I ran. I ran until my sides were aching, and I could barely breathe. I didn't stop until the Doctor was in sight. The Doctor. I had to stay with him, didn't I? He couldn't seem to handle himself alone.

"C-can't we just talk this out?" I sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of the Doctor held at sword point.

"We have no time for talking," a voice hissed. I shuddered, my body beginning to shut down from fear once more. No. Don't do it. Don't let it happen. I took a few deep, slow breaths and surveyed the room. Two more Gorgons and a few Perseans, all of whose eyes were turned down.

So…before I gave myself time to chicken out, I ran toward the Gorgon, pinning it against me with my sword and holding my shield in front of its face. The Gorgon cried out, but it could not move from the spot. The creature elbowed me, hard, and I opened my eyes out of reflex and cursed myself when I caught the sight of the alien in the shield's reflection.

I wasn't instantly petrified. Surprisingly. That was when I realized when my shield had fallen in my first Gorgon fight, it had gotten dusty. The reflection wasn't perfect. So, we had time.

"How about now?" I grunted, fighting back any exclamations of pain as my feet slowly turned to stone. "Can you negotiate now?"

"Yes, yes!" The creature screamed. "Negotiate!"

"It has come to my understanding that the Gorgons have a medicine that cures petrification," the Doctor said quickly, his eyes on me.

"Yes!" The Gorgon cried again.

"Give the Perseans the recipe. And they will promise never to hunt you again. Isn't that right?"

The Doctor turns his head, and I notice Perseus himself in the crowd. I cried out, as my ankles were engulfed in stone. My head was aching from all the pain.

Perseus reluctantly nodded his head. "I will stop hunting you if you can give us the remedy."

"Done!" the Gorgon screamed. "I, Medusa, give my people permission to teach the Perseans the recipe."

Medusa. I'd taken on Medusa. I laughed a little, only to have it turn to a whimper. Everything hurt. The rock was up to my shins now. I felt a sudden burst of agony, and then everything went dark.

"Lissa?"

"Five more minutes," I muttered, rolling over.

"She's alive, Doctor. Our hero is alive!"

I opened my eyes slowly. What was this hero business?"

"Lissa!" The Doctor grinned. "Welcome back."

"What are you talking about?" I sat up, stretching. My legs felt like jelly, but otherwise, it was like I'd taken a great, long nap.

"Well, after you ran in like a maniac to petrify Medusa, you started turning to stone. The Gorgons gave us some of the remedy they kept lying around, and now you're all better. As are many others here. All thanks to you."

"Three cheers for Lissa!" A voice cried.

I blushed as they cheered for me, turning away. The Doctor offered me his hand, and I shakily got to my feet. I had to lean heavily on him, but otherwise, I was all right.

"Well, off we go, then," the Doctor said.

"Can you not stay to celebrate?" Perseus asked us. "I did tell you you could sit in my chair."

The Doctor laughed. "Afraid I'll decline the offer. I've got to take Lissa home."

That was right. I did say I wanted to go home. But….

"Well, go with the blessing of Perseus and all of his people. You both will always be welcome here."

"Thanks," I tossed over my shoulder as the Doctor led us away.

"All right. Next stop, Earth."

"Doctor." He turned to look at me. "I…don't want to go home."

"No?"

"Mm-mm." I shook my head. "I thought that since you didn't protect me, I would get hurt traveling with you. But…the more time I spend with you, the more I realize I can take care of myself. I'm a lot stronger than I once thought. And frankly, you seem to need me to look after you."

He smiled. "You are strong. And brave." He looked away at his TARDIS, then back at me. "And thank you for saving me."

"Anytime."