Why hello, hello, lovely readers. :)
Hope everyone is having a good day/night so far. :) Thought I give you guys a treat with another update. Hope everyone will like it. :)
Oh, and also, oh my gosh! Thank you all so much for all the reviews and support you guys have given the story! The story now has over three hundred reviews and so many follows and favorites! Can you believe it?! :D I know I can't. I've never had a story receive that much support before. You guys are just too awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :D Here's a bow tie from me. ;)
Anyway, enough from silly me. Onto the chapter!
XxXxXxXx
Chapter 21: Evolution
Wanda sat next to Martha and Tallulah by a campfire in Hooverville. She gazed into the fire thoughtfully as she listened to the Doctor try and convince Solomon to lead his people out of the community to somewhere far, far away. To some place where the people could be safe from the Daleks and their experiments. The Doctor knew if he could get convince Solomon to leave, then the rest of the community would follow. But the man refused. Stating that Hooverville was their home, and they would stay. Besides, the man had hopes that they may be able to reason with the Daleks. Believing there was a good chance they could bring peace to the situation.
Wanda sighed, listening to the group argue about their plans of action. She knew it would be futile. Even if Solomon and everyone in Hooverville did run, the Daleks had already succeeded in gathering up enough humans for their experiments. The Daleks only now pursued them for the Doctor, wanting to exterminate the Time Lord. Now, they only had seconds before the pig slave army arrived with a Dalek right behind them.
The fire continued to crackle away by her feet as she gazed quietly into the dancing flames. What had happened back there . . . what had been said . . . she felt at a loss. She had no clue as to what Dalek Sec meant when he said 'escaped the slaughter and wrath of the Wanderer.' Did this have something to do with what the Doctor refused to tell her about? About what made him so fearful of her? So fearful of what happened at Torchwood? All she could think of was that perhaps somehow whatever lived inside of her must have broken loose on that day. It must have been . . . dreadful from the Doctor's reactions and behavior upon simply mentioning the occurrence. What could have possibly been done on that day?
She stiffened when she heard the distant whistle being blown. She would have to think more upon this later. For now, she had to prepare herself for what was to come. The Daleks and the pig slaves were attacking now.
"It's them! They're here!" Wanda shouted as she shot up from her seat, getting everyone's attention. People began to panic when the sentry confirmed this when he screamed of the pig creatures advancing. All the people rushed around to gather up the guns and other weapons they had collected.
Solomon organized the masses, getting them ready for battle. A few number of people took off, not wishing to fight the horrid creatures. They could hear theses people screaming off in the distance. The pig slaves had caught them. The Doctor quickly grabbed Wanda and Martha, pulling them both back from the fight. He made certain that both stayed in the middle of the large group around them.
Wanda gasped when the guns started to fire. She closed her eyes to the sight of one of the pig creatures dropping to the ground in a heap. Even though they were more animal now than human, they had still been people once. Innocent people who were just victims to the Daleks' cruel nature. She only hoped that the once people were long gone. That they were not trapped within the pig bodies and screaming to be released. She also hoped that, maybe, they might find some peace once they passed on.
The Doctor moved Wanda behind him when he saw a Dalek flying through the air towards them. He knew the likely hood of the Cult of Skaro recognizing this Wanda was slim. But he did not want to take the chances. The people around stopped firing and gaze up in astonishment to the sight of the Dalek descending upon them. It hovered above, staring down at them. Frank tried to shoot it, but the bullet merely bounced off. The Doctor quickly made him aim the gun away. Not wanting the young man to be killed by the Dalek.
Another Dalek came up beside the first, hovering in the air as well. It swooped down, firing at a structure of the community. Everyone within the town who were not a part of the firing group scattered and screamed in fright as the small makeshift building exploded into fire. The Daleks continued to fire, destroying many buildings and killing people all around them. Wanda gasped in horror when she saw a little boy almost fall victim to the Dalek beam. But luckily he dodged out of the way in time with the help of a little girl who came out of nowhere. Wanda watched as the girl with messy brown hair grabbed the boy and led him off to a safer direction. The girl glanced over her shoulder, allowing Wanda to briefly see a pair of brown eyes before the two children disappeared around a building as more destruction rain around them.
"The humans will surrender!" the Dalek ordered them from above. Both it and the other had stopped shooting. For the moment, at least.
"Leave them alone! They've done nothing to you!" the Doctor shouted at the Dalek. Solomon from beside the Doctor stepped forward, moving away from the group. The Doctor quickly grabbed the man, halting him. "No, Solomon, stay back!" The man ignored him completely.
"I'm told that . . . I'm addressing the Daleks, is that right?" Solomon called out to the hovering metal creatures. "From what I hear, you're outcasts, too."
"Solomon, don't!" the Doctor ordered him.
"Doctor, this is my township. You will respect my authority," Solomon told him curtly. He pushed the Doctor away from him, nodding that he was fine. The Doctor hesitated but moved back all the same. He felt dread coursing through him once more as he watched the man address the Daleks. "Daleks . . . ain't we the same? Underneath, ain't we all kin?" Solomon slowly placed his gun on the ground as a show of peace.
"Because, you see, I've just discovered this past day that God's universe is a thousand times the size I thought it was," Solomon continued to speak. "And that scares me. Oh, yeah, terrifies me, right down to the bone. But surely, it's got to give me hope, hope that, maybe together, we can make a better tomorrow. So I beg you, now, if you have any compassion in your hearts, then you'll meet with us and stop this fight. Well? What do you say?"
The Dalek stared down to him, studying the man below it.
"Exterminate!" it cried out.
Wanda was ready. Before it even finished its cry, she rushed around the Doctor and grabbed Solomon, throwing both of them to the ground a few feet from the spot of which he had stood. The beam missed them by inches, hitting the ground in a small ball of fire behind them instead of killing the man. Wanda breathed out in relief. Solomon looked wide eyed in shock, stunned that the Daleks would not even consider his words. She patted his back in reassurance that he was fine, standing up to glare at the Dalek.
"Coward! You'd shoot a harmless being who means you no harm?! Just like that?!" she shouted at it. She marched forward towards it, staring hatefully at the loathsome creature. The thought of the poor boy and girl who had almost been hit went through her mind. "You really are vile creatures, you know that!"
"Wanda! Get back!" the Doctor yelled, rushing up to grab her and yank her back. She remained firm on the spot, continuing to glare at the Dalek. She felt something stir within her. The one barrier that was always pushed on began to stir, to creak loudly as something angrily pressed on it. Something behind it started to ready itself, to prepare. Prepare for what, she did not know. She did not care either, at the current moment.
"How can you shoot someone with such courage?! At least you can understand bravery!" she shouted out. "Shooting the innocent doesn't make you brave or strong! It makes you weak! It makes you worse than anything in this universe!"
"Wanda, that's enough," the Doctor ordered her. She no longer heard him. Her ears were ringing loudly and her hearts pounded away. The barrier creaked even more so as it was rammed against. She no longer even realized what words were flowing out of her mouth nor even heard what she was saying, not that she was even remotely aware of what was being said to begin with. The pain in her mind was too numbing.
"How could you have killed them?! They were just children!" she screamed. "Why would you ever do something like that to children?!"
The Doctor blinked at her, confused by what she was saying. What did she mean 'children'? The Dalek aimed its weapon at her, ready to kill both Time Lords. The Doctor's eyes widened in horror to the aiming weapon. He hurriedly stepped in front of Wanda.
"Kill me instead! Just leave everyone alone!" he shouted. Wanda gasped when she heard him. The words snapped her back into focus to the world around her.
"Exterminate!" cried the Dalek.
"No!" she screamed, trying to yank the Doctor back before the Dalek fired. The ping warning was not even going off in her mind. The Doctor was in danger. It should be screaming in alarm along with her panicking hearts. But she and the Doctor both looked up curiously to the Dalek when it still had not fired. It seemed to be getting orders to stop.
Wanda sighed, remembering now what was being said on the other side. Of course. That was why the ping warning was not going off. The Doctor was never in any danger during this point. Dalek Sec was ordering the Dalek to cease, just as it was meant to be. She leaned her head against the Doctor's back, feeling relief and regret. Why had she been yelling? She did not even remember getting off the ground next to Solomon. All she remembered was the Dalek shooting, ready to kill the man. Then the image of the poor little boy and girl that had almost been killed. Everything had sort of become blank in her rage.
"You will follow," the Dalek told the Doctor after a moment. He nodded, turning to Wanda.
"I've got to go," he whispered.
"I know," she replied. She stared up to him with a guilty expression. "Sorry. I've sort of blanked out there. Was I yelling?"
"Sort of, yeah," he said quietly. He stared curiously at her, wondering what had happened to her. He had almost been fearful it was another repeat of Torchwood, but it seemed more of her . . . reliving something. As if she had gone through a flashback much like he had after the Time War. "You all right, now?"
"I . . . think so. But you need to make sure they won't attack them," Wanda nodded over to the crowd of people. The Doctor nodded in return, turning back to address the Dalek.
"One condition! If I come with you, you spare the lives of everyone here!" he yelled at the Dalek. "Do you hear me?"
"Humans will be spared," the Dalek answered. "Doctor . . . follow." The Doctor nodded, looking back to Wanda.
"Stay here with Martha and the others," he told her quietly. Wanda nodded, ready to do what the Doctor instructed. He reached forward, stroking her cheek softly. "Take care of yourself."
"You do the same," she whispered. She leaned up as an automatic response, giving him a light kiss. She pulled back, blinking at her acts with a stunned expression. "Sorry, I didn't mean—."
The Doctor cut her off with a kiss in return, holding her face steady to make it last a little longer. He pulled back after a few seconds, thumbing her cheeks. He liked how it had placed a blush on her face and the way she seemed torn between loving the action and hating it. Maybe her denial was not so bad. It could be a great tool in teasing her. He smirked some to that thought, and discreetly place the psychic paper in her hands. He winked at her, moving away to follow the Daleks.
Wanda huffed some, wishing that her stupid body would stop doing things without her command, and that the Doctor would stop encouraging her body's silly actions. She held the psychic paper tightly in her hands, watching anxiously as the Doctor walked away.
I can't really use this. she spoke to him. I've never been able to see what is written on it.
Just because you can't see the words, doesn't mean you still can't create them. the Doctor answered her. You know what you need to do with it, right?
Of course. And you know what you must do, correct? she responded.
Not really, but I'll figure it out. he said lightly. I mean it, take care of yourself.
Others come first. My care comes last.
Knew you were going to say that. The Doctor seemed to chuckle some at her words.
Wanda smiled slightly, though still felt worry for his safety. Of course, she always felt this whenever she was not with him. She never could stand to be apart for long. Watch yourself, Theta. Dalek Sec means well, but the others do not.
I don't doubt it. The Doctor's words were faint and distant. The connection was breaking. She felt it whither off as the distance grew too great. She sighed, gripping the psychic paper tightly.
"He left us," Martha said, walking up to her. "Why did he just leave like that?"
"Because he's protecting us," Wanda told her. "He has a task he must accomplish, just as we have one as well."
"What's that?" Martha asked her, blinking in bewilderment.
Wanda lifted the psychic paper up for the girl to see. "You did want to visit the Empire State Building, right?"
XxXxXxXx
The Doctor walked back into the laboratory as the Daleks kept their weapons trained on him. He glared at Dalek Sec, storming up to the Human-Dalek.
"Those people were defenseless!" he shouted. "You only wanted me, but, no, that wasn't enough for you. You had to start killing! Because that's the only thing a Dalek's good for!"
"The deaths . . . were wrong," Dalek Sec replied, looking grave for what had been done to the town. For what had almost happened to Solomon. The Doctor stared at him for a few seconds, wondering if he had heard the Human-Dalek correctly.
"I'm sorry?" he wondered aloud, raised his brows.
"That man, their leader, Solomon, he showed courage," Dalek Sec stated.
"And that's good?" the Doctor questioned carefully.
"That's excellent," responded the Human-Dalek.
"Is it me, or are you just becoming a little bit more human?" The Doctor studied him some, feeling the same spark of hope from earlier come back to life. His humans were proving the Daleks wrong once again.
"You are the last of your kind, and now I am the first of mine."
The Doctor stared questionably at him. "But what do you want me for?"
Dalek Sec nodded some, walking around the Doctor, beginning to explain. He showed their genetics lab, with the embryos they tried to create. One of the same experiments that the Doctor had found in the sewers before. Then, he showed the Doctor the gigantic ceiling above, filled with hanging stretchers. After Dalek Sec lowered one, the Doctor was shown a deathly pale man underneath some coverings with tubes connecting into the man's skin. All the floating stretchers held hundreds of humans, with all their minds wiped clean, leaving them nothing more than empty shells, ready to be converted into the new Human-Dalek race.
Dalek Sec then showed him their work on the Empire State Building. The same building they were currently underneath, which the Doctor had already figured out long before. The images on a large computer monitor showed him the building had been turned into a conductor of sorts, and ready to use the power of the Sun for gamma radiation. This would give the Daleks the power they needed. To splice the human and Dalek genetic code together into each human body hanging above.
"Soon, the greatest Solar Flare for a thousand years will hit the Earth." Dalek Sec waved his hand to the screen, showing the images. "Gamma radiation will be drawn to the energy conductor, and when it strikes . . ."
"The army wakes." The Doctor stared at the screen for a moment before looking back to the Human-Dalek. "I still don't know what you need me for."
"Your genius. Consider a pure Dalek . . . intelligent but emotionless."
The Doctor gave the Human-Dalek an inquisitive stare. "Removing the emotions makes you stronger: that's what your creator thought, all those years ago."
"He was wrong."
The Doctor raised his brows to that statement. "He was what?"
"It makes us lesser than our enemies. We must return to the flesh and also the heart."
The Doctor studied him carefully, judging his words closely. "You wouldn't be the supreme beings anymore."
Dalek Sec nodded. "And that is good."
"That is incorrect!" shouted one Dalek behind them.
"Daleks are supreme!" yelled another. Dalek Sec and the Doctor turned to them.
"No! Not anymore!" argued Dalek Sec, staring down his other Daleks strictly.
"But that is our purpose!" countered the Dalek.
"Then our purpose is wrong!" cried Dalek Sec urgently, trying to have the other Daleks see to reason. To see the truth in their existence. "Where has our quest for supremacy led us? To this . . . hiding in the sewers on a primitive world. Just four of us left. If we do not change now, then we deserve extinction."
"So you want to change everything that makes a Dalek a Dalek," the Doctor stated, trying to see if he was understanding and hearing this correctly. It boggled his mind that a Dalek could ever actually want to change. He would have never thought it possible.
"If . . . you can help me," said Dalek Sec, staring with his one eye pleadingly to the Time Lord. The Doctor looked taken back. A Dalek actually asking him, him, for help. That seemed even more bizarre and unbelievable than a Dalek wanting to change. Dalek Sec nodded back over to the man on the stretcher, walking back towards the direction. "Your knowledge of genetic engineering is even greater than ours. The new race must be ready by the time the solar flare erupts."
The Doctor walked back over with him, looking down to the deathly pale man. "But you're the template. I thought they were getting a dose of you."
"I want to change the gene sequence."
The Doctor raised his brows once more. "To make them even more human?"
Dalek Sec looked down to the human man. "Humans are the great survivors. We need that ability."
Wanda's warning went through the Doctor's mind. He turned around and gave the other Daleks a small glare. "Hold on a minute, though. There's no way this lot are going to let you do it." He pointed back to the other Daleks. He could see Dalek Sec meant what he said, but the other Daleks must have another hidden agenda.
Dalek Sec shook his confidently. "I am their leader."
The Doctor glanced to Dalek Sec then back to the other three Daleks that were staring to them. "Oh, and that's enough for you, is it?"
"Daleks must follow orders," responded one Dalek curtly.
"Dalek Sec commands. We obey," said another. The Doctor raised a skeptical brow.
"If you don't help me, nothing will change," Dalek Sec spoke up, making the Doctor turn his attention back to the Human-Dalek.
"There's no room on Earth for another race of people," the Doctor told him.
"You have your TARDIS," Dalek Sec countered. "Take us across the stars, find us a new home, and allow the new Daleks to start again." The Doctor stared at him, narrowing his eyes some.
"Before I do anything, I have some questions that need answering first," he said in a hard tone. "The last time we met, you did something to my friend Wanda. What exactly is it you did?" He saw the Dalek Sec seemed to tense, then deflated.
"Your friend . . . we had activated her programming . . .," Dalek Sec said, looking grave. The Doctor raised a brow, looking bewildered by this statement.
"Programming? What programming? Does it have something to do with Alpha?" he asked hurriedly. Dalek Sec did not answer, simply continued to stare forlorn at the Doctor. The Time Lord narrowed his eyes dangerously, stepping toward the Human-Dalek with the Oncoming Storm building up within his brown irises. "Tell me. Because what you did to her, you changed her. Whatever was done, whatever became of her, that wasn't Wanda. You brought out that . . . that other . . . thing within her. 'Alpha' is what she called herself. I want to tell me exactly who Alpha is, what her purpose is, and what you have to do with both her and Wanda."
Dalek Sec stared off, seeming to think deeply upon something. "We never realized . . . never even dreamed it possible . . ."
"What? What is it you've done? Tell me, now."
Dalek Sec stared back up to him. "She was the woman who saved Solomon, yes?"
The Doctor hesitated before answering. "Yeah, that was her."
"Has she regenerated again?"
The Doctor shook his head slightly. "No, this is an earlier incarnation of Wanda. She hasn't even been to Torchwood yet." He noted how Dalek Sec seemed relieved by this, knowing most likely the Human-Dalek had been worried of another incident like Torchwood if it had been Third Wanda. Truthfully, the Doctor had to admit he felt similar relief.
"She holds much courage as well and such passion to protect others." Dalek Sec turned, looking away distantly. "She has every right to hate us. We are indeed vile creatures for what we had done."
"And what had you done?" The Doctor watched as Dalek Sec turned his back to face him. A storm of emotions swam through that one eye. All of the humanity the new Human-Dalek was experiencing: Guilt, regret, remorse, shame, self-loathing.
"I will answer any and all questions after you have helped us. For I believe, after you have heard the truth, you will want nothing more to do with us. You will even wish to punish us severely. Which I would agree. We deserve nothing less than the fury of a Time Lord."
The Doctor stared at the Human-Dalek for a moment, considering his options. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. He was tired of being in the dark to the mystery of Wanda. He wanted to know fully of her situation so he could be better prepared to keep her safe, to protect her. From herself mostly. He did not know whether the headaches and relapses were going to get worse. If they did, they could end up tearing her mind up. It would kill her. He needed to know everything so he could prevent this. Prevent what had occurred at Torchwood as well. To make certain that Alpha never escaped. Not ever again.
But it seemed he must do this task for Dalek Sec first before he gained his needed answers. As soon as he finished, he would force the Human-Dalek to tell him everything. And if what Dalek Sec said was true and what they did was that horrendous, then the Doctor would gladly give them the punishment the Human-Dalek said they deserved.
"When's that solar flare?" the Doctor asked Dalek Sec.
"Ten minutes," he answered. The Doctor nodded.
"Right, then. Better get to work," he stated, quickly going over to the chemical labs.
XxXxXxXx
Wanda, Martha, Tallulah, and Frank all stood around the very top floor of the Empire State Building. The floor had not even been finished yet, with portions of walls still open to the cold autumn night. They had arrived here after helping Hooverville's citizens sort through and find survivors within the rubble of the destroyed community. Many people had been severely hurt. Martha had been brilliant in patching them up. Wanda smiled at the girl, knowing how wonderful of a doctor she was.
After helping the people, they started for the famous building. Tallulah and Frank tagged along, wanting to help. Solomon tried to come, but Wanda told him to stay behind. She knew he was needed in the community. The people within were still frightened and in a panic. They needed their leader. He agreed in the end, understanding his purpose. Wanda was glad he had listened. She feared that something else might try to hurt him. Something that she might not be able to see coming.
So, now, they waited around the area of the top floor. A storm could be heard building up outside. Thunder sounded off every few minutes. Tallulah kept gazing out the open wall, looking down to the breathtaking city below. Frank went off to make sure no one stormed in on them and stopped their plans. Martha and Wanda sat on the ground, waiting.
"Are you sure that's what they've changed?" Martha asked the same question once again. Wanda sighed some.
"Yes. The Daleks placed the Dalekanium up above on the mast," Wanda explained once more. "It's what they need to change the human genetic code down below us."
"Can't we go up now, and take the Dalekanium off?" asked Martha.
"No, we have to wait for the Doctor," Wanda replied. "We sort of have to time it just right for the storm to come. Or else . . . things will go wrong."
Martha nodded some, but still looked skeptical. "I've never really bothered to ask, but how is it you always know these things?"
"Remember the parallel universe that I come from? Well, in my world: the Doctor, the TARDIS, the Daleks, and even you, are nothing more than a show. Just a story told to entertain people."
Martha stared at Wanda in awe to this information, blinking some. She was completely stunned by the news. "So . . . none of this is real? I'm not even real?"
Wanda shook her head quickly. "No, no, you're real. Just in my world you're not. Well, no, you're real there, too. Just . . . real within a story I guess you can say."
Martha nodded, understanding what Wanda meant. "So, then, I'm guessing you watched the show?"
Wanda smiled brightly. "Oh, yes, all the time. Watched it almost every day. It was my favorite show."
"That's cool. Weird too, if you think about it." Martha looked up thinking. "I mean, what are the odds of you getting thrown into another universe where your favorite show is real?"
Wanda blinked some, pondering her words. She stared at Martha, feeling the same sensation she had felt when she first realized that her beloved characters were real. The same disbelief and amazement. Wanda looked away, staring to the lift.
"Yeah . . . what are the odds," she whispered softly, feeling an uneasy sensation course through her.
"Still, I'm glad you are here," Martha spoke up. "It takes a load off to have someone who knows the future."
"Don't be too comfortable with the idea," Wanda told her. "It's not all fun, and things don't always turn out all right. There are things that still cannot be changed. Some people will still die . . . and there's nothing even I can do about it." She stared down sadly. Martha frowned some.
"Yeah, I know that," she replied. "I was just thinking it was nice in knowing when things will turn out all right. The bad is still bound to happen, but at least we know there's going to be some good to come." Wanda looked up at her, blinking with wonder. She smiled brightly.
"Martha Jones, you amaze me more and more," she said merrily. She threw her arm the girl's shoulders, giving her a hug.
Martha blinked in bewilderment. "Um, what did I do?"
"You reminded me that I need to look on the positive side of things. I need to stop just seeing the bad. I need to see the good, instead. I mean, Solomon's still alive. That's something I need to be thankful for."
"Wait . . . was Solomon going to die?"
Wanda nodded solemnly. "He was supposed to."
"The Daleks were really going to kill him?" Wanda nodded again, making Martha look appalled. "They were just going to kill him on the spot, just like that? That's terrible. Glad you were there to save him."
"I'm just glad that I remembered what was going to happen to him. Sometimes, I don't always remember everything. The smaller details tend to elude me." Wanda frowned, thinking on something. "In fact, there's something that's going to happen soon. But I can't recall what. Hmm. I'll think on it some more." She let go of Martha's shoulder, staring up to the ceiling in thought.
They heard the lift ding and the doors opened to reveal the Doctor and a tired looking Laszlo. Wanda smiled at the sight of the Doctor, letting her worrying mind finally relax. Martha cried out his name in delight, joyful to see their friend again.
"First floor, perfumery," the Doctor responded in a silly tone. Wanda laughed, bouncing up from the floor to give him a hug as he stepped out of the lift. A hug which he happily returned. Tallulah cried happily to the sight of Laszlo. The man walked towards the actress, giving her a warm hug. The Doctor patted Wanda's back, looking grave when she stepped back. "Things didn't go so well downstairs."
"I know. We only have minutes now," Wanda replied. "The Daleks placed Dalekanium on the mast above. We need to get them off, or at least try to." The lift dinged behind them.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!" the Doctor cried, going to the lift. He pulled out his sonic, making it buzz as he tried to stop the descent. "See? Never waste time with a hug! Agh! Dead-locked sealed. I can't stop it."
"Sorry. I'd forgotten," Wanda told him, feeling bad. Now the pig slaves would be coming up, leading to something awful. How could she have forgotten that?
"It's fine. You can't remember everything, I guess," the Doctor grumbled. He banged the lift's side, angry at the growing danger waiting them. He had to stop it.
"Where's it going?" asked Martha.
"Back downstairs to the Daleks. They're going to send up the pig slaves for us," Wanda told her. "We have to . . . stop them." She glanced over, seeing the metal scaffolding.
"What's the time?" the Doctor asked them. Frank, who had come into the room when he heard the lift, told him the time. They only had six minutes until the gamma storm hit. The Doctor rushed over to the open wall, gazing out. "Oh, that's high. That's very . . . blimey, that's high."
"And we've got to go even higher," Martha stated. She pointed up a workman's ladder which led up to the mast. "That's the mast up there, look."
"There's three pieces of the Dalekanium around the base," Wanda told him as they gazed up.
"We've got to get them off," Martha remarked. The Doctor looked at them both, sending them a stern stare.
"That's not 'we.' That's just me," he told them. He moved around the ladder, grabbing on to climb.
"We're not just going to stand here and watch you," Martha argued.
"No, both of you are going to have your hands full," the Doctor stated. "I'm sorry, but you've got to fight."
"At least let Wanda come up with you," Martha countered. "She can help you while the rest of us do the fighting."
"No, it's too dangerous with the storm going on," the Doctor said firmly. He climbed up quickly, ignoring Martha's complaints.
"Idiot. As if I wouldn't just follow you," Wanda muttered. She rolled her eyes some. She looked over to Martha. "Use the chairs and the scaffolding. Point some outside for the lightning to hit and aim it at the lift. It'll work. Sorry, I know ruined the moment for you to be clever and figure it out, but I just wanted to save you the time."
"I'm not complaining," Martha replied, shaking her head some. She nodded her head up to the distant Doctor. "Just take care of him. Make sure he stays out of trouble."
"Well, that is actually something that's impossible," Wanda laughed, she started to climb up. She glanced back down to the girl, looking grave. "Martha, be warned. What's going to be in the lift after the lightning strikes . . . it's not going to be a pretty sight."
Wanda moved up the ladder swiftly, trying to reach the Doctor in time. She knew there was never getting the Dalekanium off in time. Plus, they needed the Human-Daleks to be born anyway if the day was going to turn out right. So the only way to fix things was to have a mixture of Time Lord genetics get mixed in. She would rather the Doctor not go through the pain of being struck by lightning, so she planned to let herself in the way. It would save him from getting almost fired by the gamma radiation.
Bad move.
Wanda froze on the ladder, gripping it tightly as the storm winds blew around her. She huffed, rolling her eyes at the voice of Bad Wolf.
You always just show up in the most brilliant times. Wanda responded sarcastically.
Thank you. I try. Bad Wolf replied smugly.
Well? What is it this time? Wanda asked her.
You're genetics are not needed. Let the Doctor use his own. Bad Wolf told her.
That means he'll get hurt. I don't like him getting hurt or be in pain.
Bad Wolf gave an exasperated sigh. He'll be fine. You worry too much. You're worse than a mother, really.
Wanda frowned, not liking this one bit. Why can't I use my own genetics for the template? I'm a Time Lord, too. It doesn't really matter whether it be me or him . . . does it?
Yes, it does. The world is not quite ready for more Wanderers running about.
Wanda blinked, feeling confused by the entity's words. It's not like I'm cloning myself or anything. It's only my DNA. There's nothing different between mine or the Doctor's
Oh, Wanda. There is so much more to you than you can ever realize.
And what does that mean?
In all do time. Now, just know that you must not be the one to get in the way of the lightning. Let the Doctor do it. You know he'll be fine, just a little toasted. Bad Wolf laughed at her own joke.
Wanda rolled her eyes. Fine. But I have a quick question. Do you only show up to talk to me when you're needed? Like the TARDIS?
You're assumptions are correct. But it's mostly only when you need me. Or . . . are about to do something foolish. Which is quite often I might add.
Wanda pouted, feeling the presence leave her mind. She hurriedly continued climbing, knowing that she was running out of time. She shivered some when she gazed down below. Boy . . . they really were high up. This was not helping her fear of heights in the slightest. She gulp, trying to keep focused on helping the Doctor. She gripped her hands tightly onto each bar as she moved.
Eventually she reached the top, finding the Doctor struggling to get the Dalekanium off with his sonic screwdriver. The wind howled around her, whipping her hair around as she scooted over to the Doctor. She looked over the edge, seeing the drop to the ground. She kept trying to tell herself that she was not a thousand feet up in the air. She was safely down on the ground below, having a fun time with the Doctor and Martha. Yep, completely fun. Right.
"What are you doing up here?!" the Doctor yelled at her, though, not really out of anger. He was mostly trying to make sure she heard him over the howling wind around them.
"Helping!" she shouted back. She crouched next to a beam on the mast which held the Dalekanium. She clung tightly to it. "You were right! This really is high! Too bloody high! Remind me to never do this again!" She pulled out her own sonic screwdriver, beginning to work on the alien armour with him.
"Don't worry, I will!" he shouted over a crash of thunder. "I'm surprised you even made it up here with your fear!"
"I'll face any fear for my friends! Especially for you, you idiot!" she replied, smiling at him. He smiled back, continuing to work rapidly on getting the armour plates off.
They managed to get one off. But the next one seemed too stubborn to come off. At one point the Doctor even lost his grip on his sonic. It fell down below them towards the building's lower structures. Wanda sped up her work with her own sonic, trying to get the armour off. No good. It refused to budge. The Doctor even jerked at the Dalekanium in frustration. She saw him stare up to the high mast pointing into the air. The lightning was striking around them as the storm raged.
"Stay on that wooden plank over there! You won't get hit on that!" he told her, pointing to a large board. She nodded, going over to crouch on it. She watched anxiously as the Doctor reached up and wrapped his arms around the mast.
The lightning struck the metal mast. Wanda closed her eyes tightly and felt her hearts clench as she listened to the Doctor scream in pain. The electricity sparked through the air around her, making her hair stand on end. The thunder crashed so loudly, she could hardly hear anything else. Only the Doctor's cries in pain seemed louder to her.
Wanda gasped when she heard the ping loudly echo in her mind. It was the warning. The Doctor was in danger. She shot her eyes open, seeing the lightning fading and the air growing silent. The Doctor fell back from the mast, going limp. His body tumbled down, and rolled across the construction flooring.
Wanda dived for him, grabbing his arms just as he went over the edge. His weight jerked and yanked at her arms. She fell onto her stomach as she strained to keep ahold of him. He dangled there with his head rolling to the side. He had passed out from the electrical shock. Unable to wake back up just yet from the strain his body had undergone.
Wanda breathed in and out quickly, shaking not only from the strain but from the dizziness that began to overtake her as she saw the drop below. She gulped, shook her head quickly, and began to hoist the Doctor back up to safety. She could barely manage. His weight was too much for her. She had never been that strong in the past, and this body was no different. But she forced through it. She pulled with all her might and used the boards for leverage. She was even able to get her arms under his armpits to lift better once his chest had reached closer to her.
She fell back with the Doctor on top of her. She sighed in relief, holding onto him tightly. She felt tears beginning to run down her face as she shook when realizing what had almost happened. The Doctor had almost plummeted to his death. The height from this building would have been too great for him. Even for regeneration. There had been many close calls with him before. But that one . . . had been way too close. She wrapped her strongly around him as she began to cry. She had almost lost him.
"Oh, my head," the Doctor groaned quietly, starting to gain consciousness. He blinked slowly, coming to realizing that he was on top of someone crying. He moved his head, seeing Wanda clinging onto him with her head buried into his chest and crying. "Wanda?"
"You . . . you almost fell off," she cried. "You almost fell off and I had almost lost you." She pulled back, looking into his brown eyes. She cupped a side of his face with a gentle hand. "I . . . I don't know what would happen if I'd lost you."
"Same goes for me," he breathed. "Anytime you're away from me I really don't know what to do with myself." She laughed some, feeling another sensation of déjà vu with the discussion between her and Eleven. Both of them really could not stand to be apart. This . . . made her hearts flutter. She felt touched he would care so much . . . even if his feelings of love were false . . . that they were not real and . . . oh, she was so kidding herself.
"Idiot," she whispered. She pulled his head down and kissed him. And for once, it was on her own accord.
XxXxXxXx
Woot! She finally gave into just kissing him already! :D But . . . there still might be some troubling factors ahead for the Time Lord couple. Spoilers for now. ;) Hope everyone liked the chapter. Let me know in a review if you did. :) All reviews are welcomed and received with warm hugs. ;)
Reviewers:
Aka-Baka Hoshi: Yeah, that confusion of hers probably isn't going to go away just yet. But at least she finally gave into some of the Doctor's affections for her, and gave into her own as well. ;) I left another sneak peek of Aleena in this chapter as well. Let me know if you spotted it. :) Hope you enjoyed the chapter as well.
sophia: Thanks! Glad you liked it! :D
Lady Artimes Blaine: lol Well, here's the more you've been wanting. Hope it was worth the wait for it. ;) And we'll be finding out what happened at Torchwood more within part three of the story. Hope you don't mind the wait for that.
bored411: Well, hopefully this chapter gave you some more insight on what the Cult might have done to Wanda. But there all will be revealed within part three, in the Torchwood moment with Ten and Rose. Not a fun day, let me tell you. Hope you weren't disappointed with the lack of reaction from the Daleks with Wanda being there.
Guest: Yay! So glad you enjoyed the chapter so much. Hope you like this one, too. :) Glad the barrier troubles doesn't cause you any irritation. I know how it can be troublesome during many moments. Especially with Wanda's love for the Doctor. Thank you! I'm so happy you are enjoying the story! :D
AxidentlGoddess: Glad you enjoyed the extra bits. Even more bits within this one as well. ;) Well, maybe not River, but quite possibly a certain Rose giving Wanda a nice chat about certain changes and feelings. ;) Wanda will be getting over things . . . for the most part. A certain someone might actually make things worse for her, but that's spoilers for now. Also, you're very much right on the complexity of where exactly Wanda came from. Let's just say, it's going to be a really big twist. Well, at least, I'm hoping it will be a twist for everyone. Enjoy the chapter and the rest to follow! :)
Squidtastik: I know right! I totally wish Ten would have said them for real within the show itself. But at least he says them in this universe. ;) lol Oh, and I'm totally there with you on the water part. Dalek Sec and Torchwood will be revealed within part three, so I hope you don't mind the wait. :)
Sah: Yay! I'm so happy and glad that you enjoyed the chapters so much and the nice kiss between the Doctor and Wanda! :) Also glad I did well with them both as well. Always got that fear of mine that I can never write good, but at least I can see here that I'm not that bad of a writer. Let's just say spoilers for now on your theories, but they are very good thoughts. You're getting real close to the truth. ;) And with Aleena . . . also spoilers. And thanks! I'm just so surprised in how much support was given to the story. It makes me really happy and overjoyed to see how much joy the story brings people. :)
00 Sexy: Yeah, sorry about the long wait. But trust me on this, you might not want the moment of the Master to ever occur for Wanda. It's really, really not going to be a nice moment for anyone. Sneak Peek: Let's just say, something very precious will be lost that day.
Jesuslovesmarina: Sorry, but all I'm allowed to say is spoilers. Hope the mystery doesn't end up driving you too crazy. lol ;) Hope you enjoyed the new chapter as well. :)
Thanks once again to everyone! Couldn't have made it this far without all you lovely readers. :) See you all in the next update!
~Tinker~