Ash had been the most unwilling freed prisoner. He tried to drag his heels but several barked "Moves" from the Dalek kept him going forward.

He picked himself up from the ground after the Dalek had shoved him out. He wasn't quick enough as the door clanged shut.

He spent a few minutes looking for another entrance, but found none. He turned away and vowed he would find Skaro and rescue the Doctor; whether he wanted him to or not.

He was making his way along the beach, towards the refugee ship when he heard it; a sonic boom. He stopped and looked up, two silver flashes flew over; they looked like...yes, they were missiles.

Lying metal bastards; he was never going to get off this planet. The Doctor's sacrifice meant nothing.

As they curved towards the ground he closed his eyes and his thoughts were of the Doctor.

White light penetrated his eyelids, but when he didn't feel the heat of the explosion he opened his eyes.

If this was the afterlife, it was very disappointing; it looked very much like the TARDIS med-bay...wait, it was the TARDIS med-bay. He shot up and his movement was accompanied by a tympani of alarms.

He got as far as the doors, but they wouldn't open. He hammered on them and bellowed.

"Seska, open these damm doors?"

"Ash."

He didn't register the voice until it repeated his name.

"Ash."

It was the Doctor's voice and that wasn't possible. He turned and the Doctor was standing there, but he wasn't fooled.

"You're not the Doctor."

"No, but it is easier to communicate with you in this form."

"Who are you?"

"I am the TARDIS."

Ash didn't let that faze him; he was angry with the TARDIS as well.

"What kind of sick game are you playing?"

"This is no game," the Doctor's image replied.

"Then it's cruel," Ash said.

"Yet it has to be done."

"So, is it real, any of it?"

"As real as you are."

"But it's an illusion, isn't it?"

"To you yes. Humans are quite...remarkable. But to him it's very real."

"So, you want him to think I'm dead."

"And there will be more."

"You want to break him," Ash said.

"To be fixed, something must be broken first."

"Then put me back in. I can help."

"I cannot."

Ash's hopes were dashed; he couldn't help the man he loved.

The image of the Doctor disappeared and the doors opened.

He didn't hesitate and moved.

Seska sat on the floor and looked up when he heard footsteps. He couldn't believe it when he saw Ash.

"Ash...thank Rassilon."

He stopped when he saw the look on Ash's face.

"Is that where the Doctor is?" he asked...no demanded.

He nodded.

"Let me in."

"I can't, it's sealed. The TARDIS won't let anyone in."

Ash took a step forward and looked and said. "So help me you heartless machine. If you don't let me in, I'll find a way to rip you open."

"She won't listen," Seska said.

However, he was made a liar when the door opened.

Ash stepped through and Seska went to follow but was pushed back...she only wanted Ash.

His hearts sank; he wanted to be with his mother. He slumped to the floor in dejection as the door closed.

His back was starting to ache and his thoughts turned to the large bed in the room he'd never used. He found himself walking along the corridor and soon he was soon cocooned in soft sheets and warm covers.

He was in a deep sleep within minutes. The light in his room dimmed as the TARDIS locked the doors; she didn't want him to come to any harm if things did not work out well.

Jack was sitting in the kitchen of the now empty Torchwood. He'd ordered everyone to leave; for their own safety.

He knew if the TARDIS failed in whatever she was doing and the Doctor wanted out of her, she couldn't stop him, and this place would become very dangerous, if not deadly.

There was nothing he could do about Ash or Seska, or the two young boys; but he had to believe that no matter how dark the Doctor became, he would never harm his children.

But he couldn't say the same about anyone else; hence the reason he was sat at the table cleaning and re-cleaning his gun.

Not that he wanted to use it; but he may not have a choice.

He could only hope and pray that the TARDIS knew what she was doing and that it would work.

He really didn't want to kill the Doctor.