A/N - OK, so the episode 'Nightmare in Silver' reminds me a lot of this story...While I was watching it I kept on thinking about how it seems like this story was based off of that episode - but I started this story before that episode came out. So, the conclusion I have come to is that BBC must have seen my story's main plot (The Doctor blowing up a planet because of Cybermen) and stole it to make their own episode. So now they should owe me for stealing my idea. That's my theory ;)

So, so sorry for the late update! I was having writer's block and all that blah stuff :P

Period Seven - A Born Soldier

I pace through the room, restless thoughts flitting through my head. I can't think of a way out, but I know there must be something that can save my friends. I don't have any hope of help from the outside - after all, I didn't send out a distress call. There's no way anyone that could help me could possibly know what's happening.

"Doctor, please stop pacing! It's driving me insane!" Clara exclaims, stepping into my path. I stop and look at her. This impossible girl, who is only here because of my curiosity. No, it's more than that. I've come to care about her, like I do with all my companions. I'm not in love with her, not like with Rose or River. I admit I almost liked Amy in that way until I fully saw how she belonged with Rory. And then I married her daughter, and ever since then I have most definitely not felt about her that way. But Clara isn't like Donna either. The memories with Donna hurt, because I know she doesn't remember me. She was such a friend to me... And then there's Martha. I wasn't attracted to her, although I occasionally wondered how she felt about me. But no, Clara is...different from all the others. She's confusing, but the kind of confusing that I enjoy figuring out.

"Doctor? Hellooo? Earth to Doctor!" Clara says, waving her hand in front of my face.

I jump slightly and blush a little at my reaction. I try to cover for my initial surprise. "Yes?"

Clara shakes her head at me. "You zoned out! What were you thinking about?"

"Many things. It's a habit of mine, actually - thinking. I do it quite often."

"Oh really? I wouldn't have guessed that." Clara says in a teasing voice.

"Watch it!" I warn her in an equally teasing way.

The sound of the door opening cuts off our conversation, and the smile is instantly wiped off of my face. I walk over to the opening slowly to show them that I'm calmer than I was earlier. Atisha stands in the doorway, a guard on each side. I guess she's not taking any more chances with me. I watch her, unsure if I should say anything.

"I take it you've calmed down?" She asks coldly.

"Yes."

"Good."

"Now let my friends go. Please." I say calmly. It's a weak attempt, but I won't rest until I know my companions are safe and far away from here. Even if that means I have to suffer for it.

"Really, this topic has gotten old, Doctor." Atisha says, shaking her head in exasperation.

"You know I won't give up until they're all safe." I say, taking a step forward. Instantly the guards flanking the General step in front of her protectively. I put my hands up and back off, and after a moment they return to their regular position.

"So," I start. "Why have you come this time?" I just hope she hasn't brought more of my friends with her.

"I've brought someone else. You haven't seen her for quite a while, I believe." Atisha sneers.

Rose. Donna. What if she found Sarah Jane after all? Donna...No, it can't be her. She doesn't know me, she can't remember. And if she did remember, then she would die...I set up a protection system for her when I wiped her memory, but she can only take so much...And I don't know how many times she's remembered something while I've been away. I don't know what I'd do if it was her.

"Who?" I ask, mentally cursing myself when I hear my voice waver slightly.

Atisha smiles, clearly having heard it too. She nods to someone behind her, and steps aside as they come forward with my unfortunate friend.

Blonde ponytail, plain clothing...But...It can't be...

"What kind of joke is this?" I demand, looking at the girl in front of me. Atisha was right; I haven't seen her for a very long time. I thought I'd never see her again. "She died! I saw her die!" Atisha doesn't respond, just watches me as I struggle with the situation.

"Doctor! That's..." Martha gasps, suddenly at my side.

The guard holding the girl injects a syringe into her neck, and just as she begins to come to, pushes her forward. I cross the distance quickly and catch her before she falls.

"How sweet," General Atisha coos. "It's a family reunion!" With one last glare, she leaves the room, her guards following close behind. The door is slammed shut.

I look at the girl in my arms who is quickly regaining full consciousness. I turn to Martha. "What do I say? She's supposed to be dead..."

A fist collides with my stomach and I double over with a groan. A hand grabs the front of my shirt and pushes me against the wall, where I squirm to try to get away.

"Who are you?" Jenny asks, her face inches from mine. "Where am I? What do you want with me?"

"Uh...uh..." I stammer. My mind is having a hard time collecting coherent thoughts.

"Whoa, whoa!" Amy says loudly, prying Jenny off of me. Jenny gets in a defensive pose, ready to strike at Amy.

"Stop!" I yell, stepping between them. "Stop! Jenny, it's me!"

"Oh yes, that explains everything!" Jenny says sarcastically, switching her attack stance towards me.

"Jenny! Calm down, we're not going to hurt you!" Martha cries, putting herself into the action. "Do you remember me? Martha?"

Jenny looks to Martha, and relaxes a bit. "Yes, of course I remember you. You were with my Dad, right?"

"Yes!" I say loudly, stepping back into the conversation. "Yes, that's me! The Doctor, your Dad."

Jenny stares at me for a long moment, realization coming into her eyes. "Of course..." She whispers. "You've regenerated. No wonder I couldn't recognize you." She takes a step back and takes a good look at me. "Not sure I like it though."

I blink, surprised by the comment. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah. You're hair isn't as nice...And the outfit...eh...What's with the bowtie?"

"Bowties are cool!" I protest.

"But really," Jenny says, suddenly serious. "What's going on?"

"I'll tell you, but first," I say, going over to her. "Tell me how you're alive? I saw you get shot. I held you as you..." I trail off, suddenly aware of a thickness in my throat. I barely got to know her before she was taken from me, and yet here she is; alive.

"Oh, that's easy." Jenny says, smiling. "I've got your DNA inside of me. But it works differently for me than it does for you. Unlike you, I don't regenerate."

I notice my other companions have come over to us, probably a while ago. No doubt they're confused by all this. None of them met Jenny, except for Martha. River knows who she is - provided she's reached the point where I told her the story, that is.

I shake my head, still confused. "But that doesn't explain why-"

"I can't die." Jenny says, a mischievous grin on her face.

Ok, so I completely made up that Jenny couldn't die, but the show hasn't brought her back to explain WHY she lived (Although they have to sometime before I die. Or else :P ) so I had to come up with a reason myself.