"What we need is a plan," Ten said. "The Time Agency must be stopped. Since they have and use a memory-erasing device, they obviously aren't only the scholars they claim to be. There have been a number of unexplained interferences in history that have in one way or another benefited the human colony planet where you're from, Jack."

"So you're saying the Time Agency is messing with history so that everything that has happened turns out well for Peninsularia?"

"Yeah." The Doctor nodded.

"Well, what's so wrong with that?"

"It's dangerous to change history or the future when you don't know what you're doing. You could cause a planet-wide paradox and unleash the Reapers. Or you could really upset the Time Lords and get yourself locked into an isolated parallel reality."

"No offense, Doctor, but Time Lords seems a little bit haughty. They like to run the universe."

Two and Ten replied in unison, "You have no idea."

"We could spend a very long time describing the High Council to you, but there's no point. What's important to remember is that not all Time Lords are like those on the council. Many are concerned about the wellbeing of other species without wanting to have the power of ultimate determination over them. I happen to know there are other renegades out there. However, most of them try not to attract a lot of attention to themselves. I've always been rather flamboyant."

"And you, Doctor Two, haven't seen the half of it. You'll run into a few more regenerations in time, but fortunately you won't see the worst one of the lot," Ten said. "The coat. I can't even describe it to you. It matched his personality, though. By comparison, I'm quite reserved."

"Oh, dear," Two said with a sigh.

"I think we've gone a bit astray here," interrupted Jamie.

"Right! Plan. Stop the Time Agency."

"Well, that's more thought than you have given a lot o' things, Doctor," Jamie said.

"You backwoods barbarian! I always have a plan," Two retorted.

As Jamie and Two took a moment to argue that point, Jack looked at Ten. "I thought they liked each other."

"Oh, they do. He can't get along without Jamie, but it doesn't do to say so. Thus, the insults. He wouldn't bother to insult Jamie if he didn't like him. It's like when I call you Captain instead of Jack."


The TARDIS materialized in an isolated wooded area in what appeared to be a park. Two and Jack remained inside while Ten and Jamie exited. They were each equipped with a nifty psychic communication relay which enabled them to communicate with each other without even speaking aloud. Jamie was still struggling with directing his thoughts appropriately. "Jamie, please. Think of it like a river with a little stream branching off. Only send what you want to tell me down the little stream, and let everything else flow down the main river."

"I am tryin'."

"You can practice on the way. We've got a long walk ahead of us." He handed Jamie a flat leather wallet. "This is your psychic paper with your identification. I've modified it a bit so it won't change based on your thoughts. It can be a bit difficult getting it to do what you want right off and we don't want you getting caught." He paused for a moment. "I don't suppose we can do anything about that accent."

"What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing, nothing. It's just that there aren't any Scottish settlements on this planet. Give me that paper back a tick." Jamie obliged. "Alright, you're adopted from Earth and just never grew out of it." He handed it back.

Meanwhile, Two and Jack had very little to do until they received the signal to pick up the others. Jack couldn't go back to the Time Agency because he'd be recognized and somebody needed to pilot the TARDIS. The silence was starting to bug Jack. This Doctor wasn't as outgoing and crazy as Ten. Jack decided to liven things up a little.

"So, Doctor, can I interest you in a game?"

"A game? Of what?"

Jack grinned. "Truth or Dare. With a Boeshane twist. After each turn, you take a shot of Ebedmellian ale. Makes both the truths and dares more interesting."

"You're on, young man."


The Doctor exited the offices of the Time Agency and was met by Jamie. "How'd it go?"

"Too easy. You'd think that they would want to do a bit more thorough inquiry considering what they expect their operatives to do. I suspect it'll take time before I'll be assigned anything important so I can get a look around the rest of the operation."

Break

A smart young man poked his head into the lab. "I've been informed that we've just taken on a promising new scientist. The boss is confident he'll be able to make sense of some of the information we've procured and get us on the right path."

"Thank you," replied a man in a white lab coat. The other man nodded and left.

"Well, Miss Tyler, it seems that we'll finally be able to use some of that wonderful knowledge you've shared with us." He smiled. Rose smiled as well. She'd spent the past few months giving the Time Agency as much knowledge of the TARDIS as she could. She intended to fully demonstrate the truth of the old phrase 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.'


"Truth," the Doctor said, with a little bit of difficulty. He and Jack had only been playing a few rounds and already they were feeling the effects of the Ebedmellian concoction.

"What's your name?" Jack grinned evilly.

"You know I can't you that!" the Doctor objected.

"You have to. It's the rules."

"No, this does not qualify as the one situation where I can reveal my name." He attempted to shake his head vigorously, but couldn't quite manage it.

"You have to play by the rules, Doctor. I'll tell you my real name if you tell me yours."

"But your name is Jack," he objected.

"Now, yeah. I actually stole it so after I left the Time Agency they couldn't find me."

The Doctor's eyes widened. "How clever," he said.

"Come on, tell me your name."

"Alright, but you have to swear on your life not to ever, ever, tell anyone else, for any reason. Even if they say please." Jack help up his hand in an approximation of an oath-swearing gesture. "Alright, come here." Jack leaned forward and the Doctor whispered into Jack's ear. "Now, fair's fair, what's your name?" Jack imitated the Doctor's method and whispered into his ear. "That makes it your turn again, Doctor. That was a truth."

"Dare."

"Open the letter C storage chest and dance a waltz with whatever you pull out first."

The Doctor complied, pulling up the grating and jumping into the compartment. He shuffled around a bit, searching for the correct chest. "Got it!" he cried. He opened the lid and reached in. His hand came out gripping a Cyberman's head. He scrambled out of the compartment, closed the grating, and walked over the console. He flicked a switch and a waltz began to play. He held up the head in one hand and gracefully bowed to it as he would to any lady. He then proceeded to waltz. "How was that, Jack?"

"Very nice, Doctor."

"Good. Your turn."

"Truth."

"Would you like this dance?"

"I would." He joined the Doctor and they finished the waltz. Then they both collapsed on the floor, laughing.

Suddenly, the Doctor stopped laughing. "Did you hear that?" he whispered.

"No. What is it?"

"I'm not sure." He listened intently. He was just about to dismiss it as nothing when the lights began flickering. "Oh, dear!" he exclaimed.