Just a heads up, I may be a little slower to post for the next month or so, some stuff is coming up but I'm not sure if I will be able to write more or less because of it.

Now thank you to everyone who has recently faved and followed! You guys make my day every time I see a notification! And I'm so glad you all loved the last chapter! I absolutely loved writing it!

To E-man-dy-S: I'm glad you're enjoying the story :D (and I love seeing people come up with theories for what could be happening!)

To Artemis Sherwood: The Master's reaction will definitely be a big one when he finds out about their marriage! And I honestly thought of the meaning behind the mental connection pretty recently, but I thought it fit really well and works with how the connection works and reacts. Also I was a bit iffy about adding the wedding night but I agreed that they both needed a break and to be able to just be with one another for a while in love :)

As I wait for my surroundings to change, I pull my hair out of its short ponytail and French braid it, starting at my forehead and moving back down my head.

I wince as I lower my arms, my shoulders starting to ache a little, reminding me I'm on minute 12 again.

I blink and then I'm standing in a large wet marsh, and before me I can see a massive city of some sort.

My eyes widen and I begin to walk toward it, amazed to see I'm standing just outside of a large Aztec city.

I quietly walk closer, sneaking into the city while trying to not draw too much attention to myself.

But when I get in I see that most everyone in the city is standing at the base of one of the pyramids, cheering just as it begins to rain.

I stay away from the crowd, finally realizing where and when I am.

'ok, how do I get to the Tardis...if I stay out here the Doctor may offer me right to the Aztecs as a sacrifice. Where did they find a way in...the garden! Right!'

I begin to look around as fast as I can without being seen, though that only lasts so long, as I find my way into the garden and begin to look for that seal in the wall that could be moved.

I quietly walk past some of the elders here, as it seems some had stayed inside the walled garden, bowing in respect when ever they see me, then I continue on, hoping they won't say anything about my odd clothing.

Though as the rain falls the elders begin to gather in the more covered areas of the garden, but as I slowly wander through the rain I get more odd looks, while simultaneously trying to not gather any more attention.

I move off to the side and quietly sit down under a large bush or tree, deciding for now to just lay low.

After a while some one stops near me, making me get a bit nervous, then an older man moves to sit beside me.

I scoot over a bit to give him room, surprised that he would sit on the ground.

"I have never seen you here before. Are you one of the servants of Yetaxa?" He asks.

I shake my head, hands in my lap "no, I'm not, I'm just a traveler. I'm sorry, am I not supposed to be here? I saw the beautiful life growing here and wanted to see it for myself" I explain, only really half lying, as the plant life is gorgeous here.

He chuckles softly "oh, it's alright. You may stay here as long as you like. Do you come from far away?" He asks, seeming to be perfectly happy to be sitting here in the dirt with me while it rained over us, only a large tree sized bush to protect us from it.

I smile softly and nod "I do. Very very far away. An entire world away really"

He nods thoughtfully "I thought so, your clothing is very strange to me. Do you travel without a husband?" He asks.

I shake my head "No, I am married but sometimes I travel without him, but we always meet up again after not too long. Though he isn't here right now"

He nods again and smiles kindly "well then, if you are at all lonely I wouldn't say no to some company. I could tell you about our home here, or show you around myself" he offers.

"thank you. I would love to know more about this place if you're willing to answer my questions" I say happily, glad to have something to do for now and maybe I could learn more about a way to get into the temple now.

We sit there just talking for a while, I try to learn about the temple but he says that the priests would be the ones to ask about that, or possibly the son of the man who had built it, though I knew I wouldn't get to them before the Doctor spoke to them.

As the rain had stopped we stand and begin to quietly walk around the gardens, continuing our talk as we go, beginning to talk about ourselves and our knowledge.

"how does your family feel about you traveling?" He asks suddenly, making me pause in my step for a moment before I continue on.

"I don't...I don't know..." I reply honestly, heart sinking sadly now "something happened before I started traveling...and now I can't go home ever again" I explain.

He saddens at that "I'm sorry...may I ask what happened?"

I shake my head "I'm cut off from home, the laws won't allow me to return. I don't think they even know what happened to me" I say sadly, stuffing my hands into my pockets now.

I couldn't really explain that those laws happen to be the laws of the universe and universe jumping.

"I'm so sorry...have you taken the time to mourn?" He asks softly.

I pause for a moment, really thinking about it and I realize I hadn't, I hadn't taken time to really focus on it and think over the loss, I always just sort of tried to ignore it.

I shake my head sadly "I've tried to not think about it. I don't want to be sad, I have a new life now...I miss them so much when ever I think about them, so I try not to...even if that sounds a bit cruel to their memory..." I wince a bit, knowing that sounded cold.

"oh...I don't think it's cruel to them, but to yourself. You've lost a great deal and have punished yourself for it" he says wisely, making my heart sink more.

I look down as we walk quietly for a while now, realizing he was kind of right, I had forced myself over time to not think about them much.

As we come around a corner I hear two people talking "The tomb is sealed. Now, surely the builder had some way of opening it?"

I look up to see the Doctor talking with Cameca, we are standing behind them so he hasn't seen me but the man beside me smiles and looks to me.

"it's one of the servants of Yetaxa. We shall go greet him" he says happily, moving to walk closer as the Doctor and Cameca continue to talk, but I stop and stay put, knowing this would end very badly if he saw me.

"I think I had better go and...um...see if I can go speak with..um..." I pause, knowing this didn't sound sincere at all.

The old man pauses and looks to me, now a bit worried "are you afraid of him?" He asks knowingly.

I hesitate a moment before nodding, it wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't like I could tell the whole truth here.

He smiles kindly to me and offers me his arm "don't be afraid, I will stay with you. But we should greet him at the very least" he says kindly.

I hesitantly nod, and take his arm, we wait a few moments to let them finish their conversation before approaching the Doctor.

"Hello" the old man greets, bowing as the Doctor turns to us, I quickly bow as well, not seeing the sudden stiffeners in the Doctor as he sees me.

"we wanted to greet you and welcome you to the garden" he says as we stand back up, I nod quietly, not looking up, feeling the Doctor's gaze on me.

"oh, well. Yes, thank you. It is a lovely place, this garden" the Doctor says cordially "excuse me, I must go meet with someone" he says, bowing his head before he quickly leaves the garden.

I let out a breath and the old man chuckles softly "see? He wasn't so scary, now was he?" He asks.

I smile a little as I let go of his arm "I suppose not...thank you, for sharing your time and your knowledge, I've really enjoyed myself. And, please excuse me if I have done anything that isn't very polite or seemed to be without manners. I don't know your customs well" I admit, hoping I hadn't done anything stupid.

He smiles kindly and bows his head a bit "and thank you for your company, I have enjoyed myself as well, it has been long since I last spoke with a traveler to such lengths. And do not apologize, you've been polite and kind, even if you don't know our customs that is enough for me" he replies.

I smile more now, a genuine smile "I'm glad. But sadly I do actually wish to go and speak with someone. Thank you again. Oh! I'm so sorry, I never actually asked your name" I say, suddenly realizing how impolite that was.

He chuckles softly "it's alright, I did not mind. My name is Teockon"

I bow in respect "thank you, Teockon. My name is Rose. And thank you again" I say before I head off quickly, waving goodbye to him before I leave the garden quickly.

'ok...well that was actually a really nice chat. But back to the task at hand, is it even possible for me to find a way into the temple...? I won't be able to move that stone...but how to help...'

I quietly wander into the city, looking around as I go, trying to think of the episodes.

I smile fondly as a few kids run past me, one wielding a small wooden club and chasing the others, playing at being warriors.

Then I realize, my eyes widening as I remember the fight Ian would have.

I stop a man in the street "I'm so sorry to disturb you, but where is it that the warriors train? Ixta I mean, the head warrior?" I ask quickly, the poor man looks a bit shocked and confused but he points me in the right direction so I quickly head off.

Once there I step through the open doorway into the room full of weapons on the walls, and Ian is there training for his coming fight.

I clear my throat and he jumps, making me giggle a little as he swings around, I bow almost teasingly "oh great servant of Yetaxa. I have come to seek council"

He laughs and comes to the table, leaning on his club on the table "how on earth did you get here?" He asks.

I smile as I come closer "my usual way. But Ian..." I glance behind myself to see that thankfully the creepy priest wasn't near for now, so I look back to him seriously.

"be careful Ian. Ixta plans to cheat. He has a plant that if he cuts you during this fight, the plant will weaken you..." I stop speaking as said priest enters the room loudly, guards with him now.

"who is this?" Tlotoxl demands as he points to me, I bow to him, though I really didn't want to.

"excuse me, high priest. I'm a traveler and merely wanted to wish Ian good luck in his coming fight" I explain quickly.

He glares down at me "then you must leave, he is to be taken to his fight" he growls and I look to Ian, nodding and bowing my head to him before leaving the building quickly.

I wait outside silently and once they leave to go to the fight I follow, trying to not draw attention to myself.

I sneak in and stay near the wall as the fight is set up, guards surrounding the room.

The two fighters stand at a small side table like stone plinth with two wooden sticks on it.

The guards bow to each fighter in turn, and the fighters bow back before the head guard picks up both sticks "let the contest begin" and clicks the two sticks together loudly.

The guards in the room move around and into their new places, each guard changing the side of the room they are on in a pattern for the ceremony.

Then both Ian and Ixta step onto the mats in the center, Ixta salutes and bows to Ian, Ian then does the same and then they begin the fight.

I remember the fight in the show seemed a little simple and this was definitely not that, this wasn't actors trying to not hurt each other, this was a real life fight.

I stay as quiet as I can, only for the Doctor to be led into the room with two guards, and he speaks up quickly, grabbing Ians arm "Ian, don't let him scratch you!"

This distracts Ian "what?" And Ixta takes his chance, jumping forward to slice into Ians wrist with the plant, it's not a deep wound but deep enough to get the agent into his blood stream.

I groan internally and facepalm, silently cursing the Doctor for distracting Ian.

The Doctor is restrained by the guards as Ian stares down at the wound for a moment in shock before they get back to the fight.

"Tlotoxl, stop this nonsense. Stop it!" The Doctor orders angrily.

"No" Tlotoxl says with a deranged glee, I watch on but begin to get distracted as my body begins to ache, starting with my joints and back, making me pale a little, worried my clock was running out faster than I had hoped it would.

I zone back in to everything and try to ignore the ache and slight headache starting.

"-Ixta will win" Tlotoxl says triumphantly.

I look back to see the fight was continuing with Ian still beating Ixta for only a few moments but the drug was already starting to work.

"Autloc, stop this!" The Doctor demands.

"No. let it continue, to the death!" Tlotoxl sneers in the Doctors face as I see Autloc struggling internally with what to do.

I begin to mess with the sleeves of my sweater as Ian begins to look a little woozy and out of it, nearly falling over before the fight goes on.

I bite my lip, my worry mounting as I watch.

Ixta wrenches Ian up onto the stone table, slamming him hard onto his back and Tlotoxl jumps forward, obviously enjoying this as he shouts "destroy him, Ixta!"

"Yetaxa forbids it" Autloc says, stepping forward now.

"a false goddess forbids it!" Tlotoxl snaps "Destroy him" he orders.

"Stop!" Barbara shouts as she comes into the room, making me jump as I look to her.

"your place is in the temple" sneers Tlotoxl as she comes to stand up in his face,

"I am loyal to those who serve me" she retorts coldly, not taking any of his bullshit.

"if you are Yetaxa, save him" he sneers and points to them, daring her, daring her to show she wasn't actually a goddess.

My eyes widen as Barbara suddenly grabs a knife off of a nearby guard and holds it to Tlotoxl throat, holding him in place as his eyes widen.

"if my servant dies, so does Tlotoxl" she warns, looking Ixta directly in the eyes, now daring him to make a move.

"put it down" she orders coldly.

Ixta listens and quickly drops his club.

"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me. Those who serve me shall not be punished" she commands.

"so be it" spits Tlotoxl, standing very stiffly before she lowers the knife, he relaxes only slightly.

The head guard hits the sticks together again and declares "the contest has ended. Ixta may not claim the victory" he says before handing the sticks off and they leave, the others bowing as they pass.

I don't wait for Autloc to speak before I rush forward past them, going to Ians side.

"Attend Yetaxa servant. Take the old man to the courtyard and in obedience to Yetaxa, release him" Autloc speaks, not giving me a second glance at the moment.

I ignore as Tlotoxl pulls Ixta off to the side, I look over Ian, gently checking his wrist to ensure it wasn't bleeding badly, and thankfully it was barely bleeding now.

"you shouldn't have fought him" I grumble softly as I help move Ian onto a bed and the guards and Ixta begin to take him away.

I sigh softly, glad I was mostly ignored by the others, including the Doctor.

Next I need to check up on Susan, poor girl was being taught to be the perfect little house wife and from my memory, she did not enjoy it at all, nor did she want to follow their customs and would get into further trouble for it.

I leave the building and step out into the street again, glancing toward the garden, remembering back to what would be happening soon, the Doctor would drink the love potion with Cameca, I shake my head and manage a sad smile.

The silly old man didn't know the meaning and the poor woman, kind Cameca would get her heart broken in the end.

I begin to wander the streets, wondering what I should do, should I tell the Doctor and Ian about the stone...?

"I don't know anymore..." I mourn quietly to myself, hoping that as I wander I'll find my way to where ever Susan is.

But as I go I can feel the aching begin to burn, my joints screaming and I nearly trip as I go down a few steps, I catch myself on a wall and have to stay there for a moment as I catch my breath, squeezing my eyes shut tight to block out the light, hoping it would reduce the pain in my head at least a little.

I force myself to sit down between two buildings, hiding from the sun and hoping against hope it would help, but it doesn't, and the pain only begins to recede after nearly a half an hour of trying to distract myself by thinking over this episode.

Finally when the pain has calmed enough that I can move around again I stand slowly, finding my way finally to the school Susan is staying in at the moment.

I quietly enter the room to find her being berated by the man who worked for Tlotoxl, her back to both him and Autloc, and the man who wished to marry her before he was to be sacrificed.

"well, that doesn't include me. Let him die if he wants to die, but don't ask me to marry him" she says seriously, on the verge of tears.

"it is the Aztec law, Susan" Autloc tells her seriously, as though this was the most normal thing, and I knew it was normal for them, but the poor girl was so shocked and horrified.

"well, it's barbaric. I won't do it. I won't" she says, putting her foot down, though her voice trembled.

The man to be sacrificed walks up very close to her, looking down at her in anger and seemingly almost sadness, probably sad to not get to marry her, as she is a beautiful girl.

"For this you will be most severely punished" the man working for Tlotoxl says seriously.

"but Tonila..." Autloc almost pleads.

"she has broken the law" Tonila replies coldly "it must be reported to Tlotoxl" he says before he leaves as well.

Susan looks to Autloc in despair.

"whatever's in my power, I shall do" he tells her, trying to reassure her that he will try to help.

But she replies, in fear and despair "you're monsters. All of you, monsters!" She moves away quickly as she tries to hide her sobs.

I quietly walk closer, bowing to the distraught looking priest "I'm sorry to interrupt, high priest...but what ever punishment they wish to give to her, have it done to me" I say softly, not wanting Susan to hear.

He stares at me in confusion "what? You? Who are you?" He asks.

I glance to Susan before I gesture for him to step a bit away, he follows me, also glancing back to poor Susan before he looks to me.

I smile a little "I'm a friend. Of yours and of the goddess's. I am also a traveler, foreign as she is, I see her point of view. Your customs are very strange to us, where I come from, women can choose who they marry, as much as men can. So for Susan to suddenly be told she is to marry someone, especially someone she has never met. The poor girl is terrified" I explain softly.

He nods a little sadly "I understand. But she has still broken our laws...as I told her, I will do everything in my power to ensure she is not punished too harshly" he says softly.

I nod "I know you will. But please, let me take her place, the poor girl isn't even an adult yet, she's so afraid and she feels trapped. She doesn't need this" I explain, though I knew it wouldn't get to that point, we should be away from here before anything actually happens, but it would help his mentality I think.

He sighs "why would you take her place?" He asks.

"because, lets just say I know exactly what she's feeling, trapped and alone and in a strange new world where nothing makes sense. And please, don't tell anyone I will take her place, even Yetaxa herself, may she forgive my deceit" I tell him, he thinks on it for a moment before nodding and I bow in thanks and respect before I quietly go to Susan.

I gently lay my hand on her arm, making her jump and spin around, her eyes full of tears, some escaping down her cheeks as she gasps.

I smile sadly and gently pull her into a hug.

She clings to me as she tries to hold in her sobs "oh Rose...I can't marry him" she sobs quietly.

I nod, rubbing her back soothingly "I know. it's gonna be alright, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you. I've got to watch over you while your grandfather is elsewhere" I tell her softly, gently rocking us back and forth.

We stand here for a while, her calming down slowly though I can feel her still clinging to my sweater tightly even a while after her sobs had subsided.

"I promise you Susan. I won't let anything happen to you"

"but how can you? If you go against them you too will be punished" she says worriedly, looking up at me with red eyes.

I smile down at her warmly "trust me. I know exactly what to do, just trust in me alright? Think of me like your, strange guardian angel. Or like that weird aunt at family gatherings" I joke, managing to make her smile a little.

"you definitely are odd" she says, wiping at her eyes as she pulls away a little.

I make a faux scandalized look "are you calling me weird?" I mock gasp, making her giggle now.

I smile more and gently cup her cheek, looking her in the eyes "there's that smile. Keep that up ok? You're smile gives me courage, don't forget that" I tell her happily.

We part as she has to get back to her schooling, and I leave the building, seeing it was getting dark now, so I head toward the gardens, knowing the Doctor and Ian would be there, if not now, then soon.

On my way I grab a hardwood rod that had been leaned against a building, hoping I wouldn't need to use it, but I had it just in case.

I speed up as the sun completely sets, leaving the place dark, making it harder for me to find my way around, knowing I couldn't pull my phone out to use as a light in case someone saw me.

So I make my way in the dark, using the stick as a guide to go faster than I could normally in the dark streets.

I come into the garden and can hear the Doctor so I speed up.

"open this, Ixta! Ixta, please! please open this. Ixta, open it!' He orders, struggling with the stone himself, finding that it wouldn't budge at all.

"why?" Asks Ixta, who's standing there smugly, arms crossed as if he had already won.

"Ian Chesterton is in there" the Doctor admits.

"I thank you, old man" Ixta almost sneers, smirking as he mockingly salutes to him "this time you have really given me my victory" Ixta laughs to himself as he leaves, walking briskly past me.

"open it! Open it!" The Doctor demands in a panic, desperately trying to move the stone.

I drop the rod and come up, gently grabbing his arm "Doctor, there's nothing else we can do" I say sadly, knowing I couldn't tell him Ian would be alright.

He suddenly turns, shoving me back, making me stumble back a few steps as his dangerously cold eyes land on me "where have you been?!" He demands angrily, stunning me for a second.

"I...I was on my way" I reply.

"you're too late! If you had gotten here sooner...oh...its no use" his anger subsides a little and his voice lowers in pitch.

I look down "I'm sorry..." is all I can say before he pushes past me.

"I must tell Barbara..." he mumbles as he heads off.

I sigh before following after him quickly, wincing as a painful twinge shoots through me, making me nearly double over, but I keep moving, pressing my hand to my stomach and trying to breathe through it as I follow after the distraught Doctor.

All the way to the temple he is muttering to himself, which I try to ignore, knowing his fears would be calmed once we arrived.

But as we climb the temple stairs he stops suddenly and I nearly bump into him, he looks down at me coldly "after this, I think I am owed some answers" he snaps, I hesitate for a moment.

"if I can answer your questions than I will" I reply quietly, he nods and we continue on in silence.

When we get to the top the Doctor speaks up "Barbara! Barbara! Barbara!" He calls as we run inside "something terrible, my dear. I just don't know how to tell you" he begins, grabbing her arms gently in his haste "Ian..." he begins.

But he doesn't get the chance to finish as he had turned toward me, but Ian jumps out from behind the throne in the room, smiling as he says "I'm alright"

"My dear boy!" The Doctor shakes his hand and grips it happily in both of his own "I thought you were drowned"

"I nearly was. Who put the stone back" Ian replies.

"Ixta"

"oh, so he followed me, eh?" Ian says in realization.

"yes, of course he followed you. But never mind about that. How does that door work?" The Doctor asks quickly, pointing to said door behind them.

"Don't worry. I've got it licked. All we have to do is get Susan up here" Ian explains.

"we can't" Barbara says quickly "she refused to marry the victim for the next sacrifice so she's to be punished" she explains.

"is she still at that seminary?" The Doctor asks quickly.

"I think so, but she'll be heavily guarded" Barbara replies.

"Don't worry. I'll get her out. Now you stay here" Ian hands the Doctor something as he walks past us, I quickly move to follow him as the Doctor calls after him.

"thank you. And watch out for that man Ixta" Ian nods to him then he's off.

I hesitate in the doorway, glancing back to see the Doctor watching me before I quickly follow Ian down the steps.

"you should have stayed back" Ian whispers as we go.

"I don't think the Doctor wants me there right now, and anyways, I want to make sure Susan is alright as well" I reply quietly.

He just nods and we make our way fast through the dark streets of the city, glad it seems everyone has headed to bed.

We both hide as a few people enter a building, and Susan with them, so we quietly enter from the other door inside, sneaking in and listening as Tlotoxl talks with Ixta before Tlotoxl leaves and leaves Susan to be guarded by Ixta.

"do you ask yourself where Ian is?" Ixta asks Susan "I can tell you. He is dead" he says proudly.

I can see Susans distress as she denies it "I-I don't believe you" she says, looking away from him.

"The old man saw him die. He knows it to be true. Now seven warriors have challenged my right to command and only I survive"

The whole time Ixta is preening Ian had moved closer and up behind them, moving to be right behind them both now.

"Good commanders don't jump to conclusions Ixta" Ian mocks, catching both of them by surprise, they turn to him and he knocks out Ixta with a single hit.

"Ian! I knew he was lying!" Susan cries in relief, he pulls her into a hug quickly as I keep watch from the door.

"Yes"

"He said you were dead" she cries.

"I nearly was. Come on, lets get going. We all clear?" He calls to me, I nod quickly and look to them "yup, all clear"

"Where are we going?" Susan asks us quickly.

"The Tardis. Come on" Ian says, gesturing her toward me and the other door.

We head back toward the temple, though we have to go slower now, being more quiet and stealthy, and I knew the sun would be coming up soon now.

We make it back but once we reach the top I stop Ian "I'll keep watch, go on in" he nods and heads in quickly after Susan.

I sit down on the top step and silently think.

'I can't do anything else from here on out...not if I don't want to change too much...but what can I do in the mean time...there has to be...'

And just then I get an idea, so I stand, looking back toward the door into the temple, glad to see they are all working to try and open the door, so I turn and quickly make my way back down the stone steps, moving quickly and quietly so as to not get stopped or caught by either the Doctor or the guards.

I make my way to the gardens yet again, knowing exactly what I need to do, and hoping I have what it takes to convince Ixta to help me.

I sneak into the gardens just as the sun begins to rise and shine down over the city.

I sneak toward the stone that would need to be moved and hide in the bushes, wishing I could tell poor Autloc, seeing him making his way toward my hiding place, but I stay quiet, knowing this was probably for the best, even if he lost his faith, he would find peace in the forest, away from other people and alone.

I cover my mouth as Ixta attacks Autloc from behind, and knowing I had to act fast I jump out, catching Autloc and laying him down on the ground carefully, looking up to see Ixta looks furious.

"You! I'll kill you too" he snarls but I throw my hands up.

"Wait! Please. Ixta. I beg of you, if you are to kill me, let me die in honor" I beg, stopping him from striking me with the club.

"How?" He asks harshly.

"By drowning" I say quickly "I can't swim and for my people, drowning is the most honorable way to die, should we not die in battle, as I am no warrior. It would be dishonorable to die in any form of battle for me" I explain quickly, tears filling my eyes for the added affect.

And it seems to work as he suddenly smirks "can't swim? Yet you wish to die by drowning?" He asks, I nod and bow my head in faux despair.

"I have gotten word my husband has been slain. And I cannot stand to live without him" I lie, knowing it would be the easiest to use.

He nods thoughtfully, dropping the club beside Autlocs unconscious form before he grabs my arm forcibly "then let me give you an honorable death"

He lets me go only long enough for him to push the stone away from the tunnel.

I shiver slightly "there's water in there?" I ask in faux ignorance.

He nods "yes, it connects to the lake. It will fill with water soon. Get inside and you will have your honorable death" he says, suddenly picking me up and setting me a bit forcibly on the stone before the tunnel.

I crouch down and crawl inside, looking back to tearfully thank him before he smirks and closes up the tunnel.

As soon as the stone is back in place I let out a shaky sigh and quickly dig my phone out of my pocket, turning on the light and making my way deeper into the tunnel as fast as I can, not knowing for sure when the water would begin to gush in.

I try to keep my fear at bay, knowing this was risky as I squeeze my way through a bit of the narrower tunnel before water begins to trickle past me and I can hear more water farther ahead.

I curse mentally and try to hurry up, only for a sudden full body ache to shoot through me, making any movement painful and I can barely see as my headache transforms into a blinding migraine.

I slump down onto the floor of the tunnel, closing my eyes desperately and pressing the palms of my hands into my eyes, real tears now wetting my eyes at the pain.

"fuck..." I whisper, distracted by the pain as the water begins to rise around me, causing my fear to spike my heart rate, which only makes my migraine worse.

I open my eyes, turning down the brightness of my phones light and continue on, feeling more and more lost as the water drenches me and begins to get up to my neck, making me have to raise my face above it, my nose nearly scraping the roof of the tunnel, until suddenly there is no roof over me, I feel up and around and jump to my feet in relief as there is a small tunnel that leads up and out of the water.

I stand up and stay there catching my breath for a few minutes, trying desperately to calm the aches and pain, angry that this had to be the adventure where my energy release would be this painful.

After catching my breath I push myself on, climbing up the tunnel and into another thin horizontal tunnel, making me wonder how Ian was able to climb through this if I was struggling.

It takes me way longer than it took Ian but I finally, after probably about an hour and a half of trying not to panic and having to stop because of a new bloom of pain, make it into the tomb.

I get out of the tunnel as fast as I can, jumping to my feet and moving past the Tardis and to the large heavy stone door.

I feel around it before I press against the base, just enough to open to be able to hear whats happening outside, I can hear people moving around, but no speaking yet, so I wait a moment, hoping I wasn't late.

"Go now and bring those who are to be punished" someone orders the guards.

"where's Tlotoxl? The ceremony cannot begin without him" Barbara says.

I take my chance and push the stone up, using all my weight to keep it pressed open, worried if I let it go the mechanism will close on its own.

Looking over to my right I see the Doctor and Susan hiding in the corner and out of sight, I wave my hand to get their attention and they rush over, the Doctor wanting to say something but I shush him quietly and gesture them both in, then I look to see Ian standing behind Barbara, still disguised as a warrior as she speaks with Tlotoxl, who is furious about Susans disappearance.

Tlotoxl raises a knife as he proclaims "I shall destroy you!" Before Ian jumps forward and grabs his arm in a locking hold.

"Ixta! Ixta!" Tlotoxl shouts, getting the attention of the warrior at the base of the pyramid.

"run Barbara!" Ian shouts as he disarms Tlotoxl, she listens, throwing off her head dress and she runs into the tomb with us, obviously surprised to see I already open and me in my still damp clothes.

"Ian! Come on!" I call loudly, but he doesnt turn to us, wanting instead to fight Ixta, and so as the other warrior gets to the top of the stairs they both throw off their capes and begin to fight with their clubs and shields.

We watch with baited breath before Ian is thrown onto the ground at the edge of the steps, Ixta tries to swing down at him but Ian uses his foes momentum and launches him over the edge and down the stairs.

I wince and Ian jumps up, pulling off his bird styled helmet and he joins us, picking up the pulley the Doctor had made so as to not leave it behind.

As soon as hes back with us I step back and let the door close, letting out a sigh of relief, only to double over in pain, leaning against the wall as I try to continue to breathe.

The others talk amongst themselves as, Barbara sad to have failed to change the Aztecs ways and customs and the Doctor trying to comfort her.

I try to sneak past them into the Tardis, knowing I didn't have much time now before the energy release, so I needed to get away from them.

I get inside to see Ian an Susan are already inside, I try to ignore them and head for the corridor but Ian calls out.

"Rose! Where were you? You disappeared?" He asks.

I turn to him from the hallway entrance "I followed your path through the water tunnel and up into the tomb to open it from this side, but I was a bit slow and didn't make it until just a moment ago" I explain, trying desperately to appear normal.

"why on earth would you put yourself in danger like that? We had a plan to open the door" he asks.

"because I thought if I got here sooner I could have helped faster but that wasnt the..." I can't finish the sentence as another wave of pain hits, sending me this time to my knees from the impact, leaving me gasping for air as I clutch at my chest and tears stream down my face.

I can barely hear anything around me, only faintly making out as both Ian and Susan rush toward me.

I can feel them trying to help me sit up but I gently push their hands off me, knowing it wasn't long before the energy would expel and I couldn't risk hurting any of them.

"need..." I can't finish my sentence as I hear the Doctor and Barbara come in, both of them asking what was happening.

"I don't know. She just collapsed" Ian says worriedly, his hand gently resting on my back now.

I force myself to stand using the wall, brushing off his hand.

"G-get back..."I choke out.

"whats happened? Are you alright?" Barbara asks as she comes closer.

I shake my head, my whole body feeling like it's on fire "fine...just..." I take a deep shaky breath, knowing I had to tell them to get back before I hurt someone.

"s-stay back...I'm about...about to explode with energy" I gasp out, feeling the fire grow and I raise my hand as my fingertips begin to shine with light.

I can see the shock and fear on their faces, though Susan looks more shocked and the Doctor looks angry...again.

He pulls Susan back "get away from her, all of you" he orders quickly.

"why? Whats happening to her?" Barbara asks as she and Ian quickly pull away and move back, watching in shock as the light begins to cover my whole arm and continues to spread.

"I can't be sure, but she should be alright in the end" he replies, keeping his eyes on me.

I look up to them and manage a shaky smile "I'll be fine..." I gasp and fall to my knees again as the pain intensifies, the light consuming me entirely as my blood feels like its boiling, my bones feel like they are turning to ash and my brain feels like its going to implode.

I clench my jaw, determined to not make a sound, not wanting to scare Susan, knowing if I screamed it would just make this worse for them all.

I curl up on the floor, trying to not convulse, but the energy forces my body to twitch and convulse anyways, feeling like every muscle in my body was tearing apart over and over again, making me groan, but I manage to hold in my screams.

It's not long before I feel the energy spike, sending out a wave of heat and energy, sending the others stumbling back a ways farther, but thankfully it didn't hurt any of them, though the ground and walls around me scorched, leaving burn marks like a grenade went off.

As the energy dissipates I slump onto the floor, limp and gasping as I try to get in some cool air into my lungs, my body shaking and my eyes tightly closed.

I can't hear much for a few moments, my ears ringing and feeling muffled as I just breathe, curled up there on the floor.

I flinch as I feel a large hand laid gently on my arm "Rose...? Can you hear me?" Ian asks.

I nod shakily, not trusting my voice at the moment.

"are you still in pain?" He asks.

I shake my head.

"will you let me help you up?" I hesitate a moment before slowly nodding, opening my eyes tiredly, a new wave of exhaustion washing over me now.

He smiles down at me, though he looks a bit shaken up himself.

I blink a few times as my eyes feel more sensitive to the light than normal.

He helps me to sit up slowly "there we go...what happened?" He asks, crouched in front of me now.

I sigh shakily, rubbing my forehead a little and closing my eyes tiredly, swallowing to wet my throat a little.

"the best way I can explain it is this...when I travel in time...my body absorbs energy and after a while...after a while, when too much builds up my body has to release it somehow..." I explain shakily, he nods slowly, obviously trying to understand.

"And this process is very painful" he says, more of a statement but I nod.

"The pain levels vary. But yeah...this one was bad...are you all ok? I didn't want you all to be so close when it happened" I ask worriedly, looking up and over them all.

Thankfully they all look alright, though a bit windswept, Susan has tears in her eyes and I frown.

"Are you alright Susan?" I ask worriedly.

She nods, pulling away from the Doctor to come closer "how are you alright? That looked awful" she asks, her voice quiet and watery.

I manage a shaky smile to her "I'm pretty resilient. I'm ok now. Just really tired and a bit sore" I say, showing her as I slowly get to my feet, Ian doing the same and making sure I don't fall.

"See? I'll be right as rain after a bit of sleep" I tell her, stretching out a little, even as my back cracks and shoulders pop.

She seems to relax a little and I come closer, gently wiping away her tears "don't cry for me. I'm alright now" I tell her gently before smiling warmly.

"Are you hungry? Cause I am. Why don't we go get something to eat?" I ask.

She smiles a little and nods.

I gently push her toward the hallway "go and head to the kitchens, I'll catch up in just a minute" I tell her, she nods and heads off quickly.

I look to the others and smile a little "again, I apologize for that...show...everyone's really alright?" I ask them.

Barbara nods and smiles a little, looking exhausted herself.

Ian chuckles a little "you certainly like to make a spectacle" he jokes.

I scoff in mock outrage "really Ian. I don't do it on purpose" I huff, trying not to smile at his smirk.

I jump as the Doctor clears his throat "I'd like to do some scans. Ensure you wont do something like that again. That there won't be any after shock" the Doctor says calmly.

I look to him a bit surprised before slowly nodding "alright. If you really want to " I say, a bit nervous and confused now.

As I follow him down the halls I begin to think, wondering and worrying about what he really wanted to know.

He had never asked to see me alone like this, and to run tests only made me more nervous than before.

So as we get to the med bay I pause in the doorway, hesitating as he goes to a small screen set into the top of a table.

"come in" he almost commands.

I stay put "what kind of test do you want to perform..?" I ask softly, leaning against the doorframe for support.

"As I said before. To ensure there are no aftershocks" he comments coldly.

I grimace a little "I know when you're lying to me" I say softly, but I enter anyways, moving to sit on the edge of the med bays bed "you could just ask"

He huffs quietly and mutters a little as he continues to work, not speaking again as he begins to scan me over, using several different devices to do so.

I hop off the bed as he plugs the scanners into the table, looking over the screen as I come over, and I can see the Doctor had been scanning to find out what species I am, rather than actually do what he said, though I'm not surprised.

I smile sadly at that as it begins to flash between human and unknown, just like before.

"I told you" I say softly as he scowls down at the screen "I'm not gallifreyan. Nor a time lord. And I don't work for those pricks"

He looks up to me, still looking grumpy and uncertain but before he can say anything else, I raise my hand.

"I'd love to argue just as much as you do" I say a little sarcastically "but I'm exhausted, and I told Susan I would meet her for a meal before sleep. So please excuse me if I decide to opt out of the discussion this time" I say more diplomatically.

I can see the anger in him rising at my apparent ease to read him, but I just smile softly "I don't want to disappoint Susan. Would you like to join us?"

That seems to catch him off guard at first, but then he puts on his angry defensiveness again "it is my ship. I will go where I please, regardless of if you offer me to join or not" he snaps.

I shrug and head for the door "have it your way. But she isn't owned by any of us. More like she is our home, we take care of her and she takes care of us" I hum, patting the doorway gently, feeling the familiar warm hum under my touch.

I can hear him still angrily muttering to himself behind me so I quietly leave without another word, heading to meet Susan in the kitchen.

Once there me and her make some food, sitting down and eating in a comfortable silence, which I'm thankful for.

Then as I'm beginning to wash the dishes Susan comes up beside me "what did the scans say?"

I look down to her curiously "hmm? Oh, the scans. No aftershocks were detected so we are all safe" I lie easily, knowing there was no reason to make her angry at her grandfather.

After that we part ways with a quick hug before I head to get some much needed sleep, my exhaustion had only been building and now as I get into my room, I fall into bed, forgoing changing and showering.

Nearly the same instant that my head hits the blankets, I fall asleep.

My dreams during my sleep feel fuzzy and disjointed, more like normal dreams, more normal than I had had in a while when ever I did dream.

The next morning, or well, when ever it is when I wake up, I find a clean outfit on the end of my bed and the bathroom door is open and there is steam coming from it.

I yawn as I stand, stretching and smiling before I grab my clothes and going to take a shower, the hot water helping melt my stiff and sore muscles.

And just as I'm getting out of the water and pulling on my towel, I can hear the music begin to play, so I quickly get dressed in my dark green joggers, pale green t-shirt and my coat, and as the music gets louder and louder I rush to pull on my boots, tying them up just before everything goes black.

I let out a sigh and stand up, slowly stretching out again, glad to find the soreness had eased quite a bit.

As I stand in the blank space, I can still feel that damned light behind me, but I pay it no mind, looking down instead, pulling my sleeve back to see the time change to hour 8, minute 1.

A new tattoo also appears, warming my skin as a small Aztec pyramid draws itself into my skin.

I brush my fingers over it gently before pushing my sleeve back down and taking a few deep breaths, hoping I'd be with a, older Doctor now, and at that thought my smile appears, cheeks burning a little as I look down at the ring on my left ring finger.

I gently spin it a few times before I blink and I'm standing in the open air.

Only, it doesn't seem to be actual open air, I can't smell anything but grass, and even that smells off.

And looking around I find I'm in some sort of field with odd contraptions everywhere, looking a bit like a military training course, only with brighter colors and a few odd looking obstacles.

"Ah! Perfect, our last member has arrived" A voice calls from behind me.

I spin around to find a few groups of people standing there, the one closest to me seems to be where the voice came from so I step a little closer.

"Sorry. But where am I?" I ask quickly.

"Where do you think?" A woman asks, she seemed to be the one I heard before.

She stands tall, broad shoulders and dark black curly hair, her skin is a beautiful shade of deep brown that seemed to glow in the light, she's far taller than me and is dressed, like the others, in military garb, dark green military pants, pale dark green shirts and combat boots.

I shake my head in confusion "I honestly have no clue. Some sort of military training camp by the looks of it" I comment, coming closer as the group chuckles to themselves.

"Don't tell me you don't watch television" the woman teases.

I smile a bit sheepishly "I don't really have time to, I travel" I say and shrug.

She smirks "well then, this will be fun. Welcome to channel 44,002, we run obsticale courses for others entertainment" she explains.

I groan softly and shake my head "no way, I need to get out of here, I have someone I need to meet up with" I say seriously, though that number did ring a bell.

She glances toward something in the distance and moves closer to me "don't say that, you don't want them to hear"

I glance in that direction to see a few people all working on something against a wall, and that wall is made to look like a bank of trees and the sky.

I frown more and look to her "where am I?" I ask seriously.

"you're on the Game Station" she explains, and my blood runs cold.

My eyes widen "Satillite 5..."

OK!

I know this chapter was a little slower and less detailed but the next chapter or two will be way better!

I've honestly been dreading this next story because I honestly hate it! (In a good way, its an amazing story its just so sad!) so writing it will be interesting to say the least!

But anyways, I really hope you will all enjoy it! And enjoyed this chapter!

Love you all and don't forget to stay hydrated!

~Ezra