"Take the two females," Lord Kind told two new Toon's who entered the room, now. "The males can join them in a couple of minutes."

"They better be safe," the Doctor told Lord Kind with a look that could inspire terror.

"That will really be up to you," he responded, but the Doctor thought that he looked less smug than before.

Donna and Grace were taken from the room, and he and Jack were left waiting.

"Listen, Doctor," Jack spoke softly, "This probably isn't the best time, but since we are alone, I wanted to ask you."

The Doctor looked over at him, "Jack?"

"Can I marry your daughter," he said it quickly, and leaned away from the Doctor a little.

The Doctor frowned, did this mean that they really were looking at rings. He bit his lip, "Jack, you don't have to ask, we already know that you marry her."

Jack smiled a little, "I respect you too much to just assume that it's fine."

The Doctor smiled, "If she says yes," he didn't mention that he already knew that she would. "Then you can marry her. But you know that if you ever hurt her in any way I will make sure you regret it every day for the rest of your long life."

Jack nodded, "I know, believe me, I know."

The Doctor smiled a little, he was really trying to take this in stride, especially since they still had many level to get through before they were all out of here safe. "Donna said you weren't really looking at rings."

"I was," he admitted.

"Can I see?"

Jack was reaching into his pocket when Lord Kind returned. "Come along."

They followed him through a new door and inside he felt his anger rise. In front of them were two large vats holding something he was sure was unpleasant because Grace and Donna were hanging over one each. The ropes that were keeping the hanging there safely were currently being held by the two Toon's that had brought the two of them in there earlier.

Lord Kind instructed them to take the ropes and hold them there. "You must keep your feet behind the line, and they must be held for the length of one hour."

He looked up at Grace, "Good luck."

With that he turned and left the room, with the two others following them. It wasn't hard to hold Donna's weight, he could do that all day, it was that the rope wasn't quite long enough to reach comfortable behind the line, so he had to lean forward a little and that was putting a strain on his back. Jack looked uncomfortable as well, and the Doctor was watching him, willing him to keep his child in the air.

He wasn't sure who was going to start wiggling first, but it turned out to be Grace, and she began fiddling with the knot around her waist.

"Don't do that, Grace," the Doctor spoke to her like a child, hoping that she would listen.

She didn't of course, and Jack groaned. "Grace, love. Please don't do that, this isn't easy."

The Doctor could see Grace's pouty face, "Are you saying I'm fat?"

Jack blinked a couple of time, clearly surprised by the leap of conversation. The Doctor would have thought he had spent enough time with the Noble women by now to know that that was nothing. When he still didn't answer Grace huffed and called down.

"Is that a yes, that is a yes isn't it?"

He looked up at her, "No, sweetheart. You are perfect."

The Doctor watched her until she finally smiled, looking a bit smug. "I am kind of aren't I?"

The Doctor chuckled and he heard Donna laughed.

"You know what you aren't," Jack challenged. "Funny."

Grace stuck her tongue out at him, but stayed still for the time being.

"Why do I feel like these games weren't very well thought out," Donna complained, getting wiggly herself.

"I'm sure they planned for months to hang us above vats of what I can only assume is acid," Grace responded.

Jack laughed. "Sure wasn't their best idea."

His hands were begging to shake the Doctor noted. Grace was light, but they were at the half hour mark and the strain was getting to him as well.

"Not much longer Jack," the Doctor told him, trying to sound strong for the both of them.

"I'm bored," Grace complained, probably trying to take Jack's mind on the pain his arms were feeling.

"Here that Donna, give the girl all of time and space and being held over acid is no longer an adventure."

"No running," Donna clarified.

"Ah," he answered as if it was all clear now.

"Probably not even acid, bet it's just colored water."

"Let's not find out, yeah?"

Jack returned his tone severe.

"I could just, drop my shoe or something, and find out," she challenged.

He knew a bored Grace only led to trouble.

"Or you could please just keep safe; I don't really want my future wife to only be bones."

Grace was watching him, "Future wife, getting a bit sure of yourself aren't you?"

Jack sighed, "Grace, will you marry me?"

Grace looked down, surprise on her face. The Doctor was shocked as well, knowing this better not be a real proposal or Donna would have some words to say to Jack.

"Shut up," Grace finally mumbled. "You had better be joking; I am not accepting any forms or romance while hanging in the air."

Jack smiled up at her, "That wasn't a no?"

"That wasn't a lot of things, Jack." Grace told him, very matter of fact.

"All right, you two," Donna told them, "Easy, now isn't the time for an argument."

It was another fifteen minutes before Jack's hands slipped and Grace fell about half way before he caught her.

"Jack," the other three shouted, Grace dangling way too close to the vat for comfort.

"Grace," Jack strained, "I'm sorry, I'm trying."

The Doctor saw his whole world flash before his eyes, as the rope slipped again, and Jack fell to his knees. He thought that his hearts stopped when she fell into the vat, and Donna cried out.

"Grace," Jack sobbed, moving towards the vat, not caring for himself anymore.