Notes: I told you it wasn't a Reinette hate-fic. You're about to find out why. And probably get a good hint as to who's really about to get a little of theirs as well.

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We are programmed to receive

The music was gone now, and she managed to rejoice in that even through the panic. She was in the TARDIS, and she understood now; she didn't need it anymore.

Left, she thought, and obeyed. Straight. Far too close. Be careful. She's here--

Blocking the entrance to the next corridor, still in her ridiculously ornate gown. "Reinette!"

"You shall not pass," she said softly.

"You bitch, what the hell have you--"

"Hang on," said the Doctor, putting an arm out to restrain her from tackling the damn French tart to the TARDIS floor. "I think we've committed a faux pas, as it were. We haven't been properly introduced. I'm the Doctor. Ninth. Pleased to meet you. This is Rose Tyler, but you knew that too. Now. Why don't you tell us your real name?"

Rose's head snapped around to gape at Reinette, who smiled that slow, wicked smile she'd grown to loathe so dearly. "Hmm. I see youth has its advantages, even for a Time Lord."

"Yes, well, I have no idea what's wrong with the sap you've got in there. From what little I've heard, he seems bound and determined to throw every single lesson I've ever learned straight out the window. Not that I mind a little housekeeping, of course. Not that I'm stupid enough to believe I don't need to unlearn some of the things I know. But not this many."

"Well, as you've no doubt surmised, that isn't entirely his fault. Though I'm afraid I can't take credit for all of it. Otherwise, I never would've managed it, would I?"

"So. Was there ever a real Reinette? Or did you just make her up for your own purposes?"

"No, there was a real Reinette," said... the French tart. "I believe she's known in history; Madame de Pompadour, if the blonde tart hasn't told you. He even met her. Not half as many times as he thought he did, though. And he never saved her. All he did was take me exactly where I needed to be."

"What the hell are you?" Rose spat. "Why are you doing this?"

"I am the Fury. The only one left. And I am here to pass down judgment."

"Judgment?" said the Doctor, as a chill ran down Rose's spine. "From whom?"

"My people. The Ynn'ai. Whose planet was destroyed in the Great War Across Time."

The Doctor paled visibly, and Rose began contemplating a rugby tackle in earnest.

"I am the Princess. I am the Last, and must be the Avenging Fury on behalf of my race. The Time Lords were judged and found guilty. And that sentence shall be carried out-- now."

The Fury snapped her fingers, and the Doctor fell, without a word, without a cry, like his hearts had just stopped in an instant.

"Doctor!" Rose couldn't help crying, falling down beside him, trying to cushion his descent.

"The sentence is passed," said the Fury, devastatingly calm. "All remaining Time Lords are punished. And I... am free."

She smiled, a smug, delighted smile that made Rose's fists curl up reflexively. "A ship that can go anywhere in the universe. The knowledge to pilot it. For the first time in my life... I am free."

"Oh, that's just wonderful!" Rose screamed. "I'm so bloody happy for you, you can go about anywhere you like now!"

"I was trapped," said the Fury, blinking at her like she expected her to understand. "I could not do anything but complete my mission. And now I am free."

"Great. That means you're free to let him go."

She shook her head. "Even if I were, I would not-- and I could not."

"What the hell are you on about?" Rose said, though she thought she probably knew. A faint brush of the song in her mind...

"The sentence cannot be passed onto an innocent party. It is fueled by the guilt of the condemned. I may initate the punishment, but I am not the jailer."

"...Prisoners," Rose said, a shiver running down her spine, "of their own device."

"Yes. He is guilty. But you are not. I will take you home, if you wish it."

"Go to hell," Rose spat.

The Fury shrugged. "If you wish. I hear it does have an excellent selection of restaraunts." She turned and walked away.

Rose looked up at the ceiling, easing the Doctor's head from her lap. "A little help, please?"

A light flickered across a cricket bat in the corner.

"Thank you," she said, and went to pick it up.

She didn't know how to fix this, but there was one thing she knew how to fix...

"Reinette?" she called, walking into the corrdor. "Reinette, I changed my mind about where I want to go..."

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