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I hope everyone has been having a fantastic time since the last update. :) Please enjoy the new chapter and have a wonderful day!

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Chapter 62: Monsters Within

Sure enough, Wanda did end up wandering off while exploring some of the shops around Cardiff. She got to feel very much at ease just strolling about. More at peace with herself than she had for years now. To the point where she was starting to feel less numb, and more like her old self. She saw children skipping next to their parents, smiling in watching their happiness. Couples strolling around holding hands, smiling all dreamily at each other. Something she knew she and the Doctor used to do often because of how much their companions always teased them on it. Just people watching through the morning was delightful to her. Not something she ever thought she would like before. Then again, she had been through so much in so long. Perhaps just more simple things were something she needed in her life now.

When she was done exploring and was about to head back to the TARDIS, the warmth and white light surrounded her. Once whisked away, she stood still, blinking away the spots from her vision as she took in where she had arrived to. It appeared to be . . . some sort of hotel? A small frown appeared on her face as she turned slowly around, looking at the corridor she had appeared in. The place appeared very . . . overly Earth. The wallpaper was bland in its cream colour and patterned design. Light fixtures every few steps along the way between doors. Sickly, red-rust coloured carpet with yellow diamond patterns in the mix. It was like a very cheap, very adequate hotel from Earth. Probably 20th, possibly 21st, century. Who knows, though. It could be a year trying to replicate the past. She could not tell. Something about the air was keeping her from knowing the exact date in time. Though she could tell that it was not Earth. That was certain.

She walked down the corridor, trying to think of where the Doctor might be. Or anyone might be, for that matter. It seemed rather . . . empty. Strangely, eerily, empty. There were no sounds made throughout the hotel. Then . . . was it just her, or was the corridor she walked through seemed to be getting longer? She blinked, shaking her head as she pressed on. It was just a trick of the light. Had to be based on how oddly 1980s everything seemed to be. She made turns here and there as she went, glancing at tape players on end tables and vases of fake flowers. Dust lined the place as though it had not been cleaned in a very long time. At this point, instead of wondering where everyone was, she more or less began to question on where the damn exit would be at. There were far too many turns of corridors of her taste. The hotel could not possibly be that big, could it? Not unless it was a dimensional ship disguised as a hotel. That could be it.

As she turned a corner, she came to a halt when facing a shorter hallway leading to a door at the end. There were no other doors down the hallway. Just the one. At the very end. The corridor was darker than the rest. The light fixtures even flickered, dimly lighting up the small hallway. It looked as though the white paint on the door were chipped. As though something had clawed at the door around the sides. The whole thing seemed sinister to her. She glanced at the top of the door, seeing the black plate with the number four on it.

. . . Yeah. No way in hell was she going near that door. It just screamed 'Do Not Enter.' Therefore, she would be promptly going the other way.

Turning on her heel, she marched down the other way, refusing to go with the strange urge for her to go to the door. No way in hell would she go near that thing. Whatever it was, it smelled of trouble. She had enough trouble as it was lately. No need to go gambling with trouble all willy-nilly like she used to. Apparently, however, it seemed as if that door did not wish to go away. For it felt like every time she turned a corner, it was there, waiting for her. By the fourth time of running into the door, she stood there with a huff. Arms crossed and glaring hard, she tapped her foot as she stared the door down. Fine. If the door wanted her to peek in, she would play along. Not like she had anything better to do.

With a sigh, knowing she would regret this, it was a quick step forward for her as she reached the handle. The door slowly creaked open as she looked carefully inside. It looked like any old plain Earth hotel room. Still as bland as the hallways. Same carpet, though different wallpaper as this time it were red with cream patterns. There were two beds inside with red covers. An end table between, a desk in the corner with a lamp, and a wardrobe on the opposite wall from the beds. In the back corner, she could make out a door that would most likely lead to a toilet. Why was this room pushed for her to see? Was there something more inside?

Becoming more confident, she stepped into the door. Glancing around, she wondered if she should begin looking through the desk drawers to see if there were anything important. As she puzzled over this, the door swiftly shut behind her. The moment the door shut, the lights in the room snapped off, leaving her in darkness. She gulped, trying to make out what was in the room but finding it near impossible to see anything. A light then flickered on in the room. It was different from the yellow light from the lamps earlier. This it had more of a dim white colour. She glanced for the source of it but did not see where the light was emanating from. Something caught her eye, however. Something that had not been there when she had first looked into the room. Perhaps it had already been there, though, and she had merely overlooked it?

Very slowly, she stared down at the floor. Her hearts sped up in their beats. Her breathes began to become short as she breathed in and out quicker. Her eyes widened as she stared down at the lump on the floor. Gazing back at her were the dull eyes of Rose Tyler. The girl lay on the floor, twisted in an unnatural way. Clearly dead with the life from her hazel eyes drained away. No. No—this—this had to—to be some kind of trick. Why would Rose be here? It did not make any sense. The lights flickered again. This time changing to River Song. Again, dead. Though with a wound coming from her head for her. Then again, with the flicker of lights, it changed to Amy Pond and Rory Williams. Wanda's breathing picked up as panic started to rush through her. Each time the lights flicker a new companion lay on the floor before her. Each one of them dead in another way. Each death just a horrifying as the first.

Deep, dark chuckling began to ooze from the walls. Wanda backed up against the door, hyperventilating by this point as she saw the dead body changing to the Doctor now. The Doctor she had just left. Nine. Dead. Without any sign of what had killed him. Simply nothing more than lifeless. Cold. Unmoving. Wanda's eyes whipped up when noticing a person standing over Nine's body. Cold terror bore down upon her as she saw herself standing there. Her own eyes lit up in the white glow. Teeth bared wickedly as the dark chuckle came from her lips. The body at her feet changed as her laugh rose in hysteria. Now it was Ten's body, with burn marks all over his face. Then the lights flicker to show Eleven. Dust trickling out of his mouth.

Wanda let out a bloodcurdling scream as she saw the other her let out a howl and a snarl. The exact sound of a wolf coming from her lips.

Wanda's body reacted without her even remotely registering what she was doing. Her hand automatically yanked open the door as her legs pushed her into a full sprint down the hallway. Flight mode pumped through her veins as the sound of her hearts drummed inside her ears. She did not think. Only ran. Ran away from the hellish room as fast as she could. She needed to get away. Far, far away. Whatever that was, it was not real. It could not be real. It could never be real.

"Wanderer!"

No, no, no, no! She had to keep running. It was all a lie! It wanted her to become a monster! She would not become a monster! She would never be a monster! She was not a monster! She let out another scream as she felt rough hands grab at her. She fought against them, wanting to keep running. To keep escaping. To keep fighting against the future that she knew was coming. She was not a monster!

"Wanderer! Please, it's okay. You're okay. I've got you."

Wanda stopped fighting immediately as she suddenly recognized Eleven's soothing voice. She blinked, seeing how he stood in front of her, holding her arms tightly as he stared at her in worriment. Amy and Rory stood just behind him, staring at her in similar concern. The images of their dead bodies played before her eyes. She began to break down, crying as she flung herself forward and wrapped her arms tightly around her Theta. The Doctor merely hushed her gently, rubbing soothing circles as on her back as he held her there in comfort.

"There, there. I've got you now. Whatever you saw it wasn't real. None of this is real. Don't let the fears overrun you," spoke the Doctor soothingly. He rocked her in place, trying to bring her back down into calmness. He glanced back at the companions behind him. "Amy, Rory, get back to reception. We'll be with you both shortly."

"Yeah, sure," said Rory, nodding as he turned to do just that. Amy bit her thumb for a moment, appearing torn to let the Doctor and Wanda alone in the hallway. But soon she turned to go be with her husband. The Doctor remained where he was, continuing in trying to sooth his Wanderer. It appeared to him that she had found her room. This made him fearful. Would she begin to be corrupted just as Howie and Joe had? Whatever her fear had been, it must have been something awful for her to break down in such a way.

"You're okay now. I promise," he whispered gently. She pulled back sniffling, staring up at him with wide eyes.

"Theta," she murmured just above her breath. He smiled at her, stroking a hand through her hair. Before he could say anything, she grabbed the back of his head and brought him down into a passionate kiss. It was desperate. As though she were trying to reassure herself that he was there with her. He stroked the side of her face, kissing her back with just as much vigour. It had been a while with being around a Wanda who loved to kiss him. It was something he had been wanting to do such since Second Wanda had died by in 1938. But running into First Wanda had kept him from being more, ah, zealous with his Wanderer.

"Feeling better?" he asked mildly, pleasantly smiling after they had finished and pulled away. Each of their cheeks was flushed as both felt breathless.

"No, but I'm getting there," she replied in humour, trying to give him her best smile. "Maybe I need another kiss?"

"When we get out of here, I'll give you all the kisses you want," he promised, smiling cheekily at her. His famous boyish smile flashing so brilliantly. Even though he and the Ponds had gone through something horrible while stuck in this strange fake hotel, just having his Wanderer back with him made everything feel a little better.

He held onto her hand tightly as he steered her down the hallway. Wanda glanced at their clasped hands, feeling a stab of guilt. Was it wrong of her to have kissed a younger Eleven when she and future Eleven were not really . . . close anymore? It felt like cheating on him, in a strange sense. Though, one would probably think of any time she had been with young Doctors would be 'cheating.' Wibbly wobbly, timey wimey. So complicated their timeline was. It was just . . . she missed the contact so much . . . She felt happy to even feel their bond connecting strongly. No flinching or pulling away from her as he would do in the future. Oh, how she would miss this.

As she saw more of the hotel along beside the Doctor, it came to her where exactly they were. She was surprised she had not realized it the moment she had arrived here. She should have recognized it, but then again . . . she had been rather absent on recalling old memories lately. It had been some time since having to constantly be a part of old adventures that she knew off hand. It dawned on her that most likely through the rest of the Doctor's timeline that she would be a part of she would have to rely more on her powers to know what was happening than simple memories.

So it appeared she had arrived at the hotel of the Minotaur. Or rather the prison of the old creature. A prison made to keep the creature away from the planet it once ruled. With the prison supplying the Minotaur with people of strong faiths or beliefs. Each one of them here—besides Rory—would have a room that represented their greatest fears. Pushing them into holding onto their faiths so that way the Minotaur could slowly begin to feast on said beliefs. Until the point where he had almost consumed their faiths and twisted their minds to begin believing in him instead. So that way, he could consume the rest of their energy from them. She knew it was not something the Minotaur truly wanted though after eons of living. It was merely an instinct at this point. His powers worked on their own, keeping him alive even though he wished for death.

"Who's . . . Who's still alive?" Wanda questioned carefully, uncertain if she had time to keep the four others in the hotel alive.

"We've lost Joe and Howie," the Doctor sighed, regretful by their loss.

So, two were gone and two were left. She looked at the floor as she contemplated the people the TARDIS travellers had come across. Joe had the faith in luck. Howie the faith in conspiracies. Next would be Rita, the nurse, who had the faith in her religion. Then there was Gibbis, the mole-like humanoid from Tivoli, who had the faith those of higher power than him would only enslave him. She remembered Gibbis would be fine. But now that Joe and Howie were gone, could she possible help Rita? Ask the nurse to abandon her faith to save her own life? That seemed something far crueller than to simply let her die. Taking away something someone held so deeply in their heart, something that gave them peace in life, . . . it felt almost too cruel to do to the poor woman. Wanda wondered if she should look into the possibilities for help on this. Maybe that would show her how to help Rita? It would be difficult since anything Wanda would try directly would be a part of her own timeline, therefore most likely seeing Rita's timeline would be hard to view. But . . .

Wanda rubbed at her ear, feeling a strange tingling sensation in her mind. She began to realize that gradually she was beginning to hear the 'praise him' whispers. It was the Minotaur's powers, trying to ebb her faith away. What sort of faith did she have for the creature to feast on? She remembered what she had told Rose once about her dream of stars. But that was not something Wanda really had any sort of 'faith' in. Then . . . what exactly was her so-called 'faith'? She knew the rest of her family's sort of 'faiths.' Rory had faiths, of course. But none of his was strong enough for the Minotaur to feast on. Rory had always been very open to changes in how he viewed life and the universe, so his beliefs were always shifting. Amy's was a little more set in stone, being there since childhood. That of the Doctor always being there for her and that things would never change between them all in the TARDIS. The Doctor's was . . . well, from what Wanda guessed, would be that of the constant universe around them. Possibly. She never bothered to ask him before. It was not something she knew he ever wanted to talk about. When it came to Time Lords, internal beliefs and faiths, it was something extremely personal. Plus, the Doctor was always very tight-lipped about how he felt about these things, and she always wanted to respect his privacy.

"Right now we need to get to the security room. Saw the cameras a moment ago before you came. Should be able to find old Mister Minotaur from there," he said, walking more swiftly to lead them both back down the stairs. The reception area should lead them to the security room. From there it would only be a matter of time for him to find out where that Minotaur was. Then he will be able to save them all.

"But, wait, where's Rita?" Wanda asked, stumbling from his quick pace as he yanked her along by the hand.

"Rita? Oh! You mean the brilliant nurse?" the Doctor replied, grinning back at her. "She should be back in reception. Love to introduce the two of you. Think she'd join us in the TARDIS after all of this is done? Couldn't help having another brilliant mind on board, eh?"

"Of course not," said Wanda with a soft smile. "But, um . . . I have a feeling that she's not in reception. Is it all right if I go looking for her?" She bumped into the Doctor as he suddenly came to a halt in the middle of the stairs.

The Doctor looked at her hard for a moment. Then gripped her hand even more tightly. "No." He then yanked her forward, practically dragging her down the many hallways.

"Theta?" Wanda stumbled in trying to keep up with him.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight. You're not running off to play hero. Not on my watch. I'm not losing you again." He kept marching forward with full resolve. A dark expression crossing his face. "Rita's fine. They're all fine. I'll keep you all safe."

"Theta, please, just let me go look for her." Wanda tried pulling her hand away, but his hold was simply too tight.

"No!" He rushed them forward, going at a fast pace.

Soon they came across a very small door down by reception. The Doctor threw the door open, allowing them to see the very cramped office space for a security personnel. There was a metal shelf with rows of videotapes of old security footage. Then at the wall were three rows of television screens showing images of hallways throughout the hotel. A small desk with a chair sat under these screens. Obviously, all of this made as a set up of what one might find at a normal 20th century Earth hotel. Wanda gasped as the Doctor yanked her into the room and slammed the door behind them. He then promptly pulled out his sonic screwdriver and locked the door firmly.

"You're not leaving my sight," she heard him mutter as he turned to the desk and sat down. Wanda stood behind him in a daze, watching as he looked over the monitors of the hotel. What had gotten him so . . . unsettled? Had it something to do with him finding his own room earlier? He must have by now. She knew he was supposed to. She vaguely recalled what was in his room from the show. But what if that had changed? What else could he have seen that would be his greatest fear?

She watched as Rita began to appear on the monitors. The nurse was walking through the hotel hallways, appearing to be trying to get herself as far away from reception as possible. The Doctor quickly grabbed the phone off the desk, trying to contact the woman from a phone in one of the passing rooms. As the woman walked into the room to get the phone from within that rang, Wanda scooted over to the door. She watched as the Doctor had his sole focus on contacting the woman. He would never notice her gone.

"I'm sorry," she breathed as she reached a hand up to the doorknob. She concentrated, letting a small bit of her powers out. A light white glow formed around her hand, enveloping the doorknob. The metal turned to dust almost instantly, falling to the floor. She edged her way out of the room, glancing back to see the Doctor not even noticing her as he talked with Rita.

Wanda went as fast as she could, running back up the stairs towards whenever Rita might be. There had to be something to be done. There just had to. If anything . . . Wanda would let Alpha take care of it. It would be easy for her other half to wipe out the Minotaur. The creature wanted death, anyway. It would be simple for Alpha to give it to him. He wanted death. He craved death. She could give that to him and save everyone else.

Again, she felt sickened at herself for thinking this way. Her stomach churned when realizing where her mind had gone. Were these really her thoughts anymore? Were they Alpha's? Or . . . were they thoughts of the monstrous wolf instincts from their dark powers within? There was a reason, after all, of Alpha having such animalistic actions at times. The way they had evolved . . . She wondered for a moment if what happened to them had been something similar to what Lazarus had done to himself during his experiment. That they had transformed into something the universe had rejected for Time Lord evolution. That might be the reason why there had always been warnings of Time Lords not to mess with the Time Vortex. Because of something like what she turned out to be.

She shook her head, trying to get these thoughts out of her mind. They were not something good to dwell on. She was not a monster. She was not a vengeful goddess. She would not let her powers get the better of her. She refused to ever let that happen. She would protect the ones she loved. Always. Until her last breath.

"Rita?!" she began to call out into the hallways as she ran. "Rita, where are you?! I'm a friend of the Doctor's! I'm here to help! Please, answer me!" She heard the growling far off of the Minotaur. The thunderous stomps of it making the place around her shake very so slightly. The hallways just kept twisting and turning no matter how much she ran. She realized too late that it was the prison keeping her away from the Minotaur's next meal. For by the time the sounds of the creature began to fade, she found Rita in the hallway.

Wanda slowly walked over to her, staring down with sadness. Rita's eyes stared back at her blankly as she leaned against the wall behind her. The life was completely gone from her. Wanda had never even gotten the chance to meet her. The Wanderer continued to stare at her blankly as she slid down the wall behind her. Sitting across from the dead woman, Wanda could only feel the numbness creeping back through her. Her mind swirling as she tried to gather her thoughts. Why had she thought she could have made any difference? It was like staring at her future. Death. That was her future. Nothing but death of those around her.

The whispers through her mind picked up. The words 'praise him' echoing through her mind. Should she just let it happen? It would be sooner for her death, but . . .

"Wanderer?"

She blinked as she looked at the Doctor, seeing him there crouched before her. He stared at her in full concern. Though with a bit of sternness as well. He was mad at her for leaving the room on him. She was sorry that she had made him upset. That seemed that was all she ever did anymore. It was just . . . all she had wanted to do was . . .

"Praise him."

The words left her mouth without her even registering them. She and the Doctor's eyes widened. The stomps of the Minotaur echoed down the hallway. He was now coming for his new victim. So soon? How could it have happened so soon to her? Was it because she was trying to rely more on her faith to keep her mind together?

"No," she growled, feeling her anger begin to build. "NO!" She got up, running down the hall.

"Wanderer, NO!" shouted the Doctor, fearing that she was trying to do the same as Rita had.

She would not do that though. She had promised her Theta long ago that she would not give into dying that easily. Never. She had to fight . . . had to . . . She felt the hallways around shifting, diverting her to where her fears lied. As well as leading the others away from her so that the Minotaur might have his feast in quiet.

As the halls shifted, the door with the number four on it came up to her right. She stopped short, turning to the door slowly. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at it, seeing how it seemed to taunt her as it stood there. Taunting her about all those prophecies hanging over her head. Reminding her that she could never escape. Never escape her monster within. She marched forward, opening the door and slamming it shut right behind her. There stood the projection of her fears. The dead bodies of her loved ones, and the cruel wolf she had feared for all these years.

"Okay," she said slowly, ever so gradually stepping towards her fears. "Okay. I suppose there's no running from this anymore. I've been running from my fears since day one. Time to face them, right? Time to face what I've been trying to deny." She closed her eyes, looking into herself. Her fears. Her beliefs. Her faith. She thought about them all. "I've been terrified that I'll become the wolf I've feared. I'm terrified that I will kill my family because I won't be able to control my wolfish self.

"That's my faith, isn't it?" she breathed as she opened her eyes once more, staring steadily at the image of herself. "It's me, believing that I'll somehow live and control myself. Believing that I can protect them. That I can save others. All because I believe that I'll be able to control myself. That I can become something more than a monster." She stepped over the flickering images of the bodies on the floor, facing her chuckling self. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You're right. I realize now you're right, I've been subconsciously believing that I'll find a way to live. Even though I've told Jack I would accept the death, I was lying to myself. I still thought there might be a way. That I might not really become the monster I've feared for so long.

"It's time I stop lying to myself. Time to start seeing myself as I really am. I accept that now. I accept that I'm a monster, created in the midst of war. I'm a monster because of the powers I hold that no being in this universe should ever have. I'm a monster that will one day lose control and won't be able to hold back in activating for the purpose I had been created for. I accept and let go of my faith that I might not be a monster." Her bared her teeth, jabbing a finger towards the image of her wolfish self. "But there is one thing you're wrong about. I am no killer. That is something I will never be. You hear me? Just because I'm a monster does not mean that I'm a killer. Even Alpha is not a true killer. She just gives into the wolf more easily than I. Because that is what I am. Not a bad monster, but a monster . . . no, a wolf who will gladly use her powers to protect her pack. A wolf who will always fight to protect her family! A wolf who is not afraid of you anymore!"

She closed her eyes once more, letting go of her fears and faith. "And when I need to the most, I will call upon my alpha," she said solemnly. With this said, her eyes snapped back open. The white glow shining bright with a low snarl in the back of her throat.

Alpha glared at the image that had scared her Wanda. She heard the Minotaur beginning to break down the door behind them. She lifted her hand, balling it up into a fist. The projection of Wanda's fears growling back like a wolf right at her.

"No more," Alpha snarled before slamming her fist through the projection and into the wall.

The Doctor and others stumbled down the hallway as a thunderous boom echoed through the hotel. The whole place gave a shudder. Lights throughout the hotel began to flicker as a loud electrical sound came from all around. A low hum echoed through the place, sounding as though something was powering down. They looked down when seeing the floor appearing to shift around them. The image of the hotel slowly disappeared, leaving behind nothing more than an electrical blue grid around them. Panels of electronics lined the black walls around them. A large computer system sat in the middle of the vast space as an obvious console controlling the entire place. They gazed about, seeing that they were inside a square box of a space prison. Gibbis was standing not too far away from them, looking startled by such a sudden change in the place.

The Doctor looked over, feeling wary as he saw Wanda standing a short distance from them. Her back to them, standing there rigidly. Her fists were tight by her side as her body shook very slightly. He began to walk over to her, only to stop when his foot kicked into a pile of dust. Staring at it for a moment, he swallowed heavily as he edged over to her.

"Wanda?" he questioned quietly, fearing that it was not his Wanderer but another all together. She tensed for a moment before her shoulders slumped somewhat as she slowly turned to face him. Her entire demeanour was solemn and remorseful as she gazed back at him.

"He lived on faith. So, I rejected what I believed in . . .," she explained quietly, knowing that he would question her on what happened. "If I didn't, it would have been Amelia next. I—I didn't want her to lose her faith in you."/

"And . . . the Minotaur?" he asked softly. Seeing the guilt cross her face, he knew what that pile of dust had been. "Did Alpha take over?"

"No. I gave her control. The Minotaur wanted death anyway. He got his wish." Wanda glanced over his shoulder, seeing the companions beginning to come closer to them. "I'll—I'll just be in the TARDIS." She turned swiftly, walking as fast as she could to their ship that was just a few paces away from them, patiently waiting for their return.

With a snap of her fingers, the doors opened to allow her inside. She left them open, knowing that the others would be just behind her. She did not stop in her fast walk, going straight down the corridor to get away. Soon the door to her and the Doctor's room arrived with it already being wide open for her. She let out a sigh of appreciation. More thankful than ever that the TARDIS always put so much thought to help when others needed it. Wanda sat down at her music desk the moment she shut the door behind her, staring at the music sheets scattered around and the booklets of musicals opened to pages she always loved to study over. Light fingers traced over the pages as her mind wandered. It was strange to think how much the meaning to music had changed for her. It used to be nothing more than a passionate hobby. Now, it was her only way of feeling connected to her old self and to her past.

She glanced down, seeing an open drawer. The small music sheet poked out from others, letting her see the title of For Our Lost Spark. With her hearts twisting, she hurriedly shut the draw as her eyes watered. She remained sitting there with her hands clasped tightly together, staring at nothing in particular as she felt the TARDIS shifting into flight. The ship stopped briefly for a moment before shifting once more. This time into a drift until the next time a destination was chosen for the old girl. She felt déjà vu as the Doctor stepped into the room, staring at her in concern. He eventually walked over to the bed, patting the covers beside him.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked gently, giving her an encouraging smile. She gave a brief bit of hesitation before giving in and walking over to him. The moment she sat beside him, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Just being there beside him . . . it made her feel ten times better.

"You said you gave Alpha control?" he pushed for answers, staring at her warily. "That you'd given up on your faith?"

"Yes," she breathed, staring back at him sadly, "I realized that . . . I've been deluding myself. I refused to see the truth before me. That I'm a monster."

The Doctor instantly scoffed and shook his head in denial. "You're no monster. How could you be?"

Wanda turned to face him as she grew more serious, though still forlorn in her manner. "Please, Theta, no more denial. From either of us. We both know what I am. What I'm capable of."

"Doesn't make you a monster," he muttered, frowning in disproval. "Just because you're . . . different from other Time Lords and sometimes . . . lose your temper a bit, doesn't make you a monstrous killer. I mean, sure, you might, ah . . . you know . . . give a nip here and there—."

Wanda snorted, shaking her head. She gazed at him softly, lifting a hand to soothingly rub his cheek. "Oh, you're adorable when you try to make me sound like a cute puppy."

"Cute puppy with the spirit and viscosity of an Oovriorphig." The Doctor blinked, gapping for a moment before looking sheepish. "Sorry, I, uh . . . didn't mean to say that out loud."

Wanda began to giggle in delight, leaning against him merrily. "I couldn't put it better myself!" Her giggling trailed away with her smile lessening. "I can't keep lying to myself. I have to accept now that I have these powers and that I might lose control from time to time. It isn't just Alpha who gives into the wolf. It's me as well." Her gazed shifted, looking at him steadily now. "You're wrong about one thing, though. I don't consider myself a killer. Not in the least. I'm just . . . a wolf whom will always do whatever it takes to protect her pack, her family."

"A wolf, huh?" He trailed his fingers through her hair, seeing how long it was. It was not as short as he recalled from when she had first remembered. It had hurt her so much in knowing the truth to her past and to what she was. She must have been through quite a lot after that moment with his Tenth self. He wondered just how much it helped her in finally accepting her powers and her being a new species. He would be lying if he said that he had accepted that truth right away after she had shown her all those memories. He still struggled at times . . . seeing her as what she really was. But, he supposed that she was right. They need to start seeing themselves as they really were.

"Well, then, I guess you could say I'm a monster, too," he said quietly. He quickly placed a finger over her mouth when she opened it to protest, keeping her quiet. He knew she would try to deny him being a monster just as much as he would deny of her wolfish side. But there was no more of them denying this of each other. Time to stop with the lies they told themselves. "Just because we're monster doesn't mean we're something to be feared of. Rather, we're the kind of monsters that others should be wary if they poke us too often. We have one nasty bite when provoked."

Staring at him quietly, she nodded slowly, understanding what he was saying. A memory came forth. A memory from Alpha. "Not all monsters are bad. Even monsters can be for good." She let this sink in, preserving that to memory. It would be a thought that would help her through any of her darkest hours. It may not help her always stay in control . . . but it would help her remember herself in the end of it all. Always. She then gave him a wiry smile. "Though, I'd say my bite might be a bit stronger than yours."

"Well . . . yes. But that's beside the point." They both ended up chuckling, giving each other a strong hug in comfort.

Wanda sighed, leaning more into the hug. Guilt came forth, reminding herself of another burden she had been for him lately. "I'm so sorry. I've been such a mess lately. I feel horrible . . . always being in an emotional state. I haven't been fair to you letting myself brood in depression."

"Don't hold that against yourself, Wanderer. You have every right to be sad and going through the motions of emotions." He patted her back in reassurance, trying to convey that he did not mind at all. He never would.

"You never let your past overrun you."

"Ha. You're too forgiving of my Ninth face. No, I've had my fair share of mourning and loss. I'm grateful, though, to have gone through my loss and sorrows in a steady pace and time. I had been able to process them naturally. But you? Suddenly having four hundred years of despair, and pain, and death thrown at you all at once? Of course you're struggling with so many emotions. I couldn't even imagine it. And you've been so strong and brave through it all. For that, I couldn't be more proud of you."

Tears began to gently trail down Wanda's face. She pulled back from the hug and tenderly cupped his face in her hands. "What have I done to deserve someone as beautiful as you?"

He smiled sweetly, giving her a loving kiss. "And what have I done to deserve someone as magnificent as you?" They met each other in a more heated kiss. Embracing each other strongly as the Doctor laid himself back on the bed. With Wanda on top of him, he trailed his hand up the back of her shirt while she tugged lightly at his bow tie. She suddenly pulled away with a gasp as though coming to her senses. He stared at her in confusion, wondering why she suddenly had a guilty expression falling over her. "Wanderer?"

Very slowly she lowered her head to his chest, curling up close to him. "Can we just . . . hug for now?"

"Of course," he whispered kindly, wrapping his arms around her as he held her even closer. He wondered why she suddenly seemed to pull away from him in such a way. Even from their bond. But he let her be, knowing that each of them had their own way of healing and such.

She lay there in comfort, listening to his hearts beating under her ear pressed against his chest. Her hand gently stroked over the fabric of his shirt, wishing she could touch him more than this, but her guilt was too heavy. She could not give into temptation. Not when she knew how he felt about her in the future. Letting out a heavy sigh, she stared off towards nothing, feeling melancholy gradually crawl into her hearts and settle in. "You know what to do with the Ponds next, right? You've been contemplating it for a while now. You've even seen the signs from Rory himself."

The Doctor let out a long breath, nodding slowly as he stared at the ceiling. "Yes . . . I know. I've been putting it off far, far too long now."

"Should we . . . ?"

"Later. They can wait. Let's just enjoy our time together for now. We don't get that enough as it is."

She nodded in agreement, snuggling up more to him and letting her worries trail away. Instead, she simply enjoyed one of the few moments of peace with her Theta. Something she knew would not be there anymore from their future.

XxXxXxXx

Well, things seem to be getting slightly better. Maybe. I'm really not sure by this point. Let's just hope that next time things will finally start heading down a better path for everyone. Let me know what you think in a review. It always helps to see if the chapters are good or horrid, that way I can better correct myself for the future. :)

Reviewers:

TheBlueRiver: . . . Can I call now or is your heart still gone? I feel like mine is gone as well. :(

Celaena007: I'm sorry, but we are going to lose her. But just because there's sadness doesn't mean that she still won't have a happy ending. Glad you enjoyed the last chapters. Though sorry about the tears. Agreed, Wanda deserves to be happier than she has been for a while. Maybe in the next chapter? Welp, take care until next time!

Authora97: Glad you liked it! It's nice for anyone to have a moment where they can just be mad. Holding in anger like that is never healthy. Even the happiest and gentle people deserve to be able to let out their emotions during troubling times every once and a while.

bored411: Very happy that you liked it. :) Let's hope those two can continue to work things out. And let's hope for a more stable time as well. Take care!

SakuraRcoa: I'm sorry, but . . . things are not going to be as happy as you wish them to be for the end of this part. Though it does not mean that Wanda herself won't be happy in the end of it all. That's all we can really hope for. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and see you next time. :)

normandy1701: I think Nine was the perfect Doctor for her to be around for that moment. :) And I'm sorry, but it will happen, we will lose our Wanda. Our poor Wanderer. :( Both sort of showed it and skipped it. A good mix of the two I suppose haha. Until next time!

JustaTurtleDuck: So happy that you enjoyed it! I feel very bad for her as well. Poor Wanda. :'(

mjahappy: Jack is an awesome character to write. Glad you like it. ;)

FREYA ASTRID NOVA: So glad you liked it. :) Trust me, I need some hugs and cookies, too. It was always meant to be sadly. Though it does not mean that we should feel sad for our Wanderer. She will be happy in the end. Losing a child . . . I could never even imagine it. I feel proud of Wanda pushing through it all. Jack really does know her. I feel like Jack gets underappreciated at times as he does know how to help people greatly at times. It doesn't always work out, but he does know how to try. She will hurt less as time goes on. I promise. You're right that things are always what they seem with what Wanda sees. However, I'm sorry to say it's different this time around. I'm very sorry. :( I hope that maybe this chapter might help you feel a bit better. Hopefully. Until next time!

LovableAmethyst129: I'm sorry. :( I feel you. My heart is breaking as well. I hope that maybe this chapter helped a little bit. Though maybe the next will help better.

Arkytior's Song: Very much sadness. :( But a bit more brightness in this chapter! Much more to come I promise. :)

Momochan77: It was always meant to be sadly. :( Well, he will find out eventually, but there is nothing he can really do about it. No matter how hard he tries. Oh, we'll find out about Aleena soon enough. ;) And our Wanderer will feel better soon. I promise. See you in the future!

Kylie Winchester: I'm excited about it, too! Though I'm a bit worried that it won't be that good. I hope that it will be and that you'll enjoy it. :) Can't wait til part four! Also no worries about reading other comments and replies. That's what they're there for. ;)

All The Stories Are True 24601: I know. I'm the worst. And I'm sorry, no saving Wanda this time. Jack was the perfect person for Wanda to be around. That, and Nine. He really did wonders. Nah, no Torchwood for Wanda. Not until part four will we see those guys around. Still as hot as ever, but I'm certain the winds will shift sometime after August here. It always does. Until next time!

N7SpaceHamster: Hey! I got lucky in being able to update rather quickly last time. Wish I could do that more often. Nine truly was the best for her to be around. He's been through just as about the same as she has and knows the process of recovering from such events. Even if they had a rocky relationship in the past, he still cares for her and wants to help her. But you're right it is also great because of the fact that Nine doesn't know everything that is to come, therefore can be neutral for her. Also agreed, Jack is also another perfect person for our Wanda. Agreed, they really should have done more with Jack in the show. Ah, well, there's always hope for the future. They always tease that Jack will come back haha. It's hard for anyone to keep in all their emotions all the time. Wanda's just reached a point where she felt so frustrated she couldn't hold back anymore. As what we saw at the end of the last chapter, she really just needed some time to breathe and be alone for a bit. Everyone needs that every once and a while. No, it wasn't Alpha there when Wanda grew angry. Like we see in this chapter, it's just Wanda has changed. Not in all bad ways, just changed when it comes to how she sees the universe and how she handles things now. She also excepts her more wolfish side now. Knows that even if she does grow angry and 'monsterish' from time to time, it does not mean that she is a horrid person. Venting is the most important thing people need to do in life. Never hold back in how you are feeling. Never. And you're right, Jack was perfect for her to vent to and talk things out. Getting that load off her chest definitely helped her greatly there. I'm so very sorry. Even the Doctor cannot stop this from happening. We are going to lose our Wanderer. haha You noticed that, did you? You could say I had it planned out a bit. ;) Yep, Wanda really needed Nine. Just as Eleven really needed First Wanda. Sometimes our past helps us the most. :) Well, not perfectly happy in this chapter, but some happiness, yes. Hope you enjoyed the newest chapter and are having a wonderful week! Take care!

TKOOIS: Welcome to the story! So glad that you've enjoyed all of the story so far. :) I really hope that you will continue to enjoy the rest to come! Aww, that's so nice of you to say. I know I'm not the best writer, and there are plenty of better stories out there, but I'm just so happy that you've enjoyed it all up to this point. Here's to hoping that I will see you again in the future and that you will enjoy part four! :D

swimmjacket: No worries! I understand completely how life can get in the way. I'm just happy to hear from you from time to time and seeing how your life is going on. :) Glad that it all flows nicely. I had been hoping and stressing over the story forever now, and I'm just so relieved that it has all come together in the end. Plus so overjoyed that everyone seems to be liking it. I hope that I can continue to bring a nice story for everyone to enjoy and find happiness in reading it. :) Hope you enjoyed the new chapter!

Whovianeverlark17: I'm sorry. :( I've always understood Nine . . . from the universe that we've watched. Nine in the story has always been different from the Doctor we know. But he's finally beginning to move past his troubles and growing into the relationship between him and Wanda. Glad you liked it all. :) Hope that this new chapter was a good read!

All I have to say is have a fantastic day! Until next time!

~Tinker~