Author's Note: I'm so sorry about the delay, guys! My husband kind of blew up my computer by trying to replace my motherboard, and then burning out my video card when he tried to switch me back after that didn't work, and I've been making do with less than my full ability to write (or game, or read other fanfic, or much of anything, really) for the last week. I have much catching up to do!

Chapter 3 – This is a Bad Plan

"You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions." - Gary Ryan Blair

Rose knew full well what kind of look the Doctor was shooting at her back as she led the way from the GP's office to the hotel to strategize. This Doctor's whole demeanor screamed 'manipulative strategist', and not 'rush into danger and make up a plan later'.

"You know, I didn't think you were being serious when you said you were here as bait," Ace prompted, hoping for an explanation.

"These people were caught up in a storm and deposited outside of their time, and now they're being preyed upon. At least I have a chance of fighting back." Rose replied, anger and determination tinting the tone of her voice.

"How? I mean, I have explosives, but you aren't carrying anything," Ace said, still confused.

Rose whirled around and tapped Ace on the forehead with her index finger. "Think, Ace! The people who've travelled farthest are the first to disappear. UNIT has taken out as many of the other potential victims as they can. Before you and the Doctor arrived, that left me as the best target for whoever or whatever has been taking these people. John wanted to have the UNIT troops stationed here plan an ambush…"

"I'm sorry," interrupted the Doctor, "John?"

Rose smiled. "Lt. Benton has a first name, Doctor. Unlike some of us," she said, shooting him an indulgent glance that spoke of having had this conversation with another version of him. The Doctor rolled his eyes, having heard it many times before, from other companions and acquaintances.

"We are, to put it simply, wearing targets on our backs," Rose told them, making sure they both understood her meaning before continuing. "Whatever has been happening here will happen to one of us next, and soon. Mrs. Delaney's son was taken two days ago. If these incidents keep to the pattern, one of us will be targeted within the next day or so."

"But what about the guards?" asked the Doctor. "As much as I often disapprove of their methods, one would think that taking one of us would be made difficult by our friendly shadows."

"I know," Rose replied while looking back at where two UNIT privates were trailing behind them. "But I've got an idea on how to deal with that."

"Wha…?" Ace started to ask, before being shushed by Rose.

"I'll tell you once we're in our room at the hotel. The fewer ears hear the plan, the better."

~.o0o.~

"That is not a plan, that is suicide!"

The Doctor was bordering on apoplectic.

"You said it yourself, Doctor," Zły said, getting calmer as the Doctor became more upset. "It's unlikely one of us will be targeted when we've got UNIT shadowing our every move. As much as I like and respect Lt. Benton, trying to plan an ambush when we have no idea what we're dealing with is going to be ineffective at best and disastrous at worst. I already have far too many deaths on my conscience, and I'd like to avoid more if I can."

"What you're suggesting…"

"Will not put you or Ace in danger, Doctor. I wouldn't allow it, for the risk of Reapers alone."

"Reapers?" Ace interjected, hoping to put an end, or at least a lull, into an argument that had been going for well over an hour.

"Long story," Zły said, at the same moment the Doctor said, "Nothing to worry about."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow at that. "You've seen them."

Zły nodded. "Watched someone I loved get eaten by one. Someone else I loved died to fix the paradox."

The Doctor nodded solemnly, knowing without asking that whatever had happened was not something he should delve into for more detail. Some things did not need to be discussed, even without the risk of possibly knowing more about his own future than he should.

Ace saw the unspoken byplay, not understanding it fully. "Why would Reapers be a risk, then?"

"Time is fluid," the Doctor explained, "but some things can't be changed. By being here, and knowing that Ms. Wilk is going to travel with me in the future, we've made it so that if anything happens that would cause me to not be able to meet her later, it would create a wound in time. Time Lords can fix those wounds, but only if they're aware of them. Reapers are the creatures that arrive to cleanse the paradox from existence if my people cannot or will not intervene."

"So, Zed is going to put herself in danger, because we can't."

"Precisely."

"So you won't try to stop me, then," Zły stated, assuming the argument was over.

"I never said that," replied the Doctor, picking up the previous argument as though there had been no interruption. "Waiting to be taken and then hoping you can get out again is not a plan."

"Well, it's better than our other options. It's also more of a plan than I usually have. The same could be said for you."

"That's not the point!" the Doctor thundered at her in response.

"Then what is the point, Doctor? You're acting like… like you don't even want to see this thing stopped!"

"Not if it risks you!"

"I… why would that matter?" Zły asked quietly, as though afraid of the answer.

The Doctor stayed silent, realizing that he had overstepped an unseen boundary.

Zły seemed to know what the issue was without him voicing it. "Funny thing, Doctor. As often as I get lost, I'm also very good at getting found again."

The Doctor gave her a look that, if it had been on another face, would have seemed forlorn. "What if you're not there to find?"

"Let me worry about that," Zły replied softly. "Tonight, I'll slip the protection detail. Follow behind me, track where I'm taken. Bring Lt. Benton and his squad in once you have my location, if you can. And try not to get caught yourselves."

"I still don't like this."

"You don't have to like it, Doctor," Zły replied firmly. "You just have to go along with it, and pull me out of the fire if it's more than we bargained for."