In a Life Chapter 23: Planet of the Dead, a doctor who fanfic

Rated T for safety reasons and language.

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

Thanks for the reviews(!): Random Person, bored411, HannahHPandDWfanJones, Mithya Aviana Cailin, Idk but I'm having fun, The Girl Who Wasn't There, The Timeless Child, Lady Hummingbird, Guest, and esthealice17.

Does anyone even read these? I'm curious, truly. If no one does I think I might just say random things for shits and giggles. Example: the Doctor takes it up the ass and May is a pitcher. Phft~ Ah, I'm so lame. I laugh at my own jokes. If you actually read these give me a sign. Specifically one of these: (;p) or it might get crazy up in here.

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

...

Planet Of The Dead:

Wheels On The Bus

...

There was one other thing May begrudgingly loved about the Tardis besides her library, and it was her bathroom. It was almost embarrassing how much she adore it.

The floor and the walls were entirely covered by dark brownish bricks. The beautiful porcelain sinks on a brown marble counter-top with the large mirror running horizontal above it. It was never dirty: no soap residue, no smudged mirrors, no leftover toothpaste. Always shiny and new. The black toilet, in the little nook carved out between bricked walls, was on another level. It was one of the fanciest and high tech disposable waste units she had ever seen. May couldn't even describe it if she tried. It was just wow.

Then there was the shower. Oh, her shower. If she could, May would marry her shower. Hands down commit herself to it, and would never look at anyone or any shower for the rest of her life. To be honest, May was a bit confused at first. The Tardis did not have a regular stand up shower in a porcelain bathtub. No, the shower and bath was in the middle of the bathroom on a large raised floor. It was a platform at least 12ft by 10ft or maybe 14ft by 12ft; she had never actually measured it. That at least gives the idea on how big her bathroom truly was compared to the little dinky one she had used on the Chula ship.

On the raised floor at the right edge, across from her door and on the opposite side from the little nook, was a stand. On the stand were two knobs, hot and cold, but also a faucet, and a switch that said bath or shower. When May had squatted in front of the pillar, naked as the day she had been born, she stared at it for a good minute before she turned the hot knob. Out sprang water that was immediately hot to the touch; something she wasn't expecting. May had sprang back in surprise, saving her toes from being scalded. Usually water took a second or two to heat up, but not on the sentient ship, no siree. The Tardis didn't screw around. May had stored that information for later use when she turned on the cold to even out the temperature. The next hurdle came when deciding if she wanted a bath or shower. Around her, no where to be seen, was a tub or shower head.

May had been confused. How was she supposed to get clean? Was the Tardis messing with her? Was this a joke? There had been only one way to find out - steeling her nerves May flipped the switch to shower. The rising of translucent clear walls rising from the edges of the floor was not something she had been expecting. They rose till they met the ceiling, efficiently caging her in a box. Panic set in, and for a moment May had thought the Tardis had trapped her. That she was going to tuck May into the corner of the ship, never to be seen or heard from again.

The escalating fear was immediately dosed by the water raining down from the ceiling. The entire raised floor was the shower. May was free to walk around, lean against the glass, or dance. She danced in the shower. One time she even sang. Then there was the bath. Where the floor lowered itself and filled with water like a pool, but that explanation would be better suited for another time.

This was about May's shower. Her wonderful and fantastic shower that had never failed to make her smile. Never once failed in washing away her worries.

Till now.

May was laying on the floor naked. Her eyes were closed, and her arms and feet were stretched out mimicking the cross. Her breathing was calm and even: in and out, in and out. Yet inside; inside she was screaming.

"Merry Christmas, May." Rosita exclaimed happily as she handed her a present. It was wrapped in brown paper held together by a string of yarn.

"You didn't have to get me anything." May told her softly as a blush filled out her cheeks.

"Of course I did." The English woman disagreed and her smile widened. "It's Christmas!"

Too many emotions choked her, so May nodded her head mutely taking the present with shaky hands.

Out

"A scarf." She whispered in awe. She petted the fabric, fingers tracing the colors. "It's beautiful."

"I hope it's warm enough." Rosita fretted tapping her cheek. "I picked the colors to match your eyes." She gave May a stunning smile. "Such unique eyes."

Green, brown, gold was woven, crisscrossed together by surprisingly soft and gentle material.

"Thank you, I...I love it. Truly." May loved it so much her heart literally felt like it was about to burst.

"I suppose I'm next." Stated Jackson surprising her. He reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a piece of jewelry. Specifically a necklace, or maybe, a choker with a blue jewel.

"Is this-?" May shook her head vigorously and tried to give it back. "I can't accept this! It was your...!"

"My wife's." He finished for her with a sad smile. "I want you to have it, my friend."

"But!"

Out

"Take it Mayflower." Jackson urged her grabbing May's outstretched hand. He curled her fingers over the necklace gently. "You have saved my family. You saved my son. My wife and I's greatest treasure. There is nothing in this world I could give you that would properly express my gratitude. Our gratitude."

"J-Jackson...sir, I-."

"This necklace has been in my family for three generations." He told her fondly; brown eyes softening. "My wife wore it every Sunday during prayer. It was something she cherished, and I cannot think of anything better than to bestow it upon you."

"I-I can't...F-Fredrick he could-?"

"Are you refusing my gift?" He actually gave her a wounded expression that hurt her heart.

May bowed her head and clenched her fist.

"...Of course I won't." She answered him. "But are you sure?"

"Of course."

May sighed, reluctantly accepting. "Then thank you I...I thank you...seriously."

Her thanks meant more than just the gift, and Jackson knew it.

May sat up, crossed her legs, and rested her arms on her knees. The hot but pleasant water was hitting her back just right causing the muscles to relax. It felt good on her chilled skin, tasted sweet on her lips, and helped hide the tears that left her eyes.

What was she doing? Why would she do this to herself? How could she come back here without a fuss?

Out

"You're leavin'?" Rosita exclaimed with a frown. "So soon? Can't you stay just a little while longer?"

"Now, dear Rosita, you mustn't press them." Jackson chided gently. "I am sure they have good reasons why they wish to leave."

Rosita shot him a glare. "Tsh, quiet you. The grown ups are talkin'."

"Why I-!" He floundered face turning red. "Such impudence!"

Ignoring him, Rosita walked right past Jackson and stood in front of May. The English man bristled.

"You can't leave so quickly, May." She rested her hands on top of her shoulders. "It's not right."

May bit her bottom lip in apprehension.

She stood on wobbly legs, and took a step forward. It isn't right. It really wasn't, so why? She couldn't quite figure out the reason herself. Was it because there were questions still left unanswered? Is it self punishment? Is she running away?

Or is it because the Doctor looked absolutely devastated at the mention of her leaving him?

Out

"We're never one to linger. Still so much out there to see." The Doctor grinned cheerfully as he placed a hand on her lower back. May flinched, but only because he surprised her. "So many new people to meet."

Rosita glared up at him. She now looked even more unhappy.

"I wasn't talkin' to you, Doctor." She rolled her eyes as she bit out his name. "I was talkin' to May."

Instead of getting offended, the Time Lord just laughed. He released May and held up his hands in the universal sign of surrender.

"Sorry, sorry." And he backed away.

Rosita then turned her gaze back to May. "Well, what do you say? You want to stay, right?"

Yes? No? Maybe? May didn't know! Everything was still so confusing. The wounds in her heart were still fresh. Her emotions were still haywire. Really, the only thing May wanted to do in the moment was climb back into her bed and sleep. Maybe sleep for the rest of her life. This was hard. Harder than she thought possible. Everyone was staring at her now, waiting on her to answer a simple yes or no question.

But it wasn't simple. Her answer could change her entire life! To stay here and live a possible peaceful life. Or go with the Doctor and live a life of uncertainty and paranoia.

It should be easy, but it wasn't. The Doctor had answers to her many questions. Would those answers be worth it to follow him? She honestly didn't know.

But...?

"I'm sorry Rosita." May smiled warmly at the other woman. Her gaze a bit sad. "I've got to go." Did she? Did she really? May wasn't as sure as she sounded. "But I'll write!" She turned towards the Doctor. "I can write, right?" May pleaded with her eyes. Hoping beyond hope that she would still be able to communicate with her friends despite her jumping around the time stream. There had to be a way.

To Rosita however, it looked as though she was asking the Doctor (the man) for permission to write to them. Immediately, she lost some respect towards the Time Lord. He may have saved all of England, maybe even all of the world, but a woman (especially a woman like May) should never be under a man's thumb.

The Doctor pondered the question for a moment, rubbing his chin exaggeratedly, before he grinned. "I'm sure we could find a way."

"You better." Rosita scoffed, narrowing her eyes. "If not, I'd track you down and wring your neck."

Jackson gasped and quickly reprimanded the woman. "Rosita! You mustn't threaten the man!"

"Oh shove off, you." She glowered and crossed her arms.

"Rosita!"

Out

May stopped in front of the glass at the opposite end of the shower. She stared at the reflection in front of her. Taking in her face; taking in her body. Raine; she was always there. Every time she passed a reflection, her image would appear. For just a moment, just for one second. So briefly that most of the time May thought her eyes were playing tricks. Yet it continued: every time, everyday. Sometimes May would confuse the two of them; herself and Raine. Their appearances would blend together till they were one person. One face and one body.

Raine with her long blonde hair that cascaded over her shoulders and down her back like a curtain. Her blue gold eyes that always seemed to see straight into her heart. Anticipated every move, understood every thought, caught each subtle shift in her emotions. Raine knew her better than May herself.

And that terrified her.

"Goodbye, my friend." Jackson said with a sad smile as he pulled May into a firm hug. "I wish you nothing but good fortunes on your journey." Though his hug was brief, it conveyed everything that went unsaid between them. May hugged back just as hard.

"Goodbye..." She paused and took a deep steadying breath. "Jackson." She didn't stutter, she didn't hesitate, because he was her friend.

Rosita nearly pushed the man out of her way as she threw herself into May's arms. "Oh, you!" The English woman squeezed her so tightly May swore her bones creaked. "You stay safe, you hear. Make sure you're eatin' plenty of meat. Eat your vegetables. Take care of your hands. Stay rested and don't let that man bully you."

This time the Doctor did take offense and gasped. "I would never-!"

"Oh! I'm goin' to miss you so much!" Rosita cried as she held onto May even tighter. Completely ignoring the red faced Time Lord.

"I'll miss you too." May mumbled into Rosita's shoulder hiding her blushing face.

"You better write, now. And come visit too!"

May tightened her grip around the other woman's waist. "Okay."

Her answer sounded just as uncertain as she felt.

Out

May touched her hair and Raine mirrored her actions.

Fingers tangled themselves in brown-

-blonde hair before curling into fists. She pulled at the roots of her hair causing pain in her scalp. Raine-

-May pulled and pulled till it felt like her skull was splitting. Blue and hazel eyes clashed neither wavering as pain exploded inside and outside of their heads.

"We have to-

-talk." Raine finished her expression grave. "You have-

-all the answers." May let go of her hair and settled her arms back to her side. "And I have many questions." She looked down at her feet and-

- wiggled her toes. "I..." Her voice cracked and she hesitated. "I have so many questions, b-but...?" Raine raised her head revealing blue eyes filled with sorrow. If water wasn't raining from the ceiling-

-her tears would have been revealed. "I'm scared of your answers." May's body crumbled, her legs unable to hold her up anymore. Scooting herself backwards, away from the glass, but close enough to still see Raine's reflection clearly. May pulled her knees to her chest and hugged her legs. "I don't wanna know. I don't wanna know anything. Just-

- go away! Go away and leave me alone!" Raine shouted at her with fear and a sliver of rage. "What do you WANT from me? My body? My life? Well you can't have it!" Raine rested her forehead against her knees and took a shaky breath.

"Why me?" May questioned; half hoping to get an answer. "Why couldn't it have been someone else? Some who...?" She trailed off because what she was about to say was horrible. Someone better? Someone worse? Good, bad? Would they be eaten alive like she was? Would their lives be a complete disaster like hers was? Did she really wish that on another person? Her brain told her to say no. Told her to be that person. That person who would sacrifice everything for the sake of others.

Yet, if she listened to heart. Her scared terrible little heart: it would have her say yes. Yes, if she had the chance, she would trade places with someone else. Anyone else, no matter who that person was, how good or bad they were. No matter what age. "Oh God-

-I deserve this." May's nails dug into the flesh of her calves. "I can't believe I...I'm terrible...I'm..." She was scared, so scared. Of herself, of Raine, of the world. May wanted to hide in a hole and never come out. Fear, despair, agony consumed her heart, but in a matter of seconds, anger trumped all.

Burning, overwhelming rage.

"WHAT DO YOU-

-WANT FROM ME!" Raine screamed as she stood. Then she took two large steps towards the glass. "TELL ME! TELL ME!" She slammed her fist against the reflection. Hoping beyond hope the action would result in answers. She punched the glass with her other fist. Raine barely felt the pain. "Why wo-

-n't you say anything?" May whimpered as she rested her forehead against the cool glass. "Are...are you goi-

-ng to kill me?" Her expression was so sad and so hurt. Their eyes stayed locked together for several seconds, neither saying anything. Soon, even though the water never cooled, Raine began to feel cold. "Fine-

-don't talk. Just..." May didn't know what to say, so she stopped talking and just walked away. I'm exhausted. She thought touching her face. I'm going to bed. I'm done with today. Pushing her hair over her shoulders, May turned the shower off. The water from the ceiling cut off, and the world went silent for a second before the glass walls began descending.

May turned to watch the walls come down, but Raine's reflection caught her eye. She was no longer mimicking her actions. May's right hand rested on the pedestal and her left fell to her side. Yet Raine's arms were crossed. Her expression was grief stricken, and her body trembled. It looked like tears were rolling down her cheeks, but May wasn't sure. Her blue eyes were clouded and hooded as if she was fighting to keep herself from bawling. Her jaw trembled as she opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by the descending glass. In a blink of eye, Raine disappeared from view leaving May with even more questions.

What just happen? She thought as she walked down from the platform. Why did she look completely heartbroken?

And why did May's heart hurt at the sight? Why did it ache? May shook off her questions, too tired to care anymore, and focused on getting dressed. Grabbing the fluffy pink towel she left on the sink, May began drying herself off while staring into the mirror. Raine was gone so her own image was now reflected. Her hazel eyes roamed her face and body critiquing every flaw she found. Her gaudy piercings, her bipolar eyes, her tiny nose, her big fish lips, the pudge of her stomach, and the jiggle in her arms.

Oh, stop it! May scolded herself as she wrapped the towel around her head. She had never been one to judge a person's body before especially her own. She was healthy. She was fit enough to (sorta kinda) keep up with the Doctor and Jack during their exertions. Sure May ate a lot, but that had never bothered her. So why was she hating her appearance now of all times?

Glaring at her reflection, May leaned in to get a closer look at herself. Analyzing every piercing, every necklace, every ring she had on. Why did she have them? What was their purpose? Why did she hate them so much?

She had to get rid of them. With renewed determination, May reached behind her neck to grab the clasp of the first necklace she saw. The necklace was a simple silver chain connecting three hoops: two small rings connecting on either side of one large hoop.

"Time to get..." May's hands began to tremble. "I need t-to..." Her heart raced frantically in her chest and her stomach turned. "Oh God." Her skin felt hot, but her insides were ice cold. Her hands were sweating so bad her fingers began to slip off the clasp. "Oh God." May's vision swam turning spotted then white then black. Her ears popped, her lungs froze, and her body disappeared.

Where was she? Who was she? What was happening? Why...was...there...wom...man in her head? So close, so real, she could touch her...him? Him. He was so beautiful, sweet, innocent, and she ruined it.

Please...please...don't go. I'm sorry. I was just...just...so hungry.

"Are you having a midlife crisis?"

May sat up with a gasp. Her pink towel falling off her head and covering her lap. "W-what?"

"Or maybe a mental break down?" Continued the soft child-like voice. May blinked the haziness away from her eyes and turned her head towards little Amelia Pond. Maybe a little over four feet tall the seven year old Amelia in her little red spotted white nighty dress and red galoshes stood over her.

Cold brown eyes judging her naked form. "Or is that the same thing?"

"Oh God." May groaned covering her face with her hands. Her head was killing her. "What do you want?"

"You've been unconscious for three minutes." Amelia replied coolly. "I wanted to see for myself if you were dead."

"Well, obviously I'm alive." She grumbled back, standing up on shaky legs.

"Pity." Little Pond smirked and her image flickered away. She then appeared again, this time sitting on the sink counter top, swinging her legs in a child-like way. "Is that what you're planning to wear?" She nodded over to May's purple pajama bottoms and plain white t-shirt next of her.

May picked her towel off the floor and wrapped it once again around her head. "Yes, what of it?"

"Nothing." She shrugged. "Just doesn't seem like an appropriate outfit for an adventure considering what happened last time, but what do I know about fashion."

"What are you talking about?"

"The Doctor." Amelia sang his name cheerfully. "Is waiting for you in the control room."

"He is?" May's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why?"

"For your adventure together, of course."

"Today? Right now?"

"Is there a better time?"

"Yes!" May nearly shouted as she snatched her pajamas off the counter top. "How about tomorrow?"

"Today is tomorrow." Little Pond pointed out. "You slept for fourteen hours straight."

May gritted her teeth in irritation.

That was true, she did sleep for a long time after her little breakdown in the library, but they had just gotten back from Jackson's place. Christmas was not two hours ago.

"I'm tired." She whined; hand grasping the brass knob, forehead resting against the door. "I just wanna go back to bed."

"He's excited." Amelia informed her. "And nervous." She cocked her head causing small red hairs to cover part of her face. "Very nervous. He's fixed the tourniquet crank seven times already." She smiled fondly. "And there was nothing wrong with it the first six times."

"So?" The woman grumbled as she turned the knob and walked inside her room. "He can go on an adventure without me."

"You know he can't do that." Amelia chided as she appeared next to the door. "He'll get in trouble if he isn't supervised."

"So what? Am I just some over glorified nanny?"

"Yes."

"Well, too bad!" May snapped as she threw her clothes and her towel on the canopy bed. "He can either wait till I wake up or go by himself!"

"You're being unreasonable, Mayfl-."

"Unreasonable?" She seethed interrupting the Tardis. "I'm being unreasonable?! Not twenty four hours ago I just found out I have a-a-another soul inside my body! A soul that makes me eat time! Time! From people! All I want to do is go back to bed and sleep. Is that so unreasonable?!" Amelia just stared at her mutely with a blank expression on her face. Her image flickered as her head turned and her eyes roamed the room.

From the grey carpeted floor to the white walls. Over to the tall mirror near the bathroom door. She then turned around to the south wall where May's large long oak dresser sat with the cork board running horizontal above it. The board was littered with pictures and the the dresser top was covered with trinkets she had taken.

Picture: Jack in the captain's chair on the Chula ship. His legs were propped up on the control board, arms were crossed, and face relaxed as he slept.

Trinket: The fedora hat he had worn once in to the dance club on Pluto. (He had looked so handsome in it.)

Picture: The Five Fiends and her out together on a shopping trip. Blyph was grasping her torso, face pressed into her chest. Kaurd had his arms thrown around both Zul and Raltz smiling broadly. Zul's face was purple with irritation as he tried to peel Blyph off May, and Raltz's ears were tinted dark blue in embarrassment. Vox stood off in the corner shaking her head with the barest of smiles on her face as she watched the group. May sat there with the biggest of grins on her face as she laughed. It was a good memory.

Trinket: A single gold chula coin.

Picture: Nancy hugging Jamie close. Tears were rolling down her cheeks while the little boy stared on ahead with a confused expression on his face.

Picture: A teddy bear missing one eye and a torn limb. It rested against an overturned hospital bed. Next to it was a crumpled piece of paper with a drawn stick figured woman holding a child's hand.

Trinket: Jamie's teddy bear from the hospital.

Picture: Blon Fel Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen beautiful egg as she was placed in the Jingatheen hatchery.

Trinket: The receipt from Bistro 10 after she made the Doctor go back and pay for their meal.

Picture: Jezabell sitting daintily on a crate; ankles crossed and hands folded neatly on her lap. The suitcases that were placed all around her dwarfed the small statured person. Kren stood behind her like a silent protector, arms crossed behind his back, posture straight as an arrow.

Picture: Rose and the Doctor on floor 500 both laughing together as he dug his hands deep into the Satellite Five's inner wiring.

Trinket: Her blue Crazi Night Flora princess dress and black high heeled opened toed shoes.

Picture: Jackson sitting around the fire with Fredrick on his lap. Both were smiling as Rosita passed them bowls of hot soup. The darker skinned woman stared fondly at the little family with big bright brown eyes. The Doctor sat just across from Jackson, already holding his own bowl, and head thrown back as he let out a mad cackle at Rosita's joke.

Trinket: Rosita's hand-made scarf and Jackson's wife's choker.

"How about a trade then?" Amelia proposed suddenly as she turned back to May.

She scoffed as she pulled the white tee over head. "A trade?"

"Yes." She nodded as she flickered. "I'll give you a gift if you go."

"Really?" May exclaimed sarcastically. "A gift? That sounds fantastic!" Poison dripped from every word.

"Of course it does." Amelia agreed either ignoring her sarcasm or not understanding it. "You can either accept it or..." She left her sentence hanging for a moment as her brown eyes eerily brightened. "Your room will be deleted."

May's eyes widened and her heart dropped.

"What! Y-you can't do that!" She nearly screamed. "I-It has all my stuff in here!"

"You can get new stuff." Little Pond shrugged looking unconcerned.

"Not this stuff! Not these memories!" May argued taking a threatening step forward. "You can't do this to me. You can't throw me out!"

"Who said anything about throwing you out?" Amelia looked genuinely confused as she cocked her head to the side. "I would never do such a thing. My thief would be distressed if you disappeared." She tapped her chin. "It's just that when you come back from your adventures, all tired and worn, what you'll return to is a closet." She flickered out of existence for a moment before reappearing in the middle of the bed. Arms behind her back as they held her weight and her legs stretched out in front of her with her ankles crossed.

"With only a small bed and a dresser."

"You can't be serious!"

"I am."

"Y-you're lying then."

"Why would I lie?"

May screamed. Screamed nonsensical words at the image of Amelia Pond. Fists clenched, body bent over, and vocal cords stretching till they burned. When the air in her lungs disappeared, she took another deep breath and began chanting:

"I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU! IHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOUIHATEYOU! I HATE YOU!" May fell to her knees as her body began to shake with too much adrenaline. "W-why can't you...j-just leave me-." She took another deep breath and whispered. "Alone." It wasn't a question but a plea.

Amelia was silent as she stared at May's crumpled form with what seemed like a frown on her face. After a few moments of her analyzing gaze she disappeared without even a flicker. With her now gone, May just sat on the floor naked and cold. Accompanied by the familiar presence of despair. Someone who seemed to be her constant companion and friend.

Why me? Why me? Why me? May moaned as her heart broke in two. She should've stayed with Jackson and Rosita. She shouldn't have come back. She had made the wrong decision to stay. Was it too late to leave?

May sat there, in her room on the floor, for what seemed like hours before she moved again. She stood on shaky legs while wiping the tears from her face. Turning around she headed for her closet. Pulling open the white bi-folded doors May stepped inside and looked at her clothes. May then focused her mind on answering the one question that was most important at that very moment:

What to wear to an adventure through a desert?

...

May chose to wear her dark grey shit-kickers, her grey convertible cargo pants, pink muscle shirt with grey trims, and a black light jacket. One: they would keep her warm in the dreary weather of England. Two: they're easily stripped away so she can have some semblance of coolness in the heat of the desert sun. So with a sour expression, May walked into the control room, shoulders hunched and hands stuffed into her jacket pockets. When she climbed up to the center her eyes automatically zeroed in on the Doctor who was unsurprisingly underneath the console.

His brown pin stripped suit jacket and blue/brown multicolored tie was thrown haphazardly across one of the pilot seat's arm rest. His blue collared shirt had its sleeves rolled up to his elbows as the Doctor dug his hands into the Tardis's thick wiring. Covering his eyes was this contraption that looked a cross from night goggles and an Optometrist's phoropter. Across his lap as he worked was an open tool satchel that was held up by his bent legs.

May stopped on the last step to just watch him work. It wasn't that the sight was strange, but it was the first time she was able to do so alone. Rose had been a constant fixture at Nine's side. Leaning back against the console with the tool satchel spread by her side and within reach. Her head would've been thrown back in laughter at something the Doctor had said. Nine would've had the biggest grin on his face as he fixed, replaced, or experimented with something within the Tardis. The two seemed to have had this unspoken communication between them. The Doctor would raise his hand then Rose would pick up a tool and place it on his open palm. He would take a step and she would take two.

It was similar, but not exactly the same way Ten had been with May. The Doctor had followed beside her step by step. Every movement mirrored hers as if they weren't two but one. As if they were magnets being drawn together.

Nine was more like a shadow following Rose. An ever looming presence that presented themselves as a protector or guardian. He would watch her with hawk-like perception as she flitted around other worlds like a baby bird. Eyes wide and gleaming with barely contained excitement. Rose would roam and he would follow with a smile on his face. His gaze would have such a softness to them that it melted May's heart every time she witnessed it. It was one of those small things that kept the Doctor from completely being hated by her. All those small things were what gave May the courage to step into the Tardis again. It was those small things that pushed her forward when she hesitated.

While she had been thinking, the Doctor had reached for the satchel on his lap. When his fingers brushed against the intended metal tool, it slipped from the pouch and fell to the floor.

At the loud clang! of metal meeting metal, May broke from her thoughts. Before the Time Lord had a chance to lift his head, she had already stepped towards him.

"Here you go, Doctor." She told him softly as she knelt and held out the horseshoe-like wire cutters. Startled, Ten sat up abruptly only to hit his head against the underside of the console.

"Shit! Fuck!" He cursed as his hands flew to his face and his legs curled. The open satchel fell to the floor and all the remaining tools rolled away.

"You okay?" May questioned mildly concerned. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine." He waved a hand at her while the other removed the goggles. "It's fine. You just surprised me. I wasn't expecting you."

"You weren't?"

"I mean I-I was, but not so soon after the Christmas party." He still wasn't looking at her. May couldn't see the top of his face for he had covered with his hands, but his throat on up was turning a deep red color. "I figured I would get started on some projects I've been pushing aside while I waited."

May shot the time rotor a glare. She lied to me. She thought with a growl. Honestly, I'm not even surprised.

"I can go back if you want?" Please say yes, please say yes, please say-!

"No!" The Doctor shouted as he sat up quickly only to slam face first into the console again. "Agk! Shit."

Unable to help herself, May snorted and fell backwards on her bottom. "Dear lord. You're going to get brain damage if you keep this up, Doctor." He turned his head towards her as his watery brown eyes peaked between the slits of his fingers. There was a moment of stunned silence before a grin split his red face.

He chuckled as he turned away. "I've been spending too much time with you. I'm becoming quite accident prone."

For some reason May felt her face heat in embarrassment and her heart squeezed in her chest. "Ah um sorry." Why am I apologizing? She didn't do anything. It was her older self apparently. Everything was her older self's fault. Yet, May couldn't stop herself from feeling responsible.

"Don't be." The Doctor told her as he sat up slowly. Angling his head to avoid the console above. "So~ your first adventure, yeah?"

"I wouldn't call it my first adventure."

"With me it is."

"We had dinner with Margaret, remember?"

"I wouldn't call that an adventure."

"Running, danger, death threats." She began listing off with her fingers. "Chances of Earth being destroyed. Sounds like a stereotypical adventure with the Doctor."

"Nope!" He denied without pause as he stood.

"Why not?"

"Because you didn't get to pick." The Doctor grinned as he held out his hand to her. May's stare shifted between his smiling face and to his waiting hand. After a few awkward seconds, she hesitantly put her palm in his.

"Does it matter if I pick it or not?" May asked as she was pulled to her feet.

"Of course it does!" He assured. "The very first adventure is the foundation of the companion and the Doctor build upon." He let go of her hand and then made a sweeping motion. "So that's why we are wiping the plate clean!"

May quirked an eyebrow. "We are?"

"Yes." He exclaimed jovially before his expression fell. His gaze suddenly intensified causing May's spine to tingle and her muscles to tense. "I've done some unspeakably cruel things to you, May." His tone was low yet soft. "Things that I'm ashamed of. Things I'll never be able to apologize enough for. Not even if I was granted eternity." The Doctor's words made her uncomfortable. His overwhelming guilt made her feel things. Those feelings were things she was not ready to explore or accept. Yet she couldn't look away. He was revealing to her such a vulnerable part of himself. It would be disrespectful if she didn't at least meet him head on. Hear him out.

That didn't mean she would accept him so easily though.

"Our foundation is broken." The Doctor told her. "Based on mistrust and lies. I want to tear it down, and build a new one with everything on the table."

"Everything?"

He smiled softly. "Yes."

"I...don't know."

And she truly didn't. It was hard to believe him. It was even harder to trust him.

"Give me a chance!" He pleaded, expression almost desperate. The Doctor looked near ready to fall on his knees and beg. "Let me show that I've changed." He smiled, but it was small and hesitant. "That I'm not the same man I was before."

Is...is he trying to make a joke? May questioned quirking an eyebrow. Well, he was acting different. Extremely different. So different it threw her for a loop.

She bit down on her bottom lip nervously. "I've decided that I would continue travelling with you in order to find more about myself and...and Raine." May ran a hand up her face and through her hair. "I've convinced myself that despite everything the truth is more important. More important than my feelings."

"May..."

"No, stop." She muttered taking a step back and crossing her arms. "I'm not expecting anything from you." May lowered her gaze and stared at the tops of her shoes. "I know you've changed. That your previous face was years ago, but for me it was just last week! I'm not...I'm not ready. I'm just not ready." She wasn't ready to move on. She wasn't ready to change. She definitely wasn't ready to forgive.

The Doctor looked away and rubbed his neck uncomfortably. "I...understand."

A tense silence then stretched between them as neither wanted to look at the other. It felt like eternity had passed before May summed up the courage to speak again.

"Um, you said something about...?" She tripped over her words due to nervousness. God, when did talking become so hard? "Maybe going on an adventure?"

Please say no, please say no, please say-!

The Doctor perked up so fast he mirrored a meerkat. A genuine excited grin stretched across his face and it almost made her feel bad about wanting to leave.

Almost.

"Yes, yes, yes!" He shouted in glee as he turned around, hands hovering over the console. "Where to go? Where to go? It has to be some where exciting, some where fun. How about Alfava Metraxis? Saint Say'Ant Day year 3031."

"Saint Saint Day?"

"Say'Ant!" He enunciated without looking back at her. "Say the wrong pronunciation around certain circles of Alfavadors and they'll lob your head clean off!"

"G-good to know." May made a mental note to look up Alfavadors and Saint Say'Ant Day later in the library.

"How about Ohio?"

"Ohio? You mean in the States?"

"Nah, that wouldn't be any fun, would it?" He chuckled as he twisted some knobs and pressed some buttons. "I mean the planet."

"A planet?!" May took a couple steps closer, curiosity peaking.

"In the Liberty galaxy. Fifty planets for the Fifty States."

"You're kidding."

"Americans. So egocentric."

"Please." May rolled her eyes and side stepped so she was directly facing the Doctor. "If you want to talk about gigantic egos-." She left the statement open ended as she gave the Time Lord a hard look.

"Tsk, your tongue is sharp as ever, Mayflower." He shot her a playful glare and pouted. "So, no Ohio then."

"I didn't say I didn't want to go."

"No, I think the Grand Faithful Museum of Nebula History is a bit too stimulating for a first trip."

May's eyes widened. "Huh? Wait! You mean, I-? What!"

The Doctor's grin was beaming as he continued to fiddle with the controls.

"I thought that might catch your...your int...inter...st." He trailed off as his humor dwindled along with his attention. His gaze flitted between the console beneath his finger tips and the monitor that had lit up beside him.

"What is it?" May furrowed her eyebrows as she leaned in closer. Trying to read the data flashing on the screen.

"Particles." He mumbled; his own brows creasing. "Rhondium."

"Rhondium." She repeated. "What's that?"

"They're particles that are usually found within forming wormholes." He muttered in reply. His eyes were slowly widening as he read. "They're...they're like an opposing tide pushing against space. Essentially causing a whirlpool that distorts reality."

"Oh, interesting." And it truly was. "How are these tides formed?"

"Hmm." The Doctor hummed as he stroked his chin thought. Eyes never leaving the screen. "Usually when time has been fractured. The break disturbs reality pushing and twisting against space."

"So kind of like the rift in Cardiff?"

"Yes, exactly."

"So, Cardiff has a wormhole? I thought it was healed."

Was that where the wormhole was? May couldn't remember. She knew the how, but not the where.

"Cardiff is healed, but its fragile. It will never be 100% again. So if it's continuously poked and prodded it will open up and...and bleed." He paused and looked down at the console deep in thought. "But to answer your question: it's not Cardiff. It's on Earth, but not there."

"So it's new." May said as she stared hard at the screen. She didn't understand a word of it. It was all gibberish to her. "And that's bad."

"Yes." He mumbled out before trailing off into silence. May watched him watch the screen with awkwardness building on top of her shoulders. Should she wait for him to snap out of it? Should she say something? Should she just go?

Her eyes flickered to the hallway then back at him. Maybe if I'm quiet I can sneak out. Yet, before she could act on her plan of escape, the Doctor broke out of his stupor.

Blinking several times, the Doctor took a small step back. "Right, so adventure." His hands hovered again over the console. "How about the Rings of Akhaten? You've always liked going there."

"What about the wormhole?"

"Eh, it's still small. Not an immediate problem. It's probably boring. Sounds boring. Wormholes are so drab. I'll look into it later. So Akhaten, yes?" His tone sounded light and unconcerned, but he was rambling. May knew this much, if he was rambling, he was concerned. The way his eyes kept shifting back from the screen to his hands was also a clear sign.

May didn't understand why the Doctor was acting this way. Wearing a mask of indifference even though he was clearly bothered. If he wanted to go to Earth then go. Why pretend otherwise?

"Do you want to go to Earth, Doctor?"

"What? No, no, no, no, no, no." He shook his head and threw her a grin. "It's fine. It's nothing...nothing...interesting." He trailed off again as his gaze drifted.

May huffed resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Why must this man be so stubborn?

"Well, I want to go." Not really, but if a white lie is what it took to get him moving, it would be worth it. Hopefully. "Let's go check it out."

"Are sure?" He inquired still sounding uncertain. "There are other places we can go first. Somewhere fun. Somewhere different."

"This sounds more interesting." That wasn't a lie. It did sound interesting. "Besides, its a classic first adventure. The Doctor and his Tardis saving Earth from utter destruction." May shot him a genuine grin. "I wouldn't have it any other way." And she really wouldn't.

The Doctor's grin soon matched hers. Maybe even brighter cause his whole face beamed.

"As milady wishes!" He laughed as his hands went to work on the console. "Earth it is!" The Doctor punched in a couple numbers on what looked like a calculator, spun a knob that looked as though was taken from a bathroom faucet, tugged on a hanging rope, and then gripped a lever.

His brown eyes twinkled with excitement as he tossed her a smile. "Hold on tight!"

The Doctor pushed the handle up and the ground beneath May's feet tilted.

...

"So, Time Eaters." May mumbled as bit into her cadbury creme egg. "What...are they exactly?"

"Now? You want to do this now?" The Doctor asked as he took a bite into a blue marshmallow peep. He made a funny face before gagging exaggeratedly. "Ugk! Ack! This is disgusting!"

"Well, its not like were doing anything important right now." She pointed out as watched the Doctor try to get rid of the marshmallow-y taste out of his mouth by rubbing his tongue against his teeth. "If you hate it so much spit it out!"

"Ack, it's on my tongue." He said with disgust. "So gross." The Doctor then promptly shoved the rest of the blue peeps into May's hands. "I'm never going to get the taste out of my mouth now."

May rolled her eyes. "Try something different then." She then extended the grocery bag towards him. "So Time Eaters..."

"What's more to know?" He grumbled as he rifled through the sweets.

"Plenty of things! Like why do they...I...us eat time? Why couldn't it be cheeseburgers?!"

The Doctor was silent for a moment as he stared at the package of candy corn in his grasp. "Because eating cheeseburgers won't kill Time Lords." He took out one piece of the pastel colored candy and analyzed it. "Regeneration energy was an obstacle that the Daleks could not overcome." His gaze hardened. "Destroying us was hard work."

There was a long pause of tense silence as the two continued down the busy sidewalk of London. May worried at her lip while shooting quick side glances at the Time Lord. His gaze on the sweet was so intense. She briefly played with the idea that the candy corn held the secrets of the universe in it's sugary coating. Then, just for a moment, when they passed through the shadow of a tall building - the Doctor's expression shifted.

Just for a moment,

just for one brief second,

madness entered his eyes.

It was so quick. So quick her mind rationalized it as a trick of light, or rather, lack there of. Yet, she couldn't rationalize the way her heart jumped in her chest and how quickly her mouth dried. The corner of his lips had curled upward (so tiny, minuscule even) into a sardonic smirk. May was tired, exhausted, her eyes weren't seeing clearly. The darkness covering one side of his face was just umbra and nothing more. It wasn't frightening. It was physics. May's very tired, very dry eyes were playing tricks on her and...and...and...everything inside her was screaming at her to run. Run far and fast away from danger.

The Doctor, the Time Lord, was unraveling.

Then, just as her steps faltered, legs ready to sprint away - the street's light uncovered the Doctor's face. In a blink of an eye, the Doctor's icy aura and subtle malicious intent vanished. The sudden change gave May a serious case of whiplash. Her mind just couldn't keep up.

"And that's when you came in!" The Doctor exclaimed suddenly in a cheerful tone. Even his eyes were now warm and light. "The lot of you! A new species out of no where! It was...fascinating."

It didn't sound fascinating.

"A race of warriors bred to fight, to seduce, to take...time." He had a whimsical expression on his face as he brought the candy to his lips.

May tried to wet her lips before speaking, but it was useless. Her mouth was dry as the desert.

"Take time from who?" She asked even though she already knew the answer. "The Time Lords?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Of course, but the Daleks were greedy. They wanted everyone to fall under the rule of the Great Empire." He bitterly enunciated the last two words with an empty smile. "And then they released the dogs of war." He popped the candy corn into his mouth.

"Dogs of war." May repeated in a mumble as she took a bite of a blue marshmallow peep. The fluffy sweet flavor covered the taste of fear.

"Ye-agk!" The Doctor choked before spitting out the candy. "Agh, nasty! Gross! Tastes like plastic!" Tossing her the opened bag of candy, he quickly began licking his palms. A foolish, and gross, attempt to get rid of the offending taste. "American sweets-!" Another long and exaggerated lick. "-it's absolutely offensive to the taste buds!"

Despite still feeling unsettled, May couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Don't be a drama queen." She grabbed a small handful and tossed it into her mouth. "It tastes fine."

He shot her a look of disgust and grumbled. "Why couldn't you have bought jelly babies?"

"They're some jelly beans in there."

"It's not the same." He pouted but began searching through the bag anyway.

He really is bipolar. May thought as she eyed him. Childish, angry, happy, sad: I just can't keep up. In a matter of ten minutes the Doctor had been a cocktail of emotions. It threw her for a loop. She just didn't know how to properly handle being around him. I hope it gets easier with time. As the thought ended May's eyes widened. Easier with time? Was she really already thinking about the future - a future with the Doctor in it? Was she going insane?

"It was just a saying." The Doctor exclaimed suddenly as he poured the box of jelly beans in his mouth. He scrunched up his nose as he chewed, but he didn't spit it out. He was unhappy rather than disgusted. Were jelly babies that much of an amazing sweet? That not having it had the great and powerful Time Lord pouting like a petulant toddler? Apparently so, because the man glared at the jelly beans as if it personally offended him.

"What's just a saying?"

"Dogs of war." He clarified as he swallowed. "It's just saying from Shakespeare's play Ju-."

"I know, Doctor."

"Right." The silence that followed was suffocating. The awkwardness between the two was thick and uncomfortable. Suddenly, May couldn't wait to be stuck in the desert. There the Doctor would be distracted and May would be left alone. She would rather be left in the hot and stiffing bus on a dead planet than out walking the streets of London with the Doctor feeling cold and sick.

"I-I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was calling you a dog." He explained suddenly in a stutter. Nearly shouting the words at her; eyes wide in panic. They were rushed and came out of nowhere. As both of them registered his words, the Doctor suddenly looked a little hot under the collar.

May stared at him in bewilderment. "I thought...nothing of the sort."

"Oh, okay then. Good." His face was now a brilliant shade of red. He shoved more jelly beans down his throat. "I just wanted..I-I mean there are similar characteristic between you two, but fundamentally as a species you couldn't be more different."

Crazy scary bipolar Time Tot say what now?

"Characteristics?" May snarled the word out. Completely offended. "What do you mean?"

At her sudden animosity, the Doctor flinched. He quickly shot her a panicked look.

"I-I mean you do smell-."

"I smell?"

He paled. "I didn't mean it like that! You-you don't stink or anything! In fact you smell quite nice! L-like the Fall. The season not the Radical Convent of the Forty First." He was waving his hands as he tried to explain. In reaction, jelly beans poured from the open box and rained to the ground. "I just mean that you sme-! No, no wrong verb, Doctor." He smacked a hand to his forehead as berated himself. "You-you sense! Yes, you sense time and then you...No, no, no they...they track...it." He ended lamely, shoulders slouching.

"What do you mean, Doctor? Explain it properly."

"It's ah...um...ahhh!" The Doctor stopped walking and combed through his hair with his hands. "Right then." Lowering his hands he turned towards May and stared directly into her eyes. "You know how you see snippets of the future, or more specifically, my future?" May nodded. "That is because you've caught my regeneration scent and essentially...locked on."

"Locked...on?" She repeated incredulously. "Scent? Your regeneration energy has a scent?"

"Of course it does. Everything has a scent." He grumbled looking down.

"What does that have to do with my seeing the future?"

"Ah, I really shouldn't have said future. It's more than that. You know me intimately, yes?" He asked sparing her a glance. This time it was May who turned red. "My past and my future. All of my choices: good and bad. Knowledge is power, and if you have knowledge over your enemy, its easy to bend them to your will."

"My knowledge...of you...bends you to my will?" Honestly, to her, it felt the opposite.

"Isn't it nice to relate to someone who knows your pain?" The Doctor inquired suddenly as he pulled the bag full of sweets in front of him. "Who understands what you are going through? Shares your dreams, your feelings? Someone who knows you intimately. So fully that they could quite possibly be your soulmate?" He raised his head and pinned her with a long stare. "You fill the need all living beings have."

"What need?"

"A connection." He told her simply as he lowered his gaze. "You see, Time Eaters catch the scent of time, of regeneration energy, of-of life force!" He raised the box of jelly beans. "They latch onto it and track it through all of time and space. Hunting their prey till they're caught in the web of seduction. It's quite...beautiful actually." He got this far off look as he titled the box toward his mouth. After a moment of no candy, the Doctor paused and looked into the now empty box. "Damn."

"But...but I take time from people right? Anyone?"

"Right."

"So I've been away from you for years! I've been around so many others and Jack. I've been living with Jack! I never knew much about them. Not their future or past. Nothing deep and hidden. Why didn't I latch onto them and...and eat?" Just saying that word made May nauseous. "Raine had told me that we had been starving before we met again."

"Ah, well that's an easy one." The Doctor grinned as he thrifted through the bag. "I'm more important!" He winked at her as he pulled out a chocolate egg.

"Huh?"

"Time Lords are the Time Eaters natural enemy. Why go for the rabbit when you can have the turkey?" He broke off a piece of the chocolate and popped it in his mouth. Then he turned and continued down the street.

"But for years?"

"Of course! What are the laws of time and space for the likes of us but trifles?" The Doctor shrugged. "In a couple more years I'm sure you would have lost my scent."

May's gaze drifted down to the blue peeps and the candy corn in her grasp. 'We hadn't had a proper meal in years. Years! We were slowly starving to death.' Raine's claims were suddenly making sense.

"I remember getting hungry." She touched her stomach. "Everything tasted like ash, and no matter how much I forced myself to eat, nothing was filling."

"Ah, well..." He mumbled awkwardly, looking away.

"Then I was sick and everything hurt." Her joints ached, she felt nauseous, light headed, and weak - so very weak. "Was that because I was starving to death?"

The Doctor was silent for a moment as he took a bite of chocolate. "Yes."

Just yes. Right then. Okay. May might not have known what she was hoping for: an explanation, sympathy, a different answer. Either way, the response she got was horrifying and damning. I really do need to live off time or I'll die. May felt like crying again.

"Come now, Mayflower. Don't be sad. It's all better, right?" The Doctor nudged her gently. He sent her a sugary smile. "We've gotcha, the Tardis and I. We'll make sure you're fed and happy. No more worries!"

"You promise?" May glanced up at him; hazel eyes watering. "You promise I wont hurt anyone anymore?"

The Doctor abruptly stopped walking, turned, and stared at her. He seemed like he didn't know what to say, but after a few seconds, he raised a hand. For a moment, May thought he was going to touch her face, but instead he lowered it onto her shoulder.

"I promise." He told her with a serious expression, his hand squeezing her gently.

May sent him a shaky but genuine smile. "Okay, I believe you."

More like she needed too.

If she had been seeing clearly, May would have noticed the light in his eyes dim a bit.

"Oh, look!" He pointed out suddenly, removing his touch. "A bus! Haven't been on one in ages. We can get a better look around in there." Then he quickly took May's hand and pulled her towards a red double-decker. Though momentarily surprised by his sudden outburst, May still couldn't help but laugh.

Maybe travelling with the Doctor wouldn't be so bad after all.

She hoped.

...

"Hello, I'm the Doctor, and this is May!" The Doctor exclaimed happily to the woman in the seat in front of them. "Happy Easter!"

May shifted awkwardly in her seat before holding out the bag of candy corn. "Want some candy?"

"Um, no thanks." The dark haired woman shot both of them a look of bewilderment over her shoulder.

"Good choice. It's rubbish anyway." The Time Lord dismissed with a wave of his hand.

"Hey! Don't knock it till you try it."

"I did try it and I say it's rubbish." He rolled his eyes and dropped the bag of sweets onto May's lap. "We've got other kinds. No jelly babies, sorry."

"We have more jelly beans-."

"I'm telling you its not the same!"

"Yeah, no. I'm fine, thanks." The woman mumbled before turning and facing the front. The Doctor wasn't deterred. Instead of staying quiet, he leaned over and hung his arms off the backrest of the seat in front of him.

"The funny thing is, we don't often do Easter." He babbled on while breaking off a piece of chocolate egg and tossing it into his gob. "I can never find it. It's always at a different time."

"You can always look it up in a calendar." May suggested as she fished through the bag of sweets.

"Oh! I never thought about that. That's a good idea." He snapped his fingers and pointed. "Right, as I was saying, Easter!" The Doctor leaned in closer, practically half hanging off the seat. "I remember the original. Between you and me, what really happened was...Oh!" A soft but persistent beeping sound erupted from the Doctor's pockets. Quickly he leaned back into seat, and handed May the rest of his egg.

"You can finish it." He told her as he searched his pockets. "It's full of sugar and I'm determined to keep these teeth."

"Oh, you're full of it." She scoffed rolling her eyes. "You're just pouting cause you didn't get what you wanted."

The Doctor pointedly ignored her. "Ah!" He then pulled out a metal gizmo that looked like a cross between a remote and a phone. "Oh, we've got excitation! Look May, excitation!" He then shoved the gizmo in front of her face.

"Yes, yes, its very exciting Doctor." May told him dully as she pushed his hand away.

"I'm picking up something very strange." The Doctor grumbled; pressing the sensor to his ear.

The dark haired woman in front of them pressed herself closer to the window. Then she tried to cover part of her face with the collar of her jacket. It was as if she were trying to disappear from sight.

"I know the feeling." She mumbled softly to herself while looking out into the busy street. Eyeing the flashing red and blue lights.

"Rhondium particles, that's what I'm looking for." He chattered on as he twisted the dials on the sensor. "This thing detects them. Look!" The Doctor jumped up from his seat and took the other seat next to the woman. "This should go round, that little dish there."

"Right now, a way out would come in pretty handy." The woman told him sarcastically; clearly annoyed. "Can you detect me one of those?"

May watched the duo with mild amusement while she took a bite of the Doctor's chocolate. Any minute now. Her gaze drifted to outside the window as they entered a tunnel. I hope I can save those...those...? May dropped the chocolate egg as pain erupted inside her head.

"Lou, can you hear them?" A woman: darker skinned, wide brown eyes, and an opened mind.

The voices. Thousands of them. Crying. Crying out to us!

"Hear what, sweetheart?" Her husband, May thinks, but it hurts too much to look.

It's too late! We're gone! But please!

"The voices. So many voices calling to us. Calling so far!"

Stay away! Stay away! Beware! Death is on the wind!

"Ah, the little dish is going round." The Doctor exclaimed suddenly ignorant to May's plight.

She covered her ears as the voices began screaming inside her head. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts! Were those her thoughts or theirs? May didn't know anymore.

"Doctor!" May cried out unable to handle the pain anymore. Her vision was turning white and her ears were popping.

"May? What is it?" The Doctor was by her side instantly. Hands cradling her head. "What's wrong?"

"The voices!" May sobbed as she gripped his wrists. "They're too loud! Tell them to stop!"

"The voices?"

"Is she alright?" The long haired woman questioned as she stared at the two.

The Doctor's mouth opened and closed unsure of what to say. "What was your name?"

"Christina." She answered slowly, eyebrows pinching together.

"Christina, hold on tight." He commanded; eyes dark and worried. "Everyone, hold on!" The Doctor had just taken May into his arms when the world exploded and the passengers were violently thrown around.

"The voices!" May and the older woman cried together. "The voices. They're screaming!" The windows shattered from an invisible force. Wires were torn apart from the bus causing sparks and smoke. May screamed because it felt like her entire body was being pulled apart. Limbs, muscles, and ligaments were stretched to the point of breaking.

"May! May! May! Calm down! It's okay!"

"Yeah right, mate! Where in a fuckin' desert!"

"How did we get here?"

"Is this...is this a prank? Are we on the telly?"

"All of you shut up!" Snapped the Doctor. "May can you hear me?"

"Make it stop, Doctor!" She bawled as she clutched desperately to the Time Lord. "It hurts! It hurts so much!"

"Alright, Mayflower. Let me just..." The Doctor's finger tips brushed over her temples. "Don't fight me okay?" Suddenly, there was something strange entering her head. It almost felt like pressure, but instead of building it flowed like water across her mind. Then it poked and prodded at her brain.

"Don't fight me." He whispered; cool lips pressing against her forehead. "Relax. I'm just helping you turn down the volume." The poking stopped and the strange pressure settled over her mind like a blanket. "There how does that feel?"

May opened her eyes slowly, but the bright light quickly made her close them again. Her head felt heavy, but the voices were quieter now. They still whispered in her ear (Run, run, its too late for us. Run.), but it was no longer painful. Her body, on the other hand, felt beat up and ran over. Like she had been the rope used in tug-of-war.

"Doctor?" May muttered as she peeled herself away from the Time Lord.

"I'm here. Are you okay?" He asked as he grabbed her shoulders to steady her. May forced her eyes opened, despite the dizziness, and stared directly into his gaze.

"Doctor?" Her stomach was doing flip flops. She felt nauseous.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Do...?" May blinked and forced her eyes to focus. She didn't feel so good. "Do flies like chocolate?"

She then promptly threw up all over him.

...

Yay! I finished it~~ Wooo! It's been a bit of a ride trying to get this done. After this episode, I can't decide if should I go straight into the Waters of Mars or do an original adventure. Maybe something sweet and fluffy? Maybe a date between Ten and May? To cleanse our palates before we nosedive into the darkness named Time Lord Victorious. I'm still not sure, but what do you guys think?

To be honest, I do love foreshadowing Lord Victorious! Those little moments of madness leaking through just gives me chills. Good God, I am SUPER PUMPED to write the Waters of Mars. Shit is going to go down! Some many ideas~ so many reveals! So much tragedy and angst! Honestly, that is the best episode in Ten's series, in my opinion of course. Haha when I want to get a family/friend interested in the Doctor Who I always play that episode first. Just something about the raw emotion and how the Doctor is just so...tired of losing - it's beautifully acted.

How did you like May's shower? It is honestly my favorite part of the Tardis! I mean, yeah the library, but come on! A pool for a bathtub? A shower to dance in? The Tardis is an alien ship the size of...of...a galaxy maybe? It can't just have a dinky little bathroom! I mean, sure it may some where, but not my May's! No way, she does a little treat!

Maybe I've just seen too many movies. I think it's cool anyway.

Well, I don't have much to say today. I basically spent all weekend trying to finish writing this. Finished just in time before bed! Woot~ I was worried I would have to go to work with no sleep. I broke my promise on a chapter once a month, but you know how this year has been - absolute chaos. People have gone totally insane. Especially here in USA. Holy crap. I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! I can't wait to read your thoughts on this new chapter!

Love,

Kait

...

Random Person: Ahhh~! Really? Bone-chilling! I love it! I tried to make them creepy but also believable as a species. Something that can truly pose as a threat to the Time Lords. I hope as we continue I can still give you that feeling of excitement and anticipation. Thanks for your review. I treasured it.

bored411: Thank you! I always get real excited when I see your review! Your words are the best, and you're always really supportive! Thanks for that, truly! I really hope you liked this chapter! I worked hard!

HannahHPandDWfanJones: May and Donna are going to be great together. It's actually Donna that is going to have the most influence over our girl. I can't wait to write that season! If I ever get there of course haha I wish I could just write all day, but I sadly I can't. Fanfiction can't pay the bills. I hope you like this new chapter! Tell me what you think~

Mithya Aviana Cailin: Haha I love the Time Eaters too. It was really hard to come up with a proper lore to fit in with the Whoverse. I didn't want to tweak it too much, but just enough for it to be interesting and refreshing. Thanks for the review.

Idk but I'm having fun: Thank you for all your kind words. Your review made me smile so big, that my family asked me if I was feeling okay! Haha apparently I was freaking them out. I hope you really like this chapter!

The Girl Who Wasn't There: Hey, yeah! I remember you~~ I was wondering where you went off too lol I'm glad you returned to my story. That's awesome! Hmm, most of your questions I can't answer yet. I'll be getting into May's relationships (real or not) later in the story. As for May herself: she didn't question herself, because at first, she had no reason too. May thought she was just a girl from another universe with information about the Doctor. She had no idea that she held such secrets. It wasn't until everything came to light that she began questioning everything. Who she was, what she was, why this was happening to her. I believe in the second chapter she did ask the Tardis why she called her parasite before she was chased away. After that, May just didn't care anymore. The Tardis was an asshole, and she thought that was it. May didn't realize there was actually a meaning behind it. Sadly, we won't see Eleven in this part of the series, BUT the next season I write will have him. Oh boy, he's going to be a whole lot fun to write~~ Thanks for your review, sweetie! I loved hearing from you again!

The Timeless Child: Aw, thank you!

Lady Hummingbird: Scum Villain? What is that? Is it good? I've gotten real into the One Piece anime again. Haha I was behind about two season and I caught up then fell promptly in love with it all over again. Why did I stop reading it? I don't remember, but that is how life gets you. You get distracted and you forget things. I'm glad to be caught up now. This terrible COVID has been a pain for getting new episodes and chapters. Though the creators are still trying! Thank God. Well, I hope you like the chapter~ I also hope you're doing okay. Not sick or anything? Everything good on your end? I hope so. And also, as always, thanks for your review sweetie!

Guest: Well, I'm a bit two months late, but I hope you don't mind! I'm glad you love my story so much! Thanks for the review!

esthealice17: Aw, thank you! Your review made me incredibly happy! I hope while rereading it you found more and more little things I hid in there xD Thanks for the review!