Yaz finished the call to Martha, feeling more confident now that she knew help was on the way. She looked at the TARDIS console, and smiled appreciatively. She took down Martha's number from the phone and plugged it into her own. She then slipped both phones into her bag. Might as well take the second phone, just in case.

She peeked out of the doors of the TARDIS. Police officers were still swarming around, but she took her chance while they had their backs turned to her. She slipped out of the TARDIS, and integrated herself into the small crowd that had now gathered.

Yellow tape crossed the scene, so she could no longer make her way to the bench without permission from her supervisor. Her colleagues had begun the investigation, and she could see uniformed officers up on the rows of flats, knocking on doors. Confused residents began to emerge from their homes, confronted with the news that a crime had been committed on their turf. Then it occurred to Yaz.

Her mum would have to answer the door. Her mum would be questioned.

Yaz was about to call her, when she saw her concerned, alarmed mother making her way towards her, questions all over her face.

…

Martha sped up the motorway. Hold on Doctor, I'm coming. I'll bring you back to Earth.

…

Yaz? Yaz, where are you?

I can't see you.

Where am I?

Oh god, the pain.

Yaz, please. Help me.

…

Of course Yaz's mum was full of questions. Yaz didn't feel that she had the emotional capacity to be able to deal with her inquisitive mother at that moment, so, guiltily, she fobbed her off with a couple of quick sentences, an apologetic look, and then on to one of her colleagues. She had bigger problems she was trying to deal with at the moment.

Ryan came jogging back up to her, shaking his head in greeting. Yaz read his dull expression and knew his search had been fruitless. Graham was still being interrogated by the police. Turned out he was a very capable liar. Yaz contemplated whether she should be worried.

'I'm so sorry Yaz, no sign of her anywhere. I've asked my mates to put the word out.'

'Thanks Ryan, thanks for trying.'

They glanced back at the police operation that was taking place, and were both hit with the intensity of it. Yaz had to look away from the bench, from the blood, and tried to catch her tears before they fell. Ryan caught this, and put his arm around her.

'Hey, Yaz, let's get you away from here for a bit. Come on, I'll get you a maccy's.'

'But Ryan, we can't leave…'

'Yaz, you've called that Martha person, right? We've got some time to kill, and I can see this is stressing you out.'

'I'm not hungry.'

'Fine, then you can watch me eat. Let's just get you out of here for a bit.'

'What about Graham?'

'He's a big boy, and it looks like he's coping alright. And he'd agree with me. We gotta look after our Yaz.'

Yaz's heart warmed at that. They really were a family.

'I suppose a quick maccy's trip wouldn't hurt.'

…

Yaz kept staring at her phone, willing it to buzz into life. Either for a message from Martha, or even better, a message from The Doctor, was all she wanted. Yet her phone, annoyingly, stayed silent. Well, apart from her mother's constant questions.

She knew she should answer them, but she was so tired. One moment she had been so happy, and now it had been ripped away from her. Her head was all in a spin and her heart was trying its hardest to catch up. She tried so hard to keep her tears at bay, but it was proving to be more difficult than she thought.

Now she was away from the scene, she was no longer PC Khan. She was just Yaz. She felt defenceless, vulnerable. And still no closer to finding The Doctor.

Ryan had managed to convince her to eat a McFlurry at least, whilst he devoured his meal. She wasn't really eating, more playing with her food, but it at least placated Ryan for a while. They sat in silence as they consumed their respective meals. Yaz was totally lost in her head, so Ryan was determined to bring her back.

'Earth to Yaz, can you hear me?

She was brought out of her trance.

'Huh?'

'Yaz, I know you're super stressed. We're all worried about The Doctor, but we're doing all we can to find her. Martha is coming, and then we'll have a plan, yeah?'

Yaz nodded, despondent.

'Yeah, I guess,' she murmured sadly. Ryan decided there and then it was his duty to act as Yaz's protector, and it was his job to take her mind off the situation.

'So, tell me about Martha.' He asked. Yaz looked up at him in surprise, taken aback by his question.

'What do you want to know?'

'Well, everything, I guess? How does she know The Doctor?'

'Oh, she said she used to travel with her. When she was he.'

'That must have been a surprise for Martha,' Ryan mused. Yaz felt the ghost of a smile grace her face.

'She was a bit surprised, but not in a bad way. She also knew Jack.'

'Oh god, not Captain Cheesecake,' he groaned. Yaz laughed.

'He'd be pretty useful right now. But I get the feeling he doesn't come to Earth often. And besides, I wouldn't know where to start looking.'

'Maybe Martha knows?'

'Yeah, maybe.' Yaz contemplated. It couldn't hurt to ask. Martha couldn't be too far away now. There was a natural pause. Ryan wondered whether he should keep asking about Martha. However, what he really wanted to know was how the night had gone for Yaz and The Doctor. He considered both options in his head, before going with his gut.

'So… you and The Doctor?' He asked curiously. Yaz could tell he was desperate to know, but was holding back given the current circumstances. Despite her reservations in telling Ryan about her feelings, he had already worked it out before she had. What the hell, might as well get the gossip-fest over with. Besides, she really did want to tell him. She blushed, and smiled shyly.

'Yeah?'

'Come on Yaz, you need to tell me! I've been dying to hear all day!' Yaz looked at him with amusement.

'Really?'

'Yeah, I wanna know!' Yaz sighed.

'So, we kissed last night.'

'And?' He elongated the 'and,' wanting to know more.

'I told her all about what went down with Danny, and she was holding me, all tender and caring. She pulled away and started rambling into one of her compassionate, empowering speeches. When she finished, I just had to kiss her. And she kissed me back.'

'Oh my days, Yaz, that's great! I'm so happy for you mate!'

'It was a magical night,' Yaz said wistfully. But then her brief smile faltered. 'But now she's gone. And I don't know what to do.'

Ryan sized her up before answering.

'She hasn't left you behind, if that's what you're worried about.' He answered kindly. Yaz swallowed. It was true. A part of her had been concerned that The Doctor's disappearance had been deliberate on her friend's part. But then, if that had been the case, then the TARDIS would also be gone. The Doctor wouldn't disappear without her beloved ship.

'Thanks Ryan. I did think that briefly, but I know that's not the case. I'm just so worried. There was so much blood…'

'Hey, Yaz, look at me.' Ryan reached out across the table, taking Yaz's hand in his. She looked down at their joined hands, then up at him.

'We're going to find her, safe and well. Whoever's taken her must have taken her for a reason. Because they want something. Now, we don't know what, but…'

'Oh my god, Ryan, that's it!' He looked at Yaz, confused.

'What's it?'

'The disappearances! All those people that have gone missing recently, they've got to be connected to The Doctor's case!' She stood up abruptly, almost knocking the table over. She abandoned her McFlurry and pulled Ryan up behind her. He looked forlornly at his half-eaten cheeseburger, before he was pulled away by a suddenly revitalised Yaz.

They were going to find out what had happened to their friend. Even if it killed them.

…

The pain. It's too much.

Yaz.

Yaz, help me.

I need you.