Alyssa stood staring at the cushion in front of her trying to move it just a little. Come on. Move! She thought clenching her fists. The woman sighed when it didn't budge. "It's not working", she said turning to the Doctor.

"Keep trying"

"I've been staring at this for an hour. If it's not going to move now, it never will", Alyssa said discouraged.

"Ali I know it's been hard for you and I know that you're afraid…"

"Afraid? I am not afraid. I am terrified! I practically wrecked my own bathroom because I freaked out and I almost skewer you with a knife yesterday", Alyssa said her anger rising. Behind her the cushion did the same. "You have got no idea what I'm going through. You think that by reading dozens books on psychic powers that you're suddenly an expert? Because Doctor you are not. You really are not!" she shouted. Alyssa stormed out of the room, the cushion landed on the floor with a thud. The Doctor just stood there in the wake of her anger. He honestly didn't know what to do. Yesterday Alyssa was eager to figure out how her gifts worked and then the incident with the knife happened. It seemed to make Alyssa more afraid of trying to control her gifts.

The said young woman made a beeline to the library where she went to the section where she knew the books on psychics. Alyssa gripped the books and yanked them out of the shelves, tossing them as hard as she could. She sat down on the library floor surrounded by her mess. "I'm sorry Sexy. I shouldn't have done that", she said apologising.

That's ok sweetie. You're upset

"I know but still I shouldn't have snapped at the Doctor, he only meant well. But after what happened with the knife, I'm scared that I really will hurt him"

He knows you're scared Alyssa. He just trying to help you, the Doctor cares about you

"I care about him too. Help me Sexy, please", Alyssa pleaded. She got up and followed the TARDIS's directions to a shelf. A book shot out and landed in her hands. "Introduction to Tai chi? You think this will help?"

Defiantly. Try it out Alyssa

"Well if you think it'll help me then I'm game. I take it you have somewhere appropriate I could do this?"

Of course. Go get changed and I'll tell you were to go.

"Ok. Thanks Sexy", Alyssa said. She tidied up her mess before going to her room.

Alyssa stared around at the room the TARDIS directed her to when she entered. "I love it Sexy", she said. The room looked like a traditional Chinese garden complete with pond. Alyssa took her shoes off and stepped onto the mat. As soon as she did a blonde haired woman appeared. "Hello Alyssa. I'm Jenna you're Tai Chi instructor. Are you ready to begin?" she asked with a smile.

"Definitely", Alyssa replied. "Thank you Sexy", she whispered.

You're welcome Ali

The young woman copied the instructor through the beginner's moves. She did find the slow moving technique rather relaxing. As she was doing one particular move, Alyssa noticed leaves and flower petals close to her were floating. The young woman smiled and turned her focus back to the Tai Chi.

"Thank you Jenna", Alyssa said when the session was over. The woman nodded and vanished. "Hey um Sexy could you ask the Doctor to come here? I need to apologise"

Sure thing

"The TARDIS told me to come here. You ok?" the Doctor said when he finally turned up.

"I'm fine. Sorry for the way I acted towards you. You didn't deserve that"

"It ok…"

"No its not! You're kind, sweet and very caring. You've stuck with me these past few days even after I yelled at you and almost hurt you. Can you forgive me?"

"Of course Ali. Can you forgive me?"

"For what? You didn't do anything"

"I pushed you to figure out how to use your gifts"

"No you didn't", Alyssa said. "Listen to me, I asked you here so I could apologise not to argue. So I'm sorry. Again"

"Apology accepted. This is a nice room", the Doctor said looking around.

"It is. I haven't fully explored it, I've been busy. Speaking of, there is something I need to show you", Alyssa said. She led him to the mat and stood on it. "Just watch the leaves and flower petals", she said gesturing to them. Alyssa started the Tai Chi and the leaves and flower petals began to lift up. "I still have got a long way to go in terms of controlling my gift but I think this will definitely help", she said.

"It does look effective. I take it the TARDIS gave you that idea?"

"She certainly did", Alyssa replied. "Um Doctor are we still staying in the TARDIS?"

"I was planning to for a few more days. Why?"

"Well I kind of have a request. It's not an adventure but it is something I need to do"

~...~

"This is really weird. I've been with you for… how long?"

The Doctor thought about it "probably a couple of weeks", he guessed. It was difficult to keep track in the TARDIS when there is no day or night in the ship.

"And I'm back a few hours after I left", Alyssa said walking through the grave yard.

"Best thing about time travel. You could travel around the universe or to a different time period and still get home in time for dinner", the Doctor said walking with her. Alyssa eventually stopped walking and turned to the Doctor

"Remember when I explained what happened at the convention and I said my Gran was there? Well…" Alyssa wandered over to a grave stone "Doctor meet my Gran, Elizabeth Sladen"

"How did she die?"

"Cancer. She was a fighter, my gran. The doctor's gave her 18 months and she lived 2 years", Alyssa replied placing the flowers in front of the stone. The Doctor moved away to give her some privacy. He leant against a tree and watched her talk to the stone.

"Hey Gran. Sorry it's been a while but I've been busy. It's a little complicated to explain and you probably won't believe me. What I can tell you is that I met this guy" Alyssa shook her head "no gran he isn't my boyfriend. The Doctor is…." Alyssa paused as if her gran spoke "yes his name is the Doctor. His name maybe strange and sometimes he's a little strange too but sweet, kind and very caring. The Doctor has been my rock throughout these past few days. He's the best friend a girl could have. Well that's about it Gran. I love you, always", Alyssa said kissing her hand and then placing it on top of the grave. Afterwards she re-joined the Doctor at the tree. "Thanks for letting me do that"

"No need to thank me Ali. Although would you mind if I go talk to her?"

"Not at all"

Alyssa stood back as he walked over to the grave. "Hello Elizabeth. I'm the Doctor, Ali's friend. You've got a remarkable granddaughter Elizabeth because I may call myself Doctor but honestly Alyssa is the true healer. She's been slowly putting me back together after the loss of a very good friend of mine", the Doctor said. He glanced back at the woman "I'm thankful to have met her. My life is exciting and occasionally dangerous. I'll do my upmost to keep Ali safe, you have my word", the Doctor vowed.

"Thank you for doing that Doctor", Alyssa said when he came back.

"Well I wanted to thank the woman who helped you through that head game"

"Still thank you. Ben would never…."

"He wouldn't what?"

"It doesn't matter. Let's get back to the TARDIS", Alyssa said quickly walking back to the blue box.

"Right where do you want to go next? We could go ice skating on the permanent frozen lakes of Celaeno", the Doctor asked Alyssa but she looked a little distracted.

"Uh yeah"

"Or we could go to Tatooine and watch the pod races?" the Doctor asked knowing that Alyssa was a fan of Star Wars.

"Sounds good", Alyssa replied again unenthusiastically.

"Nah they sound a bit boring. Maybe we could go see if we could find a planet of Fezzes with banana groves"

"Whatever you say Doctor"

Now he knew something was wrong as he figured Alyssa would've at least smiled at that suggestion. "Whats wrong Ali?"

"Nothing"

"Ali I know something's bothering you. What is it?"

Alyssa sat down in the captain's chair "I miss my mum. It's only been a few hours for her but for me it's been two weeks"

"I can take you home if you want"

"You don't mind?"

"You're homesick, I can understand that", the Doctor said pressing buttons before pulling a lever to dematerialize the box. "There you go. Home is just outside", he said after the box stopped shaking.

"It'll only be for a few days"

"Take as much time as you want. In fact give me your phone"

Alyssa handed it over and the Doctor used his sonic on it "universal roaming. You can call from anywhere in time and space as long as you know the area code", he said handing it back.

"That'll definitely come in handy", Alyssa commented.

"Oh and you'll need this", the Doctor said giving her a key.

"A key?"

"It's a TARDIS key. Call it a frequent flyer privilege. It was about time you got one"

"Thanks. If I call you, you better come"

"I promise. Besides who else am I going to ramble to or impress with my brilliance?"

Alyssa rolled her eyes "well there's always your ego you could talk to", she suggested with a smile. The woman hugged him "do me a favour while you're waiting for me to call don't mope around. Go explore, save planets be brilliant. That's an order", she said firmly moving back.

"Yes mam", the Doctor said giving her a mock salute. Alyssa swatted his arm and shook her head.

"Thank you again for everything", she said kissing his cheek. The Doctor watched her walk down the ramp. She paused at the door and turned back.

"Remember this isn't goodbye, just see you later", she said before opening the door and leaving.

"See you later Ali", the Doctor said. He didn't want her to go but understood that she missed her family and wanted to see them. "Don't worry she'll be back", he said assuring the TARDIS but honestly he was trying to reassure himself.