"You know you can trust me, and I will call for you if anything happens."

The Time Lord rubbed his red swollen eyes and decided to get it over with. He growled an oath at 8 and left the room.

Chapter 56 Betrayal

"Ohila, I want to get back to my family. Can't this wait?" They were in the same anteroom as before. She had ordered food and wine brought for their discussion. "Sit down Doctor, eat something. You're near your limit and you know it." "I can't think of food right now!" He turned to leave. "SIT...DOWN!" she challenged.

The doctor stopped and sat down with a huff. "You are going to be no good to them if you're out of your head with hunger." He started to object, but she silenced him. "There's no one here for you to impress with your self sacrifice." A novice placed a generous plate and goblet in front of him and he began to nibble at it. Holding his head on his hand.

"What do you want of me?"

She started off gently, "Rose and the child will recover, you needn't be concerned for them. What I want to know is what she meant by "a dead race on a dead world." He looked up, "You know I can tell you nothing. In fact, now I will have to wipe both, your memory, and his." "You can try" She looked him dead in the eyes. "Ohila, you of all people know what damage a little knowledge can do. You're going to wipe your memory and his, and we are going home. End of story!"

"You are right, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. If you are going to tell me that Gallifrey will be destroyed by Daleks then don't bother. I already know." He looked at her with wide eyes and tight lips. "I see it's true", she heaved a great sigh. "Do you really think an event of that scale would not have ripples through time? It is a secret I and all of my predecessors have known for generations. The only thing in question was exactly when. You have narrowed it down for me to three of your lifetimes. Beginning with his."

"Then, if you know, you have no reason to question me." She waved her hand, "What we have are mere fragments of what we need." He smiled, "Again, I can tell you nothing." He stood and took a large gulp from his goblet. She smiled as she watched him swallow, "You will tell me more than you imagine." He stopped short, staring at his cup, "You wouldn't dare." "I know your Time Lord oath will never allow you to willingly tell me what I need. But, you are a unique opportunity Doctor, that I couldn't, in all conscience, let pass. Don't worry, only I will hear what you will say."

The Time Lord grew dizzy, and the last thing he saw were two rather large novices on either side of him. He felt them drag him to another room, where a bed with a large comfortable chair had been placed at it's head. He was mostly awake but unable to move. They laid him gently on the bed. She looked at the novices. "Do not let anyone in this room." The novices bowed and left.

The Time Lord had a bad feeling about this. "Now this feels familiar, last time someone tried this was….Davros. You're keeping strange company Rev Mother." "I'm sure that's true. Remember, I'm probably just as determined."

"How are you to know if I'm telling you the truth?" She felt his forehead and checked the size of his pupils, "I made that elixir myself. I promise you, it will do you no permanent harm, but I will have my answers." He managed to turn his head to face the wall clenching his jaw.

She looked down at him with some pity. "I'm sorry Doctor. This is necessary, and unfortunately may cause you some pain. Try to relax, and don't fight me. It will be over in moments." He was trapped and he knew it. "One last warning, Rev Mother. Be careful what you wish for. You may get it." Ohila sat in the chair and meditated for a while, then placed her hands on his temples. He knew what would come and braced himself.

The pain started out as a dull ache in his skull and then spread. In moments it was near unbearable and he began to groan. By the time it became blinding pain he was screaming and convulsed on the bed. Then, it was suddenly over and he lapsed into unconsciousness. Ohila sat in the chair devastated. She looked with horror at the man in front of her. Her haunted eyes were full of tears and despair, she had her answers. He was right, she wished she didn't know.

He awoke in bed with Rose. She had been watching him sleep. "Good evening." she said simply. His mouth was so dry he couldn't speak. Rose had a glass in her hand. "Here, drink this slowly." She held his head up gently. It was obvious she had forgiven him. When he could speak again his first words were rough and hard fought, "I love you Rose." His second, a question. "How is Alice?" She gave him another drink. The water was cool and soothing on his throat. The rest of him felt like he'd been hit by a very large tandem bus. "Don't try to move just yet" Rose kissed his lips gently and smiled. "You've been unconscious for two days.

The Doctor and I heard you scream and ran to the room where they were holding you. These two huge women wouldn't let us in. By the time we got them to move, don't ask how, Ohila was coming out. You were on the bed in a coma and she looked like the walking dead. He moved you in here and I've been waiting for you to wake up." She looked at him with concern, "I'm sorry about what I said in the shuttle. I was just so afraid for Alice. Forgi….." He put his finger to her lips. "You know that word is forbidden, and ends in, always and completely."

There was a knock at the door. "I heard voices, may I come in?" 8 was standing in the doorway. Rose smiled and waved her hand. "Yes, of course, come in. He's awake." 8 came to stand by the bed and make an appraisal. "You look terrible. Before you ask, no. I had no idea she was going to pull a stunt like that. What exactly was it about? No one has seen or spoken to her since. Not even her personal attendants." He grinned, "If Ohila is in as bad a shape as I am…. Serves her right. She demanded knowledge of the future and I gave it to her with both barrels." 8 saw Rose pale and visibly wince, remembering his nightmare.

He sat up, groaning with the strain. The small cot where his daughter slept was empty. "Where's Alice? We're getting out of here." Rose looked at 8, in the hope that he would tell her husband. 8 sighed, "She's been with the sisters. I think she wants to stay here and learn from them." 10 looked at Rose like she'd lost her mind. "How did you let that happen?" He was angry and trying to climb out of bed. "Steal my memories and then try to steal my child! I'll level this place to the ground!"

He staggered out of bed and then out the door, shouting in the hallway holding his head. "Alice! Alice! Where are you? Alice!" A small voice from behind him, "Here I am father." He turned, dropping to his knees, holding out his arms. She ran to him and they embraced tightly. He noticed she was wearing the robes of the sisterhood.

"Father, I'm so glad you're ok." The Time Lord had closed his eyes to stop tears from falling. "Alice, my love, How are you feeling?" "I'm fine father. The sisters are teaching me so much. I can do so many new things now. I can't wait to tell you."

Her face was bright with excitement. It reminded him of her look, when she told him she had a friend at school named Mary, so long ago. He smiled, "Ok Alice, You can tell me in the Tardis on the ride home." Alice backed away from him,

"But I want to stay here, father. I've just begun to learn what they have to teach me. Things that you can't. Please, I want to stay." "I'm sorry Alice, it's out of the question. We're going home, now." "NO!" She shouted back, stamping her foot. "I'm going to stay and learn everything I can!"

He was angry, "Alice Evelyn! You do not speak to me that way." She burst into tears and ran down the hallway.

Chapter 57 Routine