The Doctor looked at Alexia, fear and horror in his eyes.

She tried to laugh, but her breath was chocked off, and she cried out in pain. "D-D-Doctor… LISTEN."

The Doctor looked into her eyes, holding her in his arms as the bullet drained the life from her.

"You know I'm not… not… h-human." She whispered, trying desperately to get her words out. "S-S-S-So s-s-st-st-stand b-b-b-back…"

Confusion flickered in his eyes, but there was no time to explain.

Alexia looked at her hands, glowing softly. "It's starting." She breathed.

The light intensified, flickering around her. Shock entered the Doctor's eyes, and he gently set her down, standing up and taking a few steps back.

And then the light shot out, away from her hands, dancing across her and fixing everything that was wrong. Her face began to change, morphing into something entirely different from the person she had once been.

And then the light stopped. Alexia gasped and sat up, the regeneration process complete.

The Doctor looked at her, his face pale.

She smiled.

Alexia snapped awake, crying out as she did so.

Thyme was at her side in a second. "You ok, Lex?"

"No." Alexia replied with a cough, spitting blood. "Dang it, Thyme. When is he coming?"

Thyme looked at Timesong, who shook her head. "I'm not sure. It's a little…foggy."

"Who said WHAT about fog?" Vanessa Firaheart came over, her amber eyes blazing.

"Not real fog, Vanessa." Thyme said, rolling her eyes.

Timesong was focusing on Alexia. "A dream? Just now?"

Alexia nodded. "The Doctor. And me getting shot. Why am I the one who gets shot? I'm ALWAYS the one who gets SHOT!"

Vanessa chuckled. "That's cuz you're the only one who CAN get shot."

"Shut it, Flame breath." Alexia snapped, lashing out with a fist.

"Oooh, SOMEONE'S cranky." Vanessa said, dodging her blow, completely unaffected by Alexia's tone.

Thyme smiled. "Cut it out, you two." She looked at Vanessa. "And that's not technically true. Lex can block bullets, you know."

Alexia stuck her tongue out at Vanessa, who muttered something about immaturity.

"People! We're trying to save the world here!" Timesong said, impatience in her tone.

Vanessa hung her head. "Sorry, Song."

Timesong tried to be serious. She really did. But the sight of Vanessa looking that pitiful was too much for her. She laughed. "You look like a little kid."

Vanessa smiled. "It's what I do best." She replied in the best baby voice she could.

Thyme chuckled.

"Umm, what was that about saving the world?" Alexia said, bringing them all back to the conversation.

Timesong shook her head, trying to clear it. "Right. Well, if you're having dreams about him more often…"

"Which I am."

"Then I think it's time." She concluded.

Thyme nodded slowly. "Agreed. When will you call him?"

"Tomorrow." Timesong replied. "Seems soon enough."

The others nodded, suddenly serious.

Slowly, then went out the door, leaving Alexia. But not before Vanessa sent a flame dancing on her friend's arm. Alexia cried out, then glared at her. "Ness, you are a dead Firakoid!"

Vanessa's eyes widened as Alexia shot off the bed. She started running. "HELP!"

Thyme and Timesong laughed as they ran past. "You asked for it!" Thyme called.

Alexia finally realized that she had an advantage. She smiled and created a force field right in front of Vanessa, who crashed into it. "HEY! No fair!"

Alexia smirked, and the field became a bubble surrounding her flame-controlling friend. "Now. What am I to do with you?"

Vanessa swallowed. "I was just kidding, Lex. You know that right?"

Alexia grinned. "No. No I don't."

Niki glared at The Doctor, who, once again, wasn't paying attention.

"You promised we'd go to the future, Doc." She whined.

"Yes… yes…" the Doctor wasn't looking at her, instead pounding on random buttons.

She chewed on her lip, annoyed. "I heard Martians landed on Earth last month."

"Good for them." The Doctor replied.

She sighed, looking at the TARDIS for assistance. She groaned, but did nothing else.

So, Niki decided to take matters into her own hands. She marched up to the Doctor and grabbed him by the collar. It helped that she was slightly taller than him.

He looked at her with wide, innocent eyes. "What was that about Martians?"

She glared and dropped him. He landed on the floor with an ungraceful THUD and let out an "Oof."

"The Future, Doc. Please?"

He winced and got to his feet. "Don't call me Doc."

She rolled her eyes and muttered something about him not seeming to mind it a few moments ago.

He looked at her, innocence written all over his face. "The future?"

"Please?"

He nodded. "Sure. Why not?"

She smiled. "Yes." She hissed triumphantly.

And then the TARDIS lost control.