A/N: I'm back! It's not a long chapter, I'm afraid, but it sets things in motion. Huzzah! I hope you like!

padmay97 - hurray!

Snowy702 - indeed ;)

MandaPanda89 - I'm happy you loved it! I saw Torchwood this morning - WOW. :D

Jo Brookes - The object? Heh heh. No comment :P

Ourania-Annais - hot is one way of describing it, yes ;)

As our dear 11th Doctor would say, geronimo!

Deorsa winced as Ondine's maelstrom of emotions hit him full-force. He still had ties to her, and her pleasure rocketed through him like a hail of bullets. He could feel every touch, every caress that sent her spiralling into bliss.

And he hated it. Hated that the Doctor could do what he couldn't. Oh, he could bed some whore, if he wished, make her scream for him, but it wouldn't satisfy him. He wanted Ondine. He wanted her beside him.

He whispered her Gallifreyan name, let it slide from his tongue. It was heavy, slick like oil as he spoke it. It pained him. He doubted that the Doctor even knew hers, yet the two of them were so much closer than he could ever be with her now.

"A ghrá…"

Her ecstasy was both painful yet intoxicating. He could feel his body responding, and she was not even with him.

He cursed. Memories flooded through him, memories that in no way helped his predicament.

His fist slammed up against the wall as frustration took over, and he closed his eyes, closed his mind. He wanted to tear the Doctor limb from limb, beat him black and blue. His violent urges both unnerved and pleased him, and he flexed his fingers, imagining his rival's hearts crushed and bleeding in his palms. He laughed darkly, his fantasy sending shivers through his body.

Oh, to make him bleed so freely…

And he knew exactly why Ondine had jumped into the Pandorica. He'd let her go, intrigued. He hadn't panicked; she'd be thoroughly safe there.

He glanced in the direction of the console, and a twisted smile formed on his face.

"What did you give her, my dear? What could you have possibly given her, hmm?"

Silence. He sighed.

You always protect them, don't you?

His TARDIS murmured assent, and he smiled faintly.

You protected all of them. Even Jack, though he doesn't remember, and quite frankly, I'm waiting for the perfect moment to bring those recollections back. What a shock he'll get. And I doubt he'll be quite so cocky afterwards.

He poured a glass of his favoured amber liquid, and downed it in one.

"No, I don't think he'll be cocky at all, the bastard."

Ondine kissed the Doctor's forehead. "Ready to go, love?"

He smiled. "Oh, yes."

They both began to fiddle with buttons and wires, and occasionally they would turn to each other and grin.

"You know, I think I might enjoy this," he commented casually. Ondine raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I don't mean the injuries that we'll probably sustain, no. I mean the fact that I actually get to have an adventure for the first time in forever ever ever."

"It's lucky you've got me then," she teased. "And it's so typically you, to find adventure in danger."

"Well, you only live once," he grinned. Ondine snorted, and he hit the last button.

"Right then!" He looked at her, and held out his hand. "Shall we, my lady?"

She took it, smiling. "We shall."

He sat back in the seat, and pulled her onto him, his arms forming a cage around her, protecting her.

"You've got it?" he asked suddenly.

A memory hit Ondine, as abrupt as a bolt of lightning.

"Theta…"

The Doctor looked up from studying a display. "What?"

"Old High Gallifreyan."

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Well, it would be!"

She shook her head. "I know, but it's a message. On a Home Box."

He cocked his head, coming over. "What does it say?"

"Hold on."

"What, you can't read it? No wonder, you're only six centuries old. Let me try."

"Oi! Almost seven hundred, thank you very much! And that's what it says: 'Hold on."

He peered at the ancient cube, his eyebrows twitching.

"There's more," Ondine said softly. "'Hold on to the vortex.'"

The Doctor's eyebrows shot up. "Meaning…?"

"I have no idea. 'Hold on to the vortex… sweetie.'"

She laughed, and the Doctor cocked an eyebrow at her.

"What is it?"

"River. She knew."

His eyes widened. "Oh, I hate her."

Ondine held up the object.

It was a vortex manipulator.

"She knew. Oh, Rassilon."

They grinned at each other.

"Ready?" he asked. She nodded.

"Always."

He kissed her, and his eyes gleamed as his hand pulled a lever, and her fingers pressed a button.

"Geronimo."

A/N: And we're away! Yay! Did you like it? Did you like the big Deorsa shocker? Heh heh. Review, lovelies!

Lightning xoxo