A/N: So apparently the site is being stupid and not allowing line-breaks anymore. I've found a way around that here, although it might have messed up previous chapters. Of course, I've also found out that those little arrow-things that are on top of the "," and "." keys aren't showing up either, which completely ruins the entire first section. I put in dashes instead, but it's just not the same. Sigh.

Chapter Ten: You are Summoned

- Date: Unknown; 652 Standard Hours since Relocation -

- World Systems Control: 89% -

- System Power: 63%
Continue Charging -

- Incoming Transmission from Beta JX029 -

- Open Transmission Link -

- Beta JX029:
Time since prisoner lockup: 58 Standard Minutes
Likelihood of Doctor's consent to Plan C81: 86%
Summon Doctor?

Alpha YM572:
Yes. -

- End Transmission -

- x -

The door burst open without warning, narrowly missing Evan's side as he yelped in shock. Of course the Doctor and Jenny made no sound at all; he expected they must have some sort of alien super-hearing, and were able to hear the Kemor-whatsits from a mile away. (And of course they had given him no warning. Typical.)

A bright blue beam flooded the closet, running across the shelves until it moved down to where the three of them were seated. "Doctor," came a voice, one that was mildly mechanical but (thankfully) not echoed by all the speakers and stuff from the other room. "Doctor, you are summoned."

"Summoned, am I?" The Doctor rose to his feet casually, and if Evan had been able to see anything in the blinding glare, he would not have been surprised had the Doctor been grinning. "Sounds official. I don't know if I can make it – I'm awfully busy here in this closet. Don't suppose we could schedule this in tomorrow, say eight-thirty?"

"You are summoned, Doctor," the Kemor-thingy repeated.

"Oh, very well. Up you get, Evan. You too, Jenny." A hand took hold of Evan's and helped him to his feet. As he stood up, it felt almost as though the beam had intensified, and Evan lifted an arm to shield his eyes.

"You are summoned, Doctor. The others will stay here."

"Oh, they will, will they?" the Doctor muttered, and added louder, "I'm not going anywhere without them. Understood?"

There was a pause as the Kemor-mabob processed the Doctor's words, and then, "Very well. You are summoned -"

"Yes, yes, I know that already," the Doctor interrupted. "Now let's move on – I'm on a tight schedule, you know."

- x -

An hour had passed since Wilf had hidden the clock out in the garden, and he was beginning to think that the coast was clear. They had enjoyed a lovely evening together, which, while dark and strangely silent without the hum of electricity in the background, was pleasant enough.

"Do you think it might be safe to leave?" Silvia whispered to Wilf during a moment when Donna was occupied with Melanie.

Wilf couldn't think of any reason they needed to stay longer, and yet he felt wary over the idea of leaving Donna even for a second while the power outage occurred. "Just... another half-hour," he responded feebly.

Silvia frowned but nodded shortly, and Wilf knew from her lack of an argument that she really must be worried for Donna.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" Donna asked from across the room, and then added crossly, "Except of course I can't make any because there isn't a way to heat the water." She stood up grumpily and added as an afterthought, "Care for some biscuits?"

Without even waiting for an answer, she disappeared into the kitchen. Melanie trotted over to her father.

Donna reappeared in the doorway, her eyes wide with confusion. "Shaun," she said, "there's something wrong with the microwave."

"The microwave?"

Wilf exchanged a concerned look with Shaun and stood up quickly to follow.

The microwave was beeping loudly, and green text was scrolling across the screen. Wilf groaned, almost afraid to look. Surely it would be asking for the Doctor, and Donna's mind would explode...

He chanced a look.

You have been summoned... You have been summoned... You have been summoned...

"I don't understand it at all!" Donna was complaining. "It's just gone mad!"

You have been summoned... You have been summoned...

Who had been summoned? The Doctor, most like, although-

You have been summoned.

It was almost as though the machine were talking to him.

You.

Talking to him...

Have Been.

Maybe, just maybe, the Doctor needed him again.

Summoned.

For one glorious instant, Wilf remembered his adventure with the Doctor, and the longing deep inside that it would never end. It had ended, though; it was always meant to have ended, as his stupid fingers had tapped that stupid rhythm on the glass. He hadn't realized what it meant for the Doctor. Afterwards, Wilf had been too ashamed to ask if he might travel just once more in the Doctor's magical blue box, but now...

You have been summoned.

...now was a second chance! A chance to try again, have another adventure-

"What d'you say, Wilf? A walk will do Donna good, aye?"

Shaun's voice cut into Wilf's mind and scattered his thoughts. Wilf realized he was standing at the door, his hand already on the handle, ready to leave and find the Doctor and report for duty. Only now did he remember that he had little chance of finding the Doctor, out there in the big, wide world. And of course, the microwave's display was no longer repeating the message, but had moved on to another: What is your answer... What is your answer...

"I guess a walk is a good idea," Donna sighed, and bustled from the room to find some shoes.

What is your answer.

My answer, thought Wilf sadly, is that I stay here. Because he had been given a task by the Doctor, to look after Donna and keep her safe, and he could not abandon her now.