The TARDIS was his escape. The Doctor could always count on the TARDIS to be there for him, even if she was just a ship. He knew she could hear him. Like she had a soul. The former time lord took out the key to his mobile home and lover when he heard a stomping sound. A LIMPING, stomping sound.
Frie-frie-frie-frie-friend? Said a robotic voice from behind him. He turned his dome and saw the broken, harmless "rougue" Cyberman, still shaking in fear.
"YOU DON'T WANT TO BE MY FRIEND.
Ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-ye-yes I d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-do...
"YOU'LL DIE."
That's okay-kay-kay-kay-kay-kay-kay.
The Doctor paused. Traveling with a companion is always more fun. And if it was a Cyberman, it wouldn't age. And if it died, he could use the body for spare parts for the TARDIS in an emergency…
"FINE. BUT I HAVE TO FIX THAT VOCALIZER OF YOURS. GOT IT?" The Cyberman nodded. "AND YOUR NAME IS MILES, OK?" Miles nodded again. Maybe he was getting tired of hearing himself stutter and glitch up. That didn't matter though. What mattered was where and when they were going next. What mattered was who they were going to meet.
What mattered was how the Doctor would cope with the death of his next victim.