Running, always running. I had run from him when we first met, pushed him away in fear that he would reject me like everyone else. Just doing that brought pain to my hearts. In the end, he had accepted me, my past, my flaws, and my lineage. He was happy with me; we were happy. And then the war came. He was taken, to fight and I was left with a child, no older than 167. He was everything I had hoped for in a child, so much like his father. He was taken from me, my little Kiere, taken to fight in the war. I later learned he was killed. The pain I felt was unfathomable. Without him, I had no comfort. I ran, farther than I had gone. Without thinking of the consequences, not thinking of my love, I entered the darkness and allowed it to consume me.

I awoke in a cold sweat with tears inching down my cheeks. The pain I felt was worse than anything I'd experienced; it was a mother's grief. I curled into a ball, rocking back and forth, in a weak attempt to calm myself. I barely heard my room door open but when I felt strong arms holding me, I knew who had come to my side. I turned, faced him and buried my face into his chest. He was still in his suit, meaning he had been in the console room working on the Tardis. Neither of us spoke as he comforted me and soon my sobs dissipated into small gasps of breath. When I was finally calm enough, I started to pull away, only for his grip to tighten. "Doctor…"

"Shh. You're safe."

"He died. Kiere died and it's my fault."

He pushed me away a fraction of an inch but I nestled in closer. "How do you know that name? How is it your fault?"

"I'm sorry, Doctor."

"Cerys?" I ignored him, curling deeper into his embrace as the tears flowed freely. I couldn't stop them, not with the pain I felt. It was worse than anything I'd ever felt... almost as if a piece of my had died. "Please, talk to me."

"I can't. Why am I having these dreams? I don't want them."

"You're connected to her."

"To your dead lover? That's sick," I spat as I moved away from him, confused and suspicious. "What's the Tardis trying to do? What the hell are you playing at, Doctor?"

"You've had those dreams long before we met."

"I know but I don't know why."

"You're her. You are literally her." I stared at him, my expression hardening.

"If I were a… like you… I think I'd know."

"Not unless you used the Chameleon Arch."

"How…" I asked, trailing off as I shook my head. No, I wasn't that girl. I was Cerys, human and unordinary. I wasn't the person the Doctor pined for or loved. None of it made any sense.

"It changes your cells, makes you into whatever you want it to."

"And she… chose human."

"Yes."

"You've known all along, haven't you?"

"Since our fourth adventure, although it was the third that helped me realize it."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't. I had to be sure."

"So that's what you meant before you regenerated. All those things you did, and have done since, it's because you knew."

"I was hoping that we could have a much better relationship than we did on Gallifrey."

"Was it that bad?"

"No. Home, you were always in fear, always uncomfortable with yourself because of who your father was."

"She was…is… a half-breed."

"No, you are my Cerys."

"Does that mean this was all a dream? That I'm not real? Am I just a story, a mirage hiding the coward?"

"You're real, so very real. You're a part of her, a latent personality come through."

"Then I am nothing," I spat, holding back another bout of tears. Everything I'd ever felt was true. I was so unimportant and useless. "This was just so you could get a second chance!"

"No... well, yes. But that was never the intention. I just wanted to know you, Cerys. I would never do anything to hurt you."

"That's a lie. You've already hurt me more times than I could count, Doctor and this- this is just the cherry."

"How can I make it up to you?" the man asked, more so begged.

"Bring me home."

"I can't."

"I want to go home."

"I'm sorry."

"Why won't you bring me home?"

"I'm too selfish. I won't let you go."

"I'm not her! I'm Cerys… I'm human," I snapped pushing, or attempting to at least, away from him. His grip was tight, refusing to let go. "The only reason I know anything is because of those stupid dreams and I barely remember much. You're not trying to help me, you're doing this to help yourself."

"I wasn't, Rys…"

"DON'T call me that! That's what you called her and it's not my name."

"You remember that?"

"I have a dead woman's memories…"

"What did they do to you… her?"

I shivered, recalling the nightmares I had had. "It doesn't matter. They're gone as is she." I took in a shaky breath, refusing to return her to him.

"You're right. They are gone," he replied, releasing me. "I'm so very sorry Cerys. I did want another chance but I never thought of you as her except for when you did things that she would do. If I'm being honest, I just wanted you… as you were. I wanted us to have a relationship that was better than when I was with her. But you have to believe me, I never once thought of her as we kissed or hugged. It was just you… from the minute I took your hand." He took a breath, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Why are you saying that?"

"Because I love you, Cerys." My breath hitched and I looked away. While I wanted so much to believe him, I couldn't . His words meant nothing to me, and they were just that... words.

"You just don't want me to cross with you."

He reached a hand up and caressed my face. He stopped at my chin and made me look at him. "I don't care about that," he growled before his voice softened, "I need you to know that I love you, Cerys Tyler, not because of who you were but who you are, right here, right now." With that said, he gently kissed my lips. I didn't pull away; I should have but I didn't want to. Even angry, I still wanted to be with him- even if my life wasn't truly mine. He was like a drug, addictive and bad for me all the same. I was taken from my thoughts as he nibbled on my bottom lip, asking for entry. I didn't deny him; I couldn't. Granting him entrance, I let him explore my mouth, relishing it. Before it could go too far, I pulled away, meeting his confused gaze.

"I-I can't… I need time to sort this all out," I stuttered out, knowing that even while I needed time, I didn't want any. Nothing mattered but being with him and I hated it because it made me sound like an idiot… like a love crazed school girl. That wasn't me but it seemed with him, while my feelings mattered, I couldn't deny his advances. Still, I wanted to make it known that I wasn't his dead lover. I was me, Cerys Tyler.

"Alright," he replied kissing my forehead.

I took in a breath, trying to regain my composure. Although I was still confused and angry with it all, I didn't want to show it… I just wanted things to go back to normal and I was the queen of pretending I was perfectly fine. If I could convince the Doctor I was over the most devastating news I'd heard so far, then I should get an Emmy. I needed time to sort through it all… alone and with no distractions. While I knew the feelings of disgust, fear, animosity, and melancholy would fester within me, I also knew it was more of an incentive to speed up my plan, to execute my last attempt. I wasn't important or needed. I was just a mirage; a hollowed out being waiting to be filled again. I was nothing but a place holder for the woman he adored and loved more than the Universe itself. Sighing, I glanced up at him, meeting his watchful gaze. I forced a small smile to my lips, hoping it didn't come out as a grimace. "All this time, you've been trying to have me fall for you as a human. Silly man, you already had me," I said lightly, trying to cover up my inner turmoil the best I could. He chuckled before releasing me. I pouted as he stood, pulling me along with him. "I was quite comfortable, Mr Spock." He grimaced at the name as I laughed. When I finished, I gave him a quick peck on the lips and pushed him out of the door. "Changing."

"Nothing I haven't seen," he said cheekily.

I slapped his arm, my cheeks heating up as I continued to play along. There was no way that would affect me. He wasn't even talking about me… it was all about her. "And you won't be seeing."

"Dress for the fifties." I nodded and shut the door, leaning against if for a moment in an attempt to calm myself before I began the search for something to wear.

I found Rose and the Doctor standing outside the Tardis wearing a pink dress with a navy leather jacket with sleeves that cut off at her elbows. She had on dark, see through tights and pink high heels. The Doctor was in his usual pinstripe suit, wearing white Chuck Taylors with his hair done up in a Teddy boy quaff. When I stepped out, his eyes raked over my body. I gave a satisfied smile that the outfit I had chosen, fitted black capris with a short sleeved striped shirt tucked in, a black belt around my waist, and a pair of orange heels, had been to his liking. I watched him take in a breath of air as I walked over to them.

"I thought we'd be going for the Vegas era, you know the white flares and the, grr, chest hair," Rose commented.

The Doctor glanced at her. "You are kidding, aren't you? You want to see Elvis, you go for the late fifties. The time before burgers. When they called him the Pelvis and he still had a waist. What's more, you see him in style." He went back inside and rode out on a blue scooter moments later, stopping in front of Rose, wearing a white crash helmet and shades. The two of us laughed at the sight. Almost as if he read my mind, he pointed into the Tardis. I ran in and rode out with a scooter of my own. "You going my way, doll?" he asked Rose, all the while impersonating Elvis' voice.

"Is there any other way to go, daddy-o?" Rose asked as she put on her pink shades and walked over to the scooter. "Straight from the fridge, man."

"Hey, you speak the lingo."

"Oh well, me, mum, Cerys, Cliff Richard movies every Bank Holiday Monday."

"I wasn't around for all of them though."

"But you were around, that's what matters." I beamed at her as she got on the back of the Doctor's scooter and put on a matching pink helmet.

"Ah, Cliff. I knew your mother'd be a Cliff fan." We all laughed as we rode off down the street.

"Where we off to?"

"Ed Sullivan TV Studios. Elvis did Hound Dog on one of the shows. There were loads of complaints. Bit of luck, we'll just catch it."

"And that'll be TV studios in, what, New York?"

"That'll be the one."

"Are you sure?" I asked as a red London double decker bus drove pass and seeing the Union Flag hanging everywhere. We stopped by a red post box, the Doctor finally seeing the flags.

Rose laughed. "Ha! Digging that New York vibe."

"Well…this could still be New York. I mean, this looks very New York to me. Sort of London-y New York, mind." I shook my head at him and glanced at Rose who nodded. We both knew we weren't in New York.

"What are all those flags for?" He shrugged and we took off down the street.

As we drove down Florizel Street, I noticed a television set being delivered from a black van. Finding it odd, I drove over to them, leaving the Doctor and Rose to follow. I pulled up just as the man finished speaking to what seemed to be his customer. "What do you mean by the great occasion?" I asked, hopping off my moped.

"Where've you been living, out in the Colonies?" I nodded, finding it to be the easiest explanation to my ignorance. "Coronation, of course."

"What Coronation's that then?" the Doctor asked.

"What do you mean? The Coronation."

"It's the Queen's. Queen Elizabeth," Rose said.

"Oh! Is this 1953?"

"Last time I looked," the older gentleman stated. "Time for a lovely bit of pomp and circumstance, what we do best."

"Look at all the TV aerials. Looks like everyone's got one. That's weird. My nan said tellies were so rare they all had to pile into one house."

"Not around here, love. Magpie's Marvellous Tellies," the man pointed to the van, "only five quid."

I gave a small smile. "And you're Magpie?"

"I am. And what's your name, dear?"

"Oh, but this is a brilliant year," the Doctor said, cutting in. "Classic! Technicolor, Everest climbed, everything off the ration. The nation throwing off the shadows of war and looking forward to a happier, brighter future."

Rose and I laughed at the man's antics a moment before we heard the shouts of a woman. "Someone help me, please! Ted!" Turning to see what was going on, we saw two men in black suits putting someone, Ted, with a blanket over his head in the back of the car. The three of us ran over. "Leave him alone! He's my husband! Please."

"What's going on?"

A young man ran out of a house. "Oi, what are you doing?"

"Police business. Now, get out of the way, sir."

"Who did they take? Do you know him?" Rose asked the boy.

"Must be Mister Gallagher." The car drove off. "It's happening all over the place. They're turning into monsters."

A man came to the door. "Tommy! Not one word! Get inside now!" the man, his father I'm guessing, barked.

"Sorry. I'd better do as he says." I nodded as I stared at his father, anger rushing through me. The Doctor, placing a hand on my shoulder, broke my concentration. Sighing, I followed as the two walked back to our scooters. Hopping on, we took off after the car.

We had followed the car to a dead end with a gate and men sweeping and doing other things. We stopped and I watched them suspiciously, feeling that something was very wrong. Cars don't disappear and people shouldn't be taken from their homes. "Lost them. How'd they get away from us?"

"Surprised they didn't turn back and arrest you for reckless driving. Have you actually passed your test?"

"Men in black?" the Doctor asked, ignoring Rose. "Vanishing police cars? This is Churchill's England, not Stalin's Russia."

"Monsters, that boy said. Maybe we should go and ask the neighbours."

"That's what I like about you. The domestic approach."

"Thank you," Rose said with a grin before it fell, "hold on, was that an insult?" Without answering, the Doctor revved the engine and took off. "Whoa!"

"Both," I laughed as we drove back.

Returning to Florizel Street, the three of us stood at the door of the boy who had spoken to Rose earlier. The Doctor rang the bell and we waited a bit before the door opened and the burly man answered. "Hi," the three of us said in unison.

"Who are you, then?"

"Let's see, then. Judging by the look of you, family man, nice house, decent wage, fought in the war, therefore I represent Queen and country." The Doctor held up the psychic paper and the man's eyes widened. "Just doing a little check of Her forthcoming Majesty's subjects before the great day. Don't mind if I come in? Nah, I didn't think you did. Thank you." He pushed past the man, with Rose behind him. I eyed the man warily before sliding past him as well. "Not bad. Very nice. Very well kept. I'd like to congratulate you, Mrs…"

"Connolly."

"Now then, Rita. I can handle this. This gentleman's a proper representative. Don't mind the wife, she rattles on a bit." I glanced at the man angrily and went to stand by Rose as she sat on the arm on a chair.

"Well, maybe she should rattle on a bit more. I'm not convinced you're doing your patriotic duty." I glanced down and saw a pile of flags on a table. "Nice flags. Why are they not flying?"

"There we are Rita, I told you, get them up. Queen and country."

The woman got to her feet. "I'm sorry."

"Get it done," Mr Connolly snapped, making her jump a bit. "Do it now." My eyes hardened, now realizing exactly why I was so wary of the man.

The Doctor stopped her from moving. "Hold on a minute."

"Like the gentleman says."

"Hold on a minute. You've got hands, Mister Connolly. Two big hands. So why is that your wife's job?"

"Well, it's housework, innit?"

"And that's a woman's job?"

"Of course it is."

I snorted, bringing the man's attention to me. While I was glad the Doctor realised what type of man Mr Connolly was, the man's eyes on me was a bit unnerving. He sort of reminded me of my uncle and that instantly brought on another bout of anger that I did my best to control, especially since I was already fuming. "Tell me, what is the Queen's gender?"

"She's a female."

"And are you suggesting the Queen does the housework?" the Doctor asked.

Mr Connolly was silent for a moment. "No. Not at all."

"Then get busy," the Doctor said as he handed the man the flags.

"Right. Yes, sir. You'll be proud of us, sir. We'll have Union Jacks left, right and centre."

This time Rose spoke up. "Excuse me, Mister Connolly. Hang on a minute. Union Jacks?"

"Yes, that's right, isn't it?"

"That's the Union Flag. It's the Union Jack only when it's flown at sea."

"Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. I do apologise."

"Well, don't get it wrong again, there's a good man. Now get to it!" I smirked, Rose was clearly enjoying herself. She glanced at me smiling.

"Right then! Nice and comfy, at her Majesty's leisure. Union Flag?" he asked Rose as we settled into the sofa.

"Mum went out with a sailor."

"Oh ho ho ho. I bet she did. Anyway, I'm the Doctor and this is Cerys and Rose, and you are?"

"Tommy."

"Well, sit yourself down, Tommy," the Doctor said patting the spot between them. Rita sat down on the opposite chair as well. I was the only one standing. "Have a look at this. I love telly, don't you?"

"Yeah, I think it's brilliant."

"Good man!" He turned his attention to the television before calling over to Mr Connolly. "Keep working, Mister C!" I heard the man fumble but paid little mind to him. My focus was on Rita and Tommy. "Now, why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

"Did you say you were a doctor?"

"Yes, I am."

"Can you help her? Oh please, can you help her, Doctor?"

"Now then, Rita. I don't think the gentleman needs to know…"

"No, the gentleman does."

"Tell us what's wrong, and we can help." Rita burst into tears and Rose went and wrapped an arm around her, comforting the woman. "I'm sorry. It's all right. Come here. It's okay."

"Hold on a minute. Queen and country's one thing, but this is my house! What the…" He threw the bunting down. "What the hell am I doing? Now you listen here, Doctor. You may have fancy qualifications, but what goes on under my roof is my business."

I stood, staring at the man. "But people are being taken-"

"I am talking!" I stifled a shiver and stared at the husky man.

"And I am not listening," I calmly stated, walking over to him. "Why would I listen to an arrogant man who abuses his wife and child? I've dealt with men like you and you're nothing but a coward. For a man who fought in the war, who fought for the freedom and rights of his people and the rights they hold, how can you even call yourself a man? Only a weak man goes after those who cannot defend themselves and while you certainly look as if you are quite strong, you're just a pathetic insecure bully who has nothing better to do than bully the people who are supposed to love you. Men like you disgust me. You don't deserve what you have, Mr Connolly."

"I beg your pardon, little girl?" the burly man asked, flabberghasted. It was obvious he had never been spoken to in such a way, especially by a woman. "How dare you. I will not be disrespected in my own house!"

He raised his hand to strike me but before he could do anything, the Doctor pulled me back, coming between us. "You listen right now, Mister Connolly. I am being very calm at the moment. You just raised your hand to someone I care about and I do not take that lightly. You are staring into a deep, dark pit of trouble if you don't let me help. So I'm ordering you, sir! Tell me what's going on!"

There were three thumps from above us. "She won't stop," Rita cried before there were more thumps. "She never stops."

"We started hearing stories, all round the place," Tommy started. "People who've changed. Families keeping it secret because they were scared. Then the police started finding out. We don't know how, no one does." I glared at Mr Connolly, feeling he knew something about the police showing up. "They just turn up, come to the door and take them, any time of the day or night."

"Show me."

We walked up the stairs to a room towards the end of the hall. Opening the door, I saw that the lights were off and there was the silhouette of someone standing in the centre of the room, closer to the window. While I stood off to the side, Rose, the Doctor, and Tommy inched closer to the woman. "Gran? It's Tommy. It's alright, Gran. I've brought help." He flipped a switch and the room was bathed in light, revealing an older woman void of a face. I stared in shock, wondering what had the power to take a person's façade.

"Her face is completely gone." The Doctor scanned her with the sonic. "Scarcely an electrical impulse left. Almost complete neural shutdown. She's ticking over. It's like her brain has been wiped clean."

"What are we going to do, Doctor? We can't even feed her."

"We've got company," Rose said as we heard the front door smash open.

"It's them. They've come for her!" Rita cried.

"Quickly. What was she doing before this happened? Where was she? Tell me. Quickly, think!"

"I can't think. She doesn't leave the house! She was just…"

Two men entered the room. "Hold on a minute. There are three important, brilliant, and complicated reasons why you should listen to me. One-" before the Doctor could finish, he was punched in the face, knocked unconscious by the force of impact.

"Doctor!" Rose cried as she tried to wake him up. She looked up at me. "Do something!" I glanced at her and then at the men who had hastily exited the room with the older woman in tow and Mr Connolly close behind.

"I'm going after them. Stay with him, no matter what. You know just how stupid he could be." She nodded and I ran off, hopping on my moped and speeding after them.

Ha, I'm sure no one was expecting this update. For a while I've wanted to start posting every day but never had the time. Well, as of now, I'm going to stick to a new schedule that I hope everyone likes. Anyways, the BIG reveal has finally come. What did you think? I hope Cerys' reaction was realistic enough. At first I had her take it in stride and laugh it off but that's nothing like her. Hopefully this (the third) attempt is. Yeah, she does end up kissing him but she is definitely not letting it go because that's just not her. And who loved Cerys telling off that brute Connolly. I loved writing that part. I wanted to give her a chance to shine, even with the crap with the Doctor going on. But now to the reviews.

dreamlighting: Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, I have a chapter written where she stays with him and am debating whether or not I should post it as an AE to the chapter or use it for the new fic I'm starting to work on. I'll decide soon.

idonothaveagentleheart1105: Cerys would be EXTREMELY miserable although she'd probably never admit it. Although I think by Doomsday, she'd definitely return to him. Cerys and Eleven will definitely be fun.

NicoleR85: Glad to hear. And I have happily obliged. Cerys + Donna= an extremely grumpy Time Lord ;)