Thanks to Fanficqueen306 for following/faving my story.
NicoleR85: yup she sure is.
Sliverdeaf1977 (Guest): you'll have to wait and see what Rose does next. If she does anything…
HannahHPandDWfanJones: glad you like the twists in the previous chapter.
"Delete! Delete!" the Cybermen chanted as they closed in on the group. The Doctor points the recharging power cell at the metal men which expels a stream of golden light. It hit one cyberman and bounced off, hitting all the others. The Cybermen bend backwards before disintegrating.
"What the hell was that?" Ricky demanded.
"We'll have that instead, Run!" the Doctor shouted. Eleven grabbed his wife's hand. The group made a run for it as Mrs Moore drove up in her van.
"Everybody, in!" she shouted at them.
"What about mum?" Tatiana asked as her husband led her towards the vehicle "we have to get her!"
"Tati I'm sorry but anyone inside that house is dead, including your mother", the Doctor said, rather reluctantly. Tatiana stared at him, wide eyed.
"No…she can't be", she breathed "s-she's just hiding, right?" Tatiana glanced to Eleven "right?" the Time Lord's silence spoke volumes. "No", Tatiana whispered, tears welling up in her eyes and she sagged against her husband "mum…"
"Oh, for goodness sake! She's not your mother", Rose snapped, having had enough "she's mine".
Every stopped and stared at Rose with wide eyes, their mouths agape before the Doctor broke out of his shock. "Get in," he demanded, shoving Rose inside the van, "I've had enough of you."
"She can't be dead," Tatiana whimpered as her husband wrapped his arm around her, holding her close as he glared at the blonde.
"I'm sorry," Eleven told his wife as he helped her get inside the van, making sure to keep Tatiana far away from the blonde who was fuming in a seat on the other side.
"You had no right to say that", Pete scolded Rose "just who the hell do you think you are talking to my daughter like that?"
"But she's not your daughter!" Rose argued "I am!"
Pete scoffed "as if I'd want to have a child who's as rude as you are and Jackie…Jackie would be extremely ashamed. You're parents must be very disappointed in the way you turned out.
"I'm with him", Luke agreed, sitting on the other side of his sister, rubbing her arm "I'd never want a sister from hell like you". Rose glared at him and opened her mouth to say something when the Doctor shot her a look, telling her to shut up.
"What was that thing?" Ricky asked from up the front of van looking at the power cell in the Doctor's hands.
"Little bit of technology from my home", the Doctor replied.
"It's stopped glowing. Has it run out?" Mickey questioned.
"It's on a revitalising loop. It'll charge back up in about four hours", the Doctor told him.
"Right. So, we don't have a weapon anymore", Ricky grumbled.
"Yeah, we've got weapons. Might not be one of those metal things, but they're good enough for men like him", Jake said looking at Pete.
"What's my dad done?" Tatiana questioned. She was shocked when she saw the presentation and honestly couldn't believe that her father would be a part of something so awful. She hoped that he was just an unwitting participant.
"Oh, you know, just laid a trap that's wiped out the Government and left Lumic in charge", Jake said glaring at Pete.
"If I was part of all that, do you think I'd leave my wife inside?" Pete asked.
"He'd never do that. Mum means the world to him", Tatiana added.
"Maybe your plan went wrong" Ricky argued "Still gives us the right to execute you, though".
"You'll do no such thing", Luke said sternly "that is my sister's adoptive father you're talking about AND he's my source".
Ricky stared at him "You're kidding me", he complained "fine but he's your problem now".
"What do you mean, he's your 'source'?" Tatiana queried.
"Pete has been sending me information on Lumic, private files, operations…the works", Luke explained.
"So, you're a spy", Tatiana said to her adoptive father, relieved "that's good. I was worried that you would be happily involved in what Lumic was up to", she admitted.
"Never", Pete said "I wouldn't be involved in anything that was a threat to my family". He smiled at her and she returned it. "How's my Grandson?" he asked wanting to change the subject to something a little bit happier.
"He's fine", Tatiana replied "he's spending some time with his godmother".
"Do you think I would be able to see him soon?" Pete asked "it's been far too long".
"Oh, definitely. He's been asking to see you anyway", Tatiana answered.
"Good. I do miss the little guy", Pete remarked.
"Not so little anymore", Eleven laughed "he's been badgering me to take the TARDIS for a spin on his own".
"But we said 'no'. 10 is far too young to be going off amongst the stars alone", Tatiana added "Knowing Harry, he'd get into trouble when he does become old enough to do so. Just like his father".
"I don't get into trouble", Eleven insisted but when Tatiana shot him a look, he amended it with "ok, I do just a little" the woman raised a brow, he sighed "ok, ok. I get into trouble a lot". Tatiana quietly chuckled.
"But I still love you for it", she said, kissing his cheek. The Doctor couldn't help but smile. It reminded him a bit of his relationship with Katia. He hoped theirs would be as strong as their parallel counterparts several years down the line.
"I would take those ear pods off, if I were you", he said to Pete "You never know. Lumic could be listening" he took them off and handed them over to the Time Lord, who zapped them with his sonic "But he's overreached himself. He's still just a businessman. He's assassinated the President. All we need to do is get to the city and inform the authorities. Because I promise you, this ends tonight".
The Preachers along with the Time Lords, Tatiana, Rose, Mickey and Pete walked along the street watching the people march off in one direction. "What the hell?" Jake asked looking at them all.
"Whats happening?" Tatiana asked, worried.
"It's the ear-pods. Lumic's taken control", the Doctor explained.
"Can't we just, I don't know, take them off?" Rose asked reaching up to one man to take his ear pods out. The Doctor stops her from doing that.
"Don't! It will cause a brainstorm", the Doctor said warningly "Human race. For such an intelligent lot, you aren't half susceptible. Give anyone a chance to take control and you submit. Sometimes I think you like it. Easy life".
"Not us, right sis?" Luke said, looking to his younger sister.
"Nope, definitely not", Tatiana agreed.
"Hey!" Jake called getting everyone's attention "Come and see". The others join them in looking around the corner. A row of Cybermen march alongside the people under the control of the ear pods, still heading in the same direction.
"Where are they all going?" Rose asked.
"I don't know", the Doctor replied "Lumic must have a base of operations".
"Battersea. That's where he was building his prototypes", Pete said answering the Doctor's question.
"Why's he doing it?" Rose questioned.
"He's dying. This all started out as a way of prolonging life, of keeping the brain alive at any cost", Pete explained.
"But there are better ways that what he's doing", Tatiana stated "there has to be".
"Oh, there are", Eleven agreed "I doubt he's considered them though".
"The thing is, I've seen Cybermen before, haven't I?" Rose asked remembering the strange head she'd seen in Van Statten's museum "that head, those handle shapes in Van Statten's Museum".
"There are Cybermen in our universe. They started on an ordinary world just like this, then swarmed across the galaxy", the Doctor explained "this lot are a parallel version, and they're starting from scratch right here on Earth".
"Not for very long if I have anything to say about it", Eleven said firmly. There was no way he was allowing those Cybermen to swarm anywhere. Not on his watch.
"Well, we need to get out of the city", Ricky stated "preferably before they get to us" he pointed to some Cybermen who were quickly approaching their location from down the street. "Okay, split up. Mrs Moore, you look after that bloke" Ricky pointed at Pete "Jake, distract them. Go right, I'll go left. We'll meet back at Bridge Street. Move".
They watched Ricky run off in one direction and Jake in another. "I'm going with him", Mickey said.
"Be careful", the Doctor said. Mickey nodded in promise and then darted off after his parallel counterpart. The remaining members of the group quickly hurried off.
"Wish we'd slow down a bit", Tatiana mumbled, pressing a hand to her stomach as she moved. All this running about wasn't doing her any good.
"As soon as we find a safe spot, we'll take a little break", Eleven promised.
"I'd appreciate that", Tatiana said, grateful. When they reached a bunch rubbish bins and a couple of dumpsters. The group hid behind them. Well, everyone except Eleven and Tatiana, who found an alcove nearby that was much better hiding spot for the pregnant woman. She clutched her husband's arm tightly as the Cybermen drew closer. Thankfully, the metal men seem to pass them by without noticing them. As soon as the Cybermen were out of sight, everyone came out of their hiding spots and they took off.
"I think we're safe", Eleven said when they finally got to Bridge Street.
"Oh, thank god", Tatiana went over to a nearby bench and sank down onto it "my feet are killing me". Eleven joined her on the bench, popped her feet onto his lap and took off her shoes. Tatiana let out a moan when he started to massage her feet and ankles. "What would I do without you?" she asked her husband.
"That's something you'll never have to find out", Eleven assured her.
"I ran past the river", Jake panted, running up "You should have seen it. The whole city's on the march. Hundreds of Cybermen all down the Thames". His face lights up when he sees Mickey running towards them. "Here he is!" Mickey doesn't reply when he come to a sudden halt. Jake frowned seeing the expression on Mickey's face. "Which one are you?"
"It's Mickey", Luke answered. He knew Ricky very well that he can tell immediately when it isn't him "the Cybermen got him didn't they?"
Mickey nodded sadly "Jake, I'm sorry", he said quietly.
"Shut it", Jake snapped, his face contorting with pain.
"I tried…I really did", Mickey insisted.
Luke placed a hand on his shoulder "I'm sure you did", he said "Jake, we have to keep going, for Ricky", he added to the grieving man "let's not let his death be in vain".
Jake forced himself to nod "Yeah, you're right", he agreed.
In order to finish this once and for all, the group headed to Battersea Power Station. "The whole of London's been sealed off, and the entire population's been taken inside that place" the Doctor said, looking at the place across the water "to be converted"
"We've got to get in there and shut it down", Eleven stated rubbing Tatiana's back as she stared at Battersea with an afraid look on her face.
"But how do we do that?" Mickey asked.
"Oh, I'll think of something", the Doctor replied.
"We will think of something", Eleven corrected "I'm brilliant at making plans, right Tati?" he asked, knowing what her response would be.
The woman laughed, her worry momentarily subsided "I love you honey but you really suck at making plans", she said "you are normally better at winging it".
"Yeah…maybe we'll just wing it", Eleven shrugged making her giggle even more "thanks, love".
"I've found something", Mrs Moore called from a little ways away. They all joined her around her laptop which showed a schematic of the factory with the exception of Jake who chose to hang back "That's a schematic of the old factory. Look. Cooling tunnels… underneath the plant…big enough to walk through"
"We go under there and up into the control centre?" the Doctor asked.
"Mmm"
"There's another way in" Pete spoke up "Through the front door. If they've taken Jackie for upgrading, that's how she'll get in…"
"We can't just go strolling up", Jake said coming up to them.
"Or we could, with these..." Mrs Moore pulled out some ear pods from her bag "Fake ear pods. Dead. No signal. But put them on, the Cybermen would mistake you for one of the crowd". The Doctor takes one set from her.
"Then that's my job", Pete said. He was determined to find his wife before she was changed into a Cyberman and those pods were going to help him do it.
"I'm coming with you too", Tatiana said.
"I can't let you do that, sweetheart. Its too dangerous", Pete said.
"But…she's my mother", Tatiana argued.
Pete took her hands "if she's in there I'll get her out n my own. Jackie would never forgive me if I risked your life or the life of your daughter".
"He's right", Luke agreed "though you won't be going on your own. I'm going with you".
The Doctor gave him the pod "Neither of you can show any emotion. Any hint and its over", he warned.
"Got it", Luke said, popping the pods into his ears.
"If you get hurt, I'll kick your ass", Tatiana threatened.
Luke chuckled "that I don't doubt", he said "I'll wont get a scratch on me, I promise. If I do then you can kick my ass". Pete also put a set of pods into his ears and then hugged his adopted daughter.
"I'll come back with your mum", he promised.
"You know…we can take the ear pods at the same time. Give people their minds back so they don't walk into that place like sheep", the Doctor said. He nodded to the zeppelin stationed above it "Lumic's transmitting the control signal. Probably from that zeppelin. Do you reckon you could take it out?" he asked the blonde haired man.
"Consider it done", Jake replied with a smile.
"Mrs Moore, would you care to accompany Rose and I into the cooling tunnels?" the Doctor questioned, turning to the older woman. The last thing he wanted was to have the human with him but he couldn't have Tatiana tag along. Just like Pete said, he wasn't about to risk her or the baby.
"How could I refuse an offer of cooling tunnels?" Mrs Moore asked.
"We attack on three sides. Above, between, below. We get to the control centre, we stop the conversion machines", the Doctor said.
"What about us? And Mickey?" Tatiana questioned. Neither herself, Eleven and Mickey had been given a job to do.
"We are going to stay here, out of harm's way", Eleven answered. Tatiana sighed but didn't argue with him. He was like this when she was pregnant with their son. "And Mickey can go with Jake".
"I don't need you, idiot", Jake said, glaring at him.
"I'm not an idiot!" Mickey said defending himself "You got that? I'm offering to help".
"Whatever", Jake muttered and walked off.
"Look after yourself, Mickey the idiot", the Doctor said, with a grin.
"Oi", Mickey said, grinning back.
Tatiana hugged both her father and brother "please be careful", she pleaded "I want my daughter to have both her uncle and her grandfather".
"We'll be ok", Pete promised.
"If we survive this, I'll see you back at the TARDIS", the Doctor said to Mickey.
"That's a promise", Mickey said with a nod.
Tatiana and Eleven watched as they all headed off. "I really hope they'll be ok", Tatiana mumbled. Her husband took her hand.
"They will all be fine, you'll see", he assured her. As minutes ticked by, Tatiana grew more anxious. Eleven had to stop her from pacing. "You need to stay calm", he said.
"Easier said than done", Tatiana said "my dad and brother are risking their lives as are the others! A-and my mother could be in there too and…" she broke off when the Power Station exploded! Tatiana gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth.
"Look!" Eleven said, pointing to a zeppelin that was moving away from the burning building.
"Oh thank god", Tatiana said, leaning against him, utterly relieved. They watched the blimp fly over to them. "Wait…I don't see my mum", Tatiana said not seeing her on the ladder with the Doctor, Rose, Pete and Luke "Dad? Where's mum? Is she inside the zeppelin?"
"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry", Pete replied "we were too late".
"No!" Tatiana cried out. She collapsed against Eleven, breaking down completely at the loss of her mother.
The Doctor walked into the med bay the moment he'd gotten the TARDIS into the time vortex. Rose hadn't bothered him, thank the universe. Probably because she was too much in shock over Mickey's choice to stay in the parallel world. Personally, he was quite proud of the man despite all the teasing he and putting down that he had done. And he wished Mickey all the best with his gran and fighting the good fight with the Preachers.
He went over to his Mate and gently caressed her cheek before he touched her temple, easing her awake. "What did I miss?" Katia mumbled, slowly opening her eyes.
"Quite a fair bit", the Doctor replied. He sat down in the chair and recounted the days events.
"Wow, that's…wow", Katia remarked, not quite sure what to say about it all. She was glad to hear that her parallel-self had a really nice life and even was the Mate of the Doctor too. She was also a bit sad to hear that Mickey had decided to stay behind though it sounded like he gave a really good reason.
"How's the back?" the Doctor asked.
"Little better. Probably because I'm laying down", Katia answered.
"That's good", the Doctor said happy to hear that. However, she still had a long road to recovery ahead of her.
"Do you think I could get some tea?" Katia asked "I'm feeling a need for some caffeine".
"Of course", the Time Lord answered "don't go anywhere", he added in a playful warning tone.
Katia lightly chuckled, wincing as she did so "I'll do my best to stay put", she said "but I make no promises".
The Doctor left the room to make some tea and when he came back a few minutes later, he found her asleep and Benji was now on the bed. The Time Lord sets the cups onto the table and settled down in the chair to wait for his Mate to wake up.