The TARDIS let out a worried hum at how anxious the Doctor was getting over the empath's condition. She'd been unconscious far longer than either of them would like. Not even going to a parallel universe and back made the young woman stir.

The Time Lord sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Stop thinking so hard. I can hear the gears whirring in your brain", Alyssa murmured. The Doctor looked over at her and his face brightened seeing that she was awake.

"You're awake", he breathed, overjoyed and relieved.

"Yeah, I am", Alyssa slowly sat up, the Doctor quickly getting up to help her. "What did I miss?" she asked, sitting back against the pillows he'd rearranged.

"Reinette was saved. She lived a good life. Uh…we went to a parallel world and Mickey decided to stay behind", the Time Lord explained.

"Why did he do that?" Alyssa questioned, confused.

"His Gran. She was alive in that world and his parallel counterpart was killed…"

"So he decided to stay", Alyssa finished and he nodded "that's good. He's a good man".

"Yes, he is", the Time Lord agreed, sitting down beside her "Oh, Ali…I was so scared. I was terrified that I…I was going to lose you".

"I'm sorry I scared you", Alyssa said quietly "but I'm not going anywhere, I promise".

"Good. That's good", the Doctor said. He then leant in and did something that completely surprised her. He kissed her! "I love you, so…so much", he declared. Alyssa stared at him, not really sure what to say. Yes, she'd heard him say it before but that was only in her head. She never really thought that he actually loved her until now. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have kissed you a-and said that", the Doctor said quickly "I just was so afraid…"

"I know", Alyssa said, gently cutting him off "its ok, Doctor" she touched his face "cos I love you too".

"Really?" the Doctor asked, seriously hoping that he wasn't mishearing her.

"Really", Alyssa confirmed and kissed him back "I love you, Doctor".


Several days later saw Alyssa skating around the ice rink. With what had happened on that spaceship, she felt like she needed some time on earth. The Doctor had reluctantly agreed to let her go given that he was still so scared about losing her.

The empath picked up the pace so she had enough momentum to launch herself into the air, landing perfectly on one skate. That earned her a slow clap from the side lines. Alyssa turned to see James standing there. "James!" the red head said happily, skating over to him as quickly as possible "whoa!" she cried out as she headed toward the exit, faster than she intended. James held out his arms to grab her but at the speed she was going, Alyssa ended up bowling him over instead.

"You sure know how to knock a guy off his feet, dontcha?" James teased, making her blush.

"Well, I…" Alyssa trailed off when all of a sudden a ghostly shaped figure appeared "what the hell is that?"

"Oh no", James breathed, getting up and pulling Alyssa with him "Ali get your shoes on, now. We're leaving".

"Why? What are those things?" the empath questioned, doing as he said.

"Trouble, big trouble", James replied. He barely waited for her to grab her stuff from the bench where she left it before he grabbed her hand and ran out of the rink. "This can't be happening now" he muttered to himself, seeing more outside "this can't be".

"I don't understand", Alyssa said, as the blonde pretty much marched her down the street, his hand gripping hers tightly "James, what are they? What exactly is happening?"

He stopped and looked at her "do you trust me?" he counter asked.

"Of course", Alyssa answered "but I…"

"All you need to know is that you're not safe out here", James interrupted "I need to get you somewhere safe before they come". He tried to walk off but Alyssa pulled her hand out of his.

"I'm not going anywhere until I get proper answers. Now what is going on?"

James sighed "look, these 'ghosts' aren't ghosts at all. They're something else entirely which spells out danger for not just you but the entire world. There is also the organisation responsible for them called Torchwood and they want you".

"Me?" Alyssa repeated "this because of my powers?"

"Yes", James replied "but they're not going to get you, not while I'm here" the blonde took her hand and started walking again. They didn't get very far when a black van, screeched to a halt in front of them.

"Alyssa Palmer", a blonde haired woman said, stepping out of the front passengers seat while a few guys in combat gear got out of the back. James stood in front of the empath protectively. "Empath and quite recently obtained other psychic powers"

"You have me at a disadvantage lady, who the hell are you?" Alyssa asked, peering around James' frame.

"Yvonne Hartman, head of Torchwood", the woman replied "now if you'd be so kind, I'd like you to come with us".

"The hell she is", James growled. He flashed his sonic at the vehicle making the engine spark "Run!" he grabbed her hand and they took off.

"Get the girl", Yvonne ordered. Two of the soldiers raised their guns and fired at the fleeing pair. Alyssa and James dropped to the ground, unconscious.


When Alyssa came to, she found herself in a small room, presumably a cell with her hands cuffed above her head. The red head looked up at them and snorted. "Normal cuffs", she muttered "idiots". She closed her eyes and focused. The cuffs around her wrists shattered. Alyssa stood up, rubbing her wrists and eyed the door. Time to show these people what happens when you piss me off she thought, flexing her fingers.

Outside the cell, the two guards stationed by the door where thrown forward when it suddenly exploded outward. Alyssa stepped out, her green eyes now glowing gold. "Where is your boss?" she demanded.

"Upstairs, going to greet the Doctor", one of the guards groaned.

"Thank you", Alyssa said "now, sleep". She touched their temples and they passed out. The young woman darted off down the corridor.

Several floors above, the TARDIS appeared carrying two very angry males, a wary blonde and her very confused mother. "Lets go", the Doctor said to James.

"Are you crazy!" Rose exclaimed "they've got guns".

"They've also got Ali", James reminded her "so that's not gonna stop us from getting her back".

"He's right", the Doctor agreed "Rose, stay in here, look after Jackie". He and James left the ship without waiting for a response from either of the Tylers. As soon as they stepped out, Yvonne arrived. She smiled seeing the Doctor but it quickly faded when she noticed James standing next to him. The blonde haired woman actually went rather pale at the sight of the angry man.

"I'm only going to say this once. Where is she?" James demanded.

"I-I don't know who you're…" Yvonne started when the blonde haired man surged forward, grabbing her by the jacket.

"Don't lie!" he shouted "You have her and if you've so much as harmed one red hair on her head so help me I'll…"

"You don't need to make threats James", Alyssa spoke up from behind the soldiers, whom quickly parted to allow her to get through "I'm here". James let go of Yvonne and went over to her as did the Doctor.

"Are you ok?" the Time Lord asked, touching her face "did they hurt you?"

Alyssa shook her head "No, didn't lay a finger on me", she replied "but I am a little tired and my head hurts" she leant against the Doctor.

"You used too much in one go", James stated.

"Uh huh", the empath mumbled, her eyes starting to droop.

"Better get her in the TARDIS so she can rest", the blonde suggested.

"Good idea", the Doctor agreed "can you do it for me? I need to deal with Yvonne and these 'ghosts'".

"Sure", James said, taking Alyssa from him, scooping her up in his arms "just do me a favour and give that woman hell. It's the least she deserves". The Doctor nodded in agreement. He watched James carry Alyssa into the ship before he rounded on Yvonne.

"What gave you the right to take my girl?" he demanded "and what were you planning on doing with her, hm? Were you going to experiment on her? Use her as a weapon? Tell me!"

Yvonne jumped at the loudness of his voice. "I-we weren't going to use her like a weapon", she stammered "I swear!"

The Doctor scoffed "I don't believe you. You humans are nearly all the same. You find someone with incredible abilities and you immediately jump to the assumption that you can use them as a weapon". Yvonne stayed silent, knowing that what he was saying was true. And it was stupid of her to deny it. "Now, tell me about these 'ghosts'", he ordered.

"I will but first I'd like to meet your companion. According to the records, you're not just travelling with your 'girl' as you put it but with another", Yvonne said.

The Doctor glowered at the woman before saying "yeah, I do. She's a bit shy, that's all", he reached into the slightly open TARDIS door and pulls Jackie Tyler out "But here she is, Rose Tyler. Not the best I've had mind you. Last week, she stared into the heart of the Time Vortex and aged fifty seven years. But she'll do".

An outraged look flittered across Jackie's face "I'm forty!"

"Deluded. Bless", the Doctor said "I'll have to take her home soon cos to be honest I'd rather it just be Ali and I. But I digress. Ghosts, now".

"Follow me", Yvonne said. She turned on her heel and walked off through the doors, the Doctor and Jackie following.

Inside the TARDIS, James sat by Alyssa's bedside, her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the back of it. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe", he muttered "At least my presence has changed things for you this time around. And I swear I'll do better in the days to come, as much as I can without wrecking the timeline" he lightly kissed the back of her hand "I love you, my brilliant Ali".

As the minutes passed, James recounted the adventure in his head. He couldn't recall all the details such as what people said but he did remember what they went through from seeing the Void ship to the battle between the two beings that still terrified him to this day, no matter how much of a brave front he puts on.

It was about a good couple of hours later when Alyssa stirred. "I need to get better at that", she mumbled "this passing out is no fun".

"You'll get better at it with time and practice", James assured her.

"Hope so", she pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"How's your head?" James asked.

"Throbs a little but better than it was", Alyssa answered "I suppose we better go help the Doctor". James stopped her as she tried to get out of bed.

"No, we're staying here where its safe until its over", James said firmly.

"I can help!" Alyssa insisted.

"I said no", the blonde sharply and she flinched at his tone "sorry", he added softly "but I will not risk your life. Not with whats going on out there".

"What is going on?" Alyssa questioned.

"Trouble", James answered vaguely.

"Care to elaborate?" the empath asked.

James sighed "I wish I could but I can't", he admitted "Just trust that this is the best place for you right now".

Alyssa could sense that he was being sincere in wanting to keep her safe and as much as she'd love him to tell her the truth, she could still trust him. "Ok, I trust you", she said.

The blonde smiled "now, how about game?" he asked, taking out a pack of cards.

"Sure", Alyssa replied.

The pair were finishing up their third game of Go Fish when the door opened and the Doctor walked in. "The world saved?" James asked.

"Yep", the Time Lord answered.

"Good", James said, gathering up the cards and stuffing them into his pocket.

"What exactly happened?" Alyssa questioned, curious "James just told me that it was 'trouble'".

"It was but nothing I couldn't handle", the Doctor assured her. The red head frowned, sensing that he was hiding something but decided not to pursue it though. "How are you feeling?"

"Better", the empath replied "though I could do with a cuppa".

"Ok, I'll go get it", the Doctor started toward the door when she called out

"Wait! I want to come with you". Alyssa got out of bed, James steadying her when she almost fell over "Thanks", she said.

"You're welcome", James said back. The three of them left the room together. They had literally started down the corridor when the TARDIS suddenly spoke up in her head.

Sweetie there's someone in the console room

"Is it Rose?" Alyssa asked, making the two males look at her.

No. It is a lady in a wedding dress. She just appeared

"That not possible surely?" the red head questioned.

"What's not possible?" the Doctor queried at the same time as James asked

"The TARDIS is talking to you, isn't she?"

Alyssa nodded "Yes, she is. And she says that there's someone in the console room. Someone who's just appeared", she told them. That had James taking off toward the room. The Doctor and Alyssa hurried after him, the former sweeping the red head into his arms when she stumbled.

Sure enough when they got to the console room, there was a lady in a wedding dress. A very cross lady. "Where the hell am I?" she demanded to James.

"What?" the Doctor breathed setting Alyssa down.

The ginger haired woman noticed them "And who the hell are they?"

"What?!" the Doctor repeated.

"What is going on!" the bride shouted.

"What?!" the Time Lord said for the third time, James barely holding back snickers, highly amused to be seeing this again but from another perspective. This is gonna be fun he thought.