Intergalactic Punkrocker

by DiscipleOfBrad

Summary:

Chasing after a Dalek armada, the Tardis falls through the Time Vortex, with the Doctor, Yaz and Dan not knowing where they'll end up. But when they next open the doors, they find themselves in a world of superheroes and superpowered threats.

But they're not the only ones to have made the trip. And their only hope might lie in working alongside Clark Kent

Notes:

After watching Superman at the cinema, I've fallen in love with him and Lois Lane. Thasmin still holds my heart, so the only logical next step was to bring them together. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

 “Hang on! We’ve got them in our sights!”

   Yasmin Khan (Yaz to her friends) was used to travelling in the Tardis. She was more than accustomed to the bumpy ride that was associated with the impossible blue box. It didn't mean that it was any easier to hold on and keep her footing as it careened from side to side. She’d taken to hugging one of the crystalline pillars, though even that felt like it was going to snap under the strain. The only positive was that the exercise was massively strengthening her core, so there was always an upside to unknown peril.

   Luckily for Yaz, she wasn’t the only one who was struggling. Dan Lewis had spent a good chunk of time with them now, but he was still the least experienced out of the bunch. It meant he still hadn’t quite come to grips with taking evasive measures when the time called for it. He’d attempted to cling onto the central column, but was now staggering from side to side, completely dependent on which way the Tardis happened to spin. It might have been a spectacular source of entertainment, if Yaz hadn’t been fearing for their lives at the same time.

   The madman responsible for the carnage was doing a much better job at remaining stable, at least in the physical sense. The Doctor was too busy working away at the controls to consider falling over, and her movement came with practised ease. Her short bob of blonde hair might have been frayed and tousled, but that was just a sign that she was enjoying the thrill of the chase. She was in her element. The louder they screamed, the faster she seemed to bounce around.

   “Haven’t you been saying that for the past five minutes?” Dan asked, having to shout over the toiling engines.

   “Yeah, but I really mean it this time!”

   It had started out like any other day for the trio. There’d been a flashing indicator of trouble that the Doctor couldn’t ignore. They’d arrived on the scene, intending on saving the day, only to discover that a Dalek army was in the midst of invading a defenceless planet. The Doctor had done her usual spiel, somehow forcing them in the opposite direction, but that hadn’t been enough for the Time Lord. She’d wanted to chase after them so that they never considered returning, forever enraged whenever the genocidal salt and pepper shakers reared their domed heads.

   Which was why they were now spiralling across the stars in pursuit of an armada that could have easily blown them out of existence.

   A fairly standard day in Yaz’s book and she would have been lying if she said she didn't enjoy it.

   “No!” the Doctor complained, whacking the console in annoyance. “That can’t be happening! What are they doing?”

   It took a lot of strength and a heavy dose of bravery for Yaz to move from her sheltered position to the controls. It was a leap of faith. One that could have seen her turned upside if she wasn’t careful. But the Doctor, momentarily ignoring her main focus, shifted so that she could hold onto her companion. Her arm wrapped around Yaz’s waist with a natural ease, keeping her in place until more secure footing was found. Yaz blamed the rosy tint of her cheeks on the adrenaline of the situation, rather than their brief close proximity.

   “You spoke too soon, didn't you?” Dan asked.

   The Doctor pouted. “Now isn’t the time to be all high and mighty.”

   “But I never get a chance to be that!”

   Yaz rolled her eyes at his childish behaviour before turning her attention back onto their pilot. “What is it this time?”

   “The Dalek ships are…fading out of existence!” the Doctor explained. “They’re dematerialising. Which means only one thing.”

   “They’re entering the Time Vortex.”

   She paused to give her friend an appraising look. “Yaz, if I wasn’t so busy, I’d be giving you a gold star right now.” 

   Dan huffed. “You know, you’ve never even offered to reward me with a sticker. I’d almost go as far as saying that you’re playing favourites.”

   “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, Dan,” Yaz replied, whilst making sure to stick out her tongue when the Doctor was looking. 

   “An envoy of that size shouldn’t have the capacity to time travel,” the Time Lord prattled on, focusing on the true matter at hand instead of their playful squabbling. “The strain, both on their systems and their surroundings, could be massive. The shockwave doesn’t bear thinking about.”

   “Then what do we do?”

   “We follow them, obviously. We ride that shockwave until we can figure out what they’re up to.”

   “But you just used the words ‘doesn’t bear thinking about’ in relation to that shockwave.”

   “I did, yeah.”

   “And that isn’t making you hesitate?”

   “Not especially.”

   “Would it be the end of the world if we didn't chase after them?” Dan wondered. “I mean, they’ve retreated. That sounds like a victory in my books.”

   The Doctor’s nostrils flared. “It could be the end of a lot of worlds if they’re allowed to escape. I’m tired of always losing against them, even when I win. Not today.”

   Reinvigorated by that agenda, the Time Lord was promptly dancing around them once again, with her hands somehow moving even faster than before. The Tardis complained more vociferously as the central column began to rise and fall, signalling their descent into the Vortex too. Yaz took a moment to simply marvel at her best friend. She was a blundering clown most of the time but, when the occasion demanded it, she was capable of reminding them all of how she was the stuff of legend.

   In Yaz’s unbiased opinion, of course.

   “I’m latching onto their ships,” the Doctor told them. “Where they go, we go.”

   Dan was now in the archway of the doors, using the frame to support himself. “Funnily enough, that sounds like the complete opposite to what I’d want to do.”

   “It’s a good job you’re not in charge.”

   “I really don’t want that position if you’re offering.”

   “Aren’t the Daleks going to realise that we’re linked to them?” Yaz asked.

   “It’s a risk,” the Doctor admitted. “But they’re already well aware that we’ve been following them, otherwise they wouldn’t be scurrying away in such a panicked fashion. They never say they’re terrified of me, but their actions speak louder than words. And they’re also insanely egotistical. They probably think that they’re clever enough to outrun us.”

   Sparks rained down from the column, putting an end to the Time Lord’s speech. As ever, she was handed an instant dose of karma for bigging herself up. Because nothing was ever going to go as smoothly as she intended. Whilst Yaz and Dan did their best to shield themselves from the fallout, the woman at the controls lunged for the screen, her frown deepening at whatever she saw. Based on past experiences, Yaz knew that that wasn’t a brilliant sign.

   “They’re…they’re gone,” the Doctor said breathlessly, shaking her head in disbelief.

   Yaz dragged herself along the console to join her. “What do you mean, they’re gone?”

   “There’s no other way to put it. They’ve completely vanished. Thousands of Dalek ships.”

   “Did they dematerialise again?”

   “Potentially.”

   “Was it a trick? Did they enter the Vortex as a decoy?”

   “I’m not sure!”

   The Doctor had the tendency to snap whenever she didn't know the full details of a given situation. Yaz usually took the brunt of that displeasure and she probably should have called out the toxic behaviour. But it was difficult to do so when she understood where it was coming from. The Doctor was trying to look out for them, as well as pretty much every inhabitant of the universe. Whenever it seemed like she was on the verge of failure, she couldn’t hide her disappointment because there was so much pressure resting on her shoulders.

   Or maybe Yaz had just been trained to give her the benefit of the doubt at all times.

   “But Doctor…” Dan began.

   “What is it this time?”

   “You said that we were slaved to them, yeah? Where they go, we go. If they’ve vanished, doesn’t that mean we’re about to-”

   Yaz might have given her friend credit for figuring something out before them. He didn't have the same level of technical expertise as his two travelling companions, but she was always proud when Dan showed off his growing knowledge. Except she didn't have much of an opportunity to give him a pat on the back. He hadn’t even been given the opportunity to finish his sentence, before the ship was bucking even more violently than before. 

   This time, the sudden shift was powerful enough to cause the Doctor to lose their grip. The three of them tumbled in unison, though the Time Lord was at least able to do so with a bit more grace. She and Yaz were on the floor next to each other, and they spared a brief moment to look at one another to ensure they were both okay. It was a sweet moment amidst all the madness, which probably proved that Yaz had become far too conditioned to the way the Time Lord went about her daily life.

   By this point, the engines were whining in complaint, a dreadful sound that Yaz wished she could block out. But she currently needed her hands to push herself back up, rather than using them to cover her ears. Dan had opted to stay on the floor, hugging one of the pillars and keeping his eyes firmly shut, but Yaz was more determined to be of service. As the Doctor set about getting a handle on the situation, Yaz was there by her side, defying the heavy forces that wanted to pull her straight back down. Holding on for dear life had just become second nature by now.

   “I don’t like the face you’re pulling,” she managed to say.

   “You shouldn’t,” the Doctor replied grimly. “We’ve lost the Time Vortex.”

   “How can you possibly lose something like that?”

   “I’ve got a lot of practice when it comes to doing the impossible. This time, I’m not too happy about it. I’ve seen this sort of thing before. I’ve experienced it, I’m sure of that. But that doesn’t make it any less logical. We should not be capable of doing this.”

   “Doing what exactly?”

   The Doctor, as was often the case, wasn’t fussed about answering her questions. “I have no idea as to where we’re going to end up. We could be heading straight for the Void for all I know.”

   “And that’s bad, yeah?”

   “Think of it as Hell. An endless stretch of time, with nothing physical to cling onto. No matter. No space. Just us lot, never aging, and never being able to escape.”

   Yaz knew that she wasn’t supposed to enjoy that prospect. Being trapped in a dimension beyond the universe wasn’t how she wanted to end her story. But getting to live forever with the Doctor? With no threat of losing one another? It didn't necessarily have to be Hell-adjacent. Maybe Purgatory. Although having to deal with the Time Lord’s constant complaining about being stuck in one place might have driven her to madness before long.

   Any positivity she’d been feeling was quick to dissipate when the Tardis stopped moving. It happened just as abruptly as the carnage had unfolded, though the end to that discomfort didn't bring much comfort with it. Yaz pondered the Doctor’s hypothesis and didn't want to think about what would be waiting for them beyond the doors. The sound the Tardis made had grown to be the mesmerising soundtrack to Yaz’s life and the prospect of losing that prompted a deep ache in her chest.

   Though that might have been from how she’d landed just a few moments before.

   It would have been easy to focus on the console, which didn't seem as bright as it normally did. But instead Yaz turned her attention to the Doctor, which had become her default setting in recent years. The Time Lord was usually so self assured and cocky, so much so that irked Yaz that she hadn’t yet been able to possess the same qualities. But, gazing at her damaged ship, the Time Lord looked forlorn. She looked smaller and if the Daleks had chosen that very moment to return, Yaz doubted that much of a fight would have been given.

   Dan finally managed to stand up again. “Is it over?”

   “Yeah,” the Doctor replied quietly.

   “But what does that mean?”

   “It’s a good thing, right?” Yaz desperately asked. “We’ve obviously landed somewhere.”

   “It’s better than our usual landings. That normally involves a lot more crashing than I’d like.”

   “It depends on where we’ve arrived,” the Doctor explained, adopting a strangely monotonous voice. 

   “Shouldn’t we find out then?”

   “That’s easier said than done. The monitor’s dead. The whole system is recovering at the moment.”

   “But will it recover?” Yaz risked asking.

   “I certainly hope so.”

   “You hope ?”

   “That’s all I can give you right now. And even that’s a bit of a stretch.”

   “We could always use the old fashioned method,” Dan suggested, walking away from the controls. 

   It took Yaz a few seconds to properly understand what he meant and that wasn’t sufficient time for him to have strode towards the doors. The Doctor had been caught similarly off guard, which meant they weren’t quick enough to react. Dan was opening the doors without giving proper forethought to the horrors that might have been there to greet them. Yaz didn't want to find out what a void looked like and she was going to curse Dan’s name for all eternity if he inadvertently subjected them to that, just because he’d been trying to help in his matter-of-fact way.

   There wasn’t as much of a fallout from his carelessness as Yaz had been expecting. There was a short yell on his part, signalling that something had gone wrong. But noises could be heard from outside, which put to bed any concerns of them landing in an expressionless expanse. The Doctor appeared to be equally as surprised by the turn of events, which prompted her to move more quickly towards their friend. And that thrill of a new discovery started making itself known in the back of Yaz’s head.

   The cause for Dan’s initial fear was fairly obvious. The Tardis hadn’t exactly landed, but had come to a stop in midair. It was currently floating above what looked to be a standard cityscape, with high rise buildings threatening to reach them and the ant-like people going about their days far below, oblivious to the blue box in the sky. It wasn’t a city that Yaz instantly recognised but, in all fairness, she wasn’t completely clued up on what specific places looked like from above.

   “I knew there was nothing to worry about!” Dan proclaimed. “It’s Earth. We’ve made it back to Earth. I tell you something, I’m always quick to insult this ship of yours, Doctor. But it’s done some good this time around. It knew we were in trouble and took evasive action. Because it knows that our home is the safest place to be.”

   Yaz wanted to have the same sort of optimism. But she knew from personal experience that their planet wasn’t remotely the safest place in the galaxy, let alone the entire universe. It was constantly being invaded, as if a sign was pointing at it and telling extraterrestrial races that an open buffet was available. It was why she was starting to sweat, knowing what dangers could have been lurking around the proverbial corner. Because if they’d followed the Daleks, and they’d been taken back to Earth, then humanity’s days were surely numbered.

   The Doctor’s expression of grim curiosity suggested to Yaz that she was thinking along the same lines. “No, this isn’t right.”

   Dan rolled his eyes. “Can’t we celebrate the small victories from time to time. They happen so rarely.”

   “Something’s off. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

   Yaz wondered how long they might have stood there, trying to figure out the reason for the Doctor’s unease. They were saved from that fate by a simply impossible sight. As they floated above the skyline, a man joined them. They were only given a quick view as he was roaring past, a red cape billowing in his wake. He was flying. A man was flying. And those people on the ground were equally as bored by the spectacle as they were by the Tardis’ presence. Whilst the three new arrivals were watching the man grow smaller and smaller with their mouths hanging open.

   The Doctor scratched her head. “Um…”

   Yaz cleared her throat. “So I wasn’t the only one who saw that?”

   Dan poked his head over the threshold to get a better look. “Hang on, is he wearing red underpants over his suit?”

Chapter 2

Summary:

The Doctor, Yaz and Dan meet a certain reporter

Dan and Yaz could have been forgiven for wanting to watch the display for a bit longer. After all, it wasn’t very often that someone was able to overshadow the Tardis in terms of sheer spectacle. Yaz focused on just how fast the man had been moving, now little more than a dot in the distance. If she hadn’t been accompanied by her friends, she would have naturally assumed that she’d imagined the entire thing. Which would have raised troubling questions about her deteriorating psyche.

   The Doctor, on the other hand, was already prepared to close the doors and move on, retreating back to the controls as if there was something more important than a literal flying man. Yaz reminded herself that the Time Lord had been travelling for a lot longer than her counterparts, which invariably meant she’d witnessed some mind-boggling stuff. But surely this was the first time she’d seen a person capable of flight without any need of an attached engine.

   The ship groaned as a result of the Doctor’s machinations, sounding like it was at its last tether. The fact that it was responding at all felt like a bonus, seeing as Yaz had initially thought that their mode of transport had completely konked out. The central column was moving up and down, but it was a much slower process than usual, akin to a person taking their final ragged breaths. Yaz didn't want to focus on what that meant in the long run, unwilling to consider the prospect of a life that no longer had the Tardis in it.

   “Doctor…” she began.

   “Not now,” came the impatient response. “I’m busy.”

   The Doctor was brilliant. The best person that Yaz had ever known. But she was also a complete pain, particularly when she was in a mood. She had the habit of closing off whenever something went wrong, which was usually the time when Yaz wanted to speak to her the most. There were moments when things seemed to be getting better, like the Doctor was finally learning and healing from her past experiences. Now was such an occasion that reminded Yaz that there was still a lot of work to be done, which explained why she was giving a weary sideways glance at Dan.

   “Have I been drinking?” he asked. “Did that actually happen?”

   “We all saw it,” Yaz said. “For once, this isn’t you imagining things.”

   “Good. Because look around us. Look at where we spend the majority of our time. Nothing is totally implausible in our lives. A guy flying around is just another day at the office. If I had to start questioning everything I see, I’d be in trouble.”

   The Doctor still wasn’t paying much attention to their conversation, which was accounted for when the Tardis landed with an uncomfortable thud. It was much better than the crashing and the turmoil they’d been experiencing up to that point, though it didn't fill Yaz with much optimism. For now the ship was looking even colder, devoid of the colour that normally danced across their faces. It was no wonder that the Time Lord was in a mood, out of concern for what was going on with her longest-serving companion.

   Yaz stepped closer. “Is she alright? The Tardis?”

   The Doctor patted the console mournfully. “She’s been forced into a journey that she shouldn’t have undertaken, and it’s taken every ounce of her energy to get us here safely. She’ll need time to recuperate. And then we’ll see where we stand after that. It was hard enough to coax her into landing properly, back on terra firma. It would have been really awkward if we’d made it all this way, only to be trapped above the city.”

   “You never know…we could have asked for a lift from our mystery man.”

   “Does that mean we’ve parked on a street?” Dan wondered. “So it’s safe to go outside?”

   Evidently not learning from his previous hastiness, he was heading for the doors yet again. Yaz questioned whether they’d ever be able to train him properly against the threats of interdimensional travel. Then again, the Doctor was their mentor, who enjoyed taking risks more than anyone else in the universe, so it was no surprise that Dan didn't know better. Yaz let out a soft sigh, realising once again that it was down to her to keep them both in check.

   This time around, the Doctor was on hand to block his path. “I need to run through a few things before we start exploring.”

   “You’ve already given me the talk ,” Dan complained. “Don’t touch anything that looks suspicious. Don’t try to disarm people with my charm. Don’t step on any butterflies.”

   “That last one’s mainly for time travel,” Yaz reminded him. “Then that doesn’t mean you should now go out of your way to do it.”

   “This isn’t going to be like one of our usual trips,” the Doctor outlined. “I started to have these concerns when we first saw the city skyline.”

   “So you ignored the guy zooming past us?”

   “Trust me, that’s definitely interesting and I can’t wait to learn more. But it’s not at the top of our list of priorities right now. Because this city doesn’t exist. Not on your Earth, anyway.”

   “You don’t mean…”

   “Because I was right, wasn’t I? I’m always right, even when I don’t want to be. I have experienced this before. I’ve seen the Tardis go through this exact sort of thing.”

   Dan raised a hand. “Am I missing something?”

   “We’ve ended up in a different universe. Obviously, chasing after the Daleks stretched us too thin and we’ve inadvertently fallen through a tear in the fabric of reality. It may look like the planet you know outside…”

   “...but it’s actually a parallel Earth?” Yaz finished for her.

   “Precisely. It’ll be like your society in a number of ways, just with a few changes that might not even be noticeable at first.”

   “Such as the flying man?”

   “Maybe, in this reality, humanity developed that ability over the generations.”

   “That’s amazing.”

   “I wish I could fly,” Dan commented. “I’d hover over Anfield during matches so that I wouldn’t have to pay for a ticket.”

   “ That’s what you’d do? You wouldn’t use the power for good? To save people?”

   He shrugged. “I’d do that in my spare time, sure. But not on matchdays.”

   “You’re unbelievable.”

   “I think that’s completely believable based on my track record.”

   “Can we focus?” the Doctor butted in. “Parallel Earths are dangerous. They’re tricky. They’re full of temptations. You’ve both got to remember that you have your own lives back home.”

   “I’m not trading my current life for anything, don’t worry,” Yaz assured her.

   She still took a moment to think about what the Doctor was discussing. Was there another Yasmin Khan out there? What was she up to? Was she still a police officer? Was she travelling in the Tardis? Had she ever met the Doctor in the first place? Was she with the Doctor in a way that Yaz could only fantasise about? The more she considered the possibilities, the more she came to realise that the Time Lord was correct. The sweet temptations were there to see and it was going to be difficult to ignore them.

   “As long as you know and follow the rules, we shouldn’t have a problem.”

   “How long is it going to take the Tardis to recover?”

   “That’s an unknown variable. It could be a day. Maybe even a week. Stuck in one place. I hate when this happens.”

   Yaz wasn’t of the same opinion. She’d had plenty of experience when it came to being trapped, either waiting for the Doctor for those ten long months or getting attacked by the Weeping Angels and spending three years in the early 1900s. That should have meant she was annoyed at it happening again. But, for once, she was stuck alongside the Doctor. She had the Time Lord with no other distractions, which perhaps gave them the opportunity to explore other things they’d been skilfully ignoring up to that point.

   That was a far bigger temptation than the planet outside could offer.

   “Which means we’ve got an excuse to go out and enjoy this opportunity,” Dan surmised.

   The Doctor grimaced. “Did you listen to a word of what I just said?”

   “...I was mainly thinking about flying over Anfield. I’m big enough to admit that.”

   She could never stay stern for long. “Oh who am I kidding? I want to see what’s going on just as much as you two.”

   Yaz smirked at the change in the Doctor’s demeanour, who went from being a voice of authority to an eager toddler on Christmas morning. She was yanking the doors open with little consideration for the warning she’d just provided and was leading the way with wide-eyed fascination. Over the years, Yaz had considered putting the Doctor on a leash, the same way tired parents tried to keep their children in check in a shopping centre, but she knew the Time Lord would just wriggle out of it straight away.

   The Tardis had eventually materialised in an abandoned alleyway, in between two of the towering buildings they’d been looking down upon just a few moments earlier. The noise of the city was much more vibrant on this level, with cars rushing past and pedestrians going about their day. On first inspection, there didn't seem to be anything that was out of the ordinary, though that was how most of their adventures tended to start.

   “Everything looks alright to me,” Dan proclaimed.

   Yaz looked at him sceptically. “And you’ve figured that out from one look?”

   “I’ve honed my skills as a traveller of the stars, thank you very much. You’ve taught me well. The first thing to notice is that the air is breathable. So humans haven’t had to develop something like gills in this reality. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a major hurdle we’ve cleared.”

   “You’re telling me that people can fit inside?”

   The new voice entering the fray came as an understandable surprise, seeing as they’d believed they were alone in the dingy alleyway. They were on high alert, though Yaz’s defences relaxed somewhat when a woman appeared before them. She emerged from behind the Tardis, having evidently been investigating the strange phenomenon. She was also equipped with a camera and was using it to take stills of the box, as if it were a celebrity out in the wild.

   The main thing that Yaz noted was that the stranger was remarkably beautiful. Long black hair was complimented by tight jeans and a white shirt. She was the sort of woman who’d make you blush just by looking in your general direction. And the problem was that she was very keen to look at all of them in turn, showing an air of inquisitiveness that explained right away why she’d been snooping around. It took Yaz a couple of seconds to snap out of the daze, thanks in part to Dan giving her a gentle nudge. 

   They hadn’t thought to close the doors to the Tardis by that point, which meant the woman had a perfect vantage point of the chamber that lay inside. Even in its depleted state, the magnitude of its size and scope was enough to make her suck in a breath. Another quick photo was captured without first asking their permission. She didn't appear to be dangerous in any sense of the word but, following the Doctor’s previous words of advice, Yaz was willing to maintain a safe distance.

   If just to preserve her rapidly beating heart as well.

   “It’s bigger on the inside,” the woman whispered, going as far as poking her head over the threshold. “The dimensions are completely different from one side of the doors to the other. I’ve seen some things in my time, but this is right up there in terms of how improbable it is.”

   “Are you going to introduce yourself?” the Doctor asked. “I’m very protective over my ship. I don’t let just anyone poke their nose into my stuff.”

   “I should be asking you that. Who are you? Where’ve you come from?”

   “That’s a very complicated answer.”

   “It’s my job to uncomplicate the answers, so don’t fret about giving the full details. Because I saw it happen with my own eyes. I was walking along, heading back to work after a much needed lunch break, and then I spotted… this . This blue box appearing out of thin air, kicking up one hell of a breeze in the process. It was gorgeous. And obviously something I couldn’t ignore. I just didn't expect there to be a group of you inside. Maybe one person at a push.”

   “That’s interesting. Because the Tardis deploys a subtle psychic shield to dissuade people from noticing it. Every other person on this street would stroll right past it without batting an eye. But you…you picked up on it almost immediately.”

   The woman had now taken to scribbling on a notepad. “Tardis, did you say? Is that the name of this vessel? How are you spelling that?”

   “I don’t remember agreeing to an interview.”

   “Most people don’t, but I still manage to get enough answers out of them.”

   “You’ll find that I’m a tougher nut to crack. Especially when I’m dealing with someone who’s very interested in my business and still hasn’t bothered to give me their name.”

   “It’s Lois. Lois Lane. I’m a reporter at the Daily Planet and this has the makings of a brilliant story. A box that can seemingly move from place to place, whilst containing multitudes more than it should be capable of.”

   “That explains it then,” Dan quipped. “It’s no wonder she noticed the Tardis when everyone else wouldn’t. She’s a journalist. They can’t help but stick their nose into other people’s business.”

   Lois made sure to glare darkly at him. “You’ve got a grim view of my profession.”

   “He’s just trying to act tough,” Yaz assured her, hoping to defuse any growing tension before things got out of hand. “It’s all a performance.”

   He shoved her again, a bit harder this time. “Can you not give away all my secrets please?”

   Lois was tapping her pen against the paper. “You’re all English? And you know about journalists, which suggests you’re not from outer space like I was starting to suspect.”

   The Doctor cocked her head to one side. “You sound very comfortable about the idea of aliens walking around.”

   “Let me just say that I…have an intimate understanding of extraterrestrial beings coming to Earth.” She cleared her throat. “As a reporter, I cover all sorts of stories. And I refuse to be close minded.” 

   “That’s a good trait to have.”

   “I don’t know whether it’s a good thing to be complimented by you. After all, I’m still waiting for a proper introduction. I thought you might have returned the favour.”

   “You don’t stop, do you? Pushing for answers?”

   “Absolutely not. The day I stop is the day I retire and move to Smallville.”

   “It’s the sort of stubbornness that I can’t help but be impressed by.”

   Yaz stood a little straighter whilst they talked. She was normally above such petty things as jealousy , largely because the Doctor was always oblivious whenever someone was flirting with her. But now the Doctor was practically instigating it, praising the woman who’d just entered their lives. Coupled with the fact that Yaz had already acknowledged Lois’ absurdly pretty face, she couldn’t be blamed for thinking that she was being pushed to one side.

   “I’m the Doctor,” the Time Lord said.

   “That’s a title, not a name,” Lois argued.

   “It’s the only name I use, so you’re going to have to be happy with it. Okay?”

   “I suppose it adds an air of mystery to the story, so I can work with it.”

   “Good. And this is Yaz and Dan, my two best friends.”

   “And the three of you just…travel around in that box?”

   “It’s more exciting than you’re making it sound.”

   “I’m not surprised that you’re from out of town. That’s the only explanation for you risking being here.”

   The Doctor’s ears immediately perked up. “And why’s that? What’s going on?”

   “Haven’t you heard about Metropolis?”

   “You might have to rejog our memories.”

   “It’s the city you’re standing in right now.”

   “Then you’re really going to have to enlighten us.”

   “This place is a hotbed for incursions as of late. The number of visitors to Metropolis has plummeted. And businesses don’t even have time to complain because they’re too busy trying to quite literally survive.”

   “Hang on…there are plenty of people still acting like normal,” Dan pointed out, gesturing to the nonplussed pedestrians milling around beyond the alleyway. “It doesn’t scream a focal point for invasions.”

   “Residents in Metropolis are built of stern stuff. They’re practically used to large scale threats. A few weeks ago, it was a rip in reality spreading through the city. In a few weeks’ time, there’s no telling what could be happening.”

   “Are these threats linked to the flying man we spotted?” Yaz asked.

   For some reason, a pink hue coloured Lois’ cheeks. “Are you talking about Superman?”

   Dan laughed. “Do you have loads of people who can fly in these parts?”

   “He’s only linked to the threats in that he’s the one stopping them. He’s like the…protector of the city. Of the entire world on a good day. Though even he’s had his hands full with the emergence of the Daleks.”

   Yaz watched as the colour drained from the Doctor’s face. There weren’t many things in existence that could force such a reaction from the Time Lord, but the Daleks had a special skill in that regard. Yaz could already see what was happening as the cogs turned in her friend’s head. She was likely blaming herself for the emergence of the violent aliens, as if she’d had any role to play in them ending up in a different universe. It had grown to be Yaz’s job to tackle that guilt before the Doctor allowed it to define herself.

   “Daleks?” the Doctor stammered. 

   “They appeared in the sky one day,” Lois explained. “Maybe a month ago? In truth, it was short work for Superman. Their weapons are effective against normal people, but not him. But the issue is that they keep coming back.”

   “Yeah, they’ve got a bad habit of doing that.”

   “You make it sound as if you know them.”

   “Oh, we go way back. More than you could possibly understand.”

   “Then help me understand everything.”

   “Maybe we can work something out. Because I need every detail you have about what the Daleks have been up to. In return, I’ll give you the story you’re looking for. All about me. The scoop of a lifetime.”

   Lois barely hesitated. “I think you should come with me.”

Chapter 3

Summary:

The Doctor, Yaz and Dan are taken to the Daily Planet

 Yaz wished that she could have been enjoying and savouring the experience of walking amongst a different human race. She wanted to focus on all the little details that might have been at odds with what she was used to back home. Because, on the surface level, there didn't seem to be a stark contrast. People were still walking around. Cars were still whizzing by. There wasn’t any sign of the locals being afraid of another Dalek invasion.

   Which was the reason why she couldn’t focus on the city surroundings. She was more worried about the Doctor and the look of thunder that was currently scarring her face. Of all the things that got under her skin, the Daleks were at the top of the list. Which also included sharing personal details about her life. As soon as the race from Skaro had been mentioned, Yaz had known that she was going to have her work cut out in keeping the Time Lord from spiralling.

   It was truly a full time gig.

   “So does this universe have Daleks as well?” Dan asked.

   Yaz would have preferred to have avoided the topic for a bit longer. Lois was leading them somewhere and so there’d been a lull in conversation. The strained silence was far better than an angry outburst from the Doctor, which meant Yaz had been content with maintaining the quiet. Dan, as always, had other ideas. He was the sort of person who preferred to talk about his concerns and feelings. In truth, Yaz had always found that commendable, wondering whether it was about time she followed his example. Though she wasn’t quite ready for that step yet.

   “That’s a possibility,” the Doctor answered in a clipped tone.

   “It doesn’t sound as if you think that’s the case.”

   “Not at the moment.”

   “What’s the likelier reason?”

   “She thinks we brought them with us,” Yaz explained.

   They’d taken to talking quietly, with their guide presently focused on leading the way. Now that Yaz had brought in an element of guilt, they didn't exactly want to reveal that to the stranger. As a reporter, there was no telling what Lois would do. The Doctor had made it clear that safely navigating a parallel world depended on keeping your head down. Being slapped on the front page and having the blame for constant alien invasions didn't exactly follow that advice.

   The Doctor huffed. “Not exactly.”

   “Then share with the class.”

   “The Daleks were ahead of us. We saw them disappear on the monitor. We just didn't know that they’d fallen through the tear in reality until we were falling through it as well. We followed them. We’re the late arrivals.”

   “But they were only a few seconds ahead of us. The way Lois was talking, it sounds like they’ve been here for ages. Long enough for people to know not to come to the city.”

   “There’s no telling how much time has passed until we get more details from a first hand account. That’s the problem we’re facing. We didn't just fall out of space. The incident happened in the Time Vortex. Such a catastrophe in that setting…it’s enough for a healthy distortion that’s now leaving us scrambling to catch up.”

   “Is there a chance that they’re not Daleks?” Dan wondered.

   Both Yaz and the Doctor looked in his direction, sporting matching expressions of befuddlement. At times, it was easy for them to talk as if it was just the two of them, with Dan’s occasional rebuttals reminding them that they actually had an audience. It was a big problem whenever they got lost in their own company in the Tardis. But they were always snapped back to reality when Dan saw fit to provide his left-field take on certain situations.

   Yaz was looking forward to his hypothesis this time around. “What are you getting at?”

   “It’s a different universe, right? Couldn’t there be a chance that ‘Dalek’ in this reality means something else? A different kind of threat. Giant slugs. Or maybe flying monkeys.”

   “It’s a possibility,” the Doctor reluctantly said.

   “But you think I’m being silly.”

   “I think your perspective is one we really have to follow.”

   “...it is?”

   “Yeah. Right now, the only thing we have is hope. We have to hope that we haven’t inadvertently doomed this entire world, as well as the galaxies beyond. Until I’m given concrete evidence that they’re here as well, then I’m willing to be optimistic.”

   Yaz gave her a soft nudge. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

   “Maybe I’m finally learning from you two. There are worse people to model myself off.”

   “I’ve always said it,” Dan quipped. “There’s a lot to teach you.”

   “What are you guys talking about?”

   Not for the first time, Lois had taken them by surprise. Whilst they’d been conversing, the journalist had stopped in her tracks and turned on her heels. It seemed they were going to have to get used to her inquisitive ways, which made them more guarded about what they let slip. She’d folded her arms and was tapping her foot, cutting the figure of a parent about to scold their child. Even the mighty Time Lord was threatening to wilt under the intensity of her gaze, and Yaz hoped she’d be able to learn that trick at some point. 

   It would really come in handy.

   “Nothing too interesting,” the Doctor managed to say.

   “From past experiences, when people tell me that, they’re usually hiding something pretty juicy.”

   “I’ve already promised that I’ll give you all the stories you could possibly want from me. You could write a full book about my life, rather than just an article. Well…maybe a series.”

   “I just don’t appreciate it when secrets are kept from me.”

   “Join the club,” Yaz commented. “And the Doctor’s got a bad habit of doing that.”

   The Time Lord glared in her direction. “You’re not helping.”

   “Are you under the impression that I’m trying to help?”

   “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

   “There aren’t any sides ,” Lois argued. “We’re all helping each other, yeah? You seemed pretty interested in the Daleks. And I’m interested in you . You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

   “Don’t forget the flying man,” Dan added. “We’d like to know more about him as well. What did you call him? Superman? Sounds a bit pretentious if you ask me.”

   “He’s the least pretentious person you could ever meet.”

   The retort had come out quickly and sharply. Lois seemed to keep most of her feelings close to her chest, which Yaz had grown used to thanks to dealing with the Doctor. But there had already been a few occasions when the mask slipped and the reporter showed a genuine reaction to something they happened to mention. Most of those moments had revolved around the fabled Superman , and so certain conclusions were being drawn. Yaz might not have been a keen journalist, but she could still sense when a story was brewing.

   “It sounds as if you know him quite well,” she said innocently, though the teasing smile must have given her true intentions away.

   “I’ve interviewed him a few times, that’s all. I’m fortunate in that sense. I’m one of the few people who’s been given a chance to know the real guy behind the cape. So forgive me if I don’t appreciate the usual stereotypes about him.”

   Yaz had felt a slight kinship to Lois since the other woman had made herself known and it was becoming increasingly apparent as to why that was. Lois was clearly infatuated with someone who operated on a higher plain than any other normal person. Yaz had already made the mistake of falling for the Doctor, someone who was too oblivious to even acknowledge those kinds of feelings. Which meant she and Lois were united by that shared sense of struggle.

   “Then you’ll have to tell us more about him,” the Doctor said. “So that we don’t accidentally head straight for those pitfalls.”

   “Then you’d better have something good for me.”

   “You haven’t even told us yet where we’re going.”

   “And you’re still following me. That instantly proves how desperate you are for information. A more vindictive kind of person would use that against you.” She smiled brightly, which just made them more worried that they were about to walk into a journalistic trap. “But if you really must know, we’re heading for the Daily Planet. The paper I write for. It’ll be safest there. And plenty of interview rooms to make you comfortable.”

   Yaz wondered how safe the building actually was when it came into view. If it was a point of interest, then the giant globe on the top of the tower was giving it away quite clearly. She didn't know about many other publications having such lavish headquarters, but maybe the written word was still respected in the reality they now occupied. Rather than being fooled by clickbait and AI constructions, perhaps the alternate society still focused on journalistic integrity. 

   Yaz wouldn’t have minded living there if that was the case.

   Despite the stuff and daunting exterior, there was a more modern flair once they stepped through the doors. And it became immediately apparent that Lois was one of the big hitters of the paper. A few people tried to get her attention, either flashing pieces of paper at her or waving their hands, but she’d dismiss them with a flippant promise that she’d get to it later. Others simply moved out of her way, as if they knew that they should never block her path. It was the sort of comfortable power that Yaz had only seen the Doctor possess before.

   The bullpen area of the office largely consisted of small cubicles that were still open enough to encourage collaboration. A blonde woman with glasses was perched against a desk whilst talking to a man who was sporting a mighty moustache. A younger man was leaning back in his chair whilst he spoke to someone over the phone, though he was quick to sit back upright once Lois looked at him in disapproval. And prowling throughout the area was an imposing man who was the sort of person who kept a cigar permanently in his mouth, even when it wasn’t lit.

   The thing that Yaz noticed right away was that each and every member of the team was perfectly willing to ignore their present task in order to look at the unexpected guilt. She couldn’t help but feel a little bit self conscious and she straightened her shirt as if she were there for a job interview. Dan more easily took it in his stride, flashing the blonde woman a grin, which earned him a small wave in return. And the Doctor, as ever, wasn’t fussed about causing a scene. Which was likely why she went straight for the most intimidating figure in the room and shook both his hands with an unnecessary amount of gusto.

   “Lane…” he said. “...why is this woman shaking my hand?”

   The reporter was watching the interaction in mild fascination, her head cocked to one side. “I…really don’t know, Perry. It’s not as if I asked her to do it.”

   “Can you ask her to stop?”

   “Don’t worry, I know when to take a hint,” the Doctor said, which was an egregious lie.

   “What are you doing in my building?”

   “Wow! Is this your building? Did you design it? I love what you’ve done with the place and I don’t often say that.”

   “He’s the Chief Editor,” Lois explained, as if that would make the pain of the conversation end more quickly.

   “Very impressive. I bet you do all your editing in a very chiefly manner.”

   “You’re going to need a decent explanation for her being here, Lane,” Perry remarked, who’d gone as far as removing the cigar now, which was probably an indication that the Doctor needed to abort.

   Lois stepped forward so that she could be in between the two of them. “They’re interviewees.”

   “For what story?”

   “I’m yet to figure that out.”

   Perry pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, I’ve learnt to trust you. But that doesn’t mean your leash is infinitely long. Do you understand?”

   “Crystal clear as always.”

   The Doctor had already moved on from annoying the editor. A stack of newspapers had caught her attention, though she didn't bother rifling through it. The front page was enough to see the colour drain from her face, and Yaz didn't even need to see it to have an idea of what it was depicting. The paper was still held up for them to see, with the main image showing a small squadron of Daleks mid-flight, a sight that Yaz had far too much experience with.

   “There goes that hope,” Dan said grimly.

   “They haven’t attacked in a while,” one of the other team members told them. “At least by their standards, anyway. When it first started, it was practically a daily occurrence.”

   “Jimmy took that photo himself,” Lois explained. “Even though I told him not to risk his life.”

   “You’re technically not my boss.”

   “I’m still more senior.”

   “He won’t be doing it again,” Perry advised. “If he wants to keep his job. And this lull in Dalek activity hopefully means that they’ve come to their senses and won’t be attacking the city again, so there won’t be any need to take such big risks.”

   “Or they’re just biding their time,” the Doctor suggested. “Licking their wounds. The strangest part about all this is that…I’ve had a chance to briefly look around the city…and there was barely any damage. Just surface level if that.”

   “There were casualties. More than we’d care to count, but it’s our job to report the figures.”

   “But what stopped the Daleks? What’s made them scared ? Because there have been very few occasions in which I’ve been able to say that.”

   Lois rolled her eyes. “I told you. Superman.”

   “One man stopped a full army?”

   “And that’s him on a quiet day.”

   “You’re talking as if you didn't already know all this,” Jimmy said. “Have you been hiding under a rock? Who are you?”

   “Visitors,” Yaz skilfully replied. “Concerned visitors, you could say.”

   “Is that what your piece is about then, Lois? Thrill seekers believing they can clean up the mess? An expose on disaster junkies?”

   “I am not a disaster junkie, thank you very much.”

   “Jimmy, can you not insult my contacts?” Lois wearily asked. “I still think they’re going to be useful and I’d hate to lose them.”

   The reporter was yet to reveal the main reason why she’d approached them in the first place and Yaz felt like they needed to thank Lois for keeping the Tardis a secret. At least for the time being. It hinted at the values she held close to her heart, no matter how hungry she was for a particular story. And it suggested that she was exceptionally skilled when it came to keeping things under wraps. Perhaps she had a great deal of experience in that regard, or maybe Yaz was being too suspicious of the relative stranger.

   The other employee held up his hands in surrender before his face brightened. “Clark! There you are! I was worried Perry was going to have to write you up for taking an extended lunch.”

   Perry folded his arms. “I’m still considering it. And I might throw your name into the mix as well, just for speaking about me in too familiar a tone. I don’t like it. It gives me the shivers.”

   The man who’d walked in was an impressive figure to behold. He might not have been Yaz’s type (she preferred small blondes with troubled pasts) but she was still able to admit that he was handsome. And tall . He’d rushed in with his bag strewn over his shoulder and his mop of curly black hair was tousled from how haggard his arrival had been. He’d come to a stop when his name had been shouted, awkwardly pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

   “Sorry…got distracted,” Clark said. “There was an issue downtown. Bank robbery. I took pictures.”

   Perry nodded his head almost imperceptibly. “Then you’re not in my bad books. For now.”

   “Downtown?” the moustache-sporting man echoed. “How did you get back here in time if you were downtown?”

   “Like anyone else would, Steve,” came the breezy response. “I paid the taxi driver double if he could ensure I got back in time. Because I’m committed to the job.”

   “A job that no one is actually doing right now,” Perry grumbled. “Look at you all. I don’t see any typing and I know for a fact that tomorrow’s edition hasn’t been put in front of me. Do you know how many people would commit unsavoury acts to be in your position? Don’t give me an excuse to give them a call.”

   That was enough incentive for the group to slowly return to their cubicles, even if it was still done with a bit of reluctance. Perry was shaking his head as he walked away, though Yaz got the sense that he was used to the way the team operated. She noticed that Dan was watching the blonde woman walk away (who was well aware of and was enjoying his attention) and gave him a sharp elbow into his side to stop his drooling.

   “Don’t worry about him,” Lois assured him. “There’s no chance he’d get rid of any of us. He just likes to keep us on our toes.”

   The Doctor wasn’t listening to her words. For the second time in quick succession, she was ignoring societal expectations and was invading the new arrival’s personal space. She might have looked diminutive next to Clark but that wasn’t stopping her from peering up at him. Her brow was knitted together and Yaz recognised the look as pointed suspicion. Yaz might have been at a loss as to what had caused it but she’d learnt by now that it was best to back the Doctor in her theories.

   “Clark, was it?” she was saying.

   He scratched the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable with her close proximity. “That’s right.”

   “Nice to meet you, Clark. But do you want to tell me why you’re wearing hypno-glasses or am I going to have to find out for myself?”

Chapter 4

Summary:

A pair of hypno-glasses is no match for a psychic paper-wielding Time Lord

The Doctor had a knack when it came to winding people up. Basically, she was especially skilled at poking people until they snapped, forever too curious and stubborn for her own good. Most of the time, it landed them in trouble. On a few rare occasions, it managed to get them out of trouble. But then she’d decide to open her mouth again and they’d end up back at square one. So Yaz was no longer surprised when her friend spoke without first thinking about the potential consequences.

   She was also more than used to the Time Lord being a massive hypocrite. The Doctor had banged on about the importance of keeping their heads down until they had a proper lie of the land. And yet she was already kicking up a fuss, pushing herself into someone’s business, simply because she just couldn’t help herself. She’d blurted out the question to Clark in the same manner she usually saved for addressing an enemy , and the atmosphere had subsequently changed in an instant.

   It wasn’t Clark who reacted at first, too taken aback by the sudden shift in the Doctor’s demeanour. Instead, Lois took charge of the situation. With the other reporters having scrambled towards their desks just before, there was an opportunity to keep their audience to a minimum. Which explained why Lois was hissing at them to follow her, under the threat of physical violence. She might have cut a small and lithe figure, but they took the warning seriously.

   “What are you playing at?” Yaz asked in a low voice as they were escorted from the bullpen.

   “I’m not too sure yet,” the Doctor answered honestly. “But that man’s hiding something. Don’t have a clue what it is, but you’ve got to have a pretty big secret to deploy that sort of technology.”

   “So maybe we should respect his privacy and not dig any deeper.”

   She was given a dubious look in response. “Who are you and what have you done with my best mate?”

   “Excuse me! I’m a lot better at honouring people’s boundaries than you.”

   “You’re never going to get to the juicy part of the story if you play nice.”

   “But she was being nice to begin with! She was going to tell us everything we needed to know.”

   “Probably a sanitised version of events. The narrative they wanted us to know. This way, we’ve got a better chance of uncovering what’s actually going on.”

   “Or they’ll use it as an opportunity to beat us up,” Dan chimed in.

   Yaz quipped. “Speak for yourself. I’ve got police training on my side.”

   “I grew up on the streets of Liverpool, I’ll have you know.”

   “Please. You wouldn’t even hurt a fly. Just think about when we were attacked on the ship with Jericho. I did all the fighting whilst you sat on the bloke. My knight in shining armour.”

   Lois cleared her throat, which cut their conversation short. It raised the question as to what she might have overheard, and Yaz was grateful for the fact that they hadn’t said anything too incriminating. Though you couldn’t tell that from the look on the other woman’s face. Up to that point, the reporter had certainly been blunt, with no consideration of beating around the bush. But she’d become even sharper ever since the Doctor had asked that particular question. More defensive. And Yaz was quite interested to find out what needed protecting so fiercely.

   She’d brought them to a spare interview room, which Clark was awkwardly loitering by. Out of the two, he appeared to be the more nervous, which you never would have guessed when first looking at the pair. It reinforced the Doctor’s hypothesis that he was hiding something important. But Yaz was well aware of the lengths people tended to go to when something so crucial was on the line. Blindly following their orders was just a recipe for a painful reminder of exactly that, as Dan had suggested.

   Despite those concerns, the Doctor happily strode into the awaiting room once the door was opened. If she was having the same thoughts as her companions, then she wasn’t showing it. And, although Yaz was more anxious about putting themselves in an enclosed space with two disgruntled strangers, she was never going to leave the Doctor to fight their battles on her own. She might have had to drag Dan past the door with her, but he’d always needed a bit more coaxing to get his hands dirty.

   If the Doctor was feeling just as confident when the door was closed with a resounding click, then Yaz had to praise her resilience. It had all the makings of a classic shakedown. Yaz would have preferred it if she hadn’t known what one of those felt like, but she’d had plenty of experience thanks to the company she kept. Dan was also doing his best to appear more relaxed, but Yaz knew him far too well to be deceived. His face was just as nervous as when he watched his beloved Liverpool take a penalty shootout.

   “Who are you?” Lois asked, cutting straight to the point.

   “If the Daleks are involved, then we’re your allies,” the Doctor replied. “The best allies you could possibly have.”

   “Where did you find them, Lois?” Clark wondered.

   She shrugged innocently. “In an alleyway.”

   “And you chose to bring them with you? Why? I normally never question your decision making…”

   “...and you’d be wise to keep up that trend.”

   “We’re not even the intriguing part of the equation,” the Doctor argued, risking a step forward. “We’re not the ones who are deceiving everyone else. And I don’t usually take very kindly to people who make a habit of lying to people.”

   “You were sprouting some nonsense about hypno-glasses ,” Clark said whilst shaking his head.

   “So nonsensical that your face immediately went pale,” Yaz pointed out. “And forced you to drag us away from prying eyes.”

   “If you were hoping to play it cool, mate, then you’ve completely failed,” Dan added. “You’ve shown your hand.”

   The Doctor nodded her head. “Especially because you’re dealing with someone who has plenty of experience with psychic technology. I’ve used it on countless occasions to get me into places I shouldn’t be.”

   Lois arched an eyebrow. “And yet you were perfectly happy on your high horse just then when it came to lying to other people.”

   “...that’s different. And I don’t like it when people twist my words.”

   “You can’t blame her,” Dan said. “That’s what journalists do.”

   “Hey.” Clark put himself in between them and Lois. “I’ll stand for a lot of things, but insulting Lois is when you’ve crossed the line.”

   Dan looked suitably terrified by the other man and Yaz couldn’t remotely blame him. She’d also taken a step back, with only the Doctor having the fearlessness to maintain her position. As soon as the disparaging remark had left Dan’s mouth, Clark had seemed to grow in stature. No longer did he carry himself with an air of anxiety, instead standing straighter and with a greater conviction. And Yaz saw that as a sign that the Doctor had been right to poke holes in his character.

   Lois rolled her eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you that there’s no need to defend my honour?”

   “At least once more.”

   “I can fight my own battles.”

   “Then why does it feel like you're fighting my battle for me now?”

   “Because I’m more adept when it comes to people poking their noses into business that doesn’t involve them.”

   “I wish I could apologise for that, but it’s basically second nature by now,” the Doctor butted in. “Particularly when it doesn’t make sense. Why are you hiding your identity?”

   Clark put his hands on his hips. “I really don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”

   It was always going to take more than that to deter the Time Lord. She whipped out her sonic screwdriver and waved it across his face, not caring about his discomfort at the bright light and the irritating whirring sound. Yaz had never known what details the Doctor was able to read from the sonic, but she looked especially satisfied from what she was being given this time around. Yaz had dealt with her friend whenever she was being smug and it was a fate she wouldn’t have wished on most of their enemies.

   “There’s the confirmation,” she proclaimed. “A subtle psychic signal to prevent people from putting two and two together. They look at you and think there’s nothing out of the ordinary about you.” She turned to her two companions. “It’s just like the Tardis, in a way. Making people walk right past it, no matter how baffling the sight of an old police box may be.” She was soon staring right at Clark again. “But that raises the question as to what you’re hiding underneath. Because even ignoring the glasses’ sway, which was never going to work on an advanced mind like mine, you just look like any other guy. Maybe a bit more muscly. A defined chin and nice, symmetrical features. Not my type, of course. Unless you’re using the glasses to stop a gaggle of suitors from chasing you around all day long.”

   Lois snorted in laughter. “He wouldn’t be able to tell if someone was flirting with him, even if it was clear as day.”

   Clark’s cheeks coloured. “Yes I would! Not that…I’m constantly getting attention or anything.” He cleared his throat to settle his sudden embarrassment. “Anyway…what was that device you just used on me?”

   “Not something you could understand.”

   “Alien?”

   “Hmm.” She scanned him again. “Or maybe you would understand. These aren’t readings I’ve ever encountered before, but they’re definitely extraterrestrial. What’s Krypton? Is it your family name? Your planet of origin? Something unique that this universe has to offer, apparently.” 

   Clark and Lois shared a look, and Yaz knew that they had them right where they wanted. It was also the clearest sign yet that the pair were closely linked, even if the details of that particular relationship were still unknown to them. The most intriguing part was just how scared Lois appeared, as if the revelation of the secret was the worst thing imaginable. It might have given Yaz reason to pause. She might have questioned if they were doing the right thing. But she’d been indoctrinated by the Doctor’s way of life, which meant she was more sanitised to the art of sleuthing.

   Lois held Clark’s arm, just as he was about to reach for his glasses. “Are you sure about this?”

   He grimaced. “It’s not as if we have much of a choice.”

   “What if they speak to someone else?”

   “I guess we’ll have to appeal to their better nature.”

   “Not everyone is as kind as you, Clark.”

   “Maybe. But it’s nice to imagine a world in which it’s possible.”

   Lois sighed but she didn't stop him when he raised his hand for a second time. Yaz had expected the removal of his glasses to be a momentous occasion, given how much they’d bigged it up. So she was left disappointed when nothing changed. Clark didn't transform into some hideous beast or an alien with too many tentacles to count. He pretty much looked the same, though his shoulders might have been straighter. If there was a grand reveal, then they were still waiting for the show to begin.

   It looked as if Lois and Clark had been holding their breath, anticipating a specific sort of reaction that wasn’t actually forthcoming. If their audience was disappointed with the end result, then the pair were equally as bemused. They shared another glance, struggling to come up with any suitable words. Yaz was starting to think that they’d been roped into an elaborate prank, even if she didn't quite understand what the pay-off was going to be. Perhaps people in their present reality had a different kind of humour.

   “I’m sure you have a lot of questions,” Clark said, his voice slightly deeper than before.

   “Definitely,” the Doctor said. “Such as…what’s going on? Are we supposed to be impressed?”

   “You…you don’t recognise him?” Lois asked.

   “We’ve already made it perfectly clear that we’re from out of town.”

   “He’s…Superman.”

   The Doctor gasped. “The guy we saw flying past the Tardis? That’s awesome! We’ve been told a little bit about you, but we obviously didn't expect to meet so soon.”

   “Hang on…why’s this Superman working at a newspaper?” Dan asked. “If I could fly, you wouldn’t find me at a stand nine-to-five job.”

   “I still need money to get by,” Clark explained. “And…the co-workers aren’t half bad.”

   He smirked at Lois, who blushed in response. If Yaz had been picking up a vibe beforehand, then it was clear as day now. She didn't know whether to be jealous. If the Doctor was right, then they were dealing with an alien, but that hadn’t stopped the two of them falling in love. But maybe it had the potential to give her a bit of hope. If they could apparently make it work, then there was every chance that she could finally succeed with the Doctor. As long as the Time Lord paid attention to what was right in front of her for a change.

   “You’ll understand the need for the glasses,” Lois remarked. “He’s basically the most famous person on the planet. And especially in this city. He wouldn’t be able to lead a normal life without them. It’s only because I’ve got an insatiable appetite for information that I found out.”

   “Thank you for telling us,” the Doctor said earnestly. “Even if we twisted your arm a little bit.”

   “And we’re not going to spill the beans,” Yaz added. “You can trust us on that.”

   Lois folded her arms. “Can we, though? Because we’ve shared our secret now. We’re still waiting for you to return the favour.”

   “I think you’re already coming to certain conclusions,” was the Doctor’s reply. “You saw that impossible blue box. You’ve realised that it’s actually a ship, haven’t you?”

   “I’ve had a few encounters with extraterrestrial transport, so forgive me for not being too surprised.”

   “But we’re not from your universe. We crash landed here, which is why we had no idea about Superman or anything like that.”

   “Why did you crash?” Clark wondered.

   Dan laughed. “If you’d seen her pilot the Tardis, you wouldn’t be shocked. It’s a miracle if we get through the day without an incident.”

   The Doctor gave him a withering look. “I normally have everything under control, thank you very much. On this occasion, things slightly got out of hand. We were chasing after an opponent and then, the next thing we knew, we were here.”

   Lois narrowed her eyes. “What sort of opponent?”

   “...the same one you’re now dealing with. The Daleks.”

   “Did you bring them here?”

   “If we did, then we didn't mean to. We were chasing after them, not the other way around. And they arrived here before us, evidently. All you need to know is that we’re on the same side. We can’t help you stop them.”

   “I’ve been doing a pretty good job of that lately,” Clark rebutted. “They haven’t been able to land a scratch on me yet. But they do keep coming back for more.”

   Yaz’s mouth was hanging open. “You’ve been able to fight them on your own?”

   “The perks of having super strength. And laser eyes. Though I don’t normally like to brag.”

   “He really doesn’t,” Lois added. “It’s taken a lot of effort on my part to give him a bit of self confidence and, even then, it’s still a work in progress.”

   “The Daleks are persistent though,” the Doctor told them. “Their whole thing is that they believe they’re better than everyone else. The fact that you’ve been able to stop them so many times, which I’d love to witness first hand, will just irritate them. That anger will seep into their bones like a cancer. They’ll be more determined to eradicate you because you dared oppose them. If you think they’ll give up out of pride or sheer survival, then you’ve got another thing coming. Not to mention the fact that you’re now spending time with me. I’m basically public enemy number one in their view.”

   The Doctor stopped abruptly, with her face strangely pale. It was the sort of expression that Yaz was used to, even if she would have preferred not to have been. The Doctor typically saved that face for when she’d overlooked something, for when she was on the verge of blaming herself for something going wrong. Lois and Clark might not have had as much experience with the Time Lord’s tendencies, but even they could sense that something in the air had shifted.

   “The Daleks absolutely despise me,” the Doctor continued, more forlornly this time. “And they’ll have been monitoring Metropolis now that Clark has proven himself to be a worthy adversary.”

   Yaz stepped closer to her friend. “So?”

   “So…if they’ve got a close eye on this city, then they’ll have picked up on a unique form of technology making itself known. Something from their universe. Something they might see as their ticket out of here.”

   “Oh…that’s not good.”

   “You’re jumping to a pretty big conclusion,” Dan argued. “They might be too busy licking their wounds. It doesn’t always have to be the worst outcome, even with our track record.”

   There was an unmistakable boom from outside and the distinct noise of people screaming on the streets beyond. Even with a number of barriers separating them from the outside world, the shrieking voices of the Daleks could be made out, cutting like ice through Yaz’s veins. She’d played her part in defeating them on several occasions, but that didn't mean she wasn’t petrified whenever they made themselves known. Part of that stemmed from the effect they had on the Doctor, one of the few races who properly terrified the Time Lord.

   Dan bit his lip. “This is one of those times when I wish I’d kept my mouth shut.”

Chapter 5

Summary:

The Doctor confronts her oldest foe

Yaz had witnessed the Doctor ‘get in the zone’ on a number of occasions, but that didn't mean it was any less impressive whenever it happened. She’d been in a meddling mood up to that point, pushing Clark and Lois’ buttons in the hope that that would get them to reveal the answers she was looking for. At the first sign of trouble, that demeanour had shifted into the legend of old. All of a sudden, she was no longer their bumbling and chaotic friend, but instead the woman that kept the Daleks up at night.

   Having stowed themselves away in a more secluded room, the temptation might have been to stay there, praying that it would offer added protection against the attack. The Doctor wasn’t the sort of person to hide away. She was storming out of the room without hesitation and Yaz on her heels, forever aiming to impress the Time Lord. Even Dan, who was naturally the most cautious of their group, abandoned their hiding place under the assumption that he could offer some form of help. She didn't give him a lot of credit most of the time, but it was those moments that reminded Yaz of how much she’d grown.

   She looked back to assess what their counterparts were doing, finding Lois close behind as the building shook around them. Clark wasn’t present, nor could he be seen lurking in the interview room. Yaz craned her neck, trying to spot where he could have possibly come, but there were no logical options available. He’d disappeared. He’d vanished into thin air. And Lois was acting as if it was the most natural thing in the world, going as far as crooking an eyebrow at Yaz’s obvious confusion.

   “What happened to Clark?” she asked. “Where’s he gone?”
  Lois smirked. “Where do you think?”

   For someone who liked digging up juicy tidbits from her interviewees, the reporter was apparently very resistant to giving clear and useful responses. Someone other than Yaz might have shown their frustration, which was probably the reaction that Lois was hoping for. But Yaz had plenty of experience in that regard when it came to the Doctor, who blew Lois out of the water when it came to annoying levels of secrecy. And so Yaz bit her lip, knowing (or at least hoping) that the answers would show themselves when the time called for it.

   Returning to the main atrium of the Daily Planet, they were slightly surprised to discover that most of the other staff members had stayed put. The inclination to run scared evidently hadn’t taken hold, even if they were all hunkering together for safe keeping. Yaz supposed that their first instincts were to get to the heart of the story, rather than fleeing the scene of the crime. And, if the Daleks had made a habit of invading the city, then the spectacle of the threat would have lost some of its sheen. 

   “You need to find somewhere to hide,” the Doctor ordered. “Somewhere with more protection, You’re too exposed here.”

   Perry pulled himself to his full height. “I don’t remember you being put in charge.”

   The Doctor refused to back down. “I don’t normally need permission. It just naturally happens as soon as people come to their senses. How long is that going to take? Because we don’t have a lot of time on our hands.”

   “I was already instructing everybody to take shelter in the basement. It’s the most secure part of the building and should survive the fallout if this building comes tumbling down.”

   Jimmy held up a hand. “Do you think that’s a possibility?”

   The Doctor nodded her head grimly, and her point was emphasised by the room suffering yet another tremor. “The Daleks seem to be attacking with a vengeance, which is their standard way of doing things.”

   “They’ll be carrying out another flyover,” Perry argued. “It’s how they’ve operated in the past. Quick and brutal passes through the city, with no exact target. They just want to cause as much destruction as possible.”

   “I’m afraid that this time is different.”

   He folded his arms. “And why’s that?”

   “I’m a part of the equation now. That changes everything.”

   Yaz was doing her best to guide the Doctor towards the promise of safety. “Maybe we can discuss this in the basement that was mentioned.”

   Steve jumped up. “I don’t really know who you are but I wholeheartedly agree.”

   But the Doctor refused to move, as if she’d been able to sense what was about to happen. She still made sure to stand in front of Yaz as the wall cratered in. The flying stone and rubble was enough to force the others diving for cover, with the bullpen at least providing enough desks to protect themselves. It was difficult for Yaz to ignore her instincts. She would have preferred to have helped anyone who picked up injuries, but the fact remained that a larger and more daunting proposition was making itself known.

   Yaz had faced the Daleks plenty of times. More times than she would have liked, in truth. She’d made a skill out of squaring up to them, regardless of how much the creatures terrified her. That didn't mean that the sight of them hovering into view was any less intimidating. Five of them made use of the newly forged hole, flying into the building and coming to a stop in front of the group. They’d instantly blocked the main entrance, if there’d been any lingering thoughts of escape. But even trying to get to the basement would have been foolhardy at best, with how quickly the Daleks would have eliminated them.

   The Doctor took two steps closer to the attackers, her chin held up high in defiance. Yaz might have wanted to join her but it was on these such occasions that the Time Lord preferred to be alone. She was the one who the Daleks had come for, from what they could tell. She was the one who had enough confidence to stand right in front of them, unphased by the unspoken threat hanging over their heads. It was all part of a performance, for sure, because Yaz could sense the small signs of nerves that her friend was displaying. 

   “I was wondering how long it was going to take you to find me,” she said. “A bit slow if you ask me. Your standards are slipping.”

    “Scans indicate that you are the Doctor!” the Dalek at the front declared.

   The Doctor looked down at herself, pouting. “Really? That’s news to me.”

   “ You are an enemy of the Daleks! You will be exterminated!”

   “Yeah, yeah. Do you get tired of saying the same spiel over and over again? Come up with something new. You really need to workshop a new catchphrase. It’s been millennia , guys. You can’t keep rehashing the old classics. If you’ll listen to anyone, take it from me. You have to move with the times.”

   “ Your behavioural traits are well known. This talk is a delaying tactic .”

   “I think he’s saying you need to come up with some new material as well, Doctor,” Dan quipped.

   She rolled her eyes. “Not helping, thank you.”

   “ Any delays are illogical,” the Dalek pressed on, the little lights on top of its domed head flashing with every word. “They will not help you. There is no escape.”

   “If you’ve got records on me…and I know you have…then you’ll understand how I always find a way to get out of any mess. Bragging and celebrating is just going to make me even more eager to do it again. It’s like poking the bear.” She momentarily turned to Yaz. “That’s still a saying, right? I haven’t just made that up?”

   “At least in our universe, yeah,” was the reply.

   “I’d like to know what’s going on,” Perry demanded. “Why are they talking like they know you? Are you connected to them? Lois, when you said they were here for a story, I didn't think this was going to be it. I’ll be footing you the insurance bill at this rate.”

   Lois grimaced. “If it’s any defence, I didn't know about this until it was too late. But you’ve got to admit that we’re a lot closer to finally figuring out the Daleks’ intentions.”

   “I don’t think we need to worry about the story right now,” Steve argued. “There won’t be anyone to write the article the way things are going, or anyone to read the paper.”

   Perry huffed. “Rule number one: always focus on the story.”

   “You’re going to have a hard time making these lot answer your questions,” the Doctor told them. “They’re famously bad interviewees.”

   Not for the first time, one of the Daily Planet’s stone walls was being decorated with a new wall. Initially, Yaz grew worried that yet more Daleks were making themselves known, now that the Doctor had been cornered. Her reputation preceded her and, even though the Time Lord would normally brag about her notoriety, she probably wasn’t going to be too happy about it coming back to bite her. No matter how confident she’d been pretending to be up to that point.

   Except this time, it was a blue blur that shot through the opening, moving so quickly that it left Yaz feeling more than a little dizzy. When she’d eventually regained her bearings, Clark was standing in front of them, blocking the Daleks’ path. He’d even gone as far as shielding the Doctor, who didn't appear to be remotely pleased about the unwanted protection. But Clark was looking nothing like the nervous and unobtrusive reporter they’d been questioning just a few moments before.

   When they’d originally arrived above the Metropolis skyline, they’d only been given a brief glimpse of the apparent superhero, thanks to his aforementioned speedy ways. They were now being granted the full show. The glasses were gone, replaced by a stern glare. And the ill-fitting suit had become something much more tight , down to the red trunks. He was clearly well-defined and Yaz could feel Cat swooning ever so slightly, though he wasn’t really doing anything for her. He was very much not Yaz’s type.

   “Oh, thank god!” Jimmy cried, clapping his hands together. “I was starting to panic.”

   “There’s nothing to worry about,” Clark said, his voice noticeably deeper than before. “If you’ll all just keep back. I’m sure this is something that can be sorted out with a polite chat.”

   “Then you obviously don’t know the Daleks very well,” the Doctor snapped as she rounded on him. “They’re not the sort of creatures to sit around a table and sip tea.”

   “If you’ll just let me take care of them…”

   “I didn't ask for you to be here. I was doing perfectly fine on my own.”

   Clark glanced at the damage that had already been caused. “Are you sure about that?”

   “Hey, she has her peculiar ways but they always turn out successful,” Dan argued, jumping to his friend’s aid.

   The Doctor wasn’t going to back down anytime soon. “I’m not going to let you get yourself killed. The day I use someone else as a shield is the day I hang up my coat for good.”

   Clark simply ignored her, instead focusing on the Daleks, who’d been strangely quiet since his appearance. “Look, I’m giving you the chance to leave with your tails between your legs. Tell your other buddies to leave the city alone as well. Because we know how this is going to end up. You’ll start talking about killing people and I’ll have to take drastic action.”

   There was no response forthcoming. Yaz knew the Daleks. More than she would have liked. The thing they hated the most was being made to look inferior next to someone else. They were the fabled supreme beings in their messed up heads. In that sense, she would have expected them to immediately screech and yell at his insinuations, making their usual threats before the actual shooting started. She thought about dragging the Doctor out of the line of fire, but the Time Lord stubbornly refused to move, watching the scene play out in morbid curiosity.

   The only sign of acknowledgement that the Daleks were listening was the slight squinting in the eye stalk of the leader of the pack. If Yaz had known any better, she would have said it was scanning Clark, as if he was just as much of their target as the Doctor was. And then the leader, seemingly satisfied with the answer it had been given, shifted out of the way. And, for the first time, the fabled hero of Metropolis didn't look to be totally self-assured.

   Another Dalek took the mantle of heading the group, largely looking similar to its brethren. The only difference was the weapon that had been forged to its casing. Whilst it was of the same design as the other guns, the metalwork appeared to be stained green, like it had been left out in the rain and had quickly rusted. The very end of the weapon also glowed with the same hue, prompting Yaz to look at the Doctor for an explanation, but even the Time Lord seemed to be bemused.

   Lois edged towards Clark. “Something’s not right…”

   He brushed her away, committing to the part. “Everything’s going to be okay, Miss Lane, if we all stay calm. It looks as if I’m going to have to teach them yet another lesson.”

   His eyes turned red as if lasers were going to fire out of them, but Yaz thought that was too incredulous, even for the reality they were now occupying. If he had been about to attack the invaders, then Clark wasn’t given the chance to do so. The strange Dalek cried out its mantra and shot straight at him, the blast sizzling with sickly green energy unlike the electric blue Yaz had become accustomed to. Clark had stood there, ready to absorb the impact, under the impression that he’d be impervious to their efforts.

   He wasn’t so fortunate.

   As soon as the shot hit Clark, he fell to his knees in distress. Whilst he gritted his teeth, he wasn’t able to stifle the scream in pain, which reverberated against the broken walls. Lois looked like she wanted to move closer, caught between helping her love and maintaining the secrecy of their relationship. In the end, Clark took the decision out of her hands, finding the strength to wave away her concerns. It probably didn't work, thanks to the swelling of his face and hands. His breathing was ragged and difficult, though it was still the best Yaz had seen someone look after getting shot by a Dalek.

   The Doctor crouched down to examine him, before angrily turning her head towards their opponents. “What have you done to him?”

   “ Daleks learn!” one of them pronounced. “ Daleks adapt! He has a weakness. But Daleks do not have weaknesses!”

   “No…” Lois said quietly. “Please tell me you haven’t done that…”

   Clark was now sprawled across the floor, writhing in agony. His veins were now glowing green as the poison took hold and all they could do was watch. Lois had opted to hold his hand in the hope that the small comfort would ease the pain he was going through. Yaz was pretty sure that his breaths were a little lighter thanks to her presence, although that might just have been a case of him putting on a brave face to stop her from worrying even more.

    “You will be taken with us .” the Dalek continued. 

   They were closing in and it was too late before Yaz properly realised who they were referring to. It was just about Clark. The attack had been designed to incapacitate him, yes, but the Daleks had been just as interested in the Doctor’s involvement as well. The glow of a teleport was already making itself known as she processed what was going on, which gave her enough time to share a final look with the Time Lord. A helpless cry on her end and a frantic leap towards the other woman were fruitless as they were zapped from existence.

   It left the Daily Planet staff remaining in the room, along with Yaz and Dan. Lois’s eyes were wide and wild, her hand still in the same position in which she’d been holding Clark. They should have been happy. They should have been relieved. They’d survived an encounter with a bunch of Daleks. But it was becoming an all too familiar experience for Yaz, not being able to do anything whilst the Doctor was taken from her. It was why Dan approached her cautiously, having witnessed her go through the same grief in the past.

   But she’d previously succeeded in finding the Time Lord again. If the Daleks thought they could get away with the same ploy, then they had another thing coming. Because, unlike last time, Yaz wasn’t just doing it for herself. Based on the fury emanating from an irate and distraught Lois Lane, the aliens from Skaro wouldn’t know what hit them.

Chapter 6

Summary:

The Doctor and Clark are taken

Contrary to popular belief, the Doctor wasn’t very good at being alone. She was sure that there were a few certain people who would have argued that that was actually well known across the universe. But if they started being sarcastic, then she’d remind them that they were currently in a different cosmos entirely, which meant she had a clean slate to build up her impressive reputation. Or maybe she’d already started bickering with herself, which proved how useless she was when left to her own devices.

   She wasn’t even technically alone. She had an escort of Daleks leading her along a gloomy corridor, the setting in which they’d appeared following the abrupt teleportation. They weren’t the most talkative bunch, no matter how many furious questions she fired at them. And Clark wasn’t in much condition to hold a conversation either. The Doctor was having to bear the brunt of his weight, seeing as he was struggling to stand on his own two feet and the Daleks weren’t very forgiving when it came to delays. Though it meant she was also scuppered in terms of looking for clues about their new location.

   But the Doctor couldn’t help but feel alone. It was something she went through whenever she was separated from Yaz, since they’d both come to rely upon one another over their years together. Not that she’d ever said that out loud, down to the fear of exposing herself. But the fear of losing Yaz was even greater than that, which meant the Doctor didn't appreciate getting a taste of what it would feel like. It was alarming how empty life seemed without that particular woman by her side.

   There were some positives, even if they were few and far between. For the time being, Yaz was being kept away from the Daleks, which was the Doctor’s clear preference. For the time being, she didn't have to worry about her friend being used as leverage against her, especially because the Doctor knew how effective that would prove to be. And at least Yaz had Dan to accompany her, which was currently more than the Time Lord had. She had to believe that things would work out for the best.

   “This place looks like it’s seen better days,” the Doctor said, hoping to goad one of her captors into finally breaking their silence. “But that’s what happens when you fall through reality, isn’t it? Your ships aren’t built for that type of thing. It’s a miracle that you survived. But you’ve got a knack for that, haven’t you? You always find a way to keep going.”

   The Doctor had been in her fair share of Dalek ships, which many people would have viewed as a slight against her character. She’d seen the monsters from Skaro at their pomp and also at their lowest. She’d say they were probably somewhere in between at the moment. Whilst the vessel did appear to be heavily damaged and scarred, she could still make out the thrum of the engines through the walls and she could feel the all-too-familiar sensation of being in flight. Which was more than she’d been able to manage with her Tardis.

   “How is it working though?” she asked, still to silence. “It should be in a ditch somewhere. The energy source should have been completely drained. Did you find a way to fix it? Do you fancy sharing the secret with an old friend? How long have you been here? Have you had help from someone?”

   Clark groaned softly, and it wasn’t clear whether it was prompted by his deteriorating condition or by her incessant questions. It was difficult to recognise him, compared to the young man she’d interacted with earlier that day. His appearance wasn’t as bad as when the Daleks had first shot him, but he wasn’t exactly peachy keen. There was still that sickly green sheen to his face and it seemed that he was finding it more and more difficult to keep his eyes open. It was a far cry from the confident and heroic figure he’d cut before.

   Which raised plenty more problems and questions for the Doctor. Because she’d been thrust into a world that didn't truly make sense. She didn't deal with superheroes or people with enhanced natural abilities. She desperately wanted to help Clark but she was currently at a loss as to how she was going to do that. She didn't yet understand what his normal state was like. She didn't have the control variables at her disposal. And she despised it when she felt useless.

   Again, it was a reminder as to why she needed the likes of Yaz and Dan with her. Whenever the Doctor allowed her darker thoughts to get the better of her, they were always there with their hope and their humanity . Yaz had built up a stubborn resilience to the Time Lord’s worst traits and Dan was fuelled by an unending supply of Scouse optimism. It was no wonder that the ship felt so dark then, now that she’d been robbed of their support.

   “You know, I really don’t like it when people don’t answer my questions,” she complained. “At least tell me to shut up or something. The silence is far more painful.”

   The Daleks came to a stop and, for a second, the Doctor grew hopeful that a response was finally going to be forthcoming. But then she noticed what they were looking at and the steel bars gave the game away. They’d been led to a cell and, to add insult to injury, their captors were making them open the gate to their prison as well. If she hadn’t been wary about what they could do to Clark to add to his torment, then she would have had a lot more choice words to fling at them.

   “Is that it?” she wondered. “You made a big song and dance while capturing us and now you’re just rolling away?”

   The door to the cell closed with a heavy metallic clang to accentuate just how little the Daleks cared about her grievances. The sight of them heading in the opposite direction should have been a pleasant one. Anyone who got to watch a Dalek leave with their life intact was incredibly fortunate. But the Doctor couldn’t enjoy the moment, not when her opponents were operating unlike how they normally would. Those trigger happy tinpots were normally the sort to shoot first and ask questions later.

   She sighed. “None of this makes sense. Are they letting us stew ? Daleks don’t have the patience to do that. Which means there’s something else in play. Because they shouldn’t be able to resist the opportunity to kill me. What are they waiting for? Should I really be complaining? It depends on what they need me for, doesn’t it? If they think I’m going to work for them, then they need their oil changed.”

   The Doctor paused, realising the mistake she was watching. By now, Clark had slumped onto the floor, his back pressed up against the corner of the cramped box they were now calling home. She’d been having a conversation with someone who couldn’t really participate. She lowered herself to his level, producing the sonic and scanning him once again. As she was carrying out her investigative work, her gaze turned back to the bars, a thought humming on her lips.

   “The Daleks have enough experience when it comes to me. They know about my trusty sonic. They know how good it is when it comes to locks. Have they just forgotten? Or do they want to see if I’ll try to escape? Or maybe there are some mind games going on. They know that, even if we do get out, there’s nothing we can do to leave. I haven’t got my Tardis at the moment. And they’ve shown that your flying skills, Clark, can be eradicated in an instant. This cell doesn’t matter. It’s as much of a mental prison as it is a physical one.”

   Clark had now found the strength to look at her with clear annoyance, conveying how he was already fed up with the Doctor’s constant need to talk. It had gotten her into plenty of problems over the years. Again, Yaz was the one who normally intervened and told her to keep quiet. It was becoming even more apparent as to how much she’d come to rely on her friend for the small and innocuous things, and such realisations were adding to that mental prison she’d spoken about.

   “I think it’s best if we stay put,” she advised. “It’s the easiest way to find out what’s going on. We’re not going to get out of this by throwing our weight around. I normally prefer more peaceful methods of victory, though the Daleks have always successfully unlocked a part of me that I don’t like to think about. They get under my skin. Even now, when they should be weak from what they’ve gone through to end up here, they’re toying with me. It almost gives them as much joy as killing people.”

   She stopped herself once more, appreciating what she was doing. The Daleks were proving to be too much of a distraction. Under normal circumstances, the Doctor would have been focusing her energy on finding a way to look after Clark. Instead, she was bringing up past grievances, another sign that she was currently lacking the aforementioned humanity that Dan and Yaz possessed. And so, in the hope of making up for the error, she held Clark’s hand in between her own.

   “But look at you. You’re not fit enough to move anywhere, and they know I’d never ditch you. They enjoy using my morals against me, like it’s my main weakness. But they’ve obviously figured out what your weakness is too. What have they done to you?”

   “Kry…kryptonite,” Clark managed to choke out.

   “Kryptonite? Any chance you have the strength to tell me what that is?”

   It was a good sign that her fellow prisoner had been able to talk, even if the one word looked to have taken the last of his energy. If there was a chance that the effects of the attack were wearing off, then they’d actually have an opportunity to escape. But even the Doctor could tell that rushing him was only going to make things worse. Clark was caught in a cycle of grimacing and then desperately trying to catch his breath. It had all the signs of a poison running through his system, but it wasn’t as if she truly understood how his body should have been typically operating.

   “Hold on, hold on,” she murmured. “You told me, didn't you? Back at the Daily Planet? Your home planet, wasn’t it? Krypton? So…logic dictates that Kryptonite is some sort of substance or gas from that same planet?” A nod of the head was as good as she was going to get. “Are you allergic to it?” Another nod. “But how did the Daleks get their hands on it? Is there a supply on Earth?”

   “Pretty much…the opposite,” Clark told her. “I thought…all of it…had been destroyed…or used up.”

   “So there’s a chance that the Daleks visited Krypton to get more of it?”

   This time, Clark didn't say anything and it would be natural to assume that his condition was ailing him yet again. But the Doctor looked past his physical state to observe the hardening of his gaze, and his sudden ability to look her in the eye. Maybe his defenses were down thanks to the Kryptonite. Maybe the subject matter was something else he struggled with. Because, for the first time, the Doctor was starting to see through the performance and was able to witness the man behind the suit.

   “I know that look,” she said quietly. “Is…Krypton gone?”

   Clark’s mouth was set in a thin line. “It happened…when I was a child.” 

   “It doesn’t make the experience any easier, does it?”

   “Absolutely not.”

   “I lost my planet too. Gallifrey, it was cold. I’ve lost it twice, technically. Not that it’s a competition. The Daleks waged a war against my people until the entire universe thought that both sides had been wiped out. And then, just as I thought it was coming back into my life, a madman put an end to those hopes.” She steeled herself against those memories, which always took a lot of effort. “The pain never goes away. We move on, we find new people to love, we forge a new home. But it’s always there.”

   Up to that point, Clark had largely been resistant to her presence. The Doctor could acknowledge that she’d also been antagonistic, down to the fact that she couldn’t fully process who he was or how he was even possible. But, now that she was opening up and now that they were being united in a shared sense of grief, it seemed that his expression was softening when he looked at her. Or maybe he was finally getting better. Either option seemed pretty good from where the Doctor was standing.

   “It’s also easy to get bogged down in old memories once the dam is opened,” she admitted sheepishly. “It’s why I normally try my best to keep those thoughts away. But I think it’ll help us both to know that we’re not alone, not truly. Not just the two of us, either. I have no doubt that Yaz and Dan are working to find us as we speak, and Lois seems like the sort of person who won’t rest until you’re safe. We’ve just got to sit tight for the time being and hope that you recover your strength. Is there a way in which we can speed up the process? A cure?”

   “Sunlight,” Clark said. “A heavy dose…from the yellow sun. That’s the only thing…that can restore my powers.”

   The Doctor hummed. “I guess that explains what we’re doing here, then. A dark corner in a dark ship. About as far away from the sun as you can get. They know what they’re doing. Which brings me back to something that’s really bothering me now. How do they know all this? How do they know about sunlight and Kryptonite if they’ve only just got here? They didn't visit Krypton, for obvious reasons. And they only had, at most, a month or two in terms of a headstart on me.”

   “They’ve…done their research on me.”

   “Who gave them the answers, though? And who had a supply of Kryptonite for them to use?”

   “I’m glad you asked,” a new voice from the shadows remarked.

   During their captor and subsequent imprisonment, the Doctor had struggled with the notion of being alone. It turned out that she and Clark hadn’t been as isolated as they’d first thought, with their audience finally making themselves known. A man strolled into view, a sharp suit matching the dark surroundings. His jaw was set in a grimace as he looked at the felled Superman and a vein of tension could be seen throbbing on his bald head, already giving Doctor enough clues as to the motivations for her latest opponent.

   The Doctor had been tending to Clark but, with another form of entertainment now being presented to her, that was an invitation she couldn’t refuse. She pulled herself to her full height and held her chin high in defiance, looking the man square in the eyes. The bars between them weren’t going to stop her from trying her best to intimidate him, even if it didn't appear to be working. If anything, the stranger appeared to be utterly curious about her presence, like she was a puzzle he was going to enjoy working out.

   “I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” the Doctor remarked casually. “It’s not very often that the Daleks have a silent partner.”

   “Lex,” Clark said, attempting to push himself up.

   “Luthor,” the man added. “Lex Luthor. And trust me when I say I’m not the silent sort. The partnership I’ve formed with our foreign friends is an equal one.”

   The Doctor huffed in laughter. “If you think you can work with the Daleks and that they won’t betray you at the first sign of struggle, then you’re not the sharpest, are you?”

   Lex’s nostrils flared. “Luckily for you, I can never resist an opportunity to demonstrate just how intelligent I am.”