They looked at the blackened scorch mark on the brick wall in shock, sizzling energy still coming off of it from where the deadly red beam had hit. They turned to look back at the culprit, pointing their weapons at it with angry expressions on their faces. They didn't know how the Sontaran had snuck up behind them but that didn't matter now. Somehow, he had missed what should have been an easy target, something they were very grateful for. The Doctor, though, could sense something wasn't right; if it had wanted to kill them, missing the first time wouldn't have stopped it. Their confusion at this turn of events only increased when they saw a green-skinned woman appear behind it with a flushed look, quickly followed by a younger, brown haired woman. The Doctor put his hand on the gun Jack was pointing, making him slowly face it towards the ground. This wasn't an attack. He wanted answers.

"Strax," Vastra sighed with little patience. "What have I told you about running off before now? You could have easily killed one of them and then where would we be? In a great deal of bother, I should remind you. If this situation wasn't bad enough already."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the Sontaran replied in an admonished fashion. "It has just been quite a while since I could taste the salty essence of the battlefield. This was simply a warning shot to inform our presumed comrades that we had arrived."

"Comrades?" Graham asked. "We've never seen you before in our lives! How do you know who we are?"

"The Doctor didn't tell you that we were joining you?" Vastra asked, a frown on her face as she glanced at Jenny.

"No...I did not. Seeing as I'm equally as confused about who you are," the Doctor replied, stepping closer to them with a calculating look as if he were trying to make sense of this strange party.

"Ah, he did say that this would happen eventually. He probably just hasn't got round to informing you. You know how finicky time travel can be. If one does not focus properly, it can truly bend the mind."

"I'm sorry but is anyone else making head over tails about this?" Graham moaned. "What's she going on about, Doc?"

"Oh, I see," he murmured, a small smile now appearing on his lips. "Not me in this form. The other one. I'm still yet to cross his paths." Vastra was thankful that he was making some sense of the situation, although the others didn't seem to be making as much progress. "Who are you then?"

"Well, you've already met Strax. I feel like I must apologise for his behaviour, an action I have to repeat far too regularly." She glared at the stumpy alien, who wilted under her gaze. "My name is Madame Vastra and this is my wife, Jenny." Jack's eyes lit up with delight at that morsel of information, immediately swinging his gun around his back on the strap it was on, an outstretched hand pointing towards the two women.

"Captain Jack Harkness. It is an absolute pleasure to meet you two and I'm sure that we'll get closely acquainted during this ordeal."

"Jack," the Doctor warned. The other man was slightly disappointed when it was Strax instead who shook his proffered hand vigorously, his meaty fingers digging into his palm. "You're a Silurian. But...not in the usual get up."

"Are you with the ones the others found before?" Yaz queried them. "They said they made a deal with the colony in Wales or something."

"While I am delighted that progress is finally being made on that front, I'm afraid to say that I'm not. I was woken up during the height of Victorian England when they thought it prudent to construct the Underground above my home."

"You're looking good for your age," Jack complimented her. It was up to Jenny this time to slap his hand away.

"Married," she said, a thinly veiled threat of bodily harm lacing her words that would come if he continued down that road. He suitably took a step back to avoid that from happening just yet.

"What are you doing here?" Mackenzie said, still unsure as to what their goals were, especially since one of them was a creature of the same sort they were meant to be fighting. "We weren't informed about you meeting us here."

"The Doctor very rarely gives someone a warning before he does something. It was probably, like it normally is, a spur of the moment decision on his behalf when he chose to drop us off here."

"You mean he was just here?" the younger version exclaimed in annoyance. "Oh, I could have met him! I'm curious to see what happens to me even though that's a dangerous and possibly disheartening event. Is he nice? You can tell me that, to tide me over for the time being." Vastra tried to be surprised by his behaviour. She hadn't interacted with this incarnation before but the next one had shared the same exuberance and high levels of energy, as well as a similar boyish charm. It made the current one look even more severe in comparison.

"He's...different. I think that's the only way of putting it really that won't make you worry too much. I'm sure that you'll be seeing one another very soon if the trouble we're in gets any worse." The Doctor looked slightly bummed that he hadn't been given a more substantial insight into his future.

"Speaking of, why are you all cowering behind a building?" Jenny wondered, now comprehending how strange their behaviour looked.

"Sontaran fleet just up ahead," the Time Lord answered, going back to observing what was going on. Not much had changed. It looked like they were preparing more of those devices to use, on what exactly they didn't know for sure. "We think that they're planning on drawing people out onto the streets since everyone's been told to hide by using some form of machine that I haven't seen before."

"I say we take a full frontal assault, using explosions caused by my radon grenades to flank us," Strax suggested, looking forward to fighting against his own kind. It would be the ultimate challenge. "Then we target the centre of their operations, where they will obviously be at their weakest, and see which of us can kill the most of them." They all looked at him in disbelief, words unable to describe how bad a plan that was.

"I take it back, Doc," Graham mumbled. "You're not mad at all compared to this guy."

"Thank you," Strax replied with a small smile and what could only be described as a blush.

"Let's put those ideas on the back burner for now," the Doctor said, trying to be diplomatic. "We need to keep them contained to the best of our abilities in this area since I don't think there's anyone actually here."

"How do you suppose we do that?" Jack asked, dubious about their chances of being able to succeed in that.

"By getting some more help and I think I know who can give that. Vastra, where was I going after I dropped you off?"

"I think it was the UNIT base to drop off some form of machine to use against the Cybermen," she replied.

"Good, good. That makes things easier. Agent Mackenzie, I'm presuming you have some way of getting in touch with said base."

"You'd be correct," the soldier answered.

"Then let's make a phone call. I guess it's time to see what I become. How...thrilling."

"Some more work for you, Perkins!" the Doctor yelled as he stalked into the metal room some of them were working in. Clara noticed the numerous wires on the floor and the abundance of tools scattered around them. Perkins stood up at the sound of their entrance, Mickey staying at the silver desk where the two Cybermen heads were placed. They'd managed to find a way into the rusted shells, slits open on their foreheads. They didn't want to damage them too much. As K9 rolled over to them, Clara made sure to bend down to scratch him behind the ear as if he were a normal dog. She looked sheepishly at the Doctor as he gave her a bemused glance but she didn't stop since the robot seemed to be enjoying it. They'd briefly spotted it the last time they were here although there hadn't been any time to process what that meant. He smiled down at his old friend (even if it was a completely different model), realising that she would be around.

"And what is that?" the engineer asked as the box was placed on the table. "It's been bad enough trying to get into these."

"You can tell that they're designed to be tough," Mickey remarked, moving back as sparks flew from where he was messing with one of the specimens. "Obviously don't usually want to be dissected because people like us can take advantage of them."

"This is an emotional enhancer," came the explanation. "But a very powerful one from the future so don't go breaking it." Perkins' face blanched at that comment, his hands moving cautiously away from it.

"What do you want us to do with it?"

"Now that you've gained access to the remnants of the human cortex, I'm hoping you'll be able to hook this up. That way, we can use the shared consciousness network that every Cyberman has, send the signal that this produces and fry their heads. They won't be able to function once they understand what they truly are. It's a very grim proposition but I've found, in times like this, you have limited chances to consider the morality of your decisions. In a sense, it's the kindest thing to do. Relieve them of that suffering." Clara rubbed his hand, recognising that he was listening to her advice. It made a change.

"That sounds like it could work."

"Of course it does! Because I'm a scary handsome genius!" His companion...wait...girlfriend...what did she want to be referred to as? He really needed to sort that out. Why did he sound like a stupid teenage boy in love for the first time? His companion inwardly rolled her eyes at his boastfulness, thinking that he was an adorable geek.

"Did you really just say that?" she asked. "Do you ever think through what comes out of your mouth before it actually does?" He frowned with a pout on his lips.

"Why would I? There's never time to think things through and it's usually more exciting to find out what I'm planning at the same time as everyone else. I'm jealous that you get to live through my genius, in fact."

"You have always been so modest," a voice came from the door, dripping with sarcasm but he could tell it was laced with affection. Sarah Jane smiled at him as she made her way into the room, carrying a tray of mugs. "Sorry. I was just doing a tea run for the boys. They kept getting embarrassed that I knew more than them about what we had to do. I would have brought you both one if I'd known you were here." She grinned at Clara, who she had already met, before stepping closer to the Doctor. "I can still tell that it's you. Whatever face you have, I can usually sense it."

"Hello, my Sarah Jane," he mumbled, placing a soft kiss on her hand. Clara was busy trying to fight back the irrational sense of jealousy that was blooming. "How long has it been?"

"For me? Not long at all. I've been busy with a previous version of you and the Slitheen whilst you've been away. For you? I bet it must be centuries."

"And yet I can still remember every adventure we shared as if it was yesterday."

"Oh, so you're a sweet talker now?"

"That's taken a lot of training on my part, by the way," Clara added with a laugh. "You have no idea how much effort I've had to put into him having manners."

"You shouldn't be giving her any grief! A fine young woman like that! You should be doing what she says all the time."

"Trust me, he knows who's boss," Clara reassured the other woman, winking at the flustered Time Lord. "Because he understands what happens to him when he doesn't listen."

"What...is going on?" he asked in exasperation. "Why am I being attacked? I've done nothing wrong!" Mickey sat twirling in his chair with a laugh as he watched the scene unfold.

"Oho, Doctor! This is what happens when you bring your past to meet your present! You've been a heartbreaker all your life. Just think of all the conversations that have been going on, all the women comparing notes. We might be under attack right now but the biggest threat to your health is them teaming up." He was relishing in the Time Lord's apparent discomfort.

"Shut it, Rickey," the Doctor warned.

"You're falling back on name calling because you know I'm right and you're incredibly scared," he shot back in a sing song voice.

"You have nothing to worry about," Sarah said softly, intervening before he became too agitated. "I just gave Clara all the advice that she needed after you abandoned her. You have a habit of doing that." He tried not to think about the guilt of his past actions towards both women, more worried about what she meant.

"Are you going to tell me what that was?"

"Not a chance," Clara answered with a cocky smirk.

"Fine then," he sighed. "How did the Silurian mission go? Last time I heard, it went a bit awry."

"You have no idea," Sarah replied. "It involved being shot at by Cybermen and being saved by you, another habit you have. But the Silurians are willing to help."

"Good, good. So you're all back from that?"

"Indeed. Everyone is scattered about this place. A small party went to scout the Sontarans, which you already know. The others have been preparing to face the Cybermen although I think the Judoon are doing a good job of holding them off for the time being. We were waiting for you to decide what we do with the Daleks - that's what Kate said, anyway."

"I'll add it to the list. But I think there's a lot of people here who will want to talk to me." He glanced at Clara with a worried look. "I don't think the wife is going to be happy." Her eyes went wide at the comment, forgetting about that rather important implication. She was now very anxious about moving about the base, the thought of River pouncing on her a very real prospect as they left the safety of the lab. She seemed like the sort of woman to be very territorial but Clara was definitely not willing to back down. If she had to fight for the Doctor, she didn't mind getting her hands dirty. He was picking up on her nervousness so placed her hand in his. "There's no need to be afraid. I'm fairly certain that she's had at least seventeen husbands and several more fiances during the duration of our marriage. That was pretty much just on the honeymoon too. It has never been a proper relationship and I can't see that ever being the case."

"I don't think you'll ever be able to have a proper relationship," she risked saying, wanting to see what his reaction would be. She was pleasantly surprised when he began to frown, looking at the floor. Maybe he did want that. To the extent that his life made possible. He looked at her with a strange expression, which she couldn't exactly read.

"Maybe that's true. You should get out whilst you can. I'm not good for you." She stopped him in his tracks, taking a chance and placing a quick kiss on his lips to stop him from spiralling. He only seemed to doubt himself when it came to her, never when he had to face the gruesome creatures of the universe.

"You are the greatest thing to happen to me. Don't you ever forget that. And, if you want me, I'm never leaving your side. A proper relationship is for the people who don't get to see the wonders that we do. I wouldn't trade it for the world." That seemed to improve his mood but that might just have been the kiss he'd been given. It was still taking some getting used to.

"Clara...what...are you to me?" he asked quietly, still slightly confused. She looked at him with deep, large eyes, staring into his own.

"What do you want me to be?"

"I don't know what to call you! I'm not very good at this."

"Clara," she simply whispered. "You don't need to label me. Just call me Clara. Or your carer. If you're feeling cheeky, I can live with being called...sexy." She loved how red his cheeks got and how wide his eyes became.

"Actually, the Tardis is pretty adamant that I call her that so that would get very complicated." She laughed and nudged his shoulder with her own. "My impossible girl." She couldn't maintain his eye contact with how full of love it seemed, almost overwhelmed by it.

"Yeah, that will do. That will do very nicely indeed." She was pulling him by the arm as they wandered through another room but the Doctor suddenly froze, making her give him a worried look. Brian was over in the corner, discussing what he had recorded during the previous Cyberman invasion on his camcorder with one of the scientists. Clara forced him to edge closer and, as they approached, they could hear the young, ginger haired female let out a short laugh at something he was saying.

"Maybe once this is all over, I'll consider subscribing to your Youtube channel," she said. "I'm not sure I should go around asking everyone else to do so as well though." Clara tapped him on the back and Brian spun around immediately, his eyes lit up in a smile as he saw who it was.

"Ah, Clara! I was just showing Aimee here the small tidbits of knowledge I collected about the Cybermen. I'm sure you were there when it happened. I just thought that it might help with what we're doing." His eyes wandered to the Doctor's, a confused expression now on his face.

"Brian," she began slowly, gripping the Doctor's hand tightly to stop him from running away. "I think you wanted to see someone again." He stood up in realisation, shaking the Doctor's spare hand, who was still struggling to maintain his warm look.

"Oh my! Wilf told me about what you looked like now. I just didn't put it together. It's a pleasure to see you again, Doctor."

"Yes...uh...the feeling's mutual," he mumbled.

"What's wrong?" The Doctor moved him away from the computers, knowing that he had run out of time to avoid this conversation. Clara silently gestured to ask whether she should leave him to it but he held her close, needing the strength she gave him.

"I didn't think that you would want to speak to me anymore."

"Why not? You've done nothing wrong." The Doctor frowned.

"...but Rory and Amy...they…"

"They died. I know. Well, from what I learnt, they got to live happy lives...just not here." The Time Lord was perplexed, having not expected this development. Even Clara looked uncertain.

"But...you were asking about them on the phone. Wondering where they were. I just presumed that...you didn't know."

"I got a letter a while ago from Rory. Delivered by my...grandson," he explained, smiling sadly. "It told me everything that I needed to know, what happened to them, why it happened. But, when I was told that you were getting involved with this, I hoped that they were still with you and...that...hadn't happened yet for them. It's silly, I know."

"It's not silly at all," Clara said softly. "Time travel can make it very difficult to follow. It could have been possible."

"Doctor...I don't blame you for it." That lifted a massive weight from his shoulders but he still didn't feel like he could accept it.

"You told me to look after them and I failed," he countered. "There's only one person who you can blame."

"They spent the rest of their lives together, which is all that they ever wanted. It was difficult, knowing that I could never see them again but I have access to this new family now. That wouldn't have been possible if this hadn't happened. It's why I'm doing this. To protect that in the way they did so often." The Doctor didn't have time to react before he was enveloped in a tight hug, standing there rigidly apart from patting the other man on the back. "You gave them the chance to live. I can't be so self-centred to hate you for that. I miss them, obviously. It's why I was talking to that young woman just then, since she reminded me so much of my daughter-in-law. I can see that it hurt you and still does, which tells me you truly cared about them, the one thing I cared about."

"If you're not going to kill him, can I have that honour?" River Song marched into the room, her eyes narrowed at how close he was standing next to Clara. He still made no effort to move despite her angry glare. "It's normally accepted that your husband rushes to see you after time apart. Are we not ones for tradition?" Brian looked extremely uncomfortable as the Doctor tried to process what was going on. River had always been a force of nature and she was showing it now. "Don't look so surprised. Clara told me all about this brand new face you got yourself but it's something else to experience it firsthand. So dashing, so distinguished. I could eat it all up." She looked at the woman on his arm up and down. "But I think someone beat me to that."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Clara responded angrily.

"I didn't realise that you had fallen for this one too. Everyone's been talking about your little stunt that I missed, practically jumping him."

"She didn't jump me!" the Doctor said exasperatedly. "Frankly, you don't get to speak to her like that."

"I'm your wife!"

"I wonder how many other men you've been able to say that to." Her expression took on a dangerous tone. "I'm sorry River. You must understand how unconventional that marriage was. It was done so that you would allow me to save the universe!"

"So you're saying that you lied to me? That you didn't care about me? I never expected you to love me back because you are above all of that. But to say that you don't care.." This time, he stepped away from Clara and took River's hand, leading her away to a quiet corner away from the other two people.

"I care a great deal. But time moves on. That doesn't mean that what I feel for you is dampened in any way."

"She must be some woman to make you look away from me," she sighed with a sad smile. He glanced at Clara with nothing but warmth and a blush rose on her cheeks.

"You have no idea. You'll love her once you get to know her properly, almost as much as I do. I know you've hardly spent time with her. Timelines and all that have made it particularly difficult."

"Hold on...you just...said love," she pointed out in surprise. He looked at her in alarm.

"No, I didn't. You must have misheard me or something. I probably said something like that but I didn't actually...say that."

"Tell her. Before it's too late. I can already tell that this version of you is rubbish at this sort of thing but I know you can do it. This is me...letting go of you. Giving you this opportunity even when it breaks my heart."

"Thank you," he whispered, placing a kiss on her hand.

"This doesn't mean that I'm going anywhere. I'm not being kicked out from your life. We can still work together on this, sort this mess out, can't we? Save the day."

"I would prefer nothing else." She eyed him carefully, her eyes suspiciously wet.

"Doctor...I've heard the stories...about Darillium." He didn't want to think about that, when he would have to lose her for good, so stopped her before she could continue.

"We still have time for one more adventure before that, don't you worry." She looked at him gratefully before their attention was brought to a rushed Kate who entered the room in a state of hurry.

"Ah, good. You're here. I thought someone had said that was the case."

"Why are you looking for me?" he asked. "Are the Cybermen increasing their attacks?"

"Not just yet. They're being held back by the Judoon but their numbers just keep on coming. But this is more alarming. The Doctor channel is active." She walked away, knowing that they would follow. Clara and Brian managed to catch up to them as they made their way into the main hub, Kate heading for a specific computer.

"What's the Doctor channel?" Clara asked, glancing at him with a frown.

"You know more than anyone how difficult it is to contact him, especially in a crisis," Kate responded.

"Don't I just," she grumbled.

"We created this so that the Doctor could reach us more easily. He hardly uses it though. This might just be the first time."

"Well, I'm not using it right now so who is?"

"Give me a minute and we'll find out." The screen flickered, trying to spurt into life, before a large chin appeared in front of them. As the recognisable floppy hair and daft face came into full view, Clara's heart sank as she was face to face with the first Doctor she had met. The one who had crushed her when he died.

"Ah, hello!" he said energetically. "Is this thing working? I've patched you through into the Tardis console. We're currently taking shelter." The older version of the Time Lord, already perturbed by the reappearance of his past incarnation, became even more worried when Clara had to step away, a hand over her face to hide her tears. He could still hear the sniffling. River noticed this too, placing a hand on his arm.

"You deal with this. I'll make sure that she's okay," she said. He sent her a grateful smile as he focused on the screen. The surprises weren't done though as he spotted a recognisable duo in the background, at the same time as Brian.

"Rory!" he yelled, shoving everyone out of the way to get a closer look. His son appeared to do the same, a shocked look on his face.

"Dad! What are you doing there?"

"You're okay! How's that possible? I've been trying to help everyone. But...I thought I could never see you again! You're there!" His thoughts were running through his mind at a faster rate than his words could keep up with, overjoyed that he was able to see and talk to his son once again.

"It's a bit complicated. The Doctor said something about the rift messing with the temporal lock placed on us, making it possible for us to come back."

"Ah, of course," the Doctor back at UNIT mumbled. "It targeted the Silurian colony because of its significant importance in history and it focused on you or the building you were in because of the amount of time energy it was harbouring. Much easier to manipulate." It was so good to see the couple again despite it only being on a screen, some of the past heartbreak easing slightly. He could sense that this adventure was going to be deadly but cathartic.

"Ooo," the other Doctor cooed, "Old, serious and Scottish. Who do we have here?"

"Take a wild guess" he responded with a frown. He saw the other man's smile drop as he became flustered, almost despairing.

"Oh no. Oh no! That is not fair! How is that possible?"

"What's going on, Doctor?" they could hear Amy ask, looking over his shoulder.

"That's me! Oh my goodness! I'm old! And wrinkly! Why would I do this to myself?"

"Excuse me! I'd much rather look like this than whatever strange phase I was going through back then. Elbow patches on a tweed jacket? Give me a break. You'll be glad to know that you get some sense back in the regeneration."

"I'm rude as well!"

"I've always been rude. It's just that my levels of patience severely drop with this face. Speaking of, it's wearing incredibly thin right now!" He noticed Kate's phone going off and she went off to the side to answer it with an apologetic look. "Why are you calling?"

"I'm in America. Was following some pretty strange signals and ended up stumbling across these lot." he moved the camera to get the three Time Lords in shot, who awkwardly waved. "They were meant to be tracking you but got lucky and found me instead." The Doctor didn't have the effort to respond to that. "They hardly gave me any warning before the Daleks made themselves known! I've found myself in some truly tricky situations before but you are taking the biscuit with this one."

"I'm sure they've told you why this is happening though."

"They gave me the general idea and from that I can tell how abundantly bleak it is. Which is why I called UNIT - I wanted to know what they were planning."

"Well, we've been focused on the threat on our doorsteps."

"Don't forget Russia," Kate reminded him, reappearing behind him with her phone still out. "You're not going to like this but, to make things even more confusing than they already are, we've got someone else wanting to fill us in." She swiped her screen and the computer display shifted as another camera shot slotted in beside the other. The Doctor simply scowled as Sandshoes' face filled the screen.

"Oh for goodness sake," he mumbled.

"You have got to be kidding me!" his floppy haired predecessor said, echoing the same sentiment.

"To be honest, I've had worse greetings," the youngest of the three remarked with a grin. "Care to explain why you two don't want to see me?" With a roll of their eyes, they both produced their matching sonic screwdrivers to make it clear who they really were. "Ah. Really? This is what I've got waiting for me?"

"We just had this conversation," the latest Doctor moaned, his Scottish brogue even more accentuated than usual.

"I'm already tired of the circles we've had to go through," the Eleventh Doctor whinged. "How bad must things be to make three of us come here?"

"How about a squadron of Sontarans blowing up buildings as they prepare to slaughter the population of the world's largest country? Is that bad enough for you?"

"Dear me, I was sarcastic back in the day, wasn't I?" Amy hit him on the head as she shook hers.

"Have you been able to see what they're doing?" Kate asked the Tenth.

"They're using some form of new weapon that will draw people out of their homes as they crumble to the ground." They didn't like how bleak that sounded.

"How many of them are there?"

"Probably a whole army's worth."

"Hold on," the Twelfth Doctor butted in. "Have they got ships with them?"

"Obviously," came the dismissive reply.

"What sort? Not the main ships, I'm presuming."

"No...just a load of scout ships, I reckon."

"He's got an idea," the Eleventh pointed. "You can tell from that look on his face. Have I always looked like that when that happens?"

"Yes, I've got an idea. Because, if the Sontarans have sent the majority of their number to Earth, they've left their largest craft undefended. So, if we can target them, it might draw them back, stopping that conflict before it begins."

"How do you suppose we do that though?" Ten asked, clearly sceptical about the prospects of that working. "Unless you have some heavy fire ships up your sleeve that you haven't told us about."

"Of course not! But what if one of the races waiting up in space were to turn against them?"

"None would do that. It doesn't make sense."

"Oh, come on! I have a bigger brain than that. What if there was one specific race that had...oh, I don't know...a dormant colony waiting on Mars? And what if they were told that preoccupying us with a silly little war would mean that gets destroyed since we won't be able to stop the Time Lords?"

"The Ice Warriors!" Eleven whooped, waiting for a high five that never came.

"Exactly. The Ice Warriors. A proud, warrior race but one that has always put its family first."

"That could actually work," Ten agreed.

"I'm glad to see that I still have faith in myself. I'll go and speak to them with Clara." He looked back to see her slowly walking towards him again, wiping away the last tears from her blotched cheeks. He sent her a sympathetic look as he grasped her hand with his.

"We still have three battles taking place. We'll need help keeping the Sontarans at bay until you can convince the Ice Warriors to attack, and then you've got the Cybermen and Daleks."

"They were able to form their own alliance and so have we! All this is, is preventing each army from reaching full strength. Once I've done this, then we'll have to think of ways to close the rift to hopefully make them go away. For the time being, you should both be expecting some much needed presents."