NicoleR85: thanks!

Seven days. Seven long days and Alyssa had still yet to wake up. It was rather worrying the Doctor more so than the other times due to the fact that her hair was a golden colour, just like he'd seen twice before. There also seemed to be the occasional shimmer of golden light under her skin. It was almost like she was going through a healing coma of sorts. Even though she was human.

The Time Lord felt his eyelids grow heavy from tiredness of being up so long. He had already been overdue for a sleep before he'd started the weeklong vigil. Now he felt like he could pass out if he closed his eyes even for a second. Maybe I should rest them for a minute he thought, not really seeing the harm in it.

He had them shut for about a moment when he heard Alyssa croak "You look terrible". The Doctor opened his eyes to see her looking back at him, her hair back to its normal colour and the golden shimmer had disappeared from beneath her skin.

"Ali", he breathed relieved to see that she was finally conscious.

"Can I have a water?" she asked quietly.

"Yes. Of course", the Doctor said getting up. He went over to the small sink, grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with water. "Take small sips", he instructed after helping her sit up. Alyssa did what he said, coughing a little when she drank too fast.

"Thank you", Alyssa said "how long was I out?"

"A week", the Doctor replied.

"A week?" Alyssa repeated "No wonder I'm so hungry".

"I'll make you something in a minute. How are you feeling?" the Doctor questioned.

"Like I've been hit with a truck and my brain feels like it's going to explode but apart from that peachy", Alyssa replied "Have you slept?" she asked noting the dark circles under his eyes and his extremely messy hair.

"A little", the Doctor answered.

"You do realise that I can sense when you're lying, right?" Alyssa stated "you didn't sleep at all".

"I didn't want to not until you're awake", the Doctor admitted.

"Well now I am, go get some rest and not in that chair", Alyssa told him.

"I don't want to leave you alone in case something happens", the Doctor said.

"I'm sure the TARDIS will tell…" Alyssa trailed off when she saw the pained expression on his face "what? What wrong?"

"I went to have a rest before and I…I almost lost you because I wasn't in the room", the Doctor said quietly. It had been during day 3 of his vigil. He figured that it would be ok to have an hour or two's worth of rest since her condition hadn't changed. That was a big mistake.

"Come here", Alyssa said moving over in the bed "you don't want to leave me alone and I don't want you to sleep in that chair. So you might as well rest here", she added patting the empty space. "Doctor you look like you're about to fall down. Just get over here, dear", Alyssa said. The Doctor decided that it was best to do what she suggested because Alyssa would probably get out of bed and potentially hurt herself. He took off his converse, went over to the bed and laid down next to Alyssa. "You can relax Doctor, I'm not going to break", she said.

"I do not want to hurt you", the Doctor said.

"You won't", Alyssa said shifting so that she was now laying down resting her head on his chest. She could hear his hearts but she could also feel that he was rather tense. Alyssa closed her eyes and began to quietly sing a lullaby.

A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain

Softly blows o'er Lullaby Bay

It fills the sails of boats that are waiting

Waiting to sail your worries away

The Doctor listened to her sing and he relaxed. Maybe I could rest for an hour or two he thought closing his eyes.

It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain

And your boat waits down by the quay

The winds of night so softly are sighing

Soon they will fly your troubles…

The song trailed off as Alyssa too dozed off.

A few hours later the Doctor woke. As Alyssa was still asleep with her head still on his chest, he didn't move as he didn't want to wake her. The Doctor looked at the woman, feeling guilty about splitting up. He should've been more insistent about staying with her. He had no idea what had been done to Alyssa but he was going to do whatever he could to help her. She stirred about an hour later.

"Had a nice sleep?" Alyssa asked looking up at him.

"I did need it", he admitted.

"Told you", Alyssa said sitting up to allow the Time Lord to move.

"How are you feeling now?" the Doctor asked.

"Bit better. My head doesn't hurt so much but I am still starving", Alyssa answered.

"Right lets rectify that", the Doctor said pulling on his converse before scooping up Alyssa and carrying her to the kitchen. He set her down by the kitchen table and turned to the counter to make Alyssa some food. "Have as much as you can", the Doctor said setting down a bowl of porridge and a mug of tea.

Alyssa slowly started to eat the porridge. After a few mouthfuls she pushed to bowl away. "Sorry I am hungry but I think I'm gonna be sick if I have another mouthful", she said apologising.

"That's ok", the Doctor said understanding.

"Do you mind if I go have a shower?" Alyssa asked "I'll feel a lot less like a zombie".

"You don't look like a zombie", the Doctor said.

Alyssa smiled sensing that he was trying to make her feel better. "Thanks but I know I must look like a mess", she said.

"Not to me you don't", the Doctor told her "you look as beautiful as you do every single day". Alyssa blushed at his compliment.

"Thanks", she mumbled. The young woman tried to get up from her seat and her legs gave out due to lack of use. The Doctor picked her up and carried her back to her bedroom. When he reached the bedroom door, it swung open. "Ok you can set me down now", Alyssa said as the Doctor brought her inside. He did so and she clung onto his arm while she found her footing. "Right now I'm gonna have a shower, alone. If I need anything I'll give you a shout", she said letting go of him.

"Ok", the Doctor said reluctantly leaving the room. Alyssa made her way to the ensuite bathroom and got into the shower. She stood in the shower letting the water run down over her. It took her a long time almost falling over several times on the slippery shower floor. Alyssa dried herself off and changed into a loose t-shirt and jeans. She froze when she felt the same pain in her hand "Not again", she whimpered seeing the symbol once again appear on her hand.

Alyssa slowly turned and gasped when she the Industria Lamia standing/hovering there. "Y-you can't be here", the red head stammered.

"Yet I am", it said.

Alyssa backed away "stay back!" she shouted as it came towards her I said stay back!"

Several objects in the room started to shake at her rising fear. When this happened, the Doctor was alerted by the TARDIS. The Time Lord raced to her bedroom where he could hear bangs and crashes from the bathroom. "Ali! Ali open the door!" the Doctor shouted trying the door but it was locked.

"Go away!" Alyssa shouted.

"Ali please!" the Doctor pleaded.

There was silence. Then the door was slowly opened by a very shaken Alyssa. The Doctor noticed the mess behind her. Alyssa left the bathroom staring at the Doctor with wide eyes. She walked slowly over to him but part way there she stumbled. The Doctor caught the young woman and sank down onto the floor with her. Alyssa clung onto him trembling. "There's something very wrong with me", she whispered.

A couple of days later…

Alyssa walked back to her room, feeling somewhat calmer after her fight with the Doctor. She felt bad at lashing out at him, he was only trying to help to get to grips with these new found abilities of hers. She pushed the door open to find the Doctor still in the room, sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at his hands. He only glanced up when Alyssa said his name. "I am so, so sorry" she walked over and joined him on the bed "I should never have shouted at you. I know you were only trying to help".

"I'm sorry too", the Doctor said "And you're right, I don't know what you're going through. I shouldn't have pushed you. Not after what you've been through. Can you…forgive me?"

Alyssa gave him a small smile "yes, I forgive you", she said "can YOU forgive me?"

"Of course I do", the Doctor replied.

"Thanks", Alyssa said "um how long are we going to stay in the TARDIS?" she questioned.

"Probably a few more days", the Doctor replied "I just want to make sure your well enough first before we continue. Why do you ask?"

"I have a request", Alyssa said "it's not an adventure but it's something I need to do".

Alyssa walked through the graveyard, stopping in front of her grandmothers tomb stone. She placed the bouquet of carnations on the ground. "Hey gran", she said "Sorry it's been a while but I've been busy. It's a little complicated to explain and you probably won't believe me. What I can tell you is that I met this guy" Alyssa shook her head "No, he's not my boyfriend. The Doctor is…" Alyssa paused as if her gran spoke "yes his name is the Doctor. His name maybe strange and sometimes he's a little strange too but sweet, kind and very caring. The Doctor has been my rock throughout these past few days. He's the best friend a girl could have. Well that's about it Gran. Oh, actually there is someone else", Alyssa added, remembering the blonde "a very nice guy named James. No, he's not my boyfriend either. But he is a good friend of mine. Now that's about everything. I'll try to stop by again soon. I love you, always", Alyssa said kissing her hand and then placing it on top of the grave.

She turned and started back towards the TARDIS. On the way she kicked up some leaves just for a bit of fun. Alyssa then stopped, looking down at the brown foliage. The Doctor had tried to get her to move a cushion with her new psychic power but she couldn't. Perhaps she needed to start with something a lot smaller and lighter.

Alyssa took a breath, held her hands over the leaves and focused. A smile appeared on her face a some of them started float upwards. "Yes!" she cheered as she managed to lift them higher until they danced around her head. She released them, wincing at the sharp pain in her head. Alyssa rubbed her temples "Well…that's progress at least", she remarked.