Because I'm really nice, I'm giving you two chapters today. *gasp* I know. I'm shocked as well.

I run into the flat and jump in the shower. I need to freshen up if I'm going to really be able to get through the next few days. I quickly dress and on my way out the door I grab my journal. I can't risk anyone else reading it. Time to keep it close to my chest I think.

Through everything I do I think about.

I rush back to headquarters and make a beeline to where Rose is. She's still unconscious. Mickey is sitting by her bed. He looks up when he hears me come in.

"Hey."

"Hi."

I sit on the other side of our friend.

"How is she?"

"Stable. Malcolm has been running a few tests. Pete trusts him, so...and you said that he was smart yeah?"

I nod.

"Yeah. He's a genius. He's a weird little man, but trustworthy enough."

We sit for a bit longer before I brace myself for the coming argument.

"I want to jump again."

He looks at me like I'm an idiot.

"No. Absolutely not."

"Mickey..."

"No. It's too dangerous to go jumping alone. With you and Rose we all felt a bit better about it but this..."

"Mickey..."

"...absolutely insane! We don't know what's out there. The next time you might get a lot worse than a scratch. Not to mention the fact that Rose would kill me if anything..."

"Mickey!"

He stops short and looks at me. He sighs.

"I can't stop you can I?"

"No. We're running out of time. Another star disappears everyday. The next one could be be our sun. We can't afford to sit around waiting for Rose to wake up."

He puts his head in his hands.

"You're right. We can't. But..."

"I'll be okay. If the multiverse wanted me dead I would have been gone a long time ago. But for some reason it wants me here, so I'm gonna go with it. I'm just gonna...keep breathing. And running. And being as useful as I can."

"You've never been anything if not useful."

"Cheeky."

We laugh a little but there isn't that much humor. The beeping monitors make it difficult.

"We can't waste time. I need to jump. And you need to be in that room. You're the only one I trust to supervise."

"Alright babe. Let's go prep the cannon."

"Thank you."

The prep work takes a couple of hours. Everyone needs to be in positron, the computers need to be functioning, and the cannon needs to be powered up.

I stand there, waiting to play my part. My red jacket is a comforting weight on my shoulders. I breathe in deep through my nose and close my eyes in an attempt to calm the fear bubbling up inside me.

It's not an irrational fear. It's not an all consuming fear. It's a slow burn in my veins. It's a fear of the unknown. I'm not afraid to die. I'm not afraid of being alone either. I've been alone for a year. It doesn't matter that I share living space. It doesn't matter that these people call me a friend. They don't really know me.

Danny has come the closest. The closest to my secrets. But I won't let him get any further. Because I'm afraid.

"You ready Lieutenant?"

I open my eyes and look to see Pete Tyler standing next to me.

"Lieutenant?"

"I think you've earned that rank. Don't you?"

"I'm no soldier Mr. Tyler."

"You're working to save the universe right?"

"Yes sir."

"You're fighting to do that right?"

"Yes, point?"

"That is the very definition of a soldier. A person who fights to save and protect others. Even at their own expense. I think you've earned more than lieutenant, but I can't legally promote you further until you serve for a longer amount of time."

Lieutenant Jane Ryder. I never in a million years thought I would be this. That I would be a soldier on the front line in a fictional war. That I'd be a sort of pioneer in jumping across the void.

"Thank you General Tyler."

I salute my commanding officer. He smiles and shakes his head, and pulls me into his arms.

"Thank you. For everything."

I pull away after a moment.

"What's everything?

"For bringing my daughter back to life. For helping us fix our sky."

I want to argue that they don't need me. They would have gotten here on their own, but I don't. He doesn't need to hear that.

"You're welcome."

Mickey's voice interrupts.

"Ryder!?"

I look over at him.

"You ready?"

"Yeah...Alright everyone. Positions."

I place myself on the platform and take a deep breath.

"Coordinates are locked."

"Power is at 100% capacity."

I meet Mickey's eyes and a silent conversation passes between us. I'm going to be careful. He's going to look after this lot, and more importantly, Rose. Good luck to us both.

I straighten my shoulders and I give the order.

"On my mark. Three, two, one..."

I grin like a loon and snap my fingers.

"Spike."

The sensation runs through me again, that tingle from head to toe, as the cannon is triggered. And in a flash of electric light, I'm shot across the void and into another world.

It's easier this time, but still disorientating. When I open my eyes again and see what's happening in the street in front of me I feel disbelief spread on my face.

"You have got to be kidding me!"