A/N: This is a very short chapter. I'll probably come back and add more to it later, but for now it's finished. I know I could add more Annamae and Doctor interaction, some more fluff and fun, but I struggle with that sort of thing so this was the best I could do for now.

Chapter Twenty-One: Recovery

The moment the TARDIS had returned to our universe I had felt the rest of the TARDIS matrix leave me. She had only returned enough of herself to the console to return to their universe, the rest of her had returned only once she knew they were safe. With the TARDIS gone a large drain on my mental strength was alleviated, and the magic which had been sent there to help support the TARDIS was now free to help repair the damage done to my brain from the violent impact of a new universe and withdrawal of the TARDIS active mainframe.

Once I was sure that Rose was safe with Jackie, I allowed my hold on consciousness to fade.

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Leaving Rose with Jackie, I took the TARDIS to a small industrial estate in Cardiff. Close enough to the rift to recharge, but too far away to be spotted. Just as I turned on invisibility, I felt my connection to Annamae fade as she finally fell unconscious.

Ignoring the state of the console room for now, I picked Annamae up and carried her back to her room. There was no point taking her to the hospital room because there was nothing there that I could use to help her. She just needed to rest, and she would rest better in a room she found comfortable and safe.

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I woke up while taking a deep breath, the first proper breath I had been able to take since we had ended up in a parallel universe. Turning my head, I found the Doctor reading a book, which seemed to be based on the principles of time and space.

"Interesting read?" I asked him with a smile.

The Doctor's head snapped up and he smiled brightly at me. "Good to see you awake."

"How long have I been out?" I asked him, sitting up in the bed.

"Three days." He responded.

"Right, I need a shower. And something to eat." I grimaced slightly when my stomach rumbled.

"I'll go make you something. I'll meet you in the kitchen. Will you be alright?" The Doctor asked worriedly when I got off the bed, only to stumble and he caught me.

"Yeah, just dead legs. I'll walk it off." I answered, taking my own weight and stepping away from the Doctor. "Thanks."

The shower was extremely relaxing. Muscles that had been tensed and knotted came loose, and days of sweat and dirt were washed away. At first, I just stood there under the spray. But once my muscles had turned to jelly, I grabbed the hair wash. When I was finished, I smelt like ginger and raspberries.

By the time I was ready to face the world once more, I had been awake for nearly an hour and I was really hungry. I followed my nose to the kitchen where the Doctor had made banana pancakes with maple syrup. He also gave me a bowl of fruit – none of which were from earth, but all of which were delicious.

"You okay?" The Doctor asked once the plates had been cleaned and put away. They both disliked discussing any heavy, emotional or draining topic when eating, and I had been far too hungry to talk while eating.

"I'm…" I started to answer before pausing and actually thinking about it. My sleep had healed the damage done to my mind and my magic had settled back to its normal state. But the shock of fighting a universe and taking on the TARDIS… "I'm okay, but things are different. My connection to the TARDIS is far stronger than it has ever been. And I think, that the TARDIS left some residue behind, which has changed my physical structure. I think my telepathy has gotten stronger as a result. And maybe my understanding of time. Like, if I focus, they're bright strings of gold around you. Notches, which I think indicate your regenerations, but if I try and focus too much my head starts hurting because of the knowledge that I shouldn't have."

"That's another skill of the Time Lords, one which we develop and learn how to control. I don't use that sight or knowledge; I don't like knowing." The Doctor frowned.

"So, you can teach me how to turn it off?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes," The Doctor answered confidently. "And I would also like to run a few tests, to see if your brain truly has taken on the characteristics of a Time Lady. And to make sure all the damage has been healed."

"I figured." I sighed. "But that can wait. The differences isn't harming me. Where's Rose?"

"With your mum. We're in Cardiff, the TARDIS has fully recharged and I've not been to visit. But she phoned every day to check on you. She sounds like she's better. Missing Mickey, but recovering." The Doctor answered.

"You know, Mickey remained in that universe because he felt like he could be useful there. Like he was wanted and needed. Which he doesn't really get here." I sighed. "I know you tried to show him that in your own way, and I tried as well. But it just wasn't enough. Especially, when my sister sometimes doesn't notice the impact of her actions on others. She can be empathic and understanding, but she can also be selfish. And it was this selfishness that sometimes led to Mickey feeling like he wasn't needed."

"Especially when she has a crush on someone." The Doctor agreed with a secret smile.

"You noticed." I smirked.

"Of course, I noticed. I'm socially inept not blind. She's had a crush on me since day one." The Doctor shrugged. "She's not the first."

"And I very much doubt the last." I agreed. "You have a very alluring attitude. And you're not bad on the eyes either."

"Not bad?" The Doctor asked in mock offence.

"You know, I think it's the hair." I said thoughtfully, hiding my smile.

"It's because I'm not ginger. I would totally look better ginger." The Doctor said in disappointment. They held their seriousness for a moment before laughing.

"Nah, you are handsome as you are. Don't go changing on me any time soon." I warned him.

"Come on, I wanted to show you something." The Doctor suddenly said energetically, jumping up and grabbing my hand.

I laughed as the Doctor dragged me through the TARDIS corridors with a bright smile on his face. This energy was something that the Doctor was quicker to express in this body and it was so infectious. And to see this happiness, this energy, even after all the worry he had felt towards me. It was invigorating.