Okay, here's today's second installment. I've noticed that most of this fiction feels a little filler-ish. Sorry, I'm not that good at writing confrontations or battles. And my plotline and subplots require a lot of setting up within the story, so this is necessary. Again, please tell me if you spot a mistake, and sorry if things get OOC. I try, but re-watching past Doctors whilst writing isn't great for retaining Matt's take on the role. Sorry.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 18: Of Answers And Questions

Jack stood up when the couple entered the room. Without speaking, they swiftly began checking the scanners and performing landing checks. Jack watched the Doctor and smirked. "You were never this careful in your last incarnation; what happened to you when you regenerated Doctor?"

"Hmm?" The Doctor replied vaguely, twiddling a dial on the scanner. He glanced at Jack. "Well, I got younger, met River's Mum, got older and learnt how to fly my TARDIS." He flashed Jack a grin.

River scoffed. "You mean I taught you how to fly your TARDIS. Or, future me did anyway. Will do... Whatever." The Doctor smiled again. "Ah, Spoilers!" He said, winking at his wife.

Jack rolled his eyes. "Not you as well?" He asked, referring to River's catchphrase. "C'mon Doc, isn't one irritating person enough for the immortal to put up with?"

The Doctor glanced at Jack through the central column of the TARDIS. "Nope!" A wide grin cracked across his face as the TARDIS settled completely, an event that occurred simultaneously to River announcing the all clear from the scanners.

The Doctor bounded across to the TARDIS doors. "Who else is ready to find out about Eyphah?" He asked as he pulled the double doors wide open. He moved to one side, allowing River and Jack to pass by him before following them onto the planet's surface.

The land around them was grey all over. But not a boring grey like the one Eyphah had grown up in, this grey was gleaming. The rocky surface of the planet was smooth and rounded, almost pebble like. The whole planet had once been covered in fast-flowing water, and these mixed currents had caused the now-dry surface to be covered with strangle, lilting sculptures soaring towards the sky, everything smooth to the touch. The sun was shining down overhead, causing the rock to feel warm. However, it wasn't too hot - just pleasantly warm.

As the trio took in the uniqueness of the planet's surface, they spotted something at odds with their surroundings. About 50 feet away stood a ginger in a loose purple top and jeans. It was Eyphah. The Doctor raised a hand in greeting.

They met roughly halfway, about 20 feet from the TARDIS. River and Jack flanked the Doctor, hands not straying from their guns as unease washed over them.

"Relax, you two, I mean your group no harm." Eyphah spoke quietly, yet with a subtle speed and urgency. Close up, they could see that this Eyphah was older than the one they had just left by about three years, bringing her age up to 18. They moved their hands away from their respective blasters, yet remained on edge.

"Before we begin," Eyphah spoke again, ginger hair bobbing in a slight breeze, "let me tell you the rules of Jideofor. You will find yourselves unable to break them, but knowing them first will make things easier. Rule One - only the truth can be spoken here. Jideofor is one of only two planets where this is the case, the other being Trenzalore."

The Doctor and River flinched at the name, knowing that that particular planet lay ahead of the Doctor still. Eyphah continued.

"Rule Two - if the same question is asked thrice, an answer MUST be given. And Rule Three - unlike on Trenzalore, you have some limited control as to the amount of truth spoken here. Choose your words with care."

The three nodded to show their understanding of these conditions. The Doctor spoke first. "Who are you, Eyphah?"

The girl seemed to balk a little before replying hesitatingly. "I am not Eyphah, yet Eyphah is me. I cannot tell you who I am just yet, Doctor."

River raised an eyebrow. "What are you then?" She asked, trying to gain at least some understanding of this mysterious young woman. Again, the question seemed off putting for her.

"I cannot tell you that either. I'm sorry. What I can tell you, however, is that what you seek is very near. Lost for so long, yet found long ago. Your search is nearing its conclusion."

At these words, River gasped. Her hand flew to her heart, touching her breastbone. She leant in to the Doctor as he wrapped an arm around her, muttering some words in Gallifreyan down her ear. He faced the girl once again, but Jack had started talking.

"So, you know Gallifreyan. How?" He asked, not unkindly. The girl looked flustered, but looked him in the eye as she answered. "I was taught it by one who has cause to know the language well. I can tell you no more."

The Doctor addressed the ginger teenager again, an odd look in his eye. "What is your birth name?" Not-Eyphah smiled at him sadly, unable to meet his eye. "It is known to you, Doctor. But I cannot - must not - tell you. Not yet. I'm so sorry." He merely nodded.

River was about to speak again when it happened. There was a crack like thunder that bounced off of the rocks. Then there was darkness. It swirled upwards, grasping Not-Eyphah by the wrists and ankles like manacles. She shrieked at them - "Get away! You'll find more co-ordinates under the console seat in the TARDIS - I'll meet you there! GO!" Then the darkness surrounded her, and Not-Eyphah vanished.

Taking her truthful words to heart, the three ran. Together they ran for the TARDIS, reaching the safety of the doors moments before the darkness could consume them. They stood panting just within the doorway, catching their breath.

Jack looked down at himself. "Great..." He groaned, and then collapsed dead on the floor. The Doctor and River pulled back a little. Blood was staining the front of Jack's shirt, spreading out from a bullet wound. That's when they realized. The cracking they'd heard earlier. It had been the sound of a gun firing.

So, I know. Not the best cliffhanger ever. However, I wanted to kill. Not literally, but... In an interview, a writer for DW once said something like;
"Death is a big thing in Doctor Who. Sometimes I'll write 20 pages and think 'Oh, that's odd. No-one's died yet.' And I'll put a death in. It feels wrong otherwise."
So, I killed. This is a sort-of tribute to mark reaching just over 23 pages on Word. YAY!