((Rule Number One: Part I))

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

I leaned back against the bed, letting Clave curl up in my lap and rest his head comfortingly on my shoulder. The door opened as soon as I began to stroke the plates along Clave's back, and I grimaced as my heart began to pound in what might have been fear. Well, I guess it had to be fear. Because I wasn't feeling very much else. I stubbornly kept my eyes on nothing.

The Doctor ducked into the room, silent as he stood there for a moment before moving to sit on the bed beside where I had my head rested. I bit my lip nervously, not looking at him until he began to speak. "Ali. Why wouldn't you tell me something like that?"

My eyes flickered up to his face, and I felt a sense of frustration when I couldn't read what he was thinking. The TARDIS made an unhappy sound. "Because," I replied quietly, focusing on Clave again for the moment. A second later, I moved him out of my lap and reached for my sketchbook again, returning to sketching Dany's head. I was just starting on the neck. "I didn't want you to be like this."

The Doctor made a sound that was similar to a growl before demanding, "How long have you been hiding this?"

"Since the night after we went to see the Face of Boe." I paused, lifting my pencil from the page as Clave squeezed his head back into my lap. "The TARDIS...she visited me in a dream." I shuddered at the memory of that dream. "Everything was screaming and dying...and we were some place. I can't remember where. But she told me what it meant to be the Successor." I looked up at him, gray eyes narrowed. "Doctor, you can't stop it, okay? I need to do this, whenever it happens. If the Successor doesn't take over the TARDIS, then the universe will collapse. I'm one hell of a paradox that you can't change."

The Doctor tilted his head thoughtfully, folding his hands in front of him. I paused to glance at them, noting the lack of sonic screwdriver or some other thing. It wasn't often that the Doctor wasn't playing with something he'd pulled out of his pockets. This couldn't be good. "I see." Nope, definitely not good. "Well, I promised I wouldn't leave you somewhere, so there's no need to worry about that." I severely doubt that I needed to drop my nervousness about that. I knew the Doctor. Rule number one. The Doctor lies. Even if he doesn't mean to.

I dropped my pencil in favor of throwing my arms into the air with a scowl. "Then what are you going to do with me, Doctor? I doubt you want me around now, so you might as well just dump me on the side of the road on another planet."

"I didn't say I didn't want you around," the Doctor pointed out.

I refused to meet his gaze, instead looking down at my lap without a word.

Suddenly, he ruffled my hair. I gasped in surprise at the simple gesture and jerked my head to look up at him, nearly succeeding in poking my eye out. He gave a faint smile, pulling back, and I had a feeling he was smug at the fact that he'd gotten me to meet his gaze. "We are a messed up pair, Ali."

"You have no idea," I agreed with a sigh of relief. I was fine; he wasn't going to leave me! Subconsciously, I leaned against his leg and inspected the sketch I'd done, making an unhappy face at it. It hadn't turned out good at all. Others would have complimented me on it and said it was good, but...I scrapped it. Tossing the crumpled piece of paper over my shoulder, I picked up my pencil to start again. "So what are we doing now?"

"Depends," he muttered, watching me thoughtfully. As I drew, he fell silent, which lasted for all of ten seconds. "You were talking to that friend of yours, right? Drevan?"

I nodded, glancing up at him. "Yeah. Turns out one of my friends left to work on some stuff for a parade in New York. Don't. Ask. Anyways, he was questioning when I was stopping by to visit. My horse and dog miss me apparently..."

The Doctor shot to his feet, clapping his hands together. "Right! That's our next destination then!"

I jumped, staring at him with an accusing look. "We're going to Texas?"

"Yes!" he said cheerfully, offering me a hand to help him up. I took it and he hauled me to my feet. Clave hurried to scamper up onto my shoulders, and I eyed him suspiciously when I thought I felt something tug at my pocket. But when I silently checked, nothing was missing despite feeling like something was. "Come on, Ali, Drevan sounded eager to see you!"

"...you're up to something," I accused, refusing to budge when he tried to tug me into the hall. "I don't trust you right now, Doctor. I'm not moving."

The Doctor frowned. "I'm not doing anything, Ali. We have nowhere else that we've planned to go, so we might as well take a break and relax for a few days. I promise that's all."

"Trust him, my Girl," the TARDIS suddenly hummed, soothingly. "He means well." Her tone was wary and I felt a flash of guilt for my earlier snapping at her. "He will not abandon you."

I sighed, crossing my arms as Clave scrambled up to my shoulder. "Alright. But you're not leaving my sight, got it, Doctor?" I bit my lip, impatiently shoving my braided hair over my shoulder. I locked gazes with him, pleading. "I don't like losing people."

His eyes softened and he offered me his hand. I took it and he tugged me over to tightly hug me, murmuring reassuringly, "You won't lose anyone." I didn't respond, simply pulling back and lightly shoving at him.

"Come on then," I mumbled, flushing, "Let's get moving, then. Drevan will be happy to see us." I smiled brightly, skipping out of the room and into the control room. The Doctor chuckled, following not too far behind me, and Clave hissed in content on my shoulder.

Nice to know things wouldn't change despite my upcoming death...

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

"Dany!" I cried, darting from the TARDIS as soon as I saw my horse grazing in the pasture nearby. The Doctor had parked at the end of the driveway. Dany snorted in surprise, skittering back for a moment before nickering, moving forward to eagerly greet me and see if I had any treats to give him. I stroked his face, kissing his muzzle. "I'm sorry for running off, buddy, we'll go for a ride later."

He snorted on me.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry," I retorted as the Doctor made his way over to stand beside me. There was a series of sharp barks as Tex came sprinting across the grass, barreling straight into my legs and sending me sprawling. Clave nipped my cheek in annoyance and scrambled up to crossly sit on the Doctor's shoulder as the Doctor grinned.

"Seriously," I scolded, "Was that necessary, Tex?"

The Doctor chuckled, watching awkwardly from where he stood. I climbed to my feet with a grin as Dany shoved me again. "It's nice to be home. Thanks, Doctor," I murmured, smiling brightly at him.

"Ali?"

I whirled around, grinning at the sight of a startled Drevan. "Drevan!" I cried, darting over to throw my arms around him in a hug, making him drop the bucket he held with a yelp of surprise. A panting Tex circled us, eagerly barking, and I swatted him away impatiently as I pulled back.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, gaze flickering to the Doctor. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, but I lightly nudged him and shook my head.

"The Doctor and I came by for a visit," I told him, smiling. "Needed a break. Just got back from some crazy stuff in France. Another version of Cybermen caused some problems." I grimaced. "Wasn't a pretty sight. Anything big happen around here?"

"Not really." Drevan shifted uncomfortably, setting the bucket of feed he held down. "Dany...he, err, had some colic a while back, but the vet was able to help him out."

"That's good," I murmured, patting the large horse's neck. I glanced over my shoulder with a smile at the Doctor. "Why don't we have some dinner? Didn't get to really do things like that last time...and Mandy's not here to help us out, but that's okay..."

"Why not?" the Doctor agreed as Clave dropped from his shoulder and scampered up onto mine. I leaned my head against the small creature's, suddenly nervous when Drevan shot him a dark look. "Drevan," I warned, "Don't."

"Don't what?" he gritted out, turning away and heading towards the house. "Come on then. Need to get cooking if we're having dinner tonight."

I adjusted the strap of the bag I'd brought, wanting to draw without worrying over who was going to upset who. "Men," I muttered, moving after him, then paused to wait for the Doctor. "Coming?" I questioned.

"Of course," he answered, shoving his hands into his pocket. I shook my head at the fact that he'd put on his trench coat. I'd told him. You don't want to wear that kind of clothing at this time of year in Texas. It was a bad idea. He walked beside me as we headed for the house, and I felt a flash of worry. This wasn't like him! Had I done something to upset him? Other than not telling him, of course, although that was what he was probably preoccupied by.

A thought struck me. I turned suddenly, stopping in my tracks to stare back at the property, where cows and other horses were grazing along with Dany. What would happen to this place when I was gone? I wouldn't be around forever, especially not as the Successor. Drevan would take care of everything, but...

"Ali." The Doctor walked backwards to stand beside me, still facing the house. He looked curiously at my face and I waved him off with a faint smile.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," I muttered, shaking my head. I gave the property a final look, then turned to face the Doctor. He offered his arm almost playfully and I took it, grinning like and idiot in relief. So he wasn't completely weird today. Well, weirder than usual. We started towards the house, and I leaned my head against Clave's again.

"So where are we going after this?" I questioned, glancing at the Doctor as we ducked into the house. I kicked my shoes off, dropping my bag onto the floor, and then glared at the Doctor until he removed at least his trench coat.

He huffed, shrugging it off. "Hm...Nowhere near France, I believe. We've already seen the dinosaurs...why not some mammoths?"

"The Ice Age it is," I agreed cheerfully, skipping further into the house. He trailed behind me as I made my way into the kitchen, where Drevan had begun pulling out needed dishes that we would be using to cook in. "Hey, Drevan," I said eagerly as Clave slid from my shoulder to sniff delicately at Tex, who cowered away. "Anything happen since we talked?"

"Well, we talked half an hour ago, so not really," Drevan replied honestly. "I'll take you up to Mandy's grave later, if you want. It's on the property, just like we discussed, we can ride up there."

"Thanks," I said with a sigh, humming quietly to myself as I added, "I'm going to go dig around my room. Still there, right?"

"Of course. I haven't touched it," Drevan promised.

I bit my lip. Well he'd certainly grown up in the time we'd been gone. He didn't seem as smiley anymore...not that I wasn't worried about that. I gave the Doctor a faint smile as I passed, and he reached out to ruffle my hair as I passed. I laughed, amused, and adjusted my hair again as I headed into my bedroom.

It looked like an exact copy of my room on the TARDIS, excluding all of the floating planets, the starry ceiling, and other knicknacks I'd gathered throughout our travels, including the fez that I still held. I silently wandered for a brief moment if I'd ever give it back. I doubted it, but...

Clave purred soothingly, nudging my cheek, and I patted his head. "We'll have to figure out what to do with me soon," I whispered to Clave. "I won't be here for very much longer, Clave. Will I?"

And I wouldn't be. As bowtie had said, I was running out of time. I didn't have that many adventures left. Soon I'd die and become the TARDIS. Well, I suppose my body would die. My soul, as the TARDIS had explained, would take over the police box for the next thousand years.

Where I'd once been okay with it...I now found I didn't want to die. It wasn't fair that I had to die to save the universe. Couldn't the TARDIS wait to die until I died of old age? I mean, I know that nobody had died of old age when traveling with the Doctor, but...why did I have to die so soon. I'd be leaving so many people behind...

I clenched a hand into a fist, frustrated beyond belief, and Clave dropped from my shoulder in favor of skittering out the door. I frowned, watching after my pet. So I was chasing him off, too? Damn, I was a terrible person.

As the Successor, I had to lose everything to save everyone else in the universe. Why me? Couldn't it have been someone else? Someone who didn't want to travel with the Doctor and keep him company?

Frustration filled me. That stupid police box! If she hadn't chosen me...

A tugging at my shoe caught my attention and I frowned down at Clave. "Clave, what's wrong?" I demanded, crossing my arms and refusing to move. He whined, glancing anxiously over his shoulder, and I rolled my eyes. "There's nothing attacking, is there? Then leave me alone, buddy. I'm having a mental breakdown in here."

He growled, tugging even more sharply at me, and I sighed, finally giving in. "Alright, Clave, lead the way. What's wrong, buddy? Where are we going?"

He scampered out of the room, and I followed him back into the kitchen. Nothing seemed out of sorts in there. Drevan was still cooking and the Doctor...

Damn it.

"Drevan!" I hissed, panicked within seconds. Clave scrambled up to curl around my shoulders, whimpering. "Drevan, where's the Doctor?"

Drevan frowned. "He said that he'd forgotten something in the TARDIS. He told me to tell you that he'd be back and then left to grab whatever he forgot."

"And you just let him go?!" I snapped furiously, my hands shaking. "Drevan! Damn it! I told you! We just found out what those Cybermen meant by 'the Successor'!" I glared angrily at him. "I have to die so he has a TARDIS! Do you not get it?! He's going to leave me!" He'd promised not to, but...rule number one. The Doctor lies. I should've known better! I'd been so stupid!

My friend blinked in surprise. "I-I'm sorry, Ali," he said, whirling to face me. "I didn't think he'd leave you...I'm sure if you hurry, you can catch up and stop him."

Something wasn't right with Drevan. My Drevan would've cursed, apologized hastily, and then ran out to help me stop the Doctor. This wasn't my friend. Narrowing my eyes, I found myself torn between demanding answers and chasing after the Doctor. And that decision was made quickly.

I tore out the door, not hesitating before shrieking, "Dany!" I'd deal with Drevan when I had the Doctor to help me. If I could catch up.

Dany snorted, trotting over, and I used the fence to shoot up onto his back. Gripping his mane, I dug my heels into his sides. Dany snorted in surprise, rearing up before shooting forward.

Let me tell you. A massive Clydesdale racing at full speed is terrifying. Especially when you're the one being charged and I don't have a bridle to stop him. And I had to admit. Even if the TARDIS was at the end of the driveway, he was one fast Time Lord. I swung off of Dany's back as soon as he skidded to a halt in the field. I hopped over the fence, narrowing my eyes furiously at the familiar sound of a lock clicking. "Don't you do it," I whispered to the TARDIS, staring fearfully at it. "Don't you leave me. You promised you wouldn't, old girl."

The only response I got was the sight and sound of a wheezing old police box fading into nothing until only I stood there, staring at where what used to be my home had stood.

I shoved my hand into my pocket, searching desperately, but I came up blank. Something had disappeared earlier. The jerk had taken my TARDIS key when I wasn't paying attention. And when I looked for it, my sonic keychain was gone, too.

I dropped to my knees, tears pricking my eyes. I'd been left behind, abandoned. He'd said he wouldn't. And I'd believed him. What the hell had I been thinking, believing he wouldn't leave me here after what he'd found out? Clave appeared, having caught up, and purred in an attempt to reassure me, and I stroked his head. At least he hadn't taken Clave.

Suddenly furious, I narrowed my eyes, shoving my hand into my pocket. I withdrew my phone, dialing the now familiar number. Because I wasn't traveling with him, the Successor wouldn't become the TARDIS. Mind you, I didn't want to die, but now everyone would because he'd abandoned me. The least I could do was tell him off about it. If he answered the phone.

It was shocking, however, that he answered.

"Ali," the Doctor greeted warily. Distantly, I heard the sound of the TARDIS, still moving, but she was moaning unhappily, too.

I glared at a pasture across from the driveway, choking out, "How dare you. How dare you just...leave. Just because of one stupid thing. Has it ever even come to your mind that maybe, just maybe, your companions are willing to do things like that? Do you know what's going to happen now?" I swallowed. "The TARDIS showed me. You ask her, Doctor, I'm sure she'll be happy to show you." I paused. "I trusted you. Nice way to return that trust, isn't it?"

Without a moment's hesitation, I hung up and then threw my phone as hard as I could, watching as it practically shattered. Clave whimpered softly as I buried my face in my lap, trying not to cry.

He'd left me. He'd abandoned me in Texas with only a bag of possessions and Clave, along with a strange Drevan that I wasn't sure if I could trust, not after his response. Why couldn't Catie be here when I needed her to be? Why the hell did she have to run off to work on stupid balloons and floats in New York City?"

Not that the Doctor cared that I was stuck here. Didn't matter to him if I was stuck with my now mentally ill friend. Didn't matter to him that even if he'd left me here, I could still possibly be the target of aliens out to destroy his chance of having a TARDIS.

Quite frankly, I was screwed. Billions of other species are out to get me, whether to take me as a possession to claim they had the Successor, to help me, or to kill me, who cared?
Clave crawled into my lap and I hugged him tightly with a shaky sight that quickly turned into a drawn out sob.

I'd broken the first rule of traveling with the Doctor, a rule he'd made himself.

Rule number one: the Doctor lies.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

A/N: Err, kind of a short chapter, but I wanted to end it here. |D Hope you enjoyed!

MaybeALittleBroken: lol XD Only you would think that way. Now let us dramatically dance to dramatic music.

.556: Here you are! More to read! XD Ninja, I seriously apologize. x_x My computer refuses to accept your username.

whatwouldyoudo: Thank you! I'm glad you like it. :3

Maren the fangirl: I think you will agree with me that I ended it in an even worse place this time. XD I love cliffhangers.

BrainStormer: You seriously crack me up every time. XD As I stated above, I particularly love cliffhangers. They're so much fun to write.

Justine-Bro: I'm not gonna lie. I hope you cry a lot more over this fanfic before it's done. |D And Ali does think a lot about her death. :3 *points above* She just doesn't do it aloud. I also may forget to write it quite often. XD

yashendra2797: I did take quite a bit of time to update this time...reasons for that, I won't state them. :3 Here you are! And I'm glad you think it's awesome. :3