The TARDIS was throwing the three travellers all over the place as she was brought to landing. Hally crossed her arms over her chest, fully allowing The Doctor to take the lead on the 'thank you' trip for Martha Jones.

"Blimey. Do you have to pass a test to fly this thing?!" Martha cried out, shooting Hally a grin which Hally couldn't quite be bothered to return.

The Doctor ran to the TARDIS doors. "Yes, and I failed it. Now, make the most of it. I promised you one trip, and one trip only. Outside this door, brave new world." He grinned stupidly at the human, before leading her outside.

Hally trailed after them, shutting the TARDIS door behind herself. Taking a quick look around she made a few quick deductions herself about where they were. 16th Century. London.

Martha was asking The Doctor a million questions, much to his amusement.

"What if, I don't know, what if I kill my grandfather?" Martha asked. Now apparently concerned that the two Time Lords had never considered the risks of time travel.

Hally sighed softly. "Are you planning to?" She asked.

"No." Martha replied, looking between the two.

The Doctor shrugged and began to walk them further down the street away from the TARDIS. "Well, then."

The pair continued their incessant wittering, all the way to the front door of The Globe theatre.

"Oh, yes, the Globe Theatre! Brand new. Just opened. Though, strictly speaking, it's not a globe, it's a tetradecagon. Fourteen sides. Containing the man himself." The Doctor waggled his eyebrows at Martha.

Hally smiled slightly at the human's excitement. She had practically thrown herself through the door. The Doctor motioned with his arm for his daughter to follow. "You must have read some Shakespeare right?" The Doctor grinned down at her.

She smiled slightly. "Only a little. I read Hamlet once…"

He grinned. "Oh, that's one of my favourites!" He gently pushed her inside and the pair were suddenly hit with the warmth of many bodies being pressed into such a small space.

Martha wriggled them closer to the front and the three of them stood to watch the last half of the play, which turned out to be Love's Labour's Lost. As it ended and the actors took to the stage for their bows, Martha started straining to look around the theatre.

"Where's Shakespeare? I want to see Shakespeare. Author! Author! Do people shout that? Do they shout Author?"

A man to their left picked up on the chant and also started to cry out. "Author! Author!"

Very quickly it spread and within a few seconds the entire theatre were calling out for the author.

The Doctor looked around, muttering. "Well, they do now."

Hally laughed at the pair and watched as both their faces lit up as the man himself jogged onto the stage. He was perhaps shorter than she'd imagined. Although, she supposed he might be tall for this time period. He had twinkling eyes, longer hair than The Doctor and a fairly well-kept beard.

The Doctor was muttering to them both about how much of a genius the author in front of them was, when the man in question opened his mouth and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Ah, shut your big fat mouths!"

The Doctor's mouth hung open.

Hally let out a shriek of laughter. "Brilliant." She grinned cheekily at her father, who let out a soft sigh.

"Oh, well."

"You should never meet your heroes." Martha shrugged, sending Hally a knowing smile.

Shakespeare addressed the crowd, excitement rippling through the onlookers as he announced the sequel. "When? Tomorrow night. The premiere of my brand new play. A sequel, no less, and I call it Love's Labour's Won."

As they filed out of the theatre with what felt like the rest of London, Martha and The Doctor were discussing the unheard-of sequel.

"Well, how come it disappeared in the first place?" Martha asked, this did pique Hally's curiosity.

The Doctor paused, stopping them all in the street. "Well, I was just going to give you a quick little trip in the TARDIS, but I suppose we could stay a bit longer…" He looked at his daughter, who offered him a shrug of approval.

Martha grinned. "Shall we go meet him then?"

Hally chuckled. "Let's."

The Doctor used the psychic paper to get them inside, leading them up to an office-type room. Shakespeare wasn't alone in the room, a middle-aged lady stood next to two of the actors from the play they'd just seen. All surrounding the bard who was hunched over multiple scrolls of paper.

The Doctor ducked inside, pushing his way to the front.

"Hello! Excuse me, not interrupting, am I? Mister Shakespeare, isn't it?"

Martha followed The Doctor, Hally trailing behind them both.

"Oh, no. No, no, no. Who let you in? No autographs. No, you can't have yourself sketched with me. And please don't ask where I get my ideas from. Thanks for the interest. Now be a good boy and shove…"

Shakespeare trailed off and Hally saw that he'd laid eyes on Martha, who was now standing awkwardly next to The Doctor.

"Hey, nonny nonny. Sit right down here next to me. You two get sewing on their costumes. Off you go…" Shakespeare smiled warmly towards Martha, forgetting his previous rant.

The middle-aged woman smiled kindly, suppressing an eye roll. "Come on, lads. I think our William's found his new muse."

Hally let out an undignified snort. "Men."

Martha laughed awkwardly, sending Hally a 'help me' look.

"Sweet lady." Shakespeare interrupted their silent exchange. "Such unusual clothes. So fitted."

The Doctor and Martha took advantage of the now free chairs in front of Shakespeare's desk and they sat. Hally perched herself on the edge of the desk, twisting her body so she could watch their exchange.

Martha stuttered. "Er, verily, forsooth, egads."

Hally winced. "Don't do that."

Shakespeare looked up at her then, as if he hadn't noticed her enter the room. Previously too infatuated with Miss Jones. A dark look crossed his face, the kindly smile slipping for a second.

The Doctor took the lead again, leaning over the desk and showing Shakespeare the psychic paper. "I'm Sir Doctor of TARDIS and this is my companion, Miss Martha Jones and my daughter Lady Hally."

Shakespeare pulled his gaze away from Hally and towards the paper. "Interesting, that bit of paper. It's blank."

The Doctor beamed. "Oh, that's very clever. That proves it. Absolute genius." He shook his head in disbelief.

Martha strained over the desk. "No, it says so right there. Sir Doctor, Martha Jones. It says so."

"And I say it's blank." Shakespeare countered, obviously very pleased with himself.

The Doctor stumbled over his words, trying to instead explain who they were without the help of the paper. However, the group were interrupted when a large man burst into the writing room. Hally twisted back to look at him. He was tall, pompous looking, wearing far too much gold.

Ignoring the fact that Shakespeare had company he began ranting immediately. "Excuse me! Hold hard a moment. This is abominable behaviour. A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script, Mister Shakespeare. As Master of the Revels, every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed."

Shakespeare sighed loudly. "Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'll send it round."

The pompous 'Master of the Revels' puffed out his chest. "I don't work to your schedule, you work to mine. The script, now!"

Shakespeare motioned to the unfinished scribblings in front of him. "I can't."

"Then tomorrow's performance is cancelled. I'm returning to my office for a banning order. If it's the last thing I do, Love's Labour's Won will never be played." The man snarled, turning on his heel and stomping his way out of the room.

Martha looked between The Doctor and Shakespeare, a little deflated. "Well then, mystery solved. That's Love's Labour's Won over and done with. Thought it might be something more, you know, more mysterious."

As if to punctuate how wrong she was, a shrill scream had them all rushing downstairs and onto the street.

It was the man from upstairs. However, his pompous attitude had quickly dissolved into panic as he collapsed. Water spewed from his mouth.

"What's wrong with him? Leave it to me. I'm a doctor." The Doctor rushed forward to the now still man, lying in a puddle of water that had seemingly come from his lungs.

Martha joined him quickly. "So am I, near enough. Got to get the heart going. Mister Lynley, come on. Can you hear me? You're going to be all right."

But Hally could see that Lynley was not going to be alright. The water had certainly come from inside his lungs, which meant he was drowning and would die if someone didn't remove the offending liquid immediately. She stepped forward, eyes determined.

However, she didn't get very far. The Doctor rose swiftly, placing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her gently backwards. A silent warning on his face.

Hally frowned, not following.

Martha had begun CPR behind them both. Water was gushing from his mouth.

The Doctor turned back to the young medical student. "I've never seen a death like it. His lungs are full of water. He drowned and then, I don't know, like a blow to the heart, an invisible blow…" He took a step away from the body once more, eyes scanning around them.

He noticed the kind lady from earlier, calling her over. "Good mistress, this poor fellow has died from a sudden imbalance of the humours. A natural if unfortunate demise. Call a constable and have him taken away."

The lady nodded, hand clutching at her chest in shock. "Yes, sir."

Martha got to her feet and stepped in closer to The Doctor. "And why are you telling them that?"

The Doctor's voice was hushed. "This lot still have got one foot in the Dark Ages. If I tell them the truth, they'll panic and think it was witchcraft…"

He sent Hally the same warning look he'd given her moments ago.

It clicked.

"Ooooh…" She nodded slowly in understanding.

Martha shot them both a confused look. "Okay, what was it then?"

The Doctor coughed and mumbled. "Witchcraft."

The Doctor had sent Hally and Martha back up to Shakespeare's room while the constable arrived. Neither woman had put up much of a fight, figuring that in their current environment it might be easiest for The Doctor to deal with any law enforcement.

When he finally joined them, the middle-aged lady also joined them.

"I got you a room, Sir Doctor. Apologies we couldn't get another… but you and your companions are just across the landing." She smiled kindly and The Doctor gladly accepted her hospitality.

Shakespeare considered them all. "Poor Lynley. So many strange events. Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor?" He questioned Martha, genuine curiosity behind his eyes.

Martha crossed her arms defensively. "Where a woman can do what she likes."

Shakespeare smiled wryly. "And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old?"

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "I do a lot of reading."

Shakespeare definitely didn't believe him. "A trite reply. Yeah, that's what I'd do. And you?" He looked back to Martha. "You look at him like you're surprised he exists. He's as much of a puzzle to you as he is to me."

Martha let out a soft laugh. "I think we should say goodnight." She gave The Doctor a pointed look, before turning to look at Hally in the hope she would follow as she left the room.

Hally did start to follow her, but she was delayed as Shakespeare decided to turn his eye onto her.

"You…"

She looked back at him, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

"Behind your mask there lies something deeper. Something dark. I wonder how many have truly seen it." He cocked his head to one side.

Hally frowned, looking up to see that The Doctor was watching the interaction with intrigue.

"You do not fit inside that body." Shakespeare continued. It was as if he was finding the words as he went along.

She laughed. "Excuse me?"

"There is more to you than I can see with my mortal eyes." He whispered softly.

Hally looked back at The Doctor again, who looked genuinely impressed.

"Right…" She sent Shakespeare a withering look. Hoping he'd shut up.

The Doctor let out a bark of awkward laughter, excusing himself from the pair swiftly and slinking away to their room. Hally sent him a look of betrayal and attempted to follow.

"Your eyes…"

She rounded back on Shakespeare, crossing her arms across her chest.

"What about them, oh wise one?"

He gave her a small, knowing smile. "Your eyes are the window into your soul."

She felt a gentle wave of fear tickle its way up her back. "And what do you see in my eyes, Will?"

He watched her for a moment. "Guilt."

Her nostrils flared slightly. "Goodnight."

He let her go finally, she made her way quickly to The Doctor and Martha's room. Where the two were trying to come to an agreement on the sleeping arrangements and discussing the possibility of real witchcraft.

"Looks like witchcraft, but it isn't. Can't be. Are you going to stand there all night?" The Doctor shot a look at Martha, who was awkwardly standing by the side of the bed.

The young human sighed. "Budge up a bit, then. Sorry, there's not much room." She joined The Doctor on the bed, trying to keep as much space between them as possible. She laughed awkwardly. "Us two here, same bed. Tongues will wag."

Hally made a face and kicked off her shoes, crawling her way childishly in between them both. There were a few huffs and protests as the three settled into the tiny bed.

"There are many things that could look like witchcraft Doctor." Hally spoke as she raised her hand, spouting forth gentle golden wisps that danced at the foot of the bed.

To her left she saw Martha's mouth drop open in awe.

The Doctor sighed. "Quite. Plus the psychic paper…There's such a thing as psychic energy, but a human couldn't channel it like that. Not without a generator the size of Taunton and I think we'd have spotted that." He shuffled down, getting comfortable. "No, there's something I'm missing. Something really close, staring me right in the face and I can't see it." He let out a soft sigh. "Rose'd know."

Hally silently lay her head on the pillow.

"A friend of mine, Rose. Right now, she'd say exactly the right thing. Still, can't be helped. You're a novice, never mind. I'll take you back home tomorrow." The Doctor rambled, closing his eyes.

The irritation was obvious in the human's voice as she blew out the candle. "Great."

She wasn't sure how long they'd slept for, but as she'd slept Will's words had played through her mind. As she was jolted awake by another piercing scream, two bright blues eyes were seared into her brain from the dream fast fading away.

The Doctor had already leapt out of the bed, followed not long after by Martha. Hally groaned inwardly, traipsing after them to the second body that night.

Following The Doctor's lead, they headed for The Globe after Shakespeare had linked the architect to the possible witches that seemed to be killing those with affiliations to Will. Shakespeare told them that the man who had designed The Globe, with its fourteen sides had been taken to Bedlam after he'd started spouting nonsense about witches.

So the four headed there, into the bowels of London, down impoverished streets towards the city wall. The asylum itself was certainly high on Hally's list of most terrifying places she hoped never to visit again. It was almost pitch black inside and no matter where they headed, the sound of dripping seemed to follow them. They were led, by one of the guards to Peter Streete's cell. Guided only by a tiny candlelight. The guard opened the cell and ushered them all inside, before giving them an unkind smile, locking the door behind them.

The cell was tiny, just a cot on one side. Where a shivering man lay, wrapped up in a filthy blanket. Hally looked at The Doctor in alarm and disgust. Was this really what humans could be capable of?

The Doctor stepped forward slowly, so as to not spook the man.

"Peter? Peter Streete?"

Shakespeare watched the interaction sadly. "He's the same as he was. You'll get nothing out of him."

The Doctor was not deterred. "Peter?" He crouched down to Peter's level, touching him gently on the shoulder to ensure he was aware of their presence. Peter lifted his head slightly, his wide fearful eyes staring at them blankly.

It was clear they weren't going to get anything from Peter verbally, so The Doctor gently placed his fingertips to Peter's temples. Closing his eyes. He spoke out loud, Hally figured this must be for the benefit of the two humans watching.

"Peter, I'm the Doctor. Go into the past. One year ago. Let your mind go back. Back to when everything was fine and shining. Everything that happened in this year since happened to somebody else. It was just a story. A Winter's Tale. Let go. That's it. That's it, just let go." He guided Peter backwards until he was lying down in the cot.

"Tell me the story, Peter. Tell me about the witches."

Peter's voice was hoarse, unused for a long time. "Witches spoke to Peter. In the night, they whispered. They whispered. Got Peter to build the Globe to their design. Their design! The fourteen walls. Always fourteen. When the work was done they snapped poor Peter's wits." His voice shook with fear as he recalled the events.

The Doctor pushed further. "Where did Peter see the witches? Where in the city? Peter, tell me. You've got to tell me where were they?"

"All Hallows Street…" He was cut off by a new voice. A haggard old woman had appeared by Peter's bed. Hally didn't want to admit it, but she really did look like a witch straight out of a fairy tale.

"Too many words." The witch snarled, reaching her withered hand towards Peter. "Just one touch of the heart."

"No!" The Doctor cried but it was too late. The witch's hand made contact with Peter's chest and he stiffened, eyes rolling back into his head.

Will and Martha went into instant panic mode.

"Witch! I'm seeing a witch!"

"Now, who would be next, hmm? Just one touch. Oh, oh, I'll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals." The hag turned to the remaining four.

Martha began banging on the cell door, screaming at the top of her lungs. "Let us out! Let us out!"

The Doctor looked back at the human, eyes wide. "That's not going to work. The whole building's shouting that."

The witch stepped forward towards The Doctor. "Who will die first, hmm?"

Martha's banging wasn't bringing any help and they were all stuck inside a very small cell with a dead man and his murderer. Hally stepped in front of the witch, drawing her attention.

She raised her hands in a warning. "Well, if it's a witch fight you're after…" She threatened lowly. The hag turned her beady eyes towards her, raising her finger towards her chest.

"Hally!" The Doctor shouted.

"Don't!" She felt Martha tug on her arm, trying to pull her back.

The witch's upper lip curled into a snarl. "No mortal has power over me."

Hally couldn't help the sly smile that slid onto her face. The Doctor was still protesting behind her, but equally, there really was no other way out of this predicament.

"Nothing's put a dent in me yet." She whispered to the witch, hoping she sounded threatening.

"What does she mean?" Shakespeare muttered to Martha behind her.

Before the witch could make another move, Hally flung her hand towards her. Energy burst out from her palm, hitting the woman square in the chest. Tendrils followed, pushing her up against the wall and holding her still. One of the gold tendrils snaked its way up to the witch's throat, winding around it. Getting slowly tighter and tighter.

The Doctor noticed what his daughter was doing. "Stop! We need her alive!"

Hally scowled, looking back at her father. "Well hurry up and come up with a better idea!"

The Doctor started pacing. "Now think, think, think. Humanoid female, uses shapes and words to channel energy. Ah! Fourteen! That's it! Fourteen!" He rounded on the woman, pointing at her. "Creature, I name you Carrionite!"

The witch screamed and seemed to burn up in a wave of light that wasn't Hally's. As the Carrionite disappeared, Hally lowered her hands letting her own energy seep back into nothingness.

She turned back to the others. The Doctor looked mildly annoyed, Martha vaguely impressed but Will was just staring at her in shock.

They left quickly after that, once they'd finally managed to get the attention of one of the guards. They made their way swiftly back to Shakespeare's writing room. Where The Doctor was providing them with some background information on the Carrionites.

"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe. Nobody was sure if they were real or legend." He began. Hally could see the flicker of excitement behind his eyes. He was enjoying the impending peril.

"Well, I'm going for real." Shakespeare quipped.

"Smart man." Hally smirked back at him.

He watched her for a moment. Finally asking the question that he'd not quite found the words to ask. "What was that back there? That wasn't only magic… that was… unearthly…"

Hally tried to shrug it off. Martha was looking at her now too and it made her feel slightly uncomfortable. Like a fish in a bowl. "It's complicated. You can call it magic if you wish?"

Shakespeare shook his head slowly. "It was beyond magic. Beyond anything."

Hally coughed awkwardly. Thankfully Martha had her own questions for Will. "Hold on, though. What were you doing last night, when that Carrionite was in the room?"

"Finishing the play." He replied simply.

The Doctor frowned. "What happens on the last page?"

"The boys get the girls. They have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought-provoking as usual. Except for those last few lines. Funny thing is, I don't actually remember writing them." Shakespeare leant over the last page, rereading the lines.

The Doctor smacked his hands together. "That's it. They used you. They gave you the final words like a spell, like a code. Love's Labour's Won. It's a weapon. The right combination of words, spoken at the right place, with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing!" He cried, before adding. "And yes, you can have that."

The Doctor grabbed what Hally could only assume was supposed to be a map of London, quickly finding what he was looking for, pointing to show the rest. "All Hallows Street. There it is. Martha, we'll track them down. Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play. Hally go with him. Make sure nothing happens." The Doctor gave his orders at speed and neither of the humans batted an eyelid before accepting them.

Hally crossed her arms. "You really want to maybe walk into a next full of witches without me?"

The Doctor sighed softly. He looked at her, eyes pleading. "Just trust me."

She raised an eyebrow slightly, softly replying. "Trust goes both ways…"

There was a moment of silence as the two Time Lords stared at each other. A wordless conversation between them.

"We'll do it." Will smiled at The Doctor. "All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing."

The Doctor looked to the bard and rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on! Let's go!" With that, The Doctor grabbed Martha's hand and ran to the door.

Will shot Hally a grin, before the two swiftly followed them out the door. Running towards the familiar outline of The Globe.

Will let out a bark of laughter as they ran, enjoying the ridiculousness of it all.

"Where do you even come from?!" He yelled.

She smiled and called back. "All of time and space!"

His eyes went wide with awe. "What ARE you?"

They ran through the backstage door. "When I find out, I'll let you know!" Hally bounded up the stairs and through the backstage corridors heading towards the stage, led by Shakespeare.

They were just in front of the door which spilled out onto the stage, when Will paused, looking back at her.

She frowned. "Well, get a move on." She motioned towards the door, encouraging him to go through.

"Wait… I must know. The guilt…" Will blinked, watching her face carefully.

She let out a soft, impatient sigh.

"You carry it with you, a thunderstorm follows you." He pressed.

She rolled her eyes. "You can stop with the metaphors."

"The Doctor doesn't trust you." He countered.

Her mouth clicked shut. That had caught her off guard.

"We're just different." She tried to explain.

He narrowed his eyes at her. It was as if he could see straight into her soul. It was unnerving. And very annoying. "There's someone else isn't there? You carry guilt for someone else."

Hally pointed towards the stage door. "I thought we were in a rush?"

He cocked his head to one side and nodded before pushing his way onto the stage.

"Stop the play! I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but stop. This performance must end immediately."

All of the actors onstage turned and stopped Will, followed awkwardly by Hally.

Shakespeare approached the crowd, waving his hands madly to get everyone's attention. "I'm sorry. You'll get a refund. But this play must not be performed!"

For a moment, Hally believed that it had worked. That it really had been that simple. However, out of the blue, Will collapsed. Hitting the wood with a heavy thump.

"Oh shit…" Hally muttered, rushing over and checking his pulse. Well, he was alive at least. She supposed the Carrionites wouldn't risk killing him off, in case their plan failed.

"Get him off the stage." One of the older actors grumbled, trying to signal to two of the other actors without letting the audience in on the fact that something was going wrong.

"You must forgive our irksome Will. He's been on the beer and feeling ill." Another one cried, making the audience laugh and applaud. Two men quickly began to drag Will off the stage.

"No!" Hally huffed, looking around desperately.

The older actor started to continue the play and while she was getting some odd looks from some of the actors, they hadn't tried to drag her off yet.

Hally groaned, accepting her mortifying fate as she stepped forward into the front and centre of the stage. After all, she'd only ever read the one Shakespeare play in Koschei's room.

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark!" She shouted loudly.

Some of the audience members took notice of her. The actors especially did. The older one let out an irritated huff, trying to continue on with his own lines over the top of hers.

So she tried again. Louder this time. "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't!"

She silently apologised to poor unconscious Will for stealing his as of yet, unwritten lines, but she needed to disrupt this play.

The older actor had had enough. He grabbed her by both shoulders and began to roughly manoeuvre her off the stage. She struggled in his grip, screaming at the top of her lungs. "The lady protests too much, methinks!"

"What is wrong with you madwoman?!" Another actor came to join in the attempt to throw her off the stage.

Her distraction wasn't going to last long enough at this rate. The older actor passed her over to the two young gentlemen who had dragged Will off stage and had started to recite his speech once more. Ever the professional.

She watched in horror as a storm began brewing overhead, gaining in ferocity with each word out of the actor's mouth.

That was when she saw them. The Carrionites in the crowd. Of course. That was how they'd taken out Will so quickly. They were cackling in excitement up at the sky.

Ok, real distraction coming up.

In hindsight, it had been a terrible idea but at the time it seemed like a completely rational course of action. Hally blasted out a firebomb of golden energy, directed towards the two hags. They noticed and in the second before it would have hit them, they disappeared into thin air.

Only to reappear about 4 rows to the right. Hally growled. The play had definitely been postponed now. Everyone watched her with a mixture of awe and panic. However, the storm above wasn't lessening. It seemed that they were too late.

Just as Hally was about to blast another shot of energy at them. The Doctor finally burst onto the stage. She was relieved to see Will trailing after Martha. He shot her an apologetic smile.

The Carrionites held up a glass orb and they watched as dark, robed creatures began pouring forth into the theatre and up into the reddened, violent sky.

The Doctor stepped up, practically dragging Will with him. "Come on, Will! History needs you!"

"But what can I do?" Will called back, above the noise of the screeching Carionites and screaming crowd.

"Reverse it!"

"How am I supposed to do that?"

This was taking far too long. Hally looked back up to the sky, raising her hands in the air. As The Doctor gave William Shakespeare a quick pep talk, Hally pushed out a forcefield, large enough to cover everyone on the stage and all those in the audience. Pushing the Carrionites up and away from the fearful crowd.

"Hurry up!" She yelled at both of them. The sentiment echoed by Martha.

"Trust yourself. When you're locked away in your room, the words just come, don't they, like magic? Words of the right sound, the right shape, the right rhythm. Words that last forever. That's what you do, Will. You choose perfect words. Do it. Improvise…" The Doctor took a step back, allowing Will some space.

Shakespeare swallowed nervously, taking to the middle of the stage. "Close up this din of hateful, dire decay, decomposition of your witches' plot. You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not!"

From the panicked expression of the hags in the audience, it was working.

"Foul Carrionite spectres, cease your show! Between the points…" Will trailed off.

Luckily The Doctor was hot on his cue. "Seven, six, one, three, nine, oh!"

"Seven, six, one, three, nine, oh! Banished like a tinker's cuss, I say to thee…"

Martha stepped up, grinning wildly. "Expelliarmus!"

"Expelliarmus!" The Doctor called up into the sky, followed by Shakespeare.

The effect was instant. They'd done it. The Carrionates screamed and were pulled back from where they came, pulling the pages of Love's Labour's Won with them. There was a bright flash and suddenly as if they were never there. The Carrionites were gone.

Slowly, everyone seemed to take a look around and upon realising that no one had been harmed, the audience started to clap.

Martha laughed. "They think it was all special effects?"

The three of them bowed for the audience, playing along with the charade as The Doctor rushed up into the circle to retrieve the Carrionite orb.

As The Doctor pottered about, doing whatever it was The Doctor usually did, Hally and Martha were left with Will, who was still trying his hardest to woo the human.

Martha grimaced, holding back a laugh. "I don't know how to tell you this, oh great genius, but your breath doesn't half stink."

Hally let out a bark of laughter at the look on Will's face. He pouted but winked at Martha nonetheless.

"And you…" He turned to Hally, a mischievous grin on his face. "Whatever you are. Unknown even by your father. I'm not sure who it is you're waiting for, but be careful. Don't lose yourself in the majesty of that power." He raised an eyebrow.

She couldn't hide the blush that crept up her neck at his words. She nodded sincerely. "I'll try my best."

Finally, The Doctor bounded back over to them. "Every single copy of Love's Labour's Won went up in the sky. Gone…" He looked between the three of them. "Anyway, time we were off. I've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity, and I've got to take Martha back to Freedonia."

"You mean travel on through time and space." Shakespeare quipped.

The Doctor's jaw dropped. "You what?"

"You two are from another world like the Carrionites, and Martha is from the future. It's not hard to work out." Shakespeare spouted confidently.

The Doctor tripped over his words in excitement. "That's incredible. You are incredible."

Hally let out a snort, rolling her eyes as Will gave her a sly wink.

"We're alike in many ways, Doctor. Martha, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse. A sonnet for my Dark Lady. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate."

"God, please stop…" Hally muttered.

The rest of their goodbye was cut short by a rather ruffled Queen Elizabeth, who upon seeing The Doctor began to scream bloody murder.

Shakespeare laughed heartily and the three travellers were forced to flee, running back to the TARDIS in fear of being arrested.

"What have you done to upset her?" Martha cried.

"How should I know? Haven't even met her yet. That's time travel for you. Still, can't wait to find out." The Doctor yanked open the TARDIS doors and they all practically fell inside.


Sometime in February 2008

Hally was lying on her back staring at the concrete of her cell ceiling. She was considering the conversation she'd had with Saxon earlier that week. The more she thought about it though, the heavier the pit in her stomach seemed to grow.

Why was she talking to him?

Something was screaming danger to her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Now that she thought back on it, what she'd discovered in his office now seemed blindingly obvious. Of course, he knew she was a Time Lord. Of course, he worked for Government. Someone, somewhere evidently wanted something from her. But what? And why?

Still, despite the fact that she'd been considering this for the better half of the night, she didn't feel overly concerned. There was just that feeling.

Heavy in her stomach.

She'd told this man almost everything about herself and the people she loved. She'd never done that before. Not even to Rose or The Doctor. Sure, little pieces here and there. But she'd told Saxon everything. Slowly, over the course of a few months. But she'd still done it.

She supposed that she did feel safe when she was with him. That was strange too, surely? Especially after what he'd said. Especially after he basically admitted to having Bethany tortured in order to get her to behave. That was barbaric right?

What was wrong with her…?

And then, there was why she was here in the first place. What did he want her for? What did they want her for? It made no sense. Even through the muddle, she could find that conclusion.

Trying to think was like walking through a thick maze. In the dark. Thoughts would flicker past like fireflies, but when she tried to follow them, they'd disappear into the darkness again.

Where was The Doctor?

She gently touched the gold band around her neck. Letting her fingers circle gently over the outside, all the way around her neck. There was no clasp. Nothing connecting it together. It was simply one perfect circle resting against her skin.

How the hell had it been put there? And by who?

Her head throbbed. It had been doing so all week. She let out a long sigh and turned onto her side. Finally closing her eyes.

Still February.

Hally was outside, staring at the metal fencing that surrounded them all. She had perched herself atop what was a picnic bench, not that it had ever been used for picnicking. Her feet dangling over the edge. The others were scattered about the space, huddled together in their groups. The cold winter air was biting at her skin. But she, like all the others had decided that it was worth the cold to be outside rather than be stuck staring at the grey concrete that was inside.

Also, if she was outside, then Armitage had to be too. And watching her guard freeze his arse off was definitely high on her wish list. She sent him a small smile as he continued to glare at her from his standing position to her left. His back against the wall.

Well, it might have been a glare. He always looked like that.

Looking away from her guard, Hally couldn't stop the growl of irritation that escaped as she noticed that Courtney was sauntering over to her, a smug grin on her face.

The human got as close to Hally as she could without physically touching her. From her seated position Hally had to tilt her head up slightly to look the girl in the eye.

Neither of them said anything. Hally had to physically bite the inside of her mouth to stop herself from initiating. She had promised herself she wouldn't rise to it. She couldn't rise to it, because if she did, she knew someone else would get hurt.

Damn Saxon.

Courtney let out a laugh. "Oh, look at you."

Hally rolled her eyes. She shot a glare at Armitage. Honestly, what was the point in having your own personal shadow if they didn't remove 'threats'? Although, then she'd be admitting that Courtney was some kind of threat. Which she definitely wasn't.

"So submissive." Courtney reached out and ran her fingers through Hally's hair.

Hally's jaw twitched, eyes burning with anger. She raised her hand, instinctively going to bat the human's hand away. She stilled, seeing Armitage tense up in the corner of her eye.

Slowly she placed her hand back in her lap. "Didn't your parents ever teach you about personal space?" She spat.

Courtney grinned. "Oh come on. This is fun. I want to see what will make you snap."

Hally rolled her eyes and moved backwards on the bench, creating distance between them. "You can't. Sorry, I've promised someone I'll be boring." Hally gave her a sarcastic smile. "So you can run along now."

The sickening giggle made Hally's blood boil.

"Oh, really?" Courtney pouted and backed away slightly. She looked to her left and grabbed the nearest inmate she could. Putting the taller girl in a headlock with swift ease.

Hally sighed softly, rolling her eyes.

"So you're just going to sit there and watch, huh?" Courtney taunted. The brunette girl she'd grabbed was struggling against the tight headlock. Courtney grabbed and pulled at her hair, causing the girl to let out a pained cry.

Hally winced, she felt her body tense. She flicked a look over towards Armitage, his hand was already on his weapon but his eyes were burning into hers. A subtle twitch of his head. No.

She looked back to Courtney who was watching in amusement. Waiting for Hally to no doubt jump up and attack her.

"No." Hally growled softly, pushing herself off the bench and getting to her feet.

Armitage took a warning step forward.

Hally shook her head and raised her hand out towards him calmly, stopping him. She looked back to Courtney.

Her mind was moving too fast for her to keep up. What she wanted to do, what she really wanted to do was tackle the infuriating little bitch in front of her to the ground and proceed to smash her face in. But then… then someone else would take the punishment. And that really didn't sit well with her either.

Damn you Saxon.

Hally took a deep breath, trying to slow her racing hearts.

"No." She repeated to Courtney, who let out another hateful laugh.

"Oh…" She mocked. "And what are you going to do to stop me?"

Hally levelled her voice. "Absolutely nothing."

Courtney's eyebrows raised in genuine surprise before an ugly scowl rested on her face.

"But that doesn't mean that I'm going to sit here and watch, either." Hally shot her a glare, before turning and walking back into the facility. Her fists clenched, her body shaking as she forced one foot in front of the other, walking away from the fight behind her.