A/N: Sorry for the late update, I had five tests in the past two weeks, and things have been a bit hectic. Hopefully, I'll go back to uploading regularly soon :)
"This is the west corridor of the central Citadel," Councillor Brunner told Eva as they walked through yet another white corridor.
"Incredible," Eva forced herself to say, even though all of the corridors looked exactly the same to her. "Oh, look at these flowers. Peri would have loved it."
"It was you who convinced the Doctor to let her stay," Brunner noted.
"She's not feeling her best," Eva lied. "I fear this tour would have done her more damage than good."
"You can never know," Brunner said.
"Actually, I can," Eva said, still looking at the flowers. "Do you know the tales of when the Doctor and I were here before?"
"The tales are forbidden to speak of –"
"Nowadays," Eva completed. "But it wasn't always that way, was it? You must have heard some of it."
"I have," Brunner confirmed.
"Did the tales tell of my nickname?" Eva asked.
"They did," Brunner said. "The Omniscient."
"Did the tales tell why I was nicknamed that way?"
"No," Brunner replied. "Why?"
"Because, more often than not, I know what's going to happen," Eva said. "If I'm not mistaken, Maylin Tekker is blackmailing the Doctor as we speak. Telling him that I would die unless the Doctor does his will."
"Is he?" Brunner asked.
"Soon, you're going to make up some excuse about being summoned elsewhere," Eva went on. "You already marked the guard to come for me, and I suppose any attempt to escape would not end well for me, would it?"
"No," Brunner said. "It won't."
"Alright," Eva nodded, turning around. "I'm still not gonna go down without a fight."
Grabbing two of the plant pots, she threw one on Brunner's head and the other on the guard that came to arrest her. Turning around, she started running as fast as she could.
As she heard the android had joined the chase after her, she turned the corner and reached a white door with a blue triangle in its middle. Knowing where the door was leading, she started twisting the triangle and pushing the door until it opened.
She ran inside, closing and locking it after her. Looking around, she saw she was standing in the middle of the Morlox's cave.
God, she hated maintaining the timeline sometimes.
Going back meant guards and androids after her head. Moving forwards meant a deadly Morlox and untrusting rebels. She'd take her chances with the rebels any day.
Slowly and carefully, she started walking deeper into the cave. The walls were beautiful, and she might have stopped to appreciate them if it weren't for the danger she knew she was facing.
She moved on, barely paying attention where she was going other than the fact that it was deeper and deeper. It wasn't until her leg hit something soft that she realized her mistake.
"This is bad," she muttered as he Morlox awoke and noted her as his next meal. "This is really, really bad... Help!" she called out, backing away. "Help!"
Just as the Morlox was about to attack, three people – two men and a woman – ran in. The men immediately started shooting at the creature, distracting it, as the woman grabbed Eva and pulled her away.
They started running away from the monster, only for their way to be blocked by a burning android.
"What is it?" the woman asked, looking at it.
"Android," one of the men replied. "Quick, away from here."
He grabbed her tightly, his pull much rougher than the woman's as they ran away. After a couple of minutes, he paused and Eva barely had time to calm her breath before one of her hand was tied to the wall.
"Who are you?" he asked her.
"My name is Eva," she said. "Who are you?"
"She doesn't look like a spy," the woman said. "In fact, she looks familiar..."
"I'm not a spy," Eva said. "Please, believe me –"
"I say we kill her," the man said, nearing the woman. "She must be working for those in the Citadel. She came here to trap us. You saw the android," he added.
"I also saw that it was on fire," the woman said.
"So their plan went wrong," the man tried to explain. "Kill her!"
"I'm not a spy!" Eva repeated, almost desperately. "I can explain, I promise you. Just give me a chance."
"Katz, we're wasting time," the man said, preparing his gun.
"Wait!" the woman – Katz – said, stopping him and nearing Eva. "You're going to have to tell us everything you know or he'll insist on killing you." She sighed. "Look, I don't want any violence. I would be willing to let you live if you just told us who sent you."
"You've got 15 seconds," the man said, aiming his gun at Eva's head.
"Look, if you're not from the Citadel, where are you from?" Katz asked.
"Originally from Earth," Eva said. "But I'm travelling with the Doctor."
"The Doctor?" the man asked.
"That's right," Eva replied.
"She must think we're fools," the man said. "Five seconds!"
"Wait!" Katz said. "What did you say your name was?"
"Evangeline," Eva said. "I'm Evangeline Miller."
At that, even the man with the gun stopped.
"Impossible," he whispered.
Katz reached out towards her neck, taking out a locket. "I knew you looked familiar," she said as she opened it. "This was given to my grandfather by the Doctor. Do you know who these women are?"
"Of course I do," Eva replied. "The one on the right is Jo Grant. I've only met her once... but what a time that was. And the one on the left... well, the hair's a bit shorter but you can still tell it's me, can't you?"
"You're right," Katz said, turning to look at the man. "This is the Omniscient. According to legend, she can't be killed. But if you still don't believe either of us... you can always try."
The man looked between Katz and Eva before finally taking his gun down.
"Thank you," Eva breathed out, much calmer now that she wasn't at risk of dying. "I have one, too," she said, marking at her own neck. "Would you like to see it?"
Hesitantly, Katz reached out to Eva's locket and opened it.
"On the right side, you can see me," Eva said. "I think this version is a bit more like the one in your locket."
"Who's the man with you?" Katz asked.
"The Doctor," Eva said. "An older version of him than the one here at the moment. On the left, is a picture of my father holding me. He's also a friend of the Doctor... or will be, anyway," she added as an afterthought. "Can you untie me, by the way?" she asked, moving her hand. "This is getting uncomfortable."
EMH
Less than ten minutes later and Eva was starting to become best friends with Katz, much to the man 's disappointment. They were sitting one across the other, drinking an odd mixture out of a dirty-looking cup.
"This stuff tastes okay," she commented.
"Enjoy it," the man, who still refused to give Eva his name, said. "It may be our last for some time."
"Why do you hide down here?" she asked Katz.
"Because of our ruler," Katz replied. "The Borad."
"Through his lackey, Maylin Tekker, he's provoked war with the Bandrils," the man said.
"Why?"
"I don't know," Katz sighed.
"If the Bandrils use a bendalypse warhead, I shudder to think of the consequences," the man said. It's a missile so powerful it can destroy anything with a central nervous system, yet leave all buildings standing."
"Let me guess," Eva sighed. "It won't kill the Morlox."
"Do you think the Doctor would help us?" the man questioned.
"Of course he would," Eva said. "We just need to get to him."
"Sezon, you've got to find a way," Katz said, and Eva's eyes widened.
"How could I forget?" she asked. "This place is Falchian Rocks, right?"
"Yes," Katz said. "Why?"
"I had a message," Eva said. "Sezon at the Falchian Rocks."
"It must be from one of our people in the Citadel," Sezon said in understanding.
"That's right," Katz nodded.
"I didn't understand why he gave it to me, but... oh, no," she whispered.
"What is it?" Katz asked, just as an armed guard ran into the cave, holding a gun at Sezon's head.
"I wouldn't do that," he said when Sezon attempted to aim at him.
"I dropped it," Eva said in defeat.
"Obviously," Sezon said, shooting her a dirty look.
He didn't believe her, she knew it... and from the betrayed look on Katz's face, she didn't believe either.
EMH
This day was definitely entering the top ten worst, Eva realized as the guards separated her from the others, more than likely preparing her as a meal to the Morlox. She thought it even entered the top five, removed from the top three only because she chose this course of events to happen to her, in order to save Peri.
"You know, this is pretty rude," she told the guard as he dragged her away using a metal collar, wincing at the pain. "This is certainly not a way to treat a Lady." As he said nothing she sighed. "Then again, you certainly are not a gentleman." He pulled harder and Eva cried out in pain. "Where are you taking me?" she questioned.
"You'll see," was all the guard said, pushing Eva into a cell and connecting her collar to the bars.
"Where are you going?" she asked as he turned away, but he didn't respond. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
She tried sitting down, but the collar on her neck wouldn't let her. She fidgeted, moving around and trying to relieve at least some of the pressure it put on her neck, but nothing happened.
At a certain point, someone came in and strapped some sort of contraption to her chest. He hit her when she tried to fight him off, sending all of the air out of her lungs, and said nothing when he was done.
In the meanwhile, Eva had found a way to sit – albeit uncomfortably – on her toes in order to give her body some rest. Her stomach started reminding her of the sandwich she didn't eat, and she was starting to be sorry for not having it when she had the chance.
It felt like an eternity before the guard walked back in.
"Finally," she said. "You know, I'd like to complain about your room service. It can do with a bit of an improvement. Perhaps include dinner, or lunch, or the meal that fits whatever part of the day we're at."
The guard didn't respond, unfastening the collar from the bar and dragging Eva away.
"Ow!" she called out, starting to follow him. "Could have asked nicely, arsehole."
He sharply pulled the collar again, and a string of curses left Eva's mouth.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked.
"You'll see," he replied, turning a corner towards the Morlox's cell, and Eva sighed.
"Son of a bitch," she muttered, earning herself another sharp pull. "I'm coming, I'm coming!" she called out angrily, falling into rhythm behind him.
Several minutes later, as the two of them reached the Morlox's cave and the guard fastened the collar to a post, turning to leave, fear finally settled into Eva.
What if she changed things too much? What if the Doctor won't arrive in time to save her? What if the Borad's plan will work, and she will be turned into a half-human, half-Morlox creature like him?
"Don't leave me here," she begged the guard as he turned to leave. "Please, don't leave me here! Help me!" she called out as the Morlox got closer and closer. "Help! Doctor, where are you?" she asked. "Help me!"
The Morlox appeared from behind a corner, and Eva's eyes widened.
"Not you!" she called out angrily.
Definitely a top three day.
As if someone heard her words, the collar around her neck unfastened allowing her to run away.
"About bloody time, she muttered, knowing the Doctor could see and hear her as she headed to the escape, only for the Morlox to block her way. "Oh, for crying out loud!" she called desperately. "Help! Help!"
A man ran into the room, taking a burning torch and using it to scare the Morlox away.
"Quickly!" he said, pulling Eva by the arm and dragging her back to the Citadel.
"Get it off me," Eva muttered once they were back inside. "Get it off me, get it off me!"
"I'm trying," the man said, starting to pick the lock.
Eva closed her eyes, wishing for this day to be over and done with when she heard footsteps approaching.
"Eva!" the Doctor called.
"Doctor!" Eva cried back, barely managing to hold back the tears.
The man managed to pick the lock at the canister and as it fell down, Eva threw her arms around the Doctor's neck.
"I'm here," he said holding her tight. "I'm here."
"I wanna go home," she said, her body shaking. "I just wanna go home."
"I... okay," the Doctor said, sadness evidence in his voice. "But not yet. We've got to get back to the Inner Sanctum quickly."
"I wanna go home," Eva repeated.
"I know," the Doctor said softly. "But we've got a war to stop first."
EMH
"What's happening?" the Doctor asked as they walked back into the room where they landed, his hand not once letting go of Eva's.
"Too late," Vena said. "The Bandrils have fired their missile."
The Doctor stepped forwards, using the communication panel.
"This is the Doctor," he said. "I say again, this is the Doctor. Please connect me with the Ambassador. "
"They don't reply," Vena said.
"They better reply," the Doctor bit out. "Eva's been hurt and I'm angry. They do not want to face that anger. You must respond," he told the communicator device. "I am a Time Lord. I am, in fact, President of the High Council of Gallifrey. Destroy me, you'll have more than a petty war on your hands. Ah, there you are," he said as the ambassador appeared on screen.
"Can you prove that you are a Time Lord?" the ambassador asked.
"There's no time for that now," the Doctor said. "You must call off your attack. Karfel has been in the hands of a dictator. That dictator has now been overthrown. You must destroy your missile."
The ambassador turned from them, speaking to someone off the screen.
"How close is the missile?" Peri asked.
"Too close," the Doctor muttered, pulling Eva closer.
"We accept what you say," the ambassador said, turning back to them, "And require only sight of the Borad as proof of your goodwill."
"Well, that might prove a trifle difficult," the Doctor said.
"Then there is little we can do," the ambassador said, turning the communication off.
"Ambassador!" the Doctor called out.
"Oh, terrific," Peri muttered.
"Wait here," the Doctor said, running to the TARDIS.
"Where are you going?" Peri asked, following him in.
It didn't seem like either of them were aware of the fact that he was still holding Eva's hand.
He let her go as soon as he entered the TARDIS, and she all but fell on the chair that stood next to the console.
"Doctor!" Peri called out, walking in right before the doors closed.
"I told you to wait with the others," the Doctor said, opening the doors once more.
"Well, I'd rather stay with you," Peri said.
"It isn't practical," the Doctor informed her.
"What does that mean?" Peri questioned.
"Practical? Advantageous, useful, productive, efficacious, effective."
"Sure, desirable," Peri said, rolling her eyes. "What are you going to do?"
"He's going to stop the missile," Eva said, making the Doctor turn to look at her.
"When did you enter here?" he asked.
"With you," Eva said. "You held my hand."
"Oh," the Doctor said. "I did, didn't I? How are you feeling?" he added, coming closer to her.
"Had my better," Eva replied. "Not so sure about the worse."
"You shouldn't have let Tekker send you away if you knew you'd be in danger," the Doctor scolded.
"It was either me or Peri," Eva said. "I made my choice."
"Peri," the Doctor said, turning to his companion as he remembered she was still there. "you must leave."
"But... what you're doing sounds dangerous," she said.
"The only dangerous thing about it is having you on board to distract me," the Doctor said, working on the console once more. "Are you still here?"
"Yes!" Peri said. "Look, I'll keep out of your way."
"You don't know how," the Doctor retorted.
"I'm coming with you," she insisted.
"Peri, every second we waste now brings Karfel into even greater danger," the Doctor said tiredly.
"Well then, let's go!"
"That's what I want to do," the Doctor said. "But alone. Or just with Eva. Now go back to Vena and the others, Peri. Please?"
"I can't," Peri said. "I don't trust you. You're being too reasonable."
"Then I shall be unreasonable," the Doctor said, picking Peri up and carrying her to the door. "Get out! Why will you never cooperate?"
"Because I worry," Peri said. "It's my caring nature."
"Peri, I shall be gone for but a minute," the Doctor said. "Now, if you want to fuss over someone, may I suggest that Herbert would make a much more eager recipient. "
"What if something happens to you?" Peri questioned. "We'd be stuck here."
"If I don't go now, there won't be anywhere for you to be stuck to," the Doctor said. "The planet will be destroyed. Now, will you go, please?"
"Well, take care of yourself," Peri sighed, before walking out of the door.
As soon as she was out, the Doctor closed the doors once more and resumed pressing buttons on the console.
"I know you don't like it when I ask you this," he told Eva, "But... will everything be okay?"
"It will," Eva replied, and the Doctor stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath before kissing Eva softly.
"So I need you to leave," he said.
"Doctor –"
"You say everything will be okay," the Doctor said. "I'll come back to you. But for the smallest chance the TARDIS won't make it... Eva, I can't put you at risk. In any of my former bodies, I'd have kicked you out and departed before you could return..."
"Don't you dare," Eva threatened.
"I won't," the Doctor nodded. "I'll never, ever kick you out. So I'm asking of you right here and now, leave. Stay safe."
"Doctor –"
"Please?"
Eva sighed, closing her eyes. "You better come back to me, Fozzie," she warned him.
"Always," the Doctor promised, letting go long enough for her to get out of the TARDIS so he could close the doors.
He had work to do.
