc-” Cara started, her words falling on no one’s years. The Doctor was already gone. Cara sighed, running her fingers though her hair. “Nevermind.”

“He said not to look for it...” Mickey said suddenly. Cara turned around, Rose holding the space fire extinguisher, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

“Yeah, he did.” Rose said staring at Mickey, a smirk creeping on her face. Mickey laughed grabbing another fire extinguisher from the wall.

“Wait.” Mickey said, turning around to Cara. “What about Cara?”

“She’ll be fine on her own.” Rose said sharply, her good mood vanishing instantly, turning to Cara. “You’ll be fine on your own. You can go back to the TARDIS, if you need to.” Rose ordered, glaring at her.

Mickey turned around, glancing unsurely at Cara. Cara smiled. “I’ll be okay.” Cara said softly, taking the Doctor’s coat from Mickey. Squeezing the soft material in her hands.

Rose nodded, smiling at Mickey. Her good mood reappearing, as she took his hand, pulling him to the door. “Come on!” Rose squealed, dragging him out before Mickey could get a word in.

Cara sighed, setting the coat onto the rack with the fire extinguisher. “When did I become a coat hanger? I dunno, Cara. Maybe coz you didn’t-” Cara froze, a cold feeling running up her spine.

As a thin needle pieced her skin.

~

Hiya!

So, thoughts?

Just a quick heads up, the next few chappy's gonna be intense and finally deal with the Rose problem, as well as bring out a few more...interesting things. A hint for the future, look for the small things :)

Thank you all for reading, commenting, faving and following!
Don't forget to comment, kudos, follow, PM, ect. :)

Till next time…

Chapter 19: To Name a Horse and a Lack of Google

                                                                                      

 

‘Sleep, baby, sleep,
Your father guards the sheep.
Your mother shakes
The dreamland tree,
And from it fall
Sweet dreams for thee
Sleep, baby, sleep.’

“She’s gone?”

Ticking. Something was ticking. It was relaxing. Calming. Nice. She didn’t want the ticking to end.

She remembered bright lights, soft voices. Whispers. Someone was holding her, close to them, tight. Like if they let go, something awful would happen. Lights. Blue, pink, yellow, they weren’t harsh, they were dim. Footsteps, many different ones. Hard heavy ones, light ones.

They were all around her, something was humming, someone was cooing, someone was chuckling, someone was crying. But there was a unanimous feeling. Coming from all of them. Love.

They loved her, they loved her so much. It was strong. It was brave. It was sad. It was powerful.

Stronger than anything she ever felt.
She didn’t want to leave this place.
This love.

This memory.

~

 “Cara!” the Doctor shouted happily, a laugh still on his lips. 

Nothing.

The Doctor frowned, the odd cold feeling of her uncharacteristic absence entering him. “Rose?” The Doctor said, whipped around. “Mickey?” he called, striding forwards, hands on his hips.

“Every time, every time, it's rule one, don't wander off! I tell them, I do, rule one! There could be anything on this ship!” he cried, turning a corner, staring into the face of a large white horse.

“Oh…”

~

“Oww…” Cara murmured, rubbing her head, pulling herself off the floor. Her head was killing her. ‘What happened?’ she thought, looking around.

She was still on the ship, in an empty corridor. No droids, no warm feeling, no TARDIS, no Doctor. Great.

Rubbing her neck, the odd sense her losing something. Cara walked around aimless down the corridors. “Doctor! Doctor! Mickey! Rose! Anyone!” she shouted, swallowing hard, massaging her head.

“Doctor!”

~

“Cara! Caaraa!” the Doctor called out, walking down at halls, the horse following dutifully behind him. The Doctor peered down a corridor before turning to the horse.

“Will you stop following me? I'm not your mother!” he scolded. The horse nudging him with his nose, walking down a corridor. “Yes. Off you go!” the Doctor said, the horse making a ‘neighing’ sound.

Turning around, the Doctor started to make his way down the next corridor, when….

“Bloody hell!”
“Cara?!”

~

“Bloody hell!” Cara screamed, stumbling backwards into the wall. The giant white horse in front of her, nudging her with its nose. “You scared me, you sweetheart.” Cara cooed, instantly starting to pat the horse.

“Cara!” the Doctor called, appearing at the corridor. The giant horse, blocking his way to her. “Hey Doc,” Cara said, smiling at the familiar face. “Where you been?”

“Where I’ve been? Looking for you! What is rule number one?”

“Never wander off.”
“Never wander off, exactly. And what did you do?”

“Mickey and Rose left me, then something poked me, then I ended up-nevermind. Why is there a horse here?” Cara asked, not wanting to ruin the Doctor’s good mood by saying something stabbed her with a needle and definitely did something to her.

She’d rather not cause any more problems.

“Dunno, just sort of found me,” the Doctor said looking intently at her, scrunching his eyebrows. “Are you alright?”

“Fine.” Cara said quickly. “What’s that?” she asked, pointing to a set of white doors, a little way down. The Doctor walked towards them, opening them peeking out into the shining sun. “Think this is where he came from, eh, horsey?” the Doctor asked, gesturing to Cara to follow him.

Cara gave the horse a quick pat, walking into France 17…something Versailles. “Wow.” Cara breathed out, looking at the gardens, everything was in bloom, birds chirped in the clear blue skies. It was like stepping into another world.

And in a way, they were.

“Cara, Welcome to the Palace of Versailles, home to King Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, known commonly known as-”

“Reinette.” Cara said watching as two woman stroll across the gardens. “The girl in the fireplace, she’s-?”

“Madame de Pompadour!” the Doctor said excitedly, leaning the pillar watching the two woman converse.

 “Oh, Catherine, you are too wicked!” Reinette said, suddenly turning around, looking behind her. Cara and the Doctor ducked down. Cara a little slower, Reinette just catching her in her eye line.

“Oh, speaking of wicked, I hear Madame de Chateneux is ill and close to death.”

The woman, Catherine said. Cara and the Doctor straightening up, leaning against the wall, listening.

 “Yes. I am devastated.” They laughed. “Oh, indeed. I myself am frequently inconsolable.”

The Doctor smiled, Cara following his gaze, smirking to herself. Of course the Doctor would be intrigued by Reinette, she was one of the most successful woman in early history.

Brilliant, beautiful and (something Cara might have picked up on) blonde. Seemed like the Doctor had a type.

“The King will therefore be requiring a new mistress. You love the King, of course?”
“He is the King. And I love him with all my heart. And I look forward to meeting him.”

“Youu like her.” Cara teased, smiling cheekily at him. “I do not.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

Catherine laughed again. Reinette suddenly turning around, causing both Cara and the Doctor to duck behind the pillar again.

“Is something wrong, my dear?”
“Not wrong, no.”

The Doctor straightened up a little, watching them. After a few seconds, the ladies linked arms and started to walk again. Cara and the Doctor straightening up, resuming their position on the wall.

“You’re right. You reeeeaaallly like her.” Cara giggled, the Doctor rolling his eyes, smiling to himself. The ladies voices fading into the distance.

“Why her? Why Reinette, I mean I understand she’s incredible, but why are so interested in her-?”

 “Scuse me, have you seen a horse?” a man asked from behind them. Cara and the Doctor shared a look.

“Well, um-I.”
“Umm.”

“Dammed animal,” the man cursed, shaking his head. “I’ll whip it within an inch of its life, soon as I find it.” he said to himself. Cara staring at him. “You-ah,” Cara blubbered, looking pleadingly at the Doctor.

The Doctor sighed. “Oh, I wish you hadn’t said that.”

Opening the door back to the ship, the Doctor in lead. Cara rubbing her head behind him, the walking to the horse, who was still standing dutifully where they had left him.

“Hello, gorgeous.” Cara greeted, patting his head, scratching his ears. The Doctor sighed, rubbing his hand along the horse’s face. “Okay, rule one, don’t wander off.”

~

“What about…Martin?”

“Too much like Mickey,” the Doctor said instantly. “David?” Cara suggested, leading the horse with them. The Doctor scrunched his nose. “David.” he said testing the name out on his tongue. “I dunno, David. David…It’s so David.”

“There they are.” Cara said spotting Rose and Mickey staring out of a large mirror, into a gateway of Reinette’s history. The Doctor sneaking up behind them.  “King of France.” The Doctor answered.

“Oh, here's trouble. What you been up to?” Rose asked, the Doctor watching the king, straightening himself out in the mirror.

“Oh, this and that. Became the imaginary friend of a future French aristocrat... picked a fight with a clockwork man...”

“Found a horse.” Cara interjected, the horse whining next to her. “Yes, we met a horse.”

“What's a horse doing on a spaceship?” Mickey asked. “Mickey, what's pre-Revolutionary France doing on a spaceship? Get a little perspective.” The Doctor sassed, turning back to the window.

“See these?” the Doctor said pointing to the glass. “They're all over the place. On every deck. Gateways to history. But not just any old history...” he said placing a finger on the glass, when Reinette walked in. “Hers. Time window... deliberately arranged along the life of one particular woman. A spaceship from the fifty-first century stalking a woman from the eighteenth. Why?”

“Who is she?” Rose asked. “Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, known to her friends as Reinette. Known to us as Madame de Pompadour, one of the most accomplished women who ever lived.” Cara answered, patting the horse walking to the glass.

“So has she got plans of being the Queen, then?”
“No, he's already got a Queen. She's got plans of being his mistress.”

“Oh, I get it. Camilla.” Rose said, she and Mickey laughing “Camilla?” Cara mouthed to the Doctor, the Doctor shrugging.

“I think this is the night they met. The night of the Yew Tree ball. In no time at flat, she'll get herself established as his official mistress, with her own rooms at the palace...even her own title, Madame de Pompadour.” The Doctor said, the King leaving the room. Reinette instantly going to the mirror, preening herself.

“Queen must have loved her...” Rose said coyly. 
“Oh, she did. They get on very well.”
“The King's wife and the King's girlfriend?”
“France. It's a different planet.”

“Doctor!” Cara said the sound of ticking reaching her ears, far quicker than they reached there. The Doctor looked up. The clock on the mantelpiece was shattered.

~

“How long have you been standing there? Show yourself!”

“Doc! It’s already there!” Cara shouted, watching the clockwork droid advance on Reinette.

The Doctor grabbed the fire extinguisher from Mickey, swinging the mirror around, jumping into the palace.

“Hello, Reinette. Hasn't time flown?” the Doctor greeted. Cara, Rose and Mickey jumping though the time window after him.

“Fireplace man!”

The Doctor stood in front of her, spraying the droid with the fire extinguisher, until it powered down like the last one. “That’s not going to hold it.” Cara said, the Doctor tossing the extinguisher back at Mickey.

“I know.” The Doctor said, the droid beginning to whirr loudly.

“What's it doing?” Mickey asked, Cara glancing up at Reinette would was looking between her and the Doctor her eyes widening.

“Switching back on. Melting the ice.”
“And then what?”

“Kills everybody in the room.” Cara said, Mickey’s eyeballs jetting out of his head. “Theoretically.” Cara added. Just as the droid's arm knife shoot out for the Doctor's throat, the Doctor jumping back just missing it. “Nevermind.” Cara said, decided to keep close between Mickey and the Doctor.

“Focuses the mind, doesn't it?” the Doctor said, turning to the droid. “Who are you? Identify yourself.”

 The droid cocked its head, silent. “Maybe it can’t speak?” Cara suggested. The Doctor shook his head. “No…” he said thoughtfully turning to Reinette. “Order it to answer me.”

“Why should it listen to me?” Reinette cried, staring at the droid fearfully. “I don't know. It did when you were a child. Let's see if you've still got it.” The Doctor replied.

“Answer his question. Answer any and all questions put to you.” Reinette ordered.

The droid lowered its arm. “I am repair droid seven.” it said, its strange robot voice sounded oddly calm and relaxed. It fit the time period. 

“So what happened to the ship, then? There was a lot of damage.” the Doctor asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

“Ion storm, eighty two percent systems failure.”

“That ship hasn't moved in over a year. What's taken you so long?” the Doctor continued. The droid creaked and whirred again, its clogs spinning. “We did not have the parts.”

 “Always comes down to that, doesn't it? The parts.” Mickey laughed. Cara nudging him hard in the ribs. “Shut up, Mickey.” she hissed.

“What's happened to the crew, where are they?” the Doctor tried again.
“We did not have the parts.”
“There should have been over fifty people on your ship. Where did they go?”
“We did not have the parts.”

“Fifty people don't just disappear! Where...?” the Doctor paused, something dawning on him. “Oh. You didn't have the parts, so you used the crew.”

“Oh…” Cara whispered, looking down at the floor. She couldn’t appreciate how nice they were. Her stomach churned, Cara hoping her body didn’t decide to spew its guts here of all places.

“The crew?” Mickey mumbled. “We found a camera with an eye in it... and there was a heart... wired in to machinery.” Rose said softly.

“It was just what it was programmed to. Repairing the ship any way it can, with whatever it could find. No-one told it the crew weren't on the menu.” The Doctor said, staring at the droid. “Cara said there was a smell? One she didn’t like…wasn’t the smell that made her uncomfortable…What did you say the flight deck smelt of?” the Doctor asked.

“Someone cooking...” Rose said quietly.

“Flesh plus heat. Barbeque.” The Doctor said darkly. “But what are you doing here? You've opened up time windows that takes colossal energy. Why come here, you could have gone to your repair yard. Instead you come to eighteenth century France? Why?”

“One more part is required.”  The droid said jerking its head in Reinette’s direction. The four glanced at her. The Doctor looked back at the droid. “Then why haven't you taken it?”

“She is incomplete.”

“What... so, that's the plan then? Just keep opening up more and more time windows, scanning her brain, checking to see if she's "done yet"?” the Doctor said NJKFN

“Why her?” Rose said abruptly. “You've got all of history to choose from, why specifically her?”

“We are the same.”

“We are not the same, we are in no sense the same!” Reinette burst out, glaring furiously at the droid.  

“We are the same.”

“Get out of here!” Reinette shouted. “Get out of here this instance!”

“Reinette, no.” the Doctor started, the droid already disappearing from sight. “It's back on the ship.” The Doctor said, turning around. “Rose, take Mickey and Arthur, get after it. Follow it, don't approach it, just watch what it does.”

“Arthur?”
“Arthur?” Cara and Rose asked, the two glancing at each other before back at the Doctor.

“Good name for a horse.” The Doctor said glancing at Cara. “No, you're not keeping the horse!” Rose said tiredly. “I let you keep Mickey! Now go, go, go!” the Doctor shouted.

 Mickey and Rose turning around, running back through the mirror portal. Cara about to follow them.

“Cara back to the TARDIS!” the Doctor

“Wha-” Cara cried about to protest, the Doctor cutting her off before she could. “I need you to find me everything on Reinette and those droids, why they might be here. Can you do that for me?”

Cara nodded, walking back to the time window.

“Cara.” The Doctor called, before she could step though. “Yeah?” Cara said turned around, looking back at Reinette and the Doctor. The Doctor sighed, his worried eyes returning again.

“Be careful.”

~

“Fifty first century, droids, Madame de Pompadour…God, I wish I had Google.” Cara grumbled under her breath. The TARDIS violently flashing its lights.

“Okay, okay. I’m sorry, I know you’re far better that Google, but I don’t understand what could be connecting them together.” Cara said tapping a few buttons.

“I just can’t seem…” Cara paused, tilting the screen lower so she could read it better. “That…oh…could it? No-”

A loud crash from outside, Cara turned around, looking at the door. “What was that?”

The TARDIS light’s flickered again, a little quieter than usual.

Cara bit her lower lip, walking down the steps to the door. “Should I?” she said unsurely reaching for the handle. Glancing up at the ceiling.

The TARDIS was quiet, before flickering a few more lights. “Okay.” Cara said opening the door, poking her head out. “What’d I miss?” Cara asked, looking around the room. Rose and Mickey were strapped to two operating tables, the droid’s (all powered down) surrounding them and Doctor wearing his tie like a mad person, and sunglasses?

“Well?” Cara asked, stepping out of the TARDIS. “What’d I miss, I feel like I missed something.” she said, looking around the room pouting. Mickey letting out a light cackle, even Rose had cracked a smirk.

The Doctor grinned, whipping out his sonic. “Right, you two, that's enough lying about...” he said, releasing Rose and Mickey from their bonds. “Time we got the rest of the ship turned off.”

“Are those things safe?” Mickey asked, the Doctor fixing his tie and pushing the sunglasses up. “Yep. Safe. Safe and thick. Way I like them. Okay, all the time windows are controlled from here. I need to close them all down.” The Doctor said feeling in his pockets. “Zeus plugs. Where are my Zeus plugs? I had them a minute ago, I was using them as castanets.”

“Casta-What happened?” Cara cried.

“Why didn't they just open a time window to when she was thirty-seven?” Rose asked.

“With the amount of damage to these circuits, they'll be lucky to hit the right century. Trial and error after that.” The Doctor said, tapping on one of the computers. “The windows aren't closing. Why won't they close?”

There is an ominous pinging sound.

“What's that?”
“I don't know... incoming message?”
“From who?”
“Can someone give me a brief, I’m really confused.”

“Report from the field...one of them must still be out there with Reinette! That's why I can't close the windows, there's an override!” the Doctor cried.

One of the driod’s behind the Doctor spring to life. The droid expelled some red liquid onto the Doctor’s shoes.

“Well, that was a bit clever.” The Doctor mumbled.

The rest of the droids bursting to life, one of them that was  a bit too close to Cara jumping up with a bit of hutzpah, making her squeal. Mickey pulling her next to him.

“Right... many things about this are not good.”
“Ya think?” Cara said the strange pinging noise ringing out again.

“Message from one of your little friends? Anything interesting?” the Doctor said lightly, though Cara could sense a drip of worry.

 “She is complete. It begins.” One of the droid’s said, all of them teleporting away.

“What's happening?” Rose asked, glancing at the Doctor.

“One of them must've found the right time window, and now it's time to send in the troops. And this time they're bringing back her head.”

Cara groaned. “Fan-bloody-tastic.”

“Language.”
“Seriously?!”

~

Hiya!

Thoughts? I love to hear, and I love you all for giving me, favs, follows, and comments!

Ps. Concerning Rose, and I will say, I'm pretty excited (and incredibly worried) about how its going to go down. So yeah, no spoilers coming from me. But I will say, that no I will not completely 'trash' Rose or something, coz she is good in her own way, and she did get me into Doctor Who, but I dunno, I always preferred her with 9 as a companion and LOVED 10 with Martha and Donna. It just flowed better for me.

Random how do we feel about Martha Jones? I have to admit, Martha and Donna are one of my all time favs, coz they have the full package of awesome storyline and just awesomeness all around.

Anywho, I'm chatting too long XD, but as usual please: comment, kudos fav, follow, PM, ect. :)

HUGE Thank You! For reading, commenting, kudos, faving and following!

Till next time…

Chapter 20: The Queen of the Superficial

                                                                                                               

 

“You found it, then?” Rose asked, the Doctor frantically trying to connect each wires. Cara and Mickey helping him where they could. “They knew I was coming. They blocked it off.” The Doctor said frantically.

 “I don't get it. How come they got in there?” Rose said, looking though the time window into the chaotic ballroom. 

“They teleported - you saw them. As long as the ship and the ballroom are linked, their short-range teleports will do the trick.” The Doctor said quickly, desperately trying to find a fix to the situation.

“Doc!” Cara called holding out her hand, the Doctor tossing her his sonic. Catching it in her hand, Cara began fixing up the control bow of wires. “They won’t kill her in front of everyone, right?” Cara said glancing back through the window.

The silence that followed answered her question.

“Well, we'll go in the TARDIS!” Rose said frantically.

“We can't use the TARDIS, we're part of events now.” The Doctor said instantly. “We influenced her timeline, meaning if we manipulate it with time travel via TARDIS, we could cause a paradox?” Cara asked, glancing at the Doctor.

“Something like that! Sonic!” the Doctor said, holding out his hand. Cara tossing the screwdriver over her shoulder back to him. “Well, can't we just smash through it?” Mickey suggested.

Cara rubbing her head. The cold feeling of someone plunging ice water and being very aggressively hugged in an unpleasant way entering her.

Fear. But not hers. There was so much fear across the glass, and so much anger behind it. The kind that was reaching its boiling point.

 Ready to explode.

“Hyperplex this side, plate glass the other. We need a truck.”
 “We don't have a truck.”
“I know we don't have a truck!” the Doctor shouted.

“Well, we've gotta try something!”

“No, smash the glass, smash the time window, they'd be no way back.” The Doctor said, sonicing another wire. 

“Can everyone just calm down? Please.” Reinette said from across the glass, in the palace. Cara slowly edging closer to the window, watching her.

“Such a commotion. Such distressing noise. Kindly remember that this is Versailles. This is the Royal Court. And we are French.”

“Well, no can say she can’t command a room.” Cara said quietly. She saw Reinette’s future, how they saved her…that was left to the decisions they made now. The decision the Doctor made now. Cara knew it would be the right one. Well, Cara hoped it would be the right one.

Unfortunately for her, hoping and knowing were two very different things.

“I have made a decision. And my decision is ‘no’. I shall not be going with you today. I have seen your world, and I have no desire to set foot there again.”

“We do not desire your feet.”

“Doctor,” Cara said pulling her eyes away from the window, walking towards him. She didn’t know how. How she knew that she needed to say this, but she did. Somehow, Cara knew the words.

The Doctor paused in his work, glancing back at though the window at Reinette.

“If you’re going to do something. You have to do it now.” Cara whispered. The Doctor looked at her for a few seconds, before turned around running deep into the ship.

Cara glanced down.

On the console, tucked to the side. His sonic screwdriver.

“You think I fear you. But I do not fear you, even now. You are merely the nightmare of my childhood. The monster from under my bed. And if my nightmare can return to plague me, then rest assured,” Reinette hissed, her voice lowering to a whisper. “So will yours.”

“Doctor no!”

~

 

Shards of glass littered the floor. Rose standing in its wake.

“What happened? Where did the time window go? How's he gonna get back?” Mickey blubbered, sounding close to tears. He saw what happened. He knew what happened, but denial seemed better than truth.

Rose was still. Cara hadn’t seen her this quiet before. It would have been unnerving in most circumstances. But she couldn’t think of them. She couldn’t think of anything.

Her head was killing her.

“This is your fault.”

It was like something was violently ripped out of her skull. Like she was being continuously stabbed. Burned alive. Pain like nothing she had ever experienced before. The kind of pain, where screaming was too painful.

The kind of pain where silence was the only option you had.

“You knew. You knew what he was going to do. You knew!”

But that was nothing, nothing to the consuming void of nothingness that was consuming her. Someone was grabbing her. Shaking her? Who knew? Why did it matter? Why did she matter? Why did anything matter?

Why did it matter when nothing mattered?

“How could you? You little-You-you! You useless child! You-”
“Rose-”

It was like being shoved into a black hole.

There was nothing.
A sucking void of nothing, going in, and staying in the nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing at all.

“How could you do this? Huh? What is wrong with-?!”
“Rose! Shut up! Just shut the hell up!”

She was alone.
Alone.
All alone.

“But Mickey-!”
“What the hell is wrong with you!? Yell’in at a kid? Look just coz you got crush, and a problem with the Doctor doesn’t mean you go off at a kid!”
“Mickey-”
“Shut up, Rose.” Sigh. “Just…Look, we can't fly the TARDIS without him. How's he gonna get back?”

There was nothing.
Nothing.
She was nothing.
What have you done?
What happening?
Where am I? Where am I? Where am I? Where am I? Where am I?
Why? Why was this? What was this?

 

There was nothing.

 

And it was terrifying.

~

The TARDIS.

Cara stumbled inside, the door slamming behind her. Mickey and Rose were arguing outside, a mixture of this problem and others all coming out.

The TARDIS could help her.
The TARDIS could help her.
The TARDIS could help her.

Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Help me. Please.

She knew the inevitable.

“You know all their names, don't you? I saw that in your mind. The name of every star.”
“What's in a name? Names are just titles. Titles don't tell you anything.”

She couldn’t help. She couldn’t….

There was too much pain.
Too much pain…
Please….make it…stop…

“So, here you are. My lonely angel. Stuck on the slow path, with me.”

Sleep.
Please…
Sleep…please…please…

“It's not a copy. It's the original. I had it moved here and was exact in every detail.”
“The fireplace...”

The TARDIS flickered her lights warningly.                               

“It appears undamaged, do you think it will still work?”
“Which might just mean, if I'm lucky... if I'm very, very, very, very, very, very lucky...”

Just let me sleep…
Please…….let…..me…..sleep….please…

~

It was cold.
Not physically.
Physically she was far too warm.
She was mentally cold.

It was far worse.

She was on the floor. The TARDIS was too bright. Leaning against the burning console, Cara shut her eyes. Her head was spinning. Her chest was on fire.

She felt so tired.

The door opened, footsteps echoing. The silence of the TARDIS making them so loud, they seemed to vibrate. They hurried, someone bending down in front of her. A hand placed slowly against her forehead.

“Cara?”

It wasn’t Mickey.

“Cara?” Rose whispered again, looking around the TARDIS, then back at her. “What’s happening? Cara? What’s going on?” she mumbled, running out the TARDIS poking her head out the door.

“Mickey? Mickey?”

Rose closed the door. Looking back around at her. She had a strange expression on her face. Cara seemed to see her in incredible detail, despite her blinding pain, splitting headache and the cold/hot sweat that dripped down her back.

Blonde hair, tumbling to her shoulders in waves of glory, her eyes shining in the mellow TARDIS lights, illuminating her face with an angelic glow. Rose really was beautiful. In some twisted way, she reminded her of Lovely.

Maybe that’s why her words would sting?

Rose licked her lips, slowly walking back towards her, the footsteps clucking on the metal floor. Sliding to the ground, tucking her legs into herself, she looked at her.

Silence.

She was so tired for this, too sleepy. She didn’t need reminders of her old life and her dead parent. She didn’t need reminders of her first home. She didn’t need reminders.

The TARDIS was cruel, cruel for keeping her awake. All she wanted to do, was shut her eyes and fall. Fall into the abyss.

It would be better if she just slept.

Finally.

 

“I knew it would happen.” Rose said quietly, but her voice seemed to vibrate around her. “I knew it would, but I…” Rose sighed, running her fingers though her hair, covering her face.

“God, what have I…?” she started, shaking her head. “Wow, I…God, I’ve been so…” she mumbled, shaking her head, before making a face. “Sorry. I just…” she paused again.

“It’s just, I was yellin and suddenly…I just sort of…I heard myself, I really did and…” Rose scoffed, shaking her head, seeming to refuse to meet Cara’s eyes. “I’m a horrible person.”

“No…you’re not.” Cara said, her voice sounding strangely scratching. “You were angry. I understand.”

“How? It’s not the first time.” Rose whispered. “I was…” she paused again, nodding her head. “I am terrible to you and…I-the way I treated you…I, when I think about it now…I just…I hate me. I really just…hate me.”

“I don’t hate you.” Cara rasped, taking another deep breath. “I’m not the biggest fan, but I don’t hate you.”

Rose smirked at that, her face quickly falling again. “When I met the Doctor, he was so different…and I was well pretty much the same, he was a whole different man then, you know. That man, god I loved that man. I still do.” she smiled, shaking her head. “When he, um…regenerated. I thought I lost him, felt like I lost him and then you come along. And suddenly, he’s…different again. Different, but the same.”

“Like an update?”

Rose chuckled, her eyes lighting up for a second. “Yeah, like an update.” she said, smiling at her, slowly adjusting herself, letting Cara rest her head on her thigh. “I didn’t really what to do. When you came and he changed…I was angry, but, but I was…so scared of losing him, I just…took it out on you…but, it’s not an excuse. Not for what I did.” Rose said, looking at her. “Cara, I’m…I’m so sorry. For everything, I did.”

“S’okay.”
“No, it’s not.”

“Yeah, its not,” Cara agreed. “But, I’m too tired, to say words. And be…all angry and stuff.” she said forcing herself up, leaning against Rose’s shoulder. “I’m tired.”

She could feel Rose nodding, and her hand gently feel her forehead. “You’re hot.”

“Am I?” Cara said dryly. “I thought you could only be that when you’re older?”

“Not like that!” Rose giggled, running her fingers though the girl’s sweat-filled hair. “You’re burning up.”

“Like a supermassive black hole.” Cara sang, her head swaying from side to side. Rose laughed quietly. “That’s not a song.”

“Isn’t it?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yep!”

“I remember it…Really well you know…um…what was it…it was…Ooh, You set my soul alight….Glaciers melting in the dead of night. Something, something….Superstars sucked into the super massive black hole…You're the queen of the superficial….how long before you tell the truth?”

Cara continued to hum the unknown song under her breath. Rose listening until it eventually faded into silence.

 

 

 

“You're the queen of the superficial….how long before you tell the truth?”

 

“Doctor!” Rose shouted, running towards him the second he came into view. The Doctor’s face broke into a relieved smile. “How long did you-”

“Cara! She needs help.”

~

Things were quiet. Besides the calming hum of the TARDIS and Cara’s soft almost un-hearable breathing, everything was silent. The silence made him feel sick.

It was the kind of sickness that curled in the pit of your stomach and ate away at your insides. Burned them, inside and then continued to claw against you, climbing its way up to your throat.

Choking you.

Slowly, but surely killing him.

He should have been more careful. He should have been more responsible. Maybe he should have pushed more, or had been more involved. Checking in on her mind, like his own parents and guardians had.

He wanted to be more, better than them. Give her space, give her time, trust him.

It wasn’t her fault.

The Doctor rubbed his hands over his face.
It wasn’t her fault.

Reinette’s words couldn’t help to swirl in an almost endless loop in his mind.

 

My Dear Doctor.
The path has never seemed more slow,
and yet I fear I am nearing its end.

 

Cara took another rasping breath. She was in her head, feeling her body trying, trying to shut its self down, her mind trying to stop it.

Reason tells me that you and I are unlikely to meet again.
But I think I shall not listen to reason.
 I have seen the world inside your head, and know that all things are possible.

Cara wondered, what did Lovely see before she died? Did she see red lights and fear-filled faces, when the cars collided? Did she see the driver’s terrified face when he knew, he knew what was happening? Did she see her? Did she see her and Harry? Did she see her family before she closed her eyes forever?

Hurry though, my love.
 My days grow shorter now, and I am so very weak.
God speed, my lonely angel.

 

Reinette’s words never seemed so true.

 

~~

 

Notes:

Long time no see! hope you like these next ones, fair warning, keep tissues on hand...maybe... XD

Till next time... 

Chapter 21: Rise of the Cybermen and Doppelgangers

 

 

                                                                                                           

 

 

 

 

“How’s Cara doing?” Rose asked slowly walking inside the younger girl’s room. The girl in question, sleeping soundly in her bed; fluffy pink pyjamas on with purple covers and a small brown bear clutched in her hands.

The Doctor sitting on a chair next to her, book in hand, which he closed holding his page with his finger. “Alright, I suppose…Her mind was already strained, but it went into shock, couldn’t handle being alone.” he said quietly.

“Time Tot’s, Timelord’s, Gallifreyans; alone is not something that happens. Time Tots are never alone for even a second, even if their on another planet.” The Doctor mused. “Obviously this was different, but…the shock to her system was extreme.” he said rubbing his eye. “It’s a wonder she lasted five seconds, let alone five hours.” he mumbled.

“She’s strong.” Rose said after a few seconds of silence. “She’ll be alright.”

“It’s my fault. I should have done something different. I should-I shouldn’t have risked…” the Doctor sighed, scratching his ear. “I shouldn’t have risked her.”

Rose sighed, shuffling her feet, not entirely sure what to say. “Come on,” she said gesturing to outside. “Maybe we can find a nice quiet place at stop at for a little while. Till she’s better.” Rose suggested, looking around the room. “Maybe,” she said glancing at a small row of flowers that rested on Cara’s desk. “Maybe a flower field of something?”

Despite her namesake, Rose wasn’t all that fond of flowers, but Cara seemed to have an appreciated of plants and nature, by how well cared her plants were. Lush, bright little pink flower buds, just starting to bloom.

The Doctor paused, following her gaze, looking back at her. He had been surprised to see Rose’s odd concern and overall behaviour change to Cara, but nevertheless decided to cautiously accept it, for now. He could worry about it later. “Alright.”

~
“What about,” the Doctor said, pressing a few buttons on the console. “Keukuh? Planet that orbits the Tukr galaxy, has fifty moons with giant bees and purple flowers that excrete giggle pollen?” the Doctor suggested thoughtfully.

“Sounds good.” Mickey agreed. “Yeah, I think she’l-” Rose started, then a loud bang rang out.

The TARDIS console exploded violently, sparks and flames flying everywhere. Rose let out a scream of surprise, her and Mickey ducking down. The Doctor flying back into his push chair from the force.

The Doctor scrambled to his feet, frantically pressing buttons and turning levers in attempt to operate the console.

“What's happened?!” Rose cried, the feeling of falling causing her gut to curl.

“The time vortex is gone! That's impossible, it's just gone!” the Doctor shouted, the TARDIS hissing, making very un-TARDIS-like noises. “Brace yourself! We're gonna crash!” the Doctor yelled.

The TARDIS slammed onto something. The Doctor, Rose and Mickey slamming hard onto the floor. The usually bright lights turned to darkness, as gas masks fell from the ceiling.

Cara moaned in her sleep, squeezing her pillow tightly. The lightest blue glow illuminating the dark room, emitting from within her. She turned around, the light glowed, before fading into the darkness.

“Everyone all right?” the Doctor asked, slowly. “Rose, Mickey?”

“I'm fine. I'm okay, sorry.” Mickey groaned from the other side of the console. The Doctor pulled himself off the floor to the console. “She's dead.” he said, as a thin line of smoke started to rise from the console. “The TARDIS is dead.” he whispered to himself.

“You can fix it?” Rose asked, surveying the damage. “There's nothing to fix. She's perished.” The Doctor said, pulling a lever back and forth, a sort lost look on his face. “The last TARDIS in the universe...extinct.”

“We can get help, yeah?” Rose said, sort of determined to be as useful as possible in that moment. “Where from?” the Doctor said softly, shutting his eyes.

“Well, we've landed, we've gotta be somewhere.” Rose said reasonably. “We fell out of the vortex, through the void, into nothingness. We're in some sort of no-place... the silent realm... the lost dimension...” the Doctor said, he said opening his eyes; Cara was fine. The TARDIS seemed to have done her best to move all major damage to the main console, in attempt to keep her safe.

“Otherwise known as London!” Mickey laughed, stepping out the TARDIS door, right into 21^st century London. “London, England, Earth. Hold on...” Mickey said, walking a little way off, jumping over a low wall, picking a paper out of a dustbin. “First of February this year, not exactly far-flung, is it?”

The Doctor and Rose followed him. Rose looking around, jumping down next to him, glancing at the paper over Mickey’s shoulder. The Doctor taking in the sites. “So, this is London.”

Mickey nodded. “Yep.”
“Your city.”
“That's the one.”
“Just as we left it.”
“Bang on.”
“And that includes the zeppelins?”

Rose and Mickey looked up, following the Doctor’s gaze up at the sky which was filled with giant silver zeppelins.

“What the hell...?”

~

She was awake, but asleep at the same time. It was strange, but it was happening…somehow.
She was in her own head, quite literally.

It wasn’t what she expected. It wasn’t neat, or white or shelves. It was…it was the TARDIS, but different. The colours were wrong. The lights, even the console looked different. The lighting was red, making the gold look like it was burning. The console had buttons and levers, but they were dark and when she tried pushing them, nothing happened. The platforms were tilting, she felt unnaturally unsteady on them.

Different, but the same.

Odd.

Cara walked towards the door, pulling the handle. It didn’t move, didn’t even creak. She was not dreaming, but she wasn’t exactly living this either.

Cara walked to the end of the TARDIS, pulling on the door that led deeper inside her. Nothing again. Cara paced around the console, catching site of a small button that was lightly glowing under a large lever.

Pressing the button a soft light coming over the room. Words thoughts, pictures and images played out like a smooth movie.

Images of her life.

“We're not meant to be here.” The Doctor said, rubbing his sore foot, looking around at the darkened TARDIS. “The TARDIS draws its power off the universe, but it's the wrong universe. It's like diesel in a petrol engine.”

“But... I've seen it in comics.” Mickey said sitting down next to him. “People are hopping from one alternative world to another, it's easy.”

“Not in the real world.” The Doctor said darkly. “Used to be easy. When the Timelords kept their eye on everything, you could hop between realities, home in time for tea. Then they died, took it all with them. The walls of reality closed, the worlds were sealed. Everything became that bit less kind.”

“Then how did we get here?” Mickey asked. The Doctor sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I dunno. Accident? Should've been impossible, now we're trapped.” The Doctor sighed again, suddenly, catching a glimpse of a small green light from beneath the console. “What's that?”

“What?”

“That there, is that a reflection?” the Doctor said getting up, glancing up first to check. Mickey following his gaze. “It's not.” he mumbled.

The Doctor and Mickey, crouched down staring at it. “It's a light! Is it? Is that a light?” the Doctor said excitedly. “I think that's a light! That's all we need!” he cried, pulling out the grilling on the end of the console. “We've got power! Mickey, we've got power! Ha!”

It was odd, seeing your life being played out in front of you. Like a strangely familiar movie, with all the perfectly accurate details. The first few things were blurs, shapes of people, she counted about four looking over her, laughing, crying. Warm, kind.

The next was darkness, but cold and wet. Warmth again, another blur, then three smaller ones. The blurs began taking shape, the sky, the sun, the grass, people, children eventually began to slowly form, different feeling with each passing one.

Her first home, the second, her first foster family, her second after the first one had decided an older child was a better fit for them. The second, which was crowded and noisy with mean children that would stick gum in the long locks and throw slugs in the bath.

Back to an orphanage that was run by various nuns, new home, move again to her third foster home.

A woman named Lovely and a man named Harry. Safety. Lovely’s warm laugh, white hair and motherly nature. Harry’s booming laughter, grins and smiles, bouncing hazelnut curls.

The crash.

“It's alive!” the Doctor said giddily, from underneath the console, fishing out some more (important looking) internal pieces of the TARDIS, setting the cords on the top.

“What is it?” Mickey asked.

“It's nothing. It's tiny. One of those insignificant little power cells that no one ever bothers about, and it's clinging onto life. But with one little ounce of reality tucked away inside.” The Doctor said, gently taking the green light out of the tangle of cords.

 “Enough to get us home?” Mickey said in disbelieve.

“Not yet.” The Doctor said, picking up the power cell, gently cupping it between his hands. “I need to charge it up.”

“We could go outside and latch it up to the national grid!” Mickey suggested. The Doctor shook his head lightly. “Wrong sort of energy. It's gotta come from our universe.” he explained.

“But we don't have anything.”

“There's me...” the Doctor said, gently blowing on the power cell. The little light began to glow brightly. The Doctor grinned. “I just gave away ten years of my life. Worth every second!” he giggled.

The smiles and laughter vanishing. Cold, nothingness. Unfiltered anger. The loneliness. Harry eventually packing her bags in the dead of night. Picking her up and leaving her in the cold.

The cold feeling still bit at her. Tears, crying, unspeakable pain. Back in a home, all girls this time.

Loneliness, teasing, tears. School, spit-wards and sharp pencils been thrown and shoved into her. Brilliant, but troubled, they said.

A woman, bright-eyed. Smiling, so much like Lovely. Brown hair, warm-eyed. Miss Jennifer Hardy. A new foster home, happy kind children. Unsure. Worry. Fear.

Bunk beds and late night giggles. Cookie drives and school science fairs. Pouring over new books, new shelves put in by Miss Hardy. Trust, slow, but surely.

Meeting Jackie Tyler for the first time, helping the woman with her large grocery bags as she walked up the steps. Home-baked ginger cookies that were always a little bit burnt around the edges and chocolate chip cookies that tasted like heaven, but were as hard as rock.

Meeting Mickey. Helping him at the auto-repair shop. Mickey giving her spare part from the shop to help with her ‘inventions’

The three of them, sitting in the lounge in Jackie’s apartment. Mickey and her messing about with something from his work, with Jackie scolding them to be careful and not to mess her carpets; while she set out warm mugs of tea with a plate of brownies. Healing. Slow, but there.

And then the Doctor.

“You’ll be safe here, Cara.” The Doctor said, adjusting her pillow. Changing the glass of water on her side table and checking that she wasn’t cold. The Doctor gently set his hand on her forehead, happy that there wasn’t a fever.

“Don’t you worry, we’ll be out of here soon and…” the Doctor paused. “And then we can talk, about everything and fix everything and I promise, I promise you. Everything will be alright. Okay?”

Cara didn’t answer him.

The Doctor sighed. “Everything will be alright.” he mumbled, gently kissing her on her forehead, before walking out of the room, closing the door with a light click.

The Doctor ran his fingers though his hair, giving the TARDIS a pat. “I know, you’re not feeling good, but…take care of her for me, Old Girl. Please, just keep her safe.”

 

 

 

 

Meeting the Doctor had been nothing, but wonderful.

Ice-creams, and giggles, fun and adventures, meaningful talks and silly talks and trust that ran deeper than one could explain. There was uncertainty, and slight fear more than worry. Smiles, happy and acceptance and the strongest sure feeling that finally. Finally she had found her place of true belonging.

Loved. A feeling that she had tried to ignore previously. A feeling she tried to stop herself feeling. But Cara was back, back in the warm hands, back in the happy homes and smiles, the good times with Lovely and Harry again, smiles with Miss Hardy, the room with Jackie and Mickey.

Loved again.

A light in Cara’s room turned on.

~

“Daily download,” Rose mumbled, scrolling through her phone, The Doctor putting his glasses on. The people all around them still froze in place, quiet as mice. “News... international news... sport... weather...”

“They get it direct.” The Doctor said, scanning the crowd, looking back at Rose’s phone. “Downloaded right into their heads.”

“TV schedules, lottery numbers...”

 “Everyone shares the same information.” The Doctor said, taking the phone from Rose’s hand. “Daily download published by Cybus Industries.”

The Doctor scrolled down, reading the word "Joke". Everyone around them chuckled to themselves almost on automatic, before zapping back to life and continuing what they had been doing.

The Doctor and Rose stared at them, as the crowd continued shuffling around them. “You lot, you're obsessed. You'd do anything for the latest upgrade.” The Doctor said.

“Oi... not my lot. Different world, remember...”

“It's not so far off your world. This place is only parallel.” The Doctor said, pressing a few buttons on Rose’s phone. “Oh, look at that. Cybus Industries owns just about every company in Britain, including Vitex. Mr Pete Tyler's very well connected.” The Doctor said unenthusiastically, showing Rose.

~

PARALLEL EARTH. PREACHER HQ. LATER THAT NIGHT.

There was a sigh. Jack crouched down outside the Preacher’s HQ, Rickey (Mickey) to his left, he and Mrs Moore to his right.

A girl’s voice talking to another person, in slightly hushed tones. Mickey only being able to catch a few words. “Isolate” and “necessary compounds” that made his blood run cold.

 Jack cocked his gun, glancing at the two. “One... two... three... go!” he cried, kicking down the door, bursting into the room.

Jack and Mrs Moore pointing their guns at the inhabitants.  

“What the hell are you doing?” Ricky cried, Jack freezing in his place. Kara setting down the large bit of machinery she had been clearly fidgeting with. Mrs Moore and Jake looked between Rickey and the newcomer, who looked exactly like Rickey, but different.

“What're you doing there?!” Jack yelled. Kara walking forwards, standing next to Rickey, her eyes flying over the newcomer and Rickey.

“What am I doing here?” Rickey mumbled, staring down at the newcomer who looked ready to crap himself.

“Fascinating.” Kara said, folding her arms, her purple, blue locks brushing against her face, eying the doppelganger newcomer with interest, like a cat who found a rat to play with.  

“What am I doing there?” Rickey asked, pointing at his doppelganger, glancing at Kara, who shrugged.

Jake and Mrs Moore spinning around, aiming their guns at the copy, who gave a slight whimper, raising his hands in surrender.

Kara smiled, pulling out her sonic from her pocket. “Strip him and tie him.” she ordered. Mrs Moore training a gun at him, Jack already holding a rope, pulling his jacket off.

Kara’s eyes landing on the doppelganger, who was staring at her in shock. She smirked, like the Cheshire Cat. “Hope you’re not afraid of needles.”

~

“He's clean. No bugs.” Jack said, setting down the scanner onto the table. Mrs Moore confirming his scan with a light nod. Mickey glanced between them and Rickey.

The girl, who looked exactly like Cara, minus the hair and the (more in Mickey’s opinion) vicious nature, had vanished after taking some blood from him. After the two had stripped him to his boxers and securely tied him to the chair; Not-Cara walking deep within the base talking about analysing it.

“But this is off the scale.” Rickey said staring at Mickey. “He's flesh and blood, how did that happen?”

“Well, it could be that Cybus Industries have perfected the science of human cloning...? Or your father had a bike?” Mrs Moore suggested.

Ricky continued to glare at Mickey and circling him dangerously. “Your name is Mickey, not Ricky?”

“Mickey.” Mickey answered. “Dad was Jackson Smith. Used to work at the key cutters in Clifton’s Parade. Went to Spain, never came back.”

Ricky bent down getting a closer look at him. “But that's my dad. So...we're brothers?

Jake shrugged. “Be fair. What else could it be?”

“Doppelganger.” Not-Cara announced, marching into the room, holding out a tablet. “He’s from a parallel Earth,” she said to the group, before addressing Mickey. “You’re from a parallel Earth, aren’t you?”

Direct. Unusually assertive, Cara was cheekily, but slightly kinder, passive nature about her that this one didn’t seem to possess. Mickey paused, before slowly nodding.

“Ha!” Jack snorted. “That’s crazy, Kar.”

“It’s not crazy, it’s brilliant. Look at this,” Not-Cara said, showing Jack and Rickey the tablet, Mrs Moore peering at it over the girl’s shoulder. “You see these gold flecks?” Not-Cara said, gesturing to them, her eye still locked on Mickey. They were also different, Cara’s was warmer. Hers was like ice. “That’s his energy frequency, and it’s completely different and unnatural compared to ours, but not dangerous. Even his heat signatures are different. It’s not an anomaly or a disease.” Not-Cara said handing the tablet to Mrs Moore.

“And, our scanners picked up unusual entering our atmosphere a few hours ago.” she added, folding her arms, grinning. “I’m trying to compare the energy frequencies to one another to see if I get a match, but I bet you my sonic. I’ll get one.” Not-Cara said.

Jack scoffed. “Kara…That’s…mad, it’s mad…Rick-”

Rickey shook his head. “She might be right. But he doesn't just look like me, he is exactly the same. There's something else going on here, Jake.”

“So, who are you lot?” Mickey asked.

Rickey straightening up again, circling the chair. “We, we are the Preachers.” he said gesturing to the group. “As in Gospel Truth. You see?” Rickey said gesturing to his ears. “No ear plugs. While the rest of the world downloads from Cybus Industries, we, we have got freedom. You're talking to London's Most Wanted. But target Number One is Lumic, and we are going to bring him down.”

“From your kitchen?”

Jake and Kara shared a look, smirking. “So, the kitty as some claws.” Kara jeered lightly.

“Have you got a problem with that?” Rickey half-growled at Mickey. “No,” Mickey half stammered. “It's a good kitchen.”

Kara chuckled, just as one of the screens, bleeped. Kara whipping around at one of her screens.

“It's an upload from Gemini.” Mrs Moore reported. Kara watching the files load onto her hard drives, her calculating eyes sweeping across the screens

“Who is Gemini?”

“The vans are back. Moving out of Battersea.” Kara said, swiping on her screen from the metal on wrist, enlarging the pictures, Mickey staring wide-eyed at the life-like holograms.

“Looks like Gemini was right. Lumic's finally making a move.” Mrs Moore said. “What we going to do? Whatever plan it is, decision time.” Kara asked, her eyes still on her screens, one of them playing a crude footage of people being loading into a van.

“We are right behind him.” Rickey ordered. “Pack up, we're leaving.”

Kara nodded, the rest of them going to all ends of room, graving things. Kara stood in front of the screens, pulling out (what Mickey guessed) her sonic (which looked similar to the Doctor’s, but at the same time completely different) lightly swiping it across the screen.

They all fuzzed, before going black, Kara glancing down at her sonic, tucking it back into her pocket. Picking up one of the gun’s on the table, and shooting the largest screen.

Mickey flinched at the shot. The rest of the group, unaffected.

“Jake,” Kara said, tossing him the gun, turning at walking down a passage. “Rick’s you got the car?”

~

“Okay, sound check. Rick’s, Jake you hear me?” Kara asked from the van, between Mrs Moore and Mickey. Her multi-coloured locks brushing against her neck, the headset strapped on, laptop resting on her dark jeans.

“Loud a’ clear, Kara dear.”
“Yes.”

“Good. What you see?” Kara asked, glancing out the window. Besides the large imposing house, behind the large imposing gates. Site was difficult.

“I don't know what they're doing, but they seem to be the target. Big house, fair bit of money... now we've got to find a way to get in.”

“I've identified the address. It belongs to Peter Tyler. The Vitex millionaire.” Mrs M said. Kara snorted, shaking her head. “Typical.”

“Pete Tyler?” Mickey repeated.

“He's listed as one of Lumic's henchmen. A traitor to the state.” Mrs Moore said, holding a walkie for security. “Traitor to a lot a things.” Kara said, adjusting her com’s and mic. “Stay vigilant boys.”

 “But... but... we've gotta get in there.” Mickey cried, wide-eyed.

“We gotta stay put,” Kara said gesturing to them in the van. “And we need to be swift and proceed with caution.” she said evenly. “Lumic’s mad, and madmen don’t exactly have codes or reasons for what they do. He’ll kill everyone in a room then himself if he wanted to. Which is why, we have to stay vigilant, boys.” Kara said, directing the last comment to Ricky and Jake.

“But what-”

“Will do. And shut it, duplicate,” Rickey ordered. “Besides, that's what I just said. A ramp is let down from the back of the lorry.” a rustling of bushes rustled across the mic, the sound of marching and metal ringing out. “What're they doing...? What the hell are they?”

“What’s happening? What’d you see? Rick’s?” Kara asked, the sound of movement over the coms; heavy breathing, bushes, leaves, the occasionally curse. But one sound seemed to drown the rest our, the sound of a dark ominous continuous boom.

“We have a problem.”

~

“This is the ultimate upgrade. Our greatest step into cyberspace.”

“Cybus.” Cara mumbled, rolling to the side, curling up in a ball. “Cybus.” she gasped, seeming to struggle for air. “It's happening again.”

“What do you mean?”

The room was glowing, the passageway’s had been long since light, the console slowly painstakingly coming back to life. The lights were glowing too bright, like a lightbulb that had been given too much power and glowed at an unnatural rate.

“What are they?”

“Alive,” Cara whispered, curling tighter into her blankets, cold sweat soaking her pillow. “But not alive. Not dead either…A heart of steel, where love had once lived…a brain inside a cybernetic body. A human without its humanity…”

“Cybermen.”

~

Screaming, smashing, steel. It was almost funny, how something with no emotions caused such an emotional reactions.

“The side gates!”

Running, there was always running. Panting, yelling, pain, pain, sadness, untold guilt. Poor, poor souls. It wasn’t fair….

 

“Get behind me!” Rickey yelled. He and Jake running forwards, firing on the onslaught of Cybermen. The Doctor, Rose and Pete, ducking behind them. The Cybermen stop marching, seeming to shut themselves down.

“Oh my God, look at you...” Rose said in relief, fussing his Ricky’s coat, hugging him tightly. “I thought I'd never see you again!”

Rickey pulled away from her, straightening his coat. “Yeah, no offence, sweetheart, but who the hell are you?”

Mickey sprinted down the lawn towards the group, Kara following him. “Rose!” Mickey shouted, skidding to a halt. The two girls stopping behind him. “You have a flipping deathwish, duplicate!” Kara shouted.

“Cara?” the Doctor blurted out. The girl looking up at him. “Not Cara.” The Doctor corrected instantly. Doppelganger with very bright hair. It actually suited her quite well.

“It’s Kara. With a K.” Kara replied, folding her arms, looking at the Doctor. “Who are you?” “The Doctor, Cara.” The Doctor said, mild surprise at seeing her, she looked different, and it wasn’t just the hair.

“You saying, Cara with a C, I’m Kara with a K.” Kara said, folding her arms, looking quite unimpressed.

“I’m saying that.”
“No, you’re not.”

“That's not me. That’s not Cara. That's like... the other one. There are other ones.” Mickey mumbled, glancing at Kara. “She explained it better.”

“Obviously.” Kara said, rolling her eyes, standing next to Rickey. “Oh, as if things weren't bad enough, there's two Mickey's!” the Doctor said, glancing at Rickey.

“It's Ricky.”

“But there's more of them...” Mickey said, looking out at the approaching Cybermen. They were surrounded. Kara swallowed, leaning closer Rickey and Jack.

“We're surrounded...” Rose breathed out. Ricky raising his gun.

“Put the guns down. Bullets won't stop them.” The Doctor said, sharply. Jake ignoring him, firing a round at the metal-men.

The Doctor pushes his gun aside. “No! Stop shooting, now!” he said angrily, turning to the Cycbermen. “We surrender! Hands up...” he said, holding up his hands, the rest of the group slowly doing the same.

“Surrender? You kidding?” Kara with a K said. The Doctor nodding, not looking at her, she looked different, but she still bore the strong resemblance to Cara. “You better not screw this up.” Kara with a K said, giving him a look.   

The Doctor gave her the smallest incline of his head. “...there's no need to damage us, we're good stock. We volunteer for the upgrade program. Take us to be processed.” he continued, turning to the Cybermen.

“You are rogue elements.”

“But we surrender.” The Doctor said.

“You are incompatible.”

“But this is a surrender!” the Doctor cried.

 “You will be deleted.”

“But we're surrendering! Listen to me, we surrender!” the Doctor shouted frantically. He couldn’t go like this, we couldn’t leave Cara again.

Kara shut her eyes, she wouldn’t be killed like this. Scientist killed by creation was way too Frankenstein.

“You are inferior. Man will be reborn as Cybermen but you will perish under maximum deletion.”

The Cyberman raises their arms, out at the group their arm lasers poised at them.

Kara’s hand’s was shaking. A small part of her willing to risk grabbing onto Rickey’s hand.

 

 

Delete. Delete. Delete! DELETE!

 

 

Cara shot up, breathing heavily.  The room was still, quiet and empty except for her. The TADRIS lights were dim, but there. She could feel her hearts pounding hard, not out of fear or angry, but…anticipation.

Her mind was clearer than it had been before.

Than it ever had been.

And she knew exactly what to do.

Notes:

A huge thank you to all my readers! you all are amazing!!

Till next time....