Chapter Two

"Is it supposed to sound like that?"

Dawn clutched to a rail, looking as if she was about the hurl the contents of her stomach. Gritting her teeth together, she prayed that the thrashing chaos around them would stop. The Doctor was flying over the various controls, barely keeping his own balance. His brow was scrunched together in concentration, hazel eyes wildly darting back and forth. "Hang onnnnn." The order wasn't obeyed whether she wanted to or not, and Smith went flying forwards as her grip failed. Slamming forcefully into the console, sparks flew out on impact. The Doctor bolted for the woman, holding her by the shoulders. "Are you alright?" A physician's glare studied Dawn's arms burns. Staring at him wide eyed, she stayed stiffly still within his grasp. "Erm, yea…but you now owe me a new coverlet as well…" Smoke lifted off of her tweed jacket, but the skin beneath was unharmed… He could have sworn she had grabbed the exposed censor array wires..

There was no sign of burning, well, except her cloth coverlet…

Mentally checking himself, a reminder was placed in the back of his ever ticking mind. 'Got to fix the plated array covers..and the handrails…and the..' Snapping fingers brought his attention back to the woman in front of him. "Time to put me down now, love." Cobalt eyes crinkled in a wide smile as the Doctor realized he had actually picked up the female. She was significantly shorter in stature than he, and in his panic, he had jerked her completely off the ground. Placing Dawn down with much chagrin, his now free hand ran through his light hair. Grinning as if he had mastered some amazing feat, the man cocked his head to the side. Dawn couldn't help but snicker at his behavior, straightening her clothing from the hiked state. Turning back to a much calmer vehicle, the Doctor tuned some of the knobs to his liking. "Well, Dawny Smith, we can pick that up on our trip!" Walking around him to the other side, Dawn peeked at him. "Where are we going exactly…?" Bright eyes turned her direction, holding a mischievous glint as the racket of the core began to slow into a steady thrum. The Tardis quieted into normalcy, its interior becoming as peaceful as the moment she had entered it. "Why don't you tell me, Miss Smith?" An excited joy danced across his boyish features, prompting Dawn to look towards the door she had walked through minutes beforehand. Light, blue eyes looked up at him curiously, the pretty face expectant and wondering. Nudging her with his elbow, the Doctor beamed encouragingly at his companion. "Go on, take a look."

Creeping down the ramp, Dawn moved close to the door. Opening it a crack, the woman peered through the limited opening. Gasping, she immediately slammed the door shut. A heart's beat was double as she stared open eyed at the man who was grinning devilishly. "What kind of Doctor did you say you were?" The Doctor sniggered quietly, throwing his head back at the inquiry. "Not a doctor, the Doctor." Dawn's jaw clenched as he strolled down the gangplank. "Doctor, who?" Shrugging mildly as he opened the door fully, his eyes traveled to the new world opening up before them. "Oh, just Doctor, for now. Welcome to Laaverous five, Dawn Smith…" A cold hand slid back into his as he looked back at her, the reflection of something landscaping beautiful reflecting within topaz blue eyes….

….

Growling as she shut off her cellular phone, the woman redialed the number she had seconds before. No answer. Mashing buttons, a now worried female tried a different tactic.

"I need Jack Harkness. Yes, tell him it's Martha Jones."

Martha sat curled up upon her couch, chewing a nail, and watching the corner of her living room where the Tardis had been. She had expected the Doctor to show the other woman the ship, not whisk her off to the unknown. Then again…this was the Doctor. A smooth, deep voice finally filtered over the phone that had been languidly held to her ear. "Ah, Nightingale, if you wanted to invite me on a date, you should have come down here personally. Phone calls are so informal for people like us." Clicking her tongue, Martha chuckled tenderly at the familiar voice. "Jack, ever the charmer."

Known primarily as 'Captain Jack", the man with whom Jones was speaking with; was a time traveler all his own. After the initial organization was dismantled, Torchwood was his prowess. The alien identifying, temporal disturbance locating, rift supervising team was one of the Doctor's greatest assets. It was ironic at times, considering it had been originally built by a woman who had boycotted the alien races… even unto attempting murder on the Time lord himself. The point was, Jack Harkness was the closest thing to what one could call a best friend. If one could grasp the concept of male bonding in Doctor mentality.

Concern tainted the man's voice after putting all jest aside, his rich tones lowering with unease. "But really, Jonesy, you wouldn't have called unless it was something important. Is everything alright on your end?" Sighing heavily, Martha kept watching the same spot in her living room cautiously. "He's gone daft in the head. Run off again with a girl the Tardis tried to run over.."

"What? What happened?"

"There was an incident. And now he's gone off to god only knows. He's been so lonely since leaving Donna…I tried reaching him, but no answer." The sound of a typing keyboard filled the silence, static breathing perplexing Martha as she waited for a verbal reply. "Jack, if you're busy..we can discuss it later?" His voice returned forcefully, causing her to move to the edge of her seat. "No..I need you to tell me everything before he disappeared.."

"What's the matter, Jack?"

Seconds ticked by, a soft rumble finally answering the query. "Sarah and Mr. Smith are transferring some data they've collected. It's beyond them.. There's an anomaly forming on earth. Last time the Doctor left the earth was moved, and I'm not taking any chances. Martha…tell me everything."

.

"Are the temporal shifts taking effect properly, Gazora?"

The ebony tressed woman looked up from her work, watching the man who had just spoken. Gritting her teeth in frustration, she swallowed back her loathsome attitude towards him before answering. "Yes, Balfus." Sensing her discomfort, he watched her keenly before taking a few stiff steps forward. The tension between mounted in the silence as Gazora looked back down at the computer pad within her grasp. A wide, three dimensional screen projected before the pair, the lights of dotted stars casting flickering shadows as the image revealed. Various portals were appearing in specific places over the blue of a familiar, planetary orb. "Balfus, are you sure this will not create a paradox within Earth's timeline?" Gazora's eyes shot a severe look in the direction of her superior, the challenging question spoken with defiant confidence. Cold stolidity answered her back. "It will merely erase him and her from Their timeline. Nothing more. Do you believe that the Council is incompetent?" Color rose within the woman's cheeks, but not out of embarrassment. This wasn't the way a race older than time itself should act. To become bureaucratic and believe that other men were mice..

"Of course not. My curiosity is merely scientific in it's nature." She lied, of course. Vomit curled at the back of her throat as he gave her a triumphant smile. They had been sent here to hide, to save what was left of their people..so long ago. But the rise and fall of new leaders had ushered in a new era of idealism. Tampering with a timeline would have never been tolerated of Gallifrey..

Biting her cheek at the memory, Gazora's eyes watered in secrecy. Clearing her matted throat, the woman switched off the spiraling image before them. "The rifts will be complete within seven earth days." Stiffly leaving Balfus behind, she quickly moved from his presence. Dimensional weaving was an art abandoned even before the Time War. She just silently prayed that they all were sending another planet to its doom..

….

"So what do you classify yourself as? A Martian?"

The question was posed by an interested female who incessantly found the springy grass that she was laying on entertaining to pluck. Dawn had sprawled out immediately on the substance as soon as her earlier question about any allergic possibilities was answered. Luminescent flowers alit the area where she had scampered to, both she and her companion now watching the plethora of stars above. The sky was a dark amethyst, the twin orbs of moons peaked over the various, scattered clouds. Twisting a blade of the blue grass-like plant around her finger, Dawn furrowed her eyebrows as the Doctor had seemingly (and completely) lost his composure at the subject. After wiping mirthful moisture from his eyes, the amused man cleared his throat. "Oh that's brilliant..ahh. No, Martians have been extinct for oh,…four hundred years? Time Lord more fits the ticket. Jolly good laugh that was though." The blue eyes that were watching him narrowed ever so slightly, only averting to watch an animal akin to a chipmunk scurry by and into a tree nearby. "But you are an alien? I always thought they looked like giant bugs..or all green and what not."

The Doctor paused, a coy smile sliding onto his lips. "Common misconception by most races. Except the Tolukarans….They are large bugs..err insects..essentially." Squeezing his hand before releasing it, his travel companion smiled. Dawn inquired no more, her attention fixated on the clan of chipmunk creatures that were scurrying all over the close by tree. Staring down at his empty hand, he blinked. They hadn't separated since leaving the Tardis, and he had gotten rather used to her hardy grasp. In such a short time as well.. Shrugging it off, the man merely shoved his hand into an empty pocket. Watching as Dawn crept closer to the tree, a hushed look of awe washed over the Doctor's face.

Maelinks were flighty, tri-eyed, lime green things that never came within eight feet of anything. But here were four being hand fed pom-pom grass as if they were the main attraction at a children's petting zoo. A womanly glee flashed back when Smith looked at him, prompting the strange man to proudly grin. Her gentle spirit was rare. She was inquisitive, kind, happy with life. Just like Rose…

Clenching his jaw at the thought of the name, he stood up, violently brushing his vest off of the stray grass Dawn had left. The action startled the furry audience, causing them to scatter into safety. A moan of disapproval came from Dawn's direction when he looked up. "Aw, you scared the litter buggers off!"

Widening his eyes, the Doctor realized what he had just done. Eyes went back and forth, looking for a common excuse. No..no..wait..maybe..there! Grimacing in a put on attitude, he moved forward and grabbed Dawn's elbow to escort her away from the silvery plant that grew within a close proximity to the tree. "Uhm, just thought a tat and you had best get away from that. Those Belnaks have nectar that in considered one of the most rancid substances in the universe.." Frowning with large eyes as they made their way a safe distance back, Dawn straightened her wrinkled sleeve. As they continued a sauntering walk through the extraterrestrial garden, the still inquisitive female began to ask more now that her attention was back on the subject. "So, what is a Time Lord…."

Hazel eyes blinked as the Doctor slowed his gait to a stop. Playing with the brown locks that brushed his forehead, the man debated within his mind. Short version…long..cryptic, basic…basic…long..cryptic..basic, basic?

A hand pressed into his, causing the preoccupied man to jilt slightly. "You look like you're about to tob there, Doctor. Are you alright?" Genuine concern exuded from her topaz eyes, their sparkling light forcing him to half his mental bash mid-swing. He felt as if he could trust her…

Sucking in a deep breath of air between his teeth, the Doctor squeezed the hand within his grasp gently. "I'm the last. We were the guardians of Time…but a War would change that. My planet is gone, so I travel the stars…" Hushed gloom swept over the female's face as she listened, Dawn chewing on her lower lip habitually. "A…War.." Her words seemed to flow eerily from her lips, pained courtesy creasing at her jaw as plush lips snapped down in silence. The Time Lord ground his teeth together, memories invading his mind like stagnant flood water. The fire, the blood, the screams of his people as they died in the streets…

Though well hidden, these images had been burned forever into his twin hearts.

"The War stretched over Time and Space…both sides lost."

Evident pain had etched its way across his face as Dawn dared to finally look straight into the Doctor's eyes. Their hazel hues melted into ebony pools that reflected more memories and experiences than a man who looked his age should possess. Agony, fear, passion, loneliness…those emotions swam in the ire of his soul that stared out of the wide, unblinking orbs. Something began to happen…

A memory began to break through Dawn's mental barrier, like a sudden flash that burnt its way into the back of the woman's brain. Reeling in pain, but unable to let go of his tightly squeezed hand, she reopened her eyes that had closed in the sting. They opened, but did not see the world in front of them. Their sight was of a memory long forgotten, a memory, that was not hers.

…..

"Go, go, go! We haven't much time!"

A man ushered a woman and child quickly past as chaos erupted behind. Fire and ash rained from the sky, crumbling structures giving way into their instability as the small group ran past in the alleyways. The grating noise of metallic buildings being destroyed filled the air with the acrid smell of molten steel. Two men, a woman, and a small child fled deftly in and out of the wreckage. One of the men however, was supporting the other, the leaner obviously wounded in his leg. The injured male rested heavily on the other, clutching desperately at his leather jacket clad arm. Blood and sweat glistened down his forehead, labored and ragged breaths heaving from his lungs. The one in the jacket cursed, dragging his burden urgently even as his legs were beginning to give out. "Come on, brother. Don't you quit on me yet." Angry tears were welling at the harder man's eyes, his teeth ground visibly together. The woman that trailed behind called out, her dark hair whipping wildly in the smoky wind. "Just a little more, we've almost made it to the Tardis Sega. We just have to make it…" Hope sprang into the weaker man's eyes as the woman clutched her offspring to herself. Slowly he drew himself up, steadying himself on his younger sibling. A frail smile somehow made it onto his lips, the old, familiar nickname for his family member often now being used more than his real name. "Think of it, Theta, a whole new world to explore. That's more your forte than this War…"

The jest was taken cynically, the other man's face becoming icily somber. "No, brother. I'm staying here. There is a War to be fought, people to save. No matter what the Council says…my place is here. To the death." Fury grated at the other man's whisper as he gripped his kindred by the shoulders in shock. Begging tones dripped from his disbelief, the loss of a friend as close as blood settling in. "No..you can't..you have to come with us. You can't!" The love of family burned in the fiery, hazel eyes of both men, a silent understanding passing between them. A shared look of pain and sorrow sprung from them both, seeping into the heated atmosphere around. "I have to do this..for Gallifrey."

Clutching his brother's hand in farewell, the departing member limped back. "Protect Gallifrey, Theta. Don't show the Daleks any mercy, like they have not shown any to us." The other nodded as soot clouded in his eyes, the salty perspiration mingling with tears as they glazed the skin of his reddened cheeks. The sound of detonations and death drew closer, the child within the woman's arms now wailing in apparent terror. Tearing away from its mother's hold, the young thing bolted in search of a hiding place. "NO! MELFOS!" The woman shrieked, her harmed husband finding the miraculous strength to catapult himself after his son. His brother chased after, nearly tripping over the scattered and still burning rubble.

The child had stopped at one of the many entrances to their secret alley, eyes wide and petrified in horror. Everything was burning…

Creatures swarmed in formations that flew overhead, but other were ground bidden, in military lines. Their bodies were made in encased metal, the cylinder shape glowing blood red in the flickering lights. The top extended out into a solitary, cybernetic eye that doubled as a laser conductor. Emotionless, deadly, unfeeling beings that would be defined over generations for the single word it was most prone to utter.

"EXTERMINATE!"

As the father moved to protect his child, the blinding beam of light that the Dalek Sentinal had fired now enveloped them both. One would pray that such a thing would be instantaneous and painless, but for a Time Lord, it is not. They could feel every second into their disembodiment, up until the body liquefying into atomic ash. The backlash sent the man who had followed so closely behind into the wall. Losing consciousness upon impact, the brother had lost his family, and his compassion would turn into a rage that the universe would never forget.

…..

Jerking apart from the Doctor's grasp finally, Dawn lurched forwards. The man before her seemed painfully caught off guard as well, only catching his companion out of sheer reflex. Her eyes never left his, though matted by the silent tears that had trickled down her cheekbones. Blackness rimmed around them as they fluttered, trying to forced consciousness back into her own body. Slowly, her lips moved into a hoarse whisper. "Same man…different…face…" Sluggishly, Dawn's body won out, surrendering her into the blackness that felt so cold…

…..

Warmth coiled about her body, causing the woman to deliberately open her sore eyes. Sitting at the foot of whatever she was reclining on was…him. His dark eyes crinkled in tired happiness as if he hadn't blinked once during his attentive watch over her. Dawn shifted, puzzled at her surroundings. "Are…we in the Tardis?" Nodding as he made his way over to her side, the Doctor placed a temperature testing hand to her forehead. "How are you feeling?" Smith smiled weakly, her azure eyes twinkling I exhausted amusement. "Like I got ran over by the mind trolley. What was that?" Checking her pulse, the Doctor shook his head in an almost disbelieving manner at his own explanation. "Mental data transfer. I wasn't supposed to happen. Matter of fact, it shouldn't have." Her silken eyebrows rose, then winced at the still sore bruise upon her forehead. "What's that about mental data? You mean…a memory…? Oh.." Hushing herself at her own realization, Dawn watched as the Doctor sighed in evident relief.

Evidently she checked out at least physically…

Pulling a soft cover over her, his familiar bemused attitude finally settled in place of the worry over his handsome face. "I keep knocking you cold at random, for that you should give me a good thrashing. But you've been brilliant! Now, how bout a good cup o' tea?" The fret still tinged about his eyes, despite having plastering a dazzling smile upon his lips. Nodding slowly, Dawn tried to return some of his enthusiasm about the hot beverage. "Got any honey in this Tardis of yours, Doctor?" His smile broadened, obviously the question an affirmation of his invitation. Scuttling out of the room, his musical voice echoed down the hall. "Honey, sugar, molasses..I'll fix you the best tea this side of the Medusa Nebula, you just see Dawny Smith!"

As soon as he had departed, Dawn began to search for something upon her person frantically. A relieved sigh tumbled from her upon finding the object, her left hand clutching it closely to her chest. A long, golden chain had been worn about the woman's neck, a rather large pendant having only been concealed by her high necked shirt. It lay now in the center of her open palm. To any, ordinary person it looked like a pocket watch, or perhaps a family heirloom. Its golden rim winked in the dim light of the room, an ancient design etched into the fine metal. But no, this was something far more special than just an aged trinket. A soft glow hinted at the circular object upon the touch of her fingertips, whispers of a long dead speech calling out seductively at her touch seemingly activated a hidden meaning.

Blue eyes narrowed as her formerly smiling lips turned downwards in an unsightly frown. A voice that mirrored her own translated itself from the anonymous language, into whispering English. 'Let me out…'

Shushing the object as she placed it within her clothing next to her bosom, Dawn hissed between her teeth. "Not yet, it isn't time.." The insistent whispering faded away as the Doctor appeared once again, two mugs in one hand and a small serving tray in the other. Cheerily he quipped, placing the tray across her legs. "Ah! Here we are, sorry to keep a lady waiting!" Smiling graciously as she received her beverage, Dawn forced her mask to slip back into place. The voice moved into the back of her mind now, tugging for attention despite her will power. 'Let me out..'

Sipping on her tea, Dawn exclaimed after the flavor sank in. "This has a strange taste? What is it?" The Doctor grinned whilst placing an extraordinary amount of sugar within his own cup. "It's Pameyan tea. Very rare to find these days, but that's a long story. Quite boring and all that." Raising her cup to clink with his, Smith too another generous sip. "Interesting, why don't you tell me about it anyway?"

'Let me out…'

"You know me, I love a good story, Doctor."

'Let me out…'

"A good story indeed."