Hej, readers!

Welcome back to another chapter! :) Please, have a joyful read.

XxXxXxXx

Chapter 21: Meet Ganger Wanderer

The Doctor sat in the dining hall alone. The Gangers had left a while ago, leaving him there as a watch guard of some sort. He clasped his hands tightly together, bouncing his knee as he sat on the table. He did not like this. This situation felt wrong. Everything about this felt amiss. He jumped slightly when his inside pocket started to ring. Ringing? Why would it be ringing? He had expected the holographic phone call to be ringing. Not his pocket. He dug through it quickly, going all the way up to his elbow to reach for the noisy mobile. Pulling it out, he stared curiously at it, wondering why exactly he had a mobile on him. Turning it over, he received his answer with a small note written on the back of it.

Just in case of emergencies.

And don't throw this one in Strehoxx swamps just because you don't agree with the ringtone or voicemail. Already gave the number to Amy and Rory, so actually answer it for once.

-Wanderer

The Doctor chuckled after reading it. Of course Wanda would sneak emergency mobile into his pocket. How many times had she done this now? He lost count, really. Shaking his head, he hurriedly answered it when starting to realize that whoever was ringing him might be calling just for such emergency.

"Hello?" he asked curiously, wondering who it might be.

"They took Wanda!"

He flinched, pulling his ear away from the mobile as he heard his own voice shout from the other end. Then icy horror washed through him when the words sank in. He pressed his ear back to the mobile, gripping it angrily.

"They what?" he growled in question.

"The Gangers. They took Wanda. They're taking her to the Flesh now. They're going to make her a Ganger," Ganger Doctor spoke rapidly through the line. The Doctor shot up from the table and gritted his teeth together.

"What about 'keep Wanda away from the Flesh at all costs' did you not understand?" he barked at Ganger Doctor. He heard muffling, hearing someone grab the mobile.

"It was stupid Rory! He was tricked into helping the Gangers," Amy said angrily. The mobile was grabbed back.

"You need to rescue Wanda. And quickly," Ganger Doctor said hurriedly. Amy grabbed the mobile once more.

"Look, I know you're a Ganger and all, but if you're anything like the Doctor. If you have any of his memoires or feelings then you will save Wanda! You got that?" Amy said harshly.

"Of course I'm going to save Wanda! Especially, since the other idiotic and useless me can't seem to handle it," the Doctor replied just as harshly.

"Don't you talk about the Doctor that," Amy retorted loudly.

"Oh, shut up, Pond. I am the Doctor!"

"Oh, what, so we're giving up on the charade now?" Ganger Doctor voiced sarcastically over the mobile.

"The charade was over the second you put Wanda in danger," the Doctor snapped.

"Wait, what?" Amy questioned in confusion. "You're not . . . he's not . . . you're not the Doctor." The Doctor rolled his eyes, not wishing to deal with any of this at the moment.

"Of course I'm the Doctor. And he's the Ganger. I'm Fred. He's George," he responded in a rush.

"What?" Amy responded in disbelief.

"We switched shoes the moment you weren't looking." The Doctor heard someone grab the mobile away as Amy stuttered in shock.

"Look, just find Wanda okay? And then hurry to the crypt. This room is going to fill up with acid soon," said Ganger Doctor.

"Peachy," grumbled the Doctor as he hung up. He stuffed the mobile back into his jacket and rushed off.

XxXxXxXx

Wanda and Rory both struggled as they were dragged into the chapel. The Flesh bubbling away inside as they entered. Wanda shivered when she saw it. The same calling from earlier rang through her mind. So many emotions from the Flesh bombarded her head. One rang out louder than all others: glee. It was finally going to obtain its voice. Or perhaps, more than a voice. Something even more powerful than that. Wanda was not sure what exactly, but the mere thought sent chilling fear down her spine.

"Take her to the Flesh," Ganger Jennifer ordered. The other Gangers hesitated.

"Jen, I don't like this. Why do we need her anyway?" asked Ganger Cleaves.

"Yeah. What's so special about making her a Ganger?" Ganger Dicken questioned. Ganger Jennifer turned to them, staring coldly.

"I don't know. Even the Flesh doesn't know, exactly. It only knows from what it scanned from her earlier," she replied. She smirked at Wanda. The Time Lady shivered in dread upon seeing that cold gaze. "What we do know is that she is strong. So very strong. We can use that strength to fight back. Now," Jen pointed to the vat of Flesh, "put her hand in. That's all it needs."

Wanda gasped as Ganger Jimmy started to push her forward, staring at the boiling Flesh in terror. Rory began to fight his captors even more aggressively.

"Leave her alone!" he shouted at them. "Just leave her alone!"

Someone suddenly rushed into the room. They all looked to see the Doctor, bending with his hands on his knees for support while he panted. He gasped harshly to get air back into his lungs.

"Don't . . . don't you . . . don't you dare . . .," he wheezed out. He held up a finger. "One moment." He stood up straighter, sucking in a deep breath and releasing with a gust. "Woo. Haven't run that fast in a while. I starting to think my age is catching up with me." Wanda smiled brightly to him, glad to see him. Though felt the fear and dread still within her when feeling her captor's hands tighten around her arms.

"What are you doing here?" Ganger Jimmy asked him in confusion. The Doctor stared fixedly at them, underlining anger held within his eyes.

"Stopping you all from making a grave mistake," he replied evenly. He pointed to Wanda. "Let her go."

"No. Why should we?" Ganger Jennifer said starkly. "She's going to make us strong. With her we can give the humans what they deserve. We can lead out revolution!"

"That's all fine and dandy, but not with her. Trust me," the Doctor replied.

"Why not with her?" Ganger Cleaves asked him in uncertainty.

"Just trust me. A Ganger Wanderer would be a very, very bad idea," he said quickly. Wanda tensed, staring widely at the Doctor. What did he mean by that? Would a Ganger her really be that bad? And if so, why exactly?

"No! She's the one we need," Ganger Jennifer spoke sharply. She turned, staring wildly at the Doctor, pointing madly at him. "You! You're just weak. You pity the humans!"

"I don't pity anyone. I just know from what's right and what's wrong," he answered swiftly. "This is wrong and you know it."

"I'm only getting the revenge we deserve!" Ganger Jennifer shouted.

The Doctor stared angrily at the Ganger. "It doesn't have to be about revenge! It can be so much better than that!"

Ganger Jennifer smirked at him. "It doesn't matter now. There's no stopping us. We can win this war with or without you, now that we have the girl." She turned to Ganger Jimmy, pointing to the Flesh. "Put her hand in now."

The Doctor stepped forward quickly. "I'm warning you, don't!"

Ganger Jennifer just remained firm in her order. "Do it!"

Ganger Jimmy just stared at her, refusing to move.

"Jimmy, Dicken, go drain the acid well in Crypt One," Ganger Cleaves ordered calmly. Both Gangers nodded in agreement. Ganger Jimmy let Wanda go, patting her shoulder in apology.

"Sorry," he muttered in shame. Wanda patted his hand in forgiveness. Both male Gangers ran hastily out of the room. Rory let out a breath of relief as he walked over by the Doctor. Ganger Jennifer looked to Ganger Cleaves in outrage.

"How dare you," she growled.

"I've had it with this," barked Ganger Cleaves. "What's the point in this ridiculous war? Look at you, Jen. You're a sweet kid. Look at you now, the stuff of nightmares. I don't want my world populated by monsters." Ganger Jennifer just narrowed her eyes, staring hatefully at Ganger Cleaves. The woman Ganger nodded to the girl Ganger, walking away towards the door.

"Wanda," the Doctor called out. Wanda looked to him, seeing him hold out his hand for her. She started taking a step towards him.

Ganger Jennifer suddenly screamed out in rage, launching herself at Wanda. She gasped, moving back from the Ganger, trying not to let the girl grab her. But the Ganger managed to grip onto Wanda's arm, roughly shoving it into the vat of Flesh.

"No!" yelled both the Doctor and Rory. Ganger Cleaves stared widely in shock at what Ganger Jennifer had done. Said Ganger back away in triumph as she watched the Flesh boil violently around Wanda's arm. Wanda jerked at her limb, trying to pull it out. The Doctor and Rory rushed forward, grabbing onto her arm and trying to help. But it was useless. The Flesh had too good of a hold on her.

Wanda gasped as she could feel the Flesh begin its work. Scanning and taking bits and pieces of what it needed from her. Her whole arm began to burn, and she felt a sharp tug at her mind. A barrier within creaked harshly as it felt as if a piece of her consciousness was being ripped out. She cried out in pain at the feeling. Something within the Flesh abruptly grabbed ahold of Wanda's hand, forcibly yanking her forward.

"Doctor! Doctor, something's got me!" Wanda cried out in panic. The Doctor tightened his grip on her arm, gritting his teeth as he hauled her arm out of the Flesh. Wanda stumbled back into both the Doctor and Rory as they caught her. They all stared wide eyed at what held onto her.

A hand. A slim hand with long, narrow fingers. Wanda's hand. She shivered as the pale Flesh color slowly started to fade, becoming the similar light tone of Wanda's own. Wanda shook as a head emerged, long chestnut hair covering the rising Ganger's face. The Doctor grabbed Wanda's arm, yanking it out of the Ganger's grasp. He and Rory shuffled back, pulling Wanda with them. The girl Ganger reached around the sides of the basin blindly, falling forward and onto the ground in a heap. They stood still, holding their breath while watching the Ganger. Even Ganger Jennifer remained silent, though with more of a anticipation of the new Ganger than fear like the rest of them.

The new Ganger looked around the room, searching for something. She turned her face to where the Doctor, Rory, and Wanda stood. Her hair fell out of her face to reveal cold and calculating eyes. Eyes dead of emotion, only staring back with a cadaverous gaze. Wanda trembled seeing those eyes. Her eyes.

"Yes!" Ganger Jennifer cried in victory, laughing gleefully. "It worked! Now, with you on our side, we will win this war."

"Shut up," the new Ganger spat out darkly. "You foolish and pitiful scum." Ganger Jennifer stared at her, stunned.

"You . . . you can't say that to me!" Ganger Jennifer snapped in outrage. Ganger Wanderer silenced her with one look. Wanda was not sure what Ganger Jennifer saw in those hazel eyes. But it must have been frightening from the way the Ganger shivered.

They heard others rushing back into the room. Gangers Jimmy and Dicken had managed to get to the others trapped within the crypt and rescue them, though not in time for poor Jimmy. He had died from the acid hitting him in the chest, directly at the heart. The new group froze near the doorway, seeing the new Ganger.

"We're too late," Ganger Doctor spoke in horror. He rushed forward, coming up beside the Doctor. He made sure to speak quietly to him. "What do we do now?"

"I don't know," the Doctor whispered.

"Wanda, are you all right?" Amy asked quickly, rushing up beside Rory to look at the brunette girl.

"I'm fine," Wanda whispered, her voice wavering as she stared at her Ganger. Amy looked to the new Wanda, eyes staring in shock.

"Why is she—," Amy began to ask.

"Everyone SHUT UP!" They jumped as Ganger Wanderer screamed in agony. She clutched at her head roughly, holding onto it as if were about to burst. "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"

"Wanderer," the Doctor spoke evenly. He moved away from the group, going towards the Ganger. "You need to calm down. You have to get control. You have to fight it."

"The universe is wicked! The universe is cruel! Everyone needs to die! Everyone must die!" she screamed as she rocked back and forth. "You all need to die! DIE! DIE!" The Doctor rushed forward, holding onto her tightly. The Ganger then began to sob. "It hurts. It hurts."

"I know. I know," he hushed her. Wanda watched the Ganger cry, feeling a mixture of sadness and pity. After a moment of hesitation, she stepped away from the others, ignoring their protests as she came up beside her Ganger. As soon as Wanda touched the Ganger, she launched herself at Wanda, grabbing onto her shirt tightly.

"Why didn't you just kill them when you had the chance?" the Ganger whispered into her ear. Wanda quivered when hearing this, but hugged the crying Ganger all the same.

"Doctor, is she not able to stabilize?" asked Wanda as her Ganger sobbed against her chest. Wanda rubbed soothing circles on the Ganger's back, hoping to help calm her.

"No. Being alive is too much for her to handle," the Doctor whispered, staring sorrowfully to the crying Ganger.

"Ten minutes," Ganger Wanderer muttered into Wanda's shirt. They both look to the Ganger curiously.

"What?" the Doctor asked. Ganger Wanderer pulled back, staring at him with her red eyes, exhausted from crying.

"We have exactly ten minutes before the facility is destroyed," she said louder. She started to stand. Wanda and the Doctor helped her up on her wobbling feet. Ganger Wanderer stared blankly around, not looking directly at anyone. Almost as though she were observing something the rest could not see. "And we have exactly two minutes before Jennifer realizes that she can come back and kill us all." The Doctor whipped his head to the others, looking around the room. He had not noticed when the Ganger had left.

"Where did she go?" he asked the others.

"I think she left once she realized her 'weapon' wasn't going to cooperate," Ganger Cleaves answered.

"Then we need to get out of here. Quickly," the Doctor ordered them. They all nodded, rushing to the door. He turned to look back at Ganger Wanderer, who was panting heavily, clearly in pain. "Are you all right to run?"

"I'm fine. I can keep my sanity long enough for you to escape. The rest is up to you. We need to hurry," she answered. She turned and looked to Wanda. "Hey, girlie, I need to borrow this." She reached into Wanda's jacket and pulled out the sonic. "This too." She reached to the Doctor and grabbed the sonic from him. She then patted both of their shoulders in thanks and ran out of the room behind everyone else. The Doctor grabbed Wanda's hand and they both ran after her together.

They ran as fast as they could. Alarms continued on blaring loudly around them. They all stopped when they met Ganger Jennifer down the hall, fully transformed into her monstrous Flesh form. Her body twisted in an odd structure as she hissed at them viciously. They were about to run in the other direction when Ganger Wanderer stormed up to the Ganger.

"Hey, Jen. Nice seeing you again," she said brightly. The deformed Ganger hissed loudly in respond. "Yeah, yeah. The Flesh and your plan didn't work so well, did it? Well . . . it almost did. But luckily I'm created from a pretty magnificent girl." Ganger Wanderer turned and gave Wanda a wink. She then faced Ganger Jennifer again "This is your one warning. I suggest you turn back now while you still can. Things will not turn out well otherwise. Trust me on this, I know." Ganger Jennifer just hissed again. Ganger Wanderer rolled her eyes. "Fine, have it your way."

She twirled the two sonic screwdrivers around before pointing them at each other. She then turned them on, sending a blaring and screeching frequency throughout the hall. Everyone covered their ears in pain from the sound. Ganger Jennifer shrieked as the noise hurt her worse of all. She banged against the wall in pain, stumbling back down the hall. The Ganger then turned and ran back down the other direction. Ganger Wanderer pulled the screwdrivers apart, moving back to the others.

"That'll buy us some time," she told them cheerfully. She tossed Ganger Doctor the green tipped sonic. She pointed to him. "Use that when Jennifer comes knocking on the door." All of them staring stunned at her. "Well? What are you all standing around gawking for? Come on, we need to go!" She walked forward, swiftly pushing on Wanda's back to get her to move down the hall. "Move it, girlie. You first."

They ran down the halls, going as fast as they could to reach their destination. They heard the mad Ganger Jennifer growling after them, but stumbling around down the hall. Not able to recover quickly enough from the pain she had suffered. They reached into another crypt area. The two Dickens tried to lock the door of the room.

"This door doesn't lock," Ganger Dicken sounded out in alarm to them. Dicken glanced to him.

"No, but the far one does," he told his Ganger. He opened the door, rushing down the hall to the first barrier. Ganger Wanderer ran after him.

"Dicken, you get your arse back here!" she shouted to him. Dicken was already at the far door in the hall. He tried shutting the door, but it was jammed to the wall. He pulled hard and the handle came off. He was about to shut the door behind himself, using his own body to delay the ravening Ganger, but Ganger Wanderer yanked him back to the other side.

"Idiot. Trying to be a hero and all. I mean really!" she exclaimed in annoyance. She used her sonic to fix the deadlock, locking the door firmly. From the other side Ganger Jennifer slammed against the sealed door.

Ganger Wanderer pulled Dicken back down to the others.

"Okay, that gives us exactly two minutes and forty-five seconds until she breaks that down," she explained to them as she pushed Dicken into the room. She closed the other door behind her, looking sadly to it knowing she could not do the same for that door. A few choice people must stay by its side to keep it closed. She looked back to the others, beaming brightly. "Now, that gives us time to talk while we wait for the TARDIS."

"What's the TARDIS?" Cleaves asked her.

"It's our ship," the Doctor explained, smiling away to Ganger Wanderer and Wanda. Wanda blinked in confusion to why he said 'our' while Ganger Wanderer beamed brightly in return.

"Are you all right now? Have you stabilized?" Ganger Doctor asked her carefully.

"Nope," Ganger Wanderer answered merrily. The two Doctors stared sadly at her.

"You still have the urge to kill, don't you?" the Doctor asked quietly.

"Yep! I want to kill you all right now," Ganger Wanderer replied, sounding almost mad with the way she was so cheerful about the concept of killing people. She bounced on the balls of her feet, smiling away. The others looked horrified, staring at her in fear.

"What? Why would you want to do that?" Wanda asked fearfully. Ganger Wanderer gave her a soft smile, walking up to pat her shoulder gently.

"The Flesh poured in too much anger, hate, and violence when it created me. Filling me up these emotions, ready to turn me into a killer," she explained lightly. "With that . . . and on top of other things, it's hard for me to even stay sane. Of which is actually going to go down the drain in about a minute, so we don't have much time to talk." Wanda stared sadly at her.

"It's not just that, though. Is it?" she asked softly.

Ganger Wanderer stiffened slightly, before relaxing, smiling away. "No. But, that's a mystery waiting to be solved for a later time. Much later." She patted away on Wanda's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. And remember, whatever anyone tells you, you are not a killer. Got it?" Wanda nodded, her eyes wavering as she stared solemnly at her Ganger.

Ganger Wanderer then walked past them, going to a far off pipe. She pointed the sonic at it, making it burst open, spraying acid onto the ground in a large puddle.

"What are you doing?" Cleaves asked in disbelief of the Ganger's actions.

"Nothing much," the Ganger answered. Using the sonic, she stopped the flow of acid, only allowing there to be a puddle of it. She turned to them, smiling and tossing the sonic back to Wanda. The Time Lady caught it and held it close to her chest, feeling dread for her Ganger.

"Wanderer, what are you doing, exactly?" the Doctor asked, tightening his grip around Wanda as he stared at Ganger Wanderer. She smiled at him.

"Doctor, you and I both know I can't be allowed to live," she answered quietly. All gasped in horror save for the two Doctors who only stared somberly at her.

"What?! No! You can't be saying . . . you aren't going to . . . ," Wanda yelled out, trying to make her away over to her Ganger, but the Doctor held her back. Ganger Wanderer smiled to Wanda, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Wanda shook her head rapidly, not wanting her Ganger to lose the life she had just gained. "Come with us. In the TARDIS you'll stabilize. I know you will."

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not a real person, remember?" Ganger Wanderer whispered.

"No! Don't say that!" Amy cried out. They looked to see her crying, Rory hugging her gently to comfort her. "You are real. You're so real." Amy looked to Ganger Doctor. "You're real too. You're all real. I'm so sorry." Ganger Wanderer smiled to the girl.

"Way to go, Pond. You finally got it," she said softly. She blinked when they all heard a loud bang from outside the door. "Thirty seconds." She looked to the Doctor, staring tenderly into his eyes.

"Tell me, Doctor. Is the universe worth saving?" Ganger Wanderer asked quietly. He blinked in confusion to her question, unsure what to say or how to answer. She beamed to him. "The answer's 'yes.' Remember that." She then promptly turned and jumped into the acid puddle.

Wanda gasped in horror, shaking as she watched the Ganger melt. The Doctor turned her away from the scene, holding her tightly as he watched another Wanderer melt away. His hearts constricted from the sight. He only kept his composure in knowing his Wanderer was still alive and well within his arms.

"That was horrible," Amy said in a trembling voice.

"She killed herself. Just like that," Ganger Cleaves said faintly.

"She killed herself, knowing that it would save us," Ganger Doctor said as evenly as he could. They all jumped when the place shook from both the TARDIS falling through roof into the room and Ganger Jennifer finally bursting through the locked door down the hall.

Ganger Cleaves and Ganger Doctor both rushed to the door, holding it shut as Ganger Jennifer slammed against it. The Doctor ran to the TARDIS and opened the doors.

"Everyone, move!" he shouted to them.

"Go, go, go, go!" Ganger Doctor yelled. The two Dickens and Ganger Jimmy ran into the TARDIS while the others lingered for the two Gangers by the door.

"Get onboard, go!" Ganger Cleaves yelled to her counterpart. Cleaves shook her head determinedly.

"I'm not leaving," she answered firmly. Ganger Cleaves rolled her eyes, struggling to push on the door as Ganger Jennifer rammed into it.

"Go," she said firmly to her counterpart. Cleaves hesitated before turning and running into the TARDIS. Amy turned to Ganger Doctor.

"Hey, hey. Now's our chance," she said, urging him to follow them into the TARDIS.

"I have to stay, hold this door closed, and give you time to dematerialize," Ganger Doctor responded, waving her away.

"Oh, don't be crazy," Amy retorted. "Okay, what happens to you, hmm?"

"Well, this place is just about to explode, but I can stop her," he explained, urging her to leave him.

Amy glared determinedly at him. "Both of you can survive this, okay? There has to be a way."

Ganger Doctor smiled, patting her shoulder. "No, there isn't."

Amy's eyes began to tear up. "Wanderer died . . . I don't want you to die, too."

Ganger Doctor smiled warmly to the ginger girl. "She died happy knowing that she was protecting her precious companions. Now, I'll gladly do the same."

Amy started to cry, tears falling freely down her face. She hugged him quickly, holding him tightly. "I never thought it possible. You're twice the man I thought you were."

Ganger Doctor beamed, hugging her back strongly. Then, his face grew serious. "Push, Amy. But only when she tells you to." He shoved her away, having Rory grab her hand and rush her to the TARDIS. Wanda walked up to Ganger Doctor, tears falling freely as well.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. He smiled and pulled her close into a warm hug.

"Wanda," he spoke quietly. He pulled back, giving her a soft kiss. "Be magnificent." She blushed brightly, but nodded all the same. The Doctor grabbed her hand, steering her to the ship. He nodded to his Ganger. The Ganger nodded in return. Each of them sent a fond farewell.

Once inside the ship, the Doctor sent them off. The ship drifted in space, everyone inside standing around numbly, in shock of their experience. Amy and Rory hugged each other, both staring off blankly. Wanda walked up to them, tears welling in her eyes. Both of them graciously opened their arms, hugging her tightly as she ran into their warm embrace.

The Doctor stood by the console, gripping the edge tightly. His eyes wavering from mixed emotions. Wanda and Amy walked up to him, both giving him a hug in comfort. All remained silent, listening to the sorrowful hum of the ship.

XxXxXxXx

Wanda and the Doctor watched as Ganger Jimmy, now simply Jimmy, was reunited with his son. Both parent and son happily cheered as they hugged. She smiled at the scene. Glad that at least some people received a happy ending in life. Even the two Dickens on board the ship. The two males decided to sort of treat this new life like Ganger Doctor and the Doctor had. Like twin brothers, both happy to be a family. This really brought some joy to Wanda, delighted in knowing that Ganger Dicken and Dicken would get along so well. Then, not only that, but Cleaves and the two planned on announcing the real lives of the Gangers to the world. Hoping that, perhaps with time, all Gangers would no longer be treated like mere objects to be tossed aside.

The Doctor patted Wanda's arm, indicating with his head for their leave. They both turned and started to walk back up the hill to the TARDIS.

"Doctor," Wanda spoke up during their walk. "What happened back there, with my Ganger? Why could she not stabilize? Why did she say her sanity was slipping?"

The Doctor stopped short. She walked past him some before turning to stare at him curiously. She saw how he gripped his hands tightly together, staring with mixed emotions at her. His expression changed between sad and uncertain.

"Doctor?" She blinked walking up closer to him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just . . .," he trailed off, staring uneasily to her. She frowned at him.

"Was it really the Flesh that had made her that way? Or was it something else?" she asked.

"A little bit of 'A' . . . and a little bit of 'B'," he answered reluctantly.

She pinched her thumb hard, staring anxiously at the Doctor. "What was it then?"

The Doctor did not answer for a moment, hesitant to saying anything. "The Flesh took more from you than it had meant to. Giving your Ganger something she could not control."

"What could I possibly have that could make her go mad like that?"

He stared at her for a moment, seeming to decide on what exactly to tell her, choosing his words carefully.

"The infinite possibilities," he finally answered. "They're maddening to anyone else. Even to a copy of you." Pinching her thumb harder and twisting it, Wanda started to grow uneasy.

"Why me? Why can I withstand it?" she asked. "Is there something wrong with me?"

He shook his head. "No. It's because you've . . . you've built up a resistance to it."

Her brows furrowed and frowned to him, not liking this answer. "How can I have? I've only had this ability for a short period now. It takes years to build up a true resistance. Especially to something of this magnitude." Her frown deepened when she saw the nervous expression on the Doctor. "You're avoiding the true answer. Why aren't you telling me everything?"

He lowered his head, staring to the ground. "Because . . . because I don't want you to know. I don't want you to remember. Not yet." He raised his head up, tears lingering in his eyes and shaking. "Not yet."

Wanda's eyes widened, stunned by seeing him cry. On the show, the Doctor hardly ever cried. It was a very rare occurrence. Only ever allowing himself to shed tears when things became too much for him. Now, seeing him like this, it crushed her hearts. She hurriedly walked up and hugged him tightly, holding him close. Feeling horrible that she had made him upset.

"Okay," she whispered, rubbing his back gently. "Okay. I understand that I don't need to know. I trust you, Doctor. I won't question you on this anymore."

They both held each other for a while longer before letting go. Both smiling at one another and wanting to move on from this day. They held hands as they continued their walk back to the TARDIS. Wanda smiled as she stared at their linked hands. She was really starting to get comfortable with the Doctor. She no longer felt bothered by his touches. She almost felt as though she was starting to . . . enjoy the affections. Her smile brightened, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. He returned the gesture tenderly.

When they reached the TARDIS, Wanda felt the warmth begin to spread through her.

"Oh, no. Not now," she whispered. The Doctor stopped short, looking to her curiously.

"Wanda?" he questioned. She smiled at him sadly, giving his hand another squeeze.

"I'm sorry. But you're going to have to go on the next adventure without me. And it's not going to be a nice one either," she said to him. He nodded, understanding when he saw the white light begin to envelope her. Wanda sucked in a breath, knowing what was to come for the Doctor and his companions truly would be dark for them all. "Just, remind Amy to breathe. Tell her not to be frightened. Be humane as possible. And . . . shenanigans is a beautiful word."

He nodded once more, going up to hold her close.

"We'll find her. However far, however hard, whatever happens, we will find her. I swear," he whispered urgently.

"Of course we will." She smiled, the white light starting to build, becoming brighter. "Because she's the girl who waited, and she's waiting for you now." Her smiled dropped, staring sadly to the TARDIS to where she knew Amy and Rory were, blissfully unaware of the hardships they were about to face. "But I'm sorry, Doctor. I am so, so sorry. But a good man is going to war now, and it will be his darkest hour."

With that said, she disappeared in the white light. The Doctor was left there, clutching at empty air. He stared at his open arms, a feeling of dread coursing through him—not from Wanda's ominous words, but in knowing where his Wanderer would one day be heading. He only hoped she would be prepared for the day of her own darkest hour.

XxXxXxXx

I really hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. :) Please, leave me a review if you did or did not. Your lovely words are always greatly appreciated. :)

Reviewers:

BlueFlame27: Well, at least this chapter doesn't end on a cliffhanger this time. lol I'm so glad you enjoyed the last chapter. I hope you liked this one as well. :)

RuthlessNReckless: I'm glad it was surprising for you. I hope this chapter was as well. :)

Jesuslovesmarina: Hey! :D Aww, thank you. I'm really glad you're enjoying the changes I've done. :) I really am trying for the great story, and I'm happy that you think it's coming out great. :D

firedog1235: Thank you so much! :D I'm glad you think so. And you'll just have to keep reading to see when Wanda regenerates. ;)

tooker86: I hope it was worth the wait. lol Thanks for the review! :)

Blinked310: Yay! I'm glad you liked the chapter! :D As well as liking the new scenes I've added. I was afraid people might not like the changes, but I'm glad they're turning out all right so far. :) lol Yeah, Wanda has issues with things like that. lol

Thanks to all for the reviews! :D And thanks to all for taking the time to read the story! I'm so happy to have so many favorites, followers, and reviews now! :D I was really shocked to see this. I was certain that no one would like this story at all. Glad to see I was wrong about that. :) Free fezzes for all! And have a wonderful day.

~Tinker~