A/N: This is the fourth story in the series (1. You'll Find Wonder. 2. Padra's Run. 3. Salvage) Also to any newbies, you don't need to know too much about either show to be able to follow, but if there's anything you're uncertain on, don't hesitate to message me, I'll be glad to help!

"The Generational Purge"
Doctor Who/Glee crossover #4
[DW] 9th Doctor, Rose, Jack - [Glee] Puck, Artie, & New Directions

1. A Story That Needs Telling

February 2012 – Lima, Ohio

Gemma had started to get fed up with the boxes of books. She'd had half a mind to invest in some bookshelves, for however long she would be here, but then what was the point, really? She had no idea exactly how long she would be there and, when it was all over, she would be leaving this place and these books, so what would happen to the shelves? Instead, she had stacked the boxes in the corner, which made things slightly complicated when she had something she was looking for. The boxes had started to become like background furniture.

And there was only so much reading a girl could do before she started to go cross-eyed and seeking to live adventures, not just read about them.

With how long she'd had to wait between her first and second posting, she knew it was possible she'd have to spend as many weeks waiting as she'd done before, so she did try to pace herself. Sometimes she would put the books aside and take on the somewhat foolish endeavor of song writing. She didn't think anything she put to paper was any good. She had been known to write the odd short story or two in her life, and she wouldn't appraise her own worth there, but she did think she had some talent there. Song writing was a whole other beast, and she had not yet managed to tame it. She kept telling herself she was trying too hard.

She really needed to get out of this apartment.

When her phone rang, she almost pounced on it like a cat. It could have been a disappointment, telemarketers or someone trying to get her to upgrade her phone. I have the ultimate upgrade, buddy. I'd like to see your phone call across time and space. But it wasn't disappointment, no. Gemma, or at least Ginny Harrison, was returning to McKinley High.

X

One month earlier - January 2012 – Lima, Ohio

Before they had joined Glee Club, Artie would never have imagined himself to have anything in common with Noah Puckerman. The guy was a jock, a bully, and he had a knack for tossing slushies and locking people in portable toilets. Even after the jock had joined New Directions, they hadn't seen eye to eye. Over time, things had gotten better between them, but despite this particular bond, there was very little to connect them.

But now they had this. Of all the people on this planet, there they were, two boys from Lima, two students of McKinley High and members of New Direction, who had encountered a time travelling alien who went by the Doctor, going around in a blue police box. He had been so close to giving up, throwing in the towel and destroying years and years of pointless research and his one solid piece of evidence. The substitute teacher who he was convinced was in fact a friend and travelling companion of the Doctor's had still not identified herself as such, and there was nothing to keep him with his eye on the prize. And then… Noah Puckerman had happened.

"Tell me what happened, when you met them," he asked the boy with the mohawk.

"Look, I just kind of figured you were moping around because no one believed you, I just wanted to cheer you up or something. What I went through back then…"

"Please, you can't just say what you just said and then walk away," Artie refused.

"Before they left, the Doctor made me promise not to say anything. I may be a lot of things, but I like to think my word is good for something," Puck nodded firmly.

"To someone who doesn't know anything, sure, but this is me. I know about the Doctor, and the TARDIS," he lowered his voice. "You told me about meeting them, so part of you has to trust me with the secret already."

"I know that," Puck frowned.

"Look, I'll make you a deal. I'm good on my word, too. So you tell me about when you met the Doctor, and right after I will tell you about my own encounter."

"You know we have to go to class, right?" Puck looked at the clock on the wall. Artie had actually forgotten.

"Fine, then after the day is done, we meet up, and we swap stories, deal?" he held out his hand. Puck still looked to hesitate for a moment, but finally he sighed and put his hand in Artie's.

"Don't make me regret this."

For the rest of the day, Artie was a man reborn. He was so attentive in class, the better to make time pass as fast as possible, that some of his teachers had to tell him to stop putting his hand up and give the others a chance. After what had still felt like an eternity, the day was ended, and he was out in front of McKinley, waiting for Puck. It only briefly occurred to him that the boy might decide not to show up, but then he arrived, ready to leave school with him.

"Alright, let's get moving before anyone sees us and tries to join us," Puck went behind his chair, which caused Artie to grip the sides out of concern he might be thrown free.

"When did this happen? How old were you?" he asked as they left the school lot.

"Couple years ago, I guess. It was the summer when I was fifteen. Look, there's something you need to know before I start. I wasn't there for everything that happened. I know some things first hand, from what I saw, and I found out about some of the rest along the way, but there's a big part of it that I don't know. That part belongs to the Doctor, and the rest of them. You'd need to ask them for that one, but it's not like we can."

TO BE CONTINUED (SUNDAY)