Ice skating went as well as Klary had hoped. She loved it. Laughed more than she had since she'd arrived in the universe. The Doctor fell a few times and unfortunately dragged her down with him. The man was careful to break her fall every time. Martha on the other hand refused to leave the wall unless Klary was at her side. Through it all, Klary was reminded of how fond she was of the companion. Martha dealt with a lot through her run and at the moment, Klary wasn't sure if she harboured any feelings towards the Time Lord. Yet she didn't question it. That was something she would figure out as time went on.

The trio returned to the Tardis hours later, smiles on their faces. Martha quickly wished them goodnight before she went to her room. The Doctor fiddled with the console and Klary watched from the jumpseat. She knew enough of his mannerisms to know something was on his mind.

Tentatively she broached the question on her mind. "You all right?" She wasn't sure if he would give her an answer but she hoped he would.

"Me? I'm always all right?"

Klary rolled her eyes. Arms crossed. "I know I'm new or young or whatever you call me, but I'm not stupid. I know something's on your mind."

"Of course you do. You always know."

"Remember that."

He gave a cheeky smile. "How could I forget? You tell me all the time."

There was a fondness in his voice she hadn't been expecting. "So, you going to tell me?"

"I- Where were you before this?"

"Asking how young I am?"

"Relatively. Yes."

"New Earth. With you and Rose."

"Ah." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Not the best behaviour from me."

"Nah. I understood. Better than being ignored and made to feel useless."

"Who did that?"

"My past, your future." She shrugged. There was no need for him to feel guilty about it. Sure it was him, but it wasn't this him. "But it doesn't matter right now."

"Of course it does! I made you feel- Klary, I swore to never be like the people you had in your life before. Never to make you feel that way. The fact that I did…"

"It was because I'm young. Whatever that means. Haven't been around that long. I guess it's going to happen for a while then."

"It shouldn't matter. I promised."

"It's fine. We'll have that conversation in the future. I'm asking about what's on your mind now."

"You saved Abi Lerner."

"Yes. I know there are some things that can't be changed, but I just showed up there. In front of her. It felt like a sign."

"I'm not upset."

Eyes wide. She really thought he would have been. Nine made it seem as if she did something horrible. Klary was sure it was because she was considered a child in ths universe. That she broke the rules but how could she let someone die when she could do something about it? "Oh. It seemed like you were with Jabe."

"That was your age. I didn't think you'd know who could be saved and who couldn't."

She decided to ignore the comment about her not knowing who could and couldn't be saved. It was a valid reason and Klary couldn't fault him for thinking that. "How did you know? That I was… young?"

"The kiss."

Her face grew hot. Thoughts of her kiss with Nine front and centre. "Right. Your future self said something about that." She bit her lip and Twelve's words came to her. When Klary's eyes met Ten's, she was surprised to see his eyes dark. Trained on her lips. "Said something about the lip biting too."

The Doctor cleared his throat. "I'm sure. Now want to go on an adventure? Just you and me?"

As she went to answer, pain radiated through her skull. "Raincheck?" She grunted.

"Always. Be safe."

She barked out a pained laugh. "I'll try." With that, she was gone in a flash of gold.

Klary doubled over, willing the pain away. She hate when she jumped. Sure, she often had migraines but none had compared to those of her jumps. Nausea rolled through her. Vision swam as she tried to grab her bearings. She wondered if jumping would become less taxing. If they would ever be less debilitating. There was only so much a girl could take and Klary wasn't sure if she could deal with it every time. That and she didn't carry any Excedrin with her. Or anything to take the edge off. The thought to ask the Tardis about bigger on the inside pockets came to mind but they brunette was unsure whether the lovely ship would do so. Klary hadn't spent much time on the ship and a part of her was nervous to ask for anything. Hell, she didn't want to ask the Doctor for things.

She started when she felt a hand on her back. "It's okay. You're safe."

Eyes still closed and doubled over, she asked, "Who are you?"

"Liz. I have Mandy with me."

Klary sighed. Grateful to not be impaired in a hostile area. If it were a different situation, the young woman wondered just how alive she would be. She also appreciated being told exactly who was around her. She wondered where the Doctor was, but she figured he would show up soon. If she jumped through his timestream, he was bound to be nearby. "Starship UK?"

"Yes. Stories of you are right."

"There are stories about me?" Klary righted herself. Nausea mostly gone although her head still pounded. Though it was slowly becoming a dull ache. She gave the two a tense smile. "That's lovely." Truly, it added more questions but it was something she could ask the Doctor abou later date.

"We should go find your Doctor."

"Not my Doctor."

The woman gave her a slick smile. Knowing and amusement wrapped all in one. "Yeah, he is."

A few minutes later the three found the Doctor and Amy facing off against a few Smilers in an overspill pipe. Liz was quick to step between them and shot the Smilers. She gave them a quick smile after she reholstered her blaster.

"Look who it is. You look a lot better without your mask."

"You must be Amy. Liz. Liz Ten."

"Hi," the ginger said as she shook the older woman's hand.

Liz looked at her hand. A sound of disgust at the sick leaving her as she wiped her hand on the cape. "Lovely hair, Amy. Shame about the sick." She moved back over to Klary and Mandy. Arms wrapped around the child's shoulder. "You know Mandy, yeah? She's very brave." Mandy looked up. "Also found someone else." She motioned to Klary.

"Klary!" both said as they rushed towards her. The girl quickly sidestepped them. Not wanting any sick on her. When they pouted, she pointed to their appearance. They looked down and Amy shrugged. The Doctor on the other hand pouted. Puppy eyes out on full display. Klary just chuckled and shook her head. "How did you find us?"

"Stuck my gizmo on you." She tossed the tablet to the Doctor. He fiddled a bit before placing it in his pocket. "Been listening in. Nice moves on the hurl escape. So, what's the big fella doing here?"

"You're over sixteen, you've voted. Whatever this is, you've chosen to forget about it."

"No. Never forgot, never voted, not technically a British subject."

"Then who and what are you, and how do you know me?"

A knowing and excited smile crossed her lips. "You're a bit hard to miss, love. Mysterious stranger, M.O. consistent with higher alien intelligence, hair of an idiot." The Doctor slicked his hair back. Pointed at Klary with a pout as she chuckled. "I've been brought up on the stories. My whole family was."

"Your family?"

"They're repairing. Doesn't take them long. Let's move."

The five made their way through the sub-basement. "The Doctor. Old drinking buddy of Henry Twelve. Tea and scones with Liz Two. Vicky was a bit on the fence about you, weren't she? Knighted and exiled you on the same day. And so much for the Virgin Queen, you bad, bad boy!"

The Doctor stammered a bit. Eyes moving between Liz and Klary. The latter raised an eyebrow. "Not exactly true."

"Oh, I'm sure."

"Liz Ten?"

"Liz Ten, yeah. Elizabeth the Tenth." The Smilers in the area left their boxes. "And down!" The four ducked and she once again shot at the Smilers. A big smile on her face before it fell. "I'm the bloody Queen, mate. Basically, I rule."

The quintet quickly moved through the corridor. The Doctor had motioned for Klary to walk beside him. She had planned not to, the stench too much for her already nauseous stomach, but the man had sped up to be by her side. Liz at the lead as she knew exactly where they were going. "There's a high-speed Vator through there. Oh, yeah. There's these things." She nodded to the tentacles that banged against a grate. The Doctor pushed the top half of his body through the space to get a better look. "Any ideas?" She glanced at the Doctor and Klary. The coily-haired woman shrugged. It wasn't something she should answer. Not at the moment.

"Doctor, I saw one of these up top. There was a hole in the road, like it had burst through like a root."

He glanced at the brunette beside him. It seemed as he hoped she would say something. She wasn't sure if he was asking for a hint. When she said nothing, he answered. Instead he soniced the tentacle. "Exactly like a root. It's all the same creature, the same one we were inside, reaching out. It must be growing through the mechanisms of the entire ship."

"What? Like an infestation?" The Doctor nodded. "Someone's helping it. Feeding it. Feeding my subjects to it. Come on. Got to keep moving." The queen stormed off with Mandy right behind. The trio remained, Klary watching the Doctor with sadness in her eyes. The man trasfixed on the creature.

"Doctor?"

"Oh, Amy. We should never have come here."

Klary sighed. She felt horrible for what was happening but she knew this was pivotal for both Amy and the Doctor. As they walked, Klary wondered if anything would play out differently. If Amy would catch on as quickly as she had. She remembered the Scottish companion being quick on her feet. Hoped it would be as she once saw. Thoughts came to a halt when the Doctor spoke.

Mandy sat on one of the lounges as Liz and Klary watched the Doctor manouevor through the cups on the floor. Said woman lounged on her bed while Amy cleaned up in the had been there for some time, long enough that the Doctor had cleaned up some. No longer smelling. "Why all the glasses?"

"To remind me every single day that my government is up to something, and it's my duty to find out what."

The man held up the porcelain mask. "A queen going undercover to investigate her own kingdom?"

"Secrets are being kept from me." Liz sat up. Fury burned in her gaze. "I don't have a choice. Ten years I've been at this. My entire reign. And you've achieved more in one afternoon."

"How old were you when you came to the throne?"

"Forty. Why?"

The ginger turned from the mirror. Just finished putting her hair up in a clip. "What, you're fifty now?" Amy looked at the woman in disbelief as she moved to Klary's side. " No way!"

"Yeah, they slowed my body clock. Keeps me looking like the stamps."

"And you always wear this in public?"

Liz shrugged. "Undercover's not easy when you're me. The autographs. The bunting."

"Air-balanced porcelain. Stays on by itself, 'cause it's perfectly sculpted to your face."

"Yeah. So what?"

"Oh, Liz. So everything."

The door opened and a group of men in hooded cloaks entered. The group faced them, Liz angrier than the others. "What are you doing? How dare you come in here?"

"Ma'am, you have expressed interest in the interior workings of Starship UK. You will come with us now."

"Why would I do that?"

The Winder's head turned into a scowl. Amy started. "How can they be Smilers?"

"Half Smiler, half human."

Liz got into the first one's face. "Whatever you creatures are, I am still your Queen. On whose authority is this thing done?"

"The highest authority, Ma'am."

"I am the highest authority," the woman snarled.

"Yes, Ma'am. You must go now, Ma'am."

"Where?"

"The Tower, Ma'am."

As they reached the Tower of London, they saw more tentacles behind grates. Amy bent down, looked into a grate that had more tentacles banging against it. The companion quick to ask where they were and before the Doctor could answer, Klary told her. Her face flushed as eyes landed on her.

"She's right. The lowest point of Starship UK. The dungeon."

"Ma'am." An older man with glasses approached, removing his hood as he stood before Liz. Head bent in respect.

"Hawthorne! So this is where you hid yourself away. I think you've got some explaining to do."

"There's children down here. What's all that about?" The Doctor asked Hawthorne.

"Protesters and citizens of limited value are fed to the beast." His voice, for the most part, lacked emotion. His repy to the Doctor matter-of-fact. For some reason, it won't eat the children. You're the first adults it's spared. You're very lucky."

"Oh yes. So lucky. What the hell are you feeding people to the creature for? If you're gonna do that, what's the point of having people vote?" Klary's mouth once again moved faster than her brain. She managed to catch the Doctor's small smile towards her. A smile that calmed her anxiety a bit. At least he hadn't yelled at her. Yet.

"Yeah, look at us. Torture chamber of the Tower of London. Lucky, lucky, lucky. Except it's not a torture chamber, is it? Well, except it is. Except it isn't. Depends on your angle." The Doctor walked over to a circular opening in the ground, looked over the bar. The others, besides Hawthorne followed. Klary beside him. She shuddered at the view. Below them was an exposed brain. Pulsing as it was zapped by the electrodes above it.

"What's that?"

" Well, like I say, it depends on the angle. It's either the exposed pain centre of big fella's brain, being tortured relentlessly…"

"Or?"

Klary's eyes remained on the brain as she answered. "The Starship UK's go faster button."

"I don't understand?"

"What's there not to understand, Liz? You've been investigating. You sure as hell aren't stupid."

The Doctor's hand slid into Klary's. Circles rubbed on her wrist. "Try to. Go on. The spaceship that could never fly. No vibration on deck. This creature, this poor, trapped, terrified creature. It's not infesting you, it's not invading, it's what you have instead of an engine. And this place down here is where you hurt it, where you torture it, day after day, just to keep it moving." The creature rumbled as its brain was shocked multiple times. Continued to be shocked. He released Klary's hand with a squeeze. "Tell you what. Normally, it's above the range of human hearing. This is the sound none of you wanted to hear." He pulled the top of the grate off. The tentacle, no longer held back, raised up. Swayed beside the Doctor. He soniced a apendage. Throughout the room, pain screams enveloped each person.

With her other hand, Klary wiped a tear that began to fall. She hated this part. Hated the pain the Star Whale was in. Hated that humans could be so cruel and quick to assumptions. If they had only realised what they had before them. That the whale had come to save them willingly and of its own volition. Yet humans were fickle and Klary couldn't help but think that this probably would have ended the same way. For the most part, humans only looked out for themselves.

"Stop it." The Doctor did. Returned his hand back to Klary's. After a moment of silence, she walked towards Hawthorne. "Who did this?"

"We act on instructions from the highest authority."

"I am the highest authority. The creature will be released, now." Hawthorne remained where he was. "I said now! Is anyone listening to me?"

"Liz." The Doctor squeezed her hand before he released it. Reached into his pocket and removed the mask. "Your mask."

"What about my mask?"

He tossed it to her. "Look at it. It's old. At least two hundred years old, I'd say."

"Yeah. It's an antique. So?"

Klary stepped forward, voice quiet. "Liz, it was made by craftsmen over 200 years ago." The older woman looked at her. Brows furrowed in confusion. Klary sighed. "Made 200 years ago and perfectly sculpted to your face."

The Doctor stood directly before her. "They slowed your body clock all right, but you're not fifty. Nearer 300. It's been a long old reign."

Nah," Liz shook her head. Refused to believe it, "it's ten years. I've been on this throne ten years."

"Ten years. And the same ten years, over and over again," the Doctor grabbed her hand. Pulled her towards the computer, "always leading you here."

Klary looked at Hawthorne. He quickly averted his gaze and her eyes went to Liz. Head nodding towards the screen. Two buttons. Forget and Abdicate. She watched as the Queen turned to Hawthorne. Though her voice was sad. Asked what he had done. Klary sighed. The man wasn't ultimately to blame but she knew it would be a moment for Liz to see that.

"Only what you have ordered. We work for you, Ma'am. The Winders, the Smilers, all of us."

The video began to play. Liz's voice coming out of the speakers. "If you are watching this. If I am watching this, then I have found my way to the Tower Of London." The Queen sat at the chair. Despair on her features. "The creature you are looking at is called a Star Whale. Once, there were millions of them. They lived in the depths of space and, according to legend, guided the early space travellers through the asteroid belts. This one, as far as we are aware, is the last of its kind. And what we have done to it breaks my heart." On screen, tears fell from her eyes. "The Earth was burning. Our sun had turned on us and every other nation had fled to the skies. Our children screamed as the skies grew hotter. And then it came, like a miracle. The last of the Star Whales. We trapped it, we built our ship around it, and we rode on its back to safety. If you wish our voyage to continue, then you must press the Forget button. Be again the heart of this nation, untainted. If not, press the other button. Your reign will end, the Star Whale will be released, and our ship will disintegrate. I hope I keep the strength to make the right decision."

Amy gasped. Turned to the Doctor and Klary. "I voted for this? Why would I do that?"

"Because you knew if we stayed here, I'd be faced with an impossible choice. Humanity or the alien. You took it upon yourself to save me from that. And that was wrong." Though calm, his voice was angry. The calm before the storm. "You don't ever decide what I need to know."

"I don't even remember doing it."

"You did it. That's what counts."

"I'm.. I'm sorry."

"Doctor…"

The man looked at his constant companion. Eyes blazing with pain though he spoke with anger. Unable to take the look, he walked away. Unwilling to look at her or Amy. "Oh. I don't care. When I'm done here, you're going home."

He began to fiddle with the pulse controls. "Why? Because I made a mistake? One mistake? I don't even remember doing it. Doctor!"

"Yeah, I know. You're only human."

Liz walked over. Eyes shining with tears. "What are you doing?"

"The worst thing I'll ever do. I'm going to pass a massive electrical charge through the Star Whale's brain. Should knock out all its higher functions, leave it a vegetable. The ship will still fly, but the whale won't feel it."

"That'll be like killing it."

"Look, three options. One, I let the Star Whale continue in unendurable agony for hundreds more years. Two, I kill everyone on this ship. Three, I murder a beautiful, innocent creature as painlessly as I can. And then I find a new name 'cause I won't be the Doctor any more."

"There must be something we can do, some other way."

The Doctor finally exploded. "Nobody talk to me. Nobody human has anything to say to me today!" Klary sighed. Watched as Amy and Mandy sat down and watched as the Doctor fiddled with the machinery. It was at that moment that the children entered the room. Her eyes met Amy's and she gave her a small nod. She hoped the ginger would understand but the girl just looked at her confused.

"Timmy! You made it, you're okay. It's me, Mandy." A tentacle flailed behind the young girl. Gently tapped her shoulder and the girl stroked it. The action seen by Amy but Klary could see she wasn't really seeing. Too upset by what had happened. Klary sighed. Realised that it was now up to her. That she had to stop the Doctor from killing the Star Whale. The video continued to play. Everyone silent and still.

The brunette moved from by the Doctor, grabbed the Queen's hand and pulled her towards the buttons. Movement that grabbed the Time Lord's attention. "Klary, no!"

"Hush." Eyes met. "Do you trust me?"

Eyes unwavered as he replied. "Always."

Resolved and hopeful she wouldn't face the Time Lord's wrath, that he trusted her, she forced the woman to hit the Abdicate button. The Star Whale roared. Panic went through the room as the whale briefly shook.

"What have you done?"

Before she could reply, Hawthorne spoke. "We've increased speed."

"Obviously. Helps when you're not torturing the poor thing. For fuck's sake, you're all helpless." With that, Klary walked off to the observation deck. The Doctor close behind. The pair stared out the window. Eyes on the stars before them.

"You could have killed everyone on this ship."

She spared him a look. Saw that his eyes were already on her. "Would I have?"

"Nah. You-"

Amy ran up. The mask held out towards the two. "From Her Majesty. She says there will be no more secrets on the Starship UK." She stood beside Klary. "Was it your foreknowledge or something else?"

"Both. You see, there's this man. Very old and very kind, and the very last." She smiled at the Doctor. The man wrapped his arms around her. Pulled her into hug. As they pulled back, sh continued to answer Amy. "Yes. It was foreknowledge but I couldn't let him kill such a creature. Destroy something so beautiful." She gave the redhead a cheeky smile. "Then again, you were the one who was supposed to do it."

"What! Me? Was that why you gave me that look?"

"Yeah. But it all worked out in the end."

"That it did, love." With that, the three made their way to the Tardis.

Amy and the Doctor spoke as the trio reached the wondrous ship. As she asked what happened to have him run, the Tardis phone went off. The young ginger went to tell him her side but was distracted. Klary chuckled as she asked about it.

"Well, it's a phone box. Klary love, do you mind?" He went to start up the Tardis.

The coily-haired brunette answered. She was surprised Churchill greeted her so warmly. As she relayed what he said, the man asked about her. How she was and if she would ever leave the Doctor. Her replies, though awkward, seemed to be enough for him. After her reply that she probably won't be leaving the Time Lord, said man took the phone.

"Don't worry about a thing, Prime Minister. We're on our way."

Hanging up, the Doctor sent Amy to bed. Klary watched as he moved around the console. A small smile on her lips. Mirth in her eyes. "So, does he ask that question often?"

"Often enough. The man adores you."

"Can't wait to properly meet him then."

"And why's that?"

"Don't know. Might be nice to be adored. By someone, I mean."

The Doctor paused in his work. Walked up to her. Eyes critical. She felt as if she were under a microscope and by all means, she was. His eyes scanned her. Hands twitched. Klary wondered if he wanted to sonic her. If he did, she was grateful he didn't. "What trip was this then?"

"I guess sixth adventure."

"Oh my beautiful Klary. You're so young."

She looked away. Only a few jumps in and she was tired of hearing how young she was. It was just a constant reminder of how little she belonged. How much she didn't know. She knew it was something she would have to get over, but at the moment, it just annoyed her. "As you keep telling me. Not sure if you're able to elaborate, but how long have I been with you on your end?"

"For as long as I can remember."

"Meaning?"

"For all my years, you have always been by my side."

"That would mean you know me pretty well then?"

"I'd like to think so. Due to circumstances, you aren't always forthcoming but you are when it counts. Or things get to much."

She rolled her eyes. "You mean when I explode?"

"Yes. Though it is never malicious and usually you take it out on our enemies."

"Well then, I can't wait to get to know you better." Cheeks flushed. "I mean, personally and not through a show. Only so much you get from that."

"Klary, you will get to know me better than anyone ever has. You are my constant companion. As I am yours. No matter what, I will always be there for you."

"Until I piss you off."

"I can never truly be angry with you. Worried. Terrified. But never angry."

"Not what's happened my last few trips. But I'll do my best to believe it." She interrupted as he went to speak. "No. You don't apologise for your future's response. Like I told you before-"

"Yes I know. We'll have that conversation in the future."

"Good boy." His eyes widened. "What?"

"So this is when that starts." At her confusion he elaborated. "The good boy."

"Call you that often?"

"Very much so. Just wait until you do it to my previous incarnations. You'll have a laugh."

"Can't wait."