Life From the Ashes of War

Part One

by

Sabrina Lonewalker

He had recieved the distress call not long after leaving Earth and Grace behind and had headed out as quickly as the TARDIS could get him there but, when the doors opened, he saw he was too late. Devestation was everywhere, cities burned, forests ravaged, bodies everywhere. His shoulders slumped. That dratted ion storm had delayed him and now, there was nothing to save. He went on looking anyway, on the off chance when he stopped.

He listened and could hear weeping coming from a large pile of what had been a house. He walked over and listened again then, he heard a voice, female, "Help me, please. Is anyone there?" He called out, "Yes, I'm here, hold on, I'll get you out." He began moving debris aside like tossing toys into a box until finally, his clothes and face soiled with soot, he saw her.

She was curled up in a ball, hugging her knees against her chest, her flame red hair sooty and dirty. She looked up, her eyes wide with hope warring with fear. He smiled reassuringly and reached his hand down to her. "Come on, I've got you." She looked into those blue eyes and somehow knew she could trust this one so she reached up for his hand. His grip was cool and the skin smooth. His strength was surprising in such a slight body.

Soon, she was standing in front of him. He smiled, "What is your name?" He asked. She looked up at him and her eyes caught his attention immediately. They were a clear shade of amber. She smiled slightly, "My name is Lucia, Lucia Monroe." The Doctor smiled, "Hello Lucia, I'm the Doctor." Her eyes widened, "You're the one my father sent the message to?" His eyes widened, "Your father is Jasper Monroe?" Lucia nodded, "He was, till they found him, they found them all." She began to cry.

He pulled her against his chest, his arms around her protectively. "I'm sorry I couldn't get here in time. I tried, Lucia, I really tried." Lucia sniffled, "I know, Dad said it was a long shot but, he had to try. They came out of nowhere, just shooting everything that moved. Dad made me get in the cellar and told me not to move till I knew it was safe." The Doctor nodded, "That sounds like something Jasper would do. Lucia, who came?"

Lucia looked at him, her eyes filling with tears, "Dad called them Daleks." The Doctor's hearts constricted. Not them again. he said nothing for a moment then, he was calm as his blue eyes looked into hers. "It's ok. Did they destroy everything?" Lucia nodded, "Yes, I haven't been able to contact anyone else, I'm alone now, all of my people are gone." "I know how it feels to be alone, Lucia," said the Doctor in a low voice. "Come on, you can come with me." She looked up at him hopefully, "I can?"

"Of course you can, I promised your father I'd look after you and I keep my promises." Lucia nodded, "Ok, there's nothing here to take with me anyway. I just want to find them, find them and make them pay." The Doctor nodded, he understood her feelings all too well. He led her back to the TARDIS and ushered her inside. She looked around and smiled, "Dad told me about this,but at the time, I didn't understand what he meant till now. She's beautiful." The TARDIS hummed happily and the Doctor smiled, "She likes you but then, she knows you too."

Lucia could feel that tickling at the back of her mind. Her race were natural telepaths but now, there was only the TARDIS in her mind. That comforted her. The Doctor knew what his machine was doing and he approved. Then, he threw the main lever and they left. He looked at Lucia, "Why don't you find your room? Knowing this old girl, she already has one ready for you. Then, you can clean up and rest if you like." She nodded and headed off down the corridor.

He watched her leave then, threw his dark blue frock coat across a chair and stood like a statue. "Daleks, always Daleks," He muttered to himself. Now they had destroyed another entire planet and it's people. "This has to stop, stop now." He muttered as he began operating controls.

Lucia found her room, following a series of lighted arrows on the floor. She opened the light pink door and walked inside. She gasped as she looked around, TARDIS had reached into her memories and recreated her room back home. She looked at the pink walls and the blue ceiling with the stars twinkling on it. The bed was covered in a light pink and blue comforter and the pillows were the same color scheme.

She laid down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling and began to cry. She rolled onto her side and pulled one of the pillows to her, crying into it as everything began to settle in that she was the only one left. She didn't know how long she had been crying till she felt arms around her, pulling her close. It was the Doctor. She buried her face in his shoulder, crying, sobbing as it all hit home.

TARDIS had alerted him to Lucia and he had come because she needed someone and now, he was all she had. As he held her, he thought back. Jasper Monroe had been his friend for a long time and he had, in his fifth incarnation, attended Jasper's wedding. A year leter, Jasper had asked him to come back and he had, even though he was now in his seventh incarnation. This time, Jasper had asked his friend to stand at Lucia's Naming ceremony as her Guardian.

The Doctor had been touched by the request and had agreed. Even Ace had been subdued during the visit, as though she understood what all of this meant. Now, he was the only family Lucia had left. She was beginning to calm down as she began to feel safe once more and after a few moments, she fell asleep in his arms. The Doctor smiled and lightly kissed the top of her head then, settled her onto her bed, pulling the comforter over her and tucking her in.

TARDIS dimmed the lights and told her thief she would watch over the girl. He sent his thanks and quietly closed the door, going back to the control room. He stood there, looking at the central column and going over the situation in his mind then, he came to a decision. He set coordinates and threw the lever. He knew he could be in trouble for this but, he needed help and he knew who would. True, the last time he had sought their help, they had forcibly regenerated him but now, as back then, he had no choice. He set course for Gallifrey.

TBC