Chapter 6: back home

When she arrived at the Manor, Enaya's heart pinched. All had been destroyed. She managed to find a correct room, and put Chris on the bed. She put a blanket over him before she left and close the door. She headed to the vault, where she found her friends, William and his sister melody, and Antonio. She noticed the Doctor was also there, sitting in a chair, next to what she recognized as a third generation cellular regeneration device, on which the girl from the supermarket was resting.

"What happened, here?" She asked.

"The Atlantes." Melody answered. "They attacked us shortly after you left. We made it to the vault, and waited until they left."

She nodded, and pointed to the girl on the machine.

"How is she?" She asked.

"She's getting better." Antonio said. "She has been struck by a strong shock wave, but she's gonna make it."

William started talking to Enaya in the language they shared.

"Is that him?" He asked. "Is it the ambassador?"

"Yes." She answered.

"Will he help us?"

"I don't know. I didn't tell him everything yet."

"And I still wait for you to do so." the Doctor said.

They all looked at him.

"I forgot you could speak any language." Enaya sighed.

"I want the truth." he said sharply. "When you saved me, it wasn't to obey the princess. You did it because you needed me, am I right?"

"The princess order wasn't an invention." she answered. "You should know it."

"Really? And why should I?"

"Because you know I descend from the prince, and he promised you neither he nor his descendants would ever lie to you."

"So you broke his promise."

"Never. I can't. Not talking isn't lying."

"Right, then. I, as the ambassador, order you, child of the Prince who gave me his loyalty, to tell me the entire truth, about you and your ancestors."

"Very well. You know the beginning of the story. The prince and the puppeteer ran away from their planet, and ended up here. When they saw there were intelligent forms of life on it, they started arguing about the fate of Mankind. The prince wanted to live in peace with them. You had a very strong impact on his way of thinking. But the puppeteer, as for him, wanted to dominate and rule these inferior people. When the prince understood he couldn't change his brother's mind, he destroyed the weapons, sabotaged the commands of the ship, and left on his own. Now, according to the Ancient laws, in case of conflict between two princes for the control of a new land, the throne goes to the fairest of them, and the other one can only take it back if the first has no more descendants. This is why the Atlante wants us dead, and that's why we need your help."

"You want me to fight him, and you thought I would accept, knowing what he did to my child."

"No! I know perfectly well that you don't like to fight, and I know that you're not very fond of revenge. I would never ask you such a thing. But as the Ambassador, you must know better than anyone about the Ancient laws. And I'm sure that in these, we could find a solution that wouldn't lead to the entire destruction of any side."

"Why didn't you tell me when we met?" The Doctor asked.

She didn't answer.

"Why?" He repeated louder.

"I was being selfish!" She blurted out. "I was more than fed up always worrying. I was trying to run away from my problems, I was trying to stop thinking. To stop thinking for example that the father of my child is now serving the puppeteer. to stop thinking that the future of mankind relies on me and my ability to get your help. So yes, it's true, I could have told you more than once, but for once in my life, I decided to do what I wanted, and not what I should, and now, I have to pay it back. And for the short time I've been travelling with you, I've been truly happy. And I'm sorry for this."

"And how could I be sure there isn't something else you're not telling me?"

"How dare you doubt her word?" William interfered. "You know she can't lie to you, and you should understand the way she feels."

"Piece of advice," the Doctor told him. "Don't get on that. This isn't your business."

"Sorry, but I think I'm even more concerned than you. I've known her since I was five, and I can tell when she puts her heart on the table, which is just what she did for you. You should be more careful about how you treat those who really care about you, Doctor."

"I have no advice to get from a kid whose father screwed up his education!"

"DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT MY FATHER, IS THAT CLEAR? YOU DON'T KNOW HIM, HE WAS A HUNDRED TIME BETTER THAN YOU."

"ENOUGH!" Enaya shouted. "Both of you, that's enough."

They both turned to her, eyes shining with anger.

"Will," she continued, "I lied to the Doctor, he can doubt of me. I expect you to show him the respect you should."

"But…"

"Don't discuss my orders, William Carter!"

Will sighed, but didn't argue anymore.

"As for you, Doctor, this is my house. And I don't allow you to insult my friends or criticize their father. Don't talk about what you don't know. I'm asking you to apologize to them. Then, I'll let you read my mind, and I promise the only thoughts you won't access will be about your own future. Are we good?"

The Doctor nodded, and then turned to Melody and William.

"I'm sorry for what I said. I was furious and I didn't control my words."

"Okay." Melody said.

Will, as for him, looked at Enaya, and finally simply nodded.

"Right," Enaya said. "Now, I'm gonna keep my word."

She went to the Doctor, took his hand, and placed it on her temples. She closed her eyes, and opened her mind, letting him access every of her memory. For ten minutes, they didn't move. He was reading her mind, while she re-lived every important moment of her life, sad or happy. When it was done, there was a moment of silence, and then the Doctor spoke.

"I'm gonna help you." he declared. "But when it's over, I'll leave, and I never want to see you again. I don't trust you anymore."

A veil of sadness crossed her eyes, but she accepted it.

"Sounds fair." she said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get some fresh air."

And she turned away to leave the room. Antonio came to the Doctor.

"I know you're crossed because she didn't tell you everything." he said. "But trust me, she really admires and respects you a lot. Whatever you decide, please don't break her heart. She's not as strong as she looks, and she's been through a lot."

The Doctor gave him a look, and then also left the room, without a word.