The Doctor's POV.

"Alright," called Rose, "I'm done! How do I look?" she strolled into the console room, sporting a very pink dress with layers of netting, a blue jacket over it.

I smiled, coming over to meet her, "You look lovely."

She grinned, looking around the room and making the realization I had made only minutes ago, "Where is she?"

"Yeah," I tugged on my ear, "I think she wandered off again."

She frowned as her eyes fell on the TARDIS doors which were left open, "Oh c'mon, does she not understand the part of not wandering off?"

I raised an eyebrow, "You don't understand that."

She rolled her eyes, "So? This is the third time she does that!"

"She can't help her curiosity. She barely travels with us."

"Still," she crossed her arms, fairly irritated and more than she should be, really. I noticed her patience had run incredibly low when it came to our friend and I didn't understand why.

"It's no big deal, just give her a call. She has your phone, doesn't she?"

"I suppose so," she went for the phone on the console, "Still wonder why the hell she didn't bring her own though. Third time she's left, Doctor," she reminded, "Third."

I looked at her curiously, wondering why she was more irritated. I had noticed that for some time now as well: Rose's attitude was changing.

And not for the best...

"It's ringing," she muttered.

I had to smile, though, my mind drifting to where the young American had wandered off to this time.

Joy's POV.

I peered around the corner of a street, seeing two errand boys carrying what looked like a primitive television, an older man watching over them. I tilted my head, coming out and walking towards them. I smiled as I took notice of all the decorations on the streets, all for her majesty's big day.

Rose had made a call just minutes ago, demanding to know where I was. I ignored her snappy attitude and proceeded to give her the address I found myself in. Afterwards, I tucked her cellphone in an inside pocket of the skirt's hemline as I neared the men.

"'Scuse me!"

I'm curious and I can't help it...

"Yes, ma'am?" One of the errand boys answered.

"Oh, please, call me Joy," I said playfully, feeling some butterflies at saying my name out loud. I wouldn't be born for some good time so no one would be able to track me.

"What can I do for you?" the older man asked.

"I was just...looking around," I gestured to the streets, specifically all the tv aerials on top of houses, "And I couldn't help but notice that everyone on the street has a telly," I attempted a good accent only to fail judging by the faces the errand boys gave me, "I assume they bought it from you?"

"That'd be correct."

"Aren't they expensive?"

"...not at my shop."

"Aha," I took notice of the slight nervousness the man suddenly sported, "Strange, I always heard-I mean hear- that they're ever so expensive. Many people have to pile into a house just to watch the great coronation."

"Not around here," he smiled, easily a fake one, "Only five quid a box."

"Right..." I looked to the side, sensing something was off.

"Joy!" I heard the Doctor calling, the sound of an engine nearing right after.

"Thank you," I nodded towards the man, "Carry on."

I walked ahead, the engine behind stopping but not the Doctor's calls. I just smiled as he continued calling for me. Ever since the Isolus incident, he'd been a tad clingier than usual. I mean, he always spent time with Rose but for some reason, he always wanted me around them now. It would have been more exciting if he actually asked about my life, you know. Example being what the hell my name was. But nothing. He just wanted my presence. I figured it could be a start...right?

"Joy, c'mon!" The Doctor nearly pleaded for my halt.

I laughed when I felt his arms spin me around, meeting him face to face. My eyes widened, amused at our closeness and of his appearance. "Well, hello there, Doctor."

"You wandered off again," he declared, not letting go.

"You left the doors unlocked," I returned with a grin, looking up at his gelled-back hair in teddy-boy style, "And you took a long time, honestly. How long did it take to get your hair like that?"

"Oh you just love teasing, don't you?"

I shrugged, "All I'm saying is my hair is about five times longer than yours and I was done in a quick five minutes. Yet you took, what? An hour?"

"Joy..." he frowned.

I laughed again, "Oh alright, just tell me how I look," I stepped back and allowed him a view of my 1950's outfit.

I wore an mid-length, empire-styled dress with short black heels. The bottom piece skirt was a dark, deep shade of purple and the top in an off-the-shoulder style, laced up black. It was separated by a black shiny, satin belt, giving me a high-waisted effect. My hair was let down in its usual straight manner with only a purple, beaded headband on my head.

"Beautiful," the Doctor remarked, making me laugh.

"Thank you, and you look nice."

"Hold on, I say 'beautiful' and all I get is a 'nice'?" He frowned.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, fine, you look handsome. Better?" He pretended to consider it, receiving a whack on the arm as I walked past him, stopping as Rose approached us, her face expression telling me she wasn't happy with me...still.

But now, the cards were placed on the table.

For her, we were enemies.


While I was messing around on the console, Rose stormed in, looking very determined.

"Can I have a word with you?" She asked, though by the tone she was using it sounded more like a demand.

"What's up?"

"I know you, Joy...or should I say, Minerva?"

I blinked, at first surprised but then quickly hid it away, "What are you going on about?"

"Are you really gonna play that card?"

I turned away from her, facing the console and hiding my nervousness, "I don't really understand-"

But she grabbed my arm and spun me to her, harshly I should add, that it surprised me even more. Scared me, actually.

"I called you Minerva during the Olympics and you answered like usual. I'm not stupid, and unless you don't want the Doctor to know you're using a fake identity-"

"But I'm not!" I tried to explain but she looked infuriated as the seconds ticked by.

"I don't care! Stay away from the Doctor!"

I actually had to shake my head and see if I had heard right, "Stay away from the Doctor? What?"

"I've seen the way you look at him-"

"Yeah, it's the same look Jackie gives him, the same one Mickey gave...the look that says he's an idiot. Rose, maybe you should calm down, and if you want I can explain everything-"

"I'm not interested!" she half-shouted, startling me, "Keep away from the Doctor unless you want him to know what a fake you are! Because I know whatever secret you have, it's one you don't want him to know."

"Well, actually-"

"This is your warning, Joy...Minerva," she shook her head, "Whoever you are," and she walked back into the corridors.

I stared with wide eyes, shaken up from her words and attitude.

She was way past jealousy now...

"I was gonna tell you anyways..." I said a few minutes after, like she could hear me.


And that was how our friendship ended, apparently. She was right though, I hadn't even realized she called me Minerva. I was just so used to Mickey calling me that when they weren't around and it happened right after he left, so...

I suppose it's partly my fault for keeping the secret but I also believe Rose overreacted. Sure, the Doctor had turned my head a couple of times, but it was nothing to get jealous over. It's something all women do at times but it doesn't mean we're in love. We just think men are handsome...is that such a crime?

Well, the point stood now: she had declared her position of enemies and she wasn't going back on it.

And since the Doctor had brought me to three places, back to back, with no rest time, she wasn't very happy...but honestly, I didn't mind, I was actually having fun. And additionally, to Rose's dismay, he was speaking to me more. Anything I did, I received a praise. I admit, it was a bit strange but then I guessed it had something to do with Mickey's words that I still didn't know about. While Mickey hadn't spilled, he had said some pretty powerful words that affected the Doctor in a positive way.

And I liked it.

And now, we stood in London, 1953. I had asked the Doctor if we could go to New York 1950's and somehow he had managed to screw up. I wasn't angry, it seemed to happen a lot...his piloting skills weren't that great.

"Joy," Rose nodded, stopping in front of the Doctor and I, "You wandered off again."

"Yeah, I got curious," I shrugged, faintly smiling, "You look lovely by the way," I took notice of her outfit.

"Thanks," she muttered, not at all thankful for the compliment.

I still made little efforts to get on her good side but so far, nothing.

With that, I turned away, "Anyways, Doctor, I'm fairly irritated with you."

"What? What I do?" He was quick to ask.

"I was promised 1950's New York," I crossed my arms, "Does this look like New York?"

He looked around very quickly before staring at the ground, "Well...it could be New York."

"Doesn't look very New York to me, does it Rose?" I glanced back at her receiving no response so I quickly moved on.

"It has that...you know...Londony New York...stuff."

"But what are all the flags for?" Rose asked, directed towards the Doctor.

"Queen Elizabeth's coronation," I responded, ignoring the glare, "Everyone's buying televisions for it."

"Yeah," the Doctor began looking up at the aerials as well, "I did wonder why there were so many of those..."

"A bit strange don't you think?"

And to add onto the strangeness, a woman's shouts came into play, making us three turn towards them.

"Someone help me, please! Ted!"

A man with a blanket over his head was being bundled into a police car by two men.

"Leave him alone, it's my husband!"

The Doctor, Rose and I ran over, a young boy rushing out of his house at the sounds.

"What's going on?" The Doctor asked.

"Oi, what are you doing?!" The young boy demanded.

"Police business, now get out of the way, sir!" One of the men ordered.

"Who did they take," I turned to him, "Do you know him?"

"Must be Mr. Gallagher..."

The car drove off, leaving the poor man's wife in despair.

"It's happening all over the place. They're turning into monsters..." the boy explained, staring off to where the car had driven off to.

"Tommy! Not one word!" A man shouted, coming out of the same house as the boy, "Get inside now!"

"Sorry, I'd better do as he says..." Tommy said before rushing off.

"All aboard!" The Doctor's voice made me turn back, seeing him run to a moped I assume was the earlier sounds I had heard.

Rose quickly rushed and got behind him, leaving no space for a third. But really, I was more interested in the angry father, which I assumed was Tommy's, seeing as both knew something was up.

"You go ahead!" I told the Doctor, moving beside the crying wife. "I'll stay here," he nodded and off they went, "Now then," I turned the woman back for her house, "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

She looked at me a moment and nodded, 'I don't know much..."

"Something is something," I assured her, making our way to her house.

~/~

"Ding dong!" I greeted the Connolly's as the door was opened, putting on my best smile, "Can I come in? Thank you," I walked inside, leaving Eddie Connolly, the father, perplexed.

"Who the...who the hell are you?" he shut the door.

I turned around, grin ever-so-strong, "My name's Joy, I see you're not very good with the hospitality thing. Good thing I'm not a vampire because according to The Vampire Diaries, I could only enter if invited in. Ha!" I paused for a moment, "Oh, I'm rambling again, huh? Sorry, I've been spending a bit more time with a friend and he rambles at light speed, my god! So! This is a lovely house, I like. You know," I entered the living room, startling Tommy and a woman who I assumed was the mother, "I had a home like this, only mine was a bit bigger...did I mention it was a mansion?" I plopped myself down on the couch, "Although, I was unsatisfied with the amount of people in it. Whoops, rambling on again, sorry, I'm only just getting used to the whole 'searching on my own' thing with these travels."

"You're the girl," Tommy pointed at me, just now recognizing me.

"Yes, and you're rather cute," I remarked, "Though a bit young for me. So, I talked to Mrs. Gallagher," I looked around, seeing Eddie tense a little, catching my eye, "And she says nothing happened out of the ordinary that would cause for her husband's face to be...blank. So then I got to thinking, because I'm pretty clever by the way, and I remembered the urgency your father had to get you inside, Tommy. Makes me think there's something you're hiding," I glanced at the parents, "Like you wanted to avoid the policemen."

"Listen little girl," Eddie strolled up, grabbing my arm and pulling me up, "This is my house and you are gonna leave right this instance!"

I flinched at his shout but never back down. I snatched my arm back, sweet grin off and deep frown on, "Listen to me, Eddie Connolly, I don't do listening to father's! Didn't even do that with my own!"

"Know your place, girl and get to your own home."

"My place?" I raised an eyebrow, scoffing. "And what is my place, Mr. Connolly? Putting up the union flags?" I pointed to the ones around the room. "Let me tell you something, my mother wasn't the best but she did not impose any gender roles on me therefore you will shut up and tell me what you know about those 'blank faces'."

"Why do you assume we know something?" The mother asked, though with the face she wore I nearly scoffed at the question. She looked terrified beyond belief.

"What's your name, Miss?"

She looked at Eddie, her fear increasing, "Um...Rita."

"Right, Rita," I moved around Eddie, "I'm clever, and I don't mean to show off or anything, but the face you have tells me you know something..." I walked up to her, "Or have you gone through the same thing Mrs. Gallagher has? Are going through?"

She opened her mouth to speak when the doorbell rang. I glanced back at Eddie, gesturing for him to go along and answer. Surprisingly, he went to do it without an argument. A few seconds later, I heard the Doctor and Rose doing a cheesy 'Hiiii' together. I moved back to the couch, crossing a leg and propping m hands on my knee.

"Not a bad house," the Doctor remarked as he and Rose entered the living room, "Not bad, very nice! Very well kept! I'd like to congratulate you, Mrs... ?" he gestured to Rita.

"Connolly," she said timidly.

"Now then Rita, I can handle this. This gentleman's a proper representative!" Eddie walked over to the couch, going to pull me up again.

"Did I mention I'm with them?" I pointed to the pair.

"Preposterous!" He reached again.

"Touch her and the queen will hear about it," the Doctor declared, serious.

'Lame threat' I mouthed to him, rolling my eyes.

"I beat you here with a good three minutes," I informed, "I was getting to talk to Rita over here."

"Really?" He caught the play and turned to Rita.

"Please, don't mind the wife, she rattles on a bit," Eddie quickly said.

"Well, maybe she should rattle on a bit more," the Doctor replied, "I'm not convinced you're doing your patriotic duty," his eyes fell on the flags around the room, "Nice flags. Why are they not flying?"

"Uh..." Eddie paused, nervous, "There we are Rita, I told you - get them up, Queen and country!"

Rita stepped up, "I'm sorry-"

"Get it done! Do it now."

"Hold on a minute..." the Doctor tried speaking but Eddie cut in.

"Like the gentleman says -"

"Hold on a minute. You've got hands, Mr Connolly. Two big hands! Why is that your wife's job?"

"It's housework, innit?"

I rolled my eyes and stood up, having just about enough of these stupid roles, "And I suppose that's a woman's job?"

"Course it is!"

I balled a fist, irritation forming into anger, "Excuse me but what gender is the Queen?"

"She's a female," he replied quickly, tad defensive.

"Okay..." I began smirking, "...so are you suggesting the Queen does the housework?" My smirk grew as he hesitated to answer. "Shall she clean up her own room? Maybe even the bathrooms?"

"No! Not at all!"

"Well then, get busy," I snapped my fingers, turning to the others who seemed rather surprised, in a good way...except Rose.

"Rita, take a seat, you must be so tired," I gestured the woman to the sofa chair, though she didn't move, "Tommy?"

"What do you know?" the Doctor whispered to me as Rose brought the woman who still hesitated.

"Faces go blank for no reason," I replied just as quiet.

"Blank?"

"Blank. Mrs. Gallagher, the wife of the man they took, says nothing strange had happened. Just them watching television."

"So why are you here?"

I glanced at him, raising an eyebrow, "Why are you here?"

"Touche Miss Souza," he nodded before sitting on the couch beside Tommy and Rose, "Anyway, I'm the Doctor and this is Rose, and you are?"

"Tommy," he answered, rather surprised to be noticed.

"Now, why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

Rita seemed reluctant to speak but leaned forwards, speaking quietly so Eddie wouldn't hear, "Did you say you were a doctor?"

"Yes, I am."

"Can you help her? Oh please, can you help her, Doctor?"

"Now then Rita, I don't think the gentleman needs to know..." Eddie said, that sense of nervousness pouring out from him.

"No, the gentleman does!" The Doctor exclaimed, glancing at him.

Rita began crying and Rose moved over to comfort her. "Tell us what's wrong, and we can help."

By the way she cried harder, I knew for sure they had someone like Mr. Gallagher here or taken away.

"Hold on a minute! Queen and country's one thing, but this is my house!" Eddie looked down at the flags in his hands, chucking them down. "What the- what the hell am I doing? Now you listen here, Doctor! You may have fancy qualifications, but what goes on under my roof is my business!"

"All the people are being bundled into-" The Doctor began, scathingly, but was cut off.

"I am talking!"

"And I'm not listening!" The Doctor shouted even louder than him, making me flinch as I recalled the many times I had been yelled at in the same manner by my own father. "Now you, Mr Connolly, are staring into a deep, dark PIT of trouble if you don't let me help. So I'm ordering you - SIR! - to tell me what's going on!"

It seemed like Eddie was trying to retaliate but was stopped by the sound of banging from upstairs. We all looked up, Rita sighing and shaking her head while Tommy looking around nervously.

Their blank face person was still here.

"She won't stop," Eddie spoke quietly, "She never stops."

"We started hearing stories, all round the place," Tommy began, his voice shaky with fear, "People who've... changed. Families keeping it secret 'cause they were scared. The police started finding out. We don't know how, no one does. They just... turn up, come to the door and take 'em. Any time of the day or night."

"Show me," The Doctor ordered.

And so we trailed upstairs, to Tommy's grandmother. He opened the door for us, allowing the sight of a silhouette by the window. Tommy turned on the lights to reveal his grandmother had NO face.

It was just a blank face. There were no features...everything was just smoothed over.

"Her face is completely gone," the Doctor breathed.

"You would be fascinated by this," I sighed.

"I'm surprised you're not," he countered, scanning the woman with his screwdriver.

"I can't help it, she reminds me of someone," I stared at her, "Makes me wonder how terrified I'd be to find her like this..."

"Scarcely an electrical impulse left," he remarked, "Almost complete neural shutdown, she's ticking over, like her brain has been... wiped clean."

"What're we gonna do, Doctor? We can't even feed her!" Tommy said in distress.

There was a sound of a crash downstairs followed by the hurry of footsteps coming up our way.

"We've got company..." Rose mumbled, turning for the door.

"It's them, they've come for her!" Rita cried.

"What was she doing before this happened?" I asked, realizing I hadn't done that unlike Mrs. Gallagher, "Where was she?"

"I can't think! She doesn't leave the house!" Tommy exclaimed, the clambering getting closer, "She was just-"

A big, burly man entered the room with two supporting officers.

"Hold on a minute! There are three important, brilliant, and complicated reasons why you should listen to me," the Doctor stepped up, "One-"

And he was punched in the face...falling to the floor unconscious.

"Hey! That wasn't necessary!" I exclaimed, pushing, or at least trying to push the burly man.

"She's connected to them!" Eddie suddenly said, pointing at me as the officers threw a blanket over Tommy's gran and ushered her to the stairs.

"WHAT!?" I turned to him, marching over to punch him in the face.

"Dad!" Tommy exclaimed, also horrified.

"She was there when they took Mr. Gallagher and now for your gran!"

And then I found the burly man pinning my arms behind my back as if I were under arrest. "What!? Hey! Let me go! Rose!" I called as I was dragged out. She was trying to get the Doctor to wake up by slapping him on the cheeks. "Rose!"

She looked up for a moment then returned to the Doctor, leaving me to be dragged away. I stopped struggling, staring stunningly at her. She chose him over me. Even though she knew he'd eventually wake up and come and save us, she discarded me as the third wheel I was. Her position was more than clear for me. I was a third wheel and now an enemy to her love.

"Let's go!" The burly man shoved me into a car.

~/~

"So once again, I barely have the freedom to choose my own breakfast. Jackie always wants me to eat nutritiously before work since the boss can be a slight prune. Did that answer your question?"

Detective Inspector Bishop looked at me with a reprimanding face, "I just asked for your name!"

"Oh, right, Joy Souza," I replied sheepishly, "Sorry, I'm a bit more rambly than usual. I'll work on that."

"What is your connection to all this?" He pushed the photos of the blank faces in front of me.

"Nothing," I shrugged, "Sir, with all due respect, I'm seventeen, exactly how big of an influence do you think I have on people? My own friend let me get taken away, sorry, a woman let me go."

She was no longer a friend of mine either.

I was taken from the Connolly's house under suspicion of being the head of the blank faces crimes. Rose had not even tried defending me, as she was much too preoccupied with the Doctor. I knew sooner or later the Doctor would come by but the fact remained, they'd always choose each other before me. I couldn't say I was very surprised. Though I also couldn't say I was too happy about it either...

Now, I was sitting at a table, being questioned by this man for a crime I didn't do.

"What's your connection?"

"Nothing," I sighed, "Can we move on from topics please? It's getting tiring to be repetitive. For example, I find it interesting how you're not doing much detective inspecting," I paused as he grew tensed, "It's like you're trying to sweep everything under the carpet...I suppose it's because of the grand coronation?"

"I am doing everything in my power!"

"It's orders from the highest authority, huh?"

D.I Bishop opened his mouth to speak when an officer came in, informing of a break in at "cage". "Stay in here," he ordered the officer and hurried off.

I sat promptly, awaiting for the newest arrested to be brought in. I can't say I wasn't surprised to see the Doctor being walked in, although the absence of Rose did perplex me.

"How did you end up here?" he asked as he was sat beside me.

"Your friend let them take me," I spat.

"Rose?" He blinked, letting the men sit him beside me.

"Notice how I said your friend."

"Silence!" D.I Bishop ordered, startling us with the shout. "Now, I'll need both of you to start from the beginning, tell me everything you know."

"Well... for starters..." the Doctor began, serious, "I know you can't wrap your hand around your elbow and make your fingers meet."

"Don't get clever with me," D.I Bishop snapped, pointing at him, "Both of you were there today at Florizel Street, and now you," he directed to the Doctor, "Was caught breaking into this establishment. You're connected with this. Make no mistake."

"Well, the thing is, Detective Inspector Bishop-"

"How do you know my name?"

"It's... written inside your collar," the Doctor informed apologetically, making the bishop adjust his collar in embarrassment, "Bless your mum. But, I can't help thinking, Detective Inspector, you're not exactly doing much detective inspecting. Are you?"

"As I told your little friend, I'm doing everything in my power."

The Doctor glanced at me with surprise, "You said it?"

"Yeah, it's pretty obvious," I shrugged.

"Well, did you say all they're doing is grabbing those faceless people and hiding them as fast as they can?" He asked and I nodded, both ignoring the looks we were receiving from the Bishop.

"Yes, and that they were orders from crown. Yes!"

"Oh, well done," he praised, making me smile and look away, "Clever as always. Is there anything you haven't done?"

"Well, actually," I began considering something he had well deserved for over a long period of time. I glanced at him, "I haven't done this yet," and I slapped him across the face.

The men seemed stunned, not as much as the Doctor, while I just grew angrier.

"What the hell was that for!?" the Doctor shouted, putting a hand over his cheek that was growing red by the second.

"I asked for New York 1950's and what do I get?"

"I'm sorry, Rose wanted to visit London first," he mumbled, rubbing his cheek.

"Oh..." my anger turned into deception very fast, "...Rose asked...Doctor listened..." I crossed my arms, looking to the side, avoiding everyone's looks as my eyes watered up, "...what a shock. Worst part is you lied about getting here on accident. You lied to my face."

"Joy, I'm sorry," he reached for my arm but I moved away.

"Don't touch me," I snapped, swallowing hard, "Let's just get on with this. But after, I wanna go home."

He nodded silently, seemingly hurt but I doubted I was right. If anything involved Rose, he'd never feel bad...

"D.I Bishop, sorry for the distraction," I said, pushing the photos over to the Doctor, "Doctor, these are the people that have been taken. They don't have a clue about what's going on."

"Well... that could change," the Doctor said, eyeing me sadly.

"How?" The D.I Bishop asked.

The Doctor stood up, taking control of the situation, "Start from the beginning. Tell me everything you know."

~/~

The Doctor, D.I Bishop, and I stood by a large map on a stand.

"We started finding them about a month ago. Persons left sans visage. Heads just... blank," D.I Bishop explained.

"Has there been any patterns?" I asked, the Doctor examining a file he found nearby the desk.

"Yes, spreading out from North London. All over the City. Men, women, kids... grannies... the only REAL lead is there's been quite a large number in-"

"Florizel Street," the Doctor finished.

A knock on the door interrupted, an officer coming in, "Found another one, sir."

"Florizel street?" I tried, though the officer shook their head.

He went to the door, calling for another man to come in. When the newest blank face entered, I nearly fell back on the map. The figure, with a blanket over its head, wore a familiar voluminous pink skirt.

"Oh, er - good man, Crabtree. Here we are, Doctor..." D.I Bishop gestured us over. The Doctor dropped the files on the table, slowly walking over to the figure. "Take a good look. See what you can deduce."

The policeman took the blanket off the figure, allowing us to see Rose...with a blank face.

I gasped quietly, putting a hand over my mouth, "Oh my god..."

"Rose," the Doctor mumbled, standing before her.

"Do you know her?" D.I Bishop asked.

The Doctor could've scoffed but I assumed the horror was just too much, "Know her? She..." he grew distant, ignoring the rest of us as he focused on Rose.

"Where did you find her?" I asked the officer, "You said it wasn't in Florizel, so..."

"They found her in the street, apparently, over at Master Square, abandoned."

I frowned, "What do you mean abandoned?" I turned to D.I Bishop, "I thought you said they're always in homes?"

" It's unusual," he admitted, "That's unusual, that's the first one out in the open. Heaven help us if something happens in public tomorrow for the big day, we'll have Torchwood on our back, make no mistake."

"Torchwood?" I raised an eyebrow, pausing a moment, "...right."

"They did what to her?" The Doctor asked, slowly coming back to us.

"I'm sorry?" D.I Bishop questioned.

"They left her where?"

"... in the street," I answered quietly, knowing his reaction wouldn't be good.

"In the street. They left her in the street. They took her face and just chucked her out and left her in the street. And as a result, that makes things... simple. Very, very simple. Do you know why?" He finally turned to us, a deep rage starting in his eyes as he took off his glasses, "Because NOW, Detective Inspector Bishop, there is no power on this Earth that can stop me. Come on!"

His angry shout made me flinch but I made no attempt to try and calm him down. They had messed with Rose, and now they'd feel his wrath.

I got to thinking of the time when I was in trouble in New Earth. While he'd reacted badly to my situation, it was no where near as he was now. I admitted it made me slightly jealous that I'd never cause a wrath like Rose had. I'd never be that important to him.

~/~

I knocked on the door of the Connolly's, glancing back at the Doctor and D.I Bishop, still scared of the face the Doctor wore. I had suggested we return to the Connolly's, specifically for Tommy, because I suspected they knew more than was said. The Doctor had agreed without a word and so here we were, the day of the coronation, ready to solve this and get Rose back.

Tommy opened the door, surprised at our presence.

"Tommy, we need you to talk to us," I said quietly, hoping the Doctor, behind me, wasn't too scary for him. He stepped outside the house, closing the door behind. "We need to know what happened inside your house," I began, "Just like I asked when I first came alone. What happened?"

But Eddie pulled the door opened, pushing me down the steps where the Doctor took hold of me, threatening the man with a deeper glare.

"What the blazes do you think you're doing?" Eddie turned to Tommy.

"I wanna help, dad."

"Listen you, little twerp. You're hardly out of the bloomin' cradle, so I don't expect you to understand. But I've got a position to maintain," Eddie shouted at his son.

I flinched, the Doctor feeling it and looking down at me. I couldn't help it. It sounded too much like my parents when they shouted at me.

"People round here respect me. It MATTERS what people THINK," Eddie finished.

"Is that why you did it, dad?" Tommy asked, setting him back.

"What d'you mean? Did what?"

"You ratted on gran. How else would the police know where to look? Unless some coward told them..."

Eddie was fuming by now, "How DARE you? You think I fought a war just so a mouthy little scum like you could call me a coward?"

"You don't get it, do you? You fought AGAINST fascism, remember? People telling you how to live - who you could be friends with - who you could fall in love with - who could live and who had to die. Don't you get it? You were fighting so that little twerps like me could DO what we want. SAY what we want. Now you've become just like them. You've been informing on everyone, haven't you? Even gran. All to protect your precious reputation."

Rita joined us, having heard everything, "Eddie... is that true?"

"I did it for US, Rita! She was FILTHY. A filthy, disgusting THING," Eddie tried reasoning.

"She's my mother. All the others - you informed on all the people in our street - our friends."

"I had to," Eddie flailed, "I did the right thing...!"

"The right thing for us... or for you, Eddie?" Rita turned to Tommy. "You go, Tommy. You go with the Doctor and Joy, do some good. Get away from this house. It's poison. We had a ruddy monster under this roof, all right, but it weren't my mother!" She then went inside, slamming the door on Eddie's face.

"Parents aren't always right," I spat before pushing myself off the Doctor, "Let's go, Tommy."

We began walking down the street, crowded by the preparations of the coronation.

"Tommy, tell me about that night," the Doctor ordered, "The night she changed."

"She was just watching the telly."

I stopped walking, eyes wide with realization, "I should have known..." I looked up at the TV aerials, "...all these aerials in one little street - how come?" I smiled, already knowing the answer since I had met the man earlier.

"Bloke up the road, Mr Magpie," Tommy answered, "He's selling them cheap," we said together.

I snapped my fingers, "And that's our move, boys!" I dashed off.

"Where are you going!?" The Doctor called, frowning.

It surprised me how oblivious he was because of his emotions. He needed me this time.

I turned baking with a smirk, faking an English accent, "I'm gonna go buy a telly!"

~/~

The Doctor smashed the glass to Magpie's shop, ignoring the protests of the D.I. Bishop. We entered and strode up to the counter, the Doctor repeatedly hitting the bell.

"If you're here, come out and talk to me! MAGPIE?"

"Maybe he's out," Tommy suggested.

"Looks like it," I sighed, looking at the counter, finding a hammer on the edge and swiftly picking it up, "So let's call him in."

"Put that down," the Doctor ordered as he went around the counter, opening drawer. He took out a device that seemed like portable radio and television, a cross. "Oh, hello... this isn't right. This is very much not right," And he licked it.

"You did not just do that," I frowned, setting the hammer down.

"Tastes like iron. Bakelite," he placed it down, "Put together with human hands, yes, but the design itself..." he started scanning it with the screwdriver, "Oh, beautiful work. That is so simple."

"That's incredible. It's like a television, but portable. A portable television!" D.I Bishop exclaimed incredulously.

"But that can't be the only power source in the room," I began walking around, "I doubt a controller is it."

"Clever," he muttered, though didn't seem too happy about it. The screwdriver whirred as the static of the tv's faded away, faces of different of people appearing on the screens...all calling for help.

I recognized Mr. Gallagher's face, seeing a picture frame in the house while speaking to his wife. I walked a bit further towards the door, stopping at a familiar face. "Oh no..." I dropped to my knees, seeing Rose's face calling out for the Doctor, "...Doctor."

He came over without a word, kneeling down beside me, leaning towards the screen, "I'm on my way."

"What do you think you're doing?" Magpie's voice brought us up to our feet.

"I think the real question is what are you doing?" I moved around the Doctor, "Funny, when I asked about your televisions, I think you forgot to mention they're sucking people's faces off!"

"You met him?" The Doctor asked quietly, turning me to him, his glare deepening.

"It's not like I knew what he was up to," I said defensively, making him see how ridiculous it'd be for him to get angry at me for what happened to Rose.

He nodded, moving up to Magpie, "I want my friend restored and I think that's beyond a little backstreet electrician so tell me, who's really in charge here?"

"Yoohoo! I think that must be me," a woman appeared on a screen, making us all turn to her in shock, "Ooh, this one's smart as paint."

"Is she talking to us?" D.I. Bishop asked as the Doctor approached the screen.

"Sorry, I'm... I'm afraid you've brought this on yourselves. May I introduce you to my new... friend," Magpie gestured to the screen, terrified.

"Jolly nice to meet you."

"Oh my God, it's her, that woman off the telly," D.I Bishop pointed.

"No, it's just using her image," the Doctor explained absently, focusing entirely on the screen.

"What...what are you?" Tommy frowned.

"I'm the Wire, and I will gobble you up, pretty boy," the woman on the screen answered, "Every last morsel. And when I have feasted, I shall regain the corporeal body, which my fellow-kind denied me," the screen colorized for a moment.

"Good Lord - color television!" D.I Bishop exclaimed.

"So your own people tried to stop you?" the Doctor asked her.

"They executed me. But I escaped - in this form - and fled across the stars."

"And now you're trapped in the television," he smirked.

The woman's smirk faded, the color fading away from the screen, "Not for much longer."

"So that's what got Mr. Gallagher?" I asked, "And Tommy's gran?"

"Yes. It feeds off the electrical activity of the brain, but it gorges itself like a great overfed pig. Taking people's faces, their essences, it stuffs itself," the Doctor explained, his emotions beginning to re-flourish.

"And you let her do it?" I turned to Magpie, walking up to him, "You let an alien harm your own species?"

"I had to! She allowed me my face! She's promised to release me at the time of manifestation."

"And you think she's gonna keep her word?" I scoffed, shaking my head at how stupid people were at times.

"What does that mean, though?" Tommy asked. "The time of manifestation?"

"The appointed time - my crowning glory," the woman hinted.

"The coronation!" D.I. Bishop said.

"For the first time in history, millions gathered around a television set," the Doctor said as the realization struck him as well, "But you're not strong enough yet, are you? You can't do it all from here. That's why you need this!" He approached the screen once more, the portable television in hand.

"Doctor get away from there," I instructed quickly, tensing as D.I. Bishop and Tommy followed behind. I felt like I just had a face that no one listened to, especially men.

"You need something more powerful!" He continued, ignoring me as usual, "This will turn a big transmitter into a big receiver."

"What a clever thing you are! But why fret about it? why not just relax? Kick off your shoes and enjoy the coronation. Believe me - you'll be glued to the screen," the woman said right before lines of red, sparkling lights emerged from the screen, pulling the three men's faces to the television.

My eyes widened, completely stunned. This is what happened to Mr. Gallagher and Rose!

"Hungry! Hungry! The Wire is hungry! Ah! This one is tasty. Oh! I'll have lashings of him! Delicious! Ah!" The woman cried with joy.

I looked around, spotting the hammer I left on the counter.

"What are you doing!?" Magpie cried as I swiped the hammer off the counter and ran towards the television.

The Doctor, through great effort, was trying to get the screwdriver from his pocket...but not fast enough. I hit the screen with all my strength, actually smashing it enough to break the connection.

But the woman reappeared on another screen, a higher one, "She's armed!"

"You bet I am," I breathed heavily, looking down at the men on the floor, unconscious.

"The box, Magpie! The box!"

I quickly stood between the Doctor and Magpie, the hammer gripped in my hand, "I've never hurt anyone...but I'll do it for him."

Magpie sighed, "Like I said to your pretty friend last night, I'm terribly sorry."

I raised an eyebrow, no words able to get out my mouth before I was slammed against the televisions, my world going black in a flash.

~/~

"Joy! Joy!" I felt someone shake me repeatedly. "Miss Souza, please wake up?"

My eyes fluttered open to see Tommy beside me, the Doctor running here and there behind the counter. "My head hurts..." I rubbed my forehead, wincing at a sting on the side of my head.

"I checked, no concussion," the Doctor called, not even bothering to look up, "But it will sting for a while."

"Good to know," I muttered as Tommy helped me to my feet.

"Hey, shouldn't have let yourself be slammed against televisions."

I frowned, "Nice to see you notice why I did it."

"Oh, I notice you, Souza, I always do," his eyes looked up to me for a moment, pausing his work.

I looked at him silently, noticing his seriousness for once, and nodded, "So...what are we doing here?" I gasped at the sight of D.I Bishop without face.

"Yeah, we're working on that," Tommy said, bringing me over to the counter, "Or at least he is."

"Where's Magpie?" I remembered him suddenly, the responsible one for my injury.

"Gone," the Doctor replied grimly.

And I knew what that mean for him...Rose was gone. At least for the time being, she was out of reach.

"Doctor, I'm really sorry," I sighed.

"We need to get to Alexandra Palace, the biggest TV transmitter in North London!"

I blinked, "That's why it chose this place then, huh?"

"Exactly!"

"So what is it we're gonna do exactly?" I eyed the big contraption set on the counter.

"For the moment, run!" He swung a rope around my neck.

I frowned, holding the rope before the two men rushed out, "Oh, great, leave the one with heels behind."

~/~

"There!" Tommy pointed up at the pylon where Magpie was already climbing.

"Come on!" The Doctor exclaimed, running ahead.

There was a guard who didn't seem to fond of three people running into the palace, "Woah, Woah, woah! Where do you think-" The Doctor showed him the psychic paper as we went by, "Oh! I'm sorry sir! Shouldn't you be at the coronation?"

"They're saving me a seat!"

"Who did you impersonate this time?" I asked as we rounded a corner.

"King of Belgium, apparently," as he looked at the psychic paper.

~/~

The Doctor dashed around the control room we were now in, gathering equipment he'd apparently. Tommy and I stood in front of a video machine and television screen.

"You have to keep it switched on," the Doctor explained, "Don't let anyone stop you. Everything depends on it. You understand?"

"What exactly are you gonna do?" I dared to ask, fearing the stupid answer at hand.

"I'm gonna climb the pylon!"

"No you're not..."

"Uh, yes, I am," he gestured to magnetic recording tape around his waist.

"Doctor, you're mad! That'll get you killed!"

"They took Rose-"

"I GET THAT!" I shouted, for once making him flinch, "But you gotta understand, ridiculous alien, emotions get you killed," I stepped up, sporting a very deep look at him, "You're not thinking straight because all your mind is saying now is 'Rose, Rose, Rose, bloody Rose'! Your mind is always cluttered up with the blonde! That's why you've been caught up in stupid situations these last few trips. You don't think straight, Doctor, and then either you or I get hurt because of it. For all you know, you'll get electrified this time!"

For a moment, it seemed like I had gotten through to him. Like he had made the realization that today, hadn't been about anyone but Rose, as it always was.

"...I've got to go," and he rushed out.

I gritted my teeth, turning around and returning to the machine.

"Doesn't listen, huh?" Tommy asked, amused.

I shook my head, "Never. I don't exist."

"He'll be alright," he assured.

"I want to go home..."

~/~

Something on the Doctor's device blasted, a puff of smoke emerging from it.

"What's going on!?" I cried.

"Hold on," Tommy rushed around the room, grabbing a new piece and returning. He took off the broken one and placed the new one into the machine.

"That'll work?" I asked.

He nodded, "Hopefully!"

I sighed and looked at the television, the queen-to-be getting ready to be coronated. I hated this feeling. This feeling of wanting to kill the Doctor for putting me through unnecessary anxiety yet also desperately wanting to make sure he was alright and alive. But of course to him, it was only Rose that felt the despair for his return. No matter how much my presence was 'needed', it'd never amount to anything.

I'd never be acknowledged...and I was done.

~/~

"What have I missed?" The Doctor's voice brought our attention away from the coronation.

"Doctor! What happened?" Tommy asked.

"Sorted. Electrical creature, TV technology, clever alien life form - that's me by the way. I turned the receiver back into a transmitter and I trapped the Wire in here," he gestured to the video tape in his hand, "What do you think, Joy?" He raised an eyebrow, discreetly trying to see how angry I was.

I looked between the tape and he, "You invented the home video 30 years earlier," I spat and turned my back on him.

~/~

Tommy and I stood by the long tables placed in the middle of Florizel street, watching everyone dance and talk.

"Look over there," I gestured to Eddie walking down the street with a suitcase in hand, "Aren't you gonna go after him?"

"No, good riddance," he frowned, although one could easily see he didn't mean it.

I sighed, grabbing a drink of orange juice and leaning against the table, "Tommy, here's a big shocker, you're father still loves you. In his own twisted way, he just wants what's best for you. Why don't you go and talk to him?"

"He's an idiot."

"Course he is. Like I said, he's your dad. But you're clever. Clever enough to save the world so don't stop there. Go on!"

He seemed to consider it and suddenly turned to me, "If I go, will you stop running and go back to your own parents?"

I was surprised but kept myself calm, "Why do you think I ran away from my parents?"

"The way you acted around my father like he was the enemy, always wrong. Granted, he was wrong but...I can't help see something else in you. Pain. Lot's and lot's of pain."

"...you're a little too analytic for your age," I remarked, drinking out of my glass.

"I mean it, I'll go to my dad if you go back to yours," he held out his hand for me to shake, "Is that a deal?"

I sighed an shook the hand, "It's a deal."

My parents wouldn't be born for quite a while so I wouldn't have to fulfill the deal just yet.

"Great," he smiled for a moment before kissing my cheek and rushing off.

I gasped, an embarrassed smile spreading on my face, "Hey!"

He turned around, halfway down the street, a big grin plastered on his face, "I may be younger but I'm still cute, eh?"

I laughed as he continued on his way, drinking from my glass again. It didn't last very long as I saw the Doctor approaching me.

"Joy..." he said quietly, stopping a few feet away.

"I'd like to go home," I announced, "And before Rose asks you to go somewhere else, I beg you to listen to me first and send me home."

He truly seemed guilty for his secret action but this was so irritating therefore I wouldn't give in to a simple sad face this time.

"Joy, I'm sorry," he stepped closer, "I didn't think it was that bad..."

"If you honestly believed that then you wouldn't have kept it a secret."

He nodded, acknowledging his fault, "I was still going to bring you where you wanted. I just..."

"I'd like to go home now," I declared, serious than ever, "At least there I have a place."

"You have a place here too," he assured, suddenly holding a hand out to me, "Will you dance with me?"

"Are you sure you don't want to ask Rose first? Seems like she's the only one you care about anyways," I muttered, drinking again.

"If I'm going to bring you home then at least let me try and get a smile out of you," he took my glass and set it behind me, "I feel terrible enough."

I don't know why but I gave in and took his hand, eyeing cautiously as he lead us towards the spot designated for dancers. He had something up his sleeve and I was determined not to be swooned over.

"What's gonna happen to the wire?" I asked, trying to make small talk as we danced, and avoid whatever tactics he'd use.

" I'll use my unrivaled knowledge of trans temporal extirpation methods to neutralize the residual electronic pattern."

I frowned, deciphering his words with a quick study, "So...record over it?"

"Uh, yeah," he nodded, grinning, "Right as always."

"Mhm," I looked to the side.

He sighed, "I've hurt you, I know and I'll probably hate myself for the rest of my life..."

"I wouldn't take it that far," I mumbled, pretty peeved at him but knowing it wasn't that big of a deal either.

"If you think I don't care about you then I will," he made me do a small twirl.

"Honestly, Doctor, sometimes it's difficult to believe that," I admitted, avoiding his gaze as I felt tears threatening to form in my eyes.

"I do care about you. I care about you and Rose equally."

I felt scoffing would be rude but then again...it's all I've received so far.

"Though I have to admit..." he paused a minute, thinking about something, "...there is something different in respect to you."

"You don't say," I muttered, guessing he'd tell just how different his feelings for me were from the blonde. He'd never opened up to me and much less about his feelings for Rose. I wondered if he'd choose this moment to tell me all about it...cause that's the last thing I needed.

"I see Rose and think..." he smiled softly, "...she's just Rose," I couldn't help roll my eyes, "And then I look at you, and..." he did a sudden dip, causing me to yelp, but nothing too loud, "...I notice things about you."

And I was abruptly brought up, ending face to face with the alien, my eyes wide as could be. Suddenly, our closeness wasn't so amusing as before...it was nerve-wrecking, "...what did you notice?" my question came out in a low whisper.

He seemed just as affected yet still managed to answer in a normal volume, "...you are beautifully complex."

I...did not know how to respond to that.

"Elaborate," I ordered lightly, feeling his arm around me drop to my waist, beginning to move in a dance again.

He smiled, "You're beautiful, obviously, and very intellectual-"

"That's just a fancy way of telling me I'm pretty and smart."

He playfully rolled his eyes, "If you'd let me continue then maybe you'd see what I mean. You are the sweetest girl around, always so kind and gentle," I noticed him leaning down, his forehead resting on mine, his eyes looking directly into mine, "Your eyes, Joy...your eyes are so beautiful, they're filled with kindness and comfort," I felt my face warm up, but I didn't dare move, I quite liked our position. "...but at times they're also filled with rage and pain. It's like your angry at something or someone, so, so angry...and hurt."

"How...how do you know that?"

"Because I feel like that too," he said quietly, shutting his eyes for a moment, "I'm no where near kind as you are but your eyes look like mine and it's a shame because yours are so beautiful. You're too young to carry all that in them. What are you so angry about? Who or what has hurt you so deeply?"

I swallowed hard, knowing if I started to answer, it'd be a long list. He wasn't the only one that had me angry and hurt. There came a list of people before him and as I recalled them and their actions, the Doctor's seemed not to matter as much. I'd been blamed, I'd been yelled at, forced, laughed at, isolated, belittled...

The Doctor had just ignored me.

It still hurt, it still made me angry...but it didn't compare to the others.

"Oh Joy," he sighed lightly, seeing the water build up in my eyes, "I do notice you. I notice your hidden feelings."

"Is that...is that the only thing you notice?" I asked, wondering if he finally made his realization.

"What else is there to notice?"

So close.

"I still want to go home, Doctor," I reminded, "But not because I'm angry, because I have my school and work. I only got three days off.

He nodded, "Alright...does that mean I'm forgiven?"

I sighed, "You are forgiven," I swallowed a lump in my throat, upset he wouldn't understand how I had already forgiven him for his ignorance towards me, "You are so forgiven."

He smiled, finally pulling away from my forehead, "You are incredible."

"I do like to be," I said quietly, trying to lighten the grim mood that had fallen over us.

"You are," he nodded, "And whatever is troubling you, it can't stay in those eyes forever. They're not meant to carry all that. Too beautiful."

"You act like they're out of this world," I looked away, a faint blush returning to my face, "They're jade-green, get over it."

"I can't help it, if something is beautiful I will say it."

"I've never heard you say that to Rose," I blurted, just now realizing that one, "At least when I'm around you don't..."

I thought he'd immediately tell me of course he did, but it looked like he was just now figuring that out as well. For some reason, my faint blush deepened. And speaking of the blonde, I caught sight of her walking towards us, her face not at all happy. I supposed this was the ending of this nice moment.

"Thank you, Doctor," I announced, trying to pull away but found his arm had tightened its grip on my waist.

"Hold on there," he frowned, "We were having a conversation."

"I know, but..."

"Can I have turn?" Rose moved beside us, a big old, fake smile on her face.

"Of course," I answered, looking at the Doctor and waiting for him to let go.

He nodded as well, "Think about what I said, Joy. Too beautiful," he leaned again and kissed my forehead.

I closed my eyes for a second, smiling softly at his touch, "Thank you..." I opened my eyes and found him smiling as well. Rose cleared her throat, alerting me that it was time to step back, so I did, "I'll just...be over there..." I pointed behind and turned away.

As I walked off, a bigger smile spread across my face and it wouldn't stop. Ridiculous alien had made me happy once more. How on earth does he manage to do that!?

I stopped by a table, pouring myself a new glass of orange juice when a young woman came by for the pitcher. "Everything alright, sweetheart?" She asked, noticing my ecstatic smile.

I glanced back at the Doctor and Rose, seeing Rose talking while he nodded, both dancing. When the Doctor's back was to me and she saw me, she frowned deeply and I knew that I had only caused even more tension. But then they switched and the Doctor was facing in my direction, smiling so fondly that I just couldn't be bothered by the blonde.

I returned to the woman in front of me, my smile deepening, "Everything's quite fine..." I played with the side of my dress, thoughts somewhere else.


Author's Note:

Sooo, I was waiting for Friday to update, but it's a four-day weekend so why not?

I just have to kind of squee here as Willow Jenks would because this story received more than 200 views in two freaking days. As a beginner on this site, it's a big deal for me okay! Eeek!

BAM. Rose called Joy Minerva, yes indeed. Glad you caught it! *in professor's voice* You're all active readers indeed! Now grab a highlighter and highlight/annotate on the important parts of the chapter.

And just to answer, noooo I do not like toying with my readers...*whispers* maybe just a little. Hey, some of the author's of my favorite stories do that to me so it's only fair I keep the cycle!

Yes, we'll definitely know what Mickey said to the Doctor very soon!

Hoped you liked this chapter as much as I did. I freaking love the 1950's so writing this one was just a joy! (giggles because see what I did there?) ;)

Thank you and remember, comments are always appreciated :)