A/N: I added something towards the end that I think most of you will like, but some of you might not like it all. And that's fine. But the idea popped into my head and I just had to put in here.

Also, the editing was really, really quick because I wanted to get the chapter out ASAP.

"Which incarnation of my grandfather were you with before you came here?" Susan asked as she looked through the new book Autloc had instructed us to study.

"His third. Why?"

"I was just curious. That's all." After a few minutes of silence, Susan asked, "Diana? When Autloc asked you about marriage..." Susan sighed and looked down at her hands before continuing. "You said you'd already told the man you love that he couldn't make your decision for you."

"Did I?" I asked nonchalantly. I was talking about Three, I realized. Did I really say that?

Susan nodded. "Yes."

"Oh. Well, I just meant that if I ever fall in love, I won't let him tell me how to live."

"Diana?"

"Hm?"

"Earlier when we were in that antechamber, you told Grandfather that you wouldn't keep him from living his life. What did you mean?"

I shook my head with a half smile. "Nothing, Susan. Now let's get back to reading."

"Did you and Grandfather have a row?"

"Susan, we really should be reading this book," I told her, hoping she would drop the subject.

"Is that why you were annoyed with him?"

"Arkytior," I said slowly, "I'm not annoyed with your grandfather."

Susan didn't seem phased by my use of her Gallifreyan name and simply continued her line of questioning. "Was the man you told Autloc about Grandfather? Because if he is, then it's fine. I wouldn't mind if you and Grandfather were married."

"Arkytior, I swear by Rassilon and God-"

"He cares for you very much, you know."

I sighed in exasperation and covered my face with my hands. "Susan, where do you get these ridiculous ideas? Your Grandfather is a Time Lord of Gallifrey. He wouldn't let himself fall in love with a human, let alone a girl who looks young enough to be his granddaughter. And I'm not in love with him either because I'm very frustrated with his third self's behavior. Does that answer your questions?"

She smiled and let out a little giggle. "So you do love him?"

"Oh, for the love of God," I mumbled. "I'm eighteen, human, and very much not able to regenerate. Even if I did love him, which I don't because I've barely known him for three months, nothing could happen between us. Do you understand?"

"You're certainly not," she mumbled under her breath as she looked down at the book in my lap. "And no, I'm not telling you any spoilers."

Susan and I spent the rest of the day studying the religion and myths of the Aztecs, as Autloc instructed us to do. Susan was able to memorize the information relatively quickly, but I had a more difficult time learning. Autloc visited us every half hour to check our progress and even encouraged me when he discovered that I was falling far behind Susan's learning pace.

By the time the sun was starting to touch the horizon, Susan and I had passed our tests.

"In the annals of Kohurticlan," Autloc began, "there is the myth of the Five Suns in the Sky. Name them."

"The first was known as Four Tiger," Susan said slowly, "the second the Sun of Air."

I finished where Susan left off. "The third the Son of Fire and Rain, the fourth the Sun of Water-"

"And finally the present one," Susan finished.

"Which is?"

Susan looked at me and I answered for her, "The Sun of Man."

"Excellent, both of you," Autloc praised us with a smile.

"I greet you, Autloc," said Tonila as he entered the room.

Autloc bowed respectfully to the other High Priest. "I honour you, but why do you come here?"

A young man dressed in warrior's clothes appeared at Tonila's side. "It is my wish to look upon her," the young man said.

Autloc looked back at Susan. "Do you know who she is?" he asked.

"Does she know who I am?"

"No."

"Tell her," the young man said, gesturing to Susan with a wave of his hand.

Autloc turned to Susan and took her hand. "In a few days time, Susan, darkness will descend upon the land even though it is day."

Tonila nodded in agreement. "The sun will be hidden from our eyes."

"Oh, you mean there'll be an eclipse," she replied lightly.

Autloc ignored her comment and continued. "At that time, a sacrifice will be made to the Sun God, and this young man-"

"Is to be the victim. Oh, it's horrible."

She looked back at me and took my hand, smiling sympathetically when I shivered.

"But it is a great honour for me to be chosen," the young sacrifice insisted. "I shall take her as my bride."

"Bride?" Susan repeated incredulously. "He thinks I'll marry him? He must be mad."

"For his last few days of life, all that he desires is granted to him," Tonila explained.

Susan shook her head and looked away from the three men. "Well, that doesn't include me. Let him die if he wants to die, but don't ask me to marry him."

"But it is the Aztec law, Susan," Autloc insisted.

"It's barbaric. I won't do it. I won't."

Tonila narrowed his eyes. "For this you will be most severely punished!" he exclaimed angrily.

Autloc pleaded for mercy. "But, Tonila-"

"She has broken the law. It must be reported to Tlotoxl."

Tonila then turned on his heel and left. Autloc looked back at Susan, who had become very upset, and said, "Whatever's in my power, I shall do."

Susan wrung her hands and stepped away from the priest. She looked through the doorway at the surrounding area and said in a choked voice, "You're monsters. All of you, monsters. Oh, Grandfather. Grandfather."

Autloc left soon after, with Susan's intended in tow. She started crying into my shoulder once they had gone. I knew she was afraid of what would happen to us in the day to come and did my best to comfort her.

"Susan, it'll be alright. Your Grandfather will do his best to protect you, and so will Barbara and Ian and me."

"I'm so scared," she told me, burying her head in my shoulder.

I smiled and rested my chin on the top of her head. "How about I sing something for you? Your Grandfather once told me that I had a good voice." When Susan didn't respond, I started singing a song that I felt sure would comfort her. "When you're alone, silence is all you know. When you're alone, silence is all you know. Let in the noise and let it grow... When you're alone, silence is all you see. When you're alone, silence is all you'll be. Give me your hand and come to me." As I started to sing the next part of the song, I thought of the Doctor and couldn't help but smile a little. "When you are here, music is all around. When you are near, music is all around. Open your eyes, don't make a sound... Let in the shadow, let in the shadow. Let in the light of your bright shadow. Let in the light, let in the light. Let in the light of your sweet shadow... When you're alone, silence is all you know. Silence is all, silence is all around. Silence is all, silence is all around."

After the song was done, Susan and I sat together in silence. She stopped crying and soon fell asleep on my shoulder. I fell asleep nearly an hour after her, my arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders and my head resting atop hers.

I woke up to see the face of Tlotoxl hovering over me, his lips spread in a wicked smile. I gasped and recoiled against the wall, tightening my arms around Susan's small frame. Tlotoxl stepped back and waved his hand. The four soldiers that had escorted me to the temple to be sacrificed stormed into the hut.

"What's going on?" I demanded fearfully.

"The Yetaxa's handmaidens are to be guarded until their punishment can be fulfilled," Tlotoxl said. "You will go to the warrior's hall and await your fate there. Now stand."

I gently shook Susan's shoulder. She mumbled something under her breath as she woke and then rubbed her eyes. "Diana? What is it?"

"We have to go now, Susan. Tlotoxl has arranged for us to go to the warrior's hall."

Susan and I were instructed to wait outside of the entrance to the hall while Tlotoxl conversed with one of the warriors. After a minute, the four soldiers escorted us into the hall and then left.

"Do not let them escape nor release them to Autloc," Tlotoxl ordered the young warrior we had been brought to. "His faith in our gods is wavering."

"Why have we been brought here?" Susan asked, keeping her grip on my hand firm. "Does Autloc know I'm here? What of Yetaxa? We're her handmaidens. She wished to see us both."

"Oh, she will see you," Tlotoxl growled. "At the appointed time."

"Rest there," the warrior ordered, pouting his finger to a blanket on the ground.

"Tlotoxl thanks you," the High Priest said before leaving.

The warrior Ixta stepped closer to Susan, smiling when she shivered. "Do you ask yourself where Ian is?" he asked. "I can tell you. He is dead."

"I don't believe you."

"The old man saw him die. He knows it to be true."

"You're wrong," I told Ixta. "I have the gift of foresight and I tell you that Ian is not dead!"

"Your hope is useless," the warrior told me. Behind his back, I could see Ian step out of the shadows. "Now seven warriors have challenged my right to command and only I survive."

Ian leaned close to Ixta's ear and said, "Good commanders don't jump to conclusions, Ixta."

When Ixta turned to face Ian, Ian hit him in the head and knocked him unconscious. Susan and I immediately rushed to Ian's side and put our arms around him.

"Oh, Ian," Susan mumbled in relief. "I knew he was lying. He said you were dead."

"I nearly was." Ian then pushed us both away very gently and looked from me to Susan. "Come on, let's get going."

"Where are we going?" Susan asked.

"The TARDIS. Come on."

Ian held his right hand out to me and held his other out to Susan, then ran out of the hall with us in tow. Night had fallen many hours ago, so it was easy to keep us out of sight of anyone who might be watching. We walked up the steep steps to the top of the temple at a quick, yet cautious pace.

As we reached the platform, I could hear Barbara and the Doctor's voices. "A pulley?" Barbara asked. "But the Aztecs don't have the wheel."

"I know," the Doctor replied, "but it isn't going to be easy."

"Grandfather!" Susan cried, running across the platform and into the temple.

"My dear Susan," he responded, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. I came in slowly with Ian, out hands still clasped together, and gazed fondly at the pair of Gallifreyans. "I'll tell you how glad I am to see you later on. Come along. Don't waste time."

Ian pointed to the pulley system the Doctor had created with an old leather cord and walked me over to it. "All right. Susan, Diana, as soon as the door opens, grab it," he instructed.

The Doctor and Barbara glanced over at me as I released Ian's hand. Susan and I nodded at Ian's instructions and walked over to the wall.

"Now, this is not going to be so easy as you think, young man," the Doctor told Ian.

He raised an eyebrow in response. "Oh? Well let's give it a try, anyway."

"Yes, well, be careful."

Ian grabbed the cord and held it firmly in his hands. "Ready, steady. Now, pull."

Even with the combined efforts of the three adults, the door barely moved. I ran from the wall to the spot in front of Ian and grabbed hold of the cord, pulling it as hard as I could manage.

"The cord's old," the Doctor warned us. "It might break."

"Just a little harder," I said in a strained voice.

"No, no, wait." We all stopped pulling on the cord and waited for the Doctor to give us further instructions. "Let's do it at an angle. Come along."

"All right," Ian said.

The Doctor took the cord put of my hands and pulled it over the top of the stone chair. Then he handed it back to me and went to his spot behind Ian.

"That's it, it's safer."

"Right?" Ian asked, picking up the cord again and bracing himself.

The Doctor nodded. "Right."

"Ready?"

"Yes," the Doctor and I answered together.

"Pull!"

We all pulled as hard as we could, hoping against hope that we could open the door and finally escape. The door started to move a few centimeters due to our efforts, but not enough that Susan could grab it.

"Harder!" the Doctor instructed.

I tugged as hard as I could on the strap, as did the others, but it snapped under the pressure. I fell backwards and landed on top of Ian with a groan. He lay on his back, stunned, and I stayed on top of his stomach for a moment as my head spun slightly.

"Diana?" Ian asked in a small voice. "Could you... get off?"

"Oh, sorry!"

I started to get up when the Doctor appeared at my feet, holding his hands out to me. I took them with a slight smile and let him help me to my feet. The Doctor was stronger than he appeared and nearly pulled me off my feet. My left foot slipped on the slick stone as I stood and I fell to the side, but the Time Lord easily caught me with his arms about my waist.

"Careful, my dear," he said softly as I fell against his chest.

As I looked over his face, I noticed for the first time that he was less than an inch taller than me and smiled. He smiled back at me and then started to pull back. He made sure I had stable footing before moving his arms away from my waist and when his fingers lightly brushed against my side, I laughed at the ticklish sensation.

Ian got to his feet and brushed himself off. "Yes, I must try that stone in the garden," he said as he stared at the broken cord.

"I think you're right," the Doctor answered, stepping past me.

"But I'll need someone to watch."

Susan rushed forward with a smile. "Me."

But Barbara shook her head. "No, I think Susan should stay here."

"Yes," Ian said in consideration. "We'd be careful, Barbara. If Susan and I can get that stone free, we can let you into the tomb from the other side."

"Yes, exactly," Susan responded excitedly.

Barbara sighed and nodded. "All right."

Ian waved his hand, encouraging Susan to run over to his side. He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled. "Come on."

"Don't worry, Barbara," Susan said with a smile.

Barbara watched the two leave, then let out a heavy sigh. She put a hand against her head and said, "Oh, we're like drowning people, Doctor."

The Doctor looked over at me and gestured to the older woman. "Oh, now, now, now," he started calmly as he gave her a smile and a comforting hand on her arm. "Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry. Don't give up hope."

I gently put my hand on Barbara's shoulder and stepped closer to her. She looked down at me and smiled a little. But her frown soon returned and I saw fear shining in her eyes.

"Maybe it's this place," she said as she looked around the room. "I just feel sometimes as if all the people who've died here are watching, waiting for me to die, too."

"You're strong, Barbara," I told her. "You're brave, you're smart. I wish I was more like you, actually, because you can manage to stay strong in the hardest of times. It's a quality that I've always admired about you. And I promise you, we'll all make it out of this alive."

"You know we will?"

"I know we will," I repeated. "So don't give up hope, don't be afraid. In the end, everything will be fine."

She sighed again and smiled warmly at me. "Thank you, Diana. Now, Doctor, perhaps you should go after Ian and Susan. I want to make sure they're alright."

"Do you want me to stay here?" I asked.

Barbara thought for a moment before answering. "No, it's alright. You go with the Doctor."

"Are you sure? I don't mind staying."

"Go with him." She leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "I know you want to."

"Barbara!" I exclaimed as my face flushed bright red.

"Please, both of you go. Together. I don't want either of you to get hurt or lost."

I glanced at the Doctor and saw that he had a curious expression on his face. I ignored his questioning gaze and looked back at Barbara. "Alright. Just be careful. Okay?"

"I will be, I promise." She took my hand and squeezed it gently. "Now go on, both of you."

I grabbed the Doctor's hand and tugged lightly on his sleeve, urging him forward. As we started out onto the platform, I turned and waved goodbye to Barbara. She smiled and waved in return, then sat down on the stone chair with her hand cupping her chin.

"Slow down, my girl," the Doctor said as I pulled him after me. "I'm an old man."

"Oh, you're really not. You've just got an old body, which is fine," I added quickly, realizing that my statement could easily be taken offensively when I hadn't meant it that way. "You're fantatstic in this body, just like in all your others. I mean, I don't care which body or form you're in. You're still the Doctor. It's what's inside that counts, not the other way around."

"Perhaps you should listen to your own advice, my dear," he said in a low voice.

I looked back at him as we started down the stairs. "What do you mean?"

He raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. "I've known you for a long time, Diana. I think by now, I know you very well."

"How well?" I questioned, wondering if maybe he would give a clue as to what he knew about me and where I came from.

But the Time Lord only chuckled and stepped past me, tapping his finger against the tip of my nose with a wrinkled smile that warmed my heart. Despite what I had told Susan earlier and the way the Third Doctor and I had fought, I found that I did care for him even with all his shortcomings and mistakes.

When we reached the garden, Susan and Ian had been arrested and accused of attacking Autloc. The Doctor and I both knew it wasn't true and protested against the accusations firmly, but we were dismissed and ignored. After I was giving a stern lecture from the Doctor about telling him when these kinds of things were going to happen and I told him I couldn't give him spoilers, we sat next to each other on a stone bench in the garden while he started carving a pulley out of a piece of wood.

"I've a question for you, my dear," the Doctor said after he'd been carving the wood for a few minutes.

"Yes?"

"Earlier today, in the antechamber, you mentioned something about-"

"Oh, no," I groaned. "Not you, too. Look, Doctor, I can't tell you because it's your future and I've already told you that it's dangerous to know your own personal future."

"Now, now, my dear. There's no need to get so worked up."

"Worked up, my foot," I mumbled.

"I merely wish to know-"

"Spoilers, you crazy old man!" I sighed and rested my elbows on my knees, dropping my head into my hands. "I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm upset with a future you and after everything's that's happened today, I haven't really been able to worry about it very much because I'm too worried about not getting sacrificed and you're totally not helping me to stay mad at you because this you is just so nice to me."

The Doctor placed his half finished pulley and carving knife next to his leg and gently put a hand on my shoulder. "Now, Diana, it's alright, my dear."

"Why aren't I a crying, scrambled mess?"

"Perhaps it's the shock," he suggested. "I'm sure it will catch up with you once we're back in the TARDIS. But don't think about that. Tell me why you're so upset about this future self of mine."

"Doctor, you know I can't."

He sighed and slowly moved his hand over my shoulder blade. "Be general about it, my dear. No specific dates or names. I do hate to see you so upset because of something I've done."

"Theta-"

"Now, you do as I say," the Doctor said firmly, pointing his finger at me. "It will help."

"I am so frustrated with him," I started, rubbing my eyes underneath my glasses. A heavy sigh worked its way from my lips as I ran a hand through my hair. "He's so arrogant and he thinks he's God's gift to this Earth and I usually don't mind that, but this time he was just so... stupid! He just acted as if I was some sort of useless little girl who can't take care of herself! I got rid of the Master for him, for crying out loud! Doesn't he trust me at all? I mean, it's offensive! He doesn't even trust me to take care of myself! The nerve of that stupid Time Lord."

"You know, my dear," the Doctor began with a smile, "I am still here."

I stared in annoyance at the Time Lord. "You were the one who asked! "

He merely chuckled to himself and went back to his pulley and knife. Cameca approached us soon after, a sad and yet pleased smile on her face. I tugged lightly on the Doctor's sleeve and asked if I should leave. I had no desire whatsoever to ruin whatever relationship the two had, no matter how short it was.

"No, of course not, Diana. Don't be silly. I'm sure Cameca will like you."

"I just don't want to give her the wrong impression about either of us since the two of you are engaged."

The Doctor stayed silent for a few moments before responding. "Cameca is a gentle, intelligent, caring, and kind woman. There's no need to worry about anything."

I looked back at Cameca and started to move away from the Doctor so she could sit beside him, but she placed a hand on my knee and stopped me. A kind and sweet smile was on her face as she sat on the edge of the bench, forcing me to sit even closer to the Doctor.

"You must be Diana," she said.

"Yes," I answered slowly. "But how did you know that?"

Cameca smiled, a hint of sadness in her knowing eyes. "The Doctor spoke fondly of you whilst you and his granddaughter were with Autloc, learning of our customs."

"Oh?"

I spared the Doctor a quick glance and saw that his cheeks had turned a light red color. He was staring intently at his pulley and knife, his eyes crinkled and his lips pressed firmly together. Cameca gently squeezed my knee, making me look back at her. She was smiling, all hints of sadness gone from her features.

"The two of you must be very good friends."

I thought for a moment on how to answer. After nearly three months of crying, running, fighting aliens, I had come to think of the Doctor as a friend and a companion, someone I could trust implicitly. Even though he had tried to control my decisions, it had ultimately been for my good and I was still coming to terms with his actions. And yet despite all of our fights and arguements, I still cared for the Time Lord very much.

"We are," I finally answered the woman. "I think."

"That is good."

The Doctor cleared his throat loudly. "Yes! Well," he began in an awkward and slightly loud voice, "Cameca, my dear. It is very good to see you again. Might I ask why you have visited us?"

"Autloc," she said after a moment's pause.

"Are Ian and Susan alright?" I asked worriedly. "I know they've been accused and everything, but are they being treated alright?"

Cameca nodded. "Yes. They are being held for now. But... Of all Aztec men, the High Priest of Knowledge is the most gentle."

The Doctor looked up from his pulley and said, "Ian didn't hit him, Cameca."

"And yet his club was found here."

"Yes, and as Ian has said, he was in the garden. I know, and he's innocent."

"Yet he is to die."

The Doctor glanced at me again, his eyes worried. "Yed. Butchered by Ixta."

Cameca looked past me at the Doctor, her eyes soft and understanding. "If it is your wish, let our marriage be postponed."

It felt wrong for me to be inbetween the two, and I cleared my throat so that they wouldn't forget that I was still there. An odd feeling of jelaous started to rise in my chest and I quickly pushed it away, feeling ridiculous for having those feelings towards the Time Lord. I know I shouldn't feel jealous, I told myself, and I know I should be mad at him... But knowing that he's engaged, even if it's not serious, really hurts and... I just don't understand why. After everything he's done for me... my birthday and Valentine's Day- But he hasn't done any of that yet. He doesn't care for me that way, I realized a little sadly. And he probably won't for a long time.

"Perhaps I should go?" I wondered aloud. "The two of you probably want to... I don't know, do what engaged people do."

"No, no," the Doctor said quickly at the same time that Cameca shook her head and asked, "Why would you want to leave?"

I looked from Cameca to the Doctor, my cheeks flushing slightly. I finally gave them both a nervous smile and stayed in my spot. "Maybe I'll just stay instead," I mumbled.

Cameca then looked over mine and the Docotr's shoulder and pointed to his pulley. "What is it you're making?"

He shrugged. "Oh, just something to take my mind off the problems."

"Let me intercede with Autloc on your friend's behalf," Cameca said.

"It isn't just Tlotoxl that we have to contend with. He and his kind will destroy all this one day."

"But how can it be prevented if it is the will of the gods?"

"It isn't the will of Yetaxa," the Doctor pointed out.

Cameca raised an eyebrow in questioning. "The gods wish an end to sacrifice?"

I was surprised when the Doctor answered, "Yes, and Yetaxa speaks for them. But Autloc is needed here, and he won't go to the temple."

The Aztec woman nodded with a smile and put a hand on the Doctor's leg. "I shall persuade him to go to Yetaxa, beloved. And now I shall speak with him." She stood, gave the Doctor an extended look, and then looked at me. "It was a great pleasure to meet you, Diana."

"And you, Cameca." I put my feelings of jealousy away and stood to bow respectfully to Cameca. "You are a wise, kind, and beautiful woman and you are everything that every woman should strive to be, I think. I hope that maybe some day I can be like you."

"You will," she answered before turning and leaving.

The Doctor and I watched Cameca leave and move farther into the garden. I felt bad for her, knowing that she had genuine feelings for the Doctor and that neither of them could ever anything more thqan what they would have in the present.

"Diana, my dear, do sit down. You look ridiculous just standing there."

I drew out of my thoughts and sat down next to him, watching as he continued work on the pulley. "It's coming along," I commented.

"Yes, it is a rather good job, isn't it?" he chuckled proudly.

With a roll of my eyes, I shook my head and bit back my laughter. "You're so full of yourself."

He waved his hand dismissively in my face. "Yes, yes. Now be quiet. I must concentrate."

I crossed one leg over the other and turned so my back was facing him, then placed my elbow on my knee and supported my chin with my hand. " 'Be quiet', he says," I mumbled. " 'I'm so incredible', he says. 'I know everything.' 'Aren't I so impressive? We both know you love it.' No, I bloody don't!"

"Keep your voice down, child," the Doctor said in a scolding tone. "This is the Garden of Peace, not the Garden of Angry Young Ladies."

"Oh, bother being quiet," I retorted in a low voice. "If you'd stop being so full of it, I wouldn't be angry, now would I?"

"Oh, but you're not really angry with me."

"Oh? Think again, mister."

He sighed and shook his head. "I would prefer that you called me Doctor or Theta," he said honestly.

His confession surprised me, but I kept the feeling hid and merely smiled. "Yes, and I'd prefer it if you didn't call me 'child', but beggars can't be choosers."

"But you are a child!"

"I am a legal adult, for your information."

"You look eighteen."

"I am," I answered through my teeth.

"You aren't, my dear, and we both know that. You know it's terribly stupid to hide your age. Makes you seem shallow."

"Oh, I'm shallow now, am I? Doctor, I'm eighteen. Have the TARDIS scan me for all I care! I'm not lying about anything, let alone my age." I rolled my eyes in annoyance and heaved a heavy sigh. "And to think that I was starting to not be angry with you anymore."

"Diana, these childish games are pointless."

"Childish games?" I stood and ran a hand through my hair, pulling the headband off in the process. "What do you mean, 'you're not eighteen'? What does that even mean? I think I, of all the people in this entire bloody universe, would know exactly how old I am. Don't you?"

The Doctor stopped carving the pulley and looked up at me with wide eyes. "You don't know what I'm talking about?" he asked slowly.

"Of course I don't."

"Oh." His face fell and his eyes turned sad. "Oh, my dear, I am sorry. I assumed-... Do forgive me."

"Doctor, what are you talking about?"

The Time Lord shook his head and his sad smile turned into a sweet one. "Oh, don't worry about it."

"No, tell me."

He shrugged and continued his carving, but I noticed that his hands were shaking slightly. "There is nothing to tell."

"Doctor-"

"Diana, I tell you, it is nothing," he insisted firmly.

I put my hands on my waist and pressed my lips together in frustration. "Theta Sigma, you tell me this instant! Susan said something very similar to me earlier and I would like to know exactly what the two of you are talking about."

"There is nothing to tell you, now sit down!"

"Don't raise your voice at me!" I snapped. "I'm asking perfectly reasonable questions and I would like them to be answered. I don't appreciate being lied to, like you seem so determined to do."

"Lying?" The Doctor waved his hand with a laugh. "Don't be silly, child."

"Rule number: the Doctor lies." I sighed again. "I'm not stupid, Doctor. Your face, you looked so sad when I didn't understand what you said. So help me to understand! I just want to know the answer to one simple question. Why is that so hard?"

"Spoilers, my dear."

I let out a groan of frustration and turned my back on him, not wanting him to see the emotions welling up in my eyes. "You're going to use that against me? Why can't you just answer me?"

"Because I cannot! Now sit down." I heard him mumble under his breath in what I assumed was Gallifreyan and then he said, "Don't make a scene, Diana."

"A scene? What the hell-." I cut myself off and put my hand over my mouth as I thought in silence for a moment. I could feel my heart thudding wildly in my chest and a vein throbbing in the side of my neck. My blood felt like it was on fire and I had to fight to keep my anger from bursting out.

He was right, of course. The Doctor was always bloody right. I couldn't make a scene out of something that was probably nothing. And yet, something told me that he really was withholding the truth from me. The way he had reacted to my confusion, the strange comments that both he and Susan had made about my age, and the way he looked away from my eyes when I asked for an answer told me that he was keeping something from me.

"I'm going to go see Barbara," I finally said.

"Diana, wait. Let us talk about this calmly."

"There's nothing to say, right?" I clarified. "It doesn't matter. I just need a quick walk and some female company."

"Diana-"

"Doctor, we're done," I said sharply as I turned back to face him. "The subject is closed. My mistake. Sorry, but I really should go. Let you and your fiancé have a nice chat."

I left before I could say anything I would regret, knowing that my frustration with the Time Lord would overflow soon if I didn't go. The walk back to the temple was relatively short and luckily, there weren't very many people awake at that hour. But my near-death experience had taken its toll and I was starting to feel completely exhausted.

As I reached the temple and started up the steps, I saw Autloc on his way down. He looked upset, frustrated, and confused and I remembered then that he had been struck on the head by Tlotoxl's command. I rushed up the stairs and stopped a few steps below him.

"High Priest," I began with a bow. "I heard of your attack and wish to convey my sincerest apologies. What occurred was wrong and horrible." Autloc merely stared at me in silence. "Truly, the Yetaxa and I are deeply sorry for what has happened."

"I thank you," he said finally before brushing past me.

I watched him leave in confusion, then continued up the remaining stairs. l entered to see Barbara grasping the back of her chair and her eyes closed. "Barbara, are you alright?" I asked worriedly, rushing forward and putting my hands on her shoulders.

"Oh, Diana," she started tearfully. "I'm so scared."

l pulled Barbara into a tight, comforting hug. "It's going to be alright. I promise."

"What if we really are trapped here? I can't keep up this masquerade forever. They could kill us, sacrifice us. If they hurt you or Ian or Susan..., even the Doctor. Oh, I don't know what I'd do."

"Barbara, listen to me. I'll stay with you through all of this, even if I'm wrong and this does and badly. This might be the first time I've ever truly met you, but I trust you and I'll stand by you no matter what."

Barbara pulled back, then she smiled fondly at me and asked, "How can you trust me so implicitly when you say you've never met me before?"

"Because I know you, Barbara Wright, and you're the best and wisest and bravest woman I've ever had the privilege of meeting or knowing."

"I certainly don't feel very brave or wise right now," she mumbled.

l smiled reassuringly at her. "You will. Don't worry. Now, I was wondering..."

"Yes?"

"Would you mind terribly if I stayed up here and took a nap?"

I had refused Barbara's request that I rest in her chair incase anyone other than the Doctor came in and saw me sitting where I shouldn't. Instead, I folded my arms beneth my head and tucked my knees against my chest and fell asleep in a darkened corner of the room.

The dream that haunted my sleep was full of tears and screams. I relived Susan Smith's heartbreaking death and endured a hateful Third Doctor, verbally abusing me for standing up against him and his demands. The Master, as the two incarnations that I had encountered, mocked me as I cried and begged for an end. The Tenth Doctor made an appearance, throwing me against a wall and asking why I had never told him about the death of his daughter. And at the end, my mother screamed her hatred for a daughter that had forgotten about her and left her all alone.

The dream ended when I woke, my eyes wide and terrified and my body frozen in horror. My chest was heaving and I felt as if my heart would beat right out of my chest. Barbara heard me and rushed to my side, kneeling beside me in worry.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

"Nightmare," I breathed after a minute of silence. "Barbara, the most horrible-..."

I broke off mid-sentence and flung my arms around her neck, burying my face in her shoulder and letting out a sob. Barbara sighed and gently patted me on the back. "Diana, you're safe now, don't worry. It was only a dream."

"Barbara, it was terrible."

"Hush," she said softly. "Go back to sleep."

"But-"

"No 'but's." She unhooked my arms from around her neck and pushed me back firmly, yet gently. "You and I both know that you need the rest after the trying day you've had. And who knows what you've endured before all of this."

"Barbara-"

"Must the Yetaxa order you?" she teased with a smile.

I smiled a little and shook my head. "No. No, I guess you're right..."

"Of course I am," she replied playfully. "Now go back to sleep. Really, Diana. You need it."

"Okay."

I curled up again, bringing my knees as close to my chest as I could and placing my arms under my head again. Please, God, no more dreams. No more dreams. I can't have another. After my desperate hope and prayer, I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

"Doctor, why won't you listen to me?" I heard Barbara ask in frustration.

"They're all busy at the ceremony and this is just the right time," the Doctor responded with a chuckle.

Confused, I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I stopped when I realized that my glasses had been taken and there was something covering my upper body. Looking down, I saw that the Doctor's coat had been draped across my arms and chest and my glasses had been placed a few feet away from my head.

"But they'll be here at any moment," Barbara was saying as I slipped my glasses on. "Don't you realise that?"

"Yes, now let me see. Oh, I think you ought to order Autloc to release Susan and Ian."

"What, in front of everybody?"

"Yes. It'll only take me a moment to open the doors and then we shall all dash through there and-"

"Shh."

Barbara gestured for the Doctor to hide. He turned and ran behind her stone chair, kneeling in its shadown and lowering his chin to his chest. I glanced at him from my spot in confusion, still feeling groggy from my rest, and he finally spotted me. He slowly raised a finger to his lips and nodded once. I smiled a little and nodded in a silent response as Tlotoxl walked into the room.

Barbara had started to move forward so that Tlotoxl couldn't move more than a foot into the room.

"The procession has started," Tlotoxl told Barbara. "Are you ready to attend the ceremony?"

"Where's Autloc?" she asked firmly.

"He will not be present."

"Why not? What have you done with him?"

"I? Nothing. He has gone into the wilderness."

"When will he return?" Barbara questioned worriedly.

"Never."

"Never?"

Tlotoxl ignored her final question and left without another word. The Doctor immediately came out from behind the chair, his hand on his chin. Barbara turned to face him and I could just see the glint of tears in her eyes.

"Doctor, what will we do?"

"I don't know, my dear. We must rely on Cameca to bring Ian and Susan to us. We must."

"Can you trust her?" Barbara asked.

"Yes, of course! Now don't worry." He put a comforting hand on her wrist and smiled. "Don't worry."

Barbara nodded and went back to her chair, sitting down and closing her eyes. I started to get up when the Doctor approached me. I stayed silent, still feeling a little frustrated with him over our arguement in the garden, but I also wanted to throw myself into his arms and let him comfrot me. My dream still lurked in the back of my mind, along with all the other terrible things I had seen in the last three months.

"Diana," the Doctor started slowly, his eyes downcast, "I... Ahem. Well..."

"Yes?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well... You know, don't you?"

"I'm not sure," I admitted. "Why don't you say it? I want to hear you say it."

He knelt down in front of me with great difficulty. I felt guilt wash over me; he was a young man in an old body and kneeling on a cold stone floor was something I knew his body found hard at times. The Doctor gently took my hands in his and let out a shaky breath. All of his actions were surprising me. I had never known him to be so gentle, worriesome, or apologetic when I watched the series back home. What had happened to change him so much?

"Diana, my dear... Themba, I am sorry."

I smiled. "Get off the floor, you silly old man," I said with a laugh. Once I stood and helped him to his feet, I put an arm around his waist in case he needed to lean against me. "What does Themba mean? I've heard you call me that once before."

"It's a name of African decent, my dear. It means hope and trust." He swatted lightly at my arm and said, "Now let go of me. I can stand perfectly on my own, thank you."

"Alright, alright." The Doctor started to walk in the direction of Barbara's chair, where I noticed his finished pulley lay on the floor. "Doctor?"

He stopped for a moment and turned back to me. "Hm?"

"Thank you. For apologizing. I... I don't like fighting with you."

"Nor I with you, my dear."

He smiled and continued walking, mumbling to himself as he went. I smiled fondly at him and sat down again, glad that I could forgive at least one incarnation of the Time Lord. I reached for my pendant, which I had kept on, and ran my finger agcross the surface. The etchings of the Gallifreyan writing were thin and deep in the silver pendant. I wondered, not for the first time, what the etchings meant and if I would ever know.

After a long period of pondering the meaning of the writing, I heard footsteps on the stairs leading up the temple. I stood up and started towards the entrance to the room. Is it Susan? I wondered hopefully. Cameca, you brought her back safe and sound. I knew you would.

"Grandfather! Grandfather!" Susan cried as she ran onto the platform, her arms spread out.

The Doctor turned and ran outside, wrapping his arms around her as she came running to his side. "Oh, my dear Susan."

"Where's Barbara?" Susan asked.

"She's in there," the Doctor said, pointing to the room.

"Barbara. Barbara?"

As Susan went in, I came out to thank Cameca. I stopped a few feet away from them when I saw the Doctor and the woman standing close to each other. The familiar sting of jealousy burnt in my chest and in my stomach and I mentally slapped myself for being so ridiculously stupid.

Cameca was smiling briliantly at the Time Lord. "I honor Autloc's trust. I bring you your handmaiden."

"That was a very brave thing for you to do, Cameca," the Doctor said, "but you can't stay here."

"I'd hoped I might stay by your side," Cameca admitted, her lips falling into a frown. But she smiled again when the Doctor looked down and avoided her gaze. "Then think of me. Think of me."

The Doctor nodded and patted her hand. "I shall," he responded.

I started to follow him when Cameca reached for my hand and held me back. I gazed curiously at her and smiled. "Yes, Cameca?"

"I see in his eyes when he speaks of you and looks at you a fondness that my husband once looked at me with. He cares very deeply for you and I can see in your eyes that you feel the same. Love is a powerful emotion, my dear." She paused and then smiled. "Promise me that you will take care of him."

"I will," I promised.

"Run. Run, both of you, and think of me."

I froze and gazed in awe at the woman. "Clara?" I asked.

"Go," she urged. "Go!"

I pulled her into a hug and smiled. "I'll see you again. One day. I know I will."

Then I turned and ran into the main room where the Doctor and Susan were waiting for me. I ran over to them and grabbed the leather strap the Doctor had situated under the wall. After a few minutes of struggling and the sounds of commotion outside the room, Barbara ran inside and helped us pull on the the strap. While we were pulling, I could hear Ian speaking and making strange noises and I knew he was fighting Ixta. Then, after a moment of silence, there was a cry.

Then Ian ran into the room and grabbed the remainder of the strap behind Barbara and I. Once the wall had been lifted, the Doctor and Susan ran in. The Doctor held his hand out to me and grabbed mine once I ducked under the wall. "There," he mumbled. "Now you're safe. Into the TARDIS, my dear. Both of you."

"But Grandfather-"

"In, Susan! Now! Hurry, child."

She rushed into the ship and I stayed behind just long enough to kiss the Doctor on the cheek before running after her. No sooner had I stepped into the TARDIS that my head began to ache, as did my arm in the exact spot where I had been shot. I stumbled over to the console as Susan stood worriedly by the doors and leaned heavily against the controls.

"Oh, please. No," I begged. "No, I don't want to go!"

Susan looked back at me. "Diana? What's wrong?"

I looked down at my hands, which had started to fade so that they were partially see-through. "I'm leaving. I'm leaving."

"Grandfather!"

I looked at the doors, knowing that the Doctor would be busy with Barbara and Ian, and felt my eyes sting with tears that were forming quickly. "No, I like it here. Please, just let me stay. Please. I'm not mad at this one."

Ian stumbled into the TARDIS, letting out a yelp of surprise when he saw me. "Diana, you're turning... invisible!"

"I'm leaving," I repeated.

"Again?"

I nodded. "Tell... Tell the Doctor-"

"Tell me what?" He stepped into the ship with Barbara behind him. "Oh."

I smiled sadly at him and waved a transluscent hand. "Goodbye, Doctor."