Rated T for safety reasons and language.

Disclaimer: The Doctor and his companies belongs to BBC. I'm just a girl who fell in love. Though, the Time Eaters are my babies. If you want to borrow them, ask nicely.

Thanks for the reviews(!): Akrylic, bored411, drmsqnc, LOPE, Cashagon, Lady Hummingbird, MDA, Sam, Truechadreviewer, Mithya Aviana Cailin, Guest, Diving in, HJ, domestic fanperson and HannahHPandDWfanJones

Time for explanations, my pets.

Unbeta'd: All mistakes are my own and I will fix them when you or I catch them :)

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There and Back Again:

Fly Away With Me

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As soon as they reached Jackson Lake's London home, he took May's pistol and disabled it. With his sonic he lit the gunpowder, locked the hammer, and accelerated the corroding process. It harmlessly backfired. Just a spark and then there was a crack in the barrel. It was now a rusted piece of junk in a matter of 13 seconds.

May was irate. She cursed the Doctor, and tried to man handle the gun away from him; but the Time Lord was too strong and taller to boot.

"I hate you." She seethed, her glare emphasized by the eerie gold color of her irises. The Doctor ignored her hearts stabbing words as he tossed the gun into the night. He knew deep down she didn't mean it.

"What're we doin' here?" Rosita asked suddenly behind them. Her eyes flickering between the two and the large house. "What is this place?"

"Jackson Lake's estate." The Doctor answered without looking at her.

"What? Why?"

"Something has been bothering me." He claimed as he crossed his arms. "Jackson's family: his wife was killed in the cellar, and his son, taken."

"I remember sir, but why-?"

"But why, exactly." The Doctor interrupted her, turning around to face the home. "What were the Cybermen doing down there? What was their purpose?"

"I-?" Rosita floundered. Thinking deeply, her brows knitted together as she tried to find the answer herself. After a moment of silence realization dawned on her face. "There is another way in. The Cybermen. There is a door into the sluice."

The Doctor's grin was big and proud. "There it is. Proof that you humans aren't all bovine."

"Oi!" Rosita immediately scowled.

May rolled her eyes and huffed. "Too much talking." Then she took off at a sprint towards the door of the Jackson's estate. The Doctor laughed and winked at Rosita.

"Well, come on then. Allons-y!" He was quick to fall in step beside May who glared at him in return.

Rosita was left standing in the street alone, staring at the strange couple with an expression of disbelief.

"Damn...men...Lords." She didn't know what to call the Doctor in her frustration. So instead of trying to wrap her brain around it all, Rosita hiked up her skirt (something that was becoming a terrible burden with all this running) and chased after them.

Jackson Lake was definitely a man of money. The home was quite large and very posh. Inside were a variety of furniture that had been shoved off to the side, covered by white sheets, and layered with dust. It was obvious that the residents had not had a chance to even unpack before tragedy struck. It would have taken time for the group to find the door, or hatch, leading to the cellar if it hadn't been for May. She moved fluidly and confidently through the house as if she had been there many times before.

When May had opened the hatch on the floor in the kitchen, she immediately grabbed another infostamp, and aimed it in front of her. She glanced at the Doctor before nodding towards the cellar. Pulling his sonic out, the Doctor took the first step into the dark.

"Delete!" At the sight of a Cyberman, the Doctor pointed his sonic, and then ducked down. When May shot the blue energy beam towards the Cyber over his head, the Doctor helped its accuracy with a little help of his screwdriver. When the Cyberman dropped to the ground dead, the Doctor hopped back onto his feet, and zeroed in on a metal contraption in the middle of the cellar.

"A Dimension Vault." He exclaimed as he fell to his knees in front of it. "Stolen from the Daleks." Again. His thoughts added as he studied the technology. "That's how the Cybermen traveled through time." From the corner of his eye he watched as May scoured the room. She brushed items off shelves, kicked boxes on the floor, all in an attempt to find the passageway.

"Th-that little thing?" Rosita questioned staring at the Vault with wide brown eyes. "Sent them here? How?"

The Doctor opened his mouth to answer her when he caught May standing in front of a manhole near the adjoining room. So that's how the Cybermen got in. He thought grimly; his lips turning downward into a frown. No time to explain Space-time Continuum science to the homo sapien.

"It's very time techy techy." He answered her lamely as he stood. "Nothing noteworthy, besides it's out of juice." He placed the sonic back in his breast pocket just as May pulled the grating off the manhole. "Rosita, maybe you should-?" He gestured back up upstairs and away from the impending danger ahead.

The English woman cut him off. "Don't even, Time Lord. I'm goin' with you and ain't nothin' stopin' me." She then made her point by heading down the ladder into the sewer first. Running a hand through his hair, the Doctor let out a breath of air in exasperation. Women. He then turned towards May, and gave a small but cheeky smile.

"Ladies first." He said with an extended hand. May glanced at him and then the hole on the floor. She bit her lip as a flash of fear appeared in her eyes. Yet, just as quickly as it came, it went away just as fast. Ignoring his hand, May started down the ladder without a word. Sighing, only a little hearts broken, the Doctor lowered his hand. What a mess.

Onward the trio went, into the dark and muck of the sluice. One would think it would have been hard finding the Cybercollective in the twists and turns of the sewer. For a normal human, yes, but it was quite easy for the Time Lord. The smell of engine oil and the sharp taste of metal was heavy despite the sludge. Between the smell, and the sight of scurrying rats, it was an simple trail to follow.

"What do the Cybermen want?" Rosita asked as they neared the sounds of grinding metal, and circulating water.

"They want you." He told her as he ducked under a low hanging pipe. "That's what Cybermen are; human beings with their brains put into metal shells." He then jumped to the other side of the sluice avoiding a large puddle of grime. "They want every living thing to be like them."

"That's...that's disgustin'!" Rosita claimed in horror, and the Doctor wasn't sure if she meant his explanation or the cesspool; maybe it was both.

"We're here." May pointed out, stepping closer to the Doctor. Peering over his shoulder, her eyes danced over the scene of a hundred or more children laboring away. Each one looked scared and exhausted as they worked, ever wary of their Cybermen guards. Some children chained together were pushing a winch wheel, others were carrying buckets of coal and rubble, and many more were hammering away into metal. All of them, were too young to be doing such vigorous and dangerous labors.

"What is it?" Rosita questioned as she appeared by May's side.

"It's an engine." May answered before the Doctor could. "They're generating electricity."

"Why?"

"It's ah...complicated." The Doctor mumbled as he continued to analyze the scene. Without a word, May took a step forward, fist clenched around an infostamp. Immediately the Doctor stopped her, catching her wrist in a tight hold.

"What are you doing?"

"We have to save them." She hissed with narrowed eyes.

"No, not just yet." He objected with a shake of his head. The gold in her eyes brightened as her anger rose.

"Doctor!" She snarled; face contorting. "They're-!"

"Trust me." He pleaded as he cupped the back of her head with his free hand. Fingers tangling in her hair. "Please, Mayflower." He felt her freeze under his touch, and watched her gaze cool to a copper color. She glanced between his hands and his face with apprehension. It was like she was scared he would harm her.

And didn't that just break his hearts a little further.

"Come." He said, removing his hands. Yet before she could completely pull away, his free hand now wound itself around hers. Something he had done a thousand times before, and planned on continuing to do a thousand times after. "Follow me." The Doctor pulled May down another passageway, confident that Rosita would follow them without prompting.

"Where are we goin'?" She shouted behind them as they turned down another hallway.

"To find the power source. If we can stop the engine, if only temporary, the Cybermen will come running." He explained as they ran. "There would be less guards on the children then." Before Rosita could ask more questions (specifically on how it would be possible to get to the children when they themselves would be surround by Cybermen) the Doctor slid to a stop.

"Ooo~ hold on!" He shouted in interest. Letting go of May's hand, the Doctor reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses. "What's this?" He tapped a flickering screen that was impeded into a sewer wall. The Cybermen and the Dalek language were mixed together flickering through the mass of data. The out of date information, and the garble of words made deciphering difficult.

Almost. Not really.

"Ninety percent." He mumbled with furrowed eyebrows. "No wait." He tapped the screen again causing the image to flicker. "Power fluctuation. That's not meant to happen."

Rosita came to his side and peered at the computer. "Is that good?"

"No, it's weird." He answered; leaning backwards as if hoping the different angle would give him more information. "The software's rewriting itself. It's changing." As soon as the words left his mouth the screen sparked and flashed dangerously.

"Whoa!" The Doctor yelled in alarm stepping back with Rosita. "What the hell's happening? It's out of control!"

"What does that mean, Doctor?" She asked panicked. Eyes glued to the flicking screen.

"It's accelerating. Ninety six percent and climbing."

"But then, when it reaches a hundred, what about the children?" Rosita demanded tugging at the sleeve of the Doctor's jacket. He removed his glasses and tucked them back in his pocket. He stared grimly at the screen before turning to the dark skinned woman.

"They're-." The words stuck in his throat as fear gripped his hearts. No, no, no, no, no! He began looking around wildly for the person that should, no, needed to be there.

"Where is she!" The Doctor yelled as turned around fully; searching the sewer frantically. "Where did she go?" He closed the distance between him and Rosita, and grabbed her shoulders. "Where is May? Did you see her?" He shook her in his panic.

"I-I didn't." Rosita stuttered out the reply; eyes wide and worried. Maybe even slightly fearful. "I don't know where she is!" Alarmed, the Doctor immediately let go of her, and ran full speed back towards the direction of the children.

Every time. Every single time he looked away from her, she disappeared. Why couldn't she just stay for once by his side? Why couldn't she just trust him? Rely on him? It wasn't too much to ask. May drove him out of his god damn mind with her brand of heroics. He really might just lock her in the Tardis. To keep her safe. To keep her near.

Its appeal was rising rapidly.

The Doctor stopped just at the entrance to the Engine Room. The children were still slaving away, and the Cybermen were still standing guard - so nothing changed in that aspect. The only change to be seen was May climbing the rafters. Her satchel was now slung behind her back, and there was an infostamp in her mouth in order to keep her hands free. She climbed with such elegance and grace that if it were anyone else the Doctor would have been impressed.

But it was his May, and it was taking everything in him not to call out to her. The Doctor watched with stressful anticipation as she hopped over the ledge and crept behind a Cyberman. Taking the cylinder from her mouth, May took the infostamp and jammed it right between the connection of the Cyber's voice-box and spinal wiring. It fried it and silenced it at the same time.

God did he...adore that woman.

As the Cyberman fell, May helped it down to the ground so it would't make too much noise. The children around her stared with wide eyes and dropped jaws - all were too surprised to speak. The taller woman pressed a single finger to her smiling lips and winked. Excitement entered the children's faces, but each one of them heeded her warning to keep quiet.

"That was remarkable." Rosita whispered at his side as she to followed May's trek up the scaffolding.

"And completely dangerous." He grumbled despite his awe. The Doctor just couldn't help himself. However, before he could continue brewing over May, a Cyberman Elite entered the room. The Cybers around them froze for a moment, downloading their new orders, before they extended their arms - weapons humming to life.

"Delete!" They all announced in unison. Rosita gasped in panic and the Doctor jumped into action.

"May!" He yelled jumping into the sight of the Cybermen. The unit turned around and pointed their weapons directly at the Time Lord. At her name being called, May reached into her satchel and pulled out another infostamp. The Doctor caught the thrown weapon just as the Cybers began firing. He ducked while grabbing his sonic, rolled as the firing followed, and then aimed the infostamp at the Cybermen with his sonic pressed against the cylinder. Amplifying the effectiveness of the energy beam, the Doctor took out four Cybermen in one go. He then rolled out of the way again as the Cyberman Elite continued it's onslaught. Just as the Doctor raised the infostamp, May fell from above. She tackled the Cyber to ground along with the Doctor's hearts.

For the love of Rassilon! His mind screamed as he watched the woman wrestle the Cyber. With a look of absolute determination, May straddled the Cyberman, and jammed two infostamps on either sides of it's head. With the amount of power behind the two stamps, the Cyber's head shuttered, cracked, and steamed. Despite Cybermen not being able to feel pain; just from the look of it alone, the Doctor theorized that it had to have had hurt somehow.

She is going to be the death of me. He thought running a hand down his face. Absolutely mental.

"Jesus Christ!" Shouted Rosita as she ran towards the other woman. "May, are you alright?"

"Yeah." May answered in a mumble as she stood. She swayed a bit, but caught herself. "I'm fine."

"Good." Rosita visibly relaxed before her expression turned furious. "What were you thinkin'?!" She shouted; berating the taller woman. Rosita then began to go on a rant about safety, sanity, and stupidity.

The Doctor let the English woman have her moment and contained his own anger for a time. I'll deal with her later. He thought turning to the matter at hand.

"Right!" He turned full circle, clapping his hands, staring at all the children. "Now, all of you, out!" There was no movement. They all just stared at the Doctor wide eyed and frightened. "Do you hear me?" He exclaimed loudly; emphasizing the authority in his voice. "That's an order! Every single one of you, run!" The children sprang into action at the command.

"Come on. Come on!" He yelled waving them on. "There's a hot pie for everyone, if you leg it!" As they began to flee with earnest, the Doctor quickly strode over to his two companions. "Rosita, get them out of here."

"Out? How? Where?" She questioned with a bewildered look. "Look at them. They'll be crammed in the sewers!"

"Take them through the sluice gates." May suggested as she watched the children pass. Eyes searching. "I've already cleared it."

Rosita's jaw dropped and the Doctor closed his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he willed his emotions away. Now is not the time. Focus, Doctor, focus.

"Okay." He turned to the English woman and held her gaze. "Once you're out, keep running. Far as you can as fast you can!" Mouth set in determination, Rosita nodded and took off running, yelling for the children to follow her.

"Come on, come on, come on!" The Doctor screamed as he jumped on top of the wooden winch. "Don't stop! Keep running!" He walked full circle on the wheel, staring up into the scaffolding. "May!"

"Here." She answered him causing the Doctor to look down again. She was right by his side and also staring upward. "Do you see him?"

"No, but there are too many." He told her as he walked around the wheel again. The mass of children was thinning, but there was still quite a few. It was hard telling who was who in the grime and coal dust that coated them. Just too many scared little faces. "He might have already gotten out."

May was silent as she rounded the room, dodging children and avoiding the Cybermen equipment. Suddenly, the room shook violently. The Doctor gripped the mast of the winch while May stumbled into a stack of wooden crates. The force of the quake ripped out some of the surrounding wires causing violent sparks to erupt. Furnaces toppled over causing hot coal to tumble out catching the surrounding objects on fire. Everything was quickly ablaze.

"They've finished with the motor!" The Doctor shouted as he climbed down. "It's going to blow!"

"He's here, Doctor!" May pressed as she pushed herself back to her feet.

"How do you know?"

"I just do!" She replied with confidence. Her golden eyes captured his brown worried ones. "Trust me!"

The Doctor didn't know how to respond. Trust her?

He did.

He thought he did.

With everything.

Almost everything,

But...

There was that small part of him,

A tiny part of him,

Felt that he shouldn't.

Not with everything. Not since she couldn't trust him with her everything.

So, the Doctor waited just a few more seconds. Just a few more, just to appease her, then he would snatch her up and run. Run far and run fast. Turning his own head upward (just because he wasn't sure didn't mean she wasn't right) he scanned the scaffolding looking for the lost child of Jackson Lake. Yet all he could see was wood and fire. All he could smell was smoke and electricity. There was nothing there, nobody there, they had all fled. Now was the the time to grab his May and...!

"Doctor, look!" She yelled suddenly, startling him, pointing in the direction just off to the right of them. "Over there by the lift!"

And he has been known to be wrong on occasion.

A child no more than five or six was standing at the very top of the scaffolding. His big blue eyes were wide and his expression stricken with fear. The world was falling apart around him and he was too scared to move.

"Fredrick!" May shouted in alarm; running. "Young Master, hold on! I'm coming!"

Oh no you don't! He inwardly growled as he took off in a sprint. The Doctor nearly tackled the woman as she attempted to run past him.

"Hold it!" He commanded as he trapped May in his arms. "You're not going anywhere Mayflower." She immediately began thrashing against the embrace. May clawed his arms, attempted to kick his shins, snarled and spit at him; and when that didn't work, she began pleading desperately.

"Please, Doctor. Please!" May begged gazing up at the child through the rafters. "He's just a boy, and he's alone." She then turned those dazzling honey-combed eyes towards him. "He's afraid. Let me save him, Doctor."

"You've done enough, Mayflower." He told her softly; his voice sweet. The Doctor released his hold in order to cradle her face between his palms. "I've got this." May was trembling, he could feel it underneath his fingertips. Her complexion was pale, but her cheeks were red from exertion. She was sweaty, hot to the touch, and her breathing was ragged. She had drained her energy.

After this mess was over, getting his May properly fed was going to be the Doctor's first priority.

"What?"

"I'll get him. Stay here."

"Doctor, no I-!"

"I'll be back." The Doctor interrupted her with a grin. Then, without thought, he pressed his lips to her forehead. "Promise." He let her go and ran up the ramp with a small laugh. Unknowingly leaving May shocked and frozen in place.

The Doctor went up the ramp only one level before he stopped and leaned over the edge. He eyed the ropes danging in his line of sight with a calculating expression. His eyes then brightened and he reached in his breast pocket for his sonic. Placing the screwdriver between his teeth, the Doctor climbed onto of the ledge, and then without a moments hesitation, jumped towards the hanging ropes.

His hearts sped up as a rush of adrenaline pushed through his blood. The Doctor's stomach dropped momentary as he overshot himself, but was able to fix the error by grabbing the ropes in time before he fell further. He let out an airy laugh as he hoisted himself up. With one hand now carrying his entire weight, he grabbed a hold of his sonic with his free one and aimed it out in front of him.

"Going up!"

The other rope untethered causing the sandbag on the end to drop, and in reaction, the Doctor went up. It was a rush, and it made his entire body quiver. In a matter of seconds, the Doctor rose to the very top, directly over the boy. He jumped down onto the platform, startling Fredrick who backed away in terror.

"Oh, hello." He smiled at the boy. "Merry Christmas!" The boy's already wide eyes widened further. His small eyebrows rising till they disappeared into the hairline of his strawberry blonde hair. "Now, don't be afraid, right?" He then turned around and knelt - giving the boy his back. "Let's get you out of here and back home!" With a nod of his head and a wave of his hands, he motioned for Fredrick to climb onto him. "Come on. Don't worry. I've gotcha!"

Frederick hesitated for a moment, glancing around his surrounding then back to the Doctor. His expression shifted between panic, fear, and reluctance; but the boy had his father's spirit. With uneasy steps, Frederick climbed onto the Doctor's back and clung desperately onto his lapels.

"That's it. Good boy! Hold on tight!" The Doctor shifted him on his back. He made sure the boy was secure before he leaned over the edge and began searching for his companion. "May!"

"Got it!" She shouted in reply just as he jumped to the ropes. Frederick's grip tightened as gravity dragged them down, but his hold was strong, so it didn't break when they stopped. Together they were lowered to the ground with the help of May. Who had cut a sandbag in order to unbalance the weight when it rose and the boys fell. The fall was fast, but the Doctor was ready for the impact. He only stumbled a little when his feet hit the ground, and Frederick was only mildly jostled.

"Whoo~ what a rush!" The Doctor laughed as he shifted the boy more securely onto his shoulders. "Let's go to Hedgewick's World of Wonders after this. Ride some rides." He was grinning so wide his cheeks hurt. "I have a hankering for a FyZz-Whis-L!"

May didn't seem to appreciate his excitement as she ran over. She blatantly ignored him and instead reached for Fredrick.

"Young Master are you okay?" She cried as she fussed over him. She brushed back his bangs, rubbed the dirt off his cheeks, and patted his collar down. Despite her motherly intentions, young Frederick was unaffected. Too scared, too disoriented to react. They really didn't have time for all this.

"Come on!" The Doctor shouted as he shrugged her off. "Let's get out of here."

"Give him to me!" She demanded arms extended, but he had already taken off.

"I've got him." He told her; throwing a grin over his shoulder. "Follow me!"

"Doctor!" She screamed his name in anger, but it only caused him to laugh harder.

He was having too much fun. As they ran through the sewer, the Doctor made sure he was always one step ahead of May. Just so she couldn't snatch the boy off his back. It was like a strange game of cat and mouse, or maybe, cops and robbers. Either way, it wasn't something he should find amusement in while the Cyberking threat still hung over their heads. Quite literally in fact.

But the rush - the rush was euphoric.

The sound of his breath.

The feel of his rushing blood.

The taste of danger.

The sight of the still unknown.

It was intoxicating. Addictive.

And it's concoction was made even sweeter since May was along side him.

So he ran.

Harder, faster; pressing on until the sewers were left far behind and the streets of London became their new playground. The Doctor weaved through the crowd with agility and flexibility despite the extra weight. Using his height to his advantage he peered over the heads of the frightened Londoners trying to find Rosita. After a few moments of looking, dodging a couple rounds with May, he finally spotted her. Rosita stood out in the crowd, being the only one searching the streets instead of the sky. Which most humans were doing due to the fact a giant Cyberking, carrying a functioning Cyberfactory, was taking a midnight stroll through their city.

"Rosita!" He called out to her as he ran. The English woman's head snapped in his direction, her dark eyes wide with worry.

"There you are! What happened? Where were you? What is that thing! Who is he?" She bombarded them as they stopped in front of each other. She immediately looked around the Doctor in order to spot May coming right up behind him. Rosita sagged in relief.

"No time for questions!" The Doctor exclaimed as he sat the boy down. "Fredrick, this is Rosita. She's going to take care of you, alright? She'll take you back to your dad." The boy only gave him a look of blank confusion before he peered up at Rosita.

"Doctor I-."

He stood and grabbed the English woman by the shoulders. "Run back to the stable. Take him to Jackson, and be careful."

"But!" She began to argue, but the Doctor interrupted her again.

"No time, Rosita. No time!" He shouted at her before turning his attention to May. "Lets go!" He grabbed her wrist just as she was stretching out to touch Fredrick. Her eyes flared gold in indignation, but per usual, he ignored the response. He just ran, hand in hand with May, onward into danger; with his hearts beating wildly and his smile a mile wide.

In their haste, it took them no time at all to reach Jackson's Tardis. Tossing the key to the Dimension Vault (something he had snagged while running out of the estate) into the Tardis's basket; the Doctor reluctantly let go of May's hand.

"Come on then. Help me with this." He instructed her, pointing towards one of the four posts tethering the balloon to the ground.

"Do you even know how to fly?" May asked with a huff as she untied a rope and tossed it into the empty basket.

"Nope!" The Doctor beamed giving her a cheeky smirk and a wink.

She shot him an irritated look. "You're going to crash before you even get in the air."

"Oh pish posh!" He chided; shaking his head in denial. "Such pessimistic thoughts, Mayflower. I'm sure once I get up there it'll be like riding a bike."

May mouthed the words 'pish posh' with an expression of disbelief. As if she hadn't believed he had just said them.

"Even a bike has training wheels first, Doctor."

"Training wheels." He scoffed as he untied his second rope. "I don't need training wheels." Behind his back, away from his eyes, a small smile graced May's lips.

"Everyone needs training wheels, Doctor."

The Time Lord turned around and looked at her; expression affronted. Me? Training wheels? Perish the thought!

"Cheeky." He tutted at May. His frowning lips twitching. "Very cheeky, May Owens." She shook her head and walked over to the last rope holding the balloon down. Unable to hold the farce anymore, the Doctor tilted his head back and let loose a mad cackle. Oh, how fun this was, here with May, exchanging witty remarks. It felt like he was here with the present May. The May that trusted and respected him. The May that could possibly...maybe...hopefully like...

The Doctor flushed from the neck up. Focus, Doctor. Focus. He really needed to stop having these inappropriate thoughts at these inappropriate times. Yes. His mind whispered unbidden. The best times are when you are alone, in the Tardis, in your room.

Dear, Rassilon's dirty knickers. He was assuredly going to Hell.

"What's your plan?" Entered May's voice in his head, and didn't that just do things.

"Plan?" He slurred the word out; brain not computing.

"How are you going to defeat the Cybermen?"

"Cybermen." He.

"Yes." Is.

"Defeat the Cybermen." Going.

"Yes." To.

"What...am I going to do?" Hell.

May narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you alright?"

"Huh?" Like a stretched rubber band snapping back; the Doctor jumped into attention. "What? Did you say something?" He watched as May closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stayed in this position for a couple seconds, just breathing, clenching and unclenching her fists around the last tied rope.

The Doctor just stood there, watching her with barely contained amusement. Seems I'm not the only one who gets frustrated with the other.

"What's your plan?" May finally repeated; turning to look at the rope in her hands. "To defeat the Cybermen?"

He grinned in response. "Why don't you come find out!" He then made a show of jumping into the Tardis basket.

"What?" She questioned; confused. May slowly walked towards him, untied rope in hands, and a guarded expression on her face.

"Come with me." The Doctor clarified as he took the rope, fingers intentionally brushing over hers. The flinch he received only mildly stung.

"Why?"

"Because it will be fun!" He told her excitedly as the balloon drifted off the ground. Not too high, but just enough to sway in the breeze. She still looked unsure; eyeing him warily, lips turned downward in a deep frown. He wasn't deterred. His May always loved the adventure; she couldn't deny it.

"Come." He extended his hand.

She stared at him, expression empty, before those honey combed eyes drifted down to his empty palm. After a few seconds of no movement, besides the balloon floating evermore upward, it was then the feeling of unease bloomed inside him.

"May?" He called out to her; tone uncertain. "Take my hand."

Her bottom lip trembled and she shook her head causing the Doctor's hearts to plummet to the pit of his stomach.

"May."

The balloon was rising higher now. Another foot and he would be too high to grab her.

"No." May croaked out; voice shaking.

"May, please." The Doctor pleaded in a whisper. He leaned over the basket, stretching his arm out as far as he could. May had to take his hand. She just had too.

"No." She cried out a bit louder; red outlining her eyes as they filled with tears.

"Can we-?" But before he could finish; May interrupted him.

"No!" She screamed; hands clenched, body shaking. Then she took off running; leaving him behind.

Since arriving in London, the Doctor had not once felt the bitter chill of winter until that moment. Just one moment and everything fell apart at the seams. The Doctor's hearts shattered, and his May had taken the pieces with her.

No. His thoughts whispered mournfully as he drifted alone into the night sky. Not mine. Not my May.

She wasn't her.

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When May entered the barn she realized she couldn't breathe. She couldn't inhale nor could she exhale. It was like her lungs had frozen in her chest.

"Come with me." The Doctor's fingers brushed against hers: rough, calloused, and gross.

"Come."

He pleaded; eyes so big they threatened to consume her. Take her soul.

"Take my hand."

He extended that hand. Palm open, fingers spread, and waiting. Why?

"May."

Why? May ran her fingers through her hair and slid down the barn door.

"May, please."

Just why the hell should she? He needed to stop with these mind games already. May wasn't buying whatever he was selling. I don't need him. I don't need him. Her mind chanted angrily; desperately. My master, that is all I need to be concerned with. The threat will be gone. No more Cybers means no more Doctor. Master will be safe. With those calming thoughts, May's lungs relaxed and she was able to take a shaky breath. The Doctor had been occupying too much of her thoughts lately. He was like a wart that refused to go away. It looked like she may have to carve him out.

"May? Is that you?"

At her master's call, May lifted her head. "Yes, master." Rising to her feet, May walked towards the center of the stable. Searching each stall, May spotted him sitting on a cot, holding Fredrick who was clinging onto him fast asleep. May's eyes softened at the sight.

"Do you want me to put him to bed?" She asked in a small voice.

"No!" Jackson snapped harshly; his arms wrapping securely around his son. Realizing his outburst, he flushed a bit before shaking his head. "No." He repeated in a gentler tone. "He's fine. I-I wish to hold him."

May smiled. "Of course. Do you want some tea?" She half turned to go when he stopped her.

"No." He shook his head. "Come sit with me, my...my friend." He finished almost hesitantly. This time May wavered. Her head told her not too. It was blasphemous to act, or even think about, sitting next to a master. To place yourself on the same level as them. It was suicide. Was this a test? May thought warily as her gaze drifted to his hand that was patting the seat next to him. Her head was telling her no - screaming the word till her ears rang.

Yet.

Her heart whispered, ever so softly like the brush of a feather, the word - Go.

Go ahead. Trust him. Go.

So May took a step forward, eyes shifting nervously between the spot where his hand rested and his face. When she sat down, the cot dipped causing their shoulders to touch. Despite the feeling of wrongness that made her spine tingle, it was overpowered by overwhelming relief. The Master; he was still warm and real. He wasn't...wasn't...

Her head hurt. God, why did her head hurt? There was a pulsing pain enveloping May's brain causing her eyes to ache and burn.

Master he -

they?

was k̶i̶n̶d̶.

Evil. Cold.

Warm f̶l̶e̶s̶h̶ and

metal

blood. Her

master...(s)

wanted

extermin-

-othing.

Everything.

M̶a̶y̶ l̶i̶v̶e̶d̶

would die

for him.

them.

Jack-

-leks

Please

P̶r̶a̶i̶s̶e̶

help

the masters

her

for all

with

e̶t̶e̶r̶n̶i̶t̶y̶.

insanity.

Arms settled over her shoulders and wrapped around her neck. A head rested on top of her own and nuzzled May's hair.

"Ssssshhhh." Raine's voice washed over her like a cold tide. "Sssshhhhh. I'm here. You aren't alone."

Strangely enough, that soothed her.

"May?"

The weight on her shoulders disappeared and May was thrust back into reality. "What?"

Jackson nudged her shoulder with his own. "Thank you."

"For what?" She asked brows furrowing in confusion.

"For saving my son." He told her like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Realization dawned on her. "Oh, it was my pleasure, master. No need to thank me." May gave him a dazzling smile which he did not return. "What's wrong?"

"Why do you call me that?" Jackson replied slowly; frown deepening. "I do not wish...to be called, nor be, your master, May."

Everything inside May went ice cold. Pain, panic, and desperation consumed her heart and soul. What had she done? What had she done? What had she done? Whathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedonewhathadshedone?

Please forgiver her, master!

May fell to her knees and bowed her head in the dogeza pose. "Whatever I have done, I am truly sorry master. I mean no disrespect."

"May-!"

"I know I do not deserve it, but please give me another chance." Her fingers curled, and May pressed her forehead harder into the floor. It would assuredly bruise later. "My only desire is to serve you, and the empi-."

Pain burst between her eyes causing her speech to falter. Master. Empire. Masters. Raine. Dalek. British. Jackson. May. Who was who? What was what? What was the truth and what was the lie?

"May." Interrupted her master's voice. "Stop."

"Why?" She whimpered in misery; eyes burning with tears. "Why don't you want me?" Her shoulders began shaking as she held back sobs.

Jackson sighed and shook his head. "Look at me, my friend, please." Hesitating for only a second, May did as she was told.

"May Owens." He began before he took a deep steadying breath. "You are no one's servant. Not mine, nor Rosita's, nor the Doctor's, or anyone's Mayflower."

Her eyes widen and she felt everything inside her still. "W-what?"

"Stand up." He instructed her with a small smile. May rose to her feet slowly. Fidgeting and swaying in her spot, clearly uncomfortable. "I want to thank you, May. For saving my son, for saving me." He looked down at the child in his arms. Fredrick was resting his head against his father's chest. His eyes were outlined by the color red. His cheeks had streaks from the dried tears he had cried. His grip on Jackson's shirt was tight, leaving his little fingers white from the pressure. Fredrick was just as reluctant to leaving his father's arms as Jackson had been with him.

"I ah um...I-I mean, you're welcome?" She told him uncertain. A master had never thanked her before. Especially for doing her job.

He stared at her, his grateful expression changing to grave. "I feel you still misunderstand me." His gaze captured and held hers. "You are my friend, May Owens. Now and forever will you be dear to me." He smiled and her stomach fluttered. "I can't express how much of what you've done means to me." Inside her, in the box on the ground, the badge of the Time Eaters - cracked. May sucked in a deep shaky breath.

"It was my-."

"I may not understand what is going on, Mayflower." Jackson interrupted, his tone serious and face determined. "But know this, if you ever need aid of any sort, call upon me and I will be there." May's eyes widened and her heart jumped in her chest.

"So, you don't...?" She swallowed thickly. "Want me as a...servant?" Slave, guard, weapon, fodder?

"Never."

The box shook and the lid began to close, but it looked as though it was resisting. As if a powerful source was forcing it to close despite it's wishes.

"N-never?" May repeated uncertain. She eyed him warily; as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. This had to be at test - it had to be. "I am free?"

"Oh, May." He whispered gently. "You've always been free."

May sucked in air sharply as her body began to shake. The lid shut with a loud clap! that echoed throughout her body. Muscles she hadn't even known were tense loosened and her heavy aching heart lightened. Even the pain in her head disappeared leaving her frazzled, but relieved.

She was free. Actually truly free.

May's knees buckled, and she fell to the ground, her legs no longer able to support her.

"I am free." She declared again in disbelief. "I'm not..." Her lips twitched into a smile. "I'm not expandable."

"Of course not." He assured looking upset. "You're May Owens, defender of humanity, and cherished companion of the Doctor."

At the Time Lord's name, May's mouth dried and a lump formed in her throat.

"You must be joking." She scoffed; scowling. "Me? Cherished companion of the Doctor? Never. Never in this lifetime or his next lifetime." She lowered her eyes. "Or any of his lifetimes."

Perplexed, Jackson furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't understand what you mean, my friend, but I have noticed some...tension between you two."

That's an understatement. She grumbled sarcastically, almost rolling her eyes. "There is...some bad blood." Blood. Her body shivered as a ghostly ache tingled over the skin of her hands. "Issues that have not yet been resolved between us."

"I see." He frowned. "If I may ask, what happened?"

"I-." May hesitated and looked down at her open clean palms. "I can't...I'm sorry, but I cannot say. The memories are too painful."

"I understand." Jackson sympathized; his own eyes filling with the familiar pain of regret. "I truly do." Silence stretched as both became lost in their memories. Their melancholy expressions mirrored each other, but only Jackson Lake was lucky enough to find his lifeline. His son who shifted in his lap and rubbed his dirty face into his father's shirt. May's heart warmed as Jackson ran his hand comfortingly across his son's back.

"What will you do now?" May questioned; eyeing the boy fondly.

"I do not know." He confessed with a sad smile. "We will move, to where is unclear, but we cannot stay in that house. There are too many bad memories. Too much sadness and death."

She nodded her head in understanding. "Do you still wish to fly away towards adventure? Escape the clutches of England and see the world?"

"No." Jackson chuckled as he ran his fingers through his son's hair. "I do not wish to fly the Tardis any where anymore." His expression was sad but content. "I believe at first I wished to run away. Not towards anything. but out of the reach of my past. My regrets wounded me, my dear May. They still do, but I have my son." He kissed the crown of Fredrick's head. "I have responsibilities to him, and to...my late wife."

"Ah, yes. Of course." May agreed sitting back on her haunches, fisting the fabric of her pants. "Do you think-?" She hesitated; rolling her lip ring with her teeth. "Perhaps I could live with you?"

Jackson's brows rose to his hairline in surprise.

"Of course!" He reassured quickly with a kind smile. "It would be my honor. My home is your home." His smile then fell, and suddenly he seemed uncertain. "Not to press, but what about the Doctor?"

"What about him?" She responded flatly.

Jackson hesitated; clearing not expecting her negative reaction. "Would not your absence trouble him?"

"The Doctor is not my concern." May scoffed; rolling her eyes exaggeratedly. "Trust me, I would not be missed, sir. In fact, I'm sure he would be relieved to be rid of me."

"It's Jackson."

May blinked owlishly at him - startled. "What?"

"Not sir." He grinned. "My friends call me Jackson."

"O-oh, right." She stuttered; embarrassed. "As I was saying...J-Jackson." The name felt weird for her to say. It was as if she was breaking a rule of some sort. Breaking a taboo.

May liked it.

"The Doctor doesn't care about me." She finished with a serious expression. May believed whole heartedly everything she had said. The Time Lord did not care for her, never had and never will, and she was fine with that. Truly. It gave her evermore reason to leave, and stay here with Jackson and Rosita - her friends. Though she still wanted to find Jack, it wouldn't hurt to hang around a little longer, right? She liked it here, and the people she had met had been kind. Unlike a certain Doctor and his rusty space hopper.

Jackson looked skeptical. "I think you do not know the Doctor as well as you think you do, my friend. My memories of the Doctor may be fading-." With his pointed finger he tapped his temple. "But believe me when I say that the Doctor is fond of you. Perhaps extremely so." His blue eyes twinkled mischievously, and this time, it was May who looked skeptical.

"Your brain must be muddled, J-Jackson." She teased. "Because you are speaking nonsense."

He just tilted his head back and laughed. "Insolent woman." He shook his head in humor before his expression turned serious. "Just talk to him. Speak to him of the things that haunt you. Free yourself of the burdens that have been placed upon your shoulders. I swear to you that you will not regret it."

May sighed and ran shaky fingers through her hair. "I don't know. You make it sound so simple. Forgiveness is not easy to achieve with the Doctor."

"It's up to you, my friend, but-." He pleaded; eyes wide and hopeful. "If not for yourself then for me. It will ease my mind to know that two fantastic people I have had the greatest pleasure to meet have settled their differences."

"Is that an order?" May taunted with a saucy smirk. Yet inside, she waited with bated breath. Any moment now, the other shoe could drop. If it did, if Jackson wished it too, May wouldn't know what to do anymore. To tease her with the taste of freedom; she may lose her mind. Her brain would crack, her heart would whither, and her soul...would she even have a soul anymore?

"Just a friendly suggestion." Jackson clarified with a cocky grin. May sighed and sagged openly with relief. "And maybe a hint of guilty persuasion." He winked cheekily.

May laughed loudly, teetering over the line of hysteria. Today had been too much for her. The madness in her mind, the confusing actions of the Doctor, the overwhelming need to protect her friends, and the ever growing regret of her bloody past. Anymore and she would surely overload. Fall into a dead faint.

"I'll do it."

Jackson expression turned elated. With his thumb running circles between Fredrick's shoulder blades, he looked upon May with pride.

"Truly?"

How Jackson Lake could keep on smiling during a time of great tragedy, she would never know. He was truly a great man - worthy of respect.

"Yes." May stood and crossed her arms. She gave the man her best stubborn and unimpressed expression. "I won't change mind though, and I extremely doubt that this will end well. Yet, I'll try to talk to him - for you." Jackson raised a single brow and gave her a pointed look. She scoffed in response and rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile. "As a request from a friend."

...

...

...

..

.

..

...

...

...

Yeah, May definitely wasn't going to do that. N. O. Way.

She was only there to grab her stuff and leave. She didn't want to linger there any longer than she had too. With that in mind, May slowly entered the Tardis, careful to not make any noise. The Tardis didn't look any different from the last time she had been there. The tall coral arches towering over her head, the hexagonal patterns that surrounded the room, and the center controls with too many buttons to count. It was all still there, nothing had changed since Nine. Except, there was a sweetness in the air that tickled the back of her throat every time she breathed.

May broke out into goosebumps as the subtle brush of radiation teased her skin. Then there was a smell of something familiar permeating through the room. It smelled like Jackson.

No, Jack.

No, Lefaghy.

No, home.

It smelled like home.

A wave of unease rippled down her spine causing May to shiver. This isn't right. She thought looking around the Tardis warily. Something feels wrong. This is wrong. The Tardis had never felt soothing before. It had always been like walking into a hotel. The smell of a clean room; sterile, unscented, and unfamiliar. You knew it was safe there. The doors were locked, you had people manning the front desk, and you had everything you needed to live there for a time. Yet it wasn't home. It didn't hold your scent, your memories, or your things. The Tardis had never ever felt like that.

Till now, and it was unsettling.

"Hey, I am just coming to get my things." May called out; looking warily around the control room. "I'm finally taking your advice, and leaving. I'm going to stay here." She paused. "In this time with J-Jackson." May waited, and when nothing happened, she frowned. "Sexy? You listening?"

Still nothing.

Usually that nickname would get the Tardis all huffy, but nothing. Absolutely nada. So May rounded the console staring at the monitors that were flickering through a mixture of languages: English, Time Lord, Chula, Spanish, Dalek, Reyraylupic, and many more. It was as if it were researching something. How curious. She thought with furrowed brows. When May stopped and leaned in for a closer look; the screens went suddenly blank.

"Typical." She muttered darkly, stepping away. "I'm going to my room now. Give me twenty minutes and I'll be out of your hair." May marched away, heading down the stairs and into the hallway that lead deeper into the Tardis. It seemed she was eager to be rid of May, because as soon as she turned the corner, there her room appeared. The Tardis had moved her little cove closer to the exit instead of upstairs where it should have been.

Every thing was the same. The dark blue shag rug still covered the floor, protecting bare feet from the cold metal. The surrounding walls were still a mahogany color with the indescribable picture hanging right in the middle. May's unassuming plain white door was to the right, and Jack's loud ridiculous looking burgundy door was to the left. Her gaze lingered on Jack's door as a deep ache formed in her heart.

"Jack." May whispered mournfully and walked towards the door. When she opened it, May was surprised by the lights already being on.

Jack's room was still small with honey cream colored walls. His full sized water bed was made, cleaned, and prepped for the next time the occupant slept. Which wouldn't happen for a long long long time. And didn't that break May's heart a little more. Next to the bed was his wooden night stand with a lamp and a closed book she remembered seeing. Curious, and slightly compelled, May walked over and grabbed the book. As she read the title her knees went weak with overwhelming sadness and love.

" How To Make Conversation:

True Friendship and Real Issues "

May sat on the bed because her legs couldn't hold her up anymore. She tucked the book into her chest as tears began to fall.

"Oh, Jack." She cried as sobs broke inside her chest. "I'm sorry." If only they had made up sooner. If only the both of them weren't so dang stubborn. If only, if only. May sat on the bed for many minutes just crying, letting the sorrow of loss consume her body and soul. She missed him. Missed him so much. At least, in the end, they had talked. Even if there were still many things left unsaid. When she saw him again (and she would see him again) she'd tell him all of it: her past, her lies, her fears, and her hopes. May would hold nothing back. She vowed this to him and herself.

With that promise in mind, May stood on wobbly legs. Keeping the book firmly in her grasp, she made her way towards the door. She stopped by Jack's work desk when she noticed his blue grey jacket. It was just there; hanging innocently on the back of his chair. Filled with affection and melancholy, May took the jacket and put it on over Jackson's overcoat. It was a bit snug, but May didn't care. It was like she was being hugged by the two people she cared about the most. All that was missing was something from Lefaghy.

She winced as another wave of pain entered her already broken heart. No more thoughts of sad things. May tightened her hold on the book. I have to pack my bags. With a renewed sense of purpose, she exited Jack's room, shut the door with gentle affection, and headed across the cove to her own dwelling. I shouldn't grab too many clothes. May thought as she clutched the brass knob. My camisoles and shorts would cause an outrage. They would call me a deviant or harlot. She snickered. I need to hide my photos too. Colored pictures could trigger a witch hunt. I need to grab plenty of shoes and soaps though. This centuries bathing habits are atrocious and...

And her room was gone.

POOF~! Vanished from sight.

There wasn't even a room anymore, but a hallway. A long hallway with plain white walls leading to double doors at the end.

"What the-?" May looked around trying to spot another door that would perhaps lead her to her room. She even looked behind the door she was holding. As if it was hiding between the hinges. "You've got to be kidding me." She turned around with a scowl, but that expression quickly fell. Jack's door had now disappeared. All that was left was a blank mahogany wall. "No. No. No. No!" She ran to the wall, running her hands over the paint as if the door was hidden behind it.

"What did you do with it?!" She yelled looking up at the ceiling. "Bring it back! Bring it back now!"

Slam!

May jumped and swung around; only to see her own door now gone.

"No!" She screamed and ran. May mirrored her previous actions on her own wall. "Why? Why?" The tall woman began stepping backwards, moving into the adjacent hallway, staring wide eyed into the empty cove. It was when her back hit the wall that May finally noticed the hallway's new paint job. Everything was white. A familiar white. Turning her head, she saw those double doors at the end of the passageway.

What's going on? She thought bewildered and a bit scared. When she turned back to her cove, her eyes widened further and her jaw dropped. Her little hole in the wall had disappeared completely. It was just a wall - a white wall. Turning her head completely the other way, she found herself at a dead end. The Tardis had moved her without her permission. She essentially trapped May, and the only way out was through those double doors. Doors that could have anything behind them.

She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes in anger.

"Fine." She spit out venomously. "I'll do what you want." Not like I have a choice in the matter.

May stomped her way stiffly towards the door. Body language clearly expressing her unwillingness and apprehension in the act. During the short amount of time it took May to reach the doors, her mind had already gone through nearly a thousand scenarios. A cage? A snake pit? A black hole? A torture room full of all the generations of the Doctor screaming, cursing, and spitting at her?

So imagine her surprise and confusion when she walked through those doors, and found nothing of the sort.

"The library?" She muttered looking around. "Why did you bring me here?"

The pool was still in the center; outlined by the many bookcases surrounding it. Desks and chairs were sprinkled about the library in sets of twos and fours. Large colored signs were placed around the ceiling directing to different sections of the library. To her left and right were spiral marble staircases leading up to the second, third, fourth, and to the many other floors. So far, May had only read the books on the first two rows on the first floor. It had been a goal of hers to read every book in the Tardis library. It was a fanciful and impossible dream that would have taken centuries to accomplish. All these books, all this knowledge, and it had been at her finger tips. It would be the only regret she would carry with her when she left this place.

Yet, why was she here now?

"What do you want from me?" May asked the Tardis quietly. Soon, her eyes were drawn to the second floor, where a blue light illuminated the bookshelves in the surrounding area. She had never seen that before, and she had spent many many hours in there. Curious, she slowly began a trek upwards with a frown in place. Each step she took was hesitant. Every time she pasted a bookcase she stopped at it's very edge and peered around it. As if anticipating an attack. However, each one was vacant.

As she neared the blue light, her muscles tightened, and there was a growing tension inside her spine. Causing her to unknowingly stand up taller and straighten her shoulders; making herself seem like a more imposing person. So when she rounded the last corner, ready to defend herself, she was startled by what she saw. Four desks with two chairs each sat in pairs across from each other. In the middle of them was a podium projecting a planet. It went around and around in a slow circle, shining the bright blue light, signifying an ocean. The planet seemed to mostly consist of water; covering at least ninety percent of the globe. The other ten percent was land. Just a large spot of green in the middle of blue. May didn't recognize the planet, and she knew many planets.

There was another thing that puzzled her. It was an object so random it robbed her of her own rationality.

A sandwich - laying innocently enough on one of the desks nearest to her. Then there was the cup; filled with a strange glowing liquid. Food and drink in the library. Food and drink - in - the - library! What was the Tardis playing at? Did the Tardis want to the ruin all these amazing books? Was she trying to give May a heart attack or something?

Was the food poison?

Though, that last thought came after her internal rant on all the different ways food and drink could ruin this precious source of literature.

"What is this?" May mumbled perplexed and wary. "What do you want?" Suddenly, there was a clap! of a book closing behind her.

May jumped; startled.

"Sit down, and eat Mayflower." Came the Doctor's voice causing her to stiffen.

"Why?"

Ten sighed. "Come eat, May. Eat and we'll talk."

"What do you want?" She questioned as she eyed the sandwich. It seemed innocent enough, the Tardis may hate her, but she never physically harmed her before. Verbally though, that was a different story.

"Just to talk." The Doctor replied, sounding despondent. Huh, the Tardis never sounded sad before. May thought. She pouted and whined, but she was always faking it. May walked with cautious steps towards the table. She was surprisingly hungry.

"What do you want to talk about?" She sat down and poked the sandwich.

"You." He answered causing her turn. "The Time Eaters." Between the shelves, she saw the Doctor's shadow pass ominously. She turned back around, and grabbed the sandwich.

"What's in this?" She asked sniffing it.

"It's a turkey sandwich with pepper jack cheese, tomato, onions, and mayo."

May took a hesitant bite. Wow. This is good. Then again, she had been eating oatmeal and slop for a week since arriving in the 19th Century. Jack's cooking would probably taste amazing to her right now, and he was a horrible cook.

"The liquid contains Chronon Energy." The Doctor informed her offhandedly, and she nearly choked. "I mixed it with apple juice."

"What? Why?"

Ten paused, and May saw him stop walking. He was standing near the edge the bookcase just behind her. He had a book in his hands, and his head was bowed causing his messy brown hair to cover his eyes.

He was frowning. "Because you need it, May. Organic food helps stave off the hunger, but only Time will fill your need."

"What-?" May hesitated; scared of the question. Scared of the answer. "What...do you mean?"

The Doctor started walking again, turning down another aisle, and disappearing. Yet, his voice carried.

"Perhaps we should start at the beginning." It was like he was siting next to her; whispering into her ear. May shivered at the unexpected chill that ran down her body.

The globe suddenly stopped spinning, and it began pulling in the image of the land. Soon a city appeared. Wait no, not a city, a metropolis filled with factories. In fact, that's all there seemed to be.

"The Time War was entering its first century, and the Time Lords were winning." The image down sized and moved to the bottom of the screen so a video could fit on top. It was a troop of Time Lords in full battle gear, weapons trained in front of them, stepping over the charred remains of Daleks. One soldier turned to look directly at her; the red light of their gun blinding her. Seconds later, a shot was fired and the screen went static white.

With wide eyes, May took a sip of her juice.

"The Daleks were nearing their end. They needed new weapons. Weapons that the Time Lords would never see coming." The picture of the metropolis enlarged again, but this time focusing on one - the largest plant in the city. "X20-57t, one of many unnamed planets the Daleks had possessed at the time. Most had been reclaimed, but this one alluded us. The Daleks were quite tight lipped about this one, and for good reasons." The Doctor gave a humorless chuckle. The image changed again to an unnamed Time Lord's point of view. His surrounding squad were taking up positions, and one by one they searched the rooms with the others following directly behind.

..

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

The video flickered as if it were corrupted. The scene broke and shifted before jumping forward in time where the squad were now surrounding a Weeping Angel.

"(Zzzt)...at in the name of Rassilon is (Zzzt)-is?" One of Time Lords swore. The one whose view point they were seeing through shook his head.

"F - (Zzzt) - ck."

The Weeping Angel was restrained by manacles on their ankles and wrists. The cuffs looked worn and beaten as if the Angel had been struggling for quite a long time. Which was most likely true. Covering the Angel's head was a thick black box.

"What is that (Zzzt)?" Questioned a Time Lady. She reached out to touch the box when a hand caught her wrist.

"Don't tou-(Zzzt) that's an Echo Box."

"A what?" The Time Lady snatched her hand back.

"It's a psychological torture device." Answered a Time Lord. "It contains all your senses except for touch. You'll never know when its coming. Time is stunted. Minutes will seem like days. Years will feel like seconds. You'll always be on edge - waiting for something; anything to happen. The never knowing will drive you mad."

"Is this coming from experience, Disa-(Zzzt)-?"

"Stop!" Shouted the Time Lord who had given the explanation. "Don't touch it!" Another Time Lady had been caught reaching out. Fully intending to touch the Angel with the butt of her gun.

"What?" She snapped with indignation. "It's not like its still a-(Zzzt)-. OH, SHI-(Zzzt)!" When the gun brushed against the Angel's flesh, it immediately began thrashing about, desperately struggling against it's bonds.

"How...How is it not dead?"

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

..

How indeed. May wondered along with the Time Lords as she took a small bite of her sandwich.

..

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

The Angel in the video was broken. There were large divots in it's skin as if someone had been scooping out it's flesh with an ice cream scoop. White cracks were running up and down it's grey body as if it were ready shatter at any moment. Toes and fingers were missing, and there was a neat line across it's throat. As if someone had tried to cut it's head clean off.

"Kill it! Kill it!" Ordered their commander and immediately there was gun fire. The screen went white and yellow from the flashes of light; yet when May squinted, she could clearly see the Angel breaking into pieces.

The screen suddenly paused.

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

..

"It was ingenious really." Came the Doctor's voice startling her. May had forgotten he was there, and honestly, where she was. "By blocking out the Weeping Angels' senses the Daleks were able to gather their DNA." A book slid across the desk, stopping just before it knocked over her juice. As May took it in her hands, she realized it was journal. On it's pages were the research on the Angels. There weren't any pictures. "They didn't know whether they were being looked at or not. So it's skin was malleable, easily harvested."

"Why did the Daleks need them? Need their DNA?"

The Doctor was silent for a moment, before he finally said in a grave voice: "To make you, of course." And didn't that make May die a little on the inside.

The video fast forward pausing briefly to show May standing containers filled with floating humanoid bodies in a thick yellow liquid. It was like watching a scene from a horror film. Then, the Doctor did something that horrified her - he began naming all the dead:

"Time Lords." A blonde male - dead.

"Humans." A female brunette - dead.

"Stovian." A little boy, no more than ten - dead.

May closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands. "I don't want to see this, please stop. Please!"

But he didn't: "Arcateenian. Albarian. Didoan. Castrovalvan, Cryon. Ice Warriors. Ux."

"Why so many? Why?" She shouted; eyes still covered. "What did they want?"

There was a loud thud! as another book slid across the table. May opened her eyes hesitantly, and looked down at the old faded leather. It was another journal, but this one was named after the Time Eaters.

With shaky hands, May picked it up.

"For the perfect combination of course."

..

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

"Disaster? Disaster can you hear me? Mix? Captain?" Shouted their Time Lord as he began looking frantically around the deserted hallway. "What-(Zzzt)...appening?" The passageway was in disarray. Lights were barely hanging onto their last wire. Some were flickering due to power surges which caused dangerous sparks to erupt from frayed wires. The floor was covered in rubble from broken walls, fallen ceilings, and destroyed machinery.

The Time Lord turned to his only companion who had stuck close to his side.

"Wha-(Zzz) going on?"

The Time Lady shook her head. "I-I don't know." She stuttered sounding as uncertain as she looked. "Keep sharp."

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

The video fast forward again; this time only about fifteen minutes. Their Time Lord was turning round and round at a disorienting pace. Screaming desperately and searching frantically.

"Rose! Rosey! Where did you go?! Anyone?!" His gun was shaking in his hands as he pointed it at nothing. "Talk to me! Can any-(Zzzt) hear me?!"

"I hear you."

The voice startled both May and the Time Lord. He swung around: red light pointed and gun poised. In an adjacent hallway, lighted by flickering lights, stood a woman. Her black hair was short in a pixie cut, eyes a burning orange gold, and skin a smooth milky brown. The woman stood about five foot nine or five foot ten, full figured, and long shapely legs. The woman was also completely and utterly naked. Her hips swayed hypnotically as she walked, her bountiful breasts bounced, and her steps were slow and methodical. She was beautiful, sexy, incredible, and perfect.

"Who (Zzzt) you?" His gun began shaking harder, and his breathing became rushed.

"I'm yours." Every time the lights flickered, the woman came menacing closer.

"I-I." The Time Lord faltered. "(Zzzt)?" He began lowering his gun, and the woman's dazzling smile grew. Before either of them knew it, the Time Eater was in front of him, and she was even more gorgeous up close. The shape of her eyes were like almonds accentuated by perfectly arched eyebrows. Her ears were a little on the large side with pointed tips. They helped outline her face by bringing depth to her sharp cheek bones. Smoothed the roundness of her jaw. Highlighted her full lips and perfectly angled nose.

"Wha-what are you?" He stuttered nervously as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She tilted his head back slightly causing the camera to angle upward towards the ceiling. As her face neared the Time Lord's, the only thing that May could see was the blazing gold eyes of the Time Eater woman.

"I am your destiny." Was the last thing him and May heard before the video went dark.

{/Zzzzeeetzzz/}

..

"There were three incarnations of the Time Eaters." The Doctor exclaimed suddenly. Moving on with the subject before May could really digest what she had seen.

"Wait. Wait. Wait!" She shouted, turning in her chair, searching for the Doctor between the many shelves. "What just happened?"

"The video was pretty straight forward."

"Yes, but-?" May hesitated, and she licked her suddenly dry lips. "What happened to them?"

"They died, May." He replied plainly; as if he was talking about the weather and not a mass slaughter. Her heart dropped to her stomach, and her limbs went weak.

"They're dead?" She whispered; still not believing it. "She killed them?"

"Well, that man yes. The rest of the unit were taken out by other Time Eaters."

"And you know this how?"

He was quiet for a moment before he said in a low voice: "I was apart of the search and rescue team." There was a sound of a book being placed back on a shelf. "Though it wasn't much of a rescue in the end."

"Why are you showing me all this?" She wondered softly, sipping on her drink, needing something wet her dry mouth.

"Because you need to know what the Time Eaters are." He replied hesitantly. "And you need to know why you are different."

May didn't know what to say, so she didn't say anything.

The projection then changed to a screen broken up into three columns: First / Second / Third.

"As I was saying, there are three incarnations of the Time Eaters." He continued, and the projection zoomed in on the First column. The picture of the golden eyed woman appeared.

"The First Time Eaters were everything the Daleks wanted: powerful, hungry, cold. They looked and talked like Time Lords, but really, they were nothing but beasts. They were made to kill, and kill they did. They had such an insatiable hunger; a need that could not be filled no matter how many lives they took. Soon, they were too much for even the Daleks to handle." He released a dark chuckle. "Their creation lacked the ability to feel: love, pain, fear. They could not be controlled."

The picture changed to a scene where a group of Time Eaters were caged. They paced around, eyeing all their Time Lord guards with hungry expressions. They looked sick. Their skin tones were ashy. The color of their eyes had lost their golden hue and were now a murky orange teetering on the edge of brown. Their faces were gaunt, their bodies bony, and their teeth had blackened. They were a shell of their former selves.

"The First Generation did have one weakness." The Doctor told her as the camera zoomed in on a male Time Eater. He was laying on the floor: panting like a dog, skin peeling like old paint. "If they did not feed within a week - they would just waste away. Even a day of one missed meal would be disastrous for them." The video feed faded away and the three columns were projected again.

"Ninety three years later - the Second Generation appeared." The picture enlarged the Second column and May's face appeared. She was sitting on a wall, feet dangling over the edge of a bridge. Her left arm was across her lap with her right elbow resting on top of the limb, and her palm was cradling her face. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail, her face was scarf free, and there was a small smile gracing her lips. May looked content.

"They were manageable now." More pictures appeared below May's. A young caucasian woman with snow white hair and gold eyes. A black man with thick braided hair and golden eyes. An older caramel toned teen with sugar blonde hair and baby orange eyes. Each one was wearing identical uniforms: leather bound by string, wrist metal cuffs, fur lined boots, and badges.

"The Daleks spent more time with this Generation. They were fed fear, and molded by pain. The Daleks made sure their creations felt everything."

The projection changed again; it was another video. People were screaming at each other - fighting one another. Guns, blades, rubble - all were used to harm the other. They all appeared deranged: pupils blown, lips snarling, face flushed. Some were fighting the enemy, others were fighting each other. It was madness.

In that chaos, far in the back, away from the fighting was a woman. As the video zoomed in, May's jaw dropped. In the middle of the war, a couple was entangled in each other. The woman's blonde hair fell down along her naked back in waves, and her smooth ivory skin gleamed despite the grime and dust. Her pretty painted hands were cradling the face of a man who was kissing her desperately. As if he needed her as much as the air he breathed. Gold eyes were peering over his head, staring at the carnage playing out before her with an ominous expression. Around her, protecting her, were soldiers from both factions. Men and women with love struck expressions killed friends and foes alike without an ounce of regret.

"Pleasure. Sex. Desire." The Doctor whispered; his voice thick and sultry. "It's a powerful weapon." His tone caused involuntary shivers to run down her spine. "It was our weakness. We couldn't fight our animalistic urges. We could not fight your seduction."

"My seduction?" May hissed; affronted. "I haven't seduced anyone."

The video disappeared, changing into a humanoid diagram with arrows directing towards the body's many erogenous zones.

"Everything about them was enticing." He responded coolly, ignoring her and his apparent screw up. "Their appearance, their smell, their voice. The Time Eaters could be called the originators of the Succubus and Incubus legends." Another book, added to her ever growing pile, was pushed towards her. "Yet, just like their predecessors, the Daleks did not have full control over them. Some rebelled."

A picture of a black man in a leather Dalek uniform was holding a woman in his arms. Golden tears were streaming down his face and his mouth was open in a silent scream. The woman in his arms was immobile, blue eyes glassy, and grey skin breaking away like sand.

"Love, affection, hope: these were things the Daleks were not prepared for." The projector went back to the three columns. "By giving their weapons a beating heart, they unintentionally allowed their creations to grow. To perceive their own views on right and wrong, war and peace, love and hate."

"And what happened to them?" May asked softly; though she had an inkling on what the answer would be.

"Some were exterminated." The Doctor answered. "Others were...reeducated." Suddenly, there was a sharp pain in her heart. Like someone had shoved a dagger into the fragile organ. Re...educated? Unconsciously, May began rubbing her wrists with her thumbs in slow circles. Her joints ached with phantom pains.

"And the Third Generation?"

"Ah, them, yes." The image of the Third column enlarged, and pictures of angelic beings appeared. Faces so beautiful and utterly flawless that they made her feel ugly in comparison. Their smiles were pearly white, their hair seemed smooth as silk, and their expressions were soft; inviting. They were the perfect image of warmth and compassion.

Except their golden eyes. Those eyes were stone cold dead. They held no emotion nor desire. Staring into their eyes were like staring into a black hole.

"Created three centuries into the war, The Third Generation were the Daleks' pride and joy." The Doctor's laugh was unsettling. "Monsters making monsters."

The projection feed was on fire. Buildings were falling, toppling over each other. Everything was exploding, shaking, crumbling. The world was on the brink of destruction, and in the middle of it all was a woman. Whose hair was red as the fire around her. Her lithe body was wrapped in a simple white sheet barely covering her modesty. She was looking at the carnage with a serene expression. As if she was gazing upon someone she loved. Her arms were extended outwards with her hands waving in the smoke. Mimicking the way a conductor would instruct an orchestra. Then, she turned her head towards the camera. Her grin soon turned into a flirty smile. Licking her pretty pink lips seductively, she turned her hand and gave them the "come here" motion with her finger.

The screen went static white.

"Everything the Daleks deemed useful in both previous generations were built into the Third." The Doctor explained as he finally appeared in front of her. The Tardis had created the projected image of the current Doctor. He was still wearing his dark blue collared shirt, but his pin stripped jacket from his suit was gone and his multicolored tie was loosened a couple knots. His signature brown coat was also missing, nowhere to be seen. He looked completely disheveled and haggard like he had aged a couple years. "They were truly evil."

Silence then stretched between them.

May was overwhelmed by the information that had been presented before her. Her feelings hadn't caught up to her mind yet. Still processing and evaluating, she sat in the quiet, fiddling with her plate and eyeing her empty glass. Without her realizing, May had devoured her food and drink. Her stomach felt surprisingly full, something she hadn't felt in a long time. Time in a cup, but whose time was in that cup?

"What is in this?" She asked him; tapping the glass.

"Chronon Energy, like I said."

"No, I meant..." May paused; swallowing back the bile rising up her throat. She couldn't believe she was about to say this. "Who was in this?" Just saying those words made May want to keel over. Killing a person, just for food, it was sickening; and she had just drank it all.

Ten chuckled causing May's anger to spike. How is this a laughing matter? Did he think people's lives were a joke?

"No one." He explained before she could snap at him. "It was scooped out of the time stream. I believe from the 50s in the 67th Century."

May balked. "Y-you can do that?"

"Of course." He said it so flippantly. As if feeding her time energy was like serving her a hamburger. "Easily."

She slouched in her chair feeling suddenly light headed and fatigued. "So...I eat time. Time from the vortex. Time from people. I eat people." Did that mean she was a cannibal? A murderer? May suddenly stood, pushing the chair backwards so quickly it fell over. "I'm a killer. I've killed people!" Lynda, Jack, and how many others? How many people had she killed unawares? How many lives had she destroyed? May had thought that it was Raine who was the monster. Instead, she should have been pointing fingers at the reflection in the mirror. Her mother had told her she would drown in sin. That she would dance to the Devil's tune. That insanity was her calling card.

Wait. May fisted her hair and began hitting her head with her knuckles. Do I even have mother?

"Who am I? Who am I?!" She began to yell; panicking. "I can't be this? I can't be a Time Eater! I'm human! I'm human!" She had memories of being a child with a loving father and mother. She remembered the pain of losing that father, seeing him lay there painted like a picture in his casket, of him being lowered 6 feet under. She remembered her mother's fall into depression, of drowning in the bottle, then finding salvation in religion. She remembered going to that sanctimonious church, watching her mother get involved with that bigoted scum of a man. She remembered their sham marriage, and the contractual birth of the twins. If she weren't human, whose memories were these? Whose pain was this?

"Stop!" Shouted the Doctor, and he grabbed her wrists. May froze on the spot.

The Tardis...the Tardis had never been able to touch her before. Sure, she tried to, but she was just an image. A projection made from light and energy. Her touch felt like little lightening bolts caressing her flesh. This though was real. Her touch was warm, solid, and slightly sweaty. Her projection of the Doctor had solidified. Either the Tardis had gotten an upgrade or the projection wasn't her, but the actual Doctor.

Too stunned to move, May reluctantly allowed the Doctor to pull her hands away from her head. He uncurled her fingers so he could hold them in his own.

"Please, don't hurt yourself." He pleaded mournfully, rubbing the tops of her hands with his thumbs.

May shook her head and pulled away. She crossed her arms, and shoved her hands underneath her armpits. He wouldn't be able to hold them now unless he forced her. The expression he gave her in return mirrored that of a kicked dog.

"What am I, Doctor?" She demanded; shaking her head. "What am I? Human? Time Eater?" Then in a lower voice she added: "Monster?"

"No. No. No. Not that! Not a monster, never a monster." He reassured; begging with his eyes for her to listen to him. He turned towards the projector and the image of the humanoid diagram reappeared. "There is a legend; a rumor that I had never believed before." The diagram moved to the left, and a glowing golden orb appeared next to it. "It was whispered that the Daleks had created a fail-safe. A back-up plan you could say. In a state of dire emergency, a Time Eater that was on the verge of dying could soul jump."

"Soul jump?" May eyed him with skepticism. "What does that mean?"

"It means that the Time Eater's soul would transfer itself to the nearest possible host." The orb then moved till it was placed at the center of the humanoid. "There it would grow and feed off their host." The orb suddenly began pulsing causing dark shadows to branch out. "It would slowly change them, consume them till...?"

"Till?" May urged him; heart hammering in her chest. "What do you mean till, Doctor? Till what?!"

He hesitated; eyes cast downward, hands stuffed inside his pockets. "Till nothing. Nothing is left behind, but the...the parasite."

"P-parasite?" She choked on the word, and stumbled backwards till her back hit a bookshelf. Parasite. Parasite. Parasite. She had a parasite! Raine, despite her claims of loving May, was consuming her bit by bit. "Take it out."

"What?"

"Take it out!" She screamed, showing the Doctor her arm. "Take it! Take her out now!" He had too. He just had too. He couldn't just leave Raine inside her! Allow her to kill May slowly. He couldn't be that cruel.

"I can't." He lamented mournfully; looking truly sorry. "It's been too long. She has taken too much. Your body, your humanity, it's changing. It's no longer just yours."

..

May couldn't breathe. She couldn't breathe! Her heart was thundering her chest, and every time it jumped another piece broke off. Her body felt heavy and light all at once. She wanted to run - run far and fast. May wanted to hide. Find the deepest darkest hole and just die. Death would be better than this. Better than losing who she was.

"I've got to go." She claimed suddenly, finally finding her voice. "I have to leave. Now." Then she took off, fleeing from the library without any explanation. The fight or flight signs were flashing, and May was holding down the flight button as hard as she could. I'm human. I'm human. I'M HUMAN!

The dead end briefly crossed her mind, but in her panic state the only solution she thought of was bulldozing her way through. She would slam against the wall till one of them broke: her body or the Tardis. Luckily enough, May did not have to go through with her crazy plan. The Tardis had placed the original hallway back where it belonged, allowing May to neither stop nor slow down.

"Impossible. Impossible." Everything the Doctor told her, everything she had been through, it couldn't be real. How could any of this be real? It was absolutely insane! She was going insane! What had she done to deserve this?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible. May stopped when she entered the control room. She gazed around the room with a new sense of awareness. The Tardis, she had been right about her all along. She was a parasite. She was a killer. Had she been eating the Tardis too? Feeding off the excess energy that she produced? Had May been slowly killing the Tardis?

Oh, god. I am a monster. That last thought pushed May over the edge. Tears spilled from her eyes, and sobs broke inside her chest. Panic and despair were renewed again. May had just taken a step up the stairs when arms wrapped around her torso. She was sharply turned around before being forced face first into a chest. A chin then rested on her shoulder and lips brushed against her cheek.

"Please don't run." He whispered in May's ear causing her breath to hitch. His grip tightened as if fearing that if he were to let go - she would disappear.

And maybe she would.

"Please. Please, don't run. Not again." May's face was pushed between the curve of his neck and collarbone. Her nose was pressed so close she could smell the scent of his aftershave still clinging to his skin. Feel the frantic pulse of his hearts in the vein of his neck. Hear the break in his voice as he spoke. "I'll take you any where. In any time. Just don't run. Not without..."

His voice trailed off. He left the comment open to interpretation. Not without saying goodbye? Not without giving him a chance? Not without her clothes?!

May didn't understand. She didn't understand! Her hands fisted her pants and a fresh wet sob emerged from her lips. The Doctor continued to hold her close as she cried. Uncaring that her snot and tears were obviously staining his shirt.

"Tell me what you need." He muttered against her neck. Breath tickling the tiny hairs on her skin. "Tell me what you want."

May's head was feeling fuzzy. Everything felt too overwhelming. The raging storm of her feelings, the burning of her tears, the hot breath on her neck. May felt like she was about to break into a million pieces.

Through the fog of her mind, she faintly registered the husky voice of the Doctor.

"What?"

He squeezed her. The arms around her tightened like a boa constrictor, momentarily causing her to forget how to breathe, before he peeled himself away. He laid his hands heavily on her shoulders. His grip was tight but not painful. He was still trying to stop her from leaving.

As if she could. Not with her emotions all haywired. Not while her mind battled with itself. Definitely not while her eyes were blinded by tears, and her feet rooted to the floor. Her body was solely focused on remembering how to properly intake air. It felt like a beehive had made home in her chest.

"What do you want?" He repeated the question; eyes big and brown. Her reflection was in his gaze as he peered into her soul. He wanted something from her, and she didn't know what it was. Why couldn't he just tell her what he wanted? Tell her what she needed to say to have him stop looking at her like that. The lack of oxygen was making her head dizzy and body heavy. You're a monster. Her mind reminded her (as if she had forgotten) pulling May deeper into the pool of despair.

"Tell me, May Owens." He whispered leaning down; pressing their foreheads together. His face was blurry through her tears, but she could tell he was still staring. Gauging her reactions. "I'll do anything."

"...W-want?" She chocked out the word. Did he realize what he was asking of her? She could tell him she wanted his life or the heart of the Tardis. That she wanted her next meal to be a human. Would he really be willing to give that to her? Would he really go that far?

"Yes." He confirmed slowly as he released her shoulders. He cupped her face with shaky hands and angled her head so their noses were now touching. "Tell me what you want and I'll do it. No questions asked. No...no fighting." May squeezed her eyes closed causing thick tears to fall. The Doctor gently wiped them away with one stroke.

"Is...is-?" Her voice broke and she swallowed thickly. "Is that...an order?"

Inside her, alone under a blanket of darkness, a box trembled. Chains rattled.

The Doctor sucked in air sharply. He reared back and removed his touch completely.

He took a step backwards and stared at her with fire in his eyes. "I will never ever order you to do anything." He claimed; his voice deep, clear, and honest. "You are your own person, and you make your own decisions. You are the brilliant May Owens dictator of her own life!"

After his firm declaration, May's body began to shake with too many conflicting emotions. Joy and despair combined together twisting into a messy cosmopolitan. Jackson Lake may have closed the box, but the Doctor had just locked it.

Why must he do this to May? Tease her with kindness.

"Now." The Doctor stood a little straighter; eyes staring at her head on. "I'll ask again. What do you want, May?"

What did she want? What did she want?! She wanted to be normal again! Human! To forget about everything that had happened to her. She wanted to go home, and return to normalcy. She wanted to find Jack; hug him tightly and never let go. She wanted to go back to Chuponia V and teach again. Laugh with her students, talk to Lefaghy. She wanted to run away. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream!

But there was one thing May wanted most of all. Something she always wanted to have. Even though it might cause her pain and anxiety in the future.

"I WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND!" She screamed with such force it rubbed her throat raw. "Your companion! I want to travel with you! Across time and space in the Tardis! I want to joke and laugh and cry with you! I want to...I want to learn! And run! I WANT YOU TO LIKE ME!"

May fell to her knees and sobbed. That's all she ever wanted since awakening at the end of the universe. To be friends with the Time Lord. It was an innocent wish that morphed into what felt like a dirty secret. Why would she want to be friends with a person that had made her miserable and her life hell? It was because of Rose, Jack, and Martha. He was patient and kind with them. Sure they squabbled, but it was...loving. They made it seem so easy. May had seen what the Doctor could be and she wanted it for herself. She wanted him to like her.

And now that she said it out loud, it made her feel stupid. Who yells at someone to be their friend? Brazenly demand they like them? Still, it felt oddly relieving. Though she wanted to die from embarrassment, at least she would die without that particular regret haunting her.

Arms encased her again. They wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her flush against a chest. Then she felt a pair of warm lips press against her forehead. The Doctor's lips stayed against her skin, lingering before slowly pulling away. Then he pressed a quicker kiss against her hairline, and laid his head on top of hers.

"I do. I do." He muttered into her hair. He pulled her even closer until she was practically in his lap. "You, May Owens, are my best friend. My greatest companion, and I like you very...very much."

"But why?" She cried as she clutched him. Her nails digging into his back, desperate for stability. The Doctor had tore down May's dam and now she was flooding. She needed a lifeline in order to keep herself from drowning. "After learning what I am, what I've done! How could you say you like me? I'm a parasite."

"You are not a parasite, Mayflower" He claimed as he rocked her. "You are brilliant. Strong. And so very kind. You are nothing like the Time Eaters. You are May Owens, a human being through and through, and that's incredible."

May hiccuped and a round of new sobs escaped her. Rubbing her face into his shoulder, May crawled further onto his lap, clutching desperately to his shirt. If she let him go, she feared he might disappear. Leaving her lost, broken, and utterly alone.

"I can't do this Doctor." She told him truthfully. "I can't live with myself knowing that I have this thing growing inside me."

"You can. I promise you can." He comforted petting her hair. "And I'll be here to help you through this; to help you find a cure."

"A cure?" She repeated raising her head; doubt in her eyes. "There's a cure?"

"There has to be." He reasoned; urging her to hope. "And we'll find it together, May. I promise."

"Y-you promise?" She croaked in a whisper. Fatigue was beginning to wear her down. Her mind was turning sluggish, and eyes were fluttering trying to stay open. May was slipping into darkness. Everything was finally taking its toll.

The Doctor kissed her forehead again, and rested his chin on the crown of her head. "A promise to May, is a promise always kept."

Her body was heavy, and her mind was completely numb. "I'm...tired." So very tired.

"Then sleep." The Doctor chuckled into her hair. "I'll be here when you wake up."

"B-but...Jackson?" The sound of his beating hearts were soothing to her ears. Like a wordless lullaby.

"Time machine, remember?" Her foggy mind barely recalled such a thing existing. "We won't miss a single moment."

"Good." May mumbled as the last sting of her consciousness was untethered. "I want to...spend Christmas...with my..."

She fell asleep not registering the fact she was still in the Doctor's lap. Who continued to hold her until she awoke again. If he moved, the Doctor feared he would wake her, and May deserved to rest. To sleep her fears away.

For tomorrow would assuredly bring more.

...

..

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..

...

...

...

So, I'm goin' to open my heart a bit to you guys.

I received a negative review. Shoot man, I haven't received one since I first began writing this story. When I was foreshadowing everywhere and leaving people with more questions than answers. I received quite a few in the beginning.

And it sucked. This sucks.

Anyone who says they can brush off negative/snide/hurtful comments are lying. Unless they're a fucking psychopath. Words hurt. They hurt deep. I'm not going to lie. I was...I don't wanna say devastated, but damn near close. I know some of you are probably wondering why a small comment hurt me so bad, and that's exactly what I asked myself too. Just one comment and for twenty four hours I was a depressed mess. I doubted myself as a creator, a writer, and as a person. My life revolves around writing - it's who I am. I LOVE creating stories. I've told people before I have voices in my head. Not crazy voices, but my characters. When I daydream, a character pops up whether I'm thinking about them or not. I go through ideas on what they would say or how they would react. It's kinda of like being a directer. I think of a scenario and they act it out, but sometimes I don't like it: "CUT! Redo! Come on! Put more emotion in it. Really get into your character. What would THEY do?! And how would they do it?" Then I rewind and do it again. They make jokes too.

Basically, I worked really hard on creating a believable and interesting story. So when this person wrote their comment, I reacted badly, but I calmed down after some time. I began to think rationally. I thought: "You can't make everyone like you, Kait." Everyone has different personalities and tastes. Some people like western romance novels - I don't. I like syfi/fantasy romance novels. Some people like mystery and suspense. I do not. I'm a very impatient person. If I'm watching a movie, I google the ending so I don't have to wait to know how it ends. (I know, it's horrible, but I can't help it! I HAVE to know now!) All this is ironic considering how long it's taking me to write this. I wish I could take my brain and just copy and paste it here. Be like: "THERE! It's done!" Buuut I can't.

So, I took their criticism into consideration, and went back through my story. I tried to find the place that (disgusted? Irritated? Hated?) them to see if I could fix it. Unfortunately, the person who wrote the comment didn't sign into an account so I couldn't ask them directly. Oh, well.

I also think that it might have been a Troll. I mean, the comment came right after I posted about creative criticism, new writers, and OOC character. I could have been played. Another reason I shouldn't take it to heart. People can be jerks, man. So, if anyone else has dealt with this kind of thing, just know that I still believe in you. You are amazing! You are creative and wonderful! Creativity is like a muscle. You have to keep working at it to get stronger. Keeping going even when it hurts. Even when people think you should give up. Never give up. Never stop.

We create people. We build towns. Construct religions. Mold worlds.

In a way, we are Gods.

Well, taking a step back from my sudden divine declaration, lets talk about what has happened in the story. I know I still have a lot of explanations to do, like, the Angels. I definitely played around with their background. There is one question I will answer to just get it out of the way: Why didn't the Angel try to project itself out of the video? A picture of an Angel is an Angel. Why didn't it not save itself?

Well, that's cause it died. The Angel died in the video. It's dead as a door nail. Enough, said.

Now, the questions about the Time Eaters, I'll have to tell you guys later. Any other questions though; ask and I'll do my best to answer them spoiler free or I'll give you a rain check LOL So, what do you think? Likes/Dislikes? Why's and why not's? I worked really hard writing this chapter. It's the longest one yet. Then again, this AN is taking a chunk of that word count. I wanted to get this chapter done in February, but life got in the way. My goal is for a new chapter every month. By the end of the year I hope I will be well into Season 2, but we'll see.

Stay Holy fellow Shaperates. I love you.

Kait

...

Akrylic: Hmm, what will River and May's relationship be like? Hopefully, one day I will be able to show you. xD Thanks for your review.

bored411: Yep, this Doctor will definitely be trying to help our May. Hopefully their heart to heart will allow some feelings to grow. From May's side of course, the Doctor is already a goner. Thanks for the review!

drmsqnc: Yeah, my foreshadowing and plot building really threw people off in the beginning. I just did not give enough information to answer their questions quickly enough. Ten's (well, any incarnation of the Doctor really) head space is hard to get into. He is so spastic, and my version of the Doctor is a jealous fool. Hopefully it makes for an interesting character.

LOPE: Thank you! That is very helpful. You have no idea :0

Cashagon: To answer your question about the Doctor: is he affected by May's aura? It's a yes...and a no. I can't explain it right now, but the answer will be coming soon. Actually, May is the one who asks it. I'm such a bad creator, causing all this pain for my characters in order to make my story interesting. I'm terrible. ;p Thanks for reviewing!

Lady Hummingbird: Yea we Americans just say USA the abbreviation of the name United States of America. Maybe the EEUU thing is an out of country thing? Not sure *shrug* not that it matters either way. I just took it as something I learned today. You learn new things everyday. I don't actually speak any other languages besides English. I can pick out words in Spanish and Japanese, but that is mostly because of anime and my Spanish class (which I passed with a C- a fairly decent grade). I hope you got your fix of May and the Doctor. The experience you received was my pleasure LOL

MDA: Damn, you're pretty close. You are awesome, congrats! Now stay out of my mind! You're going to uncover all my hidden plot devices! Oh, and that bomb you mentioned on the scientist android Bracewell; the one with that count down dial. I never once thought about that. That was genius; I am amazed. I was thinking about the Dalek eyestalk the entire time haha. Thanks for your review~ I truly enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas. They help me a lot on how to improve this story.

Sam: Aw, thank you for liking this story so much. You humble me.

Truechadreviewer: Ah, I am sorry you feel that way. Thanks for giving me a chance. I appreciate it, truly.

Mithya Aviana Cailin: You're welcome. I would hate to abandon this story. I've put so much time and effort into this. It would feel like a waste. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! What do you think?

Guest: Of course she will end up on the Valiant! Though, it will not be a pleasant experience. Is there ever a good experience with the Master? Though Missy is a hoot, her male incarnations are such a whiny time tots. Thank you for reviewing!

Diving in: Thank you! Originality is what I am going for~

HJ: No, thank you~ I love the fact you enjoyed it so much.

domestic fanperson: It will be slow start for Rose-Ten, but he will get there, as you can see by Donna-Ten. The love sick fool.

HannahHPandDWfanJones: Oh, that is a good idea! I could make an AU one-shot with him being Time Lord Victorious obsessing over HIS May. I'm literally vibrating in my seat with new thoughts and ideas! Thank you so much for suggesting such an amazing thing! I'm overjoyed you loved it so much that you reread my story (did you find any grammar mistakes I need to fix? Tell me~. I'm kidding! Not really. Don't worry about it. TELL ME NOW! :p) Thank you so much for reviewing! And I hope you really loved this chapter! I worked hard.