((Rule Number One: Part II))

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

I dully stroked Dany's nose with a sense of emptiness, struggling to think of what to do. I was stuck. Seriously stuck, with no way back to my place in England and now I didn't have a phone. So I couldn't even call Bre, who had been surprisingly silent for the last few months... Dany had surprisingly let Clave on his back, and my pet was simply resting his head on the horses's witheres, sunning himself with a content purr. At least someone didn't feel betrayed...

A thought struck me, but then I realized once again: I didn't have a phone. I had Martha Jones' phone number but couldn't do a single thing with it unless I had a phone. Maybe I'd ask Drevan, who I was still terrified of. Jack was still AWOL, and there was nobody here but Drevan. Wonderful. Just what I needed.

I gritted my teeth. Damn that TARDIS. She'd lied. She was as bad as the Doctor.

Grumbling, I didn't notice until Drevan was beside me that he was there. He reached out to pat Dany's neck, and Dany sidestepped to avoid his touch, flicking an ear in annoyance. Tex, who was curled up nearby, growled irritably as well. Wary, I questioned, reassuring Dany, "What's up?"

Drevan shrugged. "Nothing," he said with a frown. "I was just coming to check on you. You didn't look like you were doing so well out there, Ali."

"I'm not doing well," I spat back, furious. I felt a flash of guilt, but I quickly reminded myself that there was something wrong with Drevan. This couldn't possibly be him. "Sorry," I muttered, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I'm frustrated. The jerk just...ugh."

"It's alright," Drevan murmured in response. He raised an eyebrow. "What's with the muttering about your phone?"

I dug in my pocket, reluctantly holding it out. "I threw it on some gravel," I admitted stiffly, watching him closely. "I need to head out to the city to get a new one. Can I borrow your car?" He nodded, digging out his keys and tossing them at me. Anything to get away from him. "Thanks. Come on, Clave," I called, letting him hop from Dany's back to my shoulder. Without another word, I walked away, stroking Clave's head.

When we were a safe distance away, I sighed in nervous relief. "This isn't good," I told Clave miserably. "We're screwed if we stay here. I can't believe he just...left us. He promised..." I shook my head, slapping my cheeks. I couldn't think of the Doctor right now. First things first: I needed a phone. Then I needed to call Catie, Bre, and then Martha Jones, who seemed like my best bet at the moment. She might be able to come here to check out what was going on with Drevan, or she might have the number of someone who could.

I climbed into the front seat, biting my lip. Where was my Drevan? The one who would've been desperately helping me figure out a way to get back on the TARDIS? If I wasn't on the TARDIS...things would get bad, and fast, too.

It didn't take us very long to reach the city, and when we did, I turned to Clave, who was curled up on the seat happily. I couldn't take him with me. Nobody knew what he was and they would end up calling the police. So I ended up removing my signature white jacket and tossing it over him. He hissed in annoyance, but I said sternly, "You. Don't move, hide under there, and I'll be back out in a little bit, I promise. Don't run off like the Doctor did, alright, Clave?"

He settled back down, purring his answer, no longer agitated, and I giggled before climbing out of the car. I closed and locked the doors and headed inside. In no time, I was coming back out, a brand new iPhone in hand along with a new case on it- this time one that would protect the phone should I throw it again. I hurried to climb into the car, cranking up the air conditioning before turning to Clave, who was exactly where I'd left him. I adjusted the T-shirt I wore, grinning at my pet as I removed the jacket. Clave purred, and I kissed his nose, resulting in a slobbering kiss. Disgusted, I wiped at my cheek. "That's gross," I scolded, pulling out of the parking lot.

He stuck his tongue out and I felt my jaw drop when he crawled into the backseat to avoid my smack.

Rolling my eyes, I pulled my new phone out and dialed in Catie's number. She answered on the first ring, sounding distracted, as if she was in the middle of something. "Hello?"

I grinned at the sound of her voice, my eyes lighting up while remaining on the road. "Hey. Heard you got to New York."

The response I received immediately had me removing the phone from my ear and a wince. "Where the hell have you been?!" Catie snapped into the phone, making me fight back a grin. "You haven't called in months!"

"You could've called," I pointed out, then replied to her question, "I've been busy. Congrats on getting up to New York. You're working on parade stuff, right?"

"Yeah," Catie agreed, sighing at my change of subject. She paused to do something on the other end, and I heard shuffling as she did so. "I'm working on parade floats and balloons." I could almost hear her grin through the phone. "Kermit's getting painted right now."

I rolled my eyes. Only Catie would work on Muppet balloons for a parade. "This for the big parade coming up? Or a smaller parade in some local place?"

"If you call New York City local...it's for a local place." Catie answered with a snort. She paused, then said, "Not trying to be rude, but was there something you needed, Ali? I'm trying to work right now, and my co-worker is giving me the dirtiest of looks at the moment..."

"What happened to Drevan?" I asked immediately, parking the car in the driveway. I'd forgotten how fast a drive could go. I shouldn't have, of course, the TARDIS-

Nope. Not going there.

"What do you mean? Is he okay? He should be where I left him."

"He is," I reassured, "Just...I don't think he's really Drevan. Something's wrong with him, Catie. He's...strange."

"Hm...do you think he's like those metal guys?"

"No. He's not a Cyberman. I'd know if he was one of those after the last few days, trust me." I shuddered. Drevan's skin was not stretched unnaturally over a metal frame either, thank goodness for that. I didn't have my sonic key chain to use against them. And Clave was pretty much useless against metal like that. As if sensing my thoughts, Clave popped up on the headrest of my seat, looking down at me, his head draping over to lay on top of mine. Rolling my eyes, I scratched his chin. "So what do I do?"

"Where's that Doctor guy you were with? Shouldn't you be asking him about this stuff?"

My mouth slammed shut. Silence from my end, and I knew she'd figured it out when she murmured a soft "oh". I simply murmured, "What should I do? I can't just kick him out when he's been taking care of Dany and Tex and the other animals for so long...how long was I gone anyways?"

"Nearly a year."

I groaned. "Oh, that's wonderful," I said sarcastically, "The jerk couldn't even drop me off close to the last time I was here!" Scowling, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to...to be gone that long. Anyways," I glanced up when Clave hissed, "It looks like I need to go. I'll talk to you later." Without another word, I hung up, biting my lip.

"Alright, come on Clave," I muttered, climbing out of the car, new phone in hand. "We have things to do around here and I'm not happy about it. Catie would understand, I was sure. Clave slid from the car, hitting the ground with a tired yawn. He easily crawled along the ground beside me as we made our way into the house. "Drevan!" I called, "We're back!"

Drevan peeked out of the living room. "In here," he muttered back. I sighed. Once, he would've grinned and dragged me to join him.

"I'll be in my room, calling some people," I sighed. I ducked out of the entryway, heading for the room that was similar enough to my room in the TARDIS, that I wanted to cry. Clave purred, making himself at home at my bed. I rolled my eyes, pulling out my phone. Now to call Martha Jones and see if I could get Jack's number. Jack would come help me out... Originally I'd planned on calling Bre first, but I guess priority needed to come first.

How I'd managed to memorize Martha's number was lost on me... But she answered a few rings later. "Hullo?"

"Err, hi," I said awkwardly. This was going to be a fairly...interesting conversation. "It's Ali. From...whenever was the last time you saw me."

"Well that was fast," Martha commented with a dry tone, and I threw my head back and laughed drily. "What can I do for you? I take it this has to do with the Doctor, otherwise you'd be calling someone else...he there?"

"No," I murmured, "I've been abandoned." I gave a sigh. "You were there, pretty sure you get why. The jerk lied to me. He said he wouldn't leave me behind and look what he did!" Shaking my head, I said, "So I'm asking you for some help. Something's wrong with my friend. I don't know what, but..."

"So you need someone else who knows things about aliens."

"If possible," I agreed with a sigh. "Or at least give me Jack's number if you have it." I paused. "You do know Jack Harkness, right?"

"Who doesn't know Captain Jack Harkness?" Martha snorted. "Don't worry, I have his number on my phone. I'd help you myself, but a...friend of mine and I are caught up in a messy job right now." She listed Jack's number to me, and I hurried to scribble it down with a grateful look on my face.

"Thanks," I told the other woman quietly.

"Don't be too angry with him," Martha said just as quietly. Her tone was filled with soft amusement. "He's done this before; he's left a companion behind, thinking it was in their best interest. I left of my own accord, but there were others. Donna Noble, for one. I personally keep an eye on her for him since she'll most likely die if she remembers who he is."

"And Rose Tyler, too," I murmured thoughtfully. I hadn't exactly heard her story, but I knew it hadn't ended well. The Doctor always grew sad when she was mentioned. "I know. Doesn't mean I can stop being angry though. Because he's left me behind, there's a chance that he's going to die and the universe is going to collapse."

"You can't be mad at him for that."

"No, suppose I can't," I mumbled back. "I better give Jack a call. Hopefully he'll turn up and be able to give me a hand since the Doctor's not around anymore. Thanks for the help, Martha!"

"No problem." I could practically hear the amused smile in her voice. "Bye, Ali."

A call to Jack later, I'd learned that the guy was surprisingly in the U.S. for some messed up alien business. Nearly twelve hours away, but in the states. Good enough for me. Thankful he was coming, I simply texted Bre before closing my eyes and flopping back on my bed. Clave purred, resting his head on my chest, and I scratched the plating atop his head. I tightened my grip around the phone in my hand, fighting back tears as I closed my eyes. Only twenty four hours ago I'd been in the TARDIS.

Now look at me.

"What the hell happened?" I muttered. "The TARDIS didn't want me to go and then she left anyways, even with me right there...did I upset her that much?"

Clave crooned, but I received no other answer than that and what might have been a hum in the back of my mind. Pushing away the sadness, I threw an arm over my eyes to block out any chance of light bleeding through to my gaze and keeping me awake.

Sometimes...not being there was just easier.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

The next day found me sucking in a deep breath as a car pulled into the driveway. Hopefully Drevan wouldn't get too angry if he found out the reason Jack was here. As it was, he stood next to me at a window. "Who's that?"

"A friend of mine," I replied, letting a smile appear on my face. I headed outside, Clave draped easily across my shoulders though he dropped to the ground, scrambled up the nearby fence and hopped onto Dany's back as the large horse trotted along beside me on his side of the fence. "Jack!" I called with a grin. If anyone could help me now, it'd be this guy.

"Ali!" Jack greeted, a broad grin spreading across his handsome features. I threw my arms around his neck in greeting, hugging him before pulling back, and the look on his face made me raise an eyebrow.

"Don't you go around getting any ideas, Jack," I hissed warningly, pulling back. From his side of the fence, Dany snorted impatiently, and I rolled my eyes before moving to rub his cheek. "Fine, you big baby, I'll give you some attention, too."

Jack sighed, though his smile remained. "I'm getting less attention than a horse. Kind of sad that I've fallen this low."

It was hard not to smile around this guy. Teasingly, I let Clave slip around my shoulders and said, "No worries. I was abandoned. We'll be loners together." He cracked a larger smile at that.

"So I hear," he murmured in response. "So I'm not the only one who's been screwed over by the Doctor."

"Nope," I sighed, shaking my head as Dany lipped at my hair. Clave hissed at Jack and I frowned. Guess he still wasn't feeling too friendly towards people he didn't know much of. I glanced back at the house, relieved that Drevan had disappeared from the window. "Alright, so let's get started right away because I truthfully miss my friend."

Jack crossed his arms thoughtfully. "I'll go around, see if I can find anything for you. Why don't you keep him busy while I do that? We can meet up wherever this big guy," he reached over to lightly touch Dany's cheek, "is afterwards." Dany, deciding he liked Jack a lot more than Clave did, suddenly shoved him eagerly, sending Jack sprawling onto the ground.

I giggled, helping the poor guy up. "Looks like you haven't been around horses," I said, an idea to get Drevan away from the house already forming. Shaking my head, I turned for the house. "Go ahead and walk around until Clave comes to get you, alright? Then you can have free run of the house."

"Thanks," Jack replied. I simply shrugged.

"Thanks for coming," I replied. I grabbed Dany's halter, flicking my tongue, and Clave hopped back onto Dany's back. The draft horse's ears flicked back unhappily, but then he relaxed, and I kissed his nose. "I'd call the Doctor, but I kinda lost my temper with him the last time I did and broke my phone."

"Anytime," Jack said confidently. He flashed another grin. "Anytime a pretty girl calls, I'll be there."

"Good to know," I muttered, climbing over the fence. "Watch out, would you? Dany's gotta jump the fence." I hauled myself onto the Clydesdale's back and Dany pranced happily under me when Clave slipped from the horse's back. Using his mane and my body, I turned him, letting him go a few paces back. The massive horse swung his head happily when we turned to face the fence, then broke into an easy canter. He leaped the fence with ease, and I carefully slid off, holding onto his halter as Jack stared at me with wide eyes.

Okay, so maybe I was showing off a little bit.

"I'll take Drevan out for a ride," I told him, "Do whatever you need to do." I smiled slightly. "Maybe I'll take you out on one later, too, when you're done looking around."

"Whatever works," Jack laughed. He gave a flirting smile, eyes twinkling. "Get rid of the 'riding' part and we've got ourselves a date."

Only Jack. I'd missed the guy in the time he'd been away. "Oh, why not? I've got nothing better to do," I replied, and his eyes flashed with surprise. Obviously he'd thought I'd reject the offer. And I really didn't have something better to do without the Doctor... "But we've gotta have Clave." Said pet leaned against my leg with a purr. "He goes where I go."

"Of course," Jack said with a grin. "Wouldn't dream of leaving him behind."

I returned his grin with a hesitant smile of my own, then led Day towards the house, Clave following as well.

This day was certainly turning out far more interesting than I'd believed it would.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Somehow, Drevan and I ended up riding our horses through a street in the city. It wasn't that uncommon for people to ride around this area on horses as strange it sounded. So nobody questioned us, even when Clave shifted in the saddlebag I'd hitched to my saddle. Dany towered above Drevan and his horse, the Quarter Horse Milo. "This is ridiculous," I muttered, scowling when Dany danced away from Drevan. Even Milo knew something was wrong. The horse kept trying to dump its rider.

"Got that right," Drevan muttered, gritting his teeth frustration when Milo snorted angrily and suddenly stopped. "Come on, Milo, go."

Dany bobbed his head and I turned him in a tight circle to calm him. As I did so, the hum in the back of my head came back. Irritated, I shoved it back despite the thought that it might be important. It was only when Clave hissed and suddenly used his jaws to tear through the saddle bag that I realized something was truly wrong. "Clave, get back in there," I muttered, studying Drevan out of the corner of my eye.

Nothing happened with him though. He just copied me, turning Milo in circles, and the humming slowly grew more intense. Cursing, I squeezed my eyes shut and dropped the reins in favor of slamming my hands over my ears. When my phone beeped and joined the mess, I wanted to moan in frustration.

"Ali?" Drevan questioned, though his voice lacked concern. I waved him off, wobbling when I grew dizzy. Shakily, I pulled my phone out of my saddle bag, ignoring the look Clave shot me. Answering, I murmured, "Jack?"

"Ali."

"What the-" I cut off, gaze skittering to Drevan. So I'd been right. This wasn't my Drevan. "Jack," I hissed into the phone. "What's going on?"

"From what I can see? Zygon."

"What the bloody hell is that?" I demanded, wincing when the humming grew louder.

I could barely hear Jack over it. "A shapeshifter. I'd get away if possible."

I glanced at Milo. Poor thing, Milo was probably confused as hell. "Got it." I dropped my voice a bit when the Zygon leaned in slightly to listen. "Got the blaster thingy?" He replied with a quiet "yes" and I simply hung up.

Turning Dany a final time, I smirked, ignoring the buzzing in favor of saluting the Zygon with a smirk. "Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Zygon, sir," I said innocently, holding up my phone. "Just discovered your secret, courtesy of the famous Captain Jack Harkness. See ya!" I dug my heels into Dany's sides and he shot forward. Galloping at full speed despite the people diving out of the way, I leaned over his neck- and then pulled the reins, bringing my horse to an abrupt halt. Milo shot by, lathering, but I didn't notice.

The buzzing grew louder. And finally, I remembered where I'd heard the sound in my head. It had been a time of danger, when a certain old police box had been trying to get my attention and to safety.

And apparently she'd done it again.

There, sitting on the curb, was the TARDIS. Mouth dry, I glanced over to where the Zygon was wheeling Milo around. The TARDIS hummed in my head again and I hurried to dismount. Clave whimpered, and I shushed him, darting over to the doors, tugging Dany after me. "Seriously? You want to show up now," I croaked, letting my fingers brush against the doors.

Immediately her voice was in my head, humming and full of grief. "I'm sorry, my Girl. I'm sorry. Come back. Please, come back." The doors unlocked, and I ripped them open when I heard the clattering of hooves. She answered my silent question quickly. "My Thief isn't here. He was concerned when another companion told him of your troubles."

"Curse you, Martha." I clicked my tongue, and the ever trusting draft horse followed me into my home. I slammed the doors shut just in time for the Zygon to slam into it at full force. The sound of Dany's hooves on the grated floor rang out and I hurried to caress the control panel while Clave finally freed himself from my saddle bag. "Thank you," I whispered.

"Anything for my Girl," the TARDIS crooned, "I will not leave you again."

Tears welled up and I wished I could hug someone at that moment.

Never again would I let myself be left behind. It wasn't just because I had to save the Doctor, either. I loved both the old girl and the Doctor. And he wasn't leaving me behind again.

"Now how do we move this thing without hurting my horse?"

"The lever to your right, my Girl, pull it down. He leaves the breaks on."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

A/N: So...she's back in the TARDIS. XD And they're moving the TARDIS, leaving the Doctor to wonder where she went. It was actually a very good friend of mine (who I with at the time of coming up with what was wrong with Drevan) who helped come up with the idea of a Zygon. So thanks to her. (I know you see this. XD)

MaybeALittleBroken: THE BALLOONS. Yours has been mentioned. XD

Maren the fangirl: I believe all I can say is thank you. XD I like that term of yours, "evil fabulousness". I'm going to use it somewhere. Not sure where quite yet.

BrainStormer: I actually almost did bring River in. How dare you read my mind. XD

yashendra2797: Thanks! :)

bored411: Well...the Doctor storta came back. Mostly the TARDIS. We can thank Martha for that. XD

Lorelei Tatsuye Marivaine: lol XD "Wow" is a good word for now, and my plans.

LonelyLilEarth: I'm glad you cried as weird as that sounds. I have made it my personal goal to pull hearstrings like this. *has a proud look*