The trek to the Lekar's tower wasn't tiring as such, more like an explosive journey. The Doctor had been telling her about the dangers of war.

"We won't fight, if we 'ave to. We'll be right not to." he smiled, although his eyes looked foggy. She nodded.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Does it hurt? The changing bit?"

"Yes and no. What does 'urt is the explanation."

They chuckled. She felt like she had learned more about the Doctor now, and had definitely made her mind up about a trouble she'd been having. Unexpectedly, a group of people jumped them. She lost her train of thought as guards manhandled her into a wooden cart. The cart had electrical wheels, and skidded into a hidden alcove. They were raised by elevator into a lobby, where a squad of guards stood behind a tall skinny man. He wore the same kind of uniform as the others, but had a pinstripe effect running down it. He gave her a wink, and she looked to her side to find the Doctor missing.

"You're Maxine Vaughn, correct?" he asked.

"Um, yes..."

"Well, Maxine Vaughn, what you say we bring you to the Lekar?" he asked, leaning back on his heels with a smug grin. He lead her out personally, and they ran.

"You took your time." he yelled.

"Don't look at me! You're the one who decided to faff about as the king of the Gypsies!"

They smiled at each other and kept running. They entered a dungeon, with two cells. The Doctor pulled down a lever with a cry of "oh yes!" and the cells opened, releasing the Doctor (her Doctor) and Gabriel. She hugged them both.

"You look well, considering you were brought here on a stone pillar."

"I hear all chiropractors recommend it."

The Doctor straightened his bowtie, took out his sonic and looked at Maxine.

"Thank you."

"For?"

"All the help. I can't imagine the state of Bessie though. That's the car."

"Oh, it's alright Doctor. Unlike you."

They turned to see Magister at the door. He smiled, and his face faded into that of the Servant.

"Nice trick."

"I'm full of them." he sneered, brandishing his sword.

"Not the only thing he's full of." sighed Maxine.

The Servant lunged at the Doctor, but missed him. He didn't see Gabriel roll behind him, and wasn't aware of his presence until he jumped on his back. The Servant dropped his sword, which the Doctor picked up.

"Hiya!" he boomed, as he cut through the Servant, who turned to mist.

"What?!"

"Oh yeah, the Servant was just a psychic protection. One cut equals no more serving."

He ran out, and they followed him up a spiralling staircase. They burst through a wooden door and found a sprawling study, in the centre of which was the Tempergron. The Lekar stepped out from behind it, smiling.

"It's over! She helped me get back together! Your plan won't work!"

"My plan? You think I have a plan? No! I am not the problem. In fact, I am but an arm. An arm of trickery."

"You mean-"

"All of this, the Tempergron and the Vortex, this universe...it's a designed distraction. I'm but a crumb of the greater plan. The plan against you. Even if you beat me, there are ones more powerful than I. Ones who walk the Suns of Agrenor as if they were cobbles."

He revealed a sword behind him, and started for the Doctor. They clashed swords with intense anger, and for a while the Lekar was winning. But the Doctor grunted and pushed the Lekar against the Tempergron. He swiped above his enemy's head, and the simplest of scars began to cause the world to crumble inwards.

"I may have lost, but we still win! Do not forget those who savour the flames!"

The Doctor looked at Maxine and Gabriel.

"Hang on to me!"

"Why?!"

"Because I'm the only thing capable of keeping you from turning to dust! Plus I'm cool!"

They gripped onto his jacket. He closed his eyes, and they followed suit.

"Geronimo!"

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll

They had found the TARDIS where they had left it. They materialised at UNIT HQ.

"Well, here you are. Try not to pop in and out of time."

Gabriel moved to the door, and Maxine followed him. The Doctor cleared his throat, and she stayed back.

"Look, I-"

"I know. Thank you, Maxine."

"It's just...I saw you. How you started. And how you progressed. I know what those voices were, back in that maze. So I figure if you can go so long without killing yourself, you'll be fine without me. And besides, can't leave Gabriel by himself. Thanks, honestly. I really enjoyed it. Y'know, maybe one day we'll meet again."

"I hope so. Goodbye, Maxine."

"By the way, don't go alone. You know, I kinda liked that K9 thing."

"So did I. Goodbye. You...you were ruddy great."

They smiled and gave each other a farewell nod. She exited out of the door for the last time, tears streaming down her face. Behind her the TARDIS vanished, kicking up a breeze. Gabriel turned to her.

"So, what now?"

"Boring life. The good life."

Maxine Vaughn had a new flatmate. A decision she didn't remember ever forgetting about.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllll

The Doctor dwelled on the Lekar's words, but put them to the back of his mind. Like all villains, threats were easily given.

He arrived in the workshop, and asked the man for his box. He tossed away the rod he had come for in his dream, which he'd never used, and took the other item.

Inside the TARDIS, he made one final check. Then he booted up.

"Master."

"K9, We're going on an adventure."

The End.