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*

24. Angelic Detour

Late September, 1969.

"You idiot! You did this to us on purpose?" I smacked the Doctor on the arm and Martha did the same to his other arm. We were both equally angry with him right now.

The three of us walked down a dark street of London...in 1969. This was nowhere near the place we wanted to go to and yet this was the place we would be stuck in for God knows how much time.

"At least he had the audacity to wait for me to get back," Martha shook her head, "Because letting a Weeping Angel send us back to 1969 together was so much better."

"I was trying to keep us together!" The Doctor tried making a defense but Martha and I smacked him again.

"Wouldn't it have been smarter to run?" Martha raised an eyebrow at him.

"Couldn't exactly do that!"

"What do you mean!? It's what you always do!" I shouted, attracting some of the attention of the people walking past us.

The Doctor, Martha, and I had had a good run of trips lately, and then came the damn statues. Martha and I found ourselves in an old mansion in 2007, courtesy of the Doctor who didn't even bother to tell us the purpose of that destination...until now. We'd found ourselves surrounded by 'Weeping Angels' and were touched by the same one...thanks to the Doctor. Next thing we knew, we were in London, 1969.

"But this sort of already happened," he reached inside his coat's pocket and pulled out a file, "According to Sally Sparrow, the Doctor, Minerva Souza and Martha Jones get sent back to 1969 by Weeping Angels," he read off the file.

"It's called rewriting history!" Martha shouted.

"But if we didn't do this, this Sally woman could be harmed, and is that something either of you are okay with?" He looked between us with a knowing look. "Hm?"

"I have my humanity," I grumbled, the answer being of course I'd get stuck in 1969 to avoid the harm of Sally, even if I never met her.

"A bit too much, mind you," Martha mumbled, "You're too sweet."

"Sue me for being too kind," I shrugged.

"It'll be fine," the Doctor assured, "We'll all be fine. Just as long as we follow everything on this," he gestured to the file, "Just fine."

"I'm mad at you," I declared. Even if this had to happen, he could've at least had the courtesy to tell Martha and I in advance so we wouldn't have been so terrified of those damn statues.

"You'll get over it!"

"Just like I may be 'too' sweet, I may be too angry."

"Oooh, I'd like to see some of that," Martha smirked, "I've never seen Minerva actually, properly mad."

The Doctor seemed a bit uneasy but this time I was seriously pissed off. And not just with him...Martha too. I learned a secret the two shared, and it was something I didn't expect to be hidden. But they did...

---

I was making my way to the console room, to continue our adventures...when I heard shouting.

"Kaeya WIPED her memories CLEAN? Doctor, don't you see?" Martha was shouting, making rounds around the console as she fumed, "She PURPOSELY did it! After everything that happened, she cleaned Minerva's head because she was coming back and wanted a chance with YOU," she pointed at the Doctor.

I raised an eyebrow, about to walk in and find out what the hell she was going on about...but I decided to stay back. If I came in, everything would stop and I wouldn't get my answers. So I hid in the corridors, listening intently to what they had to say.

"I can't...I can't believe Kaeya would do something like that. She wouldn't...perhaps it was the necklace's way of preventing pain," the Doctor was saying.

"What kind of pain would be so great that she had to forget everything?"

"A heartbreak," he breathed.

"Doctor, I'm telling you, Kaeya did this," Martha walked up to him, "When we were hiding, and we visited the TARDIS, Minerva had the necklace on and...Doctor, her EYES flashed BLUE. That's when she felt the watch being opened."

"Blue?"

"Yeah, and who had blue eyes?"

"...Kaeya."

"She possessed Minerva, and when she was done she wiped her head clean. How can you love someone like that? She's utterly selfish!"

"She doesn't do that...she can't. There-there has to be something else to it, something we don't know," the Doctor turned away.

Everything fell silent, but my mind raced with the questions. Had Kaeya had taken my memory away? What for? Why?

---

What had I done to make Kaeya want to take my memories away? I had done what she asked for. I delivered her message: she was alive. Why had I still been punished? I was furious. Furious with Kaeya...I had literally done nothing to get her hatred. So what had happened?

But apart from that, I was fuming because the people I cared about, who were supposedly like a family...hid that secret from me. I had my memories wiped clean and they didn't tell me by who. They knew who had done it and they kept quiet, acted like it had been just an accident from all the chaos.

I was hurt.

And hurt led to anger.

~0~

London, 2007.

A dirty blonde woman, Sally Sparrow, jumped a fence leading to a private property, cautiously looking around for anyone who could catch her. She made her way into the house, kicking some boards down with few struggle. Once she entered, she found a torch and started looking around, occasionally snapping pictures of her surroundings. She noticed a certain wall where the paper had begun to peal and walked for it, pulling it back to find the word "Beware" written down. She tilted her head and pulled more, finding the phrase, "The Weeping Angel'. With another pull, she found 'Oh and duck! Really duck! "

"Huh," she set her camera down and with both hands pulled again, she found, "Sally Sparrow. Duck, now!"

She heard glass break from behind and immediately ducked as a large stone hit the wall where she was just a second ago. She stood up, mouth dropped at the sight, and turned to the window, using her torch to see who the hell had just done that.

There was only a angel statue.

Confused, she returned to the wall and removed the last strip of paper which read, "Love from the Doctor...and Minerva and Martha."

~0~

Early October, 1969.

"You're seriously not gonna add us to the message?" I frowned, watching the Doctor finish the last piece of the message he had written for Sally Sparrow. We were in the same mansion from 2007, only 1969...still.

"Oops, I forgot," the Doctor tilted his head at his message as he stood back.

"Give me that," I snatched the paint brush from him and moved up to the wall to add in my name and Martha's, "Rude."

"You're still angry?"

"You got us stuck in 1969 on purpose," Martha reminded, both of us still crossed, only Martha was slightly less than I. Of course most of my anger towards her and the Doctor stemmed from their little secret, "That doesn't just go away."

"I already explained my reasons!"

"Didn't care two weeks ago, don't care now," I stood up and handed him the paint brush.

"Let's just get out of here," Martha sighed, "We've got our jobs to attend to."

"Please don't remind me," I shook my head, "Out of all the jobs I've ever heard, this one is the worst. Everyone is demanding with their stupid clothes."

"Just have patience with them," Martha said.

"The only good thing is I've been able to make friends in that job that can help," I turned away from them. I could fake my way around my anger talk but my expressions were harder to control.

"I offered to get a job," the Doctor reminded, Martha and I immediately shaking our heads.

"NO!" We shouted, making him flinch.

"It was agreed," Martha began.

"We get jobs and you get us out of here," I finished for her.

It had been two weeks since the Doctor had gotten us to 1969. It hadn't been that hard to find us an apartment that first day, thankfully that landlord was sweet, well that and the fact he had a thing for Martha. She got us the first month free of rent! And thanks to the landlord, Michel, he had introduced me to a job at a department store...which sold clothes for children...very loud, very demanding, very fussy children. Martha on the other hand, had found a job at a flower shop. It was nicer, peaceful, and most importantly not stressful.

"I'm working on it," the Doctor replied, gesturing to the wall behind, "As you can see, it'll take some time."

"Let's just go, we can maybe stop by for an ice cream," Martha suggested, tensing at the glare I was giving the Doctor.

When she said she wanted to see just how angry I could be, she didn't actually mean it. The fact that it had been two weeks and I was still giving glares around was surprising to her. They were both surprised at my anger still lingering after so much time. But what could they expect after learning they were still hiding I deserved to know? Martha knew about Kaeya wiping my memories clean and she didn't utter a word to me. If she was my best friend, why didn't she say anything? She kept it a secret with the Doctor. Two months of my life are a complete blank and neither of them have had the audacity to tell me who was responsible for my memory loss. Neither of them told me it was Kaeya. She did this. After everything I had done for that woman, she took my memories.

The only question remained, why hadn't Martha and the Doctor told me anything?

~0~

Mid-October, 1969.

"Minerva?" Jerome, one of my co-workers, called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I was standing behind the counter, supposed to be working out some numbers for this week's sales...and yet...I was thinking about the Doctor...and Kaeya...and Martha...and my memories.

"Minerva? How's the calculations?" The blonde man walked up to me, glancing down at the notepad which was half-empty, "Oh..."

"Sorry," I closed the notepad and set the pen down.

"Head in the clouds again?"

I nodded, "Perhaps..."

"You're always getting lost in your thoughts," he remarked, shaking his head in a playful disapproving manner.

"There's a lot to think about." That certainly didn't come close to everything that was going on.

"I can see, but mind my wondering," he set his elbows on the counter and rested his chin on his hands, "What's got a pretty girl so sad?"

"Sad?" I blinked, "Why would you think I'm sad?"

"It's in your eyes," he pointed, "Every time you get distracted, thinking...your eyes get really sad."

I sighed, "My eyes say a lot of things, apparently." Truthfully, I didn't want to think of my eyes, because it reminded me of the Doctor's words and to think of the Doctor reminded me of his little secret with Martha, which then reminded me of Kaeya and what she had unjustly did to me.

"Who hurt you?"

"My friends," I swallowed hard, looking down, "They kept something from me and I found out. I've been waiting for them to tell me about it, you know, give them the chance to do it...but they haven't said anything." I had no idea why I was telling him this with so much ease. But then I thought about Martha, my supposed best friend, and how she was always my confidant. Anything about the Doctor and Kaeya that conflicted me I told Martha about. But now that she was in on it, so...who was I to tell?

Jerome was nice. He was the first one that spoke to me on my first day on the job. I knew he had a crush on me, it was pretty clear after Martha pointed it out and all its signs, but he never made a move...he acted as a friend, a better one than the two I lived with.

"And they haven't told you?" he asked.

'No. I don't think they ever will."

"Don't get sad," he reached for my chin and lifted my gaze up, "Hey, I got an idea. How about you and I go out for some lunch today?"

"You and I?" Well so much for the 'never made a move' thing.

"Yeah, I don't think it's a secret I like you. And I think I've been a coward for enough time," he said and I had to smile at that, "I know you love coffee, perhaps I could buy you one?"

"No...I can't," I shook my head, a date was the last thing I needed right now, especially not with the person I actually liked.

"Oh c'mon, perhaps dinner then?"

"I don't know..."

"Tell you what, I'll give you all day to think about. I was going to visit Michel anyways, and since he lives upstairs of your place, I'll drop by to hear your final decision," he winked.

"But Jerome-"

"Think about it," he stood straight, his hazel eyes gazing down at me, "I promise I won't make you sad like your friends have."

I sighed as he walked away. I didn't want to go out, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings either. He had been so sweet to me and I didn't have the heart to flat-out turn him down. Plus...maybe I was considering his date offer. It was clear the Doctor would never set eyes on me and I couldn't wait on him forever...and an innocent date perhaps couldn't hurt me and my sadness.

So why was I still so hesitant to accept the date?

~0~

I was placing clean dishes on the counter to dry out, waiting on Martha to return with our dinner ingredients for tonight. My mind had been filled with the usual thoughts that troubled me, but now it held whether or not I would accept Jerome's offer to go out tonight. My mind screamed yes, but my heart said another thing. The only one I wanted to go out with was currently in his room trying to work on some stupid contraption that could help us leave 1969 and his name was...

"Minerva, where's the toaster?" the Doctor questioned, making me flinch me in the process where I nearly dropped the plate I held to the floor, "Oh, sorry," he walked over and took the dish from me.

"What do you need a toaster for?" I snatched the dish away from him.

A little confused with that snatch, he eyed me for second, "Just...something I need. Are you okay?"

"You tell me," I muttered, placing the dish on the counter along with the rest.

"Um, I don't know, that's why I'm asking."

"As if you don't know," I scoffed, grabbing a towel to wipe the water that had spilled from several dishes.

"I don't, what's going on?" he frowned, reaching for my hand to stop me from moving.

"Don't!" I jerked my hand away from him, "I'm angry with you! Don't you see!?"

"Still? Minerva, give it a rest! It's been nearly a month since we arrived-"

"Exactly!" I cut him off with a small shout, "We've been here one month and you haven't said anything. How dare you!"

"Haven't said what?"

"And not to mention the past months we've spent traveling after 1913 so that's about three freaking months," I threw the towel to the sink and crossed my arms, "That's three months that you haven't said anything to me."

"Okay, I'm confused-"

"And I'm not? Doctor, there are two months of my life that I don't know about yet you do," he was now completely silent, knowing exactly what I was talking about, "You and Martha know how I lost my memories and neither of you have told me anything!"

"It didn't matter..." he mumbled so low I barely heard.

"Apparently it did because Kaeya took all those memories away from me!"

He looked up, completely stunned that I knew about it, "You...you...know?"

"I heard you and Martha talking about it! And just so you know, yes, I am angry. I am very angry with you and Martha."

"We were only trying to avoid you getting upset while y-you were w-weak," he tried to explain, yet stuttering in his final words.

"No, you were trying to hide your girlfriend's dirty work! She stole my memories! You didn't tell me she did nor tell me what happened in those two months."

"I was trying to keep you away from a pain-"

"No you were trying to hide Kaeya's work, keep her image clean. Well let me tell you something," I stepped up, the anger threatening to turn into hot tears in my eyes, "You and Martha don't get to decide what I know. I demand that you tell me what happened that made Kaeya steal my memories. Did I anger her? Did I anger you? Martha?"

"No," he shook his head, "You didn't."

"Then what did I do!?"

"It doesn't matter-"

"Yes it does! For once this does! It matters to me this time and you are purposefully keeping it away from me. How dare you? We promised to tell each other everything and you're breaking it!"

At that moment, we heard the front door opening, "I got the pasta, Minerva!" Martha called, the door closing behind her. She walked in and set the bags on the table, glancing at us for only a second, "What's wrong?"

"Kaeya stole my memories, that's what's wrong," I answered, seeing her eyes widen.

"You...remember?" she whispered, walking up beside the Doctor.

"You're supposed to be my best friend and you kept that away from me? What's wrong with both of you!? I trust both of you to be honest with me and this is what I get instead?"

"You don't understand," Martha sighed.

"You're right, which is why I told the Doctor that I demand to know what Kaeya stole from me." But all I got was silence, the two simply exchanging glances. "WELL?" You might as well hear the crickets because nothing was being said.

"Unbelievable, neither of you will say anything. I need to get out of here," I moved around them.

"No, wait," the Doctor grabbed my arm.

"Are you gonna explain?" I inquired, looking from him to Martha. Nothing. "I'm getting out of here," I jerked my arm away from the Martian.

"Where are you going to go?" Martha asked, both of them following me into the living room.

"...on a date!" I exclaimed the first words that popped into my head, the offer Jerome made sounding like paradise because it got me out of the house for hours.

"A date?" Both of them repeated, surprised.

"Yeah, I got asked out on a date and I'm gonna go," I informed them. It wasn't exactly what I'd been thinking of doing but it was the first thing that came out of my mouth so now I was going to do it "I don't want to be anywhere near either of you! And since I can't exactly go to my grandmother's I guess some hours will have to do."

"You can't do that," the Doctor frowned.

"Oh yes I can!"

"No," he stepped up, having the audacity to be angry about it.

And since it got a kick out of him, I was most certainly going out tonight, "I'm going on a date, getting away from you and Martha."

"Who are you going with!?"

"A co-worker, Jerome."

"HIM?"

"Yes!"

"Minerva, you can't go with him."

"And why the hell not?"

"Because...because he's..." it seemed like he was biting his tongue with great struggle, "...he's not..."

"I can do whatever I want. And right now, you two are the last people I want to see," I turned for the hallway and walked for my room, biting my own tongue to keep my tears from escaping.

Both of them looked so hurt, but neither of them compared to me. I felt so betrayed...like they had chosen Kaeya over me. How could they do that to me? Even the Doctor. Sure, he loved her but did that mean he'd choose her even though she'd done something bad? Is that what love was?

~0~

I was picking up my hair into a ponytail when there was a knock on the door. I actually commend them for not trying sooner. Maybe they were that guilty.

"Minerva? Can I please come in?" Martha asked politely.

I wore a knee-length red, black and white plaid dress with thin straps. It was a tad shorter than what I was used to but apparently it was a common type of dress for night outings in this era. Still, I wore a thin, long-sleeve white turtleneck jumper underneath. I also wore knee-length socks and red mary-jane shoes. I thought I looked ridiculous, honestly. This was one odd era...

"This is your room too, Martha," I reminded coldly, maintaining my gaze on the mirror in front of me when she came inside.

She and I shared the room and left the Doctor with the other one. It was a nice room with a rather comfy bed and vanity desk. There was a clothing wardrobe which we both shared, having some clothes we bought with our job money. It was nice...too bad my roommate was a secret-keeping-betraying best friend.

"You look nice," she commented quietly.

"Mhm."

"I'm sorry," she walked up, standing behind me, looking at the mirror since I wouldn't turn to her.

"You know, I would kinda expect this from the Doctor seeing as he freaking loves Kaeya, but you? You say all these things about Kaeya and yet you keep something like this from me?"

"It's more complicated, that's all..."

"Complicated how?" I turned to her, my hair all picked up now.

"It's not my story to tell," she whispered.

"What the hell does that even mean!?" I shouted. She flinched and stepped back.

"Just please don't go out, stay with us."

"And then what? Neither of you are gonna tell me!"

"Maybe the Doctor will, but he's really upset right now and-"

"Oh and I'm picking up daisies because I'm so freaking happy!"

"Minerva he's jealous," she smiled brightly as if it was the best thing in the world.

"No he's not, he's angry because I don't want to listen to him."

"Don't let your anger blind you. He's raging out there," she pointed back, "Because he's jealous, Minerva. He's bloody jealous!"

"I don't have time for this," I walked past her, "This time your hopeful words aren't gonna work on me. I have a date to go to which will hopefully help me forget yours and the Doctor's betrayal."

"I'm sorry..."

I shook my head, shutting my eyes to keep away the water, and walked out.

~0~

Poor Billy Shipton landed with a thud against a wall, in 1969, after just being in a parking lot with a couple Angel statues.

"Welcome," Martha greeted with a soft smile, the man's head quickly snapping to see her and the Doctor a couple feet behind, "It's okay, it's best if you stay down," Martha put a hand on his shoulder, glancing back at the Doctor for him to speak.

"Where am I?" Billy looked around, seeing it was now dark and not raining as it had been only a second ago.

Martha awaited for the Doctor to speak, only for him to turn his head from them, she sighed and looked at Billy with her soft smile, "It's the year 1969," she began her explanation, though knowing only the Doctor could explain it well. But seeing he was still peeved over Minerva she knew better than to wait for him to talk.

"1969?" Billy blinked.

"It's not as bad as it goes. My best friend Minerva said this is the year of the moon landing, she's clever like that. She remembers things so well."

"Let's not talk about her right now, shall we?" the Doctor said sourly, now approaching the pair with a device that was currently clicking and beeping.

Martha rolled her eyes, knowing Minerva was all he wanted to talk about. The man had been fuming after Minerva had left, saying who the hell this 'Jerome' man was and where did he come from and why Minerva was with him and not them. She tried reminding him that Minerva was angry and hurt they kept what Kaeya had done a secret. She even went as far as saying that he had some fault for not organizing his feelings for Minerva and Kaeya. Because if he wasn't so confused he would've told Minerva straight away about their love adventure in 1913 and would've told her how she'd made his human version fall in love with her in less than three days. Minerva would've been thrilled to know she'd gotten some of his feelings out because it would only mean that the original version, the Doctor himself, had already fallen for her as well.

But the man was just too conflicted...apparently.

Martha secretly thought the Doctor was just afraid to admit he'd already chosen her best friend faster than he'd even realized.

"How did I get here?" Billy asked, watching how the Doctor remained silent yet again, looking furious for some reason.

"The same way we did," the Doctor replied, " The touch of an angel. Same one, probably, since you ended up in the same year. I wouldn't get up though," he warned as Billy started up again, "Time travel without a capsule, nasty. Catch your breath, don't go swimming for half an hour."

"I don't...I can't..."

"Fascinating race, the Weeping Angels. The only psychopaths in the universe to kill you nicely. No mess, no fuss, they just zap you into the past and let you live to death. The rest of your life used up and blown away in the blink of an eye. You die in the past, and in the present they consume the energy of all the days you might have had, all your stolen moments. They're creatures of the abstract. They live off potential energy."

"You're talking at light speed again," Martha remarked, smiling with joy.

"What in God's name are you talking about?" Billy blinked, looking both he and Martha as the craziest people he's met.

"We were tracking you down," the Doctor explained, "Though I thought Minerva would be around to help..."

Martha smirked, "She could've been with us if you would've told her about Kaeya straight away. Honestly, your 'confusion' is gonna drive Minerva away from you."

"I don't need your warnings," he rolled his eyes, he had enough problems to face with and the last thing he needed was a set of reminders.

"Can you believe it?" Martha glanced at Billy who was just completely lost, "You had a crush on Sally Sparrow, right? That's what the file said. Would you let a pretty girl like that get away from you?'

"No," he replied instantly, only understanding that part out of everything.

"Exactly. And it's already starting with the fact Minerva's on a date," Martha said, smirking again, "And you know, you say you're confused, yet the fact you're practically fuming and bursting with jealousy tells me you may not be so confused anymore."

"Is anyone going to explain to me where I am?" Billy looked around, his head hurting from all the confusion.

The Doctor looked at Martha for a good minute, trying to come up with something to say to her, could it really be true? He shook his head, he had to get her and Minerva out of 1969 before he decided on anything. Their safety was first. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to Martha or Minerva...Minerva...

Again, he shook his head and practically forced himself to focus on Billy and the task that had been appropriated to him, "Normally, I'd offer you a lift home, but somebody nicked my motor. So I need you to take a message to Sally Sparrow. And I'm sorry Billy, I am very, very sorry. It's gonna take you a while."

~0~

Minerva's POV.

I sat on the couch, sniffling and sniffling away. My "date" had finished up early, seeing as I just could not be with someone I simply didn't like. Jerome deserved better than that. He was so sweet throughout the whole time, wanting to know what was wrong yet not pushing me to speak. But as much as I wanted to have fun, I couldn't...not when the two people about in my life and I were angry with each other. I had returned home early, wanting to try again and talk, but found the apartment completely empty. They'd gone somewhere without me. So I started to think about everything, as usual, and started crying...

It was getting to be too much...

But then I heard the door opening, and Martha's voice emerging with the Doctor's.

"Minerva, you're back," she gasped lightly, she and the Doctor rounding around the couch.

I quickly wiped my tears and sat up straight, "Y-yeah, I came back early."

"Did you have fun?" she tried to act as if she had been on board for the date from the beginning. Could she not see some of the tears that lingered on my face?

"Yeah, ecstatically fun..."

The Doctor sighed, setting that contraption of his on the table and moving to sit beside me, "Martha, can you leave us for a moment?"

"Are you sure? What are you gonna do?" She seemed a bit surprised for some reason.

"Something," he eyed her, the two sharing a silent moment that only left me confused.

"Okay, I'll be in our room..." she looked at me, "...and I'm sorry, Minerva. Really," she turned and walked away.

"If you're not gonna tell me anything then go away," I scooted away from the Martian.

"Come here," he tried pulling me back.

"No," I shook my head, "You do that and somehow make me all happy again. Not this time. And I know I say that every time I'm crossed with you but this time I mean it. You can't smooth-talk yourself out of this. I demand to know what happened that made Kaeya want to steal my memories."

"I'm gonna tell you what happened."

I glanced at him, carefully looking for any detail in his face that would show he was lying...but I found none, "Really?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

Quietly, I scooted back, putting my hands together on my lap and looking down. I didn't want to blush, I didn't want to fall for his little soft looks, I didn't want him to win me over with some stupid cute manners. No. Not this time. I wanted to know what happened. "You can start now," I mumbled.

"First of all, I don't want you to be angry with Martha. If there's anyone you should be angry with, it's me and only me. I asked her not to say anything. She was only being a friend to me."

"What happened?" I whispered, tired of asking a question that I shouldn't even have to ask about. It should be a given that I should know about it.

"You met someone...and...he fell in love with you."

My head snapped up, eyes wide with shock, "What?"

"You met someone, but you made it clear that you just wanted to be friends...but you were just that amazing that he couldn't help it and he fell in love with you."

"Who...who was it?" I was more than shocked to hear such a story, but even when I looked at the Doctor, I couldn't see any sign that he was lying. Someone...had actually fallen in love with me? Even thinking about it sounded all wrong.

"Um, he was a teacher of the school we hid in. Nice man, good, um, his name was Jack."

"Oh..." I gotta say I was a bit disappointed, yet I didn't know for what exactly, "...did, did I hurt him? Is that what I did? I hurt an innocent man!?"

"No! No! You didn't hurt anyone," he quickly assured, seeing me tense up at the possibility, "He was in danger that last night we were there..." he started smiling, "...but you took care of him."

"And you? Did I take care of you too? Or did I abandon you and Martha?"

"You took care of all of us, Minerva, don't worry."

I nodded, believing it, "So...why did Kaeya steal my memory? Why can't I remember any of that stuff?"

"In the end," his gaze fell for a second, "Words were said, things were done, hearts were broken."

"Oh my god I broke his heart," I put my hand over my chest, feeling horrible. I knew what that felt like, I practically lived with it...and for me to go and do that to some poor man... "I am despicable," I shook my head.

"Don't say that," he said softly, actually looking like I had done nothing wrong and was just a little white dove.

"Doctor, I broke someone's heart, okay? I knew that I would be leaving and yet I let that poor man develop these feelings for me. Is that why Kaeya took my memories? Because I was guilty?"

"She took your memories so that you wouldn't be in pain. She wanted to help you avoid that."

"So she took...pity on me?" I frowned, not sounding so sure that was correct.

"No, not pity..."

"Well, whatever it was, she had no right to do that," I shook my head, my anger diminishing with him and Martha. I wasn't angry with Kaeya either, simply upset she'd taken that liberty that didn't belong to her, "I have a right to remember all these things, no matter how hard it was."

"I know and I'm sorry for that," the Doctor sighed.

"Is there any way to remember those two months?"

"I don't think there is..."

"Oh..." I looked at my hands again, not sure if I should feel guilt for something I couldn't even remember. The fact stood that I had broken someone's heart and I couldn't even remember them.

"But, he's fine, Minerva...he's okay," the Doctor tried to ease my guilt, "He was fine."

"Really?"

He nodded, "Yes. He understood in the end and he was just fine. Now c'mon, no more crying and no more angry Minerva, I don't like her very much."

I smiled dimly, "Me neither..."

"So we're okay now? No more anger?"

"We're good. I just really hope I'll remember one day. I owe it to Jack to remember him." I would've asked to return and find the man but I couldn't dare look him in the face and tell him I couldn't remember him. I couldn't do that to him.

"So you don't have to go on anymore dates to get away from us."

I raised an eyebrow, recalling Martha's words before I left, "Did my date bother you?"

"What!? No!"

"Cause you seem fairly upset..."

"Of course I was upset, you were angry with me. I don't like that."

"Me neither," I admitted shyly. It felt all wrong, but he wouldn't know that. The ego was grow.

"You know what, to make this a little better, why don't we go out for some pastries?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah, we'll get Martha and go have some desserts together."

"And skip a proper dinner?" I pretended to gasp.

He shrugged, "I'm bad like that."

I laughed, "Alright Oncoming Storm, calm down. You'll get a massive toothache if you keep that up," I wagged a finger, about to get up when I noticed his contraption again, "Okay, what the hell is that?" I pointed, plopping back down.

"Hm?"

"That," I pointed at it again.

"Oh!" he reached for it, "It's my timey-wimey detector. It goes ding when there's stuff!" he held it between us, twisting it around for me to see.

"Timey wimey?" I raised an eyebrow, the Doctor nodding like a child, "Ding when there's stuff?" he nodded again, flashy grin on his face, "They should really reconsider the whole 'Oncoming Storm' name," I shook my head, not helping the chuckle I let escape.

"Oi, it's very effective."

"Mhm," I took the device into my hands, "So what are the side effects?"

"Why do you suppose there are some?" He tried playing offended.

"Because you're you. So what is it?"

His face morphed into a pout fairly fast, "It can boil an egg at 30 paces..." he mumbled.

"Whether you want it or not?"

"Yes...hens are not pretty when they blow."

"You're an idiot," I started laughing, feeling him snatch his contraption away.

"Can't be that big of an idiot if it was able to track down Billy Shipton."

"He's here now?" I stopped laughing, knowing we were one step to getting out of here.

"Yeah, and he's got the message and is gonna help us record those Easter Eggs."

"That's great," I stood up, "And you know what? We should go out on a pastry spree to celebrate. I'll get Martha and maybe change a bit," I tugged on the turtleneck I wore, "This isn't very comfortable."

He set the contraption beside him and stood up, "I imagine. I'll wait here, then."

I looked at him for a moment before hugging him, "Thank you."

"What's this for?" he sounded surprised yet still hugged back.

"For telling me what happened, thank you."

"Don't..."

"No, really, thank you. Even if it's bad, I want to know what happened."

"...I'm sorry," he tightened our hug.

"For what?" I pulled away.

"Just...sorry," he looked very sincere that I just nodded and accepted it.

"I'm gonna go get Martha and then we can go, alright?"

"Okay."

I smiled again and turned away, hurrying off for Martha. I burst inside, Martha immediately getting off the bed and hurrying up to me, "Minerva, I'm really sorry," she began, "The Doctor told me not to say anything because he was con-"

"Martha, it's okay," I took her for a surprise hug.

"It...it is?"

"Yeah, I get it now. Completely," I pulled away.

"Really?" she seemed confused yet shocked.

"Yeah. Kaeya just wanted to rid me of my guilt, even if she had no right to do so but I guess it was with a good intention. But the Doctor explained everything. He told me of Jack, the man that fell in love with me."

And suddenly her shock and confusion turned into what one could say was irritation, "Jack?"

"Yeah. That poor teacher I somehow managed to make him love me. I feel terrible for it."

"'Jack' fell in love with you..." she nodded, looking to the side inn thought.

"Yeah, and the Doctor told me he asked you not to say anything. But truthfully, I wasn't actually angry, I was hurt. I thought you chose Kaeya over me..."

"WHAT? Minerva, you know I don't have very good feelings towards the woman," she reminded me, taking my hands, "You're my best friend."

"I know and I feel awful about what I said earlier...so sorry," I hugged her again.

She sighed, "It's alright. I'm sorry too."

"So the Doctor suggested we go get some pastries for dinner," I pulled away and headed for the clothing wardrobe.

"Really?" and there came her usual, teasing tone that I had truthfully missed.

"Yeah, so get your jacket and let's go. I just want a sweater or something," I pulled out a white cardigan, "I hate turtlenecks."

"So this is like a date," she smirked.

"No, because it's us three," I pointed at her.

"Now that you're not angry with us, you should really know how jealous the Doctor was," she made her way over, inspecting the white cardigan I had taken out, "Fuming, I tell you. If you and Jerome hadn't left so quick, he would've been punched in the face."

"Oh come now, Martha, let's not exaggerate," I tried hiding my smile. Now that my head was clear, it was trying to picture the Doctor in his 'fuming' state. I shouldn't be...but I was...

"You know it's true," Martha wagged a finger.

"We were angry with each other, and..."

"And nothing, he was jealous and that's that. And we can work with jealousy."

"What are you thinking of?" I frowned, slightly afraid of her antics with all this jealousy talk.

"Your birthday."

"Martha, that's still a couple weeks away."

"Try two weeks," she tapped my head, "How do you forget that?" But don't you worry, I am gonna find something completely extravagant for you to wear, and it'll make his mouth drop to the ground, possibly the center of the earth."

"Oh Martha," I blushed and moved around her, going for the bathroom we had in the room, "One simple dress won't change anything."

"Hm, you'd be surprised. That's how mum and dad met, actually, don't tell them I told you that," she quickly shook her head, "But I'm serious."

"Tell you what, I'll leave that all up to you because I know there is no power on earth that would get you to reconsider."

"Leave it to your best friend," she shrugged, smiling proudly.

~ 0 ~

I now wore a closed, buttoned up, white cardigan with long sleeves. It was much better than the stupid turtle-neck I had on earlier. Never would I wear those again. Martha and I returned to the living room where the Doctor promptly awaited for us.

"I'm telling you both this right now, I want chocolate," Martha announced, "I don't care what it is, cupcakes, cake, brownies, just make it chocolate."

"Yes ma'am," I saluted to her.

"Shall we go, then?" the Doctor gestured to the door.

"Yes," we both answered him with grins.

We made our way down to the streets which were crowded with people. Martha moved beside me, cautiously watching for the first bakery we found that was open and not too crowded.

"Oh, look," the Doctor grabbed my hand and pulled me towards a shop, "They have kittens," he pointed happily.

"Doctor, I'm allergic to kittens," I reminded, although the ones in the basket were actually really adorable. It was a pet shelter, apparently, and the kittens were set up near the display glass.

"I'm not taking you inside," he shrugged, "Just showing you."

"They're adorable," Martha remarked, ignoring us for a second, "Tish had one...then she let it get free," she frowned, "She had one job. Close the door."

I chuckled, "Oh Martha."

"It was adorable! She was named Sparkles."

"Sparkles?" the Doctor and I repeated, both giving her looks.

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?" She put her hand on her hip, her expression warning us to be very careful with how we answered.

"No!" We quickly shook our heads.

"Mm, let's just go," she nodded for us to continue, which we quickly did to avoid her sharp look. A moment later, she moved beside me again, whispering some words to me, "Good way of not getting lost," she smirked, eyeing us for some reason.

The Doctor and I were still holding hands.

Martha chuckled when she no doubt saw my face. I hadn't even noticed when that happened.

"Hold down the bluuuush," Martha sing-sang quietly...but I still elbowed her on the side.

Then I glanced at the Martian who was busy looking at the passing shops. I smiled softly and looked straight ahead, for once allowing my blush to continue. This was this was just such a nice moment that I wish would never have to end.

~0~

Late October.

"I'm back!" I called as soon as I entered the apartment, the Doctor and Martha sitting on the couch doing their respectful activities.

"Oh, what you got there?" Martha eyed the big, red squared present I held in my arms.

"Early birthday present from Jerome," I informed as I walked over, setting it on the table, "I wanna open it now!"

"He gave you a present?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, not sounding too fond of it.

"Mhm, he said he and his family we're going out on some one-month trip so he gave me my present in advance," I clapped my hands together, "Can I please open it now?"

Martha chuckled, "It's your birthday present. You can open it whenever you want."

"Oh that's right." And so I started ripping off the wrapping paper, until I could see a box underneath. I gasped at the sight of my new game, especially when I realized just what game it was. "Oh my god!"

"What is it?" Both friends asked. Of course they wouldn't know about it.

"Oh my god..." I passed a hand down the box, "...I haven't seen this in years. It's Wahoo." I looked up with a grin.

"Yahoo?" Martha raised an eyebrow, before sneezing.

"No, Wahoo," I corrected, holding up the game board box for them to see it better. "And bless you by the way. It's this game my grandfather and I used to play when I was a kid. It's so much fun. Oh I can't believe he remembered..."

"You told him about the game?" the Doctor asked.

"Yeah, we were talking and somehow it just came up," I sighed contently, "I love it. Absolutely love it."

"Well how about we play a game, then?" Martha suggested, chuckling when I immediately nodded. "But you'll have to explain to me how to play because I've never seen one of those in my life."

"No problem! Doctor, you wanna join?"

"No," he shook his head, a bit fast too. My excitement faded away as he stood up quickly too. It was almost like he couldn't wait to get out of here.

"Why not?"

"Um..." he stared down at the game board, "...no thank you."

But more than that, he just seemed upset. "Please?" I tried again, hoping that my sweet smile might change his mind. Martha did say - and even the Doctor occasionally -that I could get him to agree to anything whenever I used that smile. "I really wanna show you how to play. Pleeeeease?"

He met my gaze for the longest of minutes. My sweet smile remained as strong as I could make it until finally...

"Fine," he sighed.

I beamed. Before he could change his mind, I reached over for his hand then grabbed the game board to head over to the kitchen. Martha quickly followed behind. I set the game up on the table and carefully placed each marble on their designated row.

"There," I let the dices drop over the board. "Alright, first I'm going to get us some drinks because this can last a while. Be back!" I shot them a wink and hurried out of my chair.

Martha showed up a few seconds later. She had a face that made me worry for my ears because she definitely had something to say. "You know why he's upset, right?" She whispered, coughing slightly.

"No," I shrugged. I poured some orange juice into the three glasses on the counter (because none of us were interested in drinking). "And do you want some aspirin? That's not sounding too well."

"It's just a lousy cold going around," Martha waved me off, coughing a little harder, "But you're too oblivious for your own good, Minerva." She patted my arm, "He's upset that Jerome gave you a present you love."

"So? I'm sure you would've given me a present I would've 'loved'."

"Yeah, with the difference being I'm not after you and Jerome is. He has a crush on you and clearly gave you the game as a way to sneak into your heart," she crossed her arms, "Something the Doctor over there is very much disliking."

"If only he knew he already snuck into my heart," I sighed, sadly smiling. It was the saddest irony of all that he would probably never see.

Jerome might have given me a present that I loved, but I loved more the fact that I got to share it with someone I really cared for. One special Martian who could not understand the concept of the game.

~0~

"Minerva? Minerva!?" Someone shook me gently before coughing quite loudly.

"Mm, what?" I scooted away from my coughing roommate.

"Happy Birthday!"

I opened my eyes, suddenly remembering it was indeed the 31st of October. Halloween...and my birthday. I sat up, seeing Martha grinning widely but with her eyes a red and watery from her cold she acquired a couple days ago.

"Happy birthday!" She threw her arms around me, "Happy birthday, oblivious, clever girl!"

I patted her back and chuckled, "Was this an insult or a compliment?"

She pulled back and grinned, "A compliment of course!"

I shook my head and got out of bed, heading for the wardrobe, "Well thank you."

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" She hopped off the bed and quickly ran over, smacking my hand off the handle piece. "No!"

I rubbed my hand, a small frown on my face, "What?"

"I need you to shower so I can curl your hair," She grabbed the sleeve of my nightie and pulled me for the bathroom.

"You realize we don't have a curler right?"

"I've got pins to die for!" She opened the door and pushed me inside then returned to the drawers. She pulled out a new white nightie with a white-silver robe.

"I'm gonna wear pajamas all day on my birthday?" I raised an eyebrow, my hands out for the new pair of clothes.

"Just until it's time to go out tonight. I thought we could spend the day here," she walked over, coughing into her arm.

"You know we don't have to even go out tonight," I watched her sadly, "You're sick and-"

"I'll be fine," she waved me off and handed me the clothes, "Now go shower."

I sighed and did as told, going to shower as my best friend ordered.

~0~

"All set," Martha stepped back, allowing me to finally stand up, "I should get a medal because I calculated the right amount of bobby-pins needed to hold up all that long hair of yours."

Martha had pinned up all my hair with about three packs of bobby-pins. There were only a few strands that fell to the sides of my face, but overall she did do a good job considering the amount and length of my hair.

I closed my robe and headed for the door, my stomach grumbling since an hour ago, "Can we please eat now?"

She chuckled, following behind, "Alright, alright, what do you want?" She sneezed.

"Bless you."

"Thank you."

"I think I'll make you something," I shook my head, "Maybe chicken soup."

"No, no, you can't cook on your birthday."

"What? Do my hands magically stop working because it's my birthday?"

"Well, no, but-"

"Sit," I plopped her down on a chair of the kitchen table, "How about some nice french toast?"

We heard the door opening as I walked to the cupboards, a small smile escaping my lips as I thought of how the Martian would greet me. So I felt it odd that silence fell over, save for a pair of footsteps...until a pair of hands covered my eyes.

"Guess who?"

I smiled bigger, "Um...a ridiculous, banana-loving alien?"

"No..."

I could just imagine his pout behind me, "A Martian?"

"You just know how to ruin this, don't you?" the Doctor lowered his hands and spun me around, allowing me to see his big grin, "Hello."

"Hi," I replied, a stupid blush already working on my face.

"It's a nice day, isn't it?" He looked out the window above the sink.

"Yeah, looks sunny."

"Hm, that's nice..." he stuffed his hands in his pockets, acting oh-so-casual as he moved around me.

That's when I saw a bag on the table that Martha was eyeing silently. Poor thing was so sick she didn't even have enough focus to make her usual pep talks about the Doctor and I.

"What's this?" I walked for the table, first of all placing a hand on Martha's forehead, "No fever yet. Still in business" She smiled, "But this bag smells pretty nice..." I leaned on the table, peering over the bag and getting a whiff of strawberries, "Mmm."

"Well I thought I could make some nice breakfast..." the Doctor began, but flinched when Martha and I yelled out a 'NO'.

"Sorry, but...we don't want an accident," I turned to him, offering him a kind smile. He could save the world but he failed miserably at cooking.

"We're just teaching you how to use a blender right now," Martha added.

"Let's not argue kids," I gestured them to calm down.

"Not today," the Doctor agreed, pulling another grin, "Because..." His grin turned into a playful smile.

I couldn'thelp the huge grin that broke across my face upon his look. "...it's my birthday?" Alright, maybe I liked the extra attention I was about to get today. Dud that sound selfish?

The Doctor nodded and rushed up to hug me. I laughed when his arms winded around my waist for a spinning hug. "Happy birthday!" He exclaimed.

"Thank you!" I said when he set me down. We turned back for the table and the first thing I saw was Martha smirking at us. Of course when her coughing fits returned, she didn't have the opportunity to comment.

"So I brought breakfast," the Doctor gestured to the bag on the table.

"What is it?" Martha nearly demanded, seeming as though she had been trying to figure that out this whole time.

"I believe they were Strawberry crepes with whip cream."

Martha nearly ripped the bag open.

"Martha!" I laughed, the woman bashfully looking at us while holding the plastic box.

"Sorry, birthday girl goes first," she held the box to us.

"No, birthday girl's sick best friend goes first," I took the box from her and placed it on the table in front of her, "Do you want some coffee?"

"No, tea," she corrected.

"Right, yes," I opened the box for her, "Doctor, what about you?" I glanced back and found him staring at us with a soft smile. "Are you gonna want some?" Still silence. "Doctor!"

He blinked and shook his head, "Yes! What's going on?"

"You had that look again," I walked up to him.

"What look?" He still seemed to be shaken up for some reason.

"That look I told you about," I smiled, moving around him, "I was just asking if you wanted some coffee or tea for breakfast."

"Oh, um...surprise me," he joined me as I took out milk from the fridge, followed by maple syrup, "What are you doing?"

"I like to put maple syrup in my coffee," I shrugged.

"Isn't that like a supplement for caramel?" Martha called, also confused.

"Maybe, I don't know. Point is, I like maple syrup in my coffee, not caramel."

"You're strange," the Doctor remarked, making me scoff.

"Says the 903 year old alien who lives in a box," I smirked.

"You live in that box as well."

I rolled my eyes and started on my work, "Go bring Martha a fork so she can eat."

"I don't need to be babied, guys," Martha sighed when the Doctor brought her the fork. "Thanks," she took it from him. "I've got a cold but I don't feel so bad."

"Yet," I said.

"Hey, I was able to pin up all that hair of yours without taking a break so I don't think I'm that sick. But perhaps a hair cut would be nice enough to make it easier."

"Oh no!" I shook my head, shooting her a sharp look, "My hair shall always stay long. My mother always tried making me cut it and I never did except for the tips. I wouldn't be me without my long hair."

"Yeah but all I'm saying is maybe a tad shorter?" she tried again.

"Noooo. I'd have to be completely mad to cut my hair. Either that or I'd have to be brainwashed."

She just laughed.

"So if I'm ever sick or just not me, I trust both of you to stop such a monstrosity," I pointed at both of them, the pair simply nodding, "Thank you."

A couple minutes later, I returned with two teas and a coffee. Martha coughed again, sounding like she was actually in pain.

"Martha, are you sure you don't want to go lay in bed?" I asked, standing beside her with my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine," she waved me off, "Just-" And then she sneezed.

"-sick," I finished for her, shaking my head, "Doctor, don't you have something to make her feel better?"

"Just the usual things," he shrugged, "Recommendations to stay in bed and eat some soup. If I had the TARDIS..."

"I don't want to eat soup. I want my two friends to sit with me and eat breakfast to celebrate my best friend's birthday," Martha motioned for us to take our seats, "Now."

We sighed and took our seats, the Doctor reaching for his tea while I took out the rest of the food and set it for us.

I grabbed the maple syrup bottle and poured some into my mug. I almost rolled my eyes when I saw them both giving me weird looks,."What?" I set the bottle on the table.

"That can't be good," the Doctor shook his head.

"Isn't it too sweet?" Martha sipped her tea.

"No, it's just fine," I opened up my box of crepes, but both of them continued giving me the same look. I sighed, "Here, one of you try it," I pushed my mug to the center of the table.

"No thank you," Martha dug into her breakfast, "I'll get you sick."

"Doctor?" I pushed my mug to him, my sweet smile ready to go.

Martha smirked as the Martian reached for my mug. I dug my fork into my own meal, watching him slowly drink my coffee.

"This, um..." he started making faces, distasteful ones. I rolled my eyes, crossing my legs and grabbing a forkful of my food, "...it's, uh...not so goo-" I shoved my fork into his mouth as soon as his head turned to me.

Martha burst out laughing.

The Doctor made more faces as he struggled to chew the massive amount of food in his mouth, poor thing glancing at me with a pout. I smirked, raising an eyebrow as if daring him to say something to me. Of course, he didn't.

It was moments like these that made my heart nearly burst of happiness, my birthday just happening to be a small perk.

~0~

"Voila-" Poor Martha coughed and coughed and coughed, barely able to get the last bobby pin out of my hair.

"Martha," I turned to her, walking her for the bed, "I'm serious, we don't need to go out. But what we do need to do is get you in bed so you can get some rest."

"No," she shook her head, stopping us midway, "It's okay, I'll sleep after we come back tonight. But...you look fantastic," she clapped her hands together.

"Thank you," I pushed a strand of my now curly hair behind my ear, "But you need to get some rest."

"After," she waved me off and turned us back for the vanity desk, running her hands through my hair to elongate the curls, "I told you the pins would do it."

"You are remarkable," I nodded, "I've never curled my hair before. Never had the need..."

"Ah, but this time you have a man to stun," she started chuckling, "And believe me, you definitely will."

"I dress for myself, thank you very much," I turned to her, "Impressing someone comes after your own concept of yourself."

"Nicely said."

"But in all honesty, thank you for your gift," I turned for the mirror, gazing upon my new dress, "It's so pretty!"

"Thought you might like it," she crossed her arms, "It just spoke 'Minerva'."

I wore a baby pink dress that reached above my knees which was once again shorter than what I was used to. It was sleeveless with a diagonally draped bodice and a deep v-neckline on the back. There was a more decent one in the front. It had a wide silver band under the bust with shiny silver thread accents. The skirt was flowy and lined, creating a more princess style. I wore open-toed silver heels with the the buckle at the ankle; they were actually very comfortable. My hair was left down, its length slightly shortened with it being curled, and only a silver clip holding a section back on the left side of my head.

I absolutely adored it! My best friend was amazing and no one could tell me otherwise.

"Thank you so much!" I spun around to give Martha the biggest hug possible.

She chuckled, breaking into a cough in the end sadly, "You're...welcome."

I pulled away, "And be sure to wear a jacket. In fact," I walked over to pull one out, not about to let her go out into the night without a jacket.

"Yes, mum," she saluted.

"That's mOm," I teased.

"Muuuum," she walked over, taking the red jacket from me.

"Mooooom."

"What are you gonna do when your kids call you mum?" She raised an eyebrow, a playful teasing smile spreading on her face, only making my stomach churn with the guess of what she would be saying next. "I mean, unless the Doctor suddenly turns American, your mini-yous are so gonna be English."

"Martha!" I pushed her away, blushing madly at the thought of the Martian and I having...kids. That was both uncomfortable and freaky...not to mention utterly impossible.

"What?" Martha laughed, "It could happen," she shrugged, "Though it better not be anytime soon."

"Martha Elizabeth Jones!"

"Elizabeth isn't my middle name..." she blinked.

"I don't know what it is so I just put one to emphasize how discontent I am with your words!"

"Maybe you should name your daughter Elizabeth!" She gasped, seeing how much of a kick she was getting out of me.

I rolled my eyes and walked past her, taking the keys off the desk and heading for the door, "Knock it off, Martha Jones."

"What? No Elizabeth? Is that reserved for your little brunette? Because she would so be brunette."

"MARTHA!"

"And how about the boy, eh? What would you name him? Or...how does a Time Lord name their kids?" She was actually thinking of all that stuff, truly. "How would you name them? Give them an Earth name and then...what, a title?"

"We are not discussing this!" I snapped, abruptly turning to her. She bumped into me as a result. "It's impossible, okay? It can never happen," I mumbled and walked for the living room. The Doctor was coming out of the kitchen just then.

"But seriously!" Martha insisted. She was genuinely curious, I knew, but that was the last thing I wanted to be talking about in front of the Doctor.

"Martha!" I shouted, dropping the keys to the floor in the process.

"Oh come now, Martha, you're not allowed to fight with the birthday girl," the Doctor came over and bent down for the keys. I stuck my tongue out at Martha in victory. She merely rolled her eyes at me. "She needs to be hap..."

He just...stopped.

"Something wrong?" Martha moved beside me with the usual smirk crossing her face.

When Zian trailed me over, the only thing I wanted to do was to run away. I wanted to hide, to desperately avoid his look, his eyes and yet...when the Doctor did it, my heart skipped about five beats then proceeded to skip at light speed. He picked up the keys off the floor, his gaze stuck on my ankles, traveling up my legs, to my dress, and finally my face. By that point, I must have been red.

"Wow..." He breathed when he was finally standing up.

"I did good, didn't I?" Martha raised an eyebrow, glancing between us.

My heart continued skipping beats, my face feeling like it was the hottest day of the summer, my breath short as I tried to breathe like a normal human being...all because of one Martian's stupid gaze.

"I...look okay?" was my genius question.

"Y-yeah!" He nodded fairly fast, making me smile, "You look stunning."

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself," I trailed his black and white suit, "You look...good."

"Yeah, still uneasy about the whole black tie thing because as we all know..." He swayed his head as we all recalled Lazarus.

"Well this time there's no aliens around except for you," I reminded him.

"You'd have to screw up seriously big this time," Martha crossed her arms.

"I won't," he assured, "And the keys?" He held them for us.

"You should keep them, neither of have pockets," I said.

"Right." And so he stuffed them in his own pocket, "Shall we get going, then?"

"Where exactly are we going?" I looked between him and Martha, this whole night having been kept a secret by both of them even after my pleads and begs to know about it.

"Secret," they both answered, the Doctor linking arms with me while Martha walked for the door.

"But my curiosity-"

"Always gets the best of you," they finished for me, "We know!"

I frowned, "Can't I please have a clue?"

"Nope!"

"But-"

"Nope!"

And so that's how I was dragged out into the streets, on Halloween, blindfolded the whole time. If they wanted to leave me somewhere, they very well could've done so. Too bad for them I knew my way back home. From a distance, I could hear some music playing, voices becoming closer as well. As we neared, the voices became louder with live music.

"Where are we? Did we go to a Halloween party because neither of us are dressed for it," I frowned as we kept walking.

"Shush!" they both replied.

I huffed and kept walking.

"Okay," the Doctor said, suddenly stopping us, "Are you ready?"

"No, I seriously love the fact I can't see anything."

"Stop being moody," Martha scolded, coughing in the end.

"1..." the Doctor began counting, "...2..."

"3!" they both exclaimed, the blindfold falling off my eyes.

"Wow..." I blinked, looking around the rather large dance floor ahead of us.

It was a public event, by the looks of it. People were dancing on the dance floor, a live performance from a stage at the head of it. There were several stands of games where children and their parents were at, a little blonde girl standing out actually...couldn't place my finger on it, though. There was an iced-lake down the hill, snow covering the surroundings except for the dance floor. It was all decorated with what seemed like Christmas lights, that hung from poles of streetlights.

"This is...wow," I stepped forwards, the little blonde girl squealing with joy as she apparently won something. She was even dressed like a raggedy doll.

The Doctor moved beside me, looking around, "It might not be the best place in all of the galaxy...but I thought it could come in as a close second, maybe?" he sighed, "I thought it was pretty, but...I mean...it might not be, I understand..."

"Doctor you better shush it because this is amazing!" I turned and hugged him, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he hugged back, sounding surprised.

"Martha," I parted a little and held out an arm for her, "Come here, thank you so much," she walked over and joined the hug, "You two are so amazing, I love you both."

"Happy birthday," they replied.

I pulled away and turned for the party, "Where do we start first?"

Martha sneezed rather loudly, "Sorry," she sniffled, her nose becoming stuffy by the tone of her voice.

"Martha, are you sure-"

'NO," she put her hand on my mouth, "Offer to make me chicken soup one more time and I'll throw you into that lake."

"But...it's iced," I glanced at the lake.

"Exactly," she smirked.

"Okay, no soup," I stepped back.

"Perhaps a dance?" she looked between us, "Everyone's doing it."

"There's three of us, and I don't like one of us staying alone," I crossed my arms.

"Oh I won't be alone," she smirked, beginning to walk away.

"Martha?" I turned after her, watching her go up to a man and tap his shoulder.

"Martha!" the young man turned around, quickly hugging her.

I gaped, "Excuse me?"

"That's Brad," the Doctor nodded, "Nice man. Seems good for Martha...if he wasn't from 1969."

'But...but...wait a minute," I shook my head, going up to the pair, the Doctor behind, "Martha Elizabeth Jones, what on earth is this?"

"Elizabeth's your middle name?" 'Brad' and the Doctor asked her.

"No," she smiled, though smirked at me, "This is Brad Ives, a co-worker of mine."

"When did this happen?" I gestured to the linked arms they now shared.

"About two days ago, told him it was your birthday and that he should show up," she grinned, "I didn't want to be a third wheel."

"It's nice to meet you," Brad held out his hand for me to shake, "Minerva Souza, Martha's best friend."

"Yeah...hello," I shook his hand, my gaze stuck on him.

He was handsome, I'll give her that. He was tall, reaching the same height as the Doctor. He had deep blue eyes and dark brown hair. The woman had good taste.

"Happy birthday," he smiled.

"Thank you," I smiled back, still confused of all this.

Martha coughed, "So," she cleared her throat afterwards, "Now we can all dance!"

"You shouldn't even be out here," Brad commented, making her frown and me beam.

"I told her that too," I crossed my arms.

"Iced lake, Minerva," she reminded, tugging Brad to the dance floor.

"What's with the iced lake?" he asked her, the pair distancing from us.

"Did you know about this?" I turned to the Doctor, demanding of him.

"Well...yeah," he looked around to avoid my look, "...she asked me not to say anything. She wanted to surprise you."

"Who is he? How old is he? Is he a respectable, good man? Is he rude? Have they gone on a date, yet?"

"Okay, Martha's mum," he took my hand, "Why don't you let the kids have their moment and allow me to take you for a dance?"

"And you're sure you won't step on me?"

"I didn't the last time," he shrugged.

"You mean China? Cause you kinda did."

He blinked, like he had committed an error for some reason, "Uh, yeah, yeah...so, care to dance with me?"

"That depends..."

"On?"

"You tell me who the hell Brad Ives is."

He chuckled, leading me to the dance floor, "Alright, gosh you're so over protective of Martha."

He wound an arm around my waist, our other hands joining together, "It's only fair. She takes care of me so I do the same," I shrugged.

"He's nice, I've met him a couple of times, seems to like her."

"So why hadn't I heard about him, then?"

"Ask Martha," he shrugged.

"You both need to stop keeping things away from me," I warned.

"You know we're sorry about that whole Kaeya fiasco."

I nodded, accepting his sincerity, "I told you, I forgive both of you. But I'm still a bit upset with Kaeya. I'll have to have a word with her when she comes back."

"...right."

"Do you think she will?" I suddenly asked, my curiosity getting the best of me...and my jealousy. I had no idea what I was gonna do when that princess showed up in the TARDIS. Well, the first thing was demand for the return of my memories. After that would be my simple heartbreak.

"Think what?"

"Do you think Kaeya will come back?" I asked again, quieter this time, "I know she said she would, but...it's been months and nothing."

"Maybe it takes a little longer."

"Are you happy she's coming back?"

"Can we...not talk about Kaeya, please?" he asked, sounding upset at the mention.

"Um...sure, sorry."

"It's your birthday, Minerva. I already screwed up by not having you with your grandmother today and I don't want you to get upset with a woman who didn't have the right to steal your memories."

"Okay," I nodded, suddenly replaying his words, "Hold on, you don't feel bad that we're still in 1969, do you?"

He looked away, "Well let's see, I got us purposely sent here and haven't gotten us out yet so...yeah."

"Doctor, you said it yourself, if we didn't do this then perhaps that Sally Sparrow could've been harmed. You did the right thing."

"But you're not with your grandmother on your birthday."

"So? I'm here with you and Martha, best present ever. My grandmother was with me for fourteen birthdays. I'm glad I got to spend one with you and Martha," I smiled, "Best one yet."

He smiled softly, his eyes looking past me then, "But you know what, I was able to sort of mend my error."

"How so?"

"Come along, Souza!" he yanked me out of the dance floor. I yelped and tried not to trip with his sudden run.

"Doctor, where are we going?" I exclaimed, nearly bumping into a woman on the way, "Sorry!" I called after her.

"Right here," he stopped, causing me to hit his back, "Oops, sorry," he moved me beside him, "Mrs. Lozano?" he called.

"Mrs what?" I shot him a look.

He gestured ahead as a blonde woman turned around, a two year old boy in her arms. But I recognized that two year old, and that blonde woman...

"Gr-grandma?" I choked out the word.

"Excuse me?" she seemed amused at my reaction.

"Minerva, I'd like you to meet some new friends I made today," the Doctor stepped over to the woman, "This is Isadora Lozano, and this-" he toyed with the toddler's hand, "-is little Aaron Lozano. Isadora, Aaron, this is my good friend, Minerva Souza."

I just...stared. I had no idea what to even think of this, how to process this...

"Nice to meet you," my grandmother held out her hand for me to shake.

"N-nice to meet you too," I couldn't stop staring at her face.

She was young. I mean, not that young, but middle-aged. Her blonde hair fell to her shoulders, her deep jade-green eyes filled with nurture as they were in my time. Her face wasn't wrinkled, her hands were soft and warm. She was...so beautiful.

"I met Isadora today in a shop," the Doctor explained, "Apparently, they're on a vacation with their children."

"They?" I repeated, immediately knowing who else was with them, "Grandpa?"

"Is she okay?" my grandmother asked the Doctor.

"Misses her grandparents," he waved her off, "Minerva?"

"Sorry," I stepped over, seeing little uncle Aaron hold out his hand for me.

"Shake!" He exclaimed, making me smile.

"Sorry little guy, hello," I took his small hand and shook it.

"Isadora? I think we need to go, Sophia fell asleep." A voice I hadn't heard in years called.

A slightly older man, with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes walked over, carrying a six-year-old blonde girl in his arms who was indeed asleep

"Oh, hello, John," he smiled at the Doctor.

I stumbled back, the Doctor quickly going to my side and aiding me before I fell back, "Oh my god..." I whispered. I'm sure I must have looked like a bug with these wide eyes of mine.

"Happy birthday," the Doctor whispered to me and dropped a kiss to my hair.

"Hello," I greeted my grandfather, my eyes tearing up very fast.

"Oh, hello," he turned around with a smile on his face.

"Alan, this is my friend I was talking about," the Doctor said, "This is Minerva Souza."

"The one who likes to see the stars as well?"

"Yes."

"Oh, very nice to meet you then," he moved to shake my hand but with 'Sophia' in his arms, it wasn't very possible.

"Oh, here," the Doctor stepped up, taking the girl into his arms for a second, knowing what it would mean to me to actually greet my grandfather, "There we go."

My grandfather looked at him with confusion but apparently had good trust in him. He held out his hand for me but I couldn't just shake his hand. I went up and hugged him. "Hello," I whispered with more tears falling down my face.

He wasn't even bothered that some girl was hugging him and crying. Instead, he just chuckled, "Hello! A hugger I see? Sophia's like that too, she has to hug everyone."

"Me too!" little Aaron inputted.

"Yes, he too," my grandfather agreed.

I closed my eyes for a second, taking a deep breath before I forcefully had to pull away from him, "Sorry...hello."

"Hello," he repeated, still not bothered.

I looked him over, smiling so brightly, "It...it was very nice to meet you." I bit my lip, the words meaning so much for me that I just burst into sobs right there and then.

"Oh my," my grandmother gasped lightly, "Is she alright?"

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" My grandfather took me into his arms again.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." But I couldn't finish the sentence. There was nothing left to say, it was him. The grandfather I mourned for deeply, the one I missed terribly...and here he was, hugging me.

"It's her 18th birthday, she's a bit emotional," the Doctor explained, watching us with a sad smile.

"Oh, and you're crying?" My grandfather asked me, "You can't have that. I always say-"

"Crying makes the stars sad," We said simultaneously.

"Hey, where'd you get that from?" He frowned, disappointed I'd taken his phrase, "I say that to my kids all the time."

"Even though it makes no sense," My grandmother scolded him, moving up beside us.

"Yet it makes them happy so I've done my job," he shrugged.

I looked between them, their silly, short arguments returning to me from my childhood. They weren't even arguments, more like ways to piss off one another for five minutes then say 'I love you' for the next hour.

"Aaron says he's gonna travel to see the stars," the Doctor suddenly said, Aaron nodding happily.

He spoke baby apparently.

"I'm sure you will," I tugged on the toddler's hand, "Just you wait."

"Are you feeling better?" My grandfather questioned me, "No more crying?"

"Yeah, sorry," I wiped my face, "Emotional...and all..."

"Well, happy birthday, Minerva," my grandmother stepped up and hugged me, little Aaron trying to do the same.

"Thank you."

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," my grandfather hugged me next. As soon as I felt his arms, I hugged him back tighter, "May you receive all the gifts you want."

Already done.

He stepped back, turning to the Doctor who handed him back the sleeping six year old in his arms, "Better get back to the hotel, now."

"What's her name?" I asked, gazing upon my sleeping mother.

"Sophia."

"Lovely name," I smiled, watching my grandfather brush a blonde lock away from her face.

"Well, we'll be going now," my grandmother said, "The kids need sleep and all."

"Nice to see you again," the Doctor waved as they walked away.

"Just...how?" I whispered, staring after them until I couldn't see them anymore.

"I was at a shop, and then a two year old wanted to take away my banana," he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "This feisty little toddler just demanded to have my banana. You know, I'm pretty sure he cursed in Spanish."

I chuckled, my uncle was known for his remarkable ability to curse in several languages.

"So then his mother comes along, Isadora, and immediately apologizes for her son's potty mouth. Though between you and me, Aaron wasn't very sorry."

"What are they doing here?"

"Vacation. The family always wanted to visit London so here they are..."

"That was my grandfather," I pointed, taking a deep breath, "My grandfather. The one I watched the stars with. The one that taught me how to ride a bike...the one that read me a bedtime story and even acted out some parts...that was him. Him."

"You okay?" The Doctor turned to me.

I looked at him, showing him my watery eyes. No, I wasn't okay but I wasn't terrible either. There was just no way to describe how I felt seeing my grandfather after such a long time processing his death. But though as impatient as I knew that the Doctor was, he didn't say anything and he didn't move. He just waited for me to answer.

"Can I please get a hug?" I asked him in a frail whisper.

"Of course," he smiled. He wrapped his arms around me, unknowingly giving me that type of support that only he was capable of. I felt his chin rest lightly over my head and his hand soothingly rubbing my back.

"He died..." I sniffled quietly.

"I know."

"I was at the burial..."

"I know."

"I miss him so much!"

"But he's never actually gone," he reminded, "In our time, anywhere actually, he's just watching out for you and his family. Didn't you tell me that?"

"Yeah, but I just saw him," I pulled away, "He was right here, he was talking."

"Who's to say he's not doing that in the afterlife?"

"You believe in the afterlife?"

"A good friend is persuading me to."

I smiled, "Doctor, this was incredible. Thank you. I will not live to repay you for this."

"I don't want a payment, I want you to be happy. I told you, didn't I? I intend for you to be happy. So I've got one last thing to give you before I call it a night."

"What? Another gift?"

"What do you mean another?" he frowned, "This wasn't it."

"But...but that was my grandfather, alive."

"Yeah, I would've showed you them anyways. Your birthday just happened to be today. No, I've got your real present right here," he patted his inside coat.

"What is it?"

"Come along," he took my hand and led us away.

And on our way, passing by the tables, I saw Martha and Brad...kissing.

"Martha Elizabeth Jones!" I nearly shouted, moving to break them apart.

"Oh no you don't, Mum," the Doctor gripped my hand and forced me to keep moving.

"But they're kissing!" I hissed.

"Yes, in public, meaning that's the only thing they'll be doing. So relax."

"But-"

"Relax."

I frowned and desisted in my attempts. We walked down the small hill, stopping in front of the iced lake.

"I hope you don't plan on pushing me out there because unlike the Monsoon, I will fall," I informed.

"No, I just liked the place, that's all. Plus, look," he pointed up.

I looked up and saw the sky with its stars, far more than the ones at my grandmother's house, "Oh..."

"Happy birthday, Minerva," he declared and when I looked back to him, he held out a small, black, rectangular box in his hand. "Minerva," he called and when I looked back, he was holding a black, rectangular box in his hands. Before I could ask about it, he started talking. "Minerva, the name originating from the Goddess of war and wisdom, has many layers. How so I describe each one? I can't. She's classic, she's the moon and the stars, and she's my companion. She's my best friend. And today's the day that the universe decided she would be born. Happy birthday Minerva Souza."

My eyes teared up again at such sweet words that I'm sure no one would ever say to me, and if they did...it wouldn't hold a candle to the way the Doctor delivered the words.

I gingerly took the gift from him. "What is it?"

"Take it and open it up," he instructed with sarcasm.

I pulled the lid off the box and found a silver necklace neatly tucked inside. It was dark silver with a small chain holding a circular pendant. I picked it up, finding some symbols on the front of the pendant, strangely familiar because as I recalled...

"What's this, Doctor?" I gestured to the symbols.

"Uh...see...I thought, you'd like to know, maybe...how your name would look if it was written in a new language."

"Well, what language is it?" I asked, holding it right in front of me to get a closer look.

"Mine," he said and my eyes immediately snapped to him. "It's mine, the language..." he cleared his throat, "It's mine. Gallifreyan."

"I knew it," I started smiling, "This is wonderful!"

"So you like it?"

"Mhm, it's so pretty!" I held the pendant in my palm, all the crazy symbols just making me smile at the effort he must have put into this, "You translated my name into your language?" He nodded, "Wow...this is beautiful, really, really beautiful. Thank you."

"It was because of that-" he pointed to the necklace, "-that I met Isadora and Aaron. I just needed the chain and went to a shop..."

"How did you even make this?"

"With effort and motivation," he shrugged, "And the look on your face was my motivation."

"I was your motivation?"

"Yeah, and I'm glad to see you liked it."

"No, no, I love it," I handed him the box and started fastening the necklace around my neck, "This is never coming off."

"It looks beautiful on you," he remarked and I silently thanked the heavens it was dark enough to hide my blush perfectly.

If he did all these sweet things for me...doesn't that mean something? Would it mean that Kaeya perhaps wasn't his choice? Could I dare to think this possibility...?

~0~

"Over here," I flicked on the lights as the Doctor entered the apartment, a half-asleep Martha in his arms.

Poor thing was just so sick now.

"Martha, we're bringing you to bed now," the Martian informed as he headed for the hallways while I closed the door with lock.

"Mhm...Brad?"

"No!" I shouted, following after them.

The Doctor entered our room first so I quickly went past him to pull the covers of the bed for them, "Maybe now would be a good time for some soup."

"Shut up," Martha muttered, pulling the covers over her and literally sprawling all over the bed.

"Hm," I crossed my arms, "It'll be interesting to find a spot to sleep in."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, going into a coughing fit.

"I told her we shouldn't have gone out," I sighed, moving up and placing a hand over her forehead, feeling no fever yet.

"I'll go to the living room," she started moving up.

"No!"

"You and I can't share the room because you'll get sick," she tried to argue before sneezing.

"I'm not gonna let my best friend, who is sick as dog, sleep on the couch. Lay down, and go to sleep."

"I'm not gonna let my best friend take the couch on her birthday."

"Martha!"

"Minerva!"

"No arguing," the Doctor cut in, "Minerva, you take my room, I'll take the living room. There. Martha, you stay in bed and try to get some sleep."

She nodded, coughing again, "Okay."

"Doctor, you don't have to," I whispered as Martha laid down again, pulling the covers over her.

"Sh," he put a finger on his lips, nodding to the woman on the bed.

"Martha?" I glanced back.

Silence.

She had fallen asleep.

"We're gonna need to take her to a doctor tomorrow," I informed the Martian, "A human one, anyways."

"Ha, ha," he headed for the door.

"No, wait," I reached to stop him, about to make another insistence on me taking the couch when I yawned as well.

"I'll get my things out of my room for you," he smiled and walked out.

I sighed, feeling too tired to just go and follow. I'd get changed, make my argument, then fall on the couch dead asleep. The public dance party tired me out completely. After the little presents the Doctor had given me, we returned to the dance floor, actually danced both slow and fast songs. Then, along with Martha and Brad, we moved onto the game stands, gone out to eat, and just taken walks around the city, seeing what else we could do. It was just lovely!

I don't think any birthday would ever compare to this one.

After checking up on Martha one more time, I walked for the Doctor's room. I had changed into a my white nightie once more and pulled over my silver robe. I braided my hair to the side as I knocked on the Martian's room.

"Come in!"

I opened the door and walked inside, "I came to say I'm just fine in the living room."

"None of that," he wagged a finger, his other hand tugging off his tie, "I don't even need the same amount of sleep as you two do."

"Yeah, but I also know you haven't been sleeping lately because of the Sally Sparrow dilemma, so you'll be needing some sleep tonight," I finished braiding my hair and clapped my hands, "So, I'll take that couch and that's that. Besides, I've slept in a desert, on the ground. A comfy, cushiony couch is far too big of a step up!"

He rolled his eyes, "Take that step outside and I'll personally drag you back in here."

"Oh, scary Martian," I teased.

"How's Martha?"

"Oh, asleep," I walked over to the bed, plopping down, "'But she's coughing like crazy. Still no fever so I guess that's good. No infection or anything."

"We'll take care of her tomorrow," he promised.

I yawned, "You can take the morning shift."

He went around the room, gathering his things for the night, discreetly pulling out his pajamas that would tell me he was planning on actually sleeping tonight.

"Where's my toothbrush?" he looked around.

I glanced back, seeing said toothbrush on one of his nightstand's. I crawled up and reached for it, "Right here!"

"How'd you find it?" he frowned, walking over and taking it.

"Because I actually look for my things. And why is your toothbrush in here and not in the bathroom?" I nodded towards the door on our left.

"Um...I forgot to bring it back?"

"Men," I rolled my eyes.

"I'm gonna go brush my teeth and get changed then I'll leave, alright?"

"But I told you-"

And then he pushed me down, "Yeah, goodnight," he turned away for the bathroom.

"That was rude!" I called after him, throwing a pillow that nearly got him but instead hit the door.

I turned to the side, actually liking the comfiness. And also, it tended to give off the Doctor's scent, making me feel like he was still here. I closed my eyes, smiling as I breathed in that minty scent of his, wishing he could actually be right here. Perhaps, one day, if he miraculously returned my feelings, we could be like this...together, sleeping in each other's arms.

But he wouldn't. He couldn't. Kaeya was still out there, coming back to him...and he loved her. Of course he'd stay with her. Perhaps they'd even sleep in the same room, just like this one, in the TARDIS, in each other's arms. I put a hand to my chest, squeezing my eyes tighter as it pained me to think of that. How would I live with those two around? I still had my doubt whether or not to stay in the box of wonders. Part of my screamed 'yes' because it would be the most practical things to do. But another part didn't want to let go. But I knew my heart wouldn't be able take that amount of pain. I wouldn't be able to live with the Doctor and Kaeya, knowing how much they loved each other and would always do. Leaving seemed like the smartest thing to do...

"Minerva, there's more blankets if..." the Doctor had returned, but I maintained my eyes closed.

These stupid thoughts were threatening to show their consequences and frankly, I didn't feel like crying on my birthday. I wanted to sleep and that's it. So I kept my eyes shut, hoping to fool the Martian so he'd leave and let me finally fall asleep. But something else happened instead.

The covers were pulled over me, up to my shoulders. The bed shuffled a bit and I assumed he had taken a seat beside me, his hand brushing the side of my face.

"Happy birthday, clever, sassy girl," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

I thought that would be the end of it and he'd go on his way...but he didn't.

The bed shuffled once more and then I felt his hand repeatedly trailing down and up the side of my face, his scent growing stronger and stronger due what I assumed was him nearing. I was sure my racing heart would give me away that I was faking to be asleep but he didn't notice it.

And then it happened.

My lips felt something pressed up against them, something soft, something warm. My eyes snapped open to see it was him, the Doctor, kissing me...on the lips...out of his free will. His eyes were closed for the moment, unable to see my fake 'sleepiness'. And for some reason, I decided to let him continue to believe that. I closed my eyes, forcing myself to try and stay calm. But how could I!?

He pulled away from his short kiss, the cold October air once again taking control of mine, and he sighed, "...I wish you'd remember."

The bed shuffled once more as he got up, heaving another heavy sigh as his footsteps distanced themselves from the bed, until the door was opened and shut. A couple of minutes passed before I opened my eyes.

What had happened? What was I supposed to remember?

While all these questions popped into my head, I sat up, my fingers went up to my lips as they curved into a smile, my heart racing with joy.

He had kissed me. There was no apology, no explanation, no anticipation...nothing. He had kissed me because he wanted to. And this time, this time, I would not be too' sweet' nor too 'oblivious'. This time, I'd speak out my feelings. Because if he decided to kiss me like this, hidden, it was because he had something hidden in his hearts...

...and I was determined to discover it.

~0~

London, 2007.

Sally Sparrow and Larry Nightingale sat in the old abandoned house in which Sally had found the Doctor's message in. There was a portable DVD player which Larry had brought which held the mysterious Easter Eggs of the Doctor...and two other women.

"Okay, this is the one with the clearest sound. Slightly better picture quality on this one, but I don't..." Larry was fiddling with the DVD player.

"Doesn't matter," Sally waved it off.

"Okay. There he is."

"The Doctor."

"Who's the Doctor?"

"He's the Doctor."

"Yep. That's me," the Doctor on the monitor said, startling Sally.

"Okay, that was scary."

"No, it sounds like he's replying, but he always says that," Larry said, though he was a bit freaked out himself. Out of all the times he'd seen those videos, not once had anyone concurred with the man on the monitor.

"Yes, I do," the Doctor continued.

"And that," Larry pointed.

"Yep, and this."

"He can hear us. Oh, my God, you can really hear us!" Sally exclaimed.

"Of course he can't hear us. Look! I've got a transcript, see, everything he says," Larry showed Sally the transcript, "Yep, that's me". "Yes, I do". "Yep, and this". Next it's..."

"Are you going to read out the whole thing?"

"Sorry."

"Who are you?" Sally asked, choosing to ignore the fact Larry had concurred with him too.

"I'm a time traveler. Or I was. I'm stuck in 1969."

"We're stuck," a brunette women smacked him on the arm before heaving a sigh.

"I thought you weren't mad anymore!"

"Never said that," she pointed at him.

Another woman moved into the screen, smacking the man on his other arm, "All of space and time, he promised me. Now I've got a job in a shop, she's got a job in a department store, and we've got to support him!"

"Martha! Minerva!" he shot both women some glares, not that any of them seem to care.

"I've seen this bit before," Sally remarked.

"Quite possibly," the Doctor said.

"1969, that's where you're talking from?"

"'Fraid so."

"But you're replying to me. You can't know exactly what I'm gonna say, 40 years before I say it!"

"Technically it's 38," Minerva shrugged, "You get a lot of time to get math right..." she looked at the Doctor who just returned it with a smirk.

"I told you I'd make you learn everything I knew."

She elbowed him and that was the finish of that.

"I love her," Larry chuckled as he scribbled on the transcript, "I'm getting this down! I'm writing in your bits," he said to Sally.

"How? How is this possible? Tell me!" Sally demanded, biting back a chuckle as well.

"Not so fast," Larry said.

"People don't understand time. It's not what you think it is," the Doctor began explaining.

"Then what is it?" Sally asked

"Complicated."

"Tell me."

"Very complicated."

"I'm clever and I'm listening. And don't patronize me because people have died, and I'm not happy. Tell me."

"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff."

"Okay, I refuse from this point on to call you the Oncoming Storm," Minerva gave him a serious look, "Wibbly Wobbly, timey wimey?"

"That makes two," Martha raised her hand.

"Yeah, I've seen this bit before. You said that sentence got away from you," Sally pointed, the Doctor immediately saying it after, "And then she says, 'You're just an idiot'," she and Minerva said simultaneously.

"Seriously, love her," Larry chuckled again, shaking his head.

"And then the next thing you're going to say is, "Well, I can hear you"," Sally continued.

"Well, I can hear you," the Doctor said.

"This isn't possible."

"No. It's brilliant!" Larry exclaimed.

"Oh don't think he's that smart," Martha waved off the screen, "We can't hear you, exactly."

"But we know exactly everything you're going to say," Minerva finished.

"Always gives me the shivers, that bit," remarked Larry.

"How can you know what I'm going to say?" Sally asked, confused.

"Look to your left," the Doctor instructed.

"What does he mean by, "Look to your left"? I've written tons about that on the forums. I think it's a political statement," Larry rambled on.

Sally looked at him, shaking her head, "He means you. What are you doing?"

"I'm writing in your bits. So I've got a complete transcript of the whole conversation. Wait until this hits the net. This will explode the egg forums."

"We've got a copy of the finished transcript. It's on my Auto-cue," the Doctor explained.

"How can you have a copy of the finished transcript? It is still being written," Sally nearly threw her head back in frustration.

"I told you. I'm a time traveler. I got it in the future."

"Okay, let me get my head 'round this. You're reading from a transcript of a conversation you're still having? Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey."

"You just made a poor human say those words," Minerva shook her head, "Shame on you, Martian."

"What matters is we can communicate," the Doctor rolled his eyes at the brunette, "We have got big problems now. They've taken the blue box, haven't they? The angels have the phone box."

"The angels have the phone box! That's my favorite, I've got it on a tee-shirt!"

"What do you mean, angels? You mean those statue things?" Sally asked, just knowing those things weren't good.

"Creatures from another world."

"But they're just statues."

"Only when you see them."

"What does that mean?"

"Lonely assassins, they were called. No-one knows where they came from. They're as old as the universe, or very nearly. They've survived this long as they have the most perfect defense system ever evolved. They are quantum-locked. They don't exist when being observed. The moment they're seen by any other living creature they freeze into rock. No choice. It's a fact of their biology. In the sight of any living thing, they literally turn to stone. And you can't kill a stone. Course, a stone can't kill you either. But then you turn your head away, then you blink, and oh, yes it can!"

"Don't take your eyes off that," Sally ordered Larry, nodding towards one Angel that was in the garden ahead of them.

"That's why they cover their eyes. They're not weeping, they can't risk looking at each other. Their greatest asset is their greatest curse. They can never be seen. The loneliest creatures in the universe. And I'm sorry, I am very, very sorry, it's up to you now."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"The blue box, it's my time machine. There is a world of time energy in there they could feast on forever. The damage they can do can switch off the sun. You have got to send it back to me!"

"How? How?"

"And that's it, I'm afraid. There's no more from you on the transcript, that's all I've got. I dunno what stopped you talking, but I can guess. They're coming. The angels are coming for you. But listen, your life could depend on this. Don't blink! Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead. They are fast, faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back, don't look away, and don't blink! Good luck!"

Sally looked up, almost flinching when she realized something crucially important...Larry had stopped watching the Angel.

---

Author's Note:

Ello!

...is it safe to come out? Or is there still some anger from the sneak peek ._. ? *whispers* sorry.

So, I know how writers usually do all the parts from Sally Sparrow but I figured you all know what's going over there and would much rather see what's going on with our little trio :) ...and I think several things have happened, yes? After this comes the 3-part chapters with good ole the Master...that'll be an interesting event, and somewhat sad (you'll see why later ;)

Omg! Three more chapters and we're officially done with this story, eek! I'm so excited for the next one cos that's when the real problems begin :D *cheeky grin* and of course cos Donna...and Rose...but Donna...comes by for the season! Woo hoo! And just to sort of get things off to a good start, the new story will start next week on my birthday . So there'll be a double updates this week for anyone who cares, hoorah!

Hey, if anyone gives you a look for squealing, just say 'what' and then move your head to the side. It totally throws them off (I know cos I've done it and it works 100% of the time)!

Yes, the sneak peek is...emotional. Guess we'll have to wait till next week to figure out what happens :)

Oh we'll definitely see more of Minerva's grandmother in the next story. And if you meant 'Stacey' then yes, we'll definitely see her at a very important moment for Minerva. Yup, parents will definitely make their appearances as well. All I can say for Kaeya is...don't jump to conclusions ;) Yessss, I can't wait for Donna! She'll be so important, quite literally, for Minerva. Plus, who doesn't love Donna? I adore that ginger!

I think it's safe to say I give good cliffhangers, yes?

Anyways, hope the chapter was to your liking and we shall see each other again this week! :)