Here it is, the big reveal! (Bum, Bum, Dum!) At the end I have a sneak preview of book two, the Rath of Kahn! (Just kidding!) Stay with me! I'm still writing!
The Doctor flew through the forest with all the speed his body could give him in its current condition. Not good. His blood pounded in his ears and made dark spots across his vision. His cuts began to seep from the exertion and he held one hand to the half-healed gash on his neck.
He could hear the monster's heavy breathing behind him. Good, it had followed him, not Grace. Speaking of Grace, had she opened the watch yet?
Any time, take your time… No hurry here… He thought as he jumped over a log, landing awkwardly on his bruised leg. He turned suddenly in an attempt to through off his pursuer. He hid in the gap between two large tree roots and sat perfectly still. He heard the creature's footfall continue then suddenly stop. Then he heard sniffing. Could it smell him? He held his breath, not daring to move. He heard a footstep not 10 feet away. Five feet, he could smell its hot breath on the other side of the tree. It was now or never. With a short yelp, he bolted up and ran like the devil into the thickest foliage. Where on Gallifrey was Grace?
In the almost total darkness of the forest, he realized it was a miracle that he hadn't run smack into a tree yet. Now he could feel low vines hanging from the branches of trees and matting the ground. He saw sunlight ahead and, tripping over a low-lying vine, fell through the last branches. When he righted himself he found that he had emerged at the edge of a deep chasm. He spun around and saw the beast crash through the trees. It paused for a moment, considering him.
"Hey there big boy!" The Doctor said with a nervous chuckle. It snorted, tossing its head. "Can't we just talk about this?" he added plaintively. It growled. "No? Didn't think so." The creature charged ad the Doctor jumped off of the cliff.
The Doctor never did reach to bottom of the chasm. Mere seconds after he left the ground, he landed with a loud thud on the floor of the TARDIS. The double doors closed behind him and the cool air of his ship filled his lungs. It felt fantastic.
"Grace?" He asked, standing up and dusting himself off. She stepped from the other side of the controls. He expression surprised him. It was, if anything, cold.
"Doctor." She said curtly, pulling a switch and causing the TARDIS to shudder a little. There was a long pause. The Doctor took a few steps towards her, a nervous smile on his lips.
"Nice flying."
"Nice landing." She answered, not looking him in the eye. There was another very long pause. A few controls beeped, breaking the silence like crickets. She turned back to the controls and pressed a few buttons.
The Doctor grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. "Who are you?" She stared at him with eyes, old eyes, but not as old as his. The realization dropped on him like a ton of dwarf star matter. He knew those eyes.
"Cass? Cassie?" He said, so quietly he was hardly audible. "Cassidy?" A huge grin was spreading across his face, and a small one formed on her. He crushed her in a huge bear hug. "Sister!" was all he could get out. The Doctor was not one to cry, but sometimes even a Timelord can get choked up.
Book 2
No, no, no! This was impossible! Completely, totally, horribly impossible!
The Doctor approached in what he hoped was a stealthy manner. Why now, of all times? Why now? He had known they would return, but some part of him had not allowed himself to accept it. He had to get Cassidy out of here, but first he had to know what they were doing. He ran along the corridor in a crouch until he reached turn in the hall. Both hearts pounding in his chest, he looked around the corner.
"Exterminate!"