Chapter Two

After they ate, they put the picnic basket and blanket back in the TARDIS. Then they turned to their left and the Doctor led them into a dense patch of forest in search of an opening to one of the caves. While they walked, Rain glanced around at the treetops. She kept thinking of Kida's words, that they were being watched and it made her nervous. She had no doubt that her husband could protect himself but still, the threat made her uneasy and she began to wonder if it was such a good idea staying when they could have gone somewhere where there wasn't an angry jealous princess breathing down their neck. But if she had learned one thing about her husband in the short time they had been together it was this, the man wasn't easily intimidated. She knew no snotty nosed brat princess was gonna force him to leave the planet before he was ready and the fact that he was walking through the woods with total unconcern confirmed that for her. She admired that about him. His complete confidence and command of every situation that some people called arrogance and egotism and perhaps it was a bit of that, but she saw it as knowing who he was and what he could do and being confident in that. Her husband would never have been able to survive 1200 years without being this way, she knew that much, and she only hoped in time she could become like him. But for the moment, she still held doubts and fears that something bad might happen to her and her family and she would rather just get back in the TARDIS and go somewhere else.

While they walked, something caught her attention and she stopped to look at a huge spider resting on a nearby tree. The thing was large, black and hairy like a tarantula. She stared at it and it stared back with ruby colored eyes.

"Creepy," she said.

The Doctor glanced back at her and he and Jenny stopped.

"What's creepy?" he said, walking back to her.

She pointed to it when he walked up. The Doctor frowned.

"What's that doing here?" he muttered.

Jenny looked at him.

"It's sitting there, Dad."

He shook his head.

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, there are no spiders on Tarantan so what's this doing here?"

Jenny frowned.

"Are you sure?" Rain asked.

He nodded.

"Yes. Spiders don't exist here."

"But maybe they did and you didn't know it," Rain said. "I mean, you said you haven't been here in centuries, right?"

He nodded.

"Well, on Earth, they keep finding new species all the time in the Amazonian rain forests. Maybe this spider's been here all along and you didn't see it the last time."

"No, spiders only exist in certain areas on certain planets and this isn't one of those planets."

"So, someone brought it here?" Jenny asked.

"Perhaps, but why?" he mused. "Why bring it here and then set it free?"

He came closer and looked down on it.

"It's not an Earth tarantula, the eyes are all wrong," he muttered.

He looked around and noticed a branch lying on the ground. He picked it up and urged his family to stand back. They backed up while he put the end of the branch near the spider's jaws.

"Let's see how benign this little fella is," he said waving the branch slowly back and forth in front of his eyes.

They gasped when the spider lunged onto the branch and bit it with such force that the end of the twig broke in two.

"Okay. Not so benign…at least not to twigs," the Doctor said, throwing the rest of the twig on the ground. "Just keep your eyes open and don't put your hands on any tree trunks if you can help it."

He put his hand on Rain's back and took Jenny's hand before walking off.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ten minutes later, the Doctor felt Jenny tug on his trench coat sleeve.

"Yes, Angel?"

She pointed off to her left and the Doctor and Rain looked at where she was pointing. Rain's mouth dropped open when she saw an enormous web spun between two trees.

"Oh my God, it's huge," Rain said. "That web's got to be at least 10 by 15 feet. That little tarantula made this?"

The Doctor slowly walked up to it keeping his eyes open for the web's occupant. He glanced up in the tree on the right side of the web and frowned when he saw a massive cocoon stuck on a limb just above it. He whipped out his sonic screwdriver, backed up with his family and aimed it at the limb. He turned it on and there was a crack as the limb broke and fell to the ground. The cocoon rolled a couple of times toward them and stopped. The three of them approached it slowly and the Doctor bent down. He took out his glasses and put them on. Snapping a branch off the fallen limb he poked and prodded it while his wife and daughter looked around for the spider. The Doctor tore through the thick silk covering the large oblong bulge and used the branch to widen the hole. Rain and Jenny came over and bent over his back looking at what he found.

"Some kind of animal," the Doctor said making the hole bigger. "Deer most likely. A small deer, maybe a baby. It's been exsanguinated. Look here…"

Rain and Jenny bent down beside him and noticed two large bite marks in the creature's neck.

"Thete, that little spider couldn't have done this," she said, pointing to the bite marks.

"No, it appears our little eight legged friend will grow up to be quite a large bloke eventually."

"Dad, maybe we should get out of here," Jenny said.

The Doctor nodded.

"Yes, I don't think the crystal caves are important enough that we risk becoming a spider's dinner. Come on, loves, we'll go somewhere else for a holiday."

They got up and started back towards the TARDIS. On the way back the Doctor suddenly heard a thunder boom and saw a flash of lightning in the clouds overhead. He let out a curse and looked all around them.

"Thete, what's wrong?"

"We need to get to shelter now. The storms are fierce here and trust me; we don't wanna be out in them. They don't happen very often but when they do, they bring acid rain mixed in with the regular rain. We won't be able to make it back to the TARDIS in time."

He looked behind him and his eyes picked out the mouth of a cave through a clump of trees.

"This way!" he said, pointing to it.

They ran as fast as they could towards it. There was another thunder boom and it started to sprinkle. Rain gasped when a raindrop hit her skin and the tiny amount of acid in it stung her. She picked up speed when the rain started falling faster and faster.

They reached the caves just as the rain hit full force. All of them sighed as they leaned back against the cave wall. Rain's eyes widened when she noticed little smoke trails rising from the tree trunks around the cave when the acid rain hit it.

"Dad, why'd you even bring us to this place? So far, there's been a hateful princess and her guards, huge spiders and acid rain."

"The spiders weren't here before and the acid rain only happens once every couple of years. I had no idea we would run into both and the bitchy, jealous princess. I was just trying to show you these caves," he said gesturing around the interior.

"Will the TARDIS be alright?" Rain said pointing to the smoking tree trunks.

"Oh yeah, TARDISes can withstand a hell of a lot more than a little acid rain. She'll be fine. In the meantime, we might as well take a look in here while we wait for the rain to stop," he said.

He reached into his trench coat and gave his wife and daughter flashlights. He was getting one out for him when suddenly an intense thunder boom cracked overhead with such intensity they felt it in their bodies. He noticed the fearful looks on his family's faces and calmly reassured them.

"We're safe in here. The storm won't last long, trust me. Let's just take a quick dekko at the crystal walls and when the storm passes we'll get out of here and go someplace a lot more friendly, alright?"

They nodded and switched on their flashlights. The Doctor led them deeper into the cave while the storm raged outside. They proceeded down a narrow shaft shining their flashlights all around them. They came out of the shaft into a large cavern and Rain's breath caught in her throat. All around them the walls were made of pure crystal. The light from their flashlights made them sparkle. The Doctor smiled and looked back at his family who was staring at the walls in awe.

"This is beautiful," Jenny said softly.

"Told ya. Now see, this is worth all the trouble we went through to get in here."

Rain walked over to the wall and ran her hand down the wall feeling the coolness of the crystal while the Doctor grabbed his glasses and put them back on. She walked by the wall staring up at it, admiring the smooth surface. Her foot hit something and she looked down to see a chunk of crystal at her feet. Smiling, she picked it up and stared at it for a moment before putting it in her pocket. She saw an opening a few feet ahead of her and walked towards it. She heard the sound of running water and shined her flashlight inside the opening. She saw a larger cavern and walked inside. The water was coming from an underground stream on the other side of the cavern and she walked towards it while she glanced around at the crystal walls. She heard her husband explaining something to Jenny in the other room and she looked back over her shoulder. She saw him through the opening. He was standing on the far side of the cavern with Jenny, pointing up at something while he talked to her. She hesitated a moment not wanting to go too far away and have him worry about her. She gazed at the stream and decided to take a look at it for a moment before heading back to his side. She walked up to it and bent down. She tentatively put her finger in the running water but her skin didn't burn so she figured there was no acid rain mixed in with it. Her eyes widened when she saw a little rainbow colored fish swim past her.

"Whoa," she murmured, smiling.

"Rain?"

Rain looked back and saw her husband looking around in confusion.

"In here, love," she said.

He turned and saw her through the hole.

"Oh! There you are, you sly little thing. You just went and snuck off without me, eh?" he teased.

Jenny stuck her head around the hole and shined her flashlight around.

"Come here, sweetheart, look at this little stream with the fish in it," Rain said, pointing.

Jenny smiled and walked into the room while the Doctor put his hands in his pockets and casually followed them. He paused by the doorway and shined his light at the walls while Jenny knelt down beside her mother and stared at a fish that was swimming by. The light from their flashlights made his rainbow scales shimmer and they smiled at each other.

The Doctor paused a moment and smiled at them while they pointed and talked to each other about the fish. Then suddenly, his keen senses told him something was wrong at the same time his sight picked up movement in the darkness above them. He shined his light upwards and his hearts nearly stopped when he saw a gargantuan tarantula crawling along the roof of the cavern. By his estimation it was at least the size of a BMW if not bigger. He noticed the creature pausing and looking down at his family who were still unaware of its presence. He was frozen in place, unsure what to do. He was scared if he alerted his family and they moved the spider would strike but he knew if they stayed there for very much longer it would strike anyway.

Rain, Jenny, he thought to them.

They looked back at him and he held up his hand.

Don't move, don't make a sound, he thought.

"Dad?"

"Shhhh!" the Doctor said, putting his finger to his lips.

Rain and Jenny glanced at each other, confused. Then suddenly Rain saw movement up above her. She glanced up and gasped.

Rain, be calm, love, the Doctor thought. I'll figure out a way to distract it, just stay there and don't move.

Jenny, who by now had seen it too, embraced her while they stared up at it. The Doctor glanced up and saw the spider was looking right at them and he swore he could see the hunger in its compound eyes. Images of the cocooned deer flashed through his mind and he knew he had to protect his family even if it meant he became the arachnid's dinner instead. He looked all around and noticed a large chunk of crystal on the ground nearby. He quickly scrambled over to it, picked it up and lobbed it at the spider. It struck its head and the spider turned to look directly at him.

"That's it, you furry nightmare, come get me instead," he muttered to himself.

They watched while the spider stared at him silently and then turned his attention back to Rain and Jenny. The spider looked from one to the other and the Doctor noticed with some interest that he was apparently trying to decide which group to go after. He looked around and noticed another chunk of crystal near him and lobbed that at the spider trying to get it to focus entirely on him. He breathed a sigh of relief when the spider finally decided on him and started scurrying towards him.

"Thete!"

"Run, Rain. Take Jenny and get out of here! I'll be alright, just go!"

He whipped out his sonic screwdriver when the spider dropped off the ceiling and landed on its legs. Its jaws twitched and its ruby eyes glowed in the light while he slowly came towards him. The Doctor glanced over and saw to his relief that Rain and Jenny were obeying and slowly making their way across the cavern.

My love, be careful, Rain thought to him.

I will. Just go back to the entrance and make your way back to the TARDIS if it's stopped raining. I'll join you shortly, I prom…

His thought was cut off when he noticed another spider dropping down from the ceiling in front of his family, blocking the opening. His blood ran cold when they backed up and the spider began to follow them. He whipped out his screwdriver, adjusted it and used it on the spider. To his relief, the spider shook its head in pain and scrambled back up the wall to get away from it. He hurried to his wife and daughter who were now almost near the other opening. He was almost at their side when the spider suddenly dropped from the ceiling behind him, knocking him to the ground with its front leg. Both Rain and Jenny screamed while he tried to turn and get a clear shot with his screwdriver. He looked at the other spider and quickly used the screwdriver on it.

"Run!" he yelled when it dashed towards the wall.

Rain and Jenny ran past them but suddenly another spider dropped down in front of them. The Doctor yelled with rage and twisted his body around to get the first spider off of him. It quickly scurried back when he used the sonic and the Doctor got to his feet. His hearts stopped when he heard his wife's terrified scream and saw one of the spiders had knocked her down and was starting to cocoon her from the feet up.

"NO!" he screamed, running towards Jenny while he aimed his screwdriver at her.

He gasped when another spider dropped down between him and Jenny. He aimed his screwdriver at it and grunted when the first spider knocked him down again. Jenny picked up a couple of chunks of crystal and hurled it at his spider and the spider that was cocooning her mother. The Doctor glanced over and saw his wife was covered up to her nose, her terrified eyes pleading for rescue. He heard another scream and saw Jenny being herded back towards the back opening by two of the spiders. Gritting his teeth he aimed the sonic at his spider and scrambled out from under him when he scurried back. Keeping the sonic on, he waved it at the other spiders making the scurry away from Jenny. Jenny quickly ran to his side while he turned his attention to the spider who now had cocooned Rain completely and was preparing to bite her.

"Oh no you don't!" the Doctor snarled as he aimed the sonic at it.

The spider shook its head and quickly backed away from the cocoon.

My love, hold on, I'll free you, he thought to her.

No, Thete, there's too many. Save yourself and Jenny, she thought back. If they take me, maybe they'll leave you alone.

No, I'd rather die than see you become their meal. I'm gonna get you outta this, just hold…

He gasped when he heard Jenny scream followed by his wife's anguished scream in his head. He turned and saw a spider had her and was beginning to wrap her up. He looked around and picked up a crystal shard that was lying nearby. With a howl of rage, he lunged forward and plunged it into the spiders's right eye. The spider shook his head around and backed away, this time through the opening. The Doctor glanced down and saw that he had managed to cocoon Jenny up to her knees.

"Dad!" she yelled.

"It's alright, Angel. I'm here. I'll free you both, I prom…"

Jenny screamed when one of the spiders barreled into his back with its body. The Doctor was propelled forward and there was a crunch as his face connected with the wall and his glasses shattered on impact. Jenny and Rain screamed his name, verbally and mentally, while he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Doctor's brow furrowed while he slowly regained consciousness. He felt something warm and wet on his forehead. He slowly opened one eye and noticed a shape over him. For one moment, he thought he was going to become the spider's dinner but then a female voice spoke to him.

"There you are, you're awake at last," she said, taking the wet flannel away from his forehead.

The Doctor frowned.

"You're…the princess…"he muttered.

"Yes, my huntsman was out hunting after the rain and heard your screams. He found the spiders getting ready to eat you and saved you."

The Doctor's eyes snapped open and he searched for the minds of his wife and daughter. His blood ran cold when he couldn't sense them.

My loves, he frantically thought, where are you? Answer me!

His breath quickened when he didn't get an answer. He looked at Kida who was giving him a sympathetic look.

"My wife and daughter, where are they?" he said, trying to get up.

Kida put a hand on his chest.

"It's too late. The huntsman found them dead beside you."

The Doctor's face drained of all color.

"No, you're lying to me. They're alive!" he said.

"No, they're both dead. I'm sorry."

"Then show me their bodies. Let me see them, hold them," he said frantically.

"The huntsman couldn't get them out. He had enough time to get you but the spiders came back and took them away into the caves."

"No, you're lying. Where are they? What have you done with them?"

"I've done nothing, Doctor. He couldn't get them away from the spiders. He barely got you away from there before they killed you."

"Then he should have left me there with them," he said. "Because they were my life, my whole universe."

Frantically, he searched for their minds, desperate to make contact with them, refusing to believe that the two people he loved above all others were dead and lost to him. He could faintly feel his other family's minds and knew they were quite a considerable distance away somewhere in time and space. His hearts sank dreading the moment he would have to tell them what happened and how he had failed to protect them. He tried once more to reach them, saying a silent prayer to the universe to be merciful just this once and let them still be alive. But there was no answer from either one. His hearts fell to the floor as the image of the dead exsanguinated deer came to the fore of his thoughts and his eyes closed in utter anguish while his head lowered in despair and his body shook with silent sobs.

"It can't be true. It just can't be," he said in a barely audible whisper.

Kida put a hand on his cheek but he jerked his head away and glared at her silently.

"I want to go back to the cave," he growled at her.

"Why?"

"Because I want absolute concrete proof that they're dead!" he snarled at her. "I want my wife and daughter's bodies in my arms. I want to stare at their faces and see their dead eyes and then I will believe that they are lost to me. I want them back so I can give them both a proper Gallifreyan cremation! I will not let the two people I love more than anything in all of creation spend eternity cocooned in a cave. I want the huntsman to come with me or I'll go myself and find them but either way I'm not leaving this planet without them!"

She gasped when he rose from the bed and swayed unsteadily on his feet for a moment before getting his equilibrium.

"But it's dangerous going back down there," she protested. "You might be killed."

He rounded on her.

"Do I look like I care about dying at the moment?" he snarled. "If I have to rip every single leg off those spiders' bodies to get to my beloveds than I'll willingly do it and if they kill me, then so be it. Right now, I'd rather be with my loved ones in whatever passes for the hereafter than live the rest of my lives without them. Now get out of my way because I' m not in the mood for you or your false sympathy!"

Kida glared at him when he turned back around and stomped out of the room.

"I can already tell this is gonna be a struggle," she muttered as she followed him.