Kamusta, readers!

Welcome back to the story! I hope everyone has been having a lovely day so far. :) Please, have a joyful read and enjoy the next adventure of the story.

XxXxXxXx

Chapter 25: The Gunslinger

They met the Doctor sometime later in the street. He strolled merrily down, still excited about being the one to light the Olympic Flame. Rose and Wanda both grinned upon seeing him. They walked up behind him with Rose holding out a small cake for him. He grinned brightly once he turned around to face them, laughing when seeing the cake's toppings.

"Top banana!" he laughed. He walked up and took the cake from Rose's hands.

"Wanda made it," Rose told him just as he was about to take a bite. He froze, suddenly looking fearful of the cake. The blonde girl rolled her eyes. "Oh, just eat it." She pushed the cake into his mouth, making him take a mouth full. Wanda kept her fingers crossed as he chewed, hoping that he would like it. He hummed in delight, seeming to enjoy it. Wanda smiled, relieved she had done well.

"Not bad. Maybe a little bit too much sugar, but not bad," he commented. "Why can't you make your soufflés like this?" Wanda rolled her eyes.

"I'm working on it," she grumbled. He laughed, pulling her in for a hug. He leaned against her with his arm around her shoulder as he continued to munch on the cake.

"I can't stress this enough. Ball bearings you can eat—masterpiece!" he spoke cheerfully. Wanda and Rose both grinned at him, glad to make him happy. They walked together down the street. The Doctor leaned in close to Wanda, whispering into her ear. "By the way, heard what you said. That was a lovely thing to say."

He leant down and kissed her cheek softly. Wanda blushed brightly as he pulled away. She shot a quick glanced to Rose, afraid the girl would be angry with her boyfriend being so loving on the Time Lady. But Rose sent them both a warm smile, seeming to be greatly pleased with something. Rose walked up and linked her arm with the Doctor's open one. Smiling with joy as they all walked together down the street.

"What now?" Rose asked him. The Doctor finished up his cake quickly before answering.

"I want to go to the games! What we came for," he answered. "Besides, Wanda hasn't ever seen them. Should be a treat for her!" He squeezed Wanda's shoulders, making the girl blush even more.

"Go on, give us a clue. Which events do we do well in?" Rose questioned quickly, smiling cheekily for a spoiler.

"Well, I will tell you this . . . Papua New Guinea surprises everyone in the shot put," he said with a smirk. Rose scoffed in disbelief, but at the Doctor's cheeky grin she blinked in surprise and laughed. Fireworks began to fire off over head. They all stop to look up, staring at the beautiful colors that filled the sky.

"You know what? They keep on trying to spilt us up, but they never, ever will," Rose stated contently. Wanda stiffened, feeling cold dread washing over her. That was another thing she had forgotten about. This was one of the last adventures before . . . before Rose became lost to the Doctor. The Doctor felt Wanda's reaction to Rose's statement, glancing down to see the anxious expression crossing the Time Lady's face.

"Never say 'never, ever,'" he murmured quietly. Rose did not notice their sudden change in behavior, smiling away at the fireworks.

"Nah, we'll always be okay, all of us together forever," she responded. At this point she turned and noticed their solemn expressions. "Don't you reckon, Wanda? Doctor?"

"Something in the air, something coming," the Doctor spoke quietly.

Rose stared at him with uncertainty, feeling unease by the worried expressions of the Time Lords. "What?"

"A storm's approaching," Wanda whispered, going up to grip the Doctor's hand on her shoulder. She shivered as images of Bad Wolf ran through her mind. The same images she had been going through over again and again since Platform One. She shook as the warmth began to spread through her. Wanda turned quickly to Rose, hugging the girl tightly. Afraid that is may be the last time this version of herself would ever see Rose.

"Wanda?" the girl questioned in uncertainty.

"Take care of yourself, Rose," Wanda whispered as she disappeared in the white light.

She reappeared to dry, hot air and bright sunshine. She squinted as she stared at her surroundings, seeing an arid, cracked desert all around her. Tumble weeds went by as a small warm gust of wind swept through. She gazed around, trying to see any sight to indicate her location. Nothing but desert and far distance mountains lay around her. She spotted a dirt wagon trail a few miles off from her. Shrugging, she decided to walk to it. Might as well see where it led. Better to find somewhere out of this desert before nightfall.

She eventually arrived to the dirt trail, staring down in either direction to guess her next path. She decided to travel towards the mountains, hoping to find some sort of settlement there. Judging by the feel of the air, her mind atomically jumped to the date, 1870. The one good thing about her Time Lord mind, she always knew the time and date. She grinned, a bounce in her step as she walked down the way.

The day grew hotter as she continued her journey. At one point, she had to take off her denim jacket to feel some relief from the heat. Luckily she had a green tank top on, so it was not too hot for her. She even pulled out a hair tie from her jacket, tying up her hair in a loose ponytail. Holding her jacket in the crook of her arm, she gazed around to the scenery, marveling at the sight. The desert truly was a beautiful place, holding its own unique splendor.

Slowly, a far distant town came into sight. Wanda smiled, glad to have found something at last. She sped up her pace, in a hurry reach it. Hoping to find the Doctor somewhere in the town. She knew he would have to be nearby. As River explained, Wanda would have teleported away some time ago if he were not. Her smile faded when she spotted a crowd of people coming to the border of the town. A group of men walked close together, carrying someone on their shoulders. Wanda saw said person staring around in bewilderment, surprised by the situation at hand.

Speeding up quickly, she realized how the person they were carrying was Eleven. She also saw Amy and Rory protesting, pushing their way through the crowd to get at the Doctor. But the people of the town held them back. The men reached the border, tossing the Doctor over the line of planks and rocks that circled the town. The Doctor stood up, turning to face the men. Finding himself face-to-face with a row of guns pointed to him. Wanda saw him hold up his hands, a gesture of surrender.

Wanda's hearts sped up rapidly. She was still too far away. None of the people even saw her. She must still be a distant spec to them. This meant, even with her swift running towards the town, she would not make it in time to the Doctor. She quickly thought over what was happening. This must be the town Mercy in Nevada. Which meant the town's folk had mistaken the Doctor for the hidden Kahler-Jex, the real target of the cyborg Gunslinger, Kahler-Tek. The Gunslinger had been keeping the people captive from leaving the town, and receiving help or supplies from the outside. The people of the town were now desperate from being on the verge of starvation. So, they were willing to throw the Doctor out as sacrifice for the Gunslinger. Even if they knew the Doctor himself was not the real man the Gunslinger was after. They only wished for some peace at last.

Wanda's hearts constricted with fear as she saw the distant Gunslinger teleporting to the town little by little. Going up to kill the Doctor, even if knowing he were the wrong target. But then she sighed with relief when seeing the town Marshall, Issac, stopping the act. He demanded the Doctor come back into the town, of which the Doctor happily obliged. The Gunslinger stopped just as the edge to glare at the town before disappearing. She was glad that the Doctor was safe, but knew she must sped up and get inside the town itself before the Gunslinger came after her.

Just as he was doing so now.

Wanda skidded to a halt, freezing to the spot as the Gunslinger started to teleport towards her. She was not that far off from the town now. Could she possible run past him and make it safely there? Logically speaking . . . no.

The people of the town noticed the activity outside the border, starting to point to her direction. The Doctor spun around, staring towards the direction they were pointing. Wanda saw his eyes going wide with terror when he realized it was her out in the distance, vulnerable to attack. He rushed at the border, only to be held back by the men of the town. He fought at their grip, trying to rip himself from their hands. Wanda spotted how Amy and Rory were doing the same, shouting out in protest. All their voices and calls were distant, only noises to which Wanda could not make out what exactly was being said.

She gulped when the Gunslinger finally stood before her. He stared down at her menacingly with his one normal and one blue, robotic eye, his right arm being a large mechanical weapon, and ammo strapped all around his chest. He wore clothes similar to this era, wearing the Stetson and western attire. He pointed his weaponized arm at her, starting to activate it.

"Now. Now, hold on a minute," she spoke hurriedly, but kept her voice at a calm level. "I'm not a part of the town nor have I even set foot in it. So the rule of not crossing border doesn't necessarily apply to me until I actually step inside the town."

She held her breath after saying this, hoping it would be an excuse enough for him to let her go. She was not scared of him or the fact he wanted to kill her. But she knew it would ruin things for him and the outcome of the town if she were to die now. Maybe not if she died later, but defiantly now. He could always kill her later if he wanted to.

The Gunslinger stared at her for a while before speaking.

"You have one minute to reach the town. Then I shoot," he said firmly, lowering his weapon. Wanda smiled kindly to him.

"Thank you, Kahler-Tek," she said gratefully, nodding her head in thanks to him. She began to walk around him when he stopped her with his arm on her shoulder. He gripped it firmly.

"Wait. You know my name?" he questioned, somewhat angry and confused by this. She saw how he scanned her with his mechanical eye. "How do you know my name? State you identity."

"I'm the Wanderer. But you can call me Wanda," she said politely. She blinked, realizing this was the first time she had ever introduced herself by her title. She had never really seen herself by the name, seeing it as a distant title she did not deserve. When had she begun to see herself as the Wanderer?

The Gunslinger stared carefully at her, extremely skeptical now. "Wanderer? Your name is not in my databanks."

Wanda shook her head slightly. "No, I don't think it would be. I'm not well known."

He let go of her shoulder and pointed his weapon back at her, looking menacing once more. "Then, who are you? Why do you know my name? Are you working for Jex?"

She stared cautiously at him, realizing she probably should have just thanked him and been on her way. Why did she have to open her big mouth and say his name? She had only meant it to be polite and kind. She did not think he would become upset by it.

"I'm not working for anyone. I'm just wandering through," she answered calmly.

The Gunslinger narrowed his one good eye. "Then, how do you know?"

She pinched her thumb, beginning to feel nervous about this situation. "Let's just say I know things. Things that have yet happened. That are going to happen."

He seemed to be shocked by this, then stared almost hungrily at the idea of having that sort of knowledge.

"Tell me of these things," he commanded. "Will I succeed in my goal? Tell me." Wanda held up her hands, hoping to make a soothing gesture to calm him.

"It doesn't work like that," she said steadily. "Even if I were to tell you now of what I know, it could change two seconds later. Time is always being rewritten. So, what I tell you now may not matter later."

The Gunslinger gritted his teeth, slightly frustrated with this news. Then, he stared at her curiously with a sudden idea coming to mind. "Do you know of the changes in time? Do you see the differences?"

"Yes," she said slowly, unsure on where this was heading with this thought. He stared at her, analyzing the situation before him. Then, he came to a solution.

"You will be a valuable weapon, then," he stated. "You will be coming with me."

"Wait, what?" Before Wanda even realized what was said or what was happening, he grabbed her wrist and teleported them away.

XxXxXxXx

The Doctor stared in disbelief to where Wanda and the mysterious cyborg had been. The desert once again appeared empty, with no trace of the two had ever been there. His gazed hardened as it hit him what had just happened. Wanda been taken. Stolen from him. When she had been right there, just within reach, he could have saved her. Instead, he had remained here, stupidly letting these humans hold him back. He ripped himself out of the men's hands roughly, jerking away from them to glare in rage at the group.

"Why did you hold me back?" he demanded loudly.

"He would have killed you," Issac stated evenly. "Best only one die today."

"Funny though, he'd never taken anyone before," said the young man, Dockery. "Why her?"

"Are you saying he hasn't done this before?" the Doctor asked hastily, wanting to know everything, and learn as quickly as he could about their situation. The faster he knew what was going on, the faster he could save Wanda.

"No, never. He just sits there, watching us and keeping us in, and others out," Dockery explained.

"It doesn't matter now. That girl's a goner. Best we just forget about her," Issac said casually. The Doctor felt his blood boil. He rushed forward and grabbed Issac roughly by his coat. The men around drew out their guns, pointing their weapons at the Doctor.

"Don't you dare say that!" the Doctor snarled loudly, uncaring to the guns pointed around him. Amy and Rory pushed their way quickly through the guns.

"Doctor. Doctor, calm down," Amy said quickly.

"Wanda's fine. She's not a goner," Rory reassured him, trying to get the Doctor's vice grip off of Issac.

"He said 'just forget about her,'" the Doctor snapped at them, turning his head to glare at them as well.

"He didn't mean it. He didn't know who she was," Amy said in annoyance.

"It doesn't matter! He shouldn't have said it!" The Doctor glared back at Issac. Amy rolled her eyes.

"Please, just get over it. God you're emotional," she grumbled.

"This is '69 all over again," Rory murmured.

"What? So, you're saying you two don't care?" the Doctor barked at them.

"Of course we care," Rory retorted quickly, insulted by the very idea.

"We just know how to keep our heads about it. You don't think we're sick with worry, too?" Amy replied back angrily. "Now, let go of the Marshall, and let's actually try to do something about this mess and save our Wanderer. All right?" The Doctor let go of Issac, though still glowering at him. The Marshall fixed his coat, staring evenly at the Doctor.

"Are we going to have any more problems?" he asked the Doctor sternly.

"Not unless you get in my way," the Doctor said in a low and aggressive tone. The two men glared at each other. Amy and Rory both stared worriedly to the two.

"No, no more problems," Rory said hastily, trying to keep everyone calm, mostly the Doctor. Issac nodded to Rory, glad that someone kept their cool.

"All right, then follow me," Issac said, turning around and walking down into town. The Doctor followed stiffly after. The crowd around dispersed, leaving Amy and Rory behind. They both looked to each other, nervous expressions etched on their faces.

"He's worse than usual," muttered Rory.

"And we both know why," responded Amy. Each of them gave a sigh of exasperation as they swiftly followed after the Time Lord and the Marshall.

XxXxXxXx

The Gunslinger took Wanda to a far off to a cliff side. Far away from any real sign of the town, at least for Wanda. She was sure the Gunslinger still had a good eye on the place with his robotic eye. He ordered her to sit down on a boulder, close enough to where he could still watch the town and keep an eye on her as well. Giving a brief warning that if she were to try to escape or any other sort of funny business, he would shoot her on the spot. Wanda did as she was told, sitting perfectly still as to not upset him.

"You will inform me of anything there is of me to know or do to achieve my goal," he said strictly. "Any changes in time, you will warn me. If you refuse, I will kill you." She nodded, not wishing to argue. He then turned and promptly sat down, continuing his routine of watching the town.

The Gunslinger was very different from what she remembered. He seemed much more aggressive and ready to harm the innocent. How would she deal with this? Should she look into a possibility? It seemed to be the only choice she had, at the current moment.

She sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, opening up her mind. Images flashed by, going rapidly through the adventure. She saw the Gunslinger shooting and killing Rory and Issac when they ran out into the desert. The Gunslinger killing the Doctor on the spot when finding him at the Kahler ship. The Gunslinger shooting at the town's folk, killing the innocent. The Gunslinger making so many horrible, dreadful choices. This is if she chose to escape and leave his side.

If she chose to stay with him, for some reason, things would play out much nicer, as it had in the show. But then . . . . Another awful, terrible, appalling image broke to the surface. The Doctor turning to Jex, gun in hand, and, with a piercing sound of gunfire, Wanda saw the Doctor shooting the alien doctor. Killing Jex on the spot at the border. The Oncoming Storm in full fury.

Wanda pulled from the image with a cry, gripping her head, not from the piercing headache, but from the horror of seeing the Doctor do such a thing. Never, in all her life or even in her wildest nightmares, did she ever imagine the Doctor to kill someone in such a way. She knew the Doctor went to great lengths to put an end to villains. But murdering someone? No warnings. No second chances. Just murder them on the spot, without even flinching. She shook at the thought.

"What?" the Gunslinger asked, frowning at her behavior. She shook her head quickly, looking away to the ground.

Finding herself at a cross roads, she knew she had two choices to pick from. Either stay with the Gunslinger. Somehow making sure he did not destroy people's lives. Or escape with the Doctor, making absolutely sure that he did not make the gravest mistake. A choice between two horrors. Stay and save many lives? Or leave and only save one? Which held more value?

Which will she choose?

She sucked in a deep breath, calming herself down. There had to be another way. She had to think on another possibility. She delved within her mind, searching for any key element of the adventure to which she could use. But no matter how much she searched, nothing came forward to aid her. She was stuck between the two choices. She pulled back once her body began to ache too badly, shaking with exhaustion. The desert titled around slightly. She closed her eyes to relax, letting the motion pass. She knew she may not have a choice now, but time always changes. One might step forward to help her later.

She opened her eyes again. The desert no longer tilted, but she still felt weak. She needed to remember to be cautious when dwelling on the possibilities. Glancing to the Gunslinger, she pinched her thumb as her anxiety kicked up. Not only was she now stuck out in the desert with a cyborg thirsting for vengeance, but she also had the terror of what was to happen later with both the cyborg and the Doctor. Could she even possibly help or save anyone today? What good could she possibly do? She breathed in and out, counting. One. Two. Three. She let her anxious mind relax, beginning to formulate a plan. Perhaps not the best plan in the universe, but . . . it just might work. She smiled and nodded. Yes, it just might.

"You've been out here for three weeks," she decided to speak up, deciding to get to know the Gunslinger. "You must have been very lonely."

Only silence answered her. She stared cautiously at him. Knowing she was on thin ice around him, especially with this Gunslinger being more hateful than the one from her show.

"You don't have to kill anyone you know. Vengeance isn't the answer," she went on. "You could always go back home. Or even find a new one, if you wanted."

"I have no home," the Gunslinger answered gruffly. "And I can never have a new one. All will only see me as a monster now."

"Well, I don't," she said gently. He turned, staring skeptically at her. Wanda gave him a kind smile. "I see you as Kahler-Tek, the man who has suffered so much, and had been greatly wronged in his life. A man who thought he was to be doing good, only to wake up to the horrors he had been forced to do. A man, now desperate to find meaning in his new life." He stared at her for a while longer before turning back around.

She sat there for a while longer before slowly standing up and moving over to sit down next to him on the cliff edge.

"Get back to your post," he growled.

"What's the harm in sitting next you? I'm not going anywhere." She stayed very still; afraid that what she said might make him angry. But relaxed when seeing how he remained facing forward, simply choosing to ignore her. She kicked her feet over the edge, swinging them lightly. She stared out to the desert, taking in the bright, blue sky with few rolling, white clouds, mountains lying high in the distance, and the different assortments of textures and light colors amongst the dry earth.

"It's really beautiful, you know," she spoke up.

"What?" he questioned, turning his head slightly to her.

"The desert. Don't you think so?" She looked to him curiously, observing his reaction.

He scoffed, turning to face the landscape once again. "It is dull."

"Maybe if you stayed out all alone, staring at it for three weeks straight. Me, I think it's gorgeous. Like nothing I've ever seen. But I haven't seen much in life, so . . ." She paused, glancing at him. "What about you? What was your home world like?" He remained silent. "We might as well chat. We're going to be here a while, and it's going to get boring otherwise."

Silence continued to ring out from him. He stared grumpily out, sitting stiffly on the rocks like an unmoving force. Almost as if he himself was a boulder like the one behind them.

She sighed. "Fine, don't talk. But can you at least tell me what exactly you want with me? What am I supposed to do for you?"

"You will tell me what I must do to achieve my goal," the Gunslinger stated curtly. Wanda nodded, staring off.

"Not much to tell now. Only that we have to wait here for a while," she said. That was the one thing about the possibilities that she did appreciate. After dwelling on them, she always knew the exact amount of time needed between the stages of the adventures. She never understood how she knew the exact time, but did not question it. Best take the gift and be happy with it.

"Then, I will wait," he responded, remaining vigilant to the landscape. She stared off, kicking her legs lightly. She hummed a soft melody, enjoying the gentle warm breezed caressing her skin. "What is that melody?" She blinked in surprise when she saw the Gunslinger staring at her curiously.

"I'm not sure," she told him. "It's one that's always been in the back of my mind. An old memory. I think it's a melody my mother used to sing to me." This time, she stared curiously to him. "Why? Does it remind you of something?"

"No." The Gunslinger turned his head back, staring hard to the distance.

Wanda raised a brow. "You're lying. What does it remind you of?"

"Nothing. Now, silence or you will be placed back on your boulder."

She knew he was lying, but did not push him any further.

After some time in the silence, Wanda knew Rory and Issac were close to arriving.

"Okay, so, there're going to be some men coming out here," Wanda explained to him carefully. "But they don't mean you any harm, and they aren't going to stop you're goal. So there's no reason to—." He teleported away instantly, leaving her all alone.

"No reason to go after them," she finished in a mumble. She quickly stood up, staring around to the landscape for the Gunslinger, Rory, and Issac. She spotted the Gunslinger some distance away. Not that far off. She could reach if in time if she hurried.

Rushing to grab her jacket from the boulder, she sprinted down the rocky path of the cliff, travelling straight to the Gunslinger in record time. She panted after she reached him, coming up beside him.

"I told you to remain at your post," he growled, pointing his weapon at her.

"No, you told me not to try to escape. There's a difference," she retorted. He glowered, lowering his weapon to turn back towards the desert.

He glared downward, seeing a ways down two men running across the land. He aimed his weapon, ready to fire. Just as the weapon whirled to life, ready to shot, Wanda rushed forward and pushed it away.

"Don't!" she shouted out in a plea. The weapon discharged, barely missing Rory. The Gunslinger yanked his arm out of the girl's grasp, pointing it harshly at her.

"Stay out of my way," he growled out.

"You don't have to kill them!" she pleaded. "They're innocent!" Her eyes stared fearfully into his cold, blue robotic and normal eye. Seeing how both held no mercy.

"They have broken the rule of crossing the line. Now, they must pay the price," he said bitterly.

Wanda shook her head, in disbelief to his lack of mercy. She waved her hand out towards where Rory and Issac were safely hidden. "What price? What have they done? Nothing, that's what."

"They have protected Jex. That is crime enough for punishment." He got closer to her, glaring down at her. "Interfere again, and I will kill you." With that said, he teleported away.

Wanda sighed; sad that she could not reason with him, but glad she was able to stop him. She knew Rory and Issac would be fine now. She just wished she knew what to say or do to persuade the Gunslinger that there was another way. She had no idea what to say, and it did not help matters any with her anxiety starting to kick in again. She had no time to dwell on that now. She would simply have to force it down and continue on. There was a certain someone who needed to see her at the moment.

Walking quickly, she pulled out a pad of paper and a pen. Glad she had talked the Doctor into turning her jacket's pockets into small dimensional spaces. It came in handy. Now, all she needed to do was convince him to get her a mobile. She desperately needed one. Especially for times like today. She only prayed how that she was able to find the Doctor in time, and that her plan might actually work. She sucked in a breath, wishing with all her hearts for her plan to work. For if it did not . . . there would be terrible consequences.

XxXxXxXx

The Doctor called out with his mind every few seconds, trying to pick up any sign of Wanda as he rode across the desert on the male horse, Susan. This was always one of the many things he could never understand about Wanda. She never held the same bond as other Time Lords. Any other Time Lord, he would be able to tell wherever they were in the universe, and know that they were alive and well. But with her, it only went for a certain distance. After they were too far apart, neither could feel the other. The bond snapping apart until they found each other again. Just one of the many mysteries of a Wanderer.

Theta.

He stopped Susan short, coming to a halt. He stared around wildly for the voice.

Wanderer? he called out. Finally, he felt the tug of the bond, feeling the connection with her once more. Calmness passed through him, easing his rapid beating hearts that had been frightened since Wanda's disappearance. As always, he felt at peace when he felt their bond.

He steered Susan towards the direction where he felt Wanda to be, and kicked the horse into action, galloping at full speed towards her.

Wanderer, I'm on my way. Don't go anywhere. he said urgently.

I wasn't planning to, Theta. came the gentle reply. He smiled brightly, his hearts beating happily, as they always have, when hearing her say his other name. He started to see her a ways off. Standing on what appeared to be a mound, jumping up and down, waving at him. He beamed, waving back wildly.

He brought Susan up close, jumping off to run up to Wanda. She hopped down from the mound, smiling brightly while leaning against it. He rushed up and gave her a tight hug, sighing with relief as he held her close.

"You're all right," he breathed.

"Of course," she replied with a small chuckle. "Kahler-Tek isn't out to hurt anyone innocent . . . at least I don't think so."

She pulled back from the hug to say something else when she stopped short. Blinking, she noticed the Stetson on his head. She had always thought he had looked nice in the show with the Stetson on, but now . . . . The way the hat shaped his head, defining the features of his face so well. It gave him an old, western hero look. She marveled at the sight, seeing it up close instead of on the telly made such a difference. It was much more distinctive then from the show. He looked so much . . . . better. A blush started to form on her face. Her hearts fluttered and her stomach jumped.

"You're wearing a Stetson," she breathed out, staring in a daze at him. A strange smirk crossed his face.

"Yes. I am," he whispered deeply. She blinked, realizing he had scooted closer to her. She saw his eyes. His bright green eyes. She never really looked at his eyes before. They were . . . nice.

"You're eyes are green," she uttered quietly. Her hearts fluttered rapidly and her stomach was doing flips.

"Yes. They are," he breathed, sounding different with a strange tone of voice. Almost . . . throaty in some ways.

She suddenly noticed how he had warped an arm around her waist, holding her close to him. She felt awkward being held in such a way. The way they stood closely together with her body pressed up against him. It sent weird shivers down her back. She felt strange emotions coursing through her. She did not like it. It felt wrong.

She pulled back from him, pinching her thumb and twisting it around.

"Um . . . w-we better get into the s-ship," she stuttered, pointing to the mound she had been standing on. She turned and pulled the camouflage covering off the white, egg shaped space ship. The Doctor blinked in surprise to seeing the ship.

"Where did that come from?" he asked in amazement. He glanced down to see a sparking cable, travelling from the ship all the way to the town. He had never even noticed it. Too busy searching for his lost Wanderer to bother with anything else.

"It's Kahler-Jex's," Wanda answered, climbing back on top of it. The Doctor moved his hands over the ship. Susan snorted loudly down from them.

"Yes, a good point, Susan" the Doctor agreed with the horse. "Where is the damage?"

"There is none. Kahler-Jex lied to you . . . about many things," Wanda said sadly. She stared at him as he climbed up with her. She watched him tap and bang at the ship with his hands, then jumping around on it, trying to get it open. She felt her hearts constrict, knowing what he was about to see. She knew he needed to see, but . . . then it would lead to . . . .

She closed her eyes tightly, the horrible image flashing by. Could she possibly stop it?

He waved his sonic at the ship, setting off the blaring alarm that echoed throughout the desert. They both covered their ears from the screeching noise. The Doctor hopped into the ship as soon as the hatch opened. Wanda crouched down to look in, seeing how he frantically worked to stop the self-destruct. He managed to get it to turn off, sighing in relief at stopping it. Wanda grinned happily, and then cried out in surprise when the Doctor pulled her into the ship with him, setting her sideways on his lap and held her close to him. The hatch above them closed, sending them into semidarkness. The only light given as that from the computer in front of them.

"Um . . . shouldn't we be figuring out what this ship really is?" Wanda asked with uncertainty to his behavior.

"In a moment," he breathed softly.

She shifted in his lap from the cramped space, feeling those strange emotions overcoming her once again. He held her differently than what she was used to. He had his arms wrapped around her, one around her waist with a hand pressed against her stomach, and the other around her upper arms. Holding her in a way that her head laid against his chest with her ear pressed up to listen to his hearts. They beat softly in a gentle rhythm. It eased some of the tension she was feeling, calming her with its soft lullaby. She felt him kiss the top of her head, holding his lips there for a moment before moving away.

"All right, now we can work," he said cheerfully. "This is an awful lot of security for a titchy spacecraft." He typed at the computer around Wanda. Still holding her with one hand pressed against her stomach while the other flipped around the controls.

"Awaiting command," spoke the computer.

"Tell me everything you can about the Gunslinger," he ordered.

"File not found," responded the computer. "Please choose from Technical Specifications, Flight Recorder, Personal Files, Maps and Charts." The Doctor leaned back into the chair, leaning Wanda back with him so she could lay her head against his chest once again.

"Theta," she whispered quietly. He glanced down at her, seeing how she gazed off in sorrow. "What you're about to see . . . it's going to hurt." He stared at her for a second before ordering the computer to show him the files of Kahler-Jex.

The information appeared on the computer, going through everything at a fast pace. Videos, images, and words of horror spoke out across the monitor. Wanda did not watch, knowing what was on screen. She felt the Doctor tense, looking up to see him staring at the screen in anger . . . his hearts clearly in pain from seeing what had been done to Jex's subjects.

After a while, the Doctor turned the computer off, having seen enough. They remained silent, not wishing to speak of the horrors. Wanda felt him shaking, but when she looked up to him again, she saw it was not from crying. It was pure rage.

"Theta, I know you're angry," she began to speak.

"This goes beyond anger, Wanderer," he said roughly. She nodded, sucking in a deep breath to continue.

"But you can't let that anger get the better of you," she spoke quickly. "I know what you wish to do to Kahler-Jex. But you cannot lose control."

"I should throw him out of town myself," he growled, not paying attention to what Wanda was saying. "Let him be shot down like the dog he is." Wanda stared at him with wide, frightened, eyes. She saw the Oncoming Storm boiling at the surface.

She had to stop this. At this rate, he would be following the path set for him within the possibilities that she saw. He would be committing the worst act of which he had tried to remain from his whole life. The Doctor would be killing not only Jex, but also himself. Killing that man the Doctor has become by crossing that line he never dared to cross before. It would destroy him. She knew it would. She saw how he hated himself for it later. Tearing at himself for his actions, forever despising himself.

She had to stop it.

She sucked in a breath, placing her fingers on his temples and her forehead against his. She had never done this before. Had never even tried. But she prayed now that it would work. He needed to see this, to know what his rage would cost him. She let the images flow, sending them into his mind. He gasped, holding onto her arms tightly as he watched. The image of himself shooting Jex down played over and over again. He pulled her back away from him, holding her at a small distance, shaking from what he had seen.

"That . . . that's not . . . I would never . . .," he said shakily, unable to finish speaking. Wanda stared at him sadly.

"You will if you let your anger control you," she spoke softly. "It's a path set for you if you choose so. You do have another choice, though. Another path. You just have to choose which one to follow."

"I would never . . . ," he tried speaking again.

Wanda held his face gently. "I know you wouldn't. But the Oncoming Storm would. Don't let him take control." She leaned forward, kissing his forehead softly. Neither spoke for a minute. Each letting that thought digest. Finally, Wanda spoke up again.

"It's best we get out of here," she said quietly. "But you better let me go up first. Someone's outside, pointing a gun and ready to shoot."

"What?! No!" the Doctor said quickly, trying to stop her from exiting into danger. But she had already opened the hatch and popped up, standing up around the Doctor to do so. She faced the Gunslinger's weapon, armed and ready to fire.

"Hello again," she said as steadily as she could.

"You have violated the rule I gave you," he said harshly. "Prepare to die." The weapon started to whirl.

"I wasn't escaping. I'm trying to help you," she said calmly. "So I never broke your rule." The weapon charged down, moving away from her face. The Gunslinger stared at her, clearly puzzled by what she said.

"You were helping? Why?" he questioned.

"Because you need help," she said, as if it obvious. "And I brought someone else to help, too." She pulled herself up from the hatch, allowing the Doctor to pop his own head up. The Gunslinger quickly pointed his weapon at the Time Lord. Wanda grabbed it and pointed it above the air, letting it discharge again. "Hold on! Just listen to what he has to say first. You really need to learn to ask questions first, and then shoot. Though, without the shooting part actually. No shooting would be nice."

The Gunslinger glared at her. The Doctor held up his hands, gulping at almost being killed. He was surprised that young Wanda acted so calmly. Especially with being around guns. But he could see it in her eyes, the wavering fear. She must have simply pushed down her fears, as she always has, as she always will, to be able to remain strong. It made him feel proud of her. Just as he always has been. Always will be.

"I know who you are, and who Jex is, too," the Doctor said calmly while staring evenly at the Gunslinger. He still held ill feelings towards the cyborg for taking his Wanderer, but he would let it go in knowing what had been done to the poor man. The Gunslinger at stare him for a moment before lowering the weapon once again. The Doctor lowered his hands.

"Look, you want justice, you deserve justice, but this isn't the way," the Doctor said quickly, trying to get the Gunslinger to see reason. "We can put him on trial."

The Gunslinger pointed his weapon at him again, saying harshly, "When he starts killing your people, you can use your justice." The Doctor stared at the cyborg with unease. The Gunslinger stared hard at him for a few seconds before speaking again. "No more warning shots. I'll kill the next person to step over that line. Make sure it's Jex."

The Gunslinger moved his weapon to point at Wanda.

"You. Off the ship," he ordered. Wanda nodded, hopping down from the ship. She grabbed her jacket off from the ground. The Doctor stared back and forth between them, eyes widening when realizing what the cyborg still wanted.

"Wait! Don't!" the Doctor shouted, pulling himself out of the ship and jumping down beside Wanda. Quickly grabbing and holding her close to his side. "She's not staying with you. She's coming with me." The Gunslinger turned, pointing his weapon harshly at the Time Lord.

"She is mine," he said firmly.

"No. She is mine," the Doctor growled lowly, holding Wanda tighter.

"Doctor, it's okay. I have to go with him," she said evenly, trying to calm him. She moved herself out of his tight grip, though not completely away from him.

"No. I came out here to get you," the Doctor said angrily. "Now that I have you, I'm not letting you go for anything." The Gunslinger moved forward, weapon whirling to life.

"She is mine. She is the one who will help me in my goal," the Gunslinger retorted harshly. He reached forward and grabbed at Wanda, yanking her away from the Doctor.

"Let her go!" the Doctor shouted in rage. He went to pull her back from the cyborg, but only managed to get ahold of the jacket from her arms before being thrown off by the Gunslinger, throwing him back against the ship roughly. The Gunslinger aimed and was ready to fire.

"No! Please, don't hurt him!" Wanda pleaded, crying out in fear. The Gunslinger stared down at her, seeing the terror in her eyes. The weapon powered down, though remained pointing at the Doctor. Wanda turned to look at the Doctor. "Doctor, I'll be fine. You're needed back at the town, and I'm needed out here. Everything will be fine. Just hand Amy my jacket. And whatever you do, have mercy."

The Gunslinger yanked her back a ways from the Doctor, pulling her to go. The Doctor scrabbled up hurriedly.

"Wanda!" he yelled. Wanda tugged at the cyborg's grip, pleading this time to the Doctor.

"Have mercy, Doctor!" she called out. "Have mercy!"

With that said, the Gunslinger teleported them away.

XxXxXxXx

So, what did everyone think? Good? Bad? Please, leave a review to tell me your thoughts, or any comments you wish to make. I love to see what everyone has to say. :)

Reviewers:

Aka-Baka Hoshi: Glad you liked it. Thanks for the review. :)

SerenityMoonlight: I'm so happy you're enjoying the story so much. :) Thank you for the review. I greatly appreciate it.

Tziphora: lol Yep, the Doctor is always the show off. Glad you liked the chapter. :) And I feel your pain with the car troubles. Believe me, I know all too well about that. I hope your troubles will be fixed soon. :)

Kayla: Go ahead and voice your theories. It doesn't matter if they're true or not, and who knows they might be. :) I always love to see what the readers ideas or thoughts are on the story. :D

annie: I'm glad you liked that scene so much. Last adventure always pulled at my heart strings as well. And I really wanted to get across how I felt for the particular adventure. I'm happy that I did well in portraying it. :) And I'm glad you enjoy the slow transition of love in Wanda. I'm trying to do it differently than what I see in other stories. Glad I'm doing good. :) Hope I can keep it up.

beulah2013: That happens to me, too. Sometimes, when I read a story, things don't click until much later within the chapters. Sometimes, not even until the second story even. Glad it's clicking for you now. Hope you continue to enjoy the story in the future. :)

That's all for today. Thank you to everyone who left a review. And thank you all for reading my story. I hope everyone will continue to read and enjoy the story in the future. :) Have a spectacular day! :D

~Tinker~