Chapter Twenty Four

Monster Mash

Navigating the hallways was much easier now that Oswin didn't have to worry about the Faction which did blow itself to kingdom come. It was amusing hearing the muffled blast or at least Rocket thought so once the Doctor explained what the noise was. In fact…

"I can't believe you set an explosive without them even noticing," Rocket cackled. "That's so beautiful and poetic."

"I didn't take you as someone that appreciated poetry," the Doctor commented.

"Oh come on," Rocket said. "I'm an appreciator of explosives and demolition devices, of course I'm gonna appreciate that move."

"I'm just glad those wankers are dead," the Doctor said. "I hate taking their lives though. I maybe a genocidal Time Lord but I don't like killing if I can help it."

"Yeah those punks were asking for it or at least leaving them alive would've been too dangerous," Rocket replied.

"Don't we count as dangerous or at the very least criminals?"

"Hey we ain't trying to take over the universe or the Time Stream or whatever it was that they were doing. We're just making a living that's all. Nothing personal and we don't get people hurt...at least intentionally."

"Fair enough," the Doctor agreed. "Thanks Rocket."

"Eh what are partners for?"

"Gentlemen you're going to have to go through the intensive care ward," Oswin cut across their conversation. "I'd advise you not to mention the er...D word in that room like at all."

"What they'll go berserk?" Rocket asked.

"These Daleks have encountered the Doctor before and the experience evidentially drove them mad," Oswin said. "So word of warning don't mention the D-word."

"Good grief I'm the Cthulhu of the Daleks. Fantastic," the Doctor muttered. "Noted Oswin and we'll be there to get you luv."

"I'll unlock the door for you," Oswin said with a smile in her voice. "Stay safe."

"Cheers...Are you kidding me?! I'm starting to sound like you!"

"I know you'd like me eventually," the Doctor cheekily smiled.

"That's a pile of crap and you know it! You and I hated each other and don't deny it!"

"Thats true so you sounding like me is hilarious," Doctor smirked as he walked into the room.

"I'm gonna kill you if these things don't," Rocket grumbled without any malice mainly because he was too worried about the Daleks which as of now inactive much to their relief. As they continued down the hallway the remained inactive and once they reached the door they quickly ran through it. Breathing a sigh the two looked at each other and began to laugh with relief.

"Glad you find it funny now all you have to do is let me out," a harsh Dalek voice made the two of them jump with fright. Standing before them was a battered chained Dalek in the middle gun ready and yet not firing...But wait, the Doctor thought as he calmed his hearts as he noticed the Dalek wasn't trying to attack them. That was Oswin's voice so...oh no please no.

"Oswin?" The Doctor whispered hoping that he was wrong that the universe could just give him this one thing...

"Yeah," the Dalek chained in the room, "It's me...What's wrong?"

"Ah...Oswin," the Doctor began. "Do you remember the crash?"

"Well yeah," Oswin said the Dalek dome mimicking at shaking their head...Oh Rassilon that was her body oh great heavens that was all that was left of her. "Ship crashed and I was stranded here."

"And what have you been doing aside from sending a signals?"

"Making soufflés...Renegade seriously what's wrong?"

"Oh Oswin," the Doctor moaned. "You're not human anymore."

"But I am human!" Oswin snapped. "I..." her voice trailed off as inevitably as the memories came back to her. Those probably hateful memories. "I made it out and then..."

"The Robomen got ahold of you," the Doctor finished. "You were far too clever for being a drone so you were given the full treatment. Those soufflés were a defense mechanism. I suspected something was odd since you would've run out of milk by now. Oswin you're a Dalek now."

"No I'm human not Dalek," she shouted her voice steadily becoming more and more like his hated foes and with each word it broke both of his hearts. He wished there was some way to reverse the damage. "I am not Dalek I am not a Dalek! I am not a monster! I'm..."

"You. Are. Abso-fraking-lutely. Not. A. Monster!" Rocket snarled cutting into Oswin's breakdown having recovered from his shock at last. "Listen to me Oswin there's nothing to be ashamed of! So what you're a Dalek now? Big deal! This isn't not a curse it's an opportunity!"

"So what you're a freak?! Well news flash so am I!" He gestured to himself.

"But I'm..."

"I don't give a hoot," Rocket growled. "Us freaks we stick together and I don't wanna hear any whining and moaning about. Now we promised we'd get you out of this hellhole by the stars I'm not gonna renege on this job even if Professor Geezer will!"

"Oi," the Doctor barked. "I promised to get her out and I'm not going back on it!"

"Even with her being a Dalek?! Do you want swear by that?!"

"..." The Doctor hesitated for a second a myriad of thoughts going in his brain. There was as of now the raw hurt from the Time War warring in his mind with the impulse to help. Rocket was right it didn't matter but his experiences indicated this wouldn't end well. But then again wouldn't someone else said the same about the Guardians? They were outcasts and misfits and more importantly Oswin unlike the Daleks that participated in the war she was innocent. Just a poor soul at the wrong and the time. And even if he couldn't reverse change...didn't she deserve a chance? After all the Ravagers and Peter gave him one so why the hell couldn't he? Why not? She'd helped them and she didn't sound like someone that would abuse her Dalek weaponry...Why not? The universe had given him a second chance at life with Peter and later the Guardians and he didn't deserve it even subtracting the war crimes from the Time War. So why not?

"Yeah," the Doctor answered causing Oswin to sob with relief. "Why not? There's room in the Guardians for you."

"What if you know they...?"

"Tough," Rocket scoffed. "You're coming with us whether they like it or not. Same with you Pappy."

"Pappy?" The Doctor stared at him stunned out his slight funk. "Really that's the best nickname you could come up with?"

"Oh I'm just getting started on those," Rocket smirked. "Now you said you had a way off this hellhole?"

"I do," the Doctor pulled out his Vortex Manipulator. "You lot ready to swan off?"

"Ready when you are, Renegade," Oswin said with smile in her voice. "Now show me the stars and make it snappy I think our friends upstairs are readying their assault."

"Your wish is my command now cover your eyes and grab the nearest being. And please keep appendages inside the ride at all times," the Doctor smiled as he grabbed Rocket placing him on Oswin's manipulator arm allowing him to grab onto her. He then pressed himself closely to Oswin as he pressed the recall button closing his eyes to spare them pain. Seeing the Untempered Schism was quite enough thank you very much. They all felt a slight jolt of displacement and soon a thud as the landed. Opening he was relieved to see that they were on Xander again and...He paused for a second is his time senses could catch up. As soon as they did he was relieved to find that they were indeed in the right time zone.

"I. Hate. Vortex. Manipulators." Rocket snarled as he shook his head sitting on his perch. "That was the crappiest way to travel."

"Not very pleasant," Oswin agreed turning her eyestalk in what would be for a human an almost reproachful glare. "I'd rather not do that again ever if you don't mind."

"Oi unless you're willing to access the Dalek Time Corridor system that was the best way for getting out. Well that or being blown up."

"NO!" Both of them yelled at the Doctor.

"Thank you no," Oswin added. "Kinda like being in one piece cheers."

"Then don't complain about the car...Although mind you the TARDIS is naturally the best way to travel of course..."

"Grandpa?" Peter's very unnerved voice made them all turn around only to see Drax looking frightened, Gamora looking she was torn between running or fighting while Peter had his hand hovering over his gun but looking like Gamora he wanted to run. Meanwhile Nova Prime and Dey looked petrified and a step away from fainting entirely.

"Ah this is going to take some explaining yes?"

"How long were we gone?" Rocket asked. "It can't have been that long..."

"GRAMPS! WHY IS THERE A DALEK HERE?! AND WHERE THE FRAKKING HELL DID YOU TWO GO?!"

"Well that's an interesting tale best saved for another time," the Doctor smiled. "In the meantime," he gestured towards Oswin with his best showmanship pose as he said: "Mates welcome Oswin Oswald to the Guardians of the Galaxy! Our newest member!"

"What?" Gamora looked at them like they'd sprouted another head.

"She's part of the group," Rocket said slowly as if talking to someone particularly thick. "Now say hello you guys you're being rude."

"Hello," Gamora squeaked while Drax managed a nod of acknowledgement. Peter on the other hand whispered a "Hi" meanwhile Dey had fainted with Nova managed a terse nod.

"So," the Doctor said rubbing his hands together and generally ignoring the very pointed silence and awkwardness. "What'd we miss?"