"…Thank you all for your patience as we move into this time of restoration for our people and our planet."

As the announcement ended, Jacob shut off the screen on the TARDIS console and turned. Jack was standing by the jump seat, and Donna was in the seat next to where Jacob had been. "Well, that seemed to go well," Jacob said.

"Yeah, I can't believe she talked the Doctor into being on camera." Jack shook his head in disbelief.

"Balen was actually the one who insisted. He said it was important for the Teni people to understand we were here to help," Donna answered. "How do you think people will take the part about the transfer of power?"

"Well, it all went through proper channels as far as their government is concerned," Jacob responded. "I'm sure there will be naysayers, but in the end, the people voted in Balen as Prime Minister with an overwhelming majority, so they can't scoff at his leadership too much."

"And what do you think about them not saying why they acted on this plan now? You know, her being a Time Lady now?" Jack asked.

"Balen said they had been working on this plan for over a year. It's not as if they suddenly had to whip this together when she came back to Teni with the ability to regenerate. It may have been the catalyst to finally make it happen, but it had been a long time coming."

"It sure does explain why she was so dodgy with us when we got upset about them removing her from power," said Donna. "It's what she really wanted all along. They needed a change in government and this gave her a reason to bow out gracefully."

"Yeah, and a way to be with the Doctor." Jack grinned.

Jacob shook his head. "I don't know that it's for us to figure out what would have happened between the two of them had the metacrisis not occurred, giving her the opportunity to step down as Queen and live a 'normal' life—"

"Hah! If she thinks life with the Doctor will be normal, she's got another thing coming to her!" Donna chuckled.

Before they could continue, the TARDIS door swung open and the Doctor came stomping in, pulling at his tie to loosen it. "I still don't understand why your brother had to have me up there like that," he whined. "I felt like a— like a piece of meat, on display for the whole world to see. I wasn't even given anything to say."

Scarlett was hot on his heels, stepping in quickly behind him, causing the companions to look at each other with concern. She wasn't wearing the outer dress robes they had seen her in on screen, she must have quickly changed into more comfortable clothing, or been wearing it under the robes. She wore a light purple linen wrap shirt and tan loose-fitting linen pants.

"Doctor, you know Balen only wants my people to see your presence in a positive light. He wants them to know you are here to help," she argued.

He then pulled the tie completely off and threw it onto the console. Then he then began his, 'I'm doing something important with these switches, not just ignoring you' routine.

She gave him an exasperated look and reached out, grabbing his arm to stop him. "And maybe, just maybe, he was thinking about the future. Balen wants to be sure the people of Teni trust you as much as he does. As much as -I- do." She left lots unspoken in that statement, but just wanted him to see, if they were to have a future together, it would have to be with him on friendly terms with her people.

He finally stilled his movements, glancing down at her hand on his arm, then back up at her. He then turned his body fully towards her, away from the console, his face visibly calming. "Really? You think that's why?"

"That's one of the reasons, yes." She smiled at him reassuringly. "It wasn't really that bad, was it?"

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "No, I suppose not."

Donna glanced at Jacob and sent into his mind, Did you just see that? I think she just calmed the Oncoming Storm! I've never seen anyone do that before! Jacob merely grinned at her in response.

As if he had heard the comment, though they knew he hadn't, the Doctor suddenly realized they had an audience. He looked up at his three companions. "Oh, um, so—" He glanced at the screen they had been watching earlier and rubbed his neck restlessly. "So, you saw the announcement."

"Yes, we did. Though the after show was equally entertaining," Donna remarked as she crossed her arms over her chest, glancing between the Doctor and Scarlett with a smirk.

The Doctor blushed. "Oh, erm, sorry about that. Just not my thing. Being on camera."

"Never would have guessed," she shot back at him.

After a moment of silence between the five of them, Scarlett thought maybe it was a good time to move the conversation away from the Doctor's embarrassing outburst. "Jacob, Donna, are you ready for our work?" Jacob and Donna both nodded, and she looked to Jack. "Jack, would you mind helping the Doctor bring us some tea to the library?"

"Not at all, your Highness. But once you're no longer Queen, I'm going to expect some payment in return for all these favors." He waggled his eyebrows at her and she chuckled. The Doctor's eyes almost rolled back in his head and he huffed in Jack's direction, which got an even bigger grin from Jack. He loved riling the Doctor up a bit.

"Shall we?" Scarlett looked to Jacob and Donna and waved in the general direction of the hallway, towards the library.

Jacob smiled and started walking, Donna at his side. "Allons-y!"

The Doctor whined, "Hey, that's my line!"

As Jacob and Donna sat down on the couch, Scarlett followed them and sat in the arm chair beside them. "While we wait for the Doctor, I wanted to say again, how terribly sorry I am that I left you all in such chaos after the metacrisis. It was obviously quite a stressful moment for all of us, and as if things weren't confusing enough, I went and blocked things in your minds."

Scarlett was interrupted by the Doctor walking in, with Jack following him, carrying a tray with several tea mugs. As they all settled in with their tea, the Doctor explained what they wanted to do next.

"Scarlett and I have discussed how best to handle the memories you hold of mine. There's no danger of your new Time Lord brain not being able to handle them, and after some thought, I'd like for you both to be able to access them as needed. There's no one else I would trust more with those memories than the two, well three, of you." The Doctor set down his tea and Jacob took the opportunity to speak.

"I wondered about that. Scarlett, did you get the Doctor's memories as well?"

"Yes, yes I did. And I did my best to close them off like I did for you all. It's a bit more difficult to do on oneself, though. The Doctor plans on assisting me with my own blocks."

"Donna," the Doctor continued. "You have lived your own full life up to this point, and I want your identity to remain your own and not be muddled by my memories. But as you grow as a Time Lady, the knowledge you have gained from me will be crucial, so we'd like you to retain the memories, but basically only access them when you need to. For example, when you think of your childhood, with your mother, you shouldn't have an image of my mother pop into your head. That should only happen if you specifically think of my mother."

"You can do that?" Donna asked as she looked between the Doctor and Scarlett.

"We can start the process today, and we'll continue to work on it," Scarlett answered. "Another way to think of it is this, when it comes to your own memories, you access them quickly and without work. Like if computer files could open just by thinking of them. To access the Doctor's memories it will require more intentionality. Like having to find the file on the computer and open it."

"And for me?" Jacob questioned. "I have no life before the metacrisis, other than that of the Doctor, and the things I remember of Donna's."

"Correct. And for you I willingly give all my memories to keep as your own as well," the Doctor replied. "But I want you to be able to recognize the difference between them being your own and what you carry from me. But from the metacrisis forward you create your own memories. Your own life. I'd also like to recommend that we ensure Donna's memories are locked, and then from this day forward, only she will be the one to go in and unlock those memories—" The Doctor looked between Jacob and Donna. "—as the two of you decide together."

"So how does this all work, then?" Donna questioned.

"Scarlett will work with you, because it requires more precision, and things in the mental domain are much more her strong suit than mine. I will work with Jacob, since we are primarily just unlocking memories."

"But, what about all the information about Teni? About you, Scarlett?" Jacob straightened and looked at her curiously.

Scarlett breathed deep as she nodded in understanding and glanced at the Doctor, then back to Jacob and Donna. "I've been thinking a lot about that, and I've discussed it with the Doctor a bit. You two are about to give of yourselves to help my people recover from a great devastation. You have quickly become my friends, and my own confidants. I too, like the Doctor, can think of no one else I'd rather trust with that information."

"And that's where you come in as well, Jack," the Doctor continued where she stopped. "Scarlett would like to share the information with you as well. If we all have a basic understanding of what this world is supposed to look like, then it will be an advantage as we help them."

'That is, if you are willing, Jack," Scarlett added as she looked to him.

"I'd be honored, ma'am." Jack nodded and smiled to her.

With that acknowledgment, Scarlett sat forward in her seat. "Well then, let's get started. I will lay the groundwork with Donna for how the different memories will be organized. The Doctor will do the same for Jacob. Then we will all five come together and I will begin unlocking those memories specific to Teni. I do this because I wish to share them with you in an enhanced way."

(BONUS SCENE TO FOLLOW LATER)

Almost an hour later, Scarlett and Donna opened their eyes in unison. A small gasp escaped Donna's lips as she brought herself back into 'reality.' "Wow, that was something."

Scarlett smiled and turned to see the three men watching them. One of her eyebrows raised as she looked at the Doctor. "Done so soon, do I need to check your work."

"Hey, I'm not exactly an amateur at this. You said yourself, my job was much easier than yours." He then looked at Donna with concern. "How are you feeling?"

Donna took a moment to form her response. "Good. A bit more whole now, actually. We still have some work to do, but it's nice knowing the information is there to get to if I need it."

"Are you ready to continue? We should keep going." Scarlett asked as she looked between Donna and Jacob. They both nodded. "Jack, are you ready?"

"As I'll ever be," he answered.

"Very good. I recommend we all take a seat on the floor. In order to share this experience, We'll need to form a circular connection. It will be easier done when touching." She was the first to stand, moving over to the open floor area by the library fireplace and sitting cross-legged. "Donna, please sit to my right, Jacob, sit next to her, then Jack. Doctor, please sit to my left."

She raised her hands and placed two fingers of each hand onto the temples of Donna and the Doctor. "Please, each of you do the same, then close your eyes." Everyone did as instructed. She then closed her eyes and continued to speak, "When you feel myself and the Doctor approaching, allow us to enter. We will only access those memories we need to unlock. The memories will be revealed to you, Jack as they are unlocked for Jacob and Donna."

After a few moments she felt the connection open up between the group. As she opened her mind, she momentarily became more sensitive to physical touch and felt the Doctor's fingers on her temple, then realized his thumb rested on her cheek, stroking gently. Her head leaned into his touch for a moment, and allowed the warmth of their personal mental connection to surround her, and felt it flourish further in her mind.

After a moment, the Doctor stilled his hand and she refocused. She began speaking mentally between the shared group connection. Very good, everyone. The first thing we wish to share with you is the story of how the Doctor and I met. You will see the story, and— she hesitated momentarily, concerned about sharing her feelings.

It's okay, my love, the Doctor spoke in her mind, only to her. These are my friends, our friends, trusted companions.

Scarlett took a deep breath and continued to the group, "You will see our memories, hear bits and pieces, and you will feel some of our emotions."

After a moment, she and the Doctor began relaying the story using mental images:

(*More Detailed Bonus Scene to come later*)

*The Doctor alone on the TARDIS, then a sudden crash and he looked up to find the hull of a cruise ship lodged in the console room.*
*Him in a tuxedo, walking through the cruise ship, observing the passengers and crew. He began to sense a presence in his mind, one he couldn't understand. He turned…*
*Scarlett boarding the cruise liner on a vacation of sorts, a gift from a visiting dignitary to Teni.*
*Her chatting and smiling with a young woman, one of the cruise line waitresses. She stopped mid-sentence, her head tilted to the side, and she apologized to the waitress. She then turned around and examined the crowd.*
*The image flashed between the Doctor seeing Scarlett, and Scarlett seeing the Doctor. Both were sensing something about the other but were unsure what exactly drew them together. They shared a smile.*
*Then images of them dancing together before being interrupted by an announcement about a group transport.*
*The Doctor got himself into the same group as Scarlett and they teleported to Earth.*
*Images of a street in London flashed, and Donna audibly gasped as she saw her own grandfather at his newspaper stand. Suddenly they are pulled back to the ship.*
*Images then flashed forward of the ship in distress. The two of them working together to save what they could of the passengers and crew.*

Suddenly the images slowed and came into actual speed as they heard their voices.

The Doctor had just introduced himself properly to the group of passengers. Scarlett almost leapt forward. "A Time Lord!? From Gallifrey?"

"Yes, yes, that's what I said. Why Scarlett, you've heard of us?"

"Heard of you!?" She took one step closer and introduced herself properly, "Doctor, I am Queen Scarlett, of the Teni. This explains why I felt a presence in my mind."

"Yes I felt you too, but I couldn't understand why! The Teni!? But—they were—I thought they were lost during the Time War!"

"Still here!" She broke into a wide grin that he shared and they hugged each other tight for a moment before realizing they had an audience and broke free, blushing. The Doctor then went back to work trying to break into a computer system.

*The images began moving quickly again: the losses, and those saved. When it was all done they mourned together over those lost. *
*Afterwards, she approached the TARDIS with him and he turned to make her an offer. He spoke to her, and held out his hand. She smiled and took it, him pulling her into the TARDIS.*

I offered her one more adventure before she went home, the Doctor said to the group as the images faded.

I took him up on the offer, Scarlett added.

*Images then began of the two of them landing on an unknown planet. *
*Children in dungeon cells.*
*The two of them working together to try and save them.*
*Scarlett was caught. Tied to a chair, beaten.*
*The Doctor ran in and saved her.*
*The two embraced, before finding their way back out.*
*They stood together on a hill, surrounded by the children from the detention camp. They watched from afar as the detention camp explodes. Then turning to face each other, hand in hand.*

The images fade again.

I almost lost her that night, the Doctor whispered mentally to them.

But you saved me—us.

*Scarlett sat quietly in the jump seat in the control room of the TARDIS watching as the Doctor wandered quietly around the console, piloting the ship.*

He didn't want me to leave.

Of course not, I had fallen for you.

*They then saw the planet Teni from far above*
*The Doctor's view as he watched Scarlett standing at the TARDIS doors looking down at her planet.*
*They stepped out of the TARDIS into the Citadel gardens.*
*The Doctor was introduced to a cautious and curious Balen, and several Elders.*
*Later, alone with her, he stepped out of the TARDIS holding a potted flowering plant and smiled as he handed it to her.*
*Then it was evening time and they sat by the fountain, he turned to face her as they sat and whispered into her ear.*

That's when I took the chance— I promised her forever.

*Suddenly she stood and took a few steps away, tears in her eyes as she spoke.*

And that's when I had to tell him that forever would have to wait.

*The Doctor stood at the TARDIS doors, face downcast. She stood several steps away from him, but leaned in to speak.*

I promised I would stay in touch. That I would figure something out… if I could.

*She started to reach a hand out, then she heard something from behind her and pulled back away. Balen and several Elders approached.*

I had to say goodbye with them standing there, watching. I couldn't even touch her, hold her hand…

The images faded away for the last time.

After a few moments of silence, Scarlett spoke again, And that, my friends, Scarlett spoke a little quieter, even her mental voice a bit shaky, is how we met.

And fell in love, the Doctor added.

Yes, she confirmed quietly.

There was a moment of silence, then they heard Donna's voice out loud. "I'm sorry, but can we have a break for a moment?"

Scarlett pulled back at the same time the Doctor did, releasing the mental bond with the group. As they opened their eyes, they saw tears rolling down Donna's cheeks as she lunged from a sitting position towards where the Doctor sat, embracing him in a hug. "Oh, Spaceman."

The Doctor returned Donna's embrace. "I'm okay now, Donna."

"I know, but, three years you waited," Donna said into his shoulder. After a moment she released him and glanced shyly at Scarlett. "Sorry…"

Scarlett shook her head. "Don't apologize for caring for your friend. If it weren't for you caring so much, I know he wouldn't be here today. It's going to take a long time for me to thank you enough for that."

The other two men sat quietly, pretending their eyes weren't red and a bit wet too.

"I don't mean to rush, but we should continue. You need to give them the information they'll need about Teni before we leave, which is soon. Balen will be here to collect us within the hour," spoke the Doctor, as he resituated himself after his friend's hug.

"Very well. This next bit will be quicker. No emotions involved, mostly images and facts." Scarlett raised her hands back up to Donna and the Doctor and the others followed her lead.

A half hour later the "brain dump" was complete and Scarlett had communicated as much valuable and pertinent information about the planet as she could to the Doctor and his companions, her friends.