The Doctor's Dog

by Anubis Enfield

When I was younger, I always dreamed of being able to just go out there and see the world. And despite my initial panic about having died and been reborn as an abandoned injured pet, I felt almost excited. Then, I met the Doctor. "You're just a small fella aren't you? Just small and scared and alone. I know how that feels."

2. Chapter 2

Whoo! Chapter two! I felt bad leaving off on a cliffhanger on the first chapter and went ahead and finished this one really quick (mind you, I don't have any pre-written material after this chapter, so updates might take a while if I'm keeping them over 10,000 words). But I'm glad you all like it! It was very encouraging to have my email flooded with favorites and follows :3 and I hope you enjoy this chapter too!

And to the Guest reviewer who asked, you'll find out about at least one of Ripley's "talents" by the end of this chapter.

As for Topaz Leaves, I plan on having Ripley get bigger now that she's going to be properly cared for and she will definitely become a... large part of the Doctor's life and adventures *wink wink*

And for the Guest who asked about the breed... well, I've got one in mind (won't be alien, sorry) and I'll probably reveal it in the next chapter! Ripley's hair and paw size are hints (which are relative to body size typically as puppies grow older), by the way, so feel free to guess!

So let me know what you all think! I'm trying to keep dog mannerisms as close to accurate as I can! Having worked with dogs for the last 7 years and having had dogs at home my whole life, I'm getting as much info accurate as I can :) And this will be the last chapter that's mixed episodes. I'm going to try keeping it to one episode a chapter from now on.

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The Doctor knelt down by Ripley's side, his hand hovering over the dog in uncertainty. He felt guilty for getting her stuck in this mess. If he'd just kept her on the Tardis, she wouldn't have had to go through so much pain. And now…

"You are proof," a Cyberman declared, making him glance up at it with a glare.

"Of what?"

"That emotions destroy you."

"Yeah, I am. Mind you, I quite like hope. Hope's a good emotion. And here it comes."

A group of men dressed in commando gear appeared, taking out the Cybermen and the Doctor stood in relief.

"Doctor? Good to see you again," Jake smirked. "The Cybermen came through from one world to another, and so did we."

It wasn't good, not by any means, but it gave him a chance to get the others safe. He had options now, whereas before he had none. Now, he could at least try and save the world. There was a soft whimper then, drawing his gaze back down towards Ripley as the dog opened her eyes and shifted to try and get up.

"Whoa, now. Don't get up. You're hurt." He knelt down, trying to stop her, but she let out a small growl.

It wasn't threatening though. No, it was more a frustrated grumble of complaint.

"Ripley, please. You shouldn't be moving."

Yet the stubborn pup pushed herself onto wobbly feet, taking a moment to steady herself before starting for the door.

The Doctor was a little confused. He wanted to just pick her up and keep her with him, but he worried that trying to force that would make her more anxious and cause further harm to whatever injuries the Cyberman gave her. So, despite the rolling in his gut, he let her walk out, hoping she knew what she was doing and would manage to stay safe long enough for him to get her out of here. She deserved far better than what she'd got, and he was determined to make sure she got it this time.

---

It hurt. My side, my chest, everything. I wasn't fit enough for this sort of thing, but here I was being reckless. My parents called me that. Reckless. I suppose that's just the kind of person I am; having been told I was going to die after only a few months, a few years. I took that and I ran with it. I pretended I would die every day and treated my life as such. And now, I was doing it again.

I left the Doctor because I felt it necessary to see if there was anything I could do for Jackie and maybe even Yvonne. Yes, I hated her for what she'd done to me and maybe it was just the months of brainwashing that made me want to help her, but I was determined to be a good person—a good dog—if today was going to be my last day.

My breath rattled in my chest, sending pain up my body, but I followed their scent until it became mixed with blood. I grimaced, peering around the corner where the Cybermen had been processing people, but Jackie's scent had turned off away from there. She'd escaped. Yvonne hadn't.

I moved away unnoticed, trailing after Jackie's scent as it moved for the stairwell. I grimaced at the thought of taking the stairs in my condition but powered through it and went as quickly as I could. I knew it still wasn't safe for her, so until I found her, I'd keep going. The Doctor had trusted me to keep her safe and I'd already failed once. I wasn't about to fail again.

Then, I finally spotted her and let out a sigh of relief. I pushed myself up the stairs and let out a bark to alert her, startling her in the process.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" She complained, but a look of relief overcame her features. "I'm glad you're okay though."

She hesitated but knelt down and offered her hand which I sniffed before nudging it with my head to get pet. She too was a good person. I could tell and she reminded me of my own mother except, well, a bit louder. We started going back up the stairs though when I heard the Cybermen stomping around, and I led the way cautiously. Then, Jackie's phone went off and she answered it in a panic.

"Oh my god, help me!" She wailed. "They tried to download me, but I ran away! A-And your dog showed up."

She gave me a look, then furrowed her brows at whatever the Doctor had said.

"I don't know. Staircase?"

He wants to know where we are. I looked around and spotted N3 on a wall, moving towards it and barking to get Jackie's attention.

"It says N3… No, wait! Don't leave me!" She cried out before stuffing her phone back. "That ungrateful…"

She huffed and we continued up the stairs, but I was starting to wear down. It was harder for me to get a full breath now, and I feared that I may have broken a rib. Then, Cybermen stomped down from above and when I turned, there were more below us. I rushed at a door, barking for Jackie to get it open and we hurried out into a corridor.

Two more Cybermen faced us and I moved in front of Jackie with a growl. I wouldn't let them take her again.

"You will be upgraded," they said.

"No, but you can't! Please!"

I threw myself forward, jumping up and biting down as hard as I could on the joint connecting the robot's hand and arm. It shook me for a minute, but I refused to let go until it grabbed me by the neck and threw me aside. I hit the wall with a yelp, struggling to get back up as my vision shifted dangerously. No. No, I have to stop them. Then, they were both shot and collapsed, revealing a number of others.

I sank back to the ground in relief, seeing the Doctor among them. Said man rushed over to me, looking absolutely torn. I felt bad for making him feel that way, lightly licking his hand in apology and earning a small soft smile in return as he carefully picked me up.

"You're a troublemaker, aren't you?" He murmured, as Rose headed over.

"Is she okay?"

"I'll need to look her over in the Tardis. Her breathing is shallow, which isn't good. She might have broken a rib." He shot me a stern look. "Which means no more heroics for you."

I let out a huff, not having anything planned after what I'd just gone through. So, I was more than willing to rest under one of the desks curled up in the Doctor's jacket when we made it back up to where the levers for the Ghost Shift were. Something was going on that I wasn't entirely aware of. I'd really wasted any energy I'd had with those stairs and that final attack on the Cyberman. My body refused to move out of the warmth of the Doctor's coat as Rose and the others disappeared and she alone reappeared.

The Doctor would check up on me every so often but focused mostly on whatever he was doing with the computer he was typing away on. So, one could understand my surprise when there was sudden shouting from the Doctor, startling me onto my feet with hackles raised.

"Rose! Hold on! Hold on!"

My hackles fell and I hurried out from under the desk as fast as my aching body would take me. It was strange to see things flying past and the Doctor and Rose flying sideways as they hung on for their lives. There was no breeze, nothing. Yet, there they were. I shook the oddness of it off and rushed over to where Rose was clinging to a lever, grabbing her shirt in my jaws and attempting to prevent her from potentially flying into whatever vortex was trying to take her. I may not know her well, but she was close to the Doctor and I wasn't about to let something bad happen if I could help it.

But her grip was slipping, and I was only a pup. This force pulling her was too strong and even with me trying to help, when her hands finally slipped, I didn't stand a chance. Her shirt tore and she flew back only to land in a man's arms and vanish. I stared, very much confused as to what had just happened, turning to the Doctor for some guidance but the man was beyond distraught.

I let out a soft whine as he walked right past me—the mystery wind having gone—and he pressed his forehead against the wall. I plodded over to him, sitting at his feet and leaning my head against his leg. He didn't move or speak for a long while, before finally his hand came down and rested on my head, drawing my attention up to him. He was still sad. I could feel it in my bones, and it tore through me just as much. Another wine escaped me, and he scooped me up along with his coat before heading for his Tardis in the basement.

Once there, he flipped a few levers, sending the ship off and letting it drift as he brought me to the medbay. A few scans later confirmed a broken rib and he sighed softly, running his hand through my fur as I was once again put under for him to help. By the time I woke up—torso wrapped securely—I was resting in my dog bed under the jumpseat while the Doctor leaned against the console.

I got up, still feeling his distress as I moved back to his side and nudged his leg. He glanced down at me with tired eyes and again, I leaned up against him, offering my support. He didn't move for a moment before finally, he knelt down, almost collapsing onto his knees as he reached out and held me close. He took in a shuddering breath, hands gripping at my grey fur for what felt like hours.

Only a few minutes had passed though, by the time he pulled away with a small smile that didn't reach his sad brown eyes. I licked his jaw, wishing I could do more to help him and his loss of Rose, but I was only a dog. What could I possibly offer him?

"Don't worry, Ripley. I'm all right."

Liar, I mentally grumbled and he seemed to notice my disgruntled expression because he let out a small chuckle as he pet my head.

"Hey now. You're the one who went through hell because of me being an idiot. I should be the one worried about you."

I scoffed, turning my head away. I'm perfectly fine, thanks. A bit achy, but I'm made of stronger stuff this time around. A broken rib is nothing compared to those attacks I'd get before. I winced at the remembrance of said attacks. Nights curled up gasping for breath as my chest burned and body throbbed—no medicine ever seeming to soothe it for long. Again, the Doctor's hand on my head drew me from my memories and I turned to him curious as to what he wanted now.

"Hungry?"

I peeked up immediately, ears flopping over my forehead a bit as I stood, making him laugh once more.

"Haha, all right. Let's get you fed."

He led the way to the kitchen, and I followed, eager for something more appetizing than the crap they gave me back in that hell tower. Specifically made for enhancing, my ass. Tasted terrible and never helped me with any weight gain. We entered the kitchen and I sat not far from the Doctor as he started up a skillet and the smell of cooking meat overcame my senses, making me drool.

By the time he finished and placed a bowl in front of me, I was very aware of how hungry I was. Even more so when I saw what he'd made. Meat was chopped up and mixed with rice and some carrots and peas. It smelled absolutely heavenly and I went to gobble it down only to pause. What about him?

I looked up, seeing the Doctor just leaning against the counter watching me and I frowned. He has to be hungry too. I'm not about to eat unless he does. So, I sat and stared at him, making him raise a brow.

"What? You don't want it?"

He moved to take the bowl and I hastily rushed over to it, making him stop, but I refused to eat.

"Okay. So, you want it, but why aren't you eating? It's safe, you know. No pills or anything."

Come on. I know you're not that stupid. I paused. Never mind. That's a lie. Gotta remember. I'm a dog. People just don't get it sometimes. I sighed nudging my bowl over to his foot. He raised a brow in confusion as I continued to nudge it until it bumped his shoes and I laid down, looking up at him. Come on, come on. I don't know how else to tell you. He took a thoughtful moment before his eyes widened in understanding.

"Oh! No, I'm fine. I don't need to eat often."

I grumbled. Alien or not, everyone needs to eat. I nudged the bowl again, shooting him a frown. I won't eat until you do. He seemed to get the hint then and sighed, moving back to the skillet.

"Fine, fine. If it'll get you to eat," he complained, making some food himself and sitting at the table. "See? Happy?"

I waited until he ate a bite—exaggerating the movement like a child—before I huffed and went to eat my own food. The Tardis hummed out an amused chuckle at our antics, and once our bellies were full, we returned to the console room and the Doctor got his ship ready to set off.

"What do you think? A nice park in the future? Give you a relaxing trip while your rib settles. We could always do something a little more exciting later."

He didn't sound thrilled, but I knew it was only because he was an adrenaline junkie like I was. I wanted to go somewhere amazing and have an adventure just as much as he did, though for a very different reason. He wanted to forget about Rose for the moment, the fact that she was gone, anyway. It was me who was holding him back. Though he kind of deserves it for getting me in that mess in the first place. Just then, I caught a new scent and turned, rather started to find a red-headed woman in a wedding gown now standing in the Tardis.

"What?" The Doctor gaped, having noticed her as well as I ducked behind his legs with hackles raised.

"Who are you?" She half-shouted, sending my ears flicking back against my head.

"But—"

"Where am I?"

"What?" The Doctor repeated, apparently having nothing better to say.

"What the hell is this place!"

"What?" The Doctor shook his head, stepping forward as I hesitated behind him. "You can't do that. I wasn't—We're in flight. That is, that is physically impossible! How did—"

"Tell me where I am. I demand you tell me right now; where am I!" She shouted, making me step between her and the Doctor with a warning growl. "And keep your dog away from me!"

The Doctor knelt down, grabbing me and tugging me back a bit as he looked her over. "You're inside the Tardis."

"The what?"

"The Tardis."

"The what!"

"The Tardis!" He shouted back, neither helping my anxiety.

I'd begin to shake now, tail tucked under my back legs and tongue licking my lips in uncertainty.

"The what?"

"It's called the Tardis."

The woman scoffed. "That's not even a proper word. You're just saying things."

I mean, she's not wrong. The ship grumbled a complaint making me duck my head a bit.

"How did you get in here?" The Doctor asked, picking me up for now and soothingly running a hand over my head to try and calm me down.

"Well, obviously, when you kidnapped me. Who was it? Who's paying you? Is it Nerys? Oh my God, she's finally got me back. This has got Nerys written all over it," the woman rambled.

"Who the hell is Nerys?"

"Your best friend."

"Hold on, wait a minute. What are you dressed like that for?" The Doctor asked, finally noticing her wedding gown.

"I'm going ten pin bowling. Why do you think, dumbo? I was halfway up the aisle!" She snapped. "I've been waiting all my life for this. I was just seconds away, and then you, I don't know, you drugged me or something!"

"I haven't done anything!"

"I'm having the police on you! Me and my husband, as soon as he is my husband, we're going to sue the living backside off you!"

She rushed for the doors and the Doctor's eyes widened, hastily putting me down and rushing over to stop her.

"No. Wait a minute. Wait a minute! Don't!" He stopped her just before she stepped out into space, clearing his throat as she gaped in shock. "You're in space. Outer space. This is my spaceship. It's called the Tardis," he explained, eyeing me as I looked between the two hesitantly. "And that's Ripley, by the way."

Is now really the time for introducing me, Doc? I thought with a small frown as she spoke.

"How am I breathing?"

"The Tardis is protecting us."

"Who are you?"

"I'm the Doctor. You?"

"Donna," she murmured.

"Human?"

"Yeah. Is that optional?"

"Well, Ripley is a dog and I'm not human," he hummed, closing the doors for now.

"You're an alien?"

"Yeah."

"I don't understand that, and I understand everything. This, this can't happen! There is no way a human being can lock itself onto the Tardis and transport itself inside. It must be—" The Doctor grabbed something from the console and looked into her eyes with it, but I could sense it.

She was slowly losing patience with him and about a second away from panicking. And if I knew anything about panicking humans, they tended to lash out. The Doctor would be in trouble if she did.

"Impossible. Some sort of subatomic connection? Something in the temporal field? Maybe something pulling you into alignment with the Chronon shell. Maybe something macro mining your DNA within the interior matrix. Maybe a genetic—"

Sure enough, Donna swung a hand around and slapped the Doctor across the face, sending me right up between them barking like mad and making her step back with tears in her eyes.

"What was that for!" The Doctor complained over my barking.

"Get me to the church!"

"Right! Fine! I don't want you here anyway! Ripley, knock it off," he chided and I flinched, closing my mouth with a "snap" and shrinking away.

He sighed, kneeling down again and petting me to relax what was undoubtedly an adverse reaction to his shout caused by Yvonne and her training.

"Where is this wedding?" He asked Donna, moving to the console as I kept myself tucked as close to him as I could without tripping him or being in his way.

"Saint Mary's, Hayden Road, Chiswick, London, England, Earth, the Solar System," she snapped, before grabbing something I recognized.

I rushed over, taking it in my jaws as she jumped with a yelp, hanging onto it as well. I growled, trying to get her to let the jacket go, but she held fast.

"Make her stop!"

The Doctor turned, surprised, before hurrying over and grabbing the jacket as well. "Ripley, no. Drop it."

I begrudgingly did, letting him take it from her with sad eyes as Donna huffed.

"I knew it, acting all innocent. I'm not the first, am I? How many women have you abducted?"

"It's my friend's," the Doctor murmured, hanging it back over the railing solemnly.

"Where is she, then? Popped out for a spacewalk?"

"She's gone."

"Gone where?"

"I lost her."

"Well, you can hurry up and lose me!" Donna complained as I growled a little, stopping only when I saw the Doctor's hurt expression.

I headed over, leaning on him once more and even Donna sensed the change.

"How do you mean, lost?" She asked, softer.

The Doctor, of course, dodged the question. "Right. Chiswick."

The Tardis rumbled, letting out a queasy groan that made me look up with a whine. Something's wrong. I fussed a bit more, trying to get the Doctor to notice, but he'd landed the ship and bounded after Donna to the doors. I hesitated before I realized he was leaving without me and let out a grumble as I hurried after him, ducking out just as he hurried back in.

"Recalibrating!" He hollered. "She's digesting. What is it? What have you eaten? What's wrong? Donna? You've really got to think. Is there anything that might've caused this?" He asked not realizing that Donna had just noticed the outside of the ship and comparing it to the inside.

Honestly, am I going to have to babysit him? I mentally complained, turning back as he rambled and setting my eyes on the hem of his coat.

"Anything you might've done? Any sort of alien contacts? I can't let you go wandering off. What if you're dangerous. I mean, have you, have you seen lights in the sky, or did you touch something like something, something different, something strange? Or something made out of a box of metal or. Who're you getting married to? Are you sure he's human? He's not a bit overweight with a zip around his forehead, is he—Ah! Ripley! Bad dog! Bad! Let go!" He wailed, spinning to try and grab me as I clung to the end of his coat.

I hadn't expected to be small enough to not reach the ground once I grabbed hold and desperately kept the coat in my mouth as his movements threatened to fling me off. You idiot! Stop spinning! Finally, he stopped and got a hold of me, allowing me to place my feet safely back on the ground as he huffed, pointing a stern finger at me.

"Don't do that. Biting people's clothes is not nice," he scolded. "Bad."

I shot him an annoyed look before abruptly turning and running out the doors.

"Ah! Ripley!"

If you're not going to pay attention to Donna running off, then I'm going to have to show you, you moron. I skid to a halt behind Donna as the scent of tears brushed past my nose. I felt a bit guilty for treating her so poorly initially. Yes, she yelled a lot, but what would I have done if I'd just been poofed off at my wedding and into a spaceship? I slowly came up beside her—dog instincts demanding a curious sniff—before letting out a mild whine at her sadness. She looked down at me with a sniff and I risked jumping up and putting my front paws on her. Come on. Don't cry. The Doctor might act stupid but he's really nice and I'm sure he can help. Her lip turned up in a slight smile, cautiously reaching out to pet me.

I flinched, wincing when I had the image of one of Yvonne's trainers scruffing me roughly pass through my mind, but Donna waited until I controlled myself and leaned against her hand.

"Donna…" The Doctor murmured, having finally caught up and seeing now why I'd been trying to get his attention.

"Leave me alone. I just want to get married," she grumbled with a sniff.

"Come back to the Tardis."

She shook her head as I hopped down, looking between the two in uncertainty. "No way. That box is too weird."

"It's bigger on the inside, that's all."

Even I shot him a look at that as Donna huffed.

"Oh, is that all?" She snapped, before checking the time. "Ten past three. I'm gonna miss it."

I whined at her feet, shooting the Doctor a look. Do something, you dunce! He scratched his head.

"You can phone them. Tell them where you are."

"How do I do that?"

"Haven't you got a mobile?"

My God, this moron. Wedding dress you bimbo! I barked with an added grumble at the end, making him raise a brow.

"What?"

"I'm in my wedding dress! It doesn't have pockets! Who has pockets? Have you ever seen a bride with pockets? When I went to my fitting at Chez Alison, the one thing I forgot to say was give me pockets!" Donna explained as I rolled my eyes.

Men. I sighed softly, understanding Donna's plight a bit more and why she was just constantly shouting at the Doctor. She was just upset, is all, and didn't really mean any harm. To be honest, she's actually handling this rather well. Most people would've had a breakdown or ran off by now, I'll bet. I lifted my back foot and scratched behind my ear carefully as the two continued to bicker, only to jolt when Donna suddenly took off running.

D-Do I go after her? The Doctor rushed for her, so I begrudgingly trotted along behind him. Relaxing park, he said. Help you heal. Pft. Yeah right. Should've known we'd be running. I pulled to a stop with the two, giving the Doctor a grumble and glare as I panted from the run, and cabs continued to pass Donna up. The Doctor, seeing I was a bit displeased, muttered an apology with a small smile and picked me up to carry me should we start running again.

"And that goes double for your mother!" Donna shouted at a cab we'd climbed into momentarily only to remember we had no money. "I'll have him. I've got his number. I'll have him. Talk about the Christmas spirit."

"Is it Christmas?" The Doctor asked as even I perked up.

Christmas had never been a big deal for me, spending most of the holidays in the hospital until I was released, and even then, it was just another day of traveling. The Doctor sounds pleased though. Favorite holiday maybe? Wonder why he celebrates it if he's alien...

"Well, duh. Maybe not on Mars, but here it's Christmas Eve." Donna grinned then, heading for a phone booth. "Phone box! We can reverse the charges!"

"How come you're getting married on Christmas Eve?"

"Can't bear it. I hate Christmas. Honeymoon, Morocco. Sunshine, lovely." She frowned at the phone. "What's the operator? I've not done this in years. What do you dial? 100?"

I wiggled in the Doctor's arms allowing myself to be let down where I jumped up and pawed the 100 buttons, making the dial tone play on the phone, much to their surprise.

"Now, how did you know that?" The Doctor mused, scooping me up once more when I winced in pain.

Damn ribs. Donna though was absolutely stunned.

"That's bloody amazing! What kind of dog is that? Some alien one?"

Oi, I complained with a grumble.

"Don't know, actually. Never looked up her breed, but she's just a dog, honest. Smart as a whip though, so maybe a bit more than just a dog."

I didn't like the look he gave me, remembering when Yvonne had a similar one and what happened after. The Doctor must have noticed my unease though—my ducking in his arms and ears flicking back apparently warning him—and his expression lightened.

"Wonder if she knows any tricks?"

I mentally deadpanned, suddenly feeling like the Doctor was really just a kid in an adult's body, but his comment did the trick. He'd distracted me as he bounded to an ATM line to get money.

"You certainly understand me well enough," he mused out loud, giving me a look. "Hard to believe you're just that clever."

Again, rude. I used to be human, you know. I leaned up and nipped his chin lightly at his insult, earning a crinkle of his nose before he tapped my snout.

"No biting."

Please it was hardly biting, and you deserved it for insulting my intelligence. I huffed, turning my head away stubbornly as he rolled his eyes and set me down to work his magic on the ATM. I, meanwhile, glanced around the bustling city. The Doctor probably hadn't planned on testing me with crowds anytime soon, but the sidewalks were a little busy. I glanced over at Donna though, and my eyes widened. I barked, trying to get the Doctor's attention and tugging on his pants when he ignored me. When he went to scold me though, he saw what I did, which was Donna climbing into a cab.

"Donna!"

We both saw a group of Santas pointing their brass instruments at us and I wasn't sure what was going on until the Doctor broke the ATM throwing money everywhere and drawing an even bigger crowd. I immediately sank down to the ground, eyes wide and tail tucked in the chaos before arms wrapped around me and pulled me to the Doctor's chest. A sigh of relief escaped me as we slipped away from the crowd and into the Tardis. Hold on, what about Donna? I wondered, barking a few times at the doors, but the Doctor sent the ship into flight and shushed me.

"Don't worry, Ripley. We're going to get her. Something is very, very wrong if those Santas are here."

What? Santas? I was greatly confused but had no way of questioning what he meant as the Tardis jolted with a groan. I moved to my bed, lying down to keep from being flung all over the console room as the Doctor navigated the controls. Something sparked, making me flinch at the Tardis's complaint as the Doctor hit it with a hammer.

"Behave."

She's doing her best, you know, I complained, grumbling, and he pointed at me—not lifting his eyes from the controls.

"Don't you side with her."

I'll side with whoever I want, thanks, I huffed before I spotted him making for the doors while the ship was still in flight. H-Hold on. Are you mad! I bolted up from my bed and hurried to him as he opened the doors, flying the Tardis with a bit of rope while we hovered over the roadway bounding after the cab holding Donna. O-Oh, God. Not a fan of falling out of here, Doc! I swallowed thickly, grabbing the Doctor by the pant leg and hanging on in a vain attempt to keep him from falling out as well as giving myself an anchor should the ship jolt.

"Open the door!" He called to Donna.

"I can't! It's locked!" Came Donna's muffled voice from the cab and I saw the Doctor trying to pull out his sonic only to fumble it.

It flew toward the door and I hated what I was about to do. I let the Doctor go and rushed for it, catching it just before it hit the ground and skidding on the grating as I tried to turn around. My back legs slipped out of the doors and my chest hit the floor, making me cringe in pain as well as making my heart rush in fear.

"Ripley!"

My eyes met the Doctor's fearful ones and that was all I needed to gather my courage to try and scramble back in. Finally, my foot caught on the rim and I heaved myself in, diving for the Doctor in a panic and practically wrapping myself around his legs as he took the sonic from my mouth and used it to open Donna's window.

"Good job, Ripley! Donna, you need to jump!"

"I'm not blinking flip jumping. I'm supposed to be getting married!"

The cab sped up and the Doctor grimaced, adjusting the rope in his hand and making the ship complain even louder, causing me to wince and tuck myself closer to the Doctor. I hated being underfoot, but after that last stunt, I'd rather he step on me than fall out of the ship over a busy motorway.

"Listen to me! You've got to jump!" He ordered Donna when we'd caught up once more.

"I'm not jumping on a motorway!"

"Whatever that thing is, it needs you. And whatever it needs you for, it's not good! Now, come on!" He shouted, growing impatient as she eyed the door in uncertainty.

"I'm in my wedding dress!"

"Yes, you look lovely! Come on!"

She begrudgingly opened the door and the Doctor reached out for her as I finally moved away from him. I didn't want to risk getting crushed by the both of them, nor cause Donna to fall because I messed them up.

"I can't do it."

"Trust me."

"Is that what you said to her? Your friend? The one you lost? Did she trust you?"

"Yes, she did. And she is not dead. She is so alive. Now, jump!"

Donna finally jumped in and the Doctor hurried to move the Tardis away as the doors slammed shut and I hurried to check on Donna. I gave her a look over, ensuring she was all right before licking at her hand in relief. Thank god, she's okay. Damn, I've gotten attached, haven't I? She seemed to relax a bit as well, petting me either to comfort her own racing heart or to reassure me, I didn't know. I was still trying to recover from nearly falling out of the ship.

The Tardis finally landed, and we stepped out onto a roof, giving the three of us a chance to think about what had happened and what this meant, as the Doctor put out the fires his hectic driving had caused.

"The funny thing is, for a spaceship, she doesn't really do that much flying. We'd better give her a couple of hours. You all right?" He asked Donna when he finished.

"Doesn't matter," she muttered, making me frown and lick her hand again.

Yes, it does. She cracked a sad smile at me, running her hand over my fur and down my back as I lay at her side.

"Did we miss it?" The Doctor asked hesitantly.

"Yeah."

"Well, you can book another date."

"Course we can."

"You've still got the honeymoon."

"It's just a holiday now."

"Yeah. Yeah, sorry," he muttered, sitting down beside us and giving me a scratch with a fond smile. "Looks like you won Ripley over. That takes some doing. She's not very trusting of others, especially not recently."

I shot him a look, licking his hand once. Don't start you moron. I may not be trusting, but I can tell a decent person from a bad one. He smiled fondly, scratching me behind my ear and I knew I wouldn't be able to hold a grudge against the moron I was stuck with. Not that I mind. It's better than being alone, I suppose.

"God, you're skinny," Donna complained after the Doctor slipped his coat over her shoulders politely. "This wouldn't fit a rat."

He ignored the comment and pulled a ring out of his pocket, making Donna and I scowl. "Oh, and you'd better put this on."

"Oh, do you have to rub it in?"

"Those creatures can trace you. This is a bio-damper. Should keep you hidden. With this ring, I thee bio-damp," the Doctor explained, making Donna snort as he slid the ring onto her finger.

"For better or for worse. So, come on then. Robot Santas, what are they for?"

Yeah. I kinda want to know too. Sounded liked the Doctor recognized them. I glanced at the Doctor curiously and he hummed.

"Ah, your basic robo scavenger. The Father Christmas stuff is just a disguise. They're trying to blend in. I met them last Christmas."

"Why, what happened then?"

"Great big spaceship hovering over London? You didn't notice?"

"I had a bit of a hangover."

Hold on. Robots and spaceships at Christmas? How crazy is this world? My mind spun at the thought, even though I was with the Doctor and his already impossible ship, it was still crazy just how different this world was to mine.

"I spent Christmas Day just over there, the Powell Estate, with this family. My friend, she had this family. Well, they were. Still, gone now," the Doctor muttered, talking about Rose, no doubt and I leaned against him a little more—accepting the idle petting he gave me.

"Your friend, who was she?"

Again, the Doctor dodged the question. "Question is, what do camouflaged robot mercenaries want with you? And how did you get inside the Tardis? I don't know. What's your job?"

I yawned as he and Donna discussed things, him somehow still unable to help being rude about it. I'd just started to doze off when the Doctor bolted to his feet, making me groan.

"Come on, Ripley. We've gotta get Donna to her wedding reception. You can take a nap later."

I muttered a complaint, wincing slightly when I got up and stretched before the Doctor gave me a soft smile and reached out towards me.

"Want a lift?"

I gratefully climbed into his arms, licking his jaw in thanks as he carried me down off the roof and into a cab.

"So, where did you get Ripley?" Donna asked, petting my head as we drove. "She's… nice now that she's not barking at me. And what happened to her?"

"Oh, I just sort of picked her up off the streets, really. She'd hurt her leg back then but…" The Doctor gave me a sad look as I peered at him through half-lidded eyes, wondering what he'd say. "I made a mistake, and because of that mistake, she got hurt and mistreated."

Idiot. I already forgave you. I nudged his hand with my nose, flipping it onto my head once more.

"Well, it seems like she's already forgiven you," Donna hummed with a smile. "And she's nice for a street dog. Maybe that's why she likes you. You might be her first friend."

The Doctor blinked and surprise, looking down at me as I pointedly tried to hide my embarrassment at how true that statement was. Thankfully, the cab arrived, and I was the first one to scramble out, having gotten claustrophobic in the small space and with what had been discussed. The Doctor just chuckled though, dropping the discussion for now and allowing Donna to lead us into the reception hall.

We had all expected everyone to be worried and uncertain of what they should be doing with Donna having vanished from the wedding, but what we found instead made me sick to my stomach. Everyone was laughing and having fun, dancing, and eating as if Donna hadn't disappeared at all. Even her fiancé was dancing with another woman which made my hair stand on end as I growled.

"You had the reception without me?" Donna said with a voice far smaller than how she'd greeted the Doctor and me, making my hackles fall and my eyes turn to her sadly.

Everyone stopped when they saw her, growing sheepish.

"Donna, what happened to you?" Her fiancé asked.

What did the Doctor say his name was? Lance? And he… he works at someplace that makes keys? Damn. I should have paid more attention when they were talking before. I fidgeted at the Doctor's side, wanting to protect Donna from the people who'd hurt her, but knowing I had to restrain myself because they were her friends and family. Even the Doctor seemed a little hesitant after introducing himself as Donna looked to us in hurt disbelief.

"They had the reception without me."

"Yes, I gathered."

"Well, it was all paid for. Why not?"

"Thank you, Nerys," Donna drawled to her friend.

"Well, what were we supposed to do?" A blonde woman asked, undoubtedly Donna's mother, but her tone had my hackles rising once more. "I got your silly little message in the end. I'm on Earth? Very funny. What the hell happened? How did you do it? I mean, what's the trick, because I'd love to know."

What the hell kind of family is this? I questioned, brows furrowed and the hair on my back raised on end defensively. They should have been worried! Why are they getting upset with her! The Doctor winced, hastily kneeling down and trying to calm me.

"Calm down, Ripley. I don't want to have to leave you in the Tardis because they felt threatened."

But they're picking on Donna! I can feel it! She's upset about this. She might be playing it off now, but she's angry and sad. Do something! I whined, ears pressed back on my head, but then Donna promptly burst into tears and all the snide comments turned to comforting words. It was Donna winking at the Doctor that calmed me down and confirmed my feelings towards her. She is the absolute best. Can we keep her, Doc? I looked up at him, catching his smile and the small shake of his head in amusement as the reception continued and he moved to borrow someone's phone and then watch as everyone danced. I sensed his morose feelings and let out a soft whine, leaning against his leg and getting a pet for my attempt to comfort him. He's probably thinking about Rose. I wish I had a chance to get to know her better since he seems to like her so much. She must've been a good person.

He asked a man for his phone and then frowned, something that made me flip his hand with my nose. What is it? What has you so bothered? His gaze drifted then, allowing that sorrow from before soak in before I jumped up and placed my paws on his leg. He looked to me, cracking the slightest hint of a smile and patting my head. He then wandered off to look at a video camera as I tottered along behind him—being careful to keep my distance from the other partygoers. And their children. Lord knows how much of a pain kids can be for dogs. I spotted a young child eyeing me and tugging on his mother's dress and hastily ducked to the other side of the Doctor, only for him to suddenly bolt.

More running? He's going to be the death of me, I mentally complained, rushing after him and wishing I could hear anything over the noise of the party music to find out what was going wrong. He looked out a window—one to high up for me to try and peer through—then hurried back out, screaming Donna's name.

"Donna! Donna, they've found you."

I whined, looking around uneasily at the thought but dutifully standing guard over Donna.

"But you said I was safe!"

"The bio-damper doesn't work. We've got to get everyone out."

"My God. It's all my family," Donna breathed as the Doctor rushed off.

"Out the back door!"

Donna and I hurried out with him, but I immediately started barking at the Santa's heading for us.

"Maybe not."

You think! I grumbled as he pulled the doors closed and moved for another window with a grimace at what he saw outside.

"We're trapped," Donna breathed, sending ice through my veins as I whined anxiously. I didn't do well trapped.

"Christmas trees," the Doctor said then, drawing my confused gaze to him as I had no idea what he meant.

"What about them?" Donna asked, just as lost as I was.

"They kill." The Doctor whipped to the children playing with said trees, shouting for them to get away and herding them off with Donna as I barked to spook them off.

Donna's mother didn't look convinced, scoffing.

"Oh, for God's sake, the man's an idiot. And will someone control that mongrel? How'd it even get in here anyway?"

I growled at the woman even as the Doctor moved in front of me protectively, making my heart swell with warmth.

"What harm's a Christmas tree going to—Oh." Donna's mother blinked in surprise as the baubles on the tree floated off.

People were awed by the sight until they swooped at the crowd and exploded. Panic ensued, leaving me lost as I got separated from the others, people tripping over me and knocking me around. I struggled to find the Doctor or Donna, before finally just finding a small crevice under a knocked-over table and hoping I'd be safe. God, what the hell is going on? Explosions? Crazy Santa's? I-I don't understand! And know I'm separated from the one man who might know. Then, everything went quiet and I hesitantly peered out from behind my shelter, seeing the backs of the Santa's all lined up and facing the front stage. A head of brown popped up over the sound system and I felt my worry grow for the Doctor as he faced them with what could only be either bravery or stupidity.

"Oi! Santa!"

Definitely stupidity, I thought, unable to help a small upturn to my lips at the Doctor's antics.

"Word of advice. If you're attacking a man with a sonic screwdriver, don't let him near the sound system."

A sonic what? Was the only thought to pass through my head before an ear-piercing screech had me crying out and desperately trying to cover my ears or escape from it. I backed up, shaking my head with whines of pain, bumping into something, and immediately panicking. I bolted from my hiding place, skidding on the smooth floor and just running. The sound echoing through the speakers didn't stop for much too long and by the time it had, I was curled up as small as I could nearest the front door behind a curtain.

I felt someone rush past, tensing out of fear because my ears were still ringing, and I couldn't hear. They didn't stop though and continued on as I whined, wishing the Doctor would find me and just keep me safe because I had no idea what to do.

---

Donna hurried after the Doctor, only to stop near the door. She heard whining, like a small animal in pain, and remembered that the Doctor hadn't been alone.

"Ripley?" She called out, looking around for the puppy and following its cries.

She found her curled up behind a curtain, pulling it away with sad eyes even as the dog shrank away and bared her teeth in a snarl—trying to appear as threatening as a scruffy-haired grey pup could.

"It's all right," Donna said, reaching out slowly and waiting for the dog to recognize her. "It's just me. That blooming idiot Doctor just up and left you, didn't he? I'll give him a right smack for that, but he'll want you with him, I think."

The pup slowly started to come out, wincing when people began to move past her but Donna called to the puppy all the same.

"It's okay. I'll get you to him safe. Promise."

Finally, the dog was close enough to lick at her fingers, allowing her to carefully pick her up. Donna let out a sigh of relief, glad the dog had grown to be this comfortable around her or this process would have taken far longer. Donna hurried out to the yard, finding the Doctor and scowling at him.

"There's someone behind this, directing the roboforms," the Doctor said as she approached.

"You left her."

"Sorry?" The Doctor turned, only to see the quivering dog in her arms and guilt welled in his gut. "Oh… Oh, Ripley. I… I'm sorry. I didn't even think—"

Donna scoffed. "You didn't think all right. She was all curled up behind a curtain. You're lucky I found her and not someone else. She was about ready to attack someone."

The Doctor reached out, hesitating on touching the quivering back of the puppy who's face was hidden in Donna's dress, pulling away at the last second.

"But why is it me?" Donna asked, seeing that he was struggling with something and hoping to fix this mess that had occurred with the robots. "What have I done?"

"If we find the controller, we'll find that out," the Doctor explained, using his sonic and spotting Ripley tense in Donna's arms. Must have been earlier, with the sound system. Blimey, I hadn't even considered what it'd do to a dog's sensitive ears. "It's up there."

With his arm aimed up at the sky, he frowned as the sonics signal faded, drawing him back to her as she spoke with her husband.

"I've lost the signal. Donna, we've got to get to your office. HC Clements. I think that's where it all started. Lance! Is it Lance? Lance, can you give me a lift?" He asked, and the four of them hurried to his car. "Right, then. How're your ears, Ripley?" The Doctor asked, sonicking the dog beside him quickly and sighing softly. "There. Should be clearing up now, eh girl?"

Ripley shifted in Donna's arms, finally peering out with frightened and confused blue eyes. For a second, the Doctor saw such a wide range of intelligence in them that he felt as though a scared person were looking back, but then it was gone as the Doctor slipped her way into his arms with a whine.

"I know. I'm sorry. Big idiot, me. I didn't even think about your poor ears."

"Is she okay?" Donna asked, and the Doctor nodded, smoothing back Ripley's ears as the pup nuzzled against his neck.

"Yeah, she'll be all right. Was probably panicked because she couldn't hear very well. Dogs have better senses than us, so the sound I made over the speakers was a bit too much."

"You still left her though," Donna frowned, and he winced.

"I've gotten used to her following right behind me. Didn't even notice she'd gotten lost in the panic. I won't do it again."

The dog pushed off him a bit, eyeing him and he cracked a sheepish smile.

"I'll try not to, anyway."

Ripley bit lightly onto his nose, sharp puppy teeth still enticing the slightest bit of pain and making him tug her off with a finger bopping her snout.

"No biting."

The pup huffed but seemed more relaxed than earlier, which he counted as a success. She still looked a bit confused though and he began to wonder. Hm, how about a test then? They got out of the car and he carried her into H.C. Clements with the other two behind him, starting to explain things.

"To you lot, this might just be a locksmiths, but H. C. Clements was brought up twenty-three years ago by the Torchwood Institute."

Sure enough, he felt Ripley stiffen in his arms at the name, giving her a comforting squeeze before setting her down so he could use one of the computers—explaining to Donna who they were because apparently, she'd missed out on the entire battle of Canary Wharf.

"That big picture, Donna. You keep on missing it. Torchwood was destroyed, but HC Clements stayed in business. I think someone else came in and took over the operation." He smacked the second computer, hearing a grumble from Ripley and sending the pup a smirk over the computer. Definitely understands more than a dog should.

"But what do they want with me?" Donna asked, desperate for answers.

"Somehow you've been dosed with Huon energy. And that's a problem because Huon energy hasn't existed since the Dark Times. The only place you'd find a Huon particle now is a remnant in the heart of the Tardis. See? That's what happened. Say, that's the Tardis and that's you." The Doctor picked up a mug and a pencil, hoping to explain things better because even Ripley looked lost. "The particles inside you activated. The two sets of particles magnetized and whap." He dropped the pencil into the mug and rattled the two. "You were pulled inside the Tardis."

"I'm a pencil inside a mug?"

"Yes, you are. 4H. Sums you up."

"Aroo."

He lifted a brow at Ripley, who proceeded her verbal complaint with a grumble of disapproval. She's just too cute, he mused, looking to Lance. "Lance? What was HC Clements working on? Anything top secret? Special operations? Do not enter?"

The man appeared even more lost than Donna was. "I don't know, I'm in charge of personnel. I wasn't project manager. Why am I even explaining myself? What the hell are we talking about?"

The computer finally started up and the Doctor eyed the information presented to him, giving Ripley a glanced as she reached her paws up to take a peek too.

"They make keys, that's the point. And look at this. We're on the third floor. Underneath reception, there's a basement, yes?" He stood, bounding to the elevator with everyone. "Then how come when you look on the lift, there's a button marked lower basement? There's a whole floor which doesn't exist on the official plans. So, what's down there, then?"

"Are you telling me this building's got a secret floor?" Lance questioned.

"No, I'm showing you this building's got a secret floor," the Doctor quipped back, brows furrowed as he watched Ripley—now standing beside his leg—watching Lance in suspicion.

Or as much suspicion as a dog could express, anyway.

"It needs a key," Donna pointed out, looking at the button and keyhole for the elevator.

"I don't."

The Doctor used his sonic, catching Ripley's ears flicker back and showing the device to her for her to sniff. Can't have her being scared of it since I use it all the time. Once she seemed satisfied, he looked to Donna and Lance.

"Right then. Thanks, you two. I can handle this. See you later."

"No chance, Martian. You're the man who keeps saving my life. I ain't letting you out of my sight," Donna declared, slipping in beside Ripley—who looked like she was almost smirking.

Maybe I'm seeing things?

The Doctor looked up to Lance. "Going down."

"Lance?" Donna asked, waiting for her supposed fiancé to join them.

The man hesitated though. "Maybe I should go to the police."

"Inside," Donna said sharply, and Lance slid into the lift, earning a look from the Doctor.

"To honor and obey?"

"Tell me about it, mate."

"Oi," Donna complained, the same instant Ripley huffed.

Cheeky dog. Definitely going to have to try some things once we're back in the Tardis.

---

I stretched as we exited the lift, glad to be out of it. I didn't care for the small space, nor for Donna's fiancé. My instincts are not comfortable around him. He can't be a decent person, considering he just didn't seem to care she'd gone missing at their wedding. I don't like him, but I'm tolerating him for Donna. So long as he doesn't try anything.

"Oh, look! Transport!" The Doctor chirped and when I saw what he was eyeing, I rolled my eyes. "Oh, don't give me that, Ripley! It'll be fun!"

I grumbled a little as he lifted me up—maneuvering me to lay over his shoulders so he could drive the Segway down the basement halls. Had my ribs been in better shape, I'd have trotted along beside the giggling trio as they rolled away, but I settled for this for now until the Doctor found a ladder. He left me with the married couple as Lance tried to talk Donna out of whatever we were doing, hopping down and explaining where we were.

"Thames flood barrier right on top of us. Torchwood snuck in and built this place underneath."

"What, there's like a secret base hidden underneath a major London landmark?" Donna gaped and the Doctor's response made me think that this wasn't the only one.

"Ooh, look at this! Stunning!"

I followed the Doctor around a lab area, eyeing the bubbling tubes curiously as he rambled on about what they did. He's really got to work on explaining things better. Huon particles? Does he realize half of what comes out of his mouth is nonsense?

"Particle extrusion. Hold on. Brilliant. They've been manufacturing Huon particles. Course, my people got rid of Huons. They unravel the atomic structure."

"Your people?" Lance questioned. "Who are they? What company do you represent?"

I snorted at the thought of the Doctor running a company, earning a cheeky look in response as he answered.

"Oh, I'm a freelancer. But this lot are rebuilding them. They've been using the river. Extruding them through a flat hydrogen base so they've got the end result, Huon particles in liquid form."

"And that's what's inside me?" Donna concluded, the Doctor turning a knob on a small container and making her glow. "Oh, my God!"

"Genius. Because the particles are inert, they need something living to catalyze inside and that's you. Saturate the body and then. Ha!" He suddenly shouted, making me jump and glare when he didn't even care. "The wedding! Yes, you're getting married, that's it! Best day of your life, walking down the aisle. Oh, your body's a battleground! There's a chemical war inside! Adrenaline, acetylcholine. Wham! go the endorphins. Oh, you're cooking! Yeah, you're like a walking oven. A pressure cooker, a microwave, all churning away. The particles reach boiling point. Shazam!"

I didn't even bother to try warning him that Donna was going to most certainly—Yup. She slapped him again.

"What did I do this time?" He pouted, rubbing his face as I scratched behind my ear uncaringly.

"Are you enjoying this?" She scolded him, sighing as he sobered up. "Right, just tell me. These particles, are they dangerous? Am I safe?"

"Yes."

She didn't look convinced. "Doctor, if your lot got rid of Huon particles, why did they do that?"

"Because they're deadly," the Doctor admitted, earning a whine from me as Donna grew fearful.

"I'll sort it out, Donna. Whatever's been done to you, I'll reverse it. I am not about to lose someone else."

I felt concern for him creep up again, but before I could comfort him, a voice spoke out, sending me to my feet with hackles raised.

"Oh, she is long since lost! I have waited so long, hibernating at the edge of the universe until the secret heart was uncovered and called out to waken!"

A door opened to reveal multiple robots with their weapons aimed our way and a large hole in the ground. I growled, moving in front of the Doctor and Donna, but the Doctor gave me a small pat on the head, seemingly unbothered by the threat looming over our heads.

"Someone's been digging. Oh, very Torchwood," the Doctor hummed, moving to look down the hole. "Drilled by laser. How far down does it go?"

"Down and down, all the way to the center of the Earth!" The voice hissed.

"Really? Seriously? What for?"

"Dinosaurs," Donna breathed then, making the Doctor and I both look to her like she was mad.

"What?"

"Dinosaurs?" She tried again.

"What are you on about, dinosaurs?"

I rolled my eyes, letting them bicker as I tried to understand what exactly was happening. That voice doesn't sound human, but they must be, right? I'm hearing English, after all. Ugh, being a dog can be such a pain sometimes. No one bothers to explain anything properly.

"I didn't come all this way to talk on the intercom. Come on, let's have a look at you!" The Doctor called out.

"Who are you with such command?"

"I'm the Doctor."

"Prepare your best medicines, doctor man, for you will be sick at heart."

There was a brief flash of light before a large spider-like creature appeared above us, hissing and spitting as it waved its legs and head about. I shrank a bit, knowing when I was outmatched but not wanting to leave the Doctor or Donna out of fear of all things.

"Racnoss," the Doctor breathed, drawing my attention to him as he seemed to recognize the creature. "But that's impossible. You're one of the Racnoss?"

"Empress of the Racnoss," the spider-woman hissed.

What the hell's a Racnoss? My helpful mind supplied. And if she's alien—which is a guess on my part, but it's not like anyone could understand if I asked—then why can I understand her?

"If you're the Empress, where's the rest of the Racnoss? Or, are you the only one?" The Doctor questioned, his confidence allowing me to gather up the shreds of my own.

It's fine, right? If he's not running away, then she's either not a threat or he has a plan… right? I licked my lips anxiously, ensuring that I had my own route out should anything separate us like before.

"That's it, the last of your kind. The Racnoss come from the Dark Times, billions of years ago. Billions. They were carnivores, omnivores. They devoured whole planets."

Okay, definitely a threat then, so he has a plan… I hope. Donna breathed out in shock as the Doctor pointed out someone hanging up above, but my gaze didn't leave the spider or the Santa's who hovered just off to the side with their weapons ready.

"You shouldn't even exist. Way back in history, the fledgling Empires went to war against the Racnoss they were wiped out."

"Except for me," the Empress hissed, and my eyes caught movement near her.

Lance was nearby with an ax, something that rang bells in my mind. Him? Having a backbone? There's no way. He couldn't fight back when Donna wanted him in the lift, much less be somehow brave enough to go against a giant alien spider queen… unless… I growled low in my throat, but Donna's shouting covered it up.

"But that's what I've got inside me, that Huon energy thing. Oi! Look at me, lady, I'm talking. Where do I fit in? How come I get all stacked up with these Huon particles? Look at me, you! Look me in the eye and tell me."

"The bride is so feisty," the Empress hissed.

"Yes, I am! And I don't know what you are, you big thing, but a spider's just a spider and an ax is an ax! Now, do it!"

Lance lifted the ax, but stopped and laughed as the Empress joined in, making me growl. Damn him. I knew my instincts were right. Fucking prick.

"What?" Donna breathed in disbelief, but the Doctor didn't look surprised, just glancing at her with sympathy.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? Lance, don't be so stupid! Get her!"

"God, she's thick. Months I've had to put up with her. Months. A woman who can't even point to Germany on a map," Lance complained, making me bark and growl in a way that undoubtedly would have made a sailor blush if I could say the curses I wanted to spit at him.

I felt a bit of pride though when he flinched; the Doctor explaining to Donna that he'd been the one to put the Huon particles in her. Needless to say, the Doctor had to hold me back from running up there—spider queen or not—and tearing my teeth into lance as he complained about Donna.

"But I love you," Donna said, voice broken as Lance scoffed.

"That's what made it easy. It's like you said, Doctor. The big picture. What's the point of it all if the human race is nothing? That's what the Empress can give me. The chance to go out there. To see it. The size of it all. I think you understand that, don't you, Doctor?"

"Who is this little physician?" The Empress asked Lance, who shrugged.

"She said, Martian."

Oh, I'm sort of homeless," the Doctor drawled, carrying me in his arms and running a hand down my back to try and keep me calm.

I was so pent up now that my side was starting to ache. Screw my ribs! Let me at him! Doing something like that to Donna—someone who'd slipped her way into my heart in a matter of hours—definitely put him on my bad list. First chance I got; I'd be making him pay.

"Kill this chattering doctor man and his little dog too!" The Empress commanded.

"I won't let you hurt him!" Donna shouted as I barked and squirmed in the Doctor's hold in agreement.

"No, no, Donna. It's all right. Ripley, you too," the Doctor said, voice calm and making me hesitate.

What's he got planned?

"Take aim!" The Empress said, the Santa-robots turning towards us and making me lick my lips in uncertainty.

"Well, I just want to point out the obvious," the Doctor tried to explain.

"They won't hit the bride. They're such very good shots."

"Just, just, just, just, just hold on. Hold on just a tick. Just a tiny little, just a little tick. If you think about it, the particles activated in Donna and drew her inside my spaceship. So reverse it, and the spaceship comes to her," the Doctor explained and my eyes went wide as he turned a knob and winked at me.

We were suddenly inside the Tardis and I felt myself sink to the floor in relief as the Doctor set me down and rushed to the controls. Thank God. I don't know what I would've done.

"Oh, do you know what I said before about time machines? Well, I lied," the Doctor said, flying the Tardis somewhere, but I'd moved to Donna who hadn't moved, letting out a soft whine. "And now we're going to use it. We need to find out what the Empress of the Racnoss is digging up. If something's buried at the planet's core, it must've been there since the beginning. That's just brilliant. Molto bene. I've always wanted to see this. Donna, we're going further back than I've ever been before."

The woman was crying though, and I put my paws up on the console with a whine, licking at her hand and shooting the Doctor a look. Come on, Doc. She needs someone to comfort her, and I'm hardly that. He looked hesitant though, eyeing me as though I could solve this. I resisted a sigh, hopping down and leaning up against Donna, nudging her hand as she finally moved to sit down. She wiped at her face, smearing makeup and doing her best to keep quiet when I knew she should be raging at the world for the poor lot she was given. Again, I hopped up—glad my ribs weren't hurting as much—and resting myself over her lap with a whine as she cried.

The Tardis settled, sounding a little worried herself, and the Doctor peered around the center pillar.

"We've arrived. You wanna see?"

Donna wiped at her face one last time, tear tracks remaining, but tears being held back for now. "I suppose."

"Oh, scanner's a bit small. Maybe your way's best. Come on." He encouraged, waiting for her to get up and head to the doors.

I followed, hoping the Doctor knew what he was doing as Donna didn't look to be in the mood for any more of his insane rambles.

"No human's ever seen this. You'll be the first," he said.

"All I want to see is my bed," Donna breathed out tiredly, but I gave her another small nudge to just try and see what the Doctor was offering.

"Donna Noble, welcome to the creation of the Earth," the Doctor announced, opening the doors and allowing us to stare out into the vastness of space.

Even I was stunned, eyeing the rocks floating by and the sun in the distance, lighting up the dust particles in a rainbow of colors. The Doctor lifted me up into his arms, giving me a better view and smiling softly at Donna and me.

"We've gone back four point six billion years. There's no solar system, not yet. Only dust and rocks and gas. That's the Sun, over there. Brand new. Just beginning to burn."

"Where's the Earth?" Donna asked, already sounding a bit better than earlier.

"All around us in the dust."

"Puts the wedding in perspective," Donna huffed. "Lance was right. We're just tiny."

I whined a little, not wanting to agree with her but in the state I was in, I felt even tinier than her.

"No, but that's what you do," the Doctor countered, words drawing us both in. "The human race makes sense out of chaos. Marking it out with weddings and Christmas and calendars. This whole process is beautiful, but only if it's being observed."

"So, I came out of all this?"

"Isn't that brilliant?" The Doctor smiled, ruffling my fur. "Even you, Ripley."

I leaned into the fond touch but remained quiet. But I'm just a dog now… I'm hardly anything. What I missed, was the Doctor's sad look as he watched me.

---

I grumbled in frustration, pacing in the Tardis, and grumbling under my breath. The Doctor had done it this time. He'd left me in the Tardis! While he and Donna had gone off doing the undoubtedly dangerous thing of facing a giant alien spider queen! I was sorely tempted to tear up something of his in revenge for him leaving me back, but I knew that was petty and he was only trying to keep me safe. The Tardis hummed at me too, understanding my anger towards the Doctor. Then, I perked up, hearing a noise and turning. A light green tennis ball rolled by and I fidgeted; dog instincts demanding I take interest but my human mentality scoffing at the thought.

The Tardis chuckled at my dilemma, and another ball was rolled past causing my head to follow it and my tail perked with a single wag. No, no, no. We're not doing this. You're not going to distract me from being angry with the Doctor by—A tennis ball soared overhead, and I jumped, catching the ball and landing with pride. Whoo! Caught it! Another ball flew by and I dropped the first, chasing after it and giving in to the fun as the Tardis hummed in amusement and continued to entertain me. Needless to say, I didn't notice when the Doctor and Donna returned—freezing with the tennis ball in my mouth and maybe twenty more scattered around the console room.

"Well, looks like someone had some fun," the Doctor drawled, smiling at me as I looked away in embarrassment and spat out the tennis ball—glaring at the object as though it had betrayed me.

Damn ship, playing with my dog instincts. The Tardis hummed a chuckle, earning a frown from me as I sat and stubbornly refused to look at the Doctor. He just laughed, patting my head and piloting the ship once more, making me finally look back at him and Donna. I guess the problem with the spider queen is fixed. It's weird though. Donna's eyeing him like something's wrong. I trotted over to her, lifting her hand with my nose to get her attention and she looked down at me with a smile. I leaned into her hand as she gave my head a pat, then followed her and the Doctor out to a street.

"There we go. Told you she'd be all right. She can survive anything," the Doctor hummed, patting the Tardis as I sat by his side.

"More than I've done," Donna mused before the Doctor used his sonic on her.

I really wish he'd explain what the thing does other than just make noise.

"No, all Huon particles have gone. No damage, you're fine."

I let out a soft sigh of relief, glad that Donna would be okay after all this, but starting to feel worried that this was goodbye. She really has grown on me.

"Yeah, but apart from that, I missed my wedding, lost my job, and became a widow on the same day. Sort of," Donna commented, making me realize that Lance hadn't appeared at all.

He died?

"I couldn't save him," the Doctor murmured, looking apologetic and I couldn't have that, licking his hand and earning a soft smile as he picked me up.

Donna smiled as well, looking to the window where her mother was hugging an older man. "I'd better get inside. They'll be worried."

"Best Christmas present they could have. Oh, no. I forgot you hate Christmas."

"Yes, I do."

"Even if it snows?" The Doctor asked, lifting his hand into the Tardis and it shot a light up into the sky causing white flakes to start drifting down, making Donna laugh.

"I can't believe you did that!"

"Oh, basic atmospheric excitation," he hummed.

"Merry Christmas," Donna smiled.

"And you. So, what will you do with yourself now?"

Donna scoffed. "Not getting married, for starters. And I'm not going to temp anymore. I don't know. Travel. See a bit more of planet Earth. Walk in the dust. Just go out there and do something."

Ah, it is goodbye, I realized as the Doctor hummed.

"Well, you could always…"

"What?"

"Come with us?" He offered, lifting me up a little. "Ripley would enjoy some more company."

Donna smiled softly and I knew what her answer would be as she pet my head. "No."

"Okay," the Doctor shrugged, though I could feel his disappointment.

"I can't."

"No, that's fine."

"No, but really," she pressed. "Everything we did today. Do you live your life like that?"

"Not all the time."

"I think you do, and I couldn't."

"But you've seen it out there. It's beautiful," the Doctor pressed, almost trying to convince her otherwise as I nudged his jaw with my nose.

Come on, Doc. Don't be rude.

"And it's terrible. That place was flooding and burning, and they were dying, and you were stood there like… I don't know, a stranger. And then you made it snow. I mean, you scare me to death," Donna said, making me wonder just what had happened down there that I'd missed because the Doctor had been trying to protect me.

"Well, then…"

"Tell you what I will do, though. Christmas dinner. Oh, come on."

"I don't do that sort of thing," the Doctor refused.

"You did it last year. You said so. And you might as well because mum always cooks enough for twenty," Donna pressed.

"Oh, all right then. But you go first. Better warn them. And don't say I'm a Martian. I just have to park her properly. She might drift off to the Middle Ages," the Doctor said, slipping back to the Tardis as Donna smiled knowingly.

We're not staying. I wiggled, squirming in the Doctor's grip until he let go and I bounded to Donna, hopping up with my front legs and licking her face as she smiled and ruffled my fur. Goodbye, Donna. I smiled up at her as best I could before turning to retreat to the Doctor again—the two of us stepping inside and him starting up the engines just for Donna's shout to pull him to a stop.

"Blimey, you can shout," he complained, poking his head out the door with mine by his legs.

"Am I ever going to see you again?"

"If we're lucky," the Doctor smiled. "I don't Ripley would let me get away with avoiding you."

"Oi," Donna chided lightly before his smile fell. "Just promise me one thing… find someone."

"I don't need anyone," the Doctor declared coldly, but I agreed with Donna on this, nipping his ankle and earning a small frown.

"Yes, you do. Because sometimes, I think you need someone to stop you, and Ripley won't always be there to do it or be strong enough to get your attention."

"Yeah," the Doctor mumbled, agreeing before inhaling deeply. "Thanks then, Donna. Good luck. And just… be magnificent."

"I think I will, yeah."

The Doctor closed the door, only to poke back out when she called for him. "Oh, what is it now?"

"That friend of yours, what was her name?"

The Doctor grew solemn, voice cracking. "Her name was Rose."

The door was closed once more and he heaved a heavy sigh, moving to pilot his ship away. Once we were drifting, he leaned heavily against the console and I moved up beside him with a quiet whine. I knew he was thinking about Rose and I leaned on him to try and comfort him. His eyes shifted down to me and he cracked a smile, patting my head.

"I'm all right, but we best check up on you. That was a lot of activity for a healing pup."

I rolled my eyes once he'd led the way to the medbay, allowing him to lift me up onto the bed and remove the wrappings, using his sonic once more—which I pawed at in annoyance.

"Hey. That's a very important scientific device, I'll have you know."

I stopped, eyeing him as though he were fibbing, and he put his hands on his hips.

"If you must know, it's a sonic screwdriver."

So, you've said, but you've yet to explain it—not that you would to a dog, but it'd be nice for me, you prat. The Doctor's lip twitched up and my eyes narrowed. What are you smiling at? His hands dropped and he sat on a chair, rolling it up to the bed and holding out his sonic for me to see.

"It's a sort of scanning device, you see, but it can do all sorts of things. Open locks, decode computers, anything but wood."

I snorted at the thought. An all-powerful multitool that can't do wood? He'd gone quiet though and I looked to him, starting to realize that I may have been a bit too accurate with that timing. His eyes were sharp, mind spinning, and the spark in his gaze bothered me because of how much it reminded me of Yvonne's. I shrank back a little, drawing him out of his gaze as he finally blinked and hummed.

"Now, I understand you being a little clever," he said, voice calm and slow, trying to keep me relaxed as well, I'm sure. "But you're understanding everything I say, aren't you?"

I wasn't sure what to do. Do I risk nodding? Would he do what Yvonne and those others did? He said he wouldn't, but he's a doctor, right? I've seen him with things he doesn't understand, and he faces them head-on without seeming to care about anything that gets in the way. The Doctor sighed, passing a hand through his hair before leaning back—allowing me more space.

"I won't be like them, Ripley," he said quietly. "I would never do that. I swear, even if you are different, I won't do anything you don't want me to."

But… you left me…

He seemed to read my mind, or my hunkered-down hesitant expressions and his eyes turned sad. "I… I hadn't meant for you to get hurt. I thought you wanted to go back out there. If I had known…" He shook his head. "No, it was stupid of me to not have seen it. And I'm sorry, Ripley. I am so, so sorry for what happened to you because of my mistake."

Oh, God. He's blaming himself again? This man… I uncurled, slowly moving closer and lying down as I crawled across the bed, nudging his hand with my nose and earning a small smile from him.

"And all you ever wanted to do was care about me," he muttered. "What am I going to do with you, eh?"

I rolled onto my side, arching my legs up for a belly rub and letting out a little grumble and bark. You're going to keep me around, that's what. And you better spoil me rotten because I'm definitely going to bother you to the ends of the Earth until you're taking care of yourself too. He sighed, smile still present as he dropped his chin onto his arm and I rolled back over, pressing my head to his happily.

"Well, aren't you full of surprises?" He hummed back, making me look at him in question as he smiled, ruffling my head. "I felt that you know. It's not every day a dog can share their emotions."

Say what?