"How about we go inside, catch up?" the Phoenix suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea", Jack agreed. They started toward the hut when all of a sudden, black human like shapes appeared.
"What the hell?!" the Time Lady exclaimed, darting out of the way as one passed close by them "tell me I'm not seeing things".
"You're not seeing things", Jack confirmed, wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her close. He didn't know what those things were but he be damned if he was going to let them hurt her or their child. "We should get to the TARDIS", he stated, knowing it was safer than a beach hut.
"Yeah, that's a good idea", the Phoenix agreed. The pair made their way to the TARDIS, making sure not bump into the shadowy figures. "What the hell are those things?" the Time Lady questioned, turning the scanner on, proceeding to run a scan on the new comers.
"I have no idea", Jack replied "hey Goose", he softly greeted when the Flerken padded over to him. He scratched the alien feline behind the ears, making her purr.
"Canary Warf", the Phoenix muttered and the man froze.
"What did you say?" Jack asked, really hoping that she didn't just say those two words. Canary Warf wasn't a place he wanted her to go even more so now that she was pregnant again.
"Canary Warf", the Time Lady repeated "what's wrong?" she questioned, seeing the look on his face.
"That's a very bad place, especially for aliens", Jack explained "you can't go there".
"I have to", the Phoenix insisted "those 'things' do not belong here" she pointed at the screen "and if you say its not a good place for aliens…all the more reason to shut Canary Warf down".
"Enya, please don't go", Jack almost begged "Just drop me off there and I'll deal with them alone. I'm not having those people around you or our baby".
"Jack, I'm a big Time Lady. I can handle a bunch of humans", the Phoenix assured him "besides there's no way I'm letting my fiancé and the father of my baby go into a literal lions den all by himself" she took his hand "from now on we do things together, ok?"
Jack sighed "Alright, fine", he reluctantly agreed. As much as he hated willingly walking her straight into the clutches of Torchwood but at least he would be able properly protect her and their unborn child. That was all thanks to whatever had happened on the Game Station.
When the TARDIS landed, Jack was the first to exit, looking around warily. "It's all good", he called to the Phoenix, who joined him.
"You better stay here", she said to Goose who let out a meow "I know you don't want to but I need you to make sure that no one finds the TARDIS". The ginger furred Flerken watched her mistress and Jack leave, really wanting nothing but to run after them but the Phoenix had a job for her and she must carry it out.
The engaged couple wandered down the corridor until they reached a large black door "let's see whats behind door number one", the Phoenix murmured, flashing her sonic over the digital lock and the door slid back.
"Can I help you two?" Rajesh asked as the pair entered. The Time Lady didn't answer him for she was too much in shock over the Void Ship in the room. Jack was mildly curious as he'd heard about the ship but never seen it in person. "I asked 'Can I help you two?'" he repeated.
"You have a Void Ship", the Phoenix stated, turning to him "how do you have this?"
"How do you…" Rajesh trailed off when he noticed the necklace around the red head's neck "you're the Phoenix", he breathed in awe of being in the presence of the Time Lady. If he thought the Doctor was amazing…the Phoenix was so much more.
"Yes I am", the Time Lady slowly confirmed "how do you know who I am?" she demanded, eyeing the man warily.
"You're pretty well known to Torchwood", Rajesh replied "as is the Doctor. Yvonne will be happy to know you're here". He went to the laptop to call up his boss when Jack grabbed him and shoved him against the wall.
"You won't be telling your boss anything", he said firmly "what you will be doing is answering my fiancé's questions Starting with that Void Ship".
Rajesh glanced to Samuel who was eyeing them with amusement "don't just stand there, do something Samuel!" he ordered. The Phoenix glanced over at the other guy and her mouth dropped open.
"Mickey, is…is that you?" she asked, hardly daring to believe that the man she'd said goodbye to in the parallel world was here with them. It was impossible for it to be true. They only ended up in the other world by accident. Intentional travel between parallel dimensions was…well…impossible.
Rajesh frowned "Mickey?" he repeated "no, that is Samuel".
"I think I'd know my own brother, Mr Annoying Human", the Phoenix retorted, releasing him "now you stay put while I say hello". She pointed a finger warningly at him before going over to Mickey. "Tell me I'm not imaging this. Tell me you're really here", she pleaded.
Mickey smiled at her "yes, Nix. I am really here", he confirmed. The Phoenix let out a small laugh, flinging her arms around him, tears of joy rolling down her face.
"Oh, I've missed you!" she proclaimed.
"I've missed you too", Mickey said "how's the little one?"
"He or she is fine", the Phoenix replied "even better now Jack and I have found each other". She nodded to Jack.
"I'm glad you two…" Mickey broke off when Rose walked into the room. He let go of the Phoenix, looking at the blonde unhappily. She was the last person that he ever wanted to see.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" the young woman complained "you're here?" she brightened when she saw Jack "Hi Jack".
The American rolled his eyes at her flirtatious tone "Rose", he greeted back, letting Rajesh go in order to stand by the Phoenix.
"You shouldn't be here", the Time Lady stated, levelling a glare at the blonde.
"Uh…who is she?" Rajesh spoke up.
"She's even more annoying than you are that's who she is", the Time Lady replied. She stepped towards Rose "how did you get in here?"
"With this", Rose answered, showing her the psychic paper "hey!" she exclaimed when the Phoenix snatched it from her.
"Children shouldn't have something like this, it's not a toy", the brunette scolded, popping it in her pocket. That's when Rose noticed the ring on her finger.
"You're engaged?!" she exclaimed "to who?"
"Me", Jack replied, winding an arm around the Phoenix.
"Why? You can do so much better", Rose remarked.
"There is no one better than Nix", Jack shot back. Rose opened her mouth to argue when the entire room shuddered. The five of them move over to the Void Ship.
"It's active", Rajesh declared in a hushed yet awed tone.
"That's not a good thing", the Phoenix stated. There was a crash from the sphere, making them jump. A second crash brought their attention to the door.
"The door's sealed. Automatic quarantine. We can't get out!" Rajesh exclaimed.
"It'll be alright", Mickey assured him "We've beaten them before, we can beat them again".
"Wait…are you telling me there's Cybermen inside that thing?" the Phoenix asked. The Void Ship banged again.
"Yeah I am", Mickey replied.
"Well, that's just fantastic", the Time Lady griped.
"What is Cybermen?" Jack questioned.
"They're about the only thing that's just as bad as a Dalek", the Phoenix told him and glanced at Mickey "though I would like to know how you're here. There's no way into this world, that shouldn't have been able to come through either", she nodded to the Void Ship.
"There was a breach in the walls between our worlds. The Cybermen came through and I followed", Mickey explained "I wasn't about to let this world be in danger, nor you for that matter".
The brunette smiled at him "Thanks Mick, for what it's worth I am glad you're here", she said.
"What's inside that sphere?" Rose piped up, annoyed at being ignored.
"No one knows. Cyber Leader, Cyber King, Emperor of the Cybermen. Whatever it is, with Nix, Jack and I here, he's dead meat", Mickey shot a grin at the Phoenix who returned it.
"How are you going to beat whatever's inside?!" Rose exclaimed "you're just a man!"
"A man who's got a very big gun", Mickey told her, taking it out from where he stashed it underneath the platform below the Void Ship.
"I want one", Jack declared "Nix, can I have one?"
The Phoenix chuckled at his 'puppy dog eyes' "I'm sure we can get you one", she replied, earning a 'yes' from her fiancé. She cast a proud look at Mickey "Mickey Smith, Defender of the Earth", she commented, her hearts swelling with pride at how far he'd come.
"Oh yes!" Mickey agreed, cocking the gun. The phoenix aura started to appear around the Time Lady as the sphere began to slowly open. It stuttered as the Phoenix's eyes widened to see something far worse than Cybermen starting to emerge.
"That's not a Cyberman", she stated, somewhat afraid.
"Oh my god", Rose breathed, eyes wide with fear as not one but FOUR Daleks glide smoothly from the Void Ship.
"You've got to be kidding me", Jack stated, staring at the nightmare aliens.
"Location, Earth. Life forms detected. Exterminate!" the Black Dalek announced. Jack shifted to stand protectively in front of the Phoenix as the other Daleks chanted.
"Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"
"Daleks!" Rose blurted out, making the Phoenix shoot her a look saying to 'shut up' "You're called Daleks. I know your name. Think about it how can I know that? A human who knows about the Daleks and the Time War".
"Rose shut it", the mother-to-be hissed but the human ignored her.
"If you want to know how, then keep us alive. That's all I'm asking. Me and my friends", the blonde continued.
"If she dies it's not my fault", the Phoenix muttered quietly to Mickey who nodded in agreement.
"I'm not saving her this time", Jack added, matching her tone.
"You will be necessary. Report. What is the status of the Genesis Ark?" Dalek Sec asked.
"Status: hibernation", Dalek Jast reported.
"Commence awakening", Dalek Sec ordered.
"The Genesis Ark must be protected above all else", another gold Dalek, Thay, stated. All four Daleks turned towards the Genesis ark.
The Phoenix eyed the contraption with a thoughtful expression on her face. "Do you know what that is?" Mickey questioned.
"Not sure. The name rings a bell though", the Time Lady quietly replied. She then rounded on Rose "you need to learn when to keep your bloody mouth shut or you'll get us all killed", she said angrily.
"I was trying to stop us from getting killed", Rose shot back.
"I suggest you stop trying", Jack said, harshly, not wanting the foolish blonde to do anything that could potentially end up getting his future wife and their unborn child killed.
"Which of you is least important?" Dalek Sec questioned, spinning around to face them.
"I know whom I would say…" the Phoenix answered glancing at Rose "but since I've sworn to protect this planet and the people on it, then I'm gonna answer with: none of them".
"Designate the least important!" Dalek Sec ordered trundling closer.
"Uh, let me think about it…no", the Phoenix said.
"Designate the least important!" Dalek Sec repeated.
"And again I say, no", the Time Lady said firmly.
"The Daleks need information about current Earth history", Dalek Sec told her.
"Too bad, I'm not picking anyone", the Phoenix shot back.
"Then I'll get the information from you", the black Dalek stated.
"I'd like to see you try", the Phoenix challenged "you have no idea who I am do you?"
When the Daleks looked at each other, Mickey spoke up "She's the Phoenix, last of the Time Ladies AND she's the Doctor's best friend". That had all the Daleks rolling back. The Time Lady could only hazard a guess that if they could have any expression…it would be 'oh shit'. She chuckled at the thought. Rose quietly seethed at how wary the Daleks seemed to be at the Time Lady's name while they disregarded her.
Due to the announcement that the brunette was the Phoenix, the Daleks decided to get the information about Earth's History from the computer at the far end of the room. A moment later, Sec glided back to the other Daleks "records of this system spoke of a second species invading Earth infected by the superstition of ghosts" the Dalek rounded on one of the gold ones "Dalek Thay, investigate outside".
"I obey", Thay said and trundled off.
The Time Lady's brown eyes widened "No…" she breathed, horrified "it can't be".
"What's wrong?" Jack asked, quietly noting how pale she'd gone.
"Daleks don't have names. They never have names", the Phoenix replied "except one group: the Cult of Skaro. And if these Daleks ARE members of that group…things have become a thousand times worse".
Mickey took her hand, giving it a squeeze "Even if it IS them, they won't win. You know why?" the Phoenix glanced at him confused "cos you're the Phoenix, YOU make the monsters run away…or in their case…glide away very fast". He chuckled at his words making the Time Lady laugh too.
"Thanks Mick", she said, thankful to have him with her as well as Jack. Suddenly the black Dalek, commanded.
"Establish visual contact. Lower communications barrier"
A projection appeared in the area previously occupied by the Sphere, showing Dalek Thay's point of view. There stood two Cybermen.
"Identify yourselves", Thay said.
"You will identify first", Cybermen said.
"After you", the Phoenix said quietly to Mickey, in a mock Dalek voice.
"Ladies first", he countered his best Cyberman voice.
"Daleks have no concept of gender", the Phoenix countered.
"You have identified as Daleks", Mickey said, trying to keep the amusement out of his voice but failing.
"Bugger. That was clever", the Phoenix said, with grin.
"Cybermen are known for their cleverness", Mickey stated. Rose stared at the pair wondering if they'd completely lost it. This was serious! Jack on the other hand, was trying his best not to laugh at their antics. He'd definitely missed this!
"Can you two stop playing about?" she hissed at them. Mickey just retorted by sticking his tongue out at her.
"Buzz kill", he muttered to the Phoenix who nodded in agreement.
"Leave them be", Jack ordered, not wanting Rose to spoil their fun.
"…Our species our similar, though your design is inelegant", the Cybermen stated.
"You are wearing flares! You cannot conquer the world with disco fever!" The Phoenix said to Mickey, in a Dalek voice making him and Jack snigger.
"Said the dustbin wearing a skirt covered in disco balls!" Mickey playfully shot back having the brunette in fits of laughter. They quickly sobered up when the Dalek destroyed both of the Cybermen.
"Daleks, be warned. You have declared war upon the Cybermen", a Cyberman declared on the projection.
"This is not war. This is pest control", Sec stated.
"See, even they know how to joke", Mickey said to Time Lady.
"That's a first for me. Normally they don't a single humorous bone in their body…" a thoughtful look appeared over the Phoenix's face "they don't have a bone in their body", she corrected. Behind them, Rose rolled her eyes.
"Huh, you learn something new", Jack lightly commented.
"You would destroy the Cybermen with four Daleks?" the Cyberleader challenged.
"We would destroy the Cybermen with one Dalek. You are superior in only one respect", Sec said.
"What is that?" the Cyberleader questioned.
"You are better at dying", Dalek Sec countered.
"How long do you recon they were in that Sphere thingy making that one up?" Mickey asked the Time Lady and she snorted.
"Raise communications barrier!" Dalek Sec ordered.
The screen went static but not before Jast spotted something. "Wait! Rewind image by nine rells" the image played back showing the Doctor leaning around the Cyberman to look at the screen "Identify grid seven gamma frame" the image zoomed in "This male registers as enemy".
Dalek Sec spun to face the Phoenix "your hearts beat has increased", he stated.
"Identify him", Sec ordered.
"You know Mickey told you that I was best friend's with the Doctor?" the Phoenix asked "Well, that was him". She grinned when the Dalek wheeled away from her for the second time. "If you were uneasy before…you must be really scared now", she mocked.
"Dalek's do not feel fear", Dalek Sec stated.
"I think you do. Deep, deep down", the Phoenix said "otherwise you wouldn't have moved away like that" she grinned "yeah, you're scared alright. Millions of Cybermen are easy peasy but TWO Time Lords then you're shaking in your casings".
A little moment later Thay returned, having been victorious in defeating the two Cybermen. "Cyber threat irrelevant. Concentrate on the Genesis Ark", the gold Dalek said.
"Not that I'm complaining but why are we being kept alive?" Rajesh asked quietly.
"Sounds like you're complaining", Mickey remarked "right Nix?"
"Definitely", she agreed "and we're being kept alive cos of who I am…I hope. Either that or it's because they need us for something".
"What would they need us for?" Rose questioned.
"To go on a tea run?" the Phoenix cheekily responded. When the blonde shot her an annoyed look, she added "I don't know Rose but I'll figure it out, don't worry".
"Can't help but worry when you make jokes", Rose mumbled.
"Nix, I have something to show you", Mickey spoke up after a moment. He took her to the side and showed her a large yellow button "This is how I got to this world. I can easily leave with it but…it only carries one and I'm not leaving you behind", he explained.
"Oh, Mickey…you really are one of the bravest humans I've ever met", the Phoenix said, proudly "I'm so glad you're a part of my Ohana".
"Me too", Mickey agreed. He glanced at the Genesis Ark "I think I have an idea why they need us", he added.
"Ok", the Phoenix said "what's the idea?"
"I think they need us to 'activate' whatever is inside that thing", Mickey guessed.
"That's…that's actually not a bad idea Mickey", the Phoenix stated "would make sense".
"But why would they build something they couldn't open themselves?" Rose piped up, having overheard them "that's kinda stupid".
Jack rolled his eyes "clearly they stole it from somewhere", he told her. She really was quite thick, wasn't she?
"Then who did they steal it from?" the blonde questioned.
"The Time Lords" Dalek Sec replied "This is all that survives of their Home World".
Rose turned to the Phoenix "how do you not know what that is?" she demanded "it was made by your people".
"There was a war going on, both sides had secrets", the Phoenix said with a shrug "I don't know everything the Time Lords made".
Some time later, the four Daleks backed away from the Genesis Ark. "Final stage of awakening", Dalek Caan announced.
The black Dalek spun to face the Phoenix "your hand print will open the Ark", he declared.
"No it won't", Jack said firmly. He wasn't about to allow the Daleks to force the Time Lady to do anything.
"He's right, I'm not touching that thing with a ten foot pole", the brunette agreed.
"Open it or the one you call your brother will die", Dalek Sec threatened, pointing his gun at Mickey. The Phoenix's jaw clenched, glaring at the Dalek. He HAD to threaten the one person in the room that she cared about the most.
"Fine, I'll do it", she gritted out.
"Nix, no don't", Mickey and Jack said in unison. They tried to move toward her but they were stopped by Dalek Jast rolling forward and pointing its weapon at them. the Time Lady shook her head at the pair, not wanting either of them do anything that would endanger their lives. To lose them both would kill her. She reached out with a hand to touch the Ark when Rose spoke.
"Are you sure you want her to open that?"
"Rose shut it", the Phoenix snapped, not wanting her to say something that could get them all shot.
"If you um…escaped the Time War…don't you want to know what happened?" Rose asked the Daleks, ignoring the Time Lady "What happened to the Emperor?"
"The Emperor survived?"
"Til he met the Phoenix", Rose said smugly "she took in the Time Vortex creating this gold bird thing which wiped out the Emperor and his entire fleet! If she can do that then she can wipe you all out AND destroying the Ark without breaking a sweat!"
"Rose that's enough", Jack snapped. That idiot girl was about to get his fiancé shot!
"She's a God killer!" Rose declared getting too wrapped up in her words.
"Then she will be exterminated!" Dalek Sec declared.
"No!" Mickey and Jack cried as the black Dalek turned its weapon on the Time Lady. As he watched, Jack felt something inside of himself stir. He didn't know what it was but it definitely wanted out at the sight of his love being threatened.
"You fire that weapon, you will not like what happens next", the Doctor threatened. They all turned to see him standing in the doorway, 3D specs on, hands in pockets.
"Alert, alert. You are the Doctor!" Dalek Sec exclaimed.
The Time Lord strode into the room, heading straight for the Time Lady. He hugged her tightly, feeling himself calming down now that she was in his arms. He'd been so afraid when he saw her with the Daleks even though he could see that she wasn't scared, in fact he'd noticed that she was laughing and joking with Mickey…and very surprisingly, Jack. "Are you ok?" he asked.
"Fine", the Phoenix replied.
"Good to see you Jack", the Doctor said, nodding to the man. Even from Yvonne's office, he could feel how 'wrong' Jack was. Of course he daren't say anything to the Phoenix given how comfortable she seemed to be around him. Plus he didn't want to create trouble for the parents-to-be.
"And you", Jack said, nodding back "thanks for looking after my Nix".
"We looked after each other", the Phoenix corrected.
"Sensors report he is unarmed", Dalek Thay suddenly announced, interrupting their conversation.
The Doctor glanced at the Daleks, saying lightly "That's me. Always".
"Then you are powerless", Dalek Sec said.
"Not me", the Doctor said taking off his 3D specs "Never" he turned his attention to Mickey "Mickity McMickey!" he bumped fists with the man "Nice to see you!"
"And you, boss", Mickey said grinning.
"Oi! I thought I was your boss", the Phoenix said with a pout.
"Nah, you're my sister", Mickey corrected "which is infinitely better".
The Phoenix smiled "yeah, that is much better", she agreed.
Jack moved over to her, putting his arm around her shoulders "If it means anything, I'd happily let you boss me about", he said, quietly, kissing her temple.
"Really?" the Phoenix asked with a grin "well then, just keep standing there looking handsome".
"Yes ma'am", Jack said, hugging her closer.
"Social interaction will cease!" Dalek Jast shouted.
"How did you survive the Time War?" Dalek Sec asked the Doctor.
"By fighting", he replied, moving around the Daleks "On the front line. I was there at the fall of Arcadia. Someday I might even come to terms with that. But you lot ran away!"
"We had to survive", Dalek Sec said.
"The last four Daleks in existence. So what's so special about you?" the Doctor asked.
"They're the Cult of Skaro", the Phoenix answered "or at least I think they are".
"You are correct Time Lady. We are the Cult of Skaro", Dalek Sec confirmed.
"I thought you lot were just a legend", the Doctor commented. He was partly fascinated by this knew development and partly disgusted by it. If there were a group of Daleks that were the worst of the worst, it was these four.
"Who are they?" Rajesh asked.
"A secret order above and beyond the Emperor himself. Their job was to imagine, think as the enemy thinks. Even dared to have names" the Doctor shook his head, looking at them distastefully "All to find new ways of killing".
"But that thing, they said it was yours", Rose said gesturing to the Ark "the Phoenix claims not to know which I think is a load of rubbish…"
"Rose, you're not on great terms with me as it is so be very careful what you say about Nix", the Doctor warned "but I have no clue what it is either" he turned to the Daleks "What is it? What have you done?"
"Time Lord science will restore Dalek supremacy", Dalek Sec stated.
"What does that mean? What sort of Time Lord Science? What do you mean?" the Doctor questioned, confused.
"They needed me to touch the Ark, to open it", the Phoenix explained.
"Technology using the one thing a Dalek can't do. Touch" the Doctor moved towards the Daleks, making sure that he blocked their line of fire to the Time Lady "Sealed inside your casing. Not feeling anything ever, from birth to death, locked inside a cold metal cage" the Doctor leaned in, looking straight into Sec's eye stalk "Completely alone. That explains your voice. No wonder you scream"
"The Doctor will open the Ark!"
The Time Lord let out a contemptuous laugh "The Doctor will not. You just threatened to kill my best friend…" and the love of my lives, he mentally added "so you should count yourselves extremely lucky that you lot are still breathing…in a manner of speaking", he said.
"You have no way of resisting", Dalek Sec said although he had wheeled back slightly from the threat in the Doctor's words.
"There is always this", the Doctor said holding up his sonic.
"A sonic probe?"
"Screwdriver", the Time Lady corrected.
"It is harmless", Sec said scornfully.
"Oh, yes. Harmless is just the word. That's why I like it. Doesn't kill, doesn't wound, doesn't maim. But I'll tell you what it does do. It is very good at opening doors" the Doctor turned the sonic on and immediately the doors to the Sphere Chamber exploded inwards.
And then all hell broke loose.
Cybermen were firing at the Daleks.
Soldiers were firing at the Daleks.
In the midst of all that, Mickey had grabbed his gun and shot at anything. Jack grabbed the Phoenix's hand and dragged her out of the room.
Rose hurried after them only to stumble. She was rather surprised when she was helped up by none other than Pete Tyler. The man pulled her out of the room. They were quickly followed by Rajesh and Jake, leaving Mickey as the last human standing.
"Mickey!" the Phoenix shouted "come on!"
He made for the door but was jostled about causing him to accidently put his hand on the Ark. He winced at the sudden pain in his hand as he managed to slip out of the door, just before it closed.
The second the door was shut they began to run. "Jake, check the stairwell" the Doctor instructed and the young man did as was instructed "Rajesh, find a way out. The rest of you, come on!"
The remaining members took off "I just fell, I didn't mean it!" Mickey exclaimed.
The Phoenix stopped to look at him "Mickey, its not your fault", she said softly "in fact you've done us a favour. The Dalek's would've forced it open otherwise and to do that they'd have to blow up the sun. Now we've got to keep moving, ok?"
Mickey nodded and they continued on. They hurried into another corridor where Jackie had been cornered by two Cybermen. Pete was quick to destroy them with his gun. "Hello, Jacks", he greeted as his parallel wife gaped at him.
"I said there were ghosts, but that's not fair. Why him?" Jackie complained.
"I'm not a ghost", Pete told her.
"But you're dead. You died twenty years ago, Pete", she insisted.
"It's Pete from a different universe" the Doctor explained, stepping forward "There are parallel worlds, Jackie. Every single decision we make creates a parallel existence, a different dimension where…"
"Oh, you can shut up" Jackie said waving off his attempt to explain. The Doctor stepped back next to the Phoenix. "Oh…you look old", Jackie remarked turning her attention back to Pete.
"You don't", Pete said.
"How can you be standing there?" Jackie questioned.
"I just got lucky…lived my life" Pete replied "You were left on your own. You didn't marry again, or…?"
"You brought her up" Pete glanced at Rose "Rose Tyler. That's not bad".
"Yeah", Jackie whispered.
"In my world, it worked", Pete told her "All those daft little plans of mine, they worked. Made me rich".
"I don't care about that", Jackie said but in the next beat it was "How very?"
Pete laughed "Thing is though, Jacks, you're…you're not my wife. I'm sorry, but you're not. I mean, we both…" Jackie nods in understanding. Pete gazed at her, fighting the urge to hug her "You know, it's just sort of…." He sighed, giving in and set his gun down "Oh, come here". Jenna took Rose's hand smiling has Pete and Jackie hugged.
The Phoenix took Jack's hand leaning on his arm as she watched the pair of them hug. It was a lovely reunion, shame that Rose was such a rotten child.
"Nix, this is crazy", Jack said when the Time Lady volunteered to grab the magnaclamps from the warehouse where a war was currently being waged between the Dalek's and the Cybermen. "You're pregnant!"
"I know I am Jack", the Phoenix shot back "but I'm also the only one who can cross the room, grab those clamps and come back without getting shot. I'm going Jack and that's final". Jack glanced at the Doctor, with a 'talk to her' look on his face.
"I agree with Jack. Its too dangerous", he said.
An angry look crossed the Phoenix's face "the missions I did in the Time War was dangerous, this is a walk in the park", she argued "I'm going and if either of you try to stop me, I'll kick both of yours asses". That left the Doctor and Jack being forced to watch the Time Lady enter the warzone in the warehouse.
Jack's fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white as the brunette smoothly ducked and dodged shots from both Daleks and Cybermen alike. It was almost graceful, like she was dancing. "Man, that never gets old", Mickey remarked from where he watched next to the Time Lord and Jack. The Phoenix deftly launched into a front handspring, landing behind the box with the magnaclamps. Rose rolled her eyes. Quite frankly she believed that the Time Lady was just showing off.
The mother-to-be picked up the clamps and darted back to the corridor where they were all waiting for her. "Got them", she announced and she got a response from Jack which was a relieved kiss.
Rose gagged at this response earning her an elbow to the ribs from Mickey. The Doctor pushed the door back open, pulling on his 3D specs to look at the Daleks and Cybermen. "Override roof mechanism" Dalek Sec called and the roof began to open slowly "El-ev-ate".
"Why exactly do they need to get outside?" the Phoenix questioned, frowning at the proceedings "what do they mean by Time Lord science?"
"I have no idea", the Doctor confessed "but let's find out" he closed the door and turned to the others Come on! All of you. Top floor!"
"That's forty five floors up! Believe me, I've done them all", Jackie shouted as they ran.
"We could always take the lift…" Jake called, popping his head out of the lift.
The second the lift doors open, the Doctor rushed out and over to the window. The Time Lady followed him, dumping the magnaclamps on the desk. They and the others stare out of the window as the Ark spun around, shooting Dalek after Dalek out of it. "Time Lord Science…it's bigger on the inside", the Doctor breathed staring at it in horror. The Phoenix's hands curled into fists, literally trembling with rage as the Cybermen and Daleks began shooting at each other. She hated them so much!
Jack placed a hand on her back, hoping his touch would calm her but she just moved away from him. "Hold down the fort", she ordered before changing into her bird from and flew through the glass. They all watched her swoop down to the street and wasting no time, getting right in the fight.
"Ok, that's it", Pete said "this world is going to crash and burn despite your Nix getting personally involved in the fight. There's nothing more we can do. We're going home. Jacks, take this" he tossed a yellow button to Jackie, who just about caught it "You're coming with us".
"But they're destroying the city!" Jackie exclaimed "and Nix is risking her life to save us! I'm not going anywhere!"
"I'd forgotten you could argue", Pete said affectionately, going over and looping the button around her neck "It's not just London, it's the whole world" he cupped her face "But there's another world just waiting for you, Jacks. And it's safe as long as the Doctor closes the breach. Doctor?"
The Doctor turned from the window, now wearing his 3D specs and a big grin. "Oh, I'm ready. I've got the equipment right here" he said gleefully "Thank you, Torchwood!" he ran over to the computer "Slam it down and close off both universes". As much as he wanted to stay by the window and watch the Phoenix at work, he had to do his part to save this planet too. She wasn't going to be able to do it all on her own.
Reboot systems
"But we can't just leave. What about the Daleks? And the Cybermen…?" Rose asked.
"They're part of the problem, and that makes them part of the solution", the Doctor said "the Daleks were hiding in the Void AND the Cybermen travelled through it", he adjusted the 3D glasses on his nose "and these can show me the Void stuff that they're all saturated with. In fact…" he looked around at them all "with the exception of Jackie, we're all covered in them".
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The Doctor darted over the white wall "all I need to do is open the Void and reverse! The Void Stuff and everything seeped with it will get sucked in", he finished.
Mickey grinned "you're sending them back to Hell", he stated, understanding his explanation having been around the parallel versions of the Time Lords for a while.
"Good", Jack said, not taking his eyes off of the Phoenix. He knew she was capable of holding her own but he still winced at the several near misses she had. While his deaths were somewhat temporary, he was pretty positive that if she died, he would too. For good this time.
"But it's…like you said, we've all got Void stuff" Rose pointed out "Me too, because we went to that parallel world. We're all contaminated. We'll get pulled in".
"That's why you're going too", the Doctor said to Rose.
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"Back to Pete's world" the Doctor turned to Pete "Hey, we should call it that 'Pete's World'" he turned back to Rose "I'm opening the Void, but only on this side. You'll be safe on that side".
"And then you close it, for good?" Pete asked.
"The breach itself is soaked in Void stuff. In the end it'll close itself. And that's it. Kaput", the Doctor replied.
"So I'm supposed to go…leave you behind…with her", Rose sneered "there's no way in hell I'm doing that!"
"Yes, you are", the Doctor said firmly.
"Its not fair!" Rose exclaimed.
"Life isn't fair Rose", Jack snapped, tearing his eyes away from the window and the Phoenix "and we don't want you here". Behind him the Time Lady, still in her bird form flew back into the room and shifted into her normal self.
"What is she throwing a wobbly about now?" the Phoenix asked, stumbling a little on the spot. Jack spun around to catch her as she fell forward.
"Rose doesn't want to go to the parallel world", he replied, straightening her up.
"Yeah, well tough. That's where you're going", the Time Lady said and the blonde glared at her.
"I hate you", she spat.
"Feeling is mutual kid", the Phoenix countered.
"You ruin everything!" Rose proclaimed, stamping her foot.
The Time Lady rolled her eyes at how childish she was being. She'd really had enough of that bloody human! "Pete, get her out of here before I throttle her", she ordered and the man happily complied. Once the Tylers were gone, the Phoenix went over to Mickey "I guess you're going too", she said quietly.
"Yeah", Mickey said, rather regrettably. He hated to have to say goodbye to her for the second time but his Gran still needed him in the other world, plus he wasn't done fighting the good fight.
"I'm so…" the Phoenix trailed off as she started to get choked up with emotion. She shoved back the tears "I'm so proud of you, Mickey Smith".
"I'm glad that you picked me as your companion", Mickey said "it was the best thing that ever happened to me" he put his arms around her and hugged her tightly "Ohana always".
"Ohana forever", the Phoenix whispered back, tears rolling down her face. Mickey stepped back, giving her one last smile before he and Jake vanished in a flash of light. Jack stepped up to his fiancée and hugged her.
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"We've got some work to do", the Phoenix sniffled, wiping her eyes.
"We can do that if you need a moment", Jack told her.
"No, I need to do this", the Time Lady insisted.
Little later…
With the Daleks and Cybermen all sucked into the Void, the Phoenix walked slowly back to her TARDIS, feeling each step get heavier as she mourned the 'loss' of Mickey all over again. Goose stood up, seeing her mistress approach with Jack. "I'll be ok", the brunette mumbled when the Flerken meowed worriedly at her. Goose looked at her rather dubiously. She'd been with the Time Lady long enough to know when that wasn't the case. Something had happened, something that had affected her mistress.
Though she wasn't going to pry. No, she'd let the Phoenix share when she was ready. Goose followed the pair inside the TARDIS. She and Jack watched her root around in a box that was hidden underneath the carpeted floor. The Phoenix took out Mickey's pirate hat, smiling sadly at it before she plopped it onto her head. She put the box away and walked slowly around the console, trailing her hand over it. The Phoenix stopped at the lever that would take the ship into the time vortex.
Jack made his way over to her and wound his arm around her waist "Bring me that horizon", he murmured, kissing her temple. The Time Lady managed to crack a smile at him.
"And some really bad eggs", she finished, throwing the lever down. The Phoenix and Jack worked in tandem to pilot the ship. That is until the Time Lady noticed a woman in a wedding dress standing there. "What?" the Phoenix asked, rather taken aback.
The bride spun around, yelping in surprise. "Who's that?" Jack questioned and the Time Lady shrugged. "Who are you?" the bride asked looking the Phoenix, cat and Jack disdainfully.
The Time Lady looked around rather dumbfounded as to how the woman got onboard her ship "But…how…?" she stammered.
"Where am I?" the bride asked.
"What?!" the Phoenix repeated.
"What the hell is this place?" the bride demanded.
"What?!"