NicoleR85: thanks!
As she had some time to kill before her mother came home, Alyssa decided to go to the ice rink. She went to the locker room, took off her shoes and swapped them for her skates. Alyssa then went out on to the ice. She skated around trying out some moves due to the lack of people there. Alyssa had just finished a short improvisation when she heard "looking good Firefly!" behind her. Alyssa turned around to see a familiar American sitting on the bench.
"Jack? Is that you?" she asked skating towards him. It was strange to see him looking so young as the last time she saw him as a large head.
"The one and only", the American grinned.
Alyssa said coming off the ice and hugging him "how did you know it was me?"
"I just did", Jack replied "You've gotten lovelier since I last saw you. How long ago was that?"
"7 years", Alyssa answered.
Jack's eyebrows raised "7 years?" he repeated "Blimey time has gone by quickly. Do you remember how we met?"
"Of course I do!" Alyssa said "I couldn't forget it, ever" she sat down next to Jack "I'd gotten lost on my way to Roald Dhal Plass to meet my mum after ice skating practice with my coach for the competition. When I asked for directions, you were the one I asked. Instead of just pointing my in the right direction you actually walked with me. After we got to my mum you said 'good luck Firefly'".
"I never did get the chance to ask but did you win?" Jack asked.
Alyssa shook her head "No. I just missed out", she told him.
"That's a shame", Jack remarked "are you still doing ice skating professionally?"
"Nope. It's more of a hobby now", Alyssa replied "I'm currently working at a café but as of next week, I will be at the British Museum next week as a conservationist. What about you?"
"Oh this and that", Jack said vaguely "Anyone special?"
Alyssa shook her head "Nope. No one special", she replied.
"Really?" Jack asked, surprised "a pretty girl like you? I find that hard to believe".
"Well, you better believe it", Alyssa said "I just hadn't found the right guys yet".
"I'm sure you will", Jack assured her "Do you want to grab a bite to eat?" he suddenly asked.
"I can't Jack. I've made plans with my mum. Its pizza and movie night tonight", Alyssa said. She looked up at the large clock on the wall "speaking of which. I need to be heading off", she said. Alyssa went to the locker room to take off her skates and Jack followed her. As she was swapping her skates for her shoes they heard a loud crash followed by screams.
"Stay here", Jack ordered before running out. Alyssa quickly tied up her shoe and hurried out. She stopped when she saw a wolf like creature pinning Jack down.
"Get away from him!" she shouted running over. The others that were in the rink had made a beeline for the way out. Alyssa raised her hands and flung energy at it, tossing it away from Jack. It landed heavily on the ice. "Jack? Jack?" Alyssa said frantically checking for a pulse as the wounds he had sustained looked serious. Her shoulders slumped when she couldn't find one. "You killed him!" she exclaimed turning to the creature who was trying to stand on the ice but kept slipping. Alyssa clenched her fists, green eyes blazing in anger. The creature shrieked in pain before slumping onto the ice moving no more.
Alyssa sank to her knees, shaking slightly as her head pounded. She'd never done something like that before. "Firefly", Jack whispered from where he lay.
"Jack! You're ok!" Alyssa said hugging the man as he sat up "I thought you were dead. I couldn't find a pulse". In that moment it had slipped her mind that she'd seen him before in New Earth
"I was but I'm kind of immortal", Jack told her.
"What?!" Alyssa asked
"It's complicated", Jack said getting up "you killed it? How?"
"It's complicated", Alyssa replied "I guess we both have got some explaining to do".
"Yeah", the red head agreed "I need to get this sorted and then we'll talk about it".
Little later…
"Ok I have about an hour before my mother comes home so we can talk freely", Alyssa said opening the front door of her house. "Do you want to go first?"
"Sure", Jack replied.
"What do you mean by kind of immortal?" Alyssa questioned.
"I don't know how it happened but so far every time I die, I come back a little time later", Jack explained the best that he could "So how did you manage to kill that thing?"
"I used my head. I have psychic powers and no before you ask I cannot read minds", Alyssa informed him.
"Were you born with it?" Jack asked.
"Yes", Alyssa answered "Jack what is your job? Monster hunter?"
"Sort of. I can't really say", Jack admitted.
"Ah, government job then", Alyssa nodded, understanding his vagueness.
"Are you ok?" Jack questioned "I mean I must've been scary for you to face that thing on your own".
"Jack that thing had killed you. I wasn't scared, I was angry. So facing that thing was no big deal", Alyssa explained. And I've faced worse she thought. They talked about other things for a bit before Jack had to go. "It was nice to see you again Jack despite the weird wolf thing. If you're ever this way again, look me up", Alyssa said giving him a piece of paper.
"Will do", Jack promised "Goodbye Firefly".
"See you later Jack", Alyssa said quietly after he already left. She shut the door and got out the plates. It wasn't long before her mother had come back and they were chilling out on the sofa with pizza and a movie.
"Did you do anything nice today?" Sarah asked after the film had finished.
"I resigned from my job. Next week is the last week I will be working at the coffeehouse", Alyssa told her.
"So you're going to start working at the museum soon?" Sarah questioned.
"Yep. Next Friday. Although I have done one small project which according to Jenna I will be paid for", Alyssa answered.
"That's good. You looking forward to it?" Sarah queried.
"Absolutely", Alyssa replied.
"Have you managed to figure out this boy problem of yours?"
Alyssa shook her head. "No not yet. I'm hoping that it'll come to me soon"
"I'm sure it will", Sarah said. She had faith that her daughter will figure out the right thing to do.
Alyssa stood up, picking up the empty pizza boxes "I'll throw these out. Do you want a tea?"
"I'd love one. Thank you sweetie", Sarah replied. Alyssa took the pizza boxes and tossed them in the recycling. She then got out some mugs for the tea. While she waited for the kettle to boil, Alyssa was fiddling with a teaspoon staring at her Starry Night mug. The swirling yellows reminded her of the sun. The one that was alive. I know he said something to me but what? Alyssa thought. She was aware of what was happening when she was being possessed but it was fuzzy. Despite that there was one thing he'd said which made her feel something even while she was taken over. She just couldn't recall it. Come on Ali think! Her eyes widened and she dropped the teaspoon when she remembered.
"Ali I just want to say that I…I love you"
"Oh my god", the empath breathed.
Alyssa paced around her room that evening racking her brain trying to think of ways she could tell Ben the reason why she was breaking up with him. So far none of the ways seemed right. The woman groaned and flopped down onto her bed. She sat up when she heard a noise from her phone. She picked it up, it was telling her she had an email. Alyssa frowned at the address as it wasn't one she recognised. She clicked on it and her eyes widened. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"He was cheating on me?!" she exclaimed.
Alyssa took several deep breaths as the doorbell went. Seeing those pictures that she'd been sent made it a whole lot easier for her to break it off with Ben. All this time she'd been worried about how to tell him she'd fallen for someone else, he'd been dating another woman behind her back. For some time according to the pictures. "Hey Babe", Ben said as she opened the door.
"Hi Ben", she replied. Alyssa led him into the lounge where they sat on the sofa.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Ben asked "You weren't very clear on the phone".
"This was something that is best to discuss in person than over the phone", Alyssa said.
"What is it?" Ben questioned.
Alyssa brought out her phone and held it out "care to explain these?" she demanded. Ben stared at the picture on the phone "well?" Alyssa asked when he didn't say anything.
"Ali…I'm sorry", Ben said quietly.
"Sorry? Sorry?!" Alyssa shouted standing up "you've been cheating on me for months and all you can say is sorry?"
"Please let me explain", Ben pleaded.
"Oh this will be good", she said sarcastically "actually you know what? I don't want to know. I just hope you're happy with Christine because we're done".
"I'll break it off with her", Ben promised "You're the one I love".
"Right", Alyssa said not believing him at all. She didn't need to be psychic to know he'd keep seeing his other girl but would try to be more discrete about it. "I loved you for two years", she said trying to keep her emotions in check "and now our relationship has come to an end. I don't usually like saying goodbye but I will say it this time. Goodbye Ben".
Ben stood up. He was going to say something but decided against it. He'd planned to end things that weekend with Christine as he couldn't cheat on Alyssa anymore. He loved her too much. He never thought that she would find out about his relationship with Christine, let alone have pictures. Alyssa stood in the doorway as her former boyfriend walked down the hallway and out the door. She sighed and shook her head. The woman still couldn't believe he did that. She didn't sense that he was keeping something from her but then again she usually blocked off her ability around him because she had trusted him. Big mistake she thought making a mental note to use her sense more often.
When Sarah came home that evening she could tell something was wrong with her daughter. "Honey whats wrong?" she asked.
"You know my problem I had with falling in love with someone else and not knowing how to tell Ben?" Alyssa counter questioned.
"Yeah", the older woman said.
"Well it turns out that I was worrying for no good reason. Most of those times Ben had told me he was 'busy', he was actually out with another woman" Sarah's eyes widened at that.
"He what?!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah…that was my reaction too", Alyssa mumbled.
"How did you find out?" Sarah asked. In response Alyssa showed her the pictures on her phone. Her mother flicked through them, getting angrier with each one. "I can't believe he'd do that to you. At least you don't have to worry about how to tell him you love someone else", she added, pointing out a good side to the situation.
Steve had a similar reaction when she told him over the phone a little later. Alyssa even had to hold the phone away from her ear a couple of times when her friend said a few choice words about her ex-boyfriend. "You finished?" Alyssa asked after the second choice words rant.
"Not really but there's not point ranting at you about it. At least now you can focus on sorting out your feelings for that cute Doctor of yours"
"Steve!" Alyssa exclaimed.
"What? Last time we talked you were having trouble admitting you loved the Doctor", the dirty blonde reminded her.
"I'm not having trouble anymore", she mumbled.
"Sorry could you speak up? I couldn't hear you"
"I said I'm not having trouble anymore", Alyssa repeated louder.
"And…?"
"I love him Steve. I love the Doctor" the red head laughed hearing his cheers over the phone.
"Now was that so hard?" Steve asked.
"No I guess it wasn't", Alyssa admitted.
"So what's your next move?"
"My next move will be to continue travelling with the Doctor and Martha", Alyssa replied knowing that he meant about her feelings.
"I meant about your feelings"
"I'm not going to tell him how I feel as I'm not sure if he feels the same way", Alyssa lied. She did know how the Doctor felt but wasn't sure how to go about it. She couldn't just ask him outright. She needed a little more time to think about it.
"Well that's easy. I'll have a talk with him", Steve offered.
"Um how? You don't exactly have his number", Alyssa pointed out.
"I know but I was thinking you could ask him if I could go on a trip with you guys"
"You want to travel in the TARDIS?" Alyssa asked, surprised.
"I do. I've been a bit eager to see what this ship is like since you explained it to me", Steve confessed.
"Well if you're really interested. I suppose I could ask him but I'm not making any promises", Alyssa.
"That's all I can ask", Steve said.
"I'll let you know what he says", Alyssa promised.
"Ok Ali. Speak to you later"
"Yeah. Speak to you later", Alyssa said and hung up.
~the next day~
"You ready for this Steve?" Alyssa asked stopping outside the garden shed.
"I'm more than ready", he replied excited. He was going to see a real spaceship!
"Brace yourself", Alyssa said opening the door to reveal the police box inside. She then unlocked the TARDIS with her key and allowed her friend to enter first. The woman followed him inside and grinned when she saw his awestruck expression.
"Ali it's…it's…"
"Go on say it. Martha did", Alyssa said standing by the Doctor and Martha.
"It's bigger on the inside", Steve turned to his friend "Ali you never told me it was bigger on the inside".
"Well I wanted to see the look on your face in the eventuality that you were invited", Alyssa said smiling.
"You don't seem surprised by this at all", Steve said to Alyssa.
"That because I'm used to it", the woman replied. She was still occasionally surprised by the different rooms that the blue box had to offer. Alyssa was positive that she hadn't seen everything within the TARDIS which made each trip exciting.
"Alright then Steve any place in particular you want to go?" the Doctor asked.
"I-I don't know. Help me out Ali", Steve pleaded.
"How about somewhere in the future?" the red head suggested. The Doctor bounded up to the console and started pushing buttons. Alyssa, Martha and Steve joined him at the console. "You're gonna want to hold on tight", Alyssa warned Steve before the Doctor pulled the lever to make the TARDIS disappear. She grabbed her friend's wrist as he lost his balance from all the shaking.
"Is it always like that?" Steve asked when the shaking stopped.
"Pretty much", Alyssa replied. She ran down the ramp and put her hand on the handle. "You ready to see what's out there?" she asked Steve.
"Yep", the dirty blonde replied. Alyssa smiled, pulled open the door and stepped out. Steve followed and took in his surroundings. "This is so cool! We've actually moved"
"Yes we have. I hope this isn't going to be like the last ship we were on", she said kicking a bit of broken equipment.
"Nah I'm sure it won't be ", the Doctor said "you know what, I'll just have a quick scan, in case there's anything dangerous", he quickly added when he saw Alyssa's expression. He went over to a control panel and started typing.
"So, what's the date?" Martha asked.
"About three thousand years into your future, give or take", the Doctor replies. He pulls a switch and the lights turn on. Part of the roof opened to show a view of the stars.
"Fifty first century. Diagmar Cluster, you're a long way from home, Steve. Two and a half galaxies"
Steve heads to a porthole and looks out. "Like what you see?" Alyssa asked putting her arm around him.
"It's amazing!"
The Doctor noticed a screen with a diagram on it. "Now that's odd. Look at that. All the warp engines are going. Full capacity. There's enough power running through this ship to punch a hole in the universe, but we're not moving. So where's all that power going?" he asked Martha.
"And where did all the crew go?"
"Good question. No life readings on board", the Doctor replied tweaking the knobs on the control panel. "Can you smell that?" he asked sniffing.
"Yeah, someone's cooking", Martha replied also smelling the air. The Doctor presses a button on the console and a door opened behind them. The Time Lord called Alyssa and Steve over.
"There's something you don't see every day", Steve commented seeing the ornate fireplace complete with a fire. The Doctor scanned it with his screw driver. "Not a hologram. It's not even a reproduction. This actually is an eighteenth century French fireplace. Double sided. There's another room through there", he said.
Interested, Alyssa crouches down and looks through the fireplace. A young blond haired girl was looking back at her. The woman smiled and said "hello".
"Hello", the girl said.
"What's your name?" Alyssa asked.
"Reinette", the girl replied.
"That's a beautiful name"
"Madame, what are you doing in my fireplace?" Reinette asked.
"Oh, it's just a routine fire check. Can you tell me what year it is?" the Doctor said suddenly crouching down next to Alyssa.
"Of course I can. Seventeen hundred and twenty seven"
"Oh that's one of my favourites! August is rubbish though", the Doctor remarked.
"Don't mind him he's a little mad. Enjoy the rest of your fire. Good night", Alyssa said.
"Goodnight Madame, Monsieur"
"You said this was the fifty first century", Steve said as the Doctor and Alyssa stood up.
"I also said this ship was generating enough power to punch a hole in the universe. I think we just found the hole. Must be a spatio-temporal hyperlink"
"What's a spatio-temporal hyperlink?" Steve asked.
"No idea. Just made it up. Didn't want to say magic door", the Doctor said inspecting the fireplace.
"And on the other side of the magic door is France in 1727?" Martha asked.
"Well, she was speaking French. Right period French, too"
"She was speaking English, I heard her", Steve said.
"The TARDIS translates it for you", Martha explains.
"Pretty cool right?" Alyssa said leaning against the fireplace. Without realising she'd triggered something that made the wall rotate taking herself and the Doctor along with it.
Upon hearing a noise Reinette wakes up. "It's ok Reinette. It's just me and the Doctor. We spoke earlier remember?" Alyssa said to the girl wanting to keep her calm.
"But Madame that was months ago"
"Really?" the Doctor asked surprised at that. The pair approached the bed but Alyssa stopped when she sensed something else was in the room.
"Ali whats wrong?" the Doctor asked.
"Something else is in the room, under the bed", she replied. The young girl immediately tensed up, looking afraid.
"Reinette stay in the middle of the bed. Don't move", the Doctor instructed and Reinette nodded. The Time Lord pulled out his sonic and continued towards the bed with Alyssa. He crouched down but before he could use his sonic, something smacked him backwards.
"Um Doctor?" Alyssa said seeing a figure stand up on the other side of the bed as the Doctor sat up.
"Reinette don't look round", he whispered to the girl who was trembling. Alyssa didn't take her eyes off the figure with its creepy clown like mask. She was ready to pull Reinette away at a moment's notice.
"Why are you here? What could you possibly want from a child?" Alyssa asked the figure who didn't answer. The Doctor put his hands of the girl's head and looked into her eyes.
"You've been scanning her brain!" he said shocked that whatever this thing was had travelled so far just to scan a child's brain. "What could there be in a little girl's mind worth blowing a hole in the universe?" the Doctor asked but again the figure didn't answer. Alyssa's eyes widened at that.
"You want me?" Reinette asked turning around to look at the figure.
"Not yet. You are incomplete", the figure said in a robotic like voice.
"What do you mean incomplete?" the Doctor asked. Again the robot didn't answer. He stood up while the red head stayed kneeling by the little girl.
"You can answer her, you can answer me. What do you mean, incomplete?" the Doctor demanded pulling out his sonic screwdriver. The robot didn't answer him either. Instead it walked jerkily around the bed. Alyssa flinched when a metal blade slides out of the robot's arm near the Doctor's face. The Time Lord calmly moved his head way.
"Monsieur, be careful", Reinette said afraid for the man.
"Just a nightmare, Reinette, don't worry about it. Everyone has nightmares", the Doctor said backing away. The robot went after him.
"Madame what are you doing?" Reinette asked as Alyssa stood up.
"Going to help him. Stay on the bed", the woman instructed. She raised her hand at the robot's back and focused. The robot jerked trying to move but the red haired woman had him stuck in one place. It was flung to one side by Alyssa. She walked to stand in front of the robot as it struggled to stand. "Doctor stay back", she said seeing him move at the corner of her eye. The woman backed towards the fireplace with the robot going after her instead. Alyssa jumped to the side as the robot swiped at her, its blade now stuck in the mantelpiece. The Doctor wasted no time finding the place Alyssa had accidently knocked to turn the fireplace around.
The second the fireplace had finished turning, the Doctor quickly grabs tube from a nearby rack and fires its contents over the android. It seizes up from the cold. "Where did that thing come from?" Martha asked.
"Here", the Doctor replied.
"So why is it dressed like that?" Alyssa asked rubbing her head from the headache she received courtesy of using her abilities.
"Field trip to France. Some kind of basic camouflage protocol", the Doctor explained. He removed the wig and admired the head which was made of plastic. It housed an ornate clockwork mechanism. The Doctor was very reluctant to destroy it but he couldn't afford to have it running around being a threat to Reinette. Before he could use his sonic on it, the robot teleported away.
"Scotty beamed him up", Steve joked making Alyssa chuckle despite her head hurting.
"Where are you going?" she asked the Doctor who was going back to the fireplace.
"I've got to make sure Reinette is ok. You want to come?"
Alyssa shook her head "I'm gonna stay here"
"Alright. Don't wander off"
"We won't Doctor", Alyssa said.
"And don't go looking for it" the Doctor said seriously.
"We won't look for it, I promise", Alyssa assured him "now don't you have a little girl to check on?" the Doctor didn't say anything, just turned the fireplace around again.
"Is it bad that I want to go look for it?" Steve asked.
"Well I kinda promised him that we wouldn't", Alyssa replied.
"We don't have to look for the droid, we could have a look around the ship instead?" Martha suggested.
"You really want to look around the ship?" Alyssa asked and her friend nodded eagerly. "Ok. Martha go with him and if you get into any trouble…"
"I'll call you"
Steve frowned "how is she supposed to call you Ali? We're in space. You won't get a signal", he said confused.
"Don't need one", Alyssa replied "I'll stay here and keep an eye on the Doctor. I'll take the blame for you guys wandering off. Just stay together ok?"
"We will Ali", Martha said. Steve picked up the fire extinguisher from the floor.
"Just in case we come across that thing again", he said explaining his reasoning.
"Good idea", Alyssa said. The moment her friend and Martha had left, she leant against a wall and closed her eyes hoping the headache would fade.
She opened her eyes when she heard the fireplace moving. "Ali where are Steve and Martha?" the Doctor asked noticing that she was alone.
"They're uh exploring the ship"
"You promised that you three weren't going to wander off"
"I know, I know. I'm sorry Doctor", Alyssa said "Martha was going to call me if there… Doctor why is there lipstick on your lips?" she asked finally noticing.
"Reinette kissed me", he replied looking ashamed. He'd been surprised when Reinette kissed him but he certainly didn't kiss her back as she wasn't the woman he would rather be kissing.
"Reinette is a little girl Doctor. I saw her just minutes ago"
"Well she's kinda grown up now"
"And you kissed her"
"No! She kissed me"
"Really? You never kissed her back?"
"No", the Doctor replied "I'm not interested in her"
"Sure you aren't", Alyssa said. She felt slightly jealous about the thought of another woman kissing the Doctor especially after she'd remembered what he'd told her while she'd been possessed by the sun. The Doctor stopped her from walking off.
"Ali I'm not interested in her, honest". He wanted to tell her how he felt but he was worried that she didn't feel the same way.
"Ok. Let's go find Steve and Martha", Alyssa said and she walked off.
"I never did ask when we first met but how did you meet Ali and the Doctor?" Steve asked shifting the fire extinguisher in his arms.
"At the hospital. The Doctor was looking for this Alien called a plasmavore and Ali happened to be there as well"
"Was that the Royal Hope hospital?"
"Yes"
"I thought that was some trick how it vanished then reappeared. The news didn't really explain how that happened"
"Oh that was the Judoon. According to the Doctor they're some kind of space police. They took the hospital up to the moon in order to look for the plasmavore", Martha explained.
"I take it the Doctor saved the day?"
"Yes he did. You seem to be getting used to this rather quickly", Martha commented.
"I suppose after seeing the monster that Lazarus turned into, being in space is quite straight forward to get used to. Though how do you get used to being in the TARDIS? I mean it's bigger on the inside"
"It is a lot to get your head around. Travelling through time and space. It does help that Ali is there too"
"Travelling with the Doctor is dangerous isn't it?"
Martha stopped walking and looked at him. "Do you want an honest answer? Or a reassuring one?"
"Honest answer"
"Yes it is dangerous travelling with the Doctor. You never know where you could end up. One minute you could be chatting to Shakespeare and the next your running for your life in the sewers of 1930's New York", Martha replied. "You're wondering if she's safe being with him. Aren't you?"
Steve nodded "she's one of my good friends. I've got no problems with her being with the Doctor but I'm just worried that she's isn't safe"
"Steve, the Doctor loves Ali. He would do anything to protect her"
"I know he would. It's just I can't help but worry although hearing you say that does help. Thank you Martha"
"You're welcome Steve", Martha said and the pair of them started walking again. Steve paused when he heard something.
"Do you hear that?" Steve asked. Martha listened for a moment.
"Yeah", she replied. They followed the sound along the wall to the circular cover. "Is it just me or does that sound like a heartbeat?"
"It does sound like it but why would there be a heartbeat be in the wall? It's not like there's an actual heart behind that cover", Steve said. At those words he and Martha exchanged looks. Steve slowly reached over and pulls the cover away. Sure enough a human heart was in there attached to wires and pipes. "That's a heart. There's a human heart in the wall", he said in disgust.
"Yeah I can see that too", Martha said. Even though she was training to be a doctor, she was pretty disgusted too.
"Why don't we keep walking?" Steve suggested.
"Good idea", Martha agreed. They left the human heart behind unaware of being watched by cameras or that Alyssa was trying to get hold of Martha.
"I'm still not getting an answer", Alyssa said after trying Martha's phone for the third time. "Note to self: tell Martha to have her phone on loud, really loud. I see you and Arthur are getting along", she said looking at the white horse that was sticking close to the Doctor since he got back from Versailles gardens. Alyssa had declined claiming that she still had a bit of a headache although the Doctor had a feeling that wasn't the actual reason she wanted to stay behind.
"Arthur?"
"It's a good name for a horse. Come on we better try and find Martha and Steve", Alyssa said and started to walk. As they walked, she used her abilities in hope that she would be able to sense them like she did with the robot that was hiding under Reinette's bed.
Alyssa stopped when she sensed something ahead. "Ali what is it?" the Doctor asked.
"I think…" she broke off when she heard Steve's voice. The red head quickly headed up the corridor and around the corner. There her friend was standing next to Martha. They were looking through a large window at a man that was wearing fancy clothes.
"Blimey, look at this guy. Who does he think he is?" Steve asked.
"The King of France", the Doctor replied coming up.
"Oh, here's trouble. What have you two you been up to?" Martha asked looking at them.
"Oh, this and that. Became the imaginary friend of a future French aristocrat…"
"Don't forget you kissed her", Alyssa interrupted.
"Care to elaborate Ali?" Steve asked.
"Not now", she replied.
"Why is there a horse with you?" Steve asked noticing. The Doctor was about to reply when Reinette entered the room they were looking at through the window.
"I'm guessing that's Reinette. Funny you forgot to mention that she was beautiful", Alyssa commented as the woman checked her appearance in the window/mirror. "You know I think I'm going to head back to the TARDIS", she added and with that she walked off.
"I'll go after her", Steve said and hurried after his friend. "Ali! Ali wait!" he called.
"What Steve?" Ali asked stopping when he managed to catch up to her.
"Are you ok? I mean you did mention that the Doctor kissed Reinette"
"No I'm not ok. He kissed another woman!"
"What did the Doctor say when you asked him?"
"He said that she kissed him. I'm just…"
"Jealous?"
"Yeah. I mean look at Reinette, she's beautiful"
"So are you"
"Thanks but you would say that. You're my friend"
"But it's still true. And the Doctor is an idiot if he can't see what's right in front of him"
"I suppose. I'm gonna head back to the TARDIS. I need some time to think"
"Do you want me to walk you back?"
Alyssa shook her head "no thanks Steve. I'll see you later", she said and with that she walked off. The red haired woman wandered back through the ship, retracing her steps. Eventually she reached the familiar blue box. Alyssa unclasped the chain from around her neck where the TARDIS key hung. She was about to put it in the lock when she sensed something behind her. Before Alyssa could do anything, she felt something being stuck in her neck. She dropped the key and collapsed unconscious onto the floor.
When Alyssa came to, she discovered that she was strapped to a slanted table. She noticed Martha and Steve strapped on tables just like she was. "You two ok?" she asked her friends after giving the droids a glare.
"Oh I'm fantastic", Martha said sarcastically.
"Me too except for the fact that we're going to be chopped into little pieces and used a parts for this ship", Steve added.
"Is that so?" Alyssa asked the droids. But they didn't answer her. One of the droids, dressed as an 18th century noble woman, stepped up to Martha's table.
"You are compatible", it said.
"Why don't you release us and I'll consider not destroying each and every one of you", Alyssa suggested.
"Um Ali I don't think they like your suggestion", Martha said as the droid by her table extends the blade from her hand.
"Nope they don't like it at all", Steve agreed the droid by his table did the same thing. The droid wasn't able to touch Martha as it found itself-unable to move. Steve noticed that Alyssa was staring hard at it. The red head jerked her head, flinging the droid away from the dark skinned woman. She flinched from the pain in her head which she always got from using her abilities. Alyssa did the same to the droid by Steve's table.
As she fought to keep herself from passing out, a droid dressed as a noble man approached her table. "Your brain is compatible", it said to her.
"Really? Well I'm kinda using my brain at the moment"
"Your brain is compatible", the droid repeated sliding its blade out from its hand.
"Look if you don't want to end up like your friends then you'll back off", Alyssa warned.
"Your brain is compatible", the droid repeated for the third time.
"Yeah you said that already", Alyssa snapped really struggling to keep her eyes open due to her throbbing head.
"Ali!" Steve shouted when he saw his friend's eyes closed. As the blade touched Alyssa's cheek, drunken singing could be heard nearby. Then the Doctor swayed in, carrying a goblet and wearing his tie around his head. "And still have begged for more. I could've spread my wings and done a thou" the Time Lord sung "Have you met the French? My god, they know how to party" the Doctor said sounding a little drunk. When he saw Alyssa unconscious with a droid standing over her holding a blade to her face, his drunken façade slipped slightly to show concern for her.
"Oh, look at what the cat dragged in", Martha said sarcastically. She was worried about her friend and here the Doctor was drunk and seemingly uncaring about the red head.
"Oh, you need to lighten up Martha", the Doctor said keeping up the pretence of being drunk.
"Where've you been? They almost harmed Ali" Steve said angrily. His friend managed to save them but she couldn't save herself before falling unconscious.
"Well, among other things, I think just invented the banana daiquiri a few centuries early. Do you know, they've never even seen a banana before?" the Doctor said before turning to the droid by Alyssa's table. "Oh ho, ho, ho, ho, brilliant. It's you. You're my favourite, you are. You are the best! Do you know why? Because you're so thick. You're Mister Thick Thick Thickity Thick Face from Thicktown, Thickania. And so's your dad" he looked at Steve and Martha "Do you know what they were scanning Reinette's brain for? Her milometer. They want to know how old she is. Know why? Because this ship is thirty seven years old, and they think that when Reinette is thirty seven, when she's complete, then her brain will be compatible".
The Doctor turned back to the droid "So, that's what you're missing, isn't it, hmm? Command circuit. Your computer. Your ship needs a brain. And for some reason, God knows what, only the brain of Madame de Pompadour will do", he said getting right up to the droid.
"Their brains are compatible", it said.
"Their brains? I only mentioned Reinette's", the Doctor said confused.
"It said that Ali's brain was compatible too", Steve added.
"Compatible? If you believe that, you probably believe this is a glass of wine", the Doctor said before removing the droid's mask and pouring the contents of the goblet over its head. "Multigrain anti-oil. If it moves, it doesn't", he explained as the droid seized up. The remaining droids advanced, with the exception of the two Alyssa had damaged and the one the Doctor damaged. The Time Lord reached over to a nearby lever and pulled it down, deactivating the droids. The Doctor then released Martha, Steve with his sonic. He went back to the table that Alyssa was strapped to and released her as well.
"Is she going to be ok?" Steve asked when the Doctor picked up the unconscious woman.
"She will be. She just needs some rest", the Doctor replied carrying Alyssa to the TARDIS that was on the other side of the room. He took her to her bedroom where the door swung open as he approached with the red haired woman in his arms. The Time Lord laid her down on her bed. "Ali I'm sorry", he said caressing her cheek.
The Doctor looked up when there was a tap on the door. Steve was in the doorway "does that often happen when she uses her gifts?" he asked coming in.
"No. It only happens if Ali uses too much"
"Is Reinette still in danger?"
"Yes she is"
"I can look after Ali while you keep an eye on Reinette with Martha", Steve offered. The Doctor was grateful for the offer but he was conflicted about leaving Alyssa while she was still unconscious.
"Steve I appreciate the offer but..."
"Doctor I really think it would be best if I was here when she woke up. She's not exactly happy about you kissing Reinette"
"I know. I could tell"
"You care about her don't you?"
"Yeah I do", the Doctor admitted.
"Then maybe you need to tell her"
"I can't"
"Why not?" Steve asked.
"She's with someone else"
"No she isn't. Not anymore", Steve told him surprising the Time Lord.
"She's not with Ben anymore? How come?"
"That's for her to tell you. Anyway I think you should probably get back to saving Reinette"
The Doctor nodded and got up. He paused in the doorway to glance back at the woman before walking away. "Looks like he feels the same way about you Ali", Steve said quietly.
Eventually Alyssa stirred "Doctor", she murmured opening her eyes and seeing someone sitting there.
"No it's me Steve"
"Steve? How did I get here?" she asked sitting up.
"The Doctor carried you in", Steve replied.
"Where is he now?"
"He went with Martha to keep an eye on Reinette"
"What? Is she still in danger?"
Steve nodded "I better go help", Alyssa said swinging her legs around. She stumbled clutching her head when she got up.
"Maybe you should stay here", Steve suggested.
"No. I have to help him", Alyssa said firmly walking out of the room. Steve quickly hurried after his friend who using the wall for support.
"Ali you're barely standing. You need to stay here", he said stopping her walking.
"I'm not staying here. Reinette is in danger and I am going to help her", the red head said moving around him.
"At least let me help keep you on your feet"
Alyssa sighed "Fine. Allonsy", she said tiredly.
The pair walked around the ship, Alyssa slightly leaning on Steve. "Can you use your gifts? To find them?"
"It's how I found you. But there is an easier way..." Alyssa trailed off when she couldn't find her phone. "Damn it. My phone is still in the TARDIS. I guess I will have to use my gifts after all", the woman said sighing. She took a breath and focused on the Time Lord and Martha. "They're this way", Alyssa said pointing down a corridor.
Alyssa led Steve to where she sensed their friends were. "Ali? Whats wrong?" Steve asked when she paused.
"I can only sense one now", Alyssa said pushing away from him and hurried down the corridor. Steve ran after her. "Martha!" the red head called spotting the dark skinned woman.
"Ali. Are you ok now?" Martha asked when she and Steve reached them.
"I'm fine. Where's the Doctor?"
Martha looked at the wall where the replica fireplace stood. There was a wall in place of the broken mirror. "He went through the Time Window to save Reinette", Martha replied gesturing to the place where the mirror hung.
"Time Window?" Alyssa asked looking that the fireplace
"That's what the Doctor called it"
"Is there any way to get through to help him?" Steve asked.
"I'm afraid not. The Doctor said if you smash a Time Window there would be no way back", Martha replied. "Ali I'm sorry"
Alyssa didn't answer, just looked at the broken mirror. 5 and ½ hours later the trio was surprised to see the Doctor approaching them. He explained how he got back via the fireplace he and Alyssa had gone through originally. "Doctor you should tell Ali how you feel", Steve said after his red haired friend left to have a lie down "and before you say you can't you should know that there is a chance she feels the same way".