𝓐 𝓢𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮 𝓣𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱 [1] (𝓟𝓱𝔂𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓷 𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼) - (3) The Runway Bride

The ride down in the lift was utterly silent except for the impatient tapping of Alice's foot. Once the lift finally arrived, the doors opened with a ping. They all exit the lift into a long, dark and dank looking corridor, dimly lit with eerie green lights. Shivering, Alice gives her arms a rub before folding her arms across her chest, her eyes glancing around her as Donna begins to speak.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfekazGfx2V

"Where are we?" the older Noble asked, but not getting an answer, decided to continue, "Well, what goes on down here?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4YERk9r1n

"Let's find out..."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJSvZzS3qZ

"Do you think Mr Clements knows about this place?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma97Idl7M7

"The mysterious H C Clements?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JFlAWsqY6

"Well, who else would it be," the young redhead offered sarcastically.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx6DkHLxDc

But the Doctor just decides to ignore her, "I think he's part of it," glancing away from her just as something catches his eye, "Oh, look -- transport."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz8IqYl4WD

A few moments later, all of them trundled down the corridor on electric scooters. The problem was there had only been three scooters, with Alice ending up hitching a ride with the Doctor. She had insisted on going with her sister, only for Donna to insist she go with the Doctor. Still, Alice could never understand the reason behind it.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSxmjeLHpw

The whole thing was comical, really, and both sisters shared a look, probably thinking it was as well and started laughing loudly together. The Doctor had joined in with them soon after, just finding it equally as funny. It was only Lance that didn't seem to get it at all.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU7IDrAtku

They come to a stop at a door that reads: 'Torchwood – authorised personnel only.'

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O9e6ofAka

So all nature of things, they abandoned the scooters as Alice brushed off a little dirt from her blue dress whilst the Doctor turned a wheel to open a door revealing a ladder, and he peers up it.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEbclDZs7v

"Wait here," he told them, "Just need to get my bearings. Don't..." he points sternly at them "...do anything," the Doctor disappeared up the ladder.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkljJCDzpn

"You'd better come back," Donna hollered after him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpIebCNI44

Stopping, Alice sees him offer Donna a teasing grin, "I couldn't get rid of you if I tried."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtaqr6KFgl

With that, Donna returned a smile, and all three watched him continue to climb up the ladder.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmCULu3p3S

"Donna..." Lance began, "Have you thought about this? Properly? I mean, this is serious! What the hell are we going to do??"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRIo0Ndg6E

"Oh, I thought July," Donna replied, not having heard him, beaming away at Lance before returning her attention on the Doctor.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiy0ucgyYc

The young Noble willed herself not to laugh after seeing the look on Lance's face. But it wasn't a long before the Doctor returned as he hopped off the ladders last rung.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCyF0iorQ2

"Thames flood barrier! Right on top of us,"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQMZxmbiXU

he informed them, "Torchwood snuck in and built this place underneath."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfMjmAI1HC

"So exactly like in the movies," Alice offered with some enthusiasm.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghWRhYA3Np

"What, there's like a secret base hidden underneath a major London landmark??"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqzme3gMON

"I know! Unheard of," he returned sarcastically to Donna, making Alice laugh slightly.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbdWthpHWk

They now entered into a laboratory of sorts. From what Alice could see, her eyes widened in surprise.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtgQeYiEVk

It was full of many test tubes with strange liquid boiling away inside them and some chemistry equipment. Because not only did this place have a hidden floor, but it also had a secret laboratory to boot! She was honest in her element right now! Alice's looking around with pure utter joy, eyes wandering about the things in the room around her.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT8On7W6YI

"Oh, look at this!" the Time Lord tells them, as his eyes too glanced around the room with wonder, "Stunning! Particle extrusion!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVH0OWSbHh

"What does it do?" Donna questioned him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuNYgfs9j2

"Particle extrusion. Hold on..." the Time Lord goes darting over to one of the many bubbling tubes and gives it a tap, "Brilliant. They've been manufacturing Huon particles. In case my people got rid of Huon's, they unravelled the atomic structure."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoia0rzVyC

"Your people?" Lance asked him with a frown, "Who are they? What company do you represent?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4JhbOAYsH

"Oh, I'm a freelancer," the Doctor responded with a shrug, still looking at the tubes, "But this lot are rebuilding them. They've been using the river! Extruding them through a flat hydrogen base, so they've got the result -- Huon particles in liquid form," he grabbed a small test tube that Alice could only guess had 'Huon particles,' lifting it to show them.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1oiEU7ZAN

"And that's what's inside me?" Donna asks, nodding at the tube in his hand.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SD5qrqYw8

Ever so gently, he turns the knob at the top of the test tube, making the contents within being glow gold. Alice is noticing that it was the same thing that had happened to her sister, as she now glowed with it also.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKlTxrf1sG

"Oh, my God!" Donna exclaims, taking a look at what is happening to her.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoHSfuJlAw

Once he had finished turning the knob, Donna returned to normal. When all Alice couldn't help but tightly hold her sister's hand, suddenly fearing that her life was in grave danger. Because it had dawned on Alice that if this stuff was inside Donna, what harm would it cause her? She recalls what the Doctor had said about his people getting rid of the Huon particles. Still, it only leaves her questioning how or why? That was just left hovering over her. Suddenly she clicked back into reality and out of her thoughts back to hearing the Doctor speaking once again.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIaapRNIoa

"Because the particles are inert -- they need something living to catalyse inside, and that's you. Saturate the body and then HA!" both of the sisters jump from his sudden burst of mad enthusiasm. Alice couldn't help but glare daggers at him. He needed to stop doing that as she would give him another smack because what's happening to her sister right now isn't something to be excited over. Because it wasn't exciting but bloody terrifying and here was the Doctor ranting on about it joyously, "The wedding! Yes, you're getting married, that's it! Best day of your life, walking down the aisle -- oh, your body's a battleground!" he now gestured to Donna, "There's a chemical war inside! Adrenaline, acetylcholine, WHAM go the endorphins, oh you're cooking! Yeah, you're like a walking oven! A pressure cooker, a microwave, all churning away, the particles reach boiling point, SHAZAM!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGzZF1bZyf

At that moment, Alice had considered wanting to slap him herself. She had been too busy gazing back at him with a look of utter disbelief and with her mouth hanging open, having gotten lost in him rambling on at a hundred miles an hour. That Donna had gone ahead and slapped him somewhat hard.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtFETpkK3c

"What did I do this time?" he questioned her indignantly.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEc6wx0GqU

Donna responded moodily with a glare, "Are you enjoying this?!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZcYayq6Yj

At that moment, the Doctor relaxes, Alice seeing him now looking somewhat ashamed instead of being excited. The young Noble couldn't help but wince as Donna approached him. Her sister's breathing was heavy and distressed, which could also be seen as clearly on her features.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG83DRcz2L7

"Right, tell me - these particles, are they dangerous? Am I safe?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGOJCkln0c

"Yes!" the Time Lord burst out in response rather unconvincingly.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyILNdTZN19

But Alice could tell he was lying. In doing so, she stepped forwards so that she now stood beside her big sister and tightly grasped her hand before looking the Doctor directly in the eye as she now spoke to him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAZ2FcP7af

"Please, Doctor?" She insisted calmly, "If your lot got rid of those particles...how?" she sees hesitation in his eyes, "How did they do it?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbDfFXD1PJ

"Because they were deadly," he finally offered in a gentle manner which only made Alice's hand tighten on her sister's.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KsqTsJASE

"Oh, my God..." Donna let out with a breath.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jzuRdbgBh

"I'll sort it out, Donna," the Doctor assured, his tone now more severe, "Whatever's been done to you, I'll reverse it."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlwMwcg33O

"Then promise me?" Alice asked, feeling tears brimming her eyes. Just the very thought of losing her sister was something that she always dreaded the most, "Promise me she'll be okay?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCZ4CDflkr

His brown eyes now met Alice's misty green holding her gaze, "Alice, I promise you she'll be okay. Because I'm not about to lose Someone else."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX55wHcrmyD

But before Alice had the chance to ask who this other person had been that he had lost, a loud series of bangs and crashes started echoing from all around them. Suddenly a voice filled the air as the noises continued.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L1bK28WY3

"Oh, she is long since lost."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO1o0hiUni

A wall now comes sliding upwards to reveal a secret chamber inside with an enormous circular hole in the floor. Alice's eyes widen at what's before her, leaving her lost for words.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud9qksIlI7

"I have waited so long, hibernating at the edge of the universe..."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfVjTKQVuy

Seeing as the Doctor, Alice and Donna were somewhat too distracted by the voice, none of them had noticed Lance escaping through the door.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMq4U8pii6

"...until the secret heart was uncovered and called out to waken!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa27bGmNMMl

All around the chamber walls are lined with robots wearing black hoods.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yIEGEUUPf

The Doctor wandered over towards the hole, only for Alice to grasp him by the arm and pull him away, "Where are you going?" she asked him with wide eyes.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZQd4rltu6

"What, I just want to have a look, that's all," he yanked his arm out of the young woman's hold and went over to the, peering down into its never-ending darkness, "Someone's been digging... oh, very Torchwood. Drilled by laser. How far down does it go?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKxSDNaBts

"Down and down, all the way to the centre of the Earth!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOP4b1naKn

"Really? Seriously?" he asked with disbelief, "What for?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Hc1O6iUT

Donna goes shuffling forwards slightly whilst Alice continues to watch on, "Dinosaurs," she offered in suggestion.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ577st0wWnU

The Doctor turned to her, furrowing his eyebrows, "What?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafKqJSAwJb

"Dinosaurs?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoBigXIfMy

He furrowed his eyebrows a little deeper, "What are you on about, dinosaurs?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNjquCKg1i

"That film, Under the Earth, with dinosaurs. Trying to help!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gvzVlhDxD

"That's not helping."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsELWxBrp7

"Such a sweet couple."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvsacfXfLA

"Them two?! A couple?!" Alice exclaimed with a scoff. Her sister and the Time Lord went to turn in her direction, "I'm sorry, but my sister wouldn't be interested in a twig in a suit. He's not exactly her type," she went on, glancing in the Doctor's noting the expression on his face, "Not that I mean it like that. But it's the truth."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFmJzSIt85

But he didn't even bother even to respond and started to use that voice which drove her up the wall, "Only a madman talks to thin air and trusts me, and you don't want to make me mad. Where are you?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRTPGZMWh5

"High in the sky, floating so high on Christmas Night."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj9iw5gyVW

Alice could tell how annoyed he started moving about, "I didn't come all this way to talk on the intercom! Come on, let's have a look at you!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzyBw2RqOe

"Who are you with such command?" the voice boomed in demand.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PwYBOiLIj

"I'm the Doctor!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4jG1iKjRp

"Prepare your best medicines, doctor-man," Alice rolled her eyes with disbelief, thinking she could probably have come up with something a little more threatening than that, "For you will be sick at heart," in the blink of an eye, a massive red spider appears within the room snarling and growling.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFfFEQfIzW

Alice cowers slightly, letting out minor cry distress, her grasp like a vice on her sister's hand. Spiders just gave her the absolute creeps!

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9JhAF1orT

"The Racnoss," the Time Lord voiced in pure amazement, "But that's impossible, you're one of the Racnoss!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLV1IyTvYm

"Empress of the Racnoss."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQMfNZBK2x

"If you're the Empress, where's the rest of the Racnoss? Or are you the only one?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROuA5RxPJZ

"Such a sharp mind," the Empress hissed displeasingly.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbuA4FCl6t

The young redhead breathed out with a sigh of relief. But, of course, she felt terrible that the Empress was the last of her kind, which was a good thing. Because who would want any more of those spiders scurrying around. At that very thought, Alice felt a cold tingling journey up her spine and shivered a little.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXglxjLkpGQ

"That's it, the last of your kind," the Doctor glanced at the Racnoss for a moment before looking to the sisters to tell them, "The Racnoss come from the Dark Times, billions of years ago, billions. They were carnivores, omnivores. They devoured whole planets."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qAjWOaXiJ

Alice voiced her disgust, "Erugh!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczGsKwYE0s

"Racnoss are born starving. Is that our fault?" the Empress asked with a growl.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2T6c3hNZc

"They eat people?" Donna inquired, looking over to the Doctor.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrJlIIozDH

"H C Clements, did he wear those-- those erm, black and white shoes?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBg5x7etBq

"Yeah, Donna told me about him once," Alice responded, her sister having told her about the ever famous HC Clements. But then, she looked to her sister, "What did you and the others call him?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72rxjQ0yqm

Donna now let a small laugh and smiled, "We used to call him the fat cat in spats."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYrFX7vde1

"Oh, now I remember," Alice recalled also laughing, remembering how she'd doubled over in hysterics on the phone and fell off the sofa's arm. It almost had her roommate Martha worried. But another thought came to her as she turned to ask the Doctor, "But how has that got to do with anything?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKNiCa9hqu

He pointed and nodded his head towards the ceiling. In the corner was a web, and attached to that web, Alice noticed a pair of black and white shoes still attached to who must be the recently deceased HC Clements, only just poking out.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGyleFtT56

"Oh, my God!" the sisters exclaimed with shock.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lPBhBVXAJ

"Mm, my Christmas dinner," the Empress cackled.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RXFB79yEP

"You shouldn't even exist!" the Time Lord exclaimed, as Alice bit her tongue, holding back a witty retort, "Way back in history, the Fledgling Empires went to war against the Racnoss...they got wiped out."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahF4s2qAdD

Alice now catches Lance standing upon the balcony above the Racnoss, unbeknown to her, wondering when he had gotten up there on Earth. It seemed Donna had caught on as well, and Lance motioned for them to stay quiet.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FV8WIz6Rk

"Except for me."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xi6U5IhnZ

So in a bid to distract the Empress for Lance, Donna began to speak up, "But that's what I've got inside me, that Huon energy thing," yet the alien wasn't paying no attention to her, "Oi! Look at me, lady, I'm talking. Where do I fit into this? How comes I get all stacked up with these Huon particles?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQni9BcyYC

Lance descended the stairs, axe in hand and at the ready as Donna continued trying to gain the Empress's attention, "Look at me, you! Look me in the eye and tell me."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDcIy7eeiP

"The bride is so feisty!" the Empress implied, glancing at Donna.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3COMo2ZKUm

"Yes, I am! And I don't know what you are, your big thing," Alice frowned at her sister, "But a spider's just a spider, and an axe is an axe! So now, do it!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrbsFLmY38

Lance takes a swing with the axe, for only the Empress to hiss at the final moment. Alice didn't expect what would happen next. That Lance had bow stopped, glancing towards Donna before suddenly bursting out laughing with the Empress.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLodjz6gxQH

Alice's mouth was now hanging open with utter disbelief, and she glared at Lance. Because what she was feeling towards him right now was nothing but pure anger and betrayal.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZymHOBfeT1

"That was a good one," Lance looked to the Empress, still laughing, "Your face!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1qM7IQdjo

"Lance is funny!" she agreed, cackling along.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvyhsgCJcs

"What?" Donna narrowed her eyes at her fiancé in confusion.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yBKRqaIEH

"Can somebody please explain what the hell is going on?" Alice demanded, hands coming up in frustration.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHT31HTiSw

"I'm sorry," the Doctor offered quietly to Donna, who

turned to him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkLXIbN5fd

"Sorry for what?" Donna whirled back around as if trying to tell herself it wasn't true and demanded, "Lance, don't be so stupid! Get her!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviY36maSSJ

Alice could see pity in Lance's eyes as her sister exchanged glances with him. Still, it wasn't that of concern, only carelessness. She clenched her hands into tight fists, knuckles beginning to turn white, "God, she's thick," Lance sneered at Donna.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBFFf72Xfz

But Donna was still completely and utterly lost about what was happening. Yet, it only angered the young redhead because nobody had the right to speak like her big sister like filth. Did he have a death wish or something? But the very thought just confused her even more. But, of course, Alice knew nothing extraordinary about being irritated and confused, especially a redhead.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3S3gcLsJ9

"Months I had to put up with her," Lance began complaining, "Months. A woman who can't even point to Germany on a map."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsaMycofdv

"I don't understand," Donna slowly began uncomprehendingly.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGay4TA1qpW

"How did you meet him?" the Time Lord asked silently with interest.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1XX1an2OF

"In the office."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG5sObvhH6

"He made you coffee."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXHyjk1PaR

"What?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4Z2yXc7pr

"Oh, will you just spit it out, Doctor!" Alice seethed, "What does this all mean?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF1E3kt57f

He stared back at the young redhead woman who only but returned it. Before he began to explain, "That...your sister was dosed with the particles over six months for it to take effect."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedLLejzDBV

"So essentially, he's been poisoning my sister," the Doctor's silence was his answer, and Alice growls, eyes aglow with nothing but murderous intent as she went charging towards Lance, "You asshole! You complete, utter fucking moron! I'll bloody kill you!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOq4tzQKTl1

She was about to pounce on the very place he stood and beat him senseless, but what didn't help her was the evil smirk painted across Lance's face. Suddenly, arms wrapped around Alice's waist only to realise the Doctor had yanked her away. She forced his hands off her and glared daggers into him, only for the Time Lord not paying the slightest attention to her, but now on Lance instead. Alice now sees darkness come across his features.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqcf3pPC3M

"It was all there in the job title -- the Head of Human Resources."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6CSAP3829

"This time, it's personnel," Lance joked. He and the Empress laughed together.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS88LkLd9p

"But... we were getting married," Donna uttered quietly, wholly heartbroken, and Alice couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe2rlabONE

"Well, I couldn't risk you running off. So I had to say yes. And then I was stuck with a woman who thinks the height of excitement is a new flavour Pringle," Lance rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Oh, I had to sit there and listen to all that yap yap yap... 'oh, Brad and Angelina, is Posh pregnant?' X-Factor, Atkins Diet, Feng Shui, split ends, text me, text me, text me, dear God, the never-ending fountain of fat, stupid trivia."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgorYkfZLd

Alice's heart clenches again off from the heartbroken look on Donna's face.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2u0wbpxgl

Donna listens to this torrent of abuse with an expression of increasing hurt and confusion. She was right about the feelings she had about Lance all along. Nothing but a slimy snake that she wanted to strangle the life to death.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RyTj6GQEf

"I deserve a medal."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6JiHllQMb

"Oh, is that what she's offered you? The Empress of the Racnoss? What are you exactly? Her consort?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH244uOHJSi

Alice wrinkled her nose up in disgust at the Doctors comment.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkbFE2LfWK

Just as Lance now gave a shrug and pointed to Donna, "It's better than a night with her."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQfQfzPiCI

"But I love you," Donna voiced with sorrow, the younger Noble seeing tears now forming in her sister's eyes. But this was her big sister, who always kept her tears at bay, but Alice could tell she was going to crack at any given moment.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDZ4xYavnG

"That's what made it easy," Lance went on scathingly. His attention now on the Doctor, who just glared back, his expression unreadable to Alice, "It's like you said, Doctor...the big picture...what's the point of it all if the Human Race is nothing? That's what the Empress can give me. The chance to go out there. To see it The size of it all," Lance stares the Time Lord right in eyes, "I think you understand that, don't you, Doctor?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqflMSykJm

Alice could see it plainly across the Doctor's face that he understood. Recalling something she had seen in those eyes, they were the eyes of a man who's witnessed too much pain and anguish in his life. She could now see it clearly on his face as a confirmation.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsQ7qpGTUO

"Who is this little physician?" the Empress asked of Lance.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqOjGkZlmP

"What she said -- Martian."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFfESGXxj8

"Oh, I'm sort of... homeless," the Time Lord quickly alters the subject, moving a step closer, "But the point is, what's down here?" he peered down at the hole in the floor, "The Racnoss are extinct. So what's going to help you four thousand miles down? That's just the molten core of the Earth, isn't it?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFS408Ygqr

"I think he wants us to talk," Lance informed the Empress.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UxesrFJf1

"I think so too."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSmfqQaLxz

"You don't say?" the young redhead offered with sarcastic awe, hand on her cheek, "What made you think of that?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gHkRNoNxk

Lance darts an aggravated look Alice's way, only for her to plaster on the biggest put on a smile in return.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYdPlmkRAN

"Well, tough!" Lance shouted, "All we need is Donna!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHoJwhqcjd

The young woman pulled Donna behind her, sending nothing but deathly glares at Lance, "Go to hell, you bastard! Because you're not laying another finger on my sister!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs589igwMwT

Only this gets ignored over the Empress's yelling, "Kill this chattering little doctor-man!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXYl58yn0k

Donna went to stand in front of the Doctor, even though she was feeling terrified, "Don't you hurt him!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEcUkbXn35

"No, no, it's all right," the Time Lord insisted.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoqdGDw8ON

But Donna denied him this, still feeling nothing but frightened, shaking her head, "No, I won't let them!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2U3LAehhy

"Then neither will I," Alice consented, coming to also stand in front of the Doctor and squeezed Donna's hand, who returned it in response.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2O5pJz0qH

"At arms!" the Empress commanded.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nEIA5pfoK

The robots aimed their guns at the Doctor.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9HN2zqfBI

"Ah, now," the Time Lord began to say, "Except."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gv4fYHJTJ

"Take aim!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQgbgur8qS

"Well, I just want to point out the obvious-"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq49iMcf4mr

"They won't hit the bride," the Empress glanced in Alice's direction, "Or the mouthy one. They're such magnificent shots."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOImjEqKdKL

"Mouthy?!" the young Noble voiced with aggravation, as this only gets ignored by the Time Lord as he tried his best in continuing to distract the Empress.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV1l5DcDi2

"Just-just-just-hold on, just a tick, just a tiny-just a little-tick," the Doctor held up his finger, "If you think about it, the particles activated in Donna and drew her inside my spaceship. So, reverse it... the spaceship comes to her," taking out a tube of Huon particles from his trouser pocket gave the top a slight twist causing the particles inside began glowing and Donna as well.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPspu4FEsX

Suddenly Alice's now wide eyes darted with uncertainty as something began materialising around them, "What the..." the young woman uttered when the Empress ordered the robots.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpB4W2kqo3

"Fire!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13EHh0Nab1

They began shooting laser blasts at them, and Alice scrunched her eyes firmly shut, bracing herself for impact only that nothing happened at all. Her eyes snapped back open as she found herself in a relatively spacious room of sorts. The place was massive! But at the same time, she found it truly incredible. But she didn't have enough time to absorb it all when the Time Lord exclaimed.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FLtJrKX5V

"Off we go!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsoNUnH4NB

Alice watched him darting off towards something that stood within the centre of the room, just as she asked, still trying to take everything in, "Where are we?" seeing the Doctor running about wildly, touching buttons and widgets and the thing in the centre only for it to hit that it was a console of sorts.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyxOTGcdvw

"Welcome to the TARDIS. Time And Relative Dimensions In Space," he gives the young woman a quick introduction to ship because he knew it was a lot for Someone to take in all at once and noticed that Alice was taking it much better than he expected her to.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KKjVx2qbc

As he now quickly turned his attention back towards Donna, "Right, Donna...remember what I had said before about time machines? Well, I lied. And now we're going to use it."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVh9wbzmLh

The young Noble's eyes widened at hearing the word 'time machine,' in which this was! But, honestly, after the day she's been having, this wasn't as shocking as it should've been because how was anything else going to top it after this.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz6SvR6u30

That's when she had noticed that her sister hadn't uttered much of a word. To see that Donna was almost shivering like a leaf. She was suddenly dashing over towards her to see her sister crying, pulling Donna into a hug. She returned the hug and began sobbing into Alice's shoulder. Still, the Doctor was utterly oblivious from rambling to take note of the woman's torment.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeqenE6jvk

"We need to find out what the Empress of the Racnoss is digging up. If something were buried in the planet's core, it must've been there since the beginning. That's just brilliant. Molto bene! I've always wanted to see this. Alice, Donna-we're going further back than I've ever been before."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw9tk1boBo

At that very moment, he stopped talking to take in the scene of Alice gently rubbing her old sister's back as she cried into her shoulder. The young woman's hazel-brown eyes glanced up at him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T0mfTwKvX

"She'll be alright," she uttered silently to him before returning her attention to her sister.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV7TUHSpG5

It took a couple of moments longer, but Donna had since regrouped herself, and the ship had since stopped moving and had arrived at its destination.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOp5covrTk

"You know...all that stuff Lance said wasn't true," Alice offered calmly, wrapping a reassuring arm around Donna's shoulders. The older woman only took a sniff but didn't utter a word.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW1pH98wBR

"We've arrived..." the Time Lord implied, poking his head around the console watching the sisters as they now both peer back at him before continuing to ask, "Want to see?" Alice could see a glint of excitement in his eyes, and she couldn't help but feel overjoyed for what he was about to show her and Donna.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3vQbb0OnK

"Yeah," the young woman agreed with happiness.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNC3wDHJCK

"I s'pose," Donna offered unenthusiastically.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksIX11hEwA

The Doctor swings the monitor around for them to see. Alice wandered over to have a look at the screen. But it was way too small to be barely visible, leaving the young woman feeling somewhat deflated.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9kFyKTV65

"Oh, that scanner's a bit small. Maybe your Donna's best."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOevW93zIe

"And what would that be?" Alice asked with raised eyebrows.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsrcYRa67z

He grinned back at her, "This," he went to approach the doors waiting on the sister as he gazed back at them, "Come on."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfJlhYfkhX

Alice was the most eager to head over, followed by Donna, who took her time coming to join them. Once all three of them were together, the Time Lord began to speak, "No human's ever seen this. You'll be the first."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNzwbPbvvX

"All I want to see is my bed," Donna responded with a sad sigh.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP056evetSi

"Come on!" Alice gestured towards the doors with excitement.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8La8NqVifJ

Not wasting another moment longer, he took hold of the handles, "Donna and Alice Noble -welcome to the creation of the Earth," he swung open the doors. The young Noble couldn't help but gasp at the most spectacular sight that greeted her very eyes. Donna, on the other hand, was left entirely gobsmacked. The sun shone brightly through clouds of stunningly beautiful coloured dust, and rocking of various sizes floated around them.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycduVcFaXA

"Oh, wow!" Alice offered, mesmerised, "This is...it's beautiful. Don't you think, sis?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1ibVDE5l4

Donna only responded with a nod, clearly just as flabbergasted as her little sister.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWtDmuxJbX

"We've gone back 4.6 billion years," the Doctor tells them softly, glancing briefly at Alice for a moment as she smiled in awe and her eyes sparkling with delight, knowing he's ignited something within her that could never die. That sense of adventure and wonder she'd probably want to discover more of. Still, he knew it'd be too soon even to ask the sisters to join him because his hearts weren't ready for that when he's only just lost, Rose.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8o5Yi9IwH

With a shake of his head, the Doctor continued to speak, gazing out amongst the sight with the Noble sisters, "There's no solar system, not yet. Only dust and rocks and gas," he points out to them, not seeing Alice's eyes watching his finger as it moves.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe0ZTqfLwP

"That's the sun, isn't it?" the young woman asked, glancing in his direction.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5ALgry06d

"Yes, that's the sun over there, brand new. Just beginning to burn."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsWhuLO7s8

"This is just incredible," Alice muttered, "That we've travelled this far back in time."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kRgYNDROl

"It's brilliant, don't you think?" the Doctor grinned at the young woman.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiQP5uyFEu

She now laughed, smiling back at him, "It's beyond brilliant," they just stood there, grinning at one another.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3eH7Y13St

That's until Donna cleared her throat from behind them. She didn't want to interrupt this happy moment between her sister and the Doctor. That's it was one. Still, it seemed to her they were finally starting to get along with each other.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡui9RSv09i4

"Where's the Earth, though?" Donna now asked with a frown

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBb2yuMIye

"All around us... in the dust."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdgeQrFhvt

"Puts the wedding in perspective," she offered with a defeated sigh, "Lance was right. We're just tiny."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Uw3r3AoA

"No, but that's what you do," the Time Lord reassured her, with a tiny grin, "The human race—making sense out of chaos. Marking it out with weddings and Christmas and calendars. This whole process is beautiful, but only if it's something actually to witness."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqpBKpi41v

Alice couldn't help but nod in agreement. As she went to gaze back outside, Donna went on to ask, "So, we came out of all this?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKK7sxjei7y

"Yeah, we did, because we're incredible," Alice gives her sister a slight nudge and a wink, who lets out a small laugh. It had been the first time since they laughed about finding out about Lance's betrayal.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5uHFiNdKz

The Doctor watched the sisters fondly with a gentle smile. Just when a massive chunk of rock listlessly floated by the TARDIS.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmcCCMfSmL

"I think that's the Isle of Wight," Donna offered with a joke, making them all laugh together.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSaLh4IZYk

"Eventually, gravity takes hold. Say, one big rock, heavier than the others, starts to pull other rocks towards it. All the dust and gas and elements get pulled in, everything, piling in until you get the..."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwHkxgYieS

"Earth," the sisters completed in unison, they all began laughing again.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolopDsxr2K

"But the question is... what was that first rock?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivh9XLCKzl

Yet but they didn't wait that long to find out the answer. Then suddenly, a rock shaped like a star emerges through the clouds and dust.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHEgcSBeYm

"Look," Donna pointed to it.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzICM9oIntQ

"The Racnoss..." the Time Lord whispers. Then, suddenly, he hurried back towards the console, and Alice noticed him spinning a wheel frantically.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUTeVFiGeF

"What are you doing?" the young Noble asked with a frown.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjON3ZkJLp4

Only that he didn't respond to her question as he spoke rather loudly, "Hold on - the Racnoss are hiding from the war! What's it doing?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCpoqVH9uC

Donna was still standing beside the doors looking outside answered for her instead, "Exactly what you said."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4D6jXfMSo

The Doctor comes running back towards the doors to take a peek at it for himself, "Oh, they didn't just bury something at the centre of the Earth... they became the centre of the Earth. The first rock."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbGsgGvm3B

That's when suddenly the TARDIS violently shuddered, and everyone almost gets knocked off their feet, with Donna immediately pulling her sister protectively into her arms.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGWu7UdJgD

"What was that?" the eldest Noble demanded.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQaj6hrl8r

"Trouble," the Doctor offered bluntly, quickly slamming the doors shut.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs83FidhwsR

"You don't say thanks for pointing that out, gen... Ahh!" Alice let out a fearful scream before she could finish speaking as the TARDIS shuddered and tilted violently once again when the Doctor's caught her in his arms. She lets him keep a tight grasp on her as they struggle to maintain balance with the ship still throwing them around.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvZUWw9dch

"What the hell's it doing?!" Donna yelled over all the loud noises.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9FEMZqcFz

"Remember that little trick I pulled -- particles pulling particles. It works in reverse -- they're pulling us back!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI6axDiuNU

"You've got to be joking me," the young redhead uttered to herself just as the Doctor released her from his grasp and ran over towards the console in a desperate attempt to steer the TARDIS, but it was beyond his control.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpSWGWw5Bb

"Well, can't you stop it? Hasn't it got a handbrake? Can't you reverse or warp or beam or something?" Donna asked him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBy1Xd66RZ

"Backseat driver," Alice heard the Doctor mutter, which made her slap him on the arm.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4SOVEdBQP

"Seriously, are you always this rude?" she questioned, glaring daggers, arms folded across her chest.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uSaHLnmL7

"Yeah, I am!" he replied. Alice was about to comment on his answer when he suddenly cried out, making her jump again, "Oh! Wait a minute!" the Time Lord pulled something out underneath the console. The object in question looked rather strange and weird-looking to Alice, "The extrapolator!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUWYC8Hbmp

"What?" she oddly frowned at him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyPEbXLh8o

"The extrapolator!" he repeated, wiggling before Alice's eyes, "Can't stop us, but it should give us a good bump!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BHBvZI7Z1

The young have learned from knowing this man just for a couple of hours to nod along and make a few exciting noises with the complete utter nonsense that she doesn't get.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmMleQev8X

"Now!" the Time Lord gives the extrapolator a whack making the TARDIS jerk slightly, and the sisters tightly grip the console to stop themselves from falling over. Then, it completely stops a while later, all three now stepping out from the TARDIS where they had started.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM2hjCqnub

That's when Alice takes a good look at the time machine that's a blue 1930's police box and can't help but admire it, "Wow."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5dVl9STBi

"We're about 200 yards to the right," the Doctor tells them, "Come on!" he and Donna take off running, and Alice snapped from her trance.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmLpQTiUxL

"Hey! Wait for me! I'm in bloody heels!" the young woman goes chasing after them, her heels clicking rapidly on the ground. She finally caught up with them and arrived at the door leading up to the Thames Flood Barrier.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBzTOV67IR

"But what do we do?" Donna asked, slightly out of breath.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LZq8LdExj

"I don't know!" he responded with uncertainty, making Alice take a double-take to see him with a stethoscope holding against the door to listen to whatever's behind it, "I make it up as I go along! But trust me, I've got a history."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPxc7cFrdK

"Oh, I bet you have," the young woman comments with a scoff.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YnI3jCiAX

"But I still don't understand," Donna talked to him, "I'm full of particles - but what for?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFmekyKd7x

"There's a Racnoss web at the centre of the Earth, but my people unravelled their power source. So the Huon particles ceased to exist, but the Racnoss are stuck."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvyClD3lRU

Alice was too absorbed in what the Doctor said that she hadn't noticed her sister getting kidnapped by a robot. But that's when she instantly realised something was wrong, but only she was too late as her eyes widened in fear.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdrLCG72bp

"Doctor," she tries getting his attention, but it seems he hasn't noticed.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyI4NHsyn2

"They've just been in hibernation for billions of years. Frozen, dead, kaput! So you're the new key."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWcBCH6K3M

"Doctor..."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVQoXl0zAg

"Brand new particles, living particles! They need you to open it.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgHYt5Ld4f

"Doctor!" Alice screamed at the Doctor, making him jump and glance in her direction, "Donna! She got taken!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8MDxHdYqF

"What?!" the Time Lord whizzed around, now having noticed. He groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair, making it messier than before, "Did you see what took her?" he asked, grabbing Alice tightly by the shoulders.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ4LI8s6Cm

"Yes, I saw something take her..." Alice began to offer sarcastically before huffing angrily, "I don't bloody know!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkgmgjAlL5

He lets out another groan, letting go of Alice and turns back towards the door. He gets the door open with his sonic, only to be confronted by an armed robot. Both of them immediately take a step back, only for the Time Lord to bump into Alice.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuxZgScZek

"Ally, please...do as...I tell you?" the Doctor explained to the young Noble as they ever so carefully backed away from the robot that hadn't attempted to attack them.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlZy2fsnEq

"What?" she gaped at him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ1bfAq1JF

"Get out of here... and get back home..." he insisted.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToAwkkrmbD

"But my sister-"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGxMMYx92b

"Alice, I'll save Donna. I promised to you that I'm not going to lose somebody else, so you're going to have to trust me on this."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdHuU8Q2PU

But for some unknown reason, Alice had her complete trust in him even though she's had known him for only a couple of hours, so she did what he asked and started running back home, not looking back once.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5ZM30DOKQ

❈•≫────≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫────≪•❈

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTluDwSiwm

Alice didn't know how long she stood outside her house for, not caring if it was cold outside or that she'd get ill, only using the warmth her arms wound around her, waiting for her sister. It'd been hours, but Donna still hadn't returned, and frankly, it was beginning to worry her. What if the Doctor has broken his promise and her sister is lying dead somewhere. The very thought made her shiver, and she shook her head, knowing that deep in her heart, Donna was still alive.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzGeJAjNfE

She could tell her parents were extremely worried about her as well. But the young Noble couldn't bring herself to explain everything that happened. Because she knew it'd only worry them more and probably think she was off her rocker. Only there was perhaps one person who'd believe her, and that was her dear old Gramps.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvK9qDDSTOZ

But despite all her worries, Alice's thoughts couldn't help but wonder to the Doctor as a smile appeared on her face. Suddenly, a whirring yet grinding sound filled the air, breaking the young woman's thoughts as if by magic. She witnessed the blue police box materialise in the middle of the road ahead of her. The doors opened, and out came Donna.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bH7fjYB4C

"Donna!" Alice ran towards her, grinning like an idiot pulling her into a bone-crushing hug. Donna returned the hug and laughed at her little sister. The young woman was pulling back, still grinning from ear to ear.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDhZuOsiN4

"They're much better," Alice turned to see the Doctor step outside as well. But it was then, without even stopping herself, that she hugged the man. At first, he went stiff as a board, finding it somewhat awkward because he wasn't expecting it, but he finally managed to relax and returned it.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS12BqG0A6

"Thanks for saving my sister," she tells him, breaking their hug.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI17CjPpyO

"No problem," he smiled in at her in return, "But I just need to make sure that the particles are completely gone," not giving her a chance to respond, he grabbed his sonic screwdriver and pressed the button, its tip glowing blue as he scanned it over Donna and once done he smiled at her, "Nope! All the Huon particles have gone. No damage, you're fine."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oLYIrVcBF

"Yeah, but apart from that...I missed my wedding, lost my job and became a widow on the same day. Sort of."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuVx0Al5DX

"Hang on, how did you become a widow? Also, what happened to Lance?" The young Noble asked, not that she cared what happened to that slime ball.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnBqc6wysB

"A spider ate him," Donna bluntly replied.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMcMnIwUFf

Alice winced, knowing she'd been talking about the Racnoss, "Ergh."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHYWzsbE8E

"I couldn't save him," the Doctor offered simply.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcjFg7D2He

"He deserved it," Donna said with a bitter uncaring tone. Only for the Doctor raise his eyebrows at her and instantly her face softened, "No, he didn't," she turned to look at the house, "I'd better get inside. They'll be worried."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0LuqKR8XZ

"Best Christmas present they could have," the Time Lord mentions as Alice and Donna watch their parents embrace each other, "Oh, no, I forgot - you hate Christmas."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGJm18pM8Q

"Yes, I do," the older Noble agreed with a nod, which Alice couldn't blame her big sister.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6jUq59fLr

"Even if it snows?" he goes to tweak a switch on the TARDIS, and a ball of light shoots out from the top and explodes like a firework in the midnight sky as snow begins sprinkling down all around them. Alice gasped with utter amazement as Donna laughed with pure delight.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDOJEqqefK

"I can't believe you did that!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENEaN1ng5p

The Doctor nonchalantly shrugged as he leaned against the TARDIS, "Oh, basic atmospheric excitation," he tells them casually with a grin, them smiling back in return.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWxbpwke5p

"Merry Christmas," both the sisters tell him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jvUQZWGWz

"And you. So what will you do with yourself now?" the Time Lord asked, looking to Donna.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjYf4x1ymQ

"Not getting married, for starters."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmgyJlQnmr

"Oh, God, don't tell mum that. She'll have kittens," the younger Noble joked.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda6xK1Art5

"And I'm not going to temp anymore. I don't know travel see a bit more of planet Earth walk in the dust. So just go out there and do something."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKokfrq4FT

"Well, you could always..." Alice noticed the hesitation in his voice like he was uncertain whether or not he was about to do the right thing.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANhWbc9J51

"What?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcUyFQWmyk

"....come with me..." he finally said tentatively. Alice sees a glimmer of hope in his eyes, which quickly faded once at her sister's response.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hUgRSg8BK

"No."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxrKsmqvNs

"Okay," he responded rather quickly.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUM7dsMpcx

"I can't..."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGwBFKPFtS

"No, that's fine," Alice could tell through the bravado of him not caring when that he probably did.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ESP6H5fs

"No, but really... everything we did today... do you live your life like that?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSRurI0Kft

"...Not all the time," he said unconvinced.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NZTlRlRBP

"I think you do. And I couldn't."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtODDkfwOBu

Maybe I could see one day, Alice thought to herself but didn't voice it. Because she knew it would be rude to invite herself along. Besides, she had other things to be getting on with, like getting back to her studies and becoming a Doctor, one for humans.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0zet8yWqu

"But you've seen it out there. It's beautiful."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15S5QHJKlu

What she and Donna had seen today had been pretty incredible. But why on Earth would her sister turn down the adventure of a lifetime when she knew it had been a dream Donna's to travel off to distant places.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p3bKMetii

"And it's terrible. That place was flooding and burning, and they were dying, and you stood there like I don't know a stranger. And then you made it snow - I mean, you scare me to death!"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWm838xThw

Alice winced at that, finding the words pretty harsh. There's a drawn-out silence between them until the Doctor is the one to break it finally.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOgWPH2QN9

"Well then."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU738joRa4J

"Tell you what I will do through - Christmas dinner," off from the look on his face, Donna went on, "Oh, come on."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaFCL9gRw4

"I don't do that sort of thing."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrsLmq6sbn

"You did it last year. You said so. And you might as well because Mum always cooks enough for twenty."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChvYapedx5

"Come on, Doc, live a little and have dinner with us," the younger Noble added, "I mean, what harm can it do."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcdKzV6g7R

He began oo-ing and ahh-ing reluctantly before sighing in defeat, "Oh, all right then," he agrees. Alice beams with joy at the thought of him having dinner with her family, "But you go first, better warn them. And... don't say I'm a Martian," he gestured towards the TARDIS, "I have to park her properly, she might drift off to the Middle Ages. I'll see you both in a minute."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJLN6fBbN4

"You know that it's just a police box, right?" Alice pointed out just as he was about to step inside, trying to keep him here a moment longer. But, something tells her that he wouldn't be coming back.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wfLbAqL9N

"It's the TARDIS. I can't help how she looks."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw9G2q5ff0

"Uh, okay," Alice returned, a little taken aback, because shrugging, "I just think it's...a lot smaller on the outside, that's all."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0NtDQIUTz

The Time Lord paused for a moment considering Alice's comment before muttering to himself as he entered the TARDIS, "Now that's something I haven't heard before," he closed the doors shut behind him. The box began fading out of existence. At that very moment, Donna realised he wasn't ever coming back.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY2TVtLtCM

"Doctor! Doctor!" she yelled for him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw4oxZk1aF

Suddenly the engines had stopped, and the Doctor poked him out the doors, "Blimey, you can shout."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBhQpasUJL

"Am I ever gonna see you again?" Alice watched her sister staring back at him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VYDLvKfEq

He returned to the sisters with a smile, "If I'm lucky."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EpJKwREFa

"Just... promise me one thing; find someone."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xACDNYjmB

"I don't need anyone."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5vqHpIKRf

"Yes, you do. Because sometimes, I think you need Someone to stop you."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr4M3BLJhk

"Yeah," he voiced quietly, briefly glancing at Alice. It was as if he wanted to ask her about coming with him but didn't say a word. But his senses get the better of him knowing that she's probably got more important things to do and get on with her life. Only what he didn't realise was the disappointment washing over her, as he now looked at Donna, "Thanks then, Donna - good luck - and just...be magnificent."

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggkR7MgW0x

She smiled fondly and laughed, "I think I will, yeah," the Doctor returned her smile and retreats into the TARDIS only to call for him once again, "Doctor?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyBs5sOVt5

"Oh, what is it now?" he asked with mock exasperation after opening the door as Alice held back a giggle.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8FF44G0ta

"That friend of yours... what was her name?"

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGtqIEi6ht

Alice sees a sudden sadness filling his eyes. Because whoever this friend of his was that the Doctor lost must of meant a great deal to him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwlv1R3pS0

He swallowed the lump that was inside his throat before finally answering, "Her name was Rose," he turned back and closed the TARDIS door behind him, knowing it would be the last they saw him.

472Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF9LAFyBWp

Soon as the time machine disappeared, Donna began to walk back home, only leaving Alice, staying where she stood, questioning why he didn't ask her to come. Maybe it was because he still wasn't ready for fear of rejection or that he just wasn't prepared to take on anybody else he cared about, only to lose them again. So Alice began walking back home and back to her life in training to become a doctor with a sigh. Because that's where sometime soon their paths would cross again without them even knowing it.

ns216.73.216.253da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically