A/N: So... I haven't updated in... *checks watch, then realizes she's not wearing one* Well, a long time. So, here's your chapter! I'm sorry that it's kind of a filler, but the real action will take place next chapter, I promise! Also, even though I only got a couple reviews, it wouldn't be fair to keep my santa dalek from the people who did review, so... here's the linky link... (oh, geez... I almost said it was down in the dooblydooo... been spending too much time with Nerdfighteria, if that's possible ;D):

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and another one, because these people on deviantart are just way too talented!

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ok, so this technically isn't santa, but... I like it too much!
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so enjoy, tell the deviantart artists that they rock, and I don't own those amazing pictures (I'm not an artist, trust me. be happy I found some awesome pictures for you. I can't draw to save my life.), and I most definitely do not own Doctor Who.

"Doctor! Where are we going?"

"A place. A placey place. Come along, Pond!" His voice had a hidden anger.

Why would he be angry? What does he have to be angry about? Amy gazed at him as River walked over to him and held his shoulders. He looked at her for a moment before shrugging out of her grip. He smiled apologetically before flying around the console, flipping levers.

"What's up?"

"I have no idea what you mean," the Doctor muttered, not even turning toward the direction Amy's voice came from.

Amy glared at him, hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of a whiney little teenager. "Doctor, I can tell when something's wrong. There's something bothering you. As your friend, I deserve to know."

River made her way over to Amy and Rory. "I wouldn't ask him right now," she whispered. ""He's having a bit of a tough time and-"

"I can hear whispering! And whispering means secrets. I hate secrets! There've been far too many of them in my lifetime," he ended quietly.

River grimaced a bit. "I'm sorry, Sweetie. I'm so, so sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's his. He destroys everything he touches, kills anyone who gets in his way. And he doesn't care."

Amy looked at her husband. "Permission to hug my best friend?"

"Always granted, particularly because I feel like I should give him a hug, too… Well, that's odd…"

"Oh, come 'ere, Ponds," the Timelord in question cried. His voice cracked with sadness.

"Doctor, what's happened to you? Who is 'he'?"

"I can't tell you just yet, Amy. You'll just have to trust me for now."

"You always say that," she murmured into his tweed jacket.

"And have I ever lied about that?"

"Rule one:"

"The Doctor lies," River finished, joining the hug. "Be strong, Sweetie. You don't have to take revenge."

He turned blazing eyes on his love. "I don't have to? I don't believe you, River. I have to do this. You can say that I shouldn't, not just for you. It isn't just for you, although you are the main reason. He tried to destroy the whole of creation once, did you know that? He also… he turned my best friend into a madman, a monster I spent half a millennium running from instead of protecting like I should have. River, he's ruined so many lives. What I'm doing now is giving those lives justice."

River locked her tear-filled eyes with his. "Be careful, my love. You don't know how this will change you."

"And you do?"

Amy and Rory, sensing this had nothing to do with them, had moved away from the Doctor and River, allowing them some privacy.

"I know all too well. You know I'm a Timelord. I can see your alternate futures. Doctor, if you take the revenge you're planning it will destroy you."

"Give me some credit. I'm stronger than you think."

"But are you stronger than your fate if you continue on this path?"

The Doctor stared for a moment, but quickly spun away. He flicked one more switch on the console and the TARDIS sprang to life, throwing her tenants to the floor.

"Doctor, this feels a little more… bumpy than usual," Rory screeched as he landed on top of Amy.

"We're going a lot farther than usual. You could say this is a long-distance call."

"long-distance or not," muttered Amy, "it's still too bumpy."

All of a sudden, all motion stopped, and a voice was heard as if over loudspeakers.

"Doctor. Long time, no see. It's good to have you back. Come, explore the ruins of your once-beautiful home. We have some friends here who would love to see you again."

"Rassilon, I swear to Rassi—wait… I swear to… to… um… I SWEAR, if you hurt any of my friends…"

"Well, I should have said they are my friends, although one of them used to be yours." The voice laughed a bit, sending chills down River's spine. Amy and Rory shuddered.

The Doctor ran toward the doors of the TARDIS, toward the voice, but kept himself from opening the doors.

"What do you mean? Who else is with you?"

"Well, well, well, Doctor. Isn't this interesting. You know, after all this time, I thought that you'd recognize me. Particularly at Demon's Run."

The voice was one the Doctor recognized. It was the voice of Madame Kovarian, that much was obvious, but it was higher, colder. That tone, that heartlessness, could only belong to one woman.

"Rani," the Doctor acknowledged.

"Oh," her voice squeaked with false joy. "You do remember me! We did have some good time, all those centuries ago…" She giggled, and the Doctor cringed.

"You were exiled. How are you back?"

"Oh Doctor," Rassilon admonished. "There'll be time to catch up later. Right now I really should introduce you to our other guest. Say 'Hello, Doctor!"

"Doctor…" the new voice croaked. It sounded like it was sore from lack of use. "It's good to see you again. I'm so sorry about what," a long, rasping cough interrupted him. "happened last time we saw each other. I tried fighting them, you know. For you, and our friendship."

"Master," the Doctor's voice rose in pitch and cracked. "What happened to you?"

"Rassilon set a trap for you. He knew you—"

"—And that's enough from you! Now, Doctor, any questions."

"No questions, just a demand: Release the Master, and bring yourself to justice. Or else I will."

Amy and Rory looked on in fear, and River wept for the death of the man she loved.

Please review. I'm begging now. It could be your Christmas present to me? Anyone who reads this has to send me a review as a Christmas present, it is the law of the above santa daleks!
Seriously, though, I would send you a million viral hugs if you reviewed. 3 X a million!