Next Stop, Everywhere

by noblecrescent

She's clever, and he likes it. It's a good thing she likes him too. So are they on the same page? She and he, in the TARDIS, next stop everywhere? *First of the Monsoon Seasons*

18. Full-Time Companions

It took all my courage and will to stand by my friend's Ami's door. I was holding the handle of my suitcase behind me with so much strength I could possibly break it. The Doctor and Martha stood right in front of me, neither very content with the decision I made. I feel the same way, I thought.

This was great.

Really, really great.

It was the best thing I could do for myself.

So why did it really suck?

"Um..." I looked at the pair, the right words really not entering my mind, "...thank you, I guess."

The Doctor merely smiled, nodding his head, "Don't you dare think I won't be back for you."

"You better," I said weakly, feeling my heart wanting to stop from sadness, but also because of heartbreak. See, this is why I didn't want to feel anything.

But I'm human.

And we're prone to feel everything, even if it hurts.

After China, and the whole marriage thing, I thought maybe that kiss we shared would spark something for him...but it didn't. We talked about it before coming back here, but he didn't even want to look at me in the eyes. At first I thought it was because he was embarrassed or something, but I caught on quickly that he just didn't want to look at me. It wasn't until after I had left the room that I understood what was going on.

He had been dreaming of Kaeya.

---

We had just finished talking about our kiss and I had left to go finish my packing, and then...

"Kaeya, why do you do this to me?" the Doctor took a long sigh.

I froze, knowing he thought I was out of hearing distance. That meant I shouldn't listen, I should go...and yet...

"Why did I dream that? Why did I dream with you, Kaeya? After such a long time..."

I poked my head into the console room, seeing the Doctor by the console, his hands into clenched fists.

"This...this could've been something...no...ah!" he shook his head, "Kaeya, what's going on?"

---

Had he thought of Kaeya when I kissed him? While we kissed? That was the first time it physically pained my insides. Had the Doctor thought of another woman while we kissed? And why Kaeya? If anyone, shouldn't it have been Rose? Either way, whatever dream he had, it conflicted him. Because he was angry, but at who? Me? Kaeya? Himself? Why?

All I know is that because of her, Kaeya, he hadn't felt anything for me.

When it came to go to Ami's, it seemed like whatever had troubled him had vanished. But my pain didn't...and I wondered if this was what the beginning of a heartbreak felt like...

So here we are now...on the last page of this amazing adventure.

"You know what," Martha said as she dug into her jacket's pocket, "I know you don't believe in these things, but take mine," she held out her cellphone for me.

"Martha I can't take that," I shook my head.

"No, c'mon, please?" she pushed the phone to me, "Look, we're both going to be in the city now...apparently," she gave the Doctor a quick glance, clearly disappointed she was being dropped off next, "So, I wanna keep in touch. Take it, Souza," and with no chance to say anything, she took my hand and placed her phone on my palm.

"Well then," I half-smiled, looking at the phone for a bit, "I guess we will."

She nodded, "You better pick up."

I chuckled, giving her a hug, "Of course," I pulled back and smiled, turning for the Doctor, "And you, you better remember to come back for me on Saturday. Saturday morning."

"I'll be there. On time," he assured, "I swear."

My smile grew as I knew he was never on time for anything, so maybe I was a tad special in the end. But no more than Kaeya, apparently.

I hugged him very tight, resting my head on his shoulder for a minute, taking in this last type of contact. I had a made a promise before coming here to rid myself of these silly feelings I had for him.

Time would help...and a great distance too.

~0~

"Well Miss Souza, you'll have a lot of catching up to do," Mrs. Conan, the headmaster of my preparatory school, declared.

I sat in her office listening, or so I made it look to her anyways, all about my missing school days and whatnot. Truthfully, my mind was somewhere else...

"You have an excellent potential," the woman continued, walking around her desk until she was beside my chair, leaning on the desk, "You just need to focus," I nodded quietly, and she returned to her chair across me, "Well," she picked up a file of my papers, "I see you've taken an interest in joining an art club?"

My eyes shot up, nodding, but this time with a genuine excitement. If there was anything that would help me get through this, it was to draw.

"Do you have any of your work?"

I nodded again and quickly took my bag from the ground, taking my sketchpad out and placed it on her desk before her, "They're all in here...and they're genuine. I guarantee you will never see this anywhere."

And truthfully, she never would...

I mean, it's not like she's been to New Earth or anything...seen a big Face of Boe or something...not even the pig and the showgirl.

She took the sketchpad and turned to the first page, finding a drawing of my grandmother. She was pleased, but not greatly until she reached the page that held a drawing of the Krillitanes, "Marvelous," she remarked, her eyes widening at the creatures, "This one is incredible."

Thank you," I leaned forwards, "So, what do you think? Will I be accepted?"

"They'd be crazy not to accept you!" she laughed, setting the pad down and sighing with a smile, "You are amazing. But," she stood up once again, "There is still the matter of finishing up the work you've missed."

I looked at the pile of papers waiting for me on her desk, knowing there was much more to come, "Okay..."

She chuckled, patting my shoulder as she walked by, "I'll go get the rest."

I made a face, leaning back on my chair. I would start my work right away, right after leaving the school. Just the thought of it made my stomach churn. I wanted to be in some galaxy, away from this planet, exploring.

A cellphone ringing cut my thoughts off, and for a moment I forgot I even carried a phone! I sure hoped Martha's family and friends were alright because they'd take a big surprise when it was me who answered.

"...Hello?" I asked, slowly.

How would I explain to this human that their friend or family member gave me her phone to keep in touch since an alien would be leaving us on Earth from now on to continue his time traveling?

There was no way...was there?

"Minerva?"

My eyes widened, immediately sitting straight, "Doctor?"

"Listen..." he began, and I knew something great was about to happen...and something bad for the planet.

But it was okay...right?

Because then that would mean...

"I know you're probably busy with your work but...the thing is, Martha and I are gonna investigate something, specifically a professor. Professor Lazarus. Do you think you could join us?"

"Yes!" I blurted without actually thinking. But even when I considered the pros and cons, my answer remained the same, "Yes, just tell me where to go and I'll be there."

He told me all the details and once again I assured him that I would be there. There was loads of work to do here but...what was one more night? I would start officially tomorrow. All day. No breaks...tomorrow.

"So Miss Souza," Mrs. Conan entered the room just as I gathered my stuff and got to my feet. She looked up in surprise, eyeing my things in my arms, "We're not finished yet."

"I know but...something came up," I walked up to her, racking my brain for a good excuse, "I really need to go."

"But your work needs to be finished and I'm only available today."

"Okay, what about tonight?"

"Tonight?"

I nodded fast, "Yes, ten o'clock? Eleven? Heck, I'll even do midnight!" I rushed to the door, turning back with a grin, "Yes?"

She sighed, "I don't usually see students outside of school hours but since you are an exceptional student, I will see you at ten."

I squealed, startling her for a second, "Thank you!" And I rushed out, hoping the time would pass quick so I could see my friend tonight.

Friends. I definitely said friends because I had two friends and not just one, Martha. There was two...two friends.

~0~

That evening, I put on something nice and made my way to the address of the so-called fancy gathering of Professor Lazarus. I checked the entrance and saw security was tight so I thought it would be best to wait for the Doctor and Martha to arrive. I took myself to the side and watched many fancy guests pass by. I wondered what the event was even for. I probably should have asked that on the phone, I thought when I realized I had missed all the important things I should've done.

It wasn't long before I saw the familiar pair so I rushed over to meet them.

Martha saw me first, the Doctor seemingly fussing with something on his wrists, and so she ran towards me, meeting me in a big hug; like it had been ages since we last saw each other. "Minerva! Glad you came!"

"Hey, last one right? Gotta be there," I said, smiling as she grabbed my hand and led us back to the alien.

"Unfortunately, right?" she gave me a quick glance, more than disappointed about it.

I nodded then finally placed my attention, for real, on the alien, "What's um...what's going on there?" I asked, at long last seeing he was actually fussing with the cuffs of his dress shirt.

"I hate this," he let it go with a frown, then moved to fix his tie, "The whole thing, black tie?" he pointed, and I nodded, "Equals bad, very bad. Whenever I wear this, something bad always happens."

I suddenly laughed, deepening his frown, "Sorry but it's not the outfit, Doctor. That's just you."

He tilted his head, giving me a scolding look but not at all angry, "Thanks..." he said sarcastically.

"Oh don't worry, I think it suits you," Martha offered, looking him over, "In a James Bond kind of way."

He considered it, clearly content with the comparison, "James Bond? Really?"

Martha chuckled while I shook my head, "Oh no, the ego will grow."

"Shush it," he pointed at me, fixing his tie with a smirk, "I like it."

"Well, I think you both look lovely," I announced, glancing at Martha, taking her purple dress, "Especially Martha's because..."

She quickly caught on, having noticed my dress. She picked up a side of hers while I the same, both moving closer to compare, "Purple!" we exclaimed before laughing.

We both wore purple dresses! Hers was a sleeveless, dark purple, v-neck styled dress reaching above her knees. Mine, in turn, was lighter, a bit shinier with an illusion neckline but was also sleeveless. It had few crystals going around the hemline of the skirt above my knees.

"You know what they say," Martha pointed, grinning, "Great minds think alike."

We both laughed again and pulled the Doctor for the building.

~0~

We entered a gorgeous room with highly 'important' people. In the center of the grand room was a large, white circular cabinet. Surrounding it were four pillars, along with a set of machinery, assumed to be the control panels of all. There was also an odd, baby blue and white, crystal set up on the center of one of the control panels.

Martha had excused herself for a few minutes to go find her family, realizing that while they had just seen her, she had gone months without seeing them.

Meanwhile, I stared at the machinery, trying to come up with an explanation as to what its purpose was, "Do you suppose people go in there?" I asked the Doctor, awaiting an answer that never came.

I glanced at him, finding him eyeing a certain waiter holding a tray. I would've repeated my question if it wasn't for him suddenly grabbing a handful of of hors d'oeuvres from the waiter's tray as he passed by.

"Oh, look, they've got nibbles!" he exclaimed, stuffing them into his mouth, an amused smile growing on my face as I just stared, "I love nibbles!" he finally noticed me watching and immediately stopped, but my smile didn't, "Did I mention how lovely you look?" he asked, scarfing the food down his throat.

Quietly, I nodded, my smile becoming softer as I raised two fingers, "Twice," I blushed as I looked away for a moment, hoping he'd maybe go for a third round.

"Oh..." he finished with his 'nibbles' and smiled, "...well, you do. You're eyes, they're kind of..." he mimicked something with his hands near his eyes but I only stared in confusion, trying to follow his movements, "...I meant sparkly. Yeah."

"Thank you," I turned to the direction of the cabinet, hoping I wasn't blushing too obviously or anything, "So, um, did you hear my question?"

"No I was...distracted."

"Yeah, with food," I rolled my eyes, shaking my head, "I meant with the cabinet over there. Do you think someone's supposed to go in there?"

"Could be," he shrugged, now eyeing the cabinet, "Although whatever is gonna happen in there won't be good."

"He said he was gonna change what it means to be human?" I looked at him, confused as I tried deciphering that sentence, "What could change human life? I mean...unless you suddenly make vegetables taste better for children, there's not much you can do...unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Death."

"Come again?"

"See, humans, while not all of us fear death, it's still there," I tapped my head, "It's always there. Death. Whether you're afraid or not, you always want to run from it. Hide. Cheat it. And what's the one thing no scientist has been able to do as far as we know?" I began smiling as the answer came to me, and hopefully, the whole experiment here, "Rid the humans of death."

"Death?" Martha frowned, hearing my last words as she and her sister, Tish, walked over to us, "Minerva, I leave for five minutes and you're talking about 'death'?"

"She was making a good point, though," the Doctor cut in, defending me softly, "I quite like it," we glanced at each other and smiled.

"There's a shocker," Martha remarked sardonically, a hand on her hip.

Tish ignored her sister's mock and went up to give me a hug, even though we were just mere acquaintances from the days in the hospital, we had gotten along very well, "It's nice to see you again."

"Likewise," I said, pulling back.

"But, I have to ask," she looked at the Doctor and I, "How did you two get in? You're not on the list...and I should know, I made the list."

"They're my plus two," Martha stepped up, bringing her sister back to her side.

"So, this Lazarus bloke, he's your boss?" the Doctor asked.

"Professor Lazarus, yes. I'm part of his executive staff," Tish nodded.

"She's in the PR department," Martha explained.

"Head of the PR department," Tish said, proudly, "I put this whole thing together."

"So do you know what the professor's going to be doing tonight?" the Doctor looked to the tables and cylinder surrounded by machines, "That looks like it might be a sonic microfield manipulator. Plus, that crystal..." he tilted his head, studying it until Tish broke his concentration.

"He's a science geek. Should've known. I gotta get back to work now. I'll catch up with you later," she turned and left.

"Science geek?" the Doctor said, confused, "What does that mean?"

"That you're obsessively enthusiastic about it," I sighed, smiling.

"Oh, nice," he grinned, leading me to shake my head.

"Martha?" someone called, making Martha turn in a flash, followed by her running to a woman and encase her in a big hug.

"Mum!"

"Alright, what's the occasion?" her mother asked, quite confused by her daughter's cry but nonetheless smiling.

That's what a good mother would do...

What do you mean? I'm just pleased to see you, that's all," Martha stepped back.

"You saw me last night."

"I know I just miss you. You're looking good, Leo," Martha smiled at her brother who stood by their mother's side.

"Yeah. If anyone asks me to fetch them a drink, I'll swing for him," her brother shook his head.

Her mother then looked to the Doctor and I, barely taking in our presence, "Martha, you disappeared last night."

"I...just went home."

"On your own?"

"These are friends of mine," Martha gestured to us, "Minerva Souza and the Doctor."

"Nice to meet you," I stepped up and shook her hand.

"Francine," she said, and by the look she was giving me I couldn't help but wonder if I had made it to her good or bad list. I stepped back, now sheepish under the woman's eye.

The Doctor took my place and shook her hand next, "Hello, I'm the Doctor."

"Doctor what?"

"No, it's just the Doctor."

"We've been doing some work together," Martha explained, "And Minerva used to volunteer at the hospital."

"Lovely to meet you. We heard a lot about you!" the Doctor smiled, although now I knew he was definitely on her bad list.

"Have you? What have you heard, then?" Francine raised an eye brow.

"Oh you know, that you're Martha's mother and...um..." he paused to think, glancing at me for help, but really, I had none, "No, actually, that's...that's about it. We haven't had much time to chat, you know, been busy."

"Busy?" Francine didn't like the sound of that, "Doing what, exactly?"

"Oh...you know...stuff."

He was so oblivious.

A tapping on glass sound made us all turn to see an elderly man standing in front of the cabinet, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Professor Richard Lazarus and tonight I'm going to perform a miracle. It is, I believe, the most important advance since Rutherford split the atom, the biggest leap since Armstrong stood on the moon. Tonight, you will watch and wonder. Tomorrow, you'll awake to a world which will be changed forever," he entered the cabinet and faced us with a contentious smile as the doors closed.

The employees began working on the machinery behind cabinet. Suddenly, a bright blue light illuminated us followed by a weird, pitchy sound. It belonged to four pillars spinning like mad around the cabinet, individually, creating an energy field. They continued to spin a fast matter, only increasing as the seconds passed by until finally, a warning klaxon went off, the crystal shining as bright as ever.

"Something's wrong! It's overloading!" the Doctor rushed over as some of the panels started exploding and sending off sparks, shooing off the technicians away.

"Get away from there!" a woman called out, but of course the alien ignored her and aimed the sonic at the panels.

"If this thing goes off, it'll take the whole building with it. Is that what you want?" he pulled one of the main wires connecting to the cabinet, slowly stopping its spins. Martha and I ran over to the cabinet, trying to pull at the door as the Doctor joined us, "Get it open!"

Finally, we got it opened, backing away and coughing as smoke emerged from the inside. However, that didn't stop us from staring on at the new sight before. Lazarus...only much younger.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Richard Lazarus. I am 76 years old and I am reborn!" he threw his arms open as the crowd cheered. He moved away to take photographs with the guests while the Doctor went back to the machines and studied them with great care.

"It can't be the same guy," Martha looked on, "That's impossible."

"And yet, here we are," I crossed my arms, glancing back at the Doctor, "How's it going over there?"

He looked up, not at all happy, "He just changed what it means to be human."

"I kinda gathered," I nodded, returning my gaze to Lazarus.

"Well," he strolled over, stopping between Martha and I, "I don't think I've ever hated you to be right."

"I wasn't completely right..."

"No? The man is forty for goodness sake's!" he gestured Lazarus, who did indeed look around that age.

"Calm down," I raised my hands in defeat, "I was only trying to make you feel better."

"Should we talk to him?" Martha asked, ignoring the small disagreement between us.

Wanting to put an end on our small disagreement, I turned for the control panels, specifically the crystal. I walked over to it, studying it intently. Now that I looked at it, it didn't really seem like a crystal. It wasn't shiny nor had that glass appearance, "Doctor, what do you suppose this was for?" I called, making the Martian turn to my direction.

"Don't touch it," he warned as he walked over, his eyes widening for a moment.

"But..." I reached for it.

"I said don't!" he smacked my hand.

I blinked, he's never done that before... "I'm sorry?" I rubbed my hand.

"I just..." he sighed, shaking his head, "...no, it can't be."

"Well, Lazarus seems to have a new adoration for food," Martha called.

I wanted to forget this small moment and so I joined Martha instead, "C'mon."

We walked for Lazarus, the Doctor lagging a bit behind, distracted by something.

As we approached, we saw Lazarus stuffing food into his mouth and a lady beside him, looking appalled by it, "I'm famished," he complained.

"Energy deficit. Always happens with this kind of process," the Doctor said, making them turn back.

"You speak as if you see this every day, Mr..." Lazarus looked him over.

"Doctor. And, well, no, not every day, but I have some experience in this kind of transformation."

"That's not possible."

"Using hypersonic sound waves to create a state of resonance. That's...that's inspired."

"You understand the theory, then," Lazarus looked impressed.

"Enough to know that you couldn't possibly have allowed for all the variables."

"No experiment is entirely without risk"

"That thing nearly exploded. You might as well have stepped into a blender," I pointed, "That was incredibly stupid."

"You're not qualified to comment," the woman beside him snapped.

"If my friend hadn't stopped it, he would've exploded," I glared, "And who the hell are you?"

"I am Lady Thaw for you, little girl," she sneered, making me step up for her.

Martha grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "Maybe not the best time to argue with an old lady."

"Thank you, Doctor for your help," Lazarus smiled, ignoring us for the moment, "But that's a simple engineering issue. What happened inside the capsule was exactly what was supposed to happen. No more, no less."

"And the crystal?" the Doctor asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Donation, from Mr. Saxon."

"You've no way of knowing that until you've run proper tests," Martha said before the Doctor could even speak again.

Lazarus laughed, disbelieving, "Look at me! You can see what happened. I'm all the proof you need."

"This device will be proper certified before we start to operate commercially," Lady Thaw announced.

"Commercially?" I raised an eye brow, "N-n-n-n-no, you can't sell that."

"It's a chance for humanity to evolve, to improve."

"Wouldn't you like to keep that pretty little face of yours forever?" Lazarus asked, placing a hand underneath my chin.

"It's tempting I'll give you that," I replied quietly, pushing his hand down.

"Minerva!" the Doctor blinked in surprise.

"I said it was tempting. I didn't say I was actually gonna agree to it," I clarified, shaking my head, "I would never. Everything has its time to live and die and no human should have the power to decide when that happens."

"But it's for the better good," Lazarus insisted, his soft attitude not desisting even when we were clearly defying his ideals.

"No, it's just for cosmetic reasons," I crossed my arms, getting more frustrated with the matter, "Live a little longer...we're not meant for that."

"Richard, we have things to discuss. Upstairs," Lady Thaw declared before walking off.

"I'm sorry to say I would have to disagree with you, Miss," he reached for my hand, practically forcing his grasp on me as he kissed the back of it, "Goodbye, Doctor. In a few years, you'll look back and laugh at how wrong you all were."

"Oh, he's out of his depth," the Doctor stared after them, "No idea of the damage he might have done."

"I'll say. Starting with the psychological problem of believing one's superiority over another," I frowned, glaring at my own hand with disgust, before mimicking the Lazarus's voice, "'Look at me I just cheated death, bow down to me," I rolled my eyes, "I can see it already."

"You're really upset..." Martha remarked, looking at me with concern.

"How can I not be? This isn't right!" I glanced at the Doctor, "You know that, right?"

He nodded, "Definitely."

"Humans might live less years than other species but that's okay because our purpose is much greater. And I'm sorry to say this about my own people but...if we had that kind of power...we'd be even more arrogant and scornful than ever."

"So what do we do now?" Martha asked, keeping a close eye on me as if I'd lash out on someone else at any moment.

I held out my hand for them, specifically the back of it, "I say it's time we run some tests...using a specific DNA sample of a certain professor."

Martha nodded, "Let's find a lift," and she went off to find one.

"Doctor, I know you think I actually liked the idea of living a life like Lazarus intends to, but I don't," I glanced at him, dead serious to let him know that under no circumstances would I ever agree, "It's true, I do wish humans had a longer life span but never like the one Lazarus proposes. You know I only want it extended for a couple more years, and to do something productive. I would never agree to use it just for superficial reasons."

"Minerva," he took hold of my arm, "Can I tell you something?"

"Yeah?" I was confused on his lack of response to my small lecture.

He started smiling, a bit roguish I dared say, "I like your behavior on this matter..."

Taken aback, I looked to the side, hiding a smile, "Really?"

"Yeah...any other human would be on board with this," he gestured to the guests who showed the exact attitude he talked about, "But not you. You get it. You want to see the world, and that's something I'd love to give you..."

"There's no time," I whispered sadly, both of us silent for a moment, looking at each other with small smiles.

"If everyone thought like you, then maybe I'd consider it letting it all pass but..."

"Humans will never think that," I said coldly, not about to sugar coat my people's primary instinct, "They see immortality and think eternal youth. Eternal youth leads to great power and humans aren't capable of having all that and not sparking war or chaos."

"That is...good," he nodded, almost proud, "Any other human would advocate for their eternal youth...but not you..."

"One more thing you don't know about me, Doctor," I took back my arm, forming an impish smile, "I'm not like any other human," I walked off, quite pleased with myself and him.

If I was leaving anyways, what was the harm in a little flirt? Just to get it out of my system...

~0~

"Amazing," the Doctor smiled at the screen before us, "Isn't this amazing?" he looked at us.

"It will be when you tell us," Martha said.

"Lazarus' DNA," he pointed to the screen.

We looked but there was nothing strange...until it flickered.

"What...what was that?" I asked, still shocked.

"Did that just change?" Martha exclaimed, "But it can't do that!"

"But it did," the Doctor nodded.

"That's impossible," I muttered, watching the DNA fluctuate again.

'That's two impossible things we've seen tonight!" he said, excitedly, "Don't you love it when that happens?"

"But this means Lazarus has changed his own molecular patterns," I glanced over, getting over my denial pretty quick when I realized what this meant for my kind, "He has no idea what he's gonna release!"

"He used hypersonic sound waves to destabilize the cell structure then a mutagenic program to manipulate the coding in the protein strands. Basically, he hacked into his own genes and instructed them to rejuvenate."

"And what was the crystal for?"

"Why do you wanna know?"

"Seeing as you smacked me for almost touching it, I supposed it was very important."

"Oh...right," he looked away in shame for a second, "Sorry, it's just...it's important. It helps you heal."

"So it just added to the rejuvenation?" Martha eyed us both, unknown to her what we were talking about.

"It does more than that, Lazarus will never be sick again."

"But his cells are still mutating now," I reminded, "Meaning the crystal did something else."

"The crystal must have activated something in his DNA that won't let him stabilize. It healed, but of there is something else hidden away, it'll take it as something that needs restoration."

"So it's changing him?"

"Change him into what?" Martha asked, quietly.

"I don't know but I think we need to find out."

"That crabby woman said they were going upstairs," I gestured for the doors.

~0~

We ran into a dark office and when we flicked the lights on, it was completely empty.

"Where is he?" Martha looked around.

I gasped when I saw bones sticking out from the desk...and they wore heels, "Oh my god!"

"What is it?" the Doctor quickly asked.

I pointed, "Look."

They looked over and saw the bones. We rushed over and saw the remains of a woman...

"Lady Thaw," Martha whispered.

"Use to be," the Doctor corrected, "Now it's just a shell. All the life energy was drained out. Like squeezing the juice out of an orange."

"Lazarus," I looked around, he could be hiding in this very room...just waiting for another victim.

"So he's changed already?" Martha asked.

"Not necessarily. You saw the DNA. It was fluctuating. The process must demand energy. This might not have been enough."

"We have to stop him!" I stood up, looking back at the lift.

~0~

When we returned to the reception area, we desperately searched around for the changing human but he was no where to be seen!

"I can't see him!" Martha exclaimed.

"He can't be far. Keep looking," the Doctor said then walked off.

"It's a big room," I complained, looking around.

"Hey!" Leo walked over, "You two alright?" We nodded absently, still searching about, "Martha, I think Mum wants to talk to you."

"Have you seen Lazarus anywhere?" she asked.

"Yeah, he was getting cozy with Tish a couple of minutes ago."

"What?" I snapped my head back, "N-n-no!"

The Doctor returned about the same time as Francine did, and for some reason, she wasn't happy.

"Where did they go?" demanded Martha.

"Upstairs," Leo shrugged, "Why?"

Francine turned to the Doctor, "Doctor-"

The Doctor dashed off, accidentally making Francine spill her drink on herself, "Hey!" she called, "I was speaking to you!"

"Sorry about that!" I quickly said then ran after him.

We returned to the office but found it just as empty as before.

"Where are they?" Martha cried, desperately, "Tish is with her!"

The Doctor took out his screwdriver and started scanning, "Fluctuating DNA will give off an energy signature. I might be able to pick it up," he turned around as it beeped. Suddenly, it started increasing, 'Got him."

"Where?" I asked and he pointed it up, "The roof?"

"To the stairs!" Martha ordered and we were off.

We found Tish and Lazarus at the edge of the roof, looking about the city, and Lazarus in the middle of making his grand entrance into Tish's life, "I find that nothing's ever exactly like you expect. There's always something to surprise you. "Between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act-"

"Falls the shadow"," the Doctor finished him, making both Lazarus and Tish turn to us.

"So the mysterious Doctor knows his Eliot. I'm impressed," Lazarus said, actually amused at a time like this.

"Martha, what are you doing here?" Tish demanded, not at all amused by our presence.

"Tish, get away from him," Martha ordered.

"What? Don't tell me what to do."

"I wouldn't have thought you had time for poetry, Lazarus, what with you being busy defying the laws of nature and all," the Doctor remarked, getting the attention back to where it was needed.

"Don't forget he's added flirting to the list," I crossed my arms.

"My dear, my lifetime was much too short." Lazarus smiled, "Now I could do more with two or three or even four life times."

"It doesn't work like that," the Doctor said, serious, "Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It's not the time that matters, it's the person."

"He's right," I nodded, "Just look at me. I've traveled non-stop for four years, and I felt like I accomplished more than I ever did in my whole lifetime."

"What if this gift was placed in the right hands?" Lazarus asked, using a soft tone as if that would make me agree, "And that person, the right person, would embrace it correctly?"

"It would never be embraced correctly," I remarked earnestly, surprising him, "No human is capable of it. You are not the right hands."

"Then you judge me harshly," his soft tone exchanged for an angry one, even taking a step towards me, "And you are no one to judge me."

"Over here, Tish. Now," Martha ordered, pointing to the spot beside her.

Tish walked over, angrily, 'You have to spoil everything, don't you? Every time I find someone nice, you have to go and find fault."

"He's a monster!" Martha exclaimed.

"I know the age thing's a bit freaky, but it works for Catherine Zeta-Jones."

The Doctor and I watched on with wide eyes as Lazarus convulsed radically behind the angry Tish. He even growled at us, making the two woman look on and get the surprise of their lives.

"Oh my god..." I started backing away.

"Run!" the Doctor ordered.

We ran back inside and while we waited for the elevator, the Doctor sealed off the door with the screwdriver.

"Are you okay, Tish?" Martha asked.

"I was gonna snog him!" she cried.

"Ew, good thing we stopped you," I muttered.

We jumped back when Lazarus banged on the door and caused the security sirens to blare.

"What's happening?" Martha looked around.

"An intrusion," Tish replied, "It triggers a security lock down. Kills most of the power. Stops the lifts. Seals the exits."

"He must be breaking through that door. The stairs, come on!" the Doctor said before pushing us forwards.

We rushed to the stairs and as we ran down we heard the door crashing through from above.

"Is there another way out, Tish?" the Doctor asked as soon as we entered the reception area.

"There's an exit in the corner, but it'll be locked now."

He tossed Martha the screwdriver, "Setting 54. Hurry."

I looked after them. "What do I do?"

"Help get these people out."

He jumped onto the platform in front of the room, "Listen to me! You people are in serious danger! You need to get out of here right now!"

"Don't be ridiculous. The biggest danger here is choking on an olive," a woman waved him off.

The glass around us shattered and in jumped Lazarus, causing everyone to panic and scream.

"Go that way!" I yelled, pointing to the exit, "Hurry!"

"Leo!" I heard Francine yell.

I looked over and saw him knocked out on the floor with a table so I quickly ran over to help.

"C'mon, Leo," Francine and I helped him little by little.

I looked up and saw Lazarus coming for us, "Doctor!" I shouted.

"Lazarus!" he ran over to us, stepping in between, "Leave them alone!" the creature turned for him, "What's the point if you can't control it? The mutation's too strong. Killing those people won't help you. You're a fool, a vain old man who thought he could defy Nature. Only Nature got her own back, didn't she? You're a joke, Lazarus! A footnote in the history of failure!" and he ran off, Lazarus right behind him.

Great, now the Martian was using himself as a distraction because I asked for help.

Francine and I brought Leo downstairs, now outside the building and Martha looked over his injuries. My mind was stuck back upstairs. I kept looking between the Jones and it, wondering when it would be ideal to dash back up.

"Martha, I have to go back in there," I looked desperately at the building.

Now that I truly accepted my feelings, whether right or wrong, it constricted my heart to think even remotely that the Doctor could be in danger. True, I always cared for his safety, even as friends, but now it was different. I was prone to be more cautious with him.

"I know," Martha nodded, "And you won't do it alone. I'm coming with you."

"You two are crazy!" Francine exclaimed, "You saw that thing. It'l kill you."

"I know but, here's the thing, I don't care," I shrugged, shaking my head and running back. Not a minute later did Martha as well, "What way?" I looked around.

"Any way!" she shrugged and we were off.

As we ran through a corridor, we heard an explosion coming from behind, making us turn back and run towards the explosion. We ran into the Doctor by a corner and stumbled back.

"What are you two doing here?" he demanded.

"Returning this," Martha held out his screwdriver.

"And to help," I nodded.

"How did you-"

"We heard the explosion," I cut him off, "Who else would it be? It's like your trade mark."

"I blasted Lazarus."

Martha blinked, "You killed him?"

Lazarus suddenly came crashing down into the corridor.

"More like sort of annoyed him," the Doctor replied before we ran again.

And somehow, we ended up in the reception area, "We've just gone in a circle!" I cried.

Lazarus burst in, making us jump, "We can't lead him outside!" the Doctor said, running for the cylinder again.

I ran to the control panels, hoping there was just some kind of weapon that would stunt him or something...like something shiny! I turned for the crystal, still shining but not as bright as before.

"Minerva, don't touch it!" the Doctor warned.

"But we can use it!" I searched for a way to get it out of the contraption it was set onto.

"No we can't!" his voice began to raise.

"Yes, we can!"

"NO WE CAN'T!" he shouted at the same time I just went for it and pulled it up.

"Ah!" I hissed and desisted on my attempt at the burning sensation on my palms. That really hurt! I stared at it in shock, wondering if flames were hiding underneath it because that's what it felt like: fire.

"I told you not to touch it!" the Doctor continued shouting, pulling me around harshly, leaving me actually scared.

"It's just a stupid crystal!" Martha pulled him away from me, taking my hands and studying the burnt spots on them, "And she's hurt, what's the matter with you!?"

I looked at him with indefinable emotions. He never yelled at me, and much less with an angry yell. It wasn't like him and I personally didn't want to see it again.

"Minerva, I'm-" the Doctor tried to say something when Lazarus burst into the reception. He spun around and pointed at the cabinet, "In there!"

"We have to go in?" Martha and I glanced at each other, not so sure about that. It looked a tad small...we'd be very confined.

"Would you two hurry up? Or would you like to have a nice chat with that?" the Doctor pointed back at a nearing Lazarus.

Without a thought, we ran forth. The Doctor stopped me right before entering and took one of my hands, studying its burns, "I'm really sorry," he pressed a kiss on it.

I knew it was the wrong time but I hugged him, "I'm sorry."

"Guys!" Martha called.

We squished into the cabinet and pressed ourselves against the wall, as if to create more space that didn't exist.

"Are we just gonna hide?" Martha asked.

"No, he knows we're here," the Doctor replied, "But this is his masterpiece. I'm betting he won't destroy it, not even to get at us."

"But we're trapped! And severely...squished," I tried wiggling my arm up, being it squished between Martha and I.

"Well, yeah, that's a slight problem."

"Yah think?" I raised an eye brow.

"Do you even have a plan?" Martha demanded.

'Yes, the plan was to get inside here!"

"Then what?"

"Well..." he looked around, no idea what to say next, "...then I'd come up with another plan."

"You are an idiot," I spat, glaring at him.

"I've been told!"

"Do something!" I stomped my foot and accidentally stepped on his.

"Ow!" he yelped, flinching, "Minerva!"

"Sorry..."

He sighed, reaching down between us, "I need the screwdriver."

I suddenly jumped when I felt his hand in a spot I most certainly did not invite him to. "Hey!"

He quickly stopped, looking at me with eyes slightly wide, "Sorry," he said quietly, and tried again, "Here we are!" he held up the screwdriver.

"And what are you gonna do with that?" asked Martha.

"Improvise," he slid down, more like wiggling really, and opened up a control panel at the bottom.

"I still don't understand where that thing came from. Is it alien?" Martha asked.

"No, for once it's strictly human in origin," he replied as he worked, using the sonic on wires below.

"Oh look at that, humans in chaos because we figured out a way how to cheat death," I rolled my eyes, "Who didn't see that coming?"

"Well, maybe it wasn't entirely his fault."

"Oh don't defend the guy!"

"No, I'm serious, there was probably dormant genes in Lazarus' DNA. And energy field, along with the crystal, reactivated it."

"But I don't get it, how does a piece of jewelry activate genes?" Martha frowned.

"Because it's not just any ordinary crystal."

"Yeah, it burns," I looked down at my hands, feeling the stings each time I tried to move them.

"Well do you know what it is?" Martha asked, both of us noticing how he just stopped working for a minute, lost in thoughts.

"Doctor?" I tried.

"I said it...it heals, it unlocks things, makes them dominant."

"What? So it just unlocks genes at random?"

"No," he looked up, his eyes filled with sadness all of a sudden, "The crystal searches for anything that's wrong with the person and tries to correct them. For humans, it must be some gene that evolution rejected for you."

"And for people like...Time Lords?"

He shrugged, "Don't know. It never left its planet of origin. Which is why I don't understand what's it doing here!" he returned to his work, a bit more frustrated now.

"What planet did it belong to?" I questioned, watching him cautiously. I had already angered him once and I didn't want to go for another round.

"Kaeya's..." he whispered.

I gasped lightly, it had belonged to his lost friend? That woman...that prevented the spark.

"Yes, but that's not important right now!" and he was so lying, "Oh, nice shoes by the way."

I playfully rolled my eyes, "Thanks, they're Ami's. It seems my shoes are still in your TARDIS...I wonder how that happened?" I glanced at Martha who just looked away, innocently. Literally, that were her only job; bring me my suitcase with shoes...

The Doctor looked up, his hands still working, "You're always welcomed back...to get them, I mean."

I smiled down, "Think I'll have to take that offer."

He grinned and returned his focus to the wires. Suddenly, a blue light started emerging all around us.

"What's happening!?" Martha cried.

"Sounds like he's switched the machine on."

"Not good," I looked around, "This was your plan, Martian?"

"Well, I was hoping it was gonna take him a little bit longer to work that out."

The cabinet started shuffling, and I imagined we were in motion circles now.

"Doctor, I don't mean to hurry you but..." Martha looked around, terrified.

"Nearly done," he said, working faster.

"Mind telling us what exactly you are doing?" I asked, looking down, not that I could see anyways.

"Trying to set the capsule to reflect energy rather than receive it."

"Will that kill him?"

"When he transforms, he's three times his size, cellular triplication, so he's spreading himself thin."

"We're gonna end up like him!" cried Martha.

I was going to add on that remark when I felt something in my head, making me dizzy for a moment. And then heard...voices in my head?

"Minerva? Minerva what's wrong?" Martha shook me a bit, but even though I wanted to reply I couldn't.

Something took over my body for a moment, leaving me conscious yet frozen. The voices seemed to overlap, all speaking and not letting me concentrate on what exactly they were saying. Although there was one that stood out; a great, big, loud scream. It was one of those screams that you hear in a scary movie where the character is about to face some sort of great danger and you get shivers down your spine. It was that kind...and I definitely got chills all over my body.

"Doctor! It's Minerva!" Martha called, and he looked up, finding me staring blankly ahead.

"Just one more!" he ripped out a wire, "Got it!" he slid back up and opened the door, pulling me out as I took a long gasp.

"I thought we were gonna go through the blender then," Martha said, quickly getting out.

"Minerva, hey," the Doctor patted my cheek lightly, "Minerva?"

I suddenly shook my head, feeling myself slowly come back to them, the voices fading away, the scream vanishing, "Woah..."

"Are you alright?"

I looked at him, finding there to be something different about him. I shook my head once again and looked at him, now thinking he was just the same as always. What the hell was wrong with me!? "Woah..." I blinked, "That's creepy."

"What?"

"There were voices everywhere..."

He studied my face, cupping it into his hands and looking intently from one spot to another, "What's wrong with you? Do you feel alright?"

I nodded, "Yeah, yeah, I do now. But it was weird, it was as if that cabinet thing," I looked back at it, "Got into my head or something..."

"Is that possible?" Martha quickly came by my side, "Will she turn into what Lazarus was?"

"Oh my god, will I!?" I nearly cried in terror.

"If you want, I can run some tests on you before you go home. But I highly doubt it, " he offered, to which I quickly nodded, "For now..."

We looked ahead at the now human Lazarus on the ground, unconscious, and naked.

"He seems so...human again. It's kind of pitiful," Martha said.

"Eliot saw that, too. "This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but with a whimper," the Doctor sighed.

"We should call the police," I said, looking away.

~0~

"Mum!" Martha ran down the stairs to her mother and gave her family a big hug.

"Thank goodness you're alright!" Tish smiled.

"Mrs. Jones," the Doctor walked for her, "We still haven't finished our chat."

Francine stared at him then slapped him across the face, leaving us with our mouths opened, "Keep away from my daughter!"

"Mum, what are you doing?" Martha frowned.

The Doctor put a hand over his cheek and sighed, making several faces as he rubbed his hand along his forming red skin, "All their mothers, every time."

"He is dangerous!" Francine pointed, "I've been told things."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused.

"Look around!" she gestured, "Nothing but death and destruction! I don't know who you are exactly, but I know your mother would want you as far away from this man as possible."

"I make my own decisions. And I believe you are wrong."

"Mum, this isn't his fault," Martha said, 'He saved us."

"Are you okay?" I turned to the Doctor, pulling his hand from his cheek, smiling softly at the red tinge it already wore. H never did seem to catch a break.

"Every time," he whined.

"I know, I should probably stop slapping you..." I made a face, recalling the several times I'd slapped my hand across his face.

"Get away from him!" Francine ordered, making me scoff.

"Why? He's done nothing wrong, in fact, he just saved all of you," I glared, beginning to dislike her for hurting my Martian.

A crash made us all stop and without a word, the Doctor ran off.

I rushed down the stairs and looked back, "Martha?"

She looked at her mother then ran down beside me, "Leave him!" Francine yelled.

I ran off, leaving Martha to decide for herself. She caught up with me in no time, with Tish beside her, "You're not leaving?" I asked, smiling dimly.

"If you don't mind," she shrugged.

"Never!"

We ran to where the Doctor was, and we saw the ambulance Lazarus had been carried off in, completely empty, "Lazarus back from the dead," the Doctor said, "Should've known, really," he took out his screwdriver and started searching for him again.

"Where could he have gone?" Martha looked around.

"That way," he pointed, "The church."

'Cathedral," Tish nodded, "It's Southwark Cathedral. He told me."

~0~

We arrived into a solitary and dark cathedral, walking up towards its nave. The Doctor still searched with the screwdriver and us behind, keeping an eye out for anything that could jump out.

"You think he's in here?" I asked, quietly, the fear creeping inside me as not a sound was being made.

"Where would you go if you were looking for sanctuary?" the Doctor replied.

We walked forwards, stepping into the altar as we found Lazarus behind, on the ground, a blanket wrapped around himself.

"I came here before. A lifetime ago," he said in between his gasps, "I thought I was going to die then. In fact, I was sure of it. I sat there, just a child...the sound of planes and bombs outside."

"The Blitz," the Doctor said.

"You've read about it."

"I was there."

He scoffed, "You're too young."

"So are you," the Doctor countered.

Lazarus laughed until it became painful, the mutation becoming more and more strong, "In the morning, the fires had died, and I was still alive. I swore I'd never face death like that again."

The Doctor began walking around Lazarus very slowly and occasionally looking up. I looked up and saw the bell tower and knew a plan was emerging.

"So defenseless," Lazarus continued, "I would arm myself, fight back, defeat it."

"That's what you were trying to do today," the Doctor said.

"That's what I did today."

"What about the other people who died?"

"They were nothing. I changed the course of history."

"Any of them might have done, too." the Doctor argued, "You think history's only made with equations? Facing death is part of being human. You can't change that..." he paused, "No one can."

"No, Doctor. Avoiding death," Lazarus said, "That's being human. It's our strongest impulse, to cling to life with every fiber of our beings. I'm doing what everyone before me has tried to do. I've simple been more...successful," he started to groan again, clearly in pain.

"You're mutating!" the Doctor exclaimed, "You've got no control over it! You call that a success?"

"I call it progress. I'm more now that I was. More than just an ordinary human."

The Doctor stopped beside us, "There's no such thing as an ordinary human. In fact," he glanced at me, "Every one is different, some are extraordinary."

"He's gonna change again at any minute." I whispered to him, trying not to smile as big as an idiot from his words.

"I know. If I can get him up into the bell tower somehow...I've an idea that might work."

"Up there?" I pointed and he nodded.

"You're so sentimental, Doctor," Lazarus composed himself again, "Maybe you are older than you look."

"I'm old enough of to know that a longer life isn't always a better one. In the end, you just get tired. Tired of the struggle. Tired of losing everyone that matters to you. Tired of watching everything turn to dust," he moved to Lazarus, bending down in front of him, "If you live long enough, Lazarus, the only certainty left is that you end up alone."

I watched him sadly, knowing that one day, hopefully many years later, I'd be one of those he loses as well...to death. And it killed me, because as much as I cared for him, I knew, on a chance that it would ever happen, we would only spend a couple years. I'd start aging, one day looking older than him, and then die. I'd turn into dust. I'd be one more of the people he'd see die, becoming the newest addition in a long list. He'll have to move on and then maybe, maybe, he'd tell his future companions about that one, clever, complicated human girl he used to travel with, Minerva. And the worst part was...that no matter knowing all this, knowing it was inevitable, if given the chance...

I would still dare to be more than friends with him. I guess I'm selfish, but I can't help it.

"That's a price worth paying," Lazarus assured, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Is it?" the Doctor questioned.

"I will feed soon."

"And I'm not gonna let that happen.

"Martha," I whispered, looking up at the bell tower, "I have a plan."

"Does it involve running?"

I nodded, "Oh yeah."

"We're in," she grabbed Tish's hand.

"Good," I stepped up and cleared my throat, "Hey Lazarus? The Doctor's old already, and probably bitter. Don't you want something fresher? Hello," I waved, smiling sweetly, "17 year old girl here."

"Minerva, do not," the Doctor said, serious, seeing my plan at first sight.

I only shrugged then ran off with Martha and Trish as a snarl came out of Lazarus, increasing our speed, "Doctor, the tower!" I yelled.

"Did you hear that?" Tish called after some screams.

"He's changed again!" Martha exclaimed.

"And we've got to lead him all the way up!" I pointed.

"Minerva!" I heard the Doctor yell.

We stopped by an archway and I looked out, "Yes?"

"Take him to the top, they very top of the bell tower, do you hear me?"

I nodded, "Got it!"

"All the way up?" Martha asked.

"All the way!"

"Martha..." Tish tugged on her arm.

We saw Lazarus coming up at quite a speed, "C'mon!" I led them away.

We arrived at the top and found no other way to go, alerting us it was time to go.

"We're trapped!" Trish cried.

"This is where he said to bring him," I looked around, confused.

"All right, so we're not trapped. We're bait."

"Oi, he knows what he's doing," I snapped, having full trust in the Martian that he'd get us out of this.

"We've got to trust him," Martha told her.

"Ladies?" Lazarus now stood in front of the doorway of the bell tower, leaving us completely trapped.

"Gotta stay behind me now," I instructed, "The youngest."

"Meaning get behind me," Martha snapped, "You're the youngest."

"No," I stared at Lazarus, "My plan, my death. If he takes me then just run. Don't you even dare help, just run for it."

"You've lost it!" Martha whacked my arm.

"Never had it," I mumbled. Lazarus swung down his tail and knocked out part of the wall, "Martha!" I yelled as I was brought over by his tail to the edge. I grabbed onto the floor and dangled from who knows what altitude.

"What happened to not helping?" she peered down

"Uh, I changed my mind. HELP! HELP!"

Suddenly, we heard an organ playing at maximum volume, or even higher than that. The sisters held their hands to their ears and I tried my best to hang on despite the wood making my burns sting at an all time high. Lazarus, standing above where I clung to the floor, toppled over and fell down to the first floor.

When the organ stopped playing I felt it necessary to yell again for help, "Somebody!" I cried, looking down, "I don't wanna die yet!"

"We've got you!" Martha grabbed an arm and Tish the other, "And, go!" she ordered and I was pulled back up.

"Oh thank god!" I clung onto both sisters, shedding tears of relief, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Thank the Doctor," Martha replied.

"Maybe later, right now, I'm alive!"

We hugged and laughed out our relief, "Can we get out of here now?" Trish looked around.

I nodded and pushed myself up, "Let's go!"

We ran back down, coming down the stairs in a rush where we met up with the Doctor.

"Doctor!" I threw my arms around his neck, "Thanks for the help!"

"Thanks for your help," he pulled back, "Even though it was incredibly stupid."

I rolled my eyes and let go, "It was your plan so you're the stupid one."

He playfully rolled his eyes and took my hands, "How are your hands?"

I winced when his fingers trailed over them, "A bit...better?"

"I'll fix that right now," he was about to take my hands into a better grip when Martha cut in instead.

"Yeah, some bandages are gonna help," she smiled, the Doctor making a face.

"Actually, it's better if I lend some of my en-"

"And hey, I didn't know you could play."

He sighed and let go whatever he was going to say, "Oh, you know, if you hang around with Beethoven, you're bound to pick a few things up."

"Hmm, especially about playing loud," I remarked.

"Sorry?" He leaned forwards, like he hadn't heard me and we laughed.

Unexpectedly, I felt my head become dizzy, just like before with the cabinet. I stumbled a little, grabbing everyone's attention unfortunately.

"Minerva, are you alright?" Martha questioned, putting a hand on my shoulder as I regained my balance.

I nodded, smiling dimly, "Yeah, I'm fine." But I took one step and that was it...everything had gone black.

~0~

I awoke with a slight headache. I rubbed my temples with a groan, hoping it would subside soon enough. I moved to sit up on the bed, slowly realizing it was my own bed in the TARDIS, only to be pushed back down.

I turned my head and saw it was Martha, smiling and wagging her finger at me, "I don't think so."

I rolled my eyes and looked away, now seeing I was in my room again...where my shoes were perfectly, neatly, placed into a suitcase. That Martha...

Then I saw my hands...my palms had been wrapped up in those bandages Martha had talked about.

"They should be better in no time," Martha explained, probably seeing my thoughts, "Do you want some water?"

I nodded, attempting to slowly sit up again, "That'd be fine. What happened?"

"You kinda passed out," she explained as she moved for the door, "Nearly fell to the floor if the Doctor hadn't caught you."

"There's a shocker," I sighed, rubbing my head again, "And how'd I end up here again?"

"He carried you," she flashed a smile, "Isn't that lovely?"

"Shut up."

She chuckled and opened the door, just as said Martian was entering, "Oh, she's awake now."

"I gathered," he nodded, opening the door wider for her to leave, "How are you feeling Miss Souza?"

"Don't," I shook my head, "Makes me feel old," he smiled, but very quickly it passed, letting me know something wasn't right. He closed the door and paused there, thinking, "Doctor...everything okay?"

He opened his mouth to answer but then shook his head and wore a smile, "How are you feeling?" he repeated as he walked over, sitting beside me.

"Good...I guess..." I eyed him curiously, wondering what the Martian was hiding from me.

"And your hands?"

I looked at them, shrugging, "They don't hurt as much anymore."

"I wanted to heal them," he sighed, taking one of my hands, "Regeneration energy can do that you know..."

"Yes, but I also know it's limited and shouldn't be wasted," I said slowly, watching him in case he tried to use that energy.

"It wouldn't be a waste," he mumbled.

"Don't even try it, Martian. I won't allow it."

"But Minerva!"

"No, now shut up and tell me what you're hiding from me."

"Hiding? What am I hiding? I'm not hiding anything!"

I tilted my head, giving him my best look, "Really?"

"Oh alright, I was going to tell you anyways..."

"Aha."

"I was," he sighed, "Minerva, have you ever gotten medical tests done?"

"Yes," I shrugged, "Why?"

He looked at me though like I was lying, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I was there, Doctor. Why do you ask?"

"Um," he rubbed the side of his neck, his gaze falling down as he prepared to speak, "See, I did those tests...and...well..."

"What is it?" I asked, more like demanding since I was growing impatient.

"Listen," he finally faced me, and right away I knew it was something big, "Your blood type...it runs as...um, 'unknown'."

I blinked, replaying the words in my mind to see if I had heard that one right, "Wait...what? 'Unknown'? What kind of blood is 'unknown'?" he shrugged, for once, completely speechless. I raised an eyebrow, "Doctor, what kind of blood is 'unknown'?"

"I honestly have no idea. Every species has some type of identifier yet yours seems...just, there."

"What's 'there' supposed to mean!?"

"Like, um...just in existence?" he tried, sighing when I shook my head, "It's like your body doesn't know what you are."

"But I know what I am, human!"

"Yeah, I guess..."

"Doctor! This isn't funny!" I exclaimed, swallowing hard with terror, "What's going to happen with me? Am I going to turn into whatever Lazarus was?"

"No!" he shook his head, "I ran similar tests on Martha and she was just fine."

"And her blood? What was her blood type?" I nearly scrambled on the bed up to him, sitting on my knees with such a helpless face.

"AB+"

I let out a cry, quickly muffling it with my hand over my mouth, "So then...me? What's going on with me?"

"Okay, first of all, calm down," he placed his hands on my shoulders, "If there was something wrong it would've happened already. Lazarus was something else, you're completely set apart from that. What I'd like to know is what blood did you think you have?"

"O-" I shrugged, remembering the countless times I had visited the doctor's with my family, "Human blood."

"So you've never had a problem with it?"

I shook my head, "No. I only ever had one doctor since I could remember and I was always told my blood was O-. I've seen the results too. Always the same."

But the way he stared at me made me reconsider my beliefs. It also made me even more nervous, "I can't really guarantee I'll have an answer for you but for the meantime I suggest you stay away from all types of blood tests. Just avoid medical attention in general. If anything should happen, you'll have Martha and I. We'll take care of you."

The tears were quick to fall down my face, scared for my life. But I was more than afraid. For the first time, I was actually terrified. I always thought of myself as bland, ordinary...and now this happens. The first thing that came to mind was scientist dissection. Being locked up for studies? That only caused a loud cry to escape my mouth.

"N-n-no, it's okay," the Doctor tried assuring but I had thrown my arms around his neck for a hug, feeling no other protection but there, "It's...it's alright."

"What's gonna happen to me?" I stuttered to even form the question.

"Nothing," he replied softly, "It's like I said, we'll be here for you. Anything you need, we're just a call away."

I blinked, taking a moment to take in his words until I remembered that I was supposed to be leaving tonight. I swallowed hard, just thinking of living on my own...for the first time becoming scared of it. Unconsciously, I believe to have tightened my grip on him, resting my chin on his shoulder, letting more tears fall and probably onto his clothes.

"Anytime you get sick or just don't feel well, give me a call eh? I promise I'll answer on the first ring."

I parted a little, looking at him with watery eyes, slowly nodding at his remark even though I hadn't really paid attention. I then remembered Mrs. Conan was still awaiting for me. I took a small breath in, a shaky one before speaking, "Doctor, can you do me a favor?"

~0~

I knocked on the doors of Mrs. Conan's office, ten o' clock sharp. I shuddered a breath as the door opened, Mrs. Conan blinking in shock at my appearance, "Dear, are you alright?" she asked, "It looks like you've been crying..."

My eyes had remained watery, and my appearance was that of a frightened little girl. There was nothing left to do except one thing, and that's exactly what I was here for.

"Mrs. Conan, there's a change I need to implement regarding my education."

~0~

"So I guess this was something else that just kind of escalated then..." the Doctor looked around Martha's apartment.

We were in Martha's flat, after everything that happened today, calmly; the alien and I stood in front of the TARDIS, Martha in front of us.

"I can see a pattern developing," Martha crossed her arms, "You should take more care in the future...and in the past, and whatever other time period you find yourself in."

"It's good fun, though, isn't it?"

"Yeah..." she was obviously sad that we were leaving.

I wanted her to stay so bad. She was the final addition this TARDIS needed. She was exactly what the Doctor needed while I wasn't around and it irked me so much that he just wouldn't accept her as a true companion.

"What do you say, one more trip?" the Doctor asked.

"No, sorry," she smiled, sadly.

"Martha?" I frowned.

"Sorry, Minerva, but I just can't go on like this. 'One more trip'. It's not fair. I know I'm not second best..." she gave me a knowing look to which I forced myself to ignore.

"What are you talking about?" the Doctor asked, still confused.

"I don't want to be just a passenger anymore. Someone you take along for a treat. If that's how you still see me, well, I'd rather stay here," he glanced at me, and I shrugged, giving a smile that assured him Martha was exactly what he needed. He sighed, his own smile letting me knew he had already thought of it.

"Okay, then. If that's what you want. Okay," he faced the woman once more.

I beamed, she would stay! He was letting her stay!

"Right. But we've already said good bye once today so it's really best if you just go," Martha said, giving me a hug, "I hadn't really said goodbye to you yet. And just remember, I'm a call away if you need medical attention as well. I should be easier to reach since I'll be in the same city with you and not some galaxy who knows where," I chuckled lightly, but the fear crept back and instantly shut me up. She looked at the Doctor once more and nodded, "Alright then. Off you are I suppose..."

I blinked, glancing at the alien who was just as confused as I was, "Martha..." I said slowly, grabbing her attention, "He said it was okay."

"Sorry?"

"Okay." the Doctor repeated, gesturing to the TARDIS.

"Oh, thank you!" she encased him in a big hug, laughing joyfully.

"Well, you were never really just a passenger, were you?" the Doctor smiled, opening the door for us.

Her home phone went off and with an apologetic smile, she went to go pick it up, "Hello?" she looked back at us, mouthing 'sorry' as she listened in, "Uh, yeah, she's here. Who's calling if I may ask?" she looked at me, her eyes blinking with surprise, "Oh, hold on, please," she lowered the phone and covered it up with a hand, "Minerva, it's for you."

"Me?" I repeated, confused, "I gave no one your number."

"...it's your mother."

"Wh-what?" I looked from the phone to her.

"It's your Mum!" She exclaimed, happily, "And she wants to talk to you."

I stared hard at the phone, slowly forming a scowl, "No."

"What?"

"I don't wanna talk to her," I turned for the TARDIS.

"Minerva," the Doctor placed a hand on the doors and kept them shut.

I looked at him, serious, "I don't wanna talk to her."

It was true. Even if the progress of healing was slow, it was still positive and I didn't want my mother to come and ruin it.

"Are you sure you don't even want to say how you feel?"

"C'mon Doctor, it's not like she'd actually care or listen to me."

"Perhaps a chance is in order?" Martha tried, "After all, you can just hang up when she gets on your nerves."

I sighed yet still went up to her and took the phone, taking a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"

"Joycelin, dear, thank god you're alright!"

"That's not my name," I snapped.

For some reason, my mother insisted on using that name when I was young. Even if I told her that I didn't like, that it wasn't even my first name and I liked 'Minerva' better she just wouldn't listen. That's another thing she didn't care about me...

Are you alright? I heard about the crazy professor.

"Who told you that?" I raised an eye brow, "How could you possibly know about that? And how'd you get Martha's phone number?"

"I got a phone call but that's not important. I demand to know what the hell have you been up to? I haven't spoken to you since Christmas, and that was more than a year ago!

"You demand to know?" I repeated, scoffing, "Let me remind you that you have no right over me anymore."

I am your mother and I will always have a right over you. I hear you are in dangerous routes with a certain man. I want you back home, do you hear me? No more running about. Come home at once.

"Hm, and here I thought you just wanted to talk. Goodbye Mom," I hung up and looked over to the Doctor and Martha, "She never cares..." I blinked away tears and rushed for the TARDIS.

"Minerva, what did she say?" Martha asked as they followed me inside.

"It doesn't matter," I kept my back to them.

"You sound like you'll cry at any moment. Yeah, it doesn't matter," the Doctor said.

I turned back, "She wants me home. That's what she said. Just like your mom, Martha," I looked at her, "She's heard I've been up to things and she wants me back home."

"Frankly, I think Sophia is actually doing something good for you," the Doctor muttered.

My mouth hung open, "What!?"

"You were dangling from the top floor of a cathedral," he stepped up, "You almost died tonight. What mother wants that?"

"I chose to do that. I chose to go up there. She doesn't care about me, Doctor. She never has. If she did care, she would've been at my bed, each night, reading me a bedtime story just like any other little kid did," I paused, gritting my teeth as the prickly sting of tears emerged, "If she wanted the best for me, she would've been there for dinner, asking me how my day went, did I make good friends, did I understand my school lessons...did I have a good day? I shouldn't have had to leave my own home if she wanted the best for me!"

The two glanced at each other while I let out shaky breaths. I felt so overworked that I would just drop down on the floor, whether dead or asleep I didn't know. Frankly, I didn't care which one I got.

"Maybe it's time you go home," Martha said softly, "Get a good rest."

I nodded, rubbing my eyes, "I am home."

"I bet Ami's waiting for you," the Doctor said, closing the doors and going for the console, "It's pretty late now."

I spun around, watching him work the controls before suddenly exclaiming, "Stop!"

He looked up, his hands immediately going up, "What?"

"Martha," I called, keeping my back to her, "Do you mind if I speak to the Martian alone for a moment?"

"Sure, absolutely," she quickly said, rushing past me, probably believing it was for something else that clearly wasn't happening, "I'll be off in my room!"

"Minerva, listen, I know you're scared..." the Doctor began, thinking he knew what this was about, coming around the console to meet me. "...but it's gonna be alright, we'll be here for you."

"Doctor, I can't miss anymore days of school," I began, and he nodded, "I'm falling way behind on all my work and this is my last year. I'm literally months away from finishing."

He nodded again, "I know and I get that. I promise I'll abide by the rules and have you back promptly on Sunday night."

"Yeah but I don't wanna be back by Sunday night."

"Okay," he paused, thinking, "Sunday morning...?"

"No," I took deep breath, biting my lip as I felt my lip quiver, "I don't want to stay on Earth! I don't want to be alone because I'm...I'm scared," my voice broke that I had to pause in order to recollect myself, "I don't wanna be away from the only place I feel serene. I'm scared, Doctor. I don't want to go...which is why I am now taking Independent Studies."

"What?"

"They said I couldn't miss anymore days...so I won't. Because I will no longer be attending school every day like a regular student."

"What does that mean exactly?" he asked, walking closer.

"I worked it out so that the school will provide me with the work for a whole month. I do it here, come back at a certain date, take a test and start the cycle again. I would've brought the books, but I figured with the genius in front of me, I wouldn't really need them," I faintly smiled, hoping he'd allow me to stay here once again, "If you...if you let me, I can do everything from here."

"If I let you?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, "If you allow me to stay here, I mean. With this sudden unknown blood dilemma, I'm kinda shaken. I'd rather stay here...this is where I want to stay. Can I?"

He tilted his head, staring as a small smile spread across his face, "Hey, we're supposed to get to know each other remember? How would we do that if I'd be galaxies away, right?"

More than relieved, I jumped and hugged him, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, thank you so much!"

He chuckled as he returned the hug, "Hey, personally, I think this is where you belong. You have as much curiosity of the universe as I do."

I pulled back and looked at him, "I do, I really do. But more than that, I feel secure here. And while I loved travelling on my own, I prefer it this way so much more. You've taught me so much more."

"Well," he walked us over to the chairs by the console, "I was planning on giving you this before you left the first time, but I forgot, so now..." he turned around with a white box, grinning as he returned to me. "I can give it as a welcome back gift! And also as an apology for yelling at you earlier today."

"What is this?" I pointed at it, smiling through confusion.

"I don't know," he shrugged, earning an even more confused look, "Honestly, I don't. It's from China. I know you said we would just leave the riddles for the children and tourists since we were just in it for the competition but..." His grin became a mischievous one as he pushed the box to me. "..I disobeyed and took one gift."

"You did..." I looked down at the box, taking it into my hands, "...well, I suppose it'd be best to open it up and see what we've won."

I took the lid off, finding a white, stuffed bear inside, "Aw, it's adorable!" I handed him the box as I took the bear out, "It's so pretty!" I plopped down the chair and gawked at the adorable white bear in my hands. It was a miniature bear, its paws put together to hold a lantern.

"So you can keep that in your room. Anytime you're scared, give it a little hug."

I looked up, smiling, "You don't want to keep it?"

"I would," he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "If I had won the competition."

"Not okay losing to a human? I told you, you underestimated me."

He nodded, "I did and I'll never do that again."

"Still," I looked at the bear for a moment, "You did win several riddles. Maybe this belongs to you."

"Technically, you won the riddle of the lantern I plucked it off from," he corrected, "So it's yours."

"How do you remember I won that specific riddle?"

"Oh I know," he nodded, his eyes a little wide for a moment, "It was the first riddle you won."

"Longest English word, ha!" I waved the bear, getting a smile in return, "By the way, I spoke to Yue befoe leaving China and she told me something interesting."

"Like?" he moved to sit beside me.

"The marriage between Zian and I was a con."

"A con?"

I nodded, "Yeah! See, after Martha and I went back to Yue's to get changed, Yue showed up with the man who had supposedly married us and she got him to confess he wasn't a validated priest, or whatever you call it. So Zian and I were never married...it was a con. The con got out-conned!"

"A con, wow...that's, that's some luck."

"So, I guess by all this, I sort of-no-I need to...apologize," the words were becoming difficult to utter, seeing as what I was going to be apologizing for was not actually something I wanted to apologize for. I wasn't sorry for it, "I, uh, didn't wanna drag you down with me and...kiss you."

"Oh, no, Minerva you don't have to..." he shook his head, waving me off with a a hand.

"Look at it this way, it's sort of even now."

"Even?"

"Yeah, see, you kissed me and now I kiss you. Completely even," I said, hoping I didn't sound too ridiculous, "So, sorry..." he shook his head, chuckling lightly, "What's so funny?" I asked, disappointed he wasn't taking this serious.

"Us. Our lives are just so..." he sighed as he thought, "...unique, don't you think?"

I nodded, of course there was no denying that, "So then...we're good?"

"Just like always."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go for it," he leaned back on the chair.

"You...you took me to China, and I suppose it was as a good-bye trip. But how come you never even insisted on me staying?" he looked away, my paranoia beginning to arise at the thought of maybe he didn't care if I had left or not, "Did you want me to leave?"

"No! It's not like that..." he sighed, turning to face me, "...look, the whole trip was just to show you how much there's left to see. I hoped it would spark your curiosity and make you want to stay. But...it didn't. I was afraid if I insisted on you staying, I'd anger you and then you'd really leave me forever."

"I wouldn't do that," I said quietly, "I was going to travel with you on weekends..."

"It's not the same as having you here. Waking up every day and coming in here and inputting your sassy remarks."

I chuckled, "I do make those a lot, don't I?"

"Yeah, and to only have those on weekends? Not okay," he shook his head, "So see, if it was up to me, I would've constantly nagged you to stay with me but I was just afraid. I don't want to push you, Minerva. You've already got some problems to deal with and I didn't want to add another one."

"Well thank you for considering my problems. But it's been resolved, I am to stay here and bug the hell out of you 24/7."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," he grinned.

I chuckled, "Well, I suppose everything ended on a good note today, except for you know...Lazarus dying and all..."

"And the crystal..." he mumbled.

"Oh, that's right," I blinked, remembering who that crystal had belonged to, "Doctor, when you said it belonged to your friend..."

"It was Kaeya's. Or at least from her planet," he muttered, crossing his arms and staring ahead.

"How did Lazarus end up with it? I thought her species was extinct."

"He said some bloke donated it."

"How do you acquire an alien crystal?"

"I have no idea," he shook his head, "And that alone is a problem. It fell into the wrong hands and look what nearly happened? Kaeya would be angry with me."

"No she wouldn't," I frowned, "It wasn't your fault."

"Yeah, but I didn't even get it back! It was destroyed..."

"And she knows it wasn't your fault," I repeated, disliking the blame he was putting on himself.

"But she is angry at me for yelling at you. Kaeya would not have liked that."

"I understand," I assured him, "It was something important to you and I should've listened. I wouldn't have these," I lifted my bandaged hands.

"Still, I'm so sorry," he took my hands into his.

"It's okay, believe me, one of your shouts is the least thing on my mind right now. What with my unknown blood and whatnot. But, I feel pretty tired now. Do you mind if I head to my room?"

"Not at all," he stood up and helped me as well, "Goodnight and welcome back."

"Oh, I guess I should go tell Martha of our new arrangement!" I exclaimed, remembering our companion still was in the dark about my Independent Studies, "And by the way, thanks for letting her stay. I knew you'd like her," I kissed his cheek, "Goodnight."

He cleared his throat as I stepped back, "Well, she's brilliant as you said. It wouldn't hurt for her to stay..."

"I knew you would like her! You won't regret bringing her on, I swear!" he nodded, smiling as I squealed with delight, "I suppose I better go unpack and give Martha back her phone," I gave him a quick hug, feeling my protection increase in that second I was in his arms, "Thank you."

---

Author's Note:

Spring Break, hallelujar! Even if it's only like four days, but what are we gonna do about it?

Anyways, uh oh, nothing happened because of that Kaeya woman...hm...can you see upcoming problems because of her? Hmmm. And that crystal combined with the cabinet messed with Minerva's head? You don't have a clue what's coming later on, do you? *grins deviously*

And did you catch something else that was wrong concerning that crystal's appearance?

By the way, each time I see 'I love this story' it gets me all giddy because yay people like my work! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! *still avoids glare desperately*

No sorry, Martha shall not do a little dance BUT she will hammer Minerva to take the next step in the next chapter. But yes, there was definitely some flirting last chapter, glad to see it caught on because I don't think my flirting in writing is very good .-. I feel like I can write better fluff than actual flirtiness, I don't know...

Don't worry, you'll see what the Doctor is thinking in a couple chapters. And a heads up, spoilers as River would say, the next season will not follow Minerva's POV anymore. It'll switch to third due to the events that will happen where I'll need the thoughts and dialogues of other people without Minerva. Plus, I think it's only fair to show what the Doctor thinks during that time ;)