I wrote alot in 3 days...it helps having no life...well no car anyway ^_^...this is going to be kind of long winded but really it'll be worth it...I've tried to keep the usual pace...but thicken the chapters with story...

Chapter 10

The doctor was not sure what he was feeling about Lori but he was glad she had stuck around.

"So…I think we should order room service," He suggested "There's a nice restaurant downstairs…but…well."

"Room service?" She asked looking at him.

"Right…having food brought up here," He said with a smile.

"Ah…I see…" She said shaking her head "That's why he called it room service."

"Who?" The doctor asked.

""One of the men guarding my cell" She answered, "The only one kind to me…I guess he died though."

"I don't know…" He said "Maybe…"

"When the incident happened he was the only one who thought of me," She said softly walking over to the window "He said he was going to go open my cell door…but…"

"I'm sorry" The doctor said, "The place was swarmed by Daleks and Cybermen…if he didn't evacuate…then."

She nodded but sighed softly turning to look at him.

"It's alright" She said softly "I didn't even know his name…I just..."

"You wish he'd have left and kept himself safe" The doctor said "But there are people who don't do that."

"Yes…" She said "I take it you knew someone like that."

"Rose was like that…" He stated, "Sent her to the parallel world to protect her…she came back…refused to leave me."

He could not stop a soft smile when he remembered her words but shook his head with a sigh.

"Martha and Donna were the same" He added, "I guess they wouldn't have gone with me otherwise…"

He moved to sit down in a chair looking at Lori why was he talking so much, why was telling her these things.

"Well…anyway…room service" He said standing "Let's see menu…ah here it is…ooh nice touch activated".

"Let's see…Lori what takes your fancy…this place makes a great steak," He suggested.

"I don't eat meat" She replied.

"Alright…salad then…but no meat on it…" He said hitting the required keys "Light vinaigrette…hmm…you know what I think I'll have the same."

She watched him make their order and set the machine down before turning to Lori.

"So no meat…is that personal choice or cultural?" He asked her.

"Both…elves can't eat meat," She stated "Well…that's what I was told…The taste of flesh drives us to madness…it darkens our souls and taints our hearts…we lose our ways and become monsters"

"Legend?" He asked "Or history…"

"I don't know…" She said softly "I'm afraid to know really…sounds silly doesn't it…"

She looked down at the ground sadly; she had not been able to learn many things.

"I barely know anything about my own culture…just what I managed to learn in seven years" She said sadly "I can't call myself an elf…I'm just…"

"Now don't say that" He stated, "You didn't have a choice."

She looked at him and shook her head and sighed softly not sure what to say. He was right she had not had a choice but it still saddened her she would never learn about her own people.

"Oh…I think that's our food," He said hearing a knock on the door "Come on…I'm sure you're hungry."

He walked over to the door and opened it smiling brightly as a young woman came in pushing a cart that held their meal and a bottle of champagne.

"The champagne comes complimentary," She explained before the doctor could say something "Enjoy your meal."

The doctor gave her a tip and she walked out of the room leaving them with their meal.

"Well that was fascinating" He said shaking his head "Come on…let's eat".

She smiled as he carried the food to the table before going over and sitting down.

"Would you like some champagne" He asked removing the covers on their plates "It's not that bad…bubbly…"

He walked over and grabbed the champagne popping it opens looking at her.

"Alright…" She said, "I should keep an open mind."

"Yes you should…you've got a lot to experience" He stated pouring a bit into each glass "But let's not drink too much…can't have you getting tipsy".

"One of those kinds of drinks" She asked as he handed her one of the glasses.

"Yep" He said with a nod "Drink slowly."

She took a small sip and looked at him before setting the glass down with a light smile.

"I see what you mean by bubbly," She said with a light laugh.

"So…is Azawyn your surname," He asked her.

She froze and looked at him her face serious.

"How do you know that…how do you know that name" She asked.

"I heard you use it…you said it to the tree" He explained "Why?"

"Azawyn is my true name…" She said softy looking down at the plate "You're not supposed to know it…I thought…I thought I'd been careful"

"Why? It's just a name," He said with a soft laugh.

"It's not just a name…true names give power" She said looking up at him "That's why you use the name Doctor isn't it?"

"No…that's not why" He stated "I just don't use it…I haven't used it since I lost my home...only one person since then has known it…I'm sorry for hearing your name…I won't mention it again."

"Thank you" She said softly "But it's not my surname…I've got a very common surname really…Williams"

"Williams…" He said with a laugh leaning back, "I'd expect something from Tolkien."

"I was born in 1911…we were trying to integrate into the changing world" She stated sticking her tongue out at him "What about John Smith…most common name ever".

"That's right…nothing special…nothing noticed…though I do get funny looks in hotels" He stated with another laugh "Especially when accompanied by a woman."

She gave her own laugh smiling brightly at him shaking her head, how could he do that change, the serious tone.

"Lorianna Williams" He said thoughtfully "Actually…that sounds pretty good…Well…I guess Lori Williams…"

She looked at him when he said her full name it did not sound so bad when he said it. It was actually rather nice but she did not say anything.

"How's your dinner?" He asked.

"It's good…nice to have a full meal for once" She stated.

"I'll bet…eating just vegetables…must make meal prep easier" He said with a smile.

"Yes…well even easier if you just eat whole pieces of fruit" She replied.

He laughed lightly as he finished his food and sipped at his champagne not caring for the taste.

"It's gotten rather late" He commented as she finished her food, "We did arrive rather late ourselves."

"Yes that's true…" She replied finishing her meal "Perhaps we should get some sleep…"

"Oh yes…then we can go on your shopping trip" He commented smiling brightly.

She laughed lightly before standing up and yawning the doctor following suit.

"I'll see you in the morning then doctor," She said softly as he started towards his room.

"Yes goodnight" He said with a smile as he left the room.

She locked the door leading to the hall worried that someone might come in, fear had settled in her stomach. Slowly she removed her shoes and slipped her eyes never leaving the door it had been different on the TARDIS. The only person who could have come into her room was the Doctor and she trusted him. Slowly she closed her eyes and fell into a very light sleep aware of her surroundings, aware of everything.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The doctor had settled on his bed but he was not tired, he did not need much sleep so he would probably just end up waiting until Lori woke up.

"Such a strange thing really" He commented "She's been through so much…more than a human could handle…but she's still sane…still courageous…"

He smiled to himself thinking about Lori she was unique not just because of her race but because of her. She reminded him so much of Rose and the other but she was different so different.

"What am I doing?" He asked himself shaking his head "Great…I'm getting attached…well could be worse…"

He stretched on the bed and looked at the door leading to her room wondering if he should have left her in that forest.

"No of course not" He said shaking his head "She'd have killed me."

He let out a small laugh but stopped hearing a noise from her room his brow furrowed climbing off the bed. It sounded like a cry quite a loud one really and he rushed toward the door opening it.

"Lori" He said softly looking around.

He saw her on the bed she was thrashing around clawing at the air and his features softened. It was a nightmare a bad one from the looks of it.

"Leave me alone…stop it" She whimpered, "Please no".

He should have just let her dream instead he found himself moving over to her bed his hearts breaking when he heard her please.

"No…don't touch me," She sobbed, "Mommy…help me…"

He slowly reached out gently laying a hand on her shoulder making her flail out trying to push him away.

"It's okay Lori…it's just a dream" He said softly "You're alright…"

"Get them away," She whimpered.

He gently stroked her cheek wiping away tears and she curled into him sobbing softly.

"Help Me," She sobbed curling towards him "Help me."

"I have…you're safe" He breathed, "They won't touch you again."

She was crying tears spilling from her eyes as she curled against him; he was slowly stroking her back watching her dream. Her voice shifted and she began to speak in what he assumed was Melkin and shook his head. He knew he wouldn't be here forever he'd have to go back to his room eventually but right now he wanted to be here afraid of what would happen to her.

"Doctor" She breathed softly breaking him from his thoughts.

Her eyes were open and he gulped afraid she would be angry with him for coming into the room.

"It's alright Lori" He said softly "You were dreaming."

"You…you weren't a dream…" She said softly.

"You're still thinking that" He commented with a light smile "No I'm real…"

She sat up and he brought his hand to his side not really wanting to as he looked at her.

"I could hear you in my room," He said, "I thought…you were in trouble."

She looked down at the blanket ashamed that he had heard her; it was bad enough that she was still having nightmares.

"No…just a normal nightmare" She said softly wiping at her tears "I'm stupid…I'm free…"

"You've still got a mind…you've still got scars" He replied, "You said a hundred years…that's a lot of trauma."

"I suppose," She said softly bringing her knees to her chest "I still…it makes me feel weak."

"I have nightmares," He stated "900 years worth of em…its normal…even for Time Lords."

She nodded trying to keep her tears from flowing and he sighed softly looking down.

"Lori…" He said softly "Lori you're strong…you're brave…you've been through hell…and you've survived…nightmares are the least of what you could be going through."

She looked up at him tears streaming down her cheeks and he could not resist pulling her into a hug.

"It's alright…" He breathed gently rubbing her back "Let it out…"

She snuggled against him sobbing and he just sat there silent letting her cry his arms enveloping her.

"It's not fair…" She whimpered, "Why…why did they have to kill them…we didn't attack…why couldn't they leave us alone."

"That's…that's how Torchwood was" He whispered.

"Humans…" She said softly "Humans…they're cruel…worthless creatures."

He let out a soft sigh as she spoke before lifting her face so he could look in her eyes.

"Not all of them" He said with a light smile "Not all humans are like the ones who hurt you…some are kind…I've seen them…I've seen them grow up evolve…there are so many who are kind."

She smiled softly nodding at his words he was right but right now she hated them all.

"Good…" He said softly "Do you think you can sleep some more…you need rest".

"I…I don't know" She said wiping at her tears.

"I'll stay if you want" He said softly "I don't need to sleep…so I can sit in a chair."

She looked down feeling like a scared child 107 and she was just a scared child.

"Come on lay down" He said "I'll stay here…you'll be alright".

He stood up leaving her on the bed as he grabbed one of the chairs pulling it up to the bed.

"Nothing will happen" He said with a smile, "I promise."

She looked over at him and nodded laying back down looking at him.

"Did you do this for the others…console them…protect them at night?" She asked softly.

"Rose…" He said softly "When her best friend decided to stay behind…when she almost lost her mother…and me…the others…well…I didn't notice Martha's pain…and Donna…oh donna…when she needed me most…I had to leave her".

"You carry so much guilt," She said softly reaching her hand out to him "Maybe its fate."

"Maybe" He said with a light laugh as he gripped her hand "Now sleep…we've got things to do tomorrow."

She nodded closing her eyes not letting go of his hand sleeping peacefully for the rest of the night. He watched her sleep wondering about everything that had happened to her how much Torchwood had actually put her through. She made a soft sound in her sleep and his brow furrowed with worry before he leaned over.

"I'll protect you," He whispered in her ear "I swear I won't let anyone hurt you again."

He meant it this girl seemed so strong but he had seen how fragile she really was. She had survived so much and kept on living, he would make sure it stayed that way.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Warm sunlight streamed into the window rousing her from her sleep and her eyes opened slowly. The first sight that greeted her was the doctor sleeping in the chair still grasping her hand. A soft smile slid past her lips he had stayed there all night.

"Thank you," She said softly gently releasing his hand to sit up.

He made a soft noise in his sleep reaching out for her hand before he woke up with a loud yawn.

"Lori…are you alright" He asked sleepily "Oh…its morning"

"Yes it is morning…and yes I'm fine" She said with a smile "Thank you…for staying with me."

"Oh no problem" He said stretching wincing when his neck cracked "Not the most comfortable place to sleep…but worth it."

She let out a soft laugh before stretching and climbing out of bed watching him try to work out stiff muscles.

"You can laugh when you get 900 years old you'll find it easier to get sore" He said sticking his tongue out.

She laughed and shook her head walking over to her luggage glancing back at him.

"Let's hope I don't look nearly as old as you," She said jokingly.

"Look old do I" He said trying to sound offended despite the jovial tone in his voice.

"Quite old" She replied with a wink.

They both burst out laughing unable to continue the joke as she searched for a change of clothes.

"We're going out for breakfast today" He stated, "We've got enough credits for a wonderful meal."

She smiled and nodded grabbing a nice suit of clothes and heading towards the bathroom.

"I'll be out in a little while," She stated.

"Female language for hours" He replied causing her to stick her tongue out at him.

"At least Torchwood let me shower," She said as she closed the door "I'd hate to need help here."

He heard her laugh and chuckled at the joke but he found it hard to see light of that situation. With a soft sigh, he retreated into his room to change into his favorite suit. When he came back into Gwen's room, she was dressed in a pair of black slacks and white top covered by a deep green jacket.

"How do I look?" She asked running a brush through her hair "Nice enough for a day in town".

"Very" He said with a smile "How about me?"

"Like the Doctor" She replied "In a good way."

"Hmm…how could that be taken in a bad way?" He said "Looking like yourself…well unless you want to look like someone else".

She giggled at the puzzled look on his face before she tied her still wet hair in a ponytail.

"So I'm ready," She said with a smile.

"You're comfortable showing your ears," He asked.

"Yes…you're right…who'd look twice," She said with a smile.

"Good…then Miss Williams" He said with a smile as he offered his arm "Care to join me for a jaunt about town."

"Of course Mr. Smith" She said slipping her arm in his with a bright smile.

"They think we're a couple…let's look that way" He added with a chuckle.

She gave a light laugh as they walked out of the hotel room locking the room behind them.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A few floors down a group of men were watching a camera with bright smiles on their faces.

"So…what do you think Will?" Larson looked over at his partner "Obviously not human…not bad looking either."

"True…she'd fetch a pretty price" Will said with a smile "What about her friend?"

"Jack'll make an offer…if he doesn't take it…we'll take her" Larson said with a smile "We don't need to worry about him…specially if he cavorts with Aliens."

The men had a hearty laugh and passed drinks around as they watched Lori and The Doctor leave the hotel room.

Suspense...well somewhat please review.