Disclaimer: Like always, I don't own crap. I own Adrianna, and the plot, and that's it. Someone dead created Doctor Who, and some living guy owns him now. I weep.

Okay, latest fic! This is an idea that came to me during the most random time ever. Granted, the idea wasn't him regenerating, but who he regenerates into. However, I'm not going to reveal that right off the bat. I'm going to make you wait for it.

And, yes, short prologue is short.

He couldn't believe what was happening.

He couldn't believe how this had happened.

After all he had been through, he had been so stupid as to fall for such an obvious trap. Though, maybe it was because of all he had seen that he had rushed head-first into such a dangerous situation, and had been forced to pay dearly for it. He had not only lost his primary companion, but had also been reduced to a bleeding mass by the very same species he had spent a week defending from the Daleks.

Irony was, like the humans say, quite a bitch.

"Doctor? Oh, God, Doctor, is there anything I can do?"

The Doctor raised his head just a fraction, just enough to lay his eyes upon the woman he had, less than an hour ago, chosen to become his latest companion. Adrianna Hollison had been one of the people he had spent his time defending, and one of two that had returned the favor by trying to stand by his side during irony's backhand. It was because of that he had asked her to become his newest companion, helping him and Amy fight against the Daleks and fixing the rifts in the universe.

But now she stared back at him with mixture of concern and absolute worry etched on her face. Less than an hour ago she had been all grins and giggles, excited to have the chance to explore the worlds and universes outside of her own. She had truly wanted to become a traveler, like most. Unlike most, she had the guts for it, too. It was such a shame he wouldn't get to see how fine of a traveler she became.

A lopsided grin crossed his features, even if it was pained, and The Doctor reached out a hand. Even with her eyesight the way it was, Adrianna managed to place her own over his bloody fingers. It tightened around his meek grip.

"Oi, don't you worry about me, Ria," he gave her a gentle look, then rested his head on the cold concrete below, "I'm going to be fine in about... three-point-oh-five seconds. I'm just sorry you didn't have enough time to get to know this side of me."

There was confusion in the half-human's eyes, even as she brushed her fingers over his wrist, where his pulse fluttered weakly. She licked her lips, then pulled her hand back. She knew something was wrong, and he had to admire that. "Doctor, there has to be something I can do. You just can't-"

He cut her off with, "Ria?"

"Yes?" She questioned, head tilting to the side.

"Run."

The word had just barely escaped his mouth when his entire body began to writhe. Limbs flailed and tensed as pain from everywhere began to gather. His head pulsed; his heart felt as if it wanted to implode. His lips parted in a strangled scream, though no sound came out, and for that much he was grateful. At least she would not have to hear all he was going through.

Frigid flames shot from every limb, and even The Doctor's head. And all Adrianna could do was scramble back, utter horror ripping at her heart. Though she may have not been able to see much, she could still feel all that was happening. She could hear his heels click against the sidewalk. She knew he was dying, and all she could do was think, This can not be happening. This can not be happening.

My God, this can not be happening.

How had this happened?

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