!EDITED!

A/N: was 8914 words, is now 11629! Enjoy! :D

"But how do you travel in time? What makes it go?" Martha asks while Kas pilots.

"Oh, let's take the fun and mystery out of everything," he scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Martha, you don't wanna know, it just does," he tells her. "Hold on tight!"

The Doctor - being an idiot - decides to nearly climb onto the console to pilot. With a smirk, I land us quickly and laugh when he and Martha are knocked to the floor while I was safely standing from holding onto the console. The TARDIS trills a few times in laughter, making my smirk widen. Martha sits up with a gasp, "blimey! Do you have to pass a test to fly this thing?"

"Yes, and I failed!" the Doctor grins, standing up and grabbing his coat.

"Now, Martha, make the most of this," I help her stand and give her her leather jacket. "We promised you one trip and one trip only," I warn.

"Outside this door... brave new world," the Doctor beams from the doors.

"Where are we?" Martha looks between, eyes wide with fear and excitement.

"I've no idea!" I grin widely, making her look at me incredulously. "Kas was the one who set the coordinates," I shrug.

"Ok... but 'Kas'? You said your name's 'Doctor'," she looks between us.

"Nickname," the Doctor shrugs. "Only Star gets to use it, though, so don't go trying," he points to her sternly and she raises her hands in surrender. "Now, why don't you girls take a look?" he wiggles his eyebrows, opening the door.

Martha and I share an excited look before hurrying outside. I look around at our surroundings and we're in - what? Late sixteenth-century London? Martha gasps, looking around as well, "oh, you are kidding me! You are so kidding me! Oh, my God! We did it! We traveled in time!" she squeals and I smile at her reaction, feeling arms go around my shoulders from behind. Kas snorts quietly at Martha, leaning his chin on my head as he sways us from side to side. Martha turns to us with a beaming smile, "where are we?" she asks before holding her hand up before either of us can answer. "No, sorry, I gotta get used to this whole new language," she bounces on her toes excitedly, making me giggle. "When are we?"

"Mind out," the Doctor yanks Martha and I back, making me let out a squeak as I stumble a bit.

"Mind the loo!" a man calls out and... ew, waste is dumped on the ground right in front of us.

"Apparently, somewhere before the invention of the toilet," the Doctor mutters sheepishly.

"And common decency!" I shout up to the window the man had been in.

"Sorry about that," Kas winces.

"I've seen worse," Martha shrugs and I look at her, eyebrow raised. "I've worked the late-night shift at A&E," she explains and I nod in understanding as the three of us start to walk off. "But are we safe?" she asks nervously, making Kas and I stop, turning to her with equal confusion. "I mean, can we move around and stuff?"

"Of course we can," I smile, giggling when Kas grabs my hand and he starts to drag me off excitedly.

"Why do you ask?" he looks over his shoulder at Martha when she starts to follow.

"It's like in the films... you step on a butterfly, you change the future of the Human Race," she tries to explain.

"Try to avoid stepping on butterflies, then," I shake my head with a smile.

"What have butterflies ever done to you?" Kas frowns, making me snort quietly as we walk through the crowded - and a bit smelly - streets.

"What if - I don't know... what if I kill my grandfather?" she asks, making Kas and I stop to face her.

"You planning to?" he raises an eyebrow, turning to her and walking backward.

"No," she replies instantly.

"Well, then," he shrugs, turning back.

Martha nods, looking around in awe, "this is London?"

"I think so," I nod, looking around and tilting my head. "Seems like London to me."

"Right about 1599," Kas smiles.

"Oh, but hold on," Martha frowns. "Am I alright? I'm not gonna get carted off as a slave, am I?"

"Why would they do that?" the Doctor frowns, making me roll my eyes.

"Not exactly white, in case you didn't notice," Martha points to her face.

"Martha, sweetheart," I stop and put my hands on her shoulders, making her look at me. "Firstly: I would never, ever let you get carted off as a slave," I assure her firmly, squeezing her shoulders. "Secondly: the Doctor and I aren't even human, you've just got to walk about like you're meant to be here," I grin.

"Works for us," the Doctor agrees, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Besides, you'd be surprised! Elizabethan England - not so different from your time," he smiles, walking off with me tucked under his arm and Martha right beside us. "Look over there, they've got recycling," he points over to man shoveling manure into a bucket.

"Water cooler moment," I snort, pointing to two men that were talking by a water barrel.

"-and the world will be consumed by flame!"

"Global warming," the Doctor grins, making the man who'd been shouting glare at him. "Oh, yes! And... entertainment! Popular entertainment for the masses," he starts to drag me off even more excitedly and my heart beats a bit quicker. He didn't! "If I'm right, we're just down the river by Southwark right next to..." he trails off as we round the corner and my eyes widen. Oh, my God, he did! "Oh, yes! The Globe Theatre!" he beams, letting go of me to gesture to it with both hands. "Brand new! Just opened... though, strictly speaking, it's not a globe. It's a tetradecagon - fourteen sides. Containing the man himself!"

"Whoa, you don't mean... is Shakespeare in there?" Martha stares at the Globe in shock.

"Oh, yes!"

"I can't believe you did this!" I squeal, grabbing onto his bicep with both hands and bouncing excitedly.

"Well, we never did get to come, did we?" he smirks. "Princess Star, Miss Jones, will you accompany me to the theatre?" he holds his other arm to Martha.

"It would be my honor, Sir Doctor," I beam, shifting so that my hand was in the crook of his elbow instead of me hanging off him.

"Yes, Mr. Tyler, I will," Martha giggles, looping her arm through Kas'.

"When you get home, you can tell everyone you've met Shakespeare," I tease.

"Then I could get sanctioned," she snorts, making Kas and I laugh.

***

After the play, everyone was applauding and clapping loudly as the actors bow on stage. "That's amazing! Just amazing! It's worth putting up with the smell," Martha grins, making me snort loudly. "And those are men dressed as women, yeah?"

"London never changes," Kas grins.

"Where's Shakespeare? I wanna see Shakespeare," Martha stands on her tip-toes and I do as well, looking for the playwright. "Author! Author!" she shouts with a fist in the air and I raise an eyebrow, making her put it down sheepishly. "Do people shout that? Do they shout 'author'?"

Before I can get a word in, a man right behind us copies Martha, sending a chain reaction through the crowd. I burst out laughing and Kas looks around incredulously, "well... they do now," he mutters.

"Look at you," I bump Martha's hip with mine. "Gone from worried about butterflies and grandfathers to starting a new trend," I tease, making her laugh.

A handsome man, Shakespeare, comes out onto the stage and takes a dramatic bow before blowing kisses into the audience and they absolutely lose it. "He's a bit different from his portraits," Martha notes.

"Oh, he is a genius!" I beam, watching as he waves to people in the crowd.

"The genius!" the Doctor smiles. "The most human Human that's ever been! Now we're gonna hear him speak! Always, he chooses the best words! New, beautiful, brilliant words!" he rambles a bit, making me giggle at his giddiness.

"Shut your big fat mouths!" Shakespeare shouts and the crowd laughs.

I huff slightly, folding my arms. Not exactly the kind of thing I was expecting Shakespeare to shout after one of his plays. "Oh, well..." Kas sighs in disappointment.

"You should never meet your heroes," Martha shakes her head.

"You have excellent taste, I'll give you that!" Shakespeare smiles before pointing to a man in the audience. "Oh, that's a wig!" he shouts, making the crowd laugh and I raise an eyebrow. "I know what you're all saying! Loves Labour's Lost, that's a funny ending, isn't it? It just stops! Will the boys get the girls? Well, don't get your hose in a tangle, you'll find out soon! Yeah, yeah! You don't rush genius," he laughs before going stiff all of a sudden, making me frown and share a look with the Doctor. What the hell? "When? Tomorrow night! The premiere of my brand new play! A sequel, no less, and I call it Loves Labour's Won!" he announces and the crowd goes completely mad with applause and cheering.

"That is very not good," I mutter and Kas hums, nodding in agreement.

***

The Doctor, Martha, and I shuffle through the crowd outside. "I'm not an expert, but I've never heard of Loves Labour's Won," she frowns.

"Exactly, the lost play," I nod. "It doesn't exist... only in rumors."

"It's mentioned in lists of his plays but never turns up, no one knows why," the Doctor explains quietly.

"Have you got a mini-disk or something? We could tape it! We can flog it, sell it when we get home and make a mint!" Martha grins.

"Oh, aren't you all confident in the past now? No, we are not doing that," I shake my head firmly, giving her a pointed look.

"That would be bad?" she bites her lip.

"Beyond bad," I nod.

"Well, how come it disappeared in the first place?"

"Well... we were just going to give you a quick little trip in the TARDIS..." Kas trials off, smirking when Martha looks up at him eagerly. "But I suppose we could stay a bit longer," he shrugs, making her let out a tiny and adorable squeal that makes me snort quietly.

***

The three of us get to the Elephant Inn and I cannot believe I'm here and I'm going to meet Shakespeare! We head up to his room and he was sitting at a desk, talking with two other men. "Hello!" the Doctor grins, knocking on the open door with Martha and me right behind him. "Excuse me, I'm not interrupting, am I? Mr. Shakespeare, isn't it?"

"Oh no, no, no, no!" Shakespeare groans, making me raise an eyebrow and peer around the Doctor to see the playwright rubbing at his eyes. "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-" he cuts himself off when I cover my mouth to hide a giggle at the Doctor's put-out expression. Shakespeare's eyes widen as they land on Martha and I. "Hey, nonny, nonny," he breathes as he eyes us both up and I blush slightly at the attention, sharing a look with Martha, who looks equally pleased. "Sit right down here next to me," he gestures the chairs on the other side of the desk that the men were sitting in. "You two, get sewing on them costumes, off you go," he shoos them off.

"Come on, lads," the barmaid ushers them out. "I think our William's found his new muses," she smirks before leaving as well.

The Doctor, Martha, and I walk fully into the room and Martha takes a seat. I go to sit in the other chair when Kas grabs my hand, sits in the chair, and pulls me into his lap. I bite my lip when he wraps his arms around my waist and glares at the playwright, who takes the hint and holds his hands up in surrender before turning his attention solely on Martha. "Sweet lady," he looks her over slowly and she smiles coyly. "Such unusual clothes, so... fitted..."

"Caveman," I whisper to Kas teasingly.

"Mine," he pulls me against him tighter, possessively. "I don't like other men ogling you," he whines under his breath and I press a kiss to his cheek, making him huff when I let my light flow through them, but his lips twitch up.

"Um, verily, forsooth, egads," Martha tries awkwardly, making me snort loudly.

"No, no, don't do that," the Doctor tells her quickly. "Don't," he gives her a pointed look when she opens her mouth again and she rolls her eyes, backing down.

I hold out the psychic paper, winking at the Doctor's incredulous look. Sorry, honey, you make it too easy. "I'm Dame Elizabeth of the Powell Estate, he is my husband-" I say pointedly, making Kas roll his eyes and Shakespeare gives an amused chuckle. "-Sir Doctor of TARDIS, and this our lovely companion, Miss Martha Jones," I smile, ignoring Martha's confused look as my heart aches and my head feels just a bit fuzzy. I... didn't even mean to use my Human name. It just... slipped out so naturally. Why is this still bothering me? Is it because the necklace was corrupted so it didn't merge my personalities correctly? Is it because I still carry it around in my holster with me? Kas squeezes me, pressing a kiss to the back of my neck.

"Interesting, that bit of paper..." Shakespeare leans forward on his elbows, his hands under his chin. "It's blank," he smiles.

"Blimey," I breathe. I have something in common with Shakespeare! Holy shit!

"Oh, that's... very clever," Kas grins. "That proves it! Absolute genius!"

Martha takes the psychic paper from me, "no, it says so right there: 'Dame Elizabeth, Sir Doctor, Martha Jones'," she reads off. "It says so," she looks between the three of us with a frown, her eyebrows furrowed.

"And I say it's blank," Shakespeare shrugs.

"Psychic paper... um, long story," Kas mutters before groaning under his breath. "Oh, I hate starting from scratch," he whines, taking the psychic paper and putting it in his pocket before I could.

"I'll explain later," I sigh, seeing Martha's put out expression and I elbow the Doctor in the ribs lightly, making him huff petulantly.

"Psychic... never heard that before and words are my trade," Shakespeare muses, looking between us. "Who are you exactly? More's to the point: who is your delicious blackamoor lady?" he winks at Martha.

"What did you say?" Martha glares, making me wince.

"Oops," Shakespeare winces as well and then tries to fix his mistake... just making it worse. "Isn't that the word we use nowadays? An Ethiop girl? A swarth? A Queen of Afric...?"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this," Martha scoffs, folding her arms.

"It's political correctness gone mad," the Doctor grimaces. "Um, Martha's from a far-off land... Freedonia," he explains, making me snort loudly at the made-up country and he nudges my side. I jump when it tickles and the Doctor chuckles under his breath. Bastard.

"Excuse me!" an angry man barges in the room and I raise an eyebrow at his gaudy attire. "Hold hard a moment, this is abominable behavior! A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script, Mr. Shakespeare," he glares at the playwright. "As Master of the Revels-" I frown slightly, that... is not Sir Edmund Tilney. So, is he an assistant of some sort? If he is, I wonder how his boss feels about him using his title? "-every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed!"

"Tomorrow morning, Lynley, first thing," Shakespeare waves off. "I'll send it round," he assures the man.

"I don't work to your schedule, you work to mine," Lynley snaps, narrowing his eyes. "This script, now!"

"I can't."

"Then tomorrow's performance is canceled!"

"It's all go, round here, isn't it?" Martha murmurs under her breath, making Kas and I laugh quietly.

"I'm returning to my office for a banning order! If it's the last thing I do: Loves Labour's Won will never be played!" Lynley announces before leaving in a huff.

"Well, then, mystery solved. That's Loves Labour's Won over and done with," Martha sighs, folding one leg over the other. "Thought it might be something more, you know... mysterious," she mutters in disappointment.

There's a sudden scream from outside and the four of us jump to our feet, rushing outside. Lynley was standing there in the middle of the street, holding his throat as water sprays from his mouth. "It's that Lynley bloke," Martha gasps, staring at the man in horror as people start to crowd.

"What's wrong with him?" Kas frowns, running to the man. "Leave it to me, I'm a doctor!"

"So am I, near enough," Martha rushes over to help.

"It is alright," I call to the people starting to form a circle around Lynly. "We have this taken care of! Stay back and allow us to work!"

There's a loud thud from behind me and I turn, my eyes widening when I see Lynly fall back to the ground. I kneel beside him, feeling for a pulse as the Doctor runs off to check around the area. "His heart has stopped beating," I frown.

"Got to get the heart going," Martha starts to perform CPR. "Mr. Lynley, come one, can you hear me? You're gonna be alright!"

I go to do mouth-to-mouth when she's done compressions, only to reel back when water starts to gush from Lynlye's mouth. "What the hell?" I frown, putting my ear to his chest and hearing water in his lungs.

Kas comes back, kneeling beside me and examining Lynly, "I've never seen a death like it," he frowns. "His lungs are full of water, he drowned and then... I don't know," he shakes his head. "Like a blow to the heart... an invisible blow."

I glance up at the frightened crowd and stand, turning to the barmaid, "good mistress, this poor fellow has died from a sudden imbalance of the humors - a natural, if unfortunate demise," I tell her quickly. "Call a constable and have him taken away, post-haste," I order.

"Yes, ma'am," she nods, staring down at Lynley's body in shock.

A young maid stops her from leaving, "I'll do it, ma'am," she says before rushing off.

I turn back to the body and kneel next to the Doctor. Martha frowns at me, "and why are you telling them that?"

"This lot still have got one foot in the Dark Ages," the Doctor murmurs. "If she'd have told them the truth, they'd panic and think it was witchcraft."

"Ok, what is it?"

"Witchcraft," I glance at her, seeing her eyes widen.

***

After Lynley was taken away, the Doctor gets us a room at the Elephant and we meet back in Shakespeare's, waiting for ours to be prepared. "I got you a room, Sir Doctor," the barmaid - who'd I found out was named Dolly Bailey - tells him at the door. "You, your wife, and Miss Jones are just across the landing," she points off down the corridor before leaving.

"Poor Lynley," Shakespeare sighs, nursing his ale with a hand to his forehead. "So many strange events," he shakes his head. "Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor," he looks up at Martha.

"Where a woman can do what she likes," she retorts, folding her arms.

"And you, Sir Doctor and Dame Elizabeth," his gaze turns to us and I mess with my sleeve at the title. "How can a couple so young have eyes so old?"

"Our favorite thing to do together is reading," Kas shrugs, pulling me close to his side by my waist.

"A trite reply, that's what I'd do," Shakespeare smiles and we return it. "And you," he looks back to Martha, leaning forward on his elbows with his hands under his chin. "You look at them like you're surprised they exist. They're as much of a puzzle to you as they are to me."

"I think we should say goodnight," she mutters, walking out without looking at Kas or I.

"I must work, I have a play to complete," Shakespeare tells us. "But I'll get my answers tomorrow, you two, and I'll discover more about you and why this constant performance of yours," he promises.

"All the world's a stage," Kas quotes softly, rubbing my side.

"Hm, I might use that," Shakespeare murmurs thoughtfully, stroking his chin and I smirk. "Good night, Doctor, Elizabeth," he waves us out.

"Nighty-night, Shakespeare," the Doctor smiles, going to pull me out.

I pause, though, and turn back to Shakespeare, "that's not my name," I tell him softly, wrapping an arm around my waist and messing with the fabric of my tank.

"Oh?" he raises an eyebrow. "May I know the name of the beautiful woman with amethyst eyes?"

"Star... Star Tyler," I give a small smile before walking out with Kas.

"Alright?" he asks worriedly, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"I... yeah, but I wish I knew why this was still a problem," I mutter, my eyebrows furrowing. "I thought it was just going to be a few weeks of headaches, but it's still bothering me..."

"You're still trying to sort through the memories and two separate personalities, it isn't like regenerating and that was just an estimate of when it'd quite, not a guarantee," he shakes his head. "It's disorienting and it's going to take time, stop trying to push yourself and figure out what everything means. Just go with what feels right."

"I'll try," I murmur, chewing on my bottom lip. "It would be so much easier if Rose and mum were here... at least that would give me something from my time as Lizzie... with them gone, it's like I have nothing from my Human life... like I didn't exist for those twenty-three years," I whisper, tears welling up. "It feels like I'm losing part of myself, Kas... just look at what I did to the Racnoss-"

"What we did," he cuts me off, wrapping me up in his arms and burying a hand in my hair as he rubs my back. "You're not losing yourself, El, I won't let you. Everything happened so quickly: getting your memories back, the Daleks and the Cybermen returning, losing Rose and Jackie and then Mickey and Pete all over again. That's a lot for anyone to take in and you've got all your memories that came back from the Time War on top of that."

I wrap my arms around his waist, snuggling against him and leaning my ear against his chest to listen to his hearts. "I just feel so bloody useless... I'm supposed to protect the universe... that's a Star's purpose - to bring peace and light to the darkness. How am I supposed to do that when I can't even protect the people I love? When I can't even keep myself together?"

"We'll get through this," he presses a kiss to the top of my head.

"I love you," I squeeze him.

"Love you too, tiny," he lets me go and cups my face in his hands, wiping my tears away. "It's gonna be alright, I promise," he smiles, leaning down to kiss my nose and I giggle, wrinkling it. "That's my girl," his smile turns soft as he strokes my cheek with his thumb.

"We shouldn't keep Martha waiting," I sigh, putting my hands over his.

"Mm, probably not," he agrees, giving me one last kiss and groaning when I let my light flow through my lips. "Tease," he murmurs against them.

"As if you have any room to talk," I giggle, pulling away and grabbing his hand to drag him to our room.

Entering the room, I see Martha looking out the window with a lit candle in her hand. She turns when she hears us, "not exactly five-star, is it?"

"Oh, it'll do," Kas shrugs, slipping his coat and blazer off. "We've seen worse," he nods to me.

"Really?" Martha looks at me with her eyebrows raised. "Figured being a princess and all, you'd be used to luxury."

"Ugh," I groan, throwing my head back and folding my arms. "This is why I do not like people knowing- shut up," I narrow my eyes at the snickering Doctor and he sticks his tongue out. "I am not some pampered little priss," I pout.

"I was only teasing," Martha snorts, shaking her head. "But I haven't got a toothbrush!"

"Um..." my eyebrows furrow and I search Kas' coat pockets, pulling out a toothbrush. "Here it is! Contains Venusian spearmint," I smile, handing it to her with a flourish. "My lady," I curtsy teasingly.

"Thank you, Your Highness," she curtsies back with a giggle and I roll my eyes, smiling while Kas chuckles at our silliness. "So, who's going where? I mean, there's only one bed," she points out.

"We'll manage, come on," Kas flops down on the bed, making me shake my head with a giggle. Dork. Smirking, the Doctor grabs my hand and yanks me down on top of him, making me yelp as I brace myself on his chest.

"You arse," I slap him lightly as he laughs. Rolling my eyes, I lay on top of him and tangle our legs as he wraps his arms around my waist. I lean my head against his chest as we get comfortable.

"So, magic and stuff... that's a surprise," Martha mutters and I glance at her standing by the bed. "It's a little bit Harry Potter," she smiles.

"I love Harry Potter!"

"Wait till you read book seven! Oh, I cried," Kas smiles.

"But is it real, though? I mean, witches, black magic, and all that? It's real?"

"Course it isn't," I roll my eyes, playing with the Doctor's tie.

"Well, how am I supposed to know? I've only just started believing in time travel! Give me a break!"

"Sorry," I wince. That... did sound really bitchy, didn't it?

"Looks like witchcraft, but it isn't... can't be," the Doctor shrugs, rubbing my back. "Are you gonna stand there all night?"

"Budge up a bit, then," Martha huffs playfully and we scoot over before getting comfortable again so she can lay next to us. "Sorry, there's not much room..." she bites her lip when her leg brushes mine and I shrug, snuggling against Kas. "Us three here... same bed... tongues will wag," she laughs awkwardly.

I ignore her comment, muttering, "there's such a thing as psychic energy, but a Human couldn't channel it like that," I shake my head.

"Not without a generator the size of Taunton and I think we'd have spotted that," Kas adds.

"There's something we're missing, Martha," I tell her as she moves to lay on her side, making her face even with mine. "Something really close... staring us in the face and we can't see it..." I sigh.

I get a wave of grief and the Doctor's arm tightens around me, "Rose would know," he whispers, rubbing my back and Martha looks between us as I look down, biting my lip as tears well up. "A friend of ours, Rose... right now, she'd say exactly the right thing," he sighs, his voice thick. "Still, can't be helped, you're a novice... never mind."

"We'll take you back home tomorrow," I mutter, holding back tears. It was too early... I'm not ready.

"Great!" Martha huffs, blowing out the candle and turning away from us.

***

After a while, Martha had fallen asleep and I was playing with the Doctor's hand as I listen to his steady heartbeats, trying to sift through my thoughts. "What's wrong?" he asks quietly, shifting our hands so our marks touch and I shudder at the warmth and sort of electric feeling from it.

"Rose would have loved Naleli," I murmur, getting a wave of grief. "She'd have taken her shopping and shown her Earth and got her to open up a bit... and Oberon would have annoyed Mouse to no end with his pranks and experiments and-" I cut myself, snorting loudly. "Oh, my God, he would have loved Jack so much," I giggle, making the Doctor laugh quietly as he brings me closer.

"The twins would have given Jackie hell," he chuckles, running his fingers through my hair.

I smile, burying my face against his neck, "I'm sure you'd love that," I tease and he snorts quietly. "At least... at least Rose and Mouse are alive and together and with mum and dad... but the twins-" my voice breaks.

Kas pulls me tighter against him, pressing kisses to the top of my head and cooing to me softly as I get a constant wave of grief. I grip his shirt tightly as tears stream down my face silently. I miss them so much... all of them.

Before I can get too caught up in the Doctor and my grief, there's a loud scream. The Doctor and I are immediately out of bed and heading in the direction of the scream. We burst into Shakespeare's room with Martha coming in a second later. Shakespeare was passed out asleep across his desk and Dolly Bailey was on the ground by the door. I kneel down to examine her carefully, feeling for a pulse. "She's dead," I frown.

"Wha- what was that?" Shakespeare jolts awake.

The Doctor ignores the playwright and examines Dolly Bailey from beside me, "her heart gave out, she died of fright," he frowns.

"Star! Doctor!" Martha calls out, her voice sounding a bit shaky.

Her tone makes me stand and move over to where she's stood by the window, "what did you see?" I ask, looking out the window and seeing nothing but London.

"... a witch," she answers, making my eyebrows furrow.

***

After the constable comes for Dolly Bailey's body, the four of us - the Doctor, Martha, Shakespeare, and I - sit around his desk. "Oh, sweet Dolly Bailey," Shakespeare sighs, rubbing his forehead. "She sat out three bouts of the plague in this place... we all ran like rats," he shakes his head. "But what could have scared her so? She had such enormous spirit!"

The Doctor leans on the desk on his elbow with his chin in his hand, "rage, rage against the dying of the light," he quotes Dylan Thomas quietly.

"I might use that," Shakespeare perks up as he eyes the Doctor with interest, making me raise an eyebrow.

"You can't, it's someone else's," he mutters, shaking his head.

"But the thing is: Lynley drowned on dry land, Dolly died of fright, and they were both connected to you," Martha cuts in, folding her arms and I look at her, my eyebrows furrowing.

"You're accusing me?" Shakespeare demands.

"No," she shakes her head quickly. "But I saw a witch - big as you like - flying and cackling away and you've written about witches."

"I have? When was that?" Shakespeare frowns in confusion.

"Not... not quite yet," I whisper in Martha's ear, making her smile sheepishly. "It's alright, I did that more than once when I first started traveling with the Doctor," I assure her with a small smile. "... still do sometimes," I snort quietly, making her cover her mouth to hide a laugh.

"Peter Streete spoke of witches," Shakespeare murmurs thoughtfully.

"Who's Peter Streete?" Martha frowns.

"Our builder, he sketched the plans to the Globe."

I slap the Doctor's arm over and over to get his attention, "the architect," I beam.

"The architect... hold on..." he trails off and I put my finger in my ear. "The architect!" he shouts as he slams his hand down on the desk, making Martha and Shakespeare jump at the volume. "The Globe! Come on!" he stands and runs from the room.

"Does he often do that?" Shakespeare looks at me with his eyebrow raised and a slight smirk.

"Yes, he does! Isn't it brilliant!" I smile widely before jumping up and running after the Doctor with Shakespeare and Martha following.

***

Inside the Globe, Martha and Shakespeare were on the stage watching as the Doctor paces in the pit. I was sat on the edge of the stage, kicking my feet back and forth while I clean my blaster.

"The columns there, right? Fourteen sides," Kas murmurs, turning to Shakespeare. "I've always wondered but I never asked. Tell me, Will, why fourteen sides?"

"It was the shape Peter Streete thought best, that's all," the playwright shrugs, folding his arms. "Said it carried the sound well."

"Hm... fourteen. Why does that sound so familiar?" I frown.

"There are fourteen lines in a sonnet," Martha points out.

"So there is, good point," Kas nods, running a hand through his hair. "Words and shapes following the same design. Fourteen lines, fourteen sides, fourteen faucets... oh, my head," he pulls at his hair with one hand and uses the other to smack his forehead over and over.

"Too hard, honey," I mutter, rubbing my own forehead. I really wish he'd quit doing that when he's thinking.

"Sorry," he winces and I wave off his apology as I continue working on my blaster. "Tetradecagon... think, think, think! Words, letters, numbers, lines!"

"This is just a theatre," Shakespeare watches Kas with an amused, yet confused expression.

I finish with my blaster and lay back on the stage, looking up at Shakespeare, "a theatre is magic, though, isn't it? You should know, Mr. Billiant Playwright," I smile and he looks down at me with a smirk. "Stand up here and the right words with the right emphasis at the right time..."

"Oh, you can make men weep or cry with joy, change them," the Doctor leans against my legs, folding his arms. "You can change people's minds just with words in this place, and if you exaggerate that..."

"It's like your police box," Martha grins and I look up at her, raising an eyebrow. "Small wooden box with all that power inside!"

"Martha Jones, I like you," I point to her, beaming and she smiles shyly so I send her a wink, making her snort quietly.

"Tell you what, though, Peter Streete would know," Kas mutters, drawing random shapes on my thigh absently. "Can Star and me talk to him?"

"You won't get an answer," Shakespeare shakes his head, making me frown up at him with a 'why'. "A month after finishing this place.... lost his mind," he answers softly.

"Why? What happened?" Martha asks.

"Started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling... his mind was addled."

"Where is he now?" I ask hesitantly.

"Bedlam," he shrugs.

"Yeah, I was hoping you wouldn't say that," I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

"What's Bedlam?" Martha frowns between us.

"Bethlem Hospital, the madhouse," Shakespeare answers.

"We're gonna go there, right now," Kas decides and then pats my thigh. "Come on," he walks off.

I sit up and hop down from the stage as Martha and Shakespeare hurry down the small set of steps. "Wait, I'm coming with you! I want to witness this firsthand!" Shakespeare calls.

***

The Doctor and I were walking in front of Shakespeare and Martha, our hands entwined and my head on his arm as I grip his bicep with my free hand. I giggle, burying my face against his arm when I hear Shakespeare trying to flirt with Marhta. "Whoa, Nelly! I know for a fact you've got a wife in the country!" Martha exclaims, making me snort loudly.

"But Martha, this is town," Shakespeare replies.

"Come on," the Doctor sighs, pulling me over to them. "We can all have a good flirt later," he rolls his eyes.

"Is that a promise, Doctor?" Shakespeare raises an eyebrow, eyeing him up.

My jaw drops before I cover my mouth to stifle a laugh. Shakespeare did not just flirt with my husband. Oh, my God! Kas looks between Shakespeare and me helplessly before groaning under his breath, "oh, fifty-seven academics just punched the air," he huffs. "Now move," he ushers the two Humans. "Shut up," he narrows his eyes at me, pulling me along.

***

The four of us get to Bedlam and are being led through by a large man, who was holding a leather whip. Loud moans and screams come from the cells. I wrap an arm around the Doctor's waist and he holds me close as my heart aches for the poor people here. Mental healthcare wasn't what it needs to be in the twenty-first-century, but it was a hell of a lot better than this.

"Does my Lord Doctor wish some entertainment while he waits?" the man asks with a smile, making me growl under my breath. "I'd whip these madmen! They'll put on a good show for ya! Bandog and Bedlam!" he laughs.

"No, I don't!" the Doctor glares, tightening his arm around me when I kick at the man and my foot just misses him. Dammit.

"Wait here, lords," the man backs away, looking at me with raised eyebrows while I glare. "I'll make him descent for the ladies," he walks off.

"So this is what you call a hospital, yeah?" Martha narrows her eyes at Shakespeare accusingly with her arms folded. "Where the patients are whipped to entertain the gentry? And you put your friend in here?"

"Oh, and it's all so different in Freedonia," he scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"But you're clever! Do you honestly think this place is any good?"

"I've been mad, I've lost my mind," Shakespeare glares. "Fear of this place set me right again, it serves its purpose."

"Mad in what way?" Martha frowns.

"You lost your son," Kas whispers, rubbing my arm.

"My only boy," Shakespeare murmurs, his voice thick. "The Black Death took him... I wasn't even there," he breathes, shaking his head.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry," Martha places her hand on his arm, her features softening.

"It made me question everything, the futility of this fleeting existence," he folds his arms, hand to his mouth as he gets lost in thought. "To be or not to be... oh, that's quite good," his lips twitch up.

"You should write that down," I smile.

Shakespeare tilts his head from side to side, humming, "maybe not... a bit pretentious?"

"Eh," Kas shrugs, grinning.

"This way, m'lord," the man comes back and leads us to Peter Streete's cell. "They can be dangerous, m'lord, don't know their own strength," he unlocks the cell door.

I turn and glare at him, my light flowing around my hands, "I think it helps if you do don't whip them!"

"Now, get out," Kas glares as well, a wave of anger and disgust flowing over me.

The man leaves quickly and I scoff quietly before turning to Peter. He was curled up on a filthy straw cot, wearing dirty rags and his hair was dirty and matted. Poor thing. "Peter? Peter Streete?" I call softly as I move over to him.

"He's the same as he was, you'll get nothing out of him," Shakespeare tells us, staring at the man in pity.

"Peter?" the Doctor asks gently and he lays a hand on the man's shoulder, making him jerk up and stare at the Doctor with crazed and hazy eyes. "Peter, I'm the Doctor," he introduces softly as he places his fingers on Peter's temples. "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. Listen. That's it, just let go," he lies Peter back down on the cot gently. "Tell me the story, Peter, tell me about the witches."

"Witches spoke to Peter," he whispers in a crazed tone that trembles and cracks.

"Star..." Kas murmurs, looking down at Peter sadly.

I nod and kneel down on the other side of the cot, letting my light flow around my hand. Cupping Peter's face and stroking his cheek with my thumb, I let my light reach out to him and soothe him. "Shh, it's alright, sweetheart, tell us the story," I whisper encouragingly.

"In the night, they whispered," Peter continues in a much calmer tone, leaning into my touch as he watches me. "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!"

"Where did Peter see the witches? Where in the city?" I ask and he whimpers, turning his face into my palm.

"Peter, tell us," Kas kneels beside him, placing a hand on Peter's arm. "You've got to tell us, where were they?"

"Come on, sweetheart, tell us where," I amp up my light a bit.

Peter shudders, leaning into my touch more, "All Hallows Street," he breathes fearfully.

"Too many words!" a rough voice snarls.

I yelp when I'm pulled back suddenly by Kas and I stare in shock. A witch - an actual, proper witch with the hooked nose and wrinkles and robes - had appeared right next to where the Doctor was knelt by Peter. Martha grips my hand from behind, "what the hell?" she gapes at the 'witch'.

"Just one touch of the heart," she smirks, placing her hand on Peter's chest.

"No!" I scream, rushing forward as Peter screams in pain before lying limp. "You bitch!" I snarl, glaring at the witch and Kas grabs my waist to hold me back as my light flows up my arms. I get out my blaster and aim it at the witch's chest.

"Witch! I'm seeing a witch!" Shakespeare stares at her in shock.

"Who would be next, hmm? Just one touch," the witch cackles, wiggling her fingers teasingly. "Oh! Oh, I'll stop your frantic hearts! Poor, fragile mortals!" she holds her hands to her chest.

Martha lets go of my hand and grabs onto the bars of the cell, pulling on them, "let us out! Let us out!"

"That's not gonna work, the whole building's shouting that," the Doctor tells her calmly, not taking his eyes off the witch.

"Who will die first, hmm?" she asks, eyeing us all with a mad glint in her eyes.

"If you're asking for someone to volunteer," I shrug, stepping forward as I keep my aim on her, ready to fire if she tries anything.

"No! Don't!" Martha grabs my hand.

"It's alright," Kas whispers, pulling her back by her shoulders.

"Star, can you stop her?" Shakespeare asks me warily, taking a step forward.

"No mortal has power over me!" the witch scoffs.

"Oh, but there's a power in words," Kas smirks, making her falter.

"If I can find the right one, if I can just know you..." I trail off, circling the witch slowly and looking her over.

"None on Earth has knowledge of us," she glares, eyeing my blaster and light.

"Lucky you for I am here, is it not?" I smirk, sending Martha a wink to calm her a bit and she smiles. "Now, let's think for a moment... Humanoid female, who uses shapes and words to channel energy..." I murmur thoughtfully before my eyes widen. "Fourteen!"

"That's it!" Kas beams, pointing to me. "Fourteen! The fourteen stars of the Rexel planetary configuration!"

"Creature, I name thee Carrionite!" I point to the witch with my free hand and she screams in pain before disappearing. "That's her taken care of... for now," I twirl my blaster on my finger before putting it back in my holster.

"What did you do?" Martha stares at where the witch had been.

"I named her," I shrug, folding my arms. "Got a bit theatric, but really, I couldn't help myself," I smile, making the Doctor snort loudly as he shakes his head fondly.

"The power of a name, that's old magic," Kas grins, cupping my face in his hands and pressing a firm kiss to my lips. "Brilliant!" he beams when he pulls away.

"But there's no such thing as magic," Martha rolls her eyes at us, folding her arms.

"Well, it's just a different sort of science," Kas pulls on his earlobe. "You lot, you chose mathematics - given the right string of numbers, the right equation, you can split the atom. Carrionites use words instead," he explains.

"Use them for what?" Shakespeare asks hesitantly.

"The end of the world," I reply bluntly, blinking when he and Martha give me incredulous looks."Sorry... not really a light way of putting that," I wince.

***

The Doctor, Martha, Shakespeare, and I make it back to the Elephant and were in the playwright's room. I was leaning against the wall, holding a block of wood I'd found and carving random shapes into it with my light. "The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe," I explain to the two Humans.

"Nobody was sure if they were real or legend," the Doctor murmurs, pacing in the middle of the room.

"Well, I'm going for real," Shakespeare rolls his eyes, splashing cold water on his face from a large bowl on a pedestal in the corner.

"But what do they want?" Martha frowns, leaning against the wall beside me and watching me burn shapes.

"A new empire on Earth," I shrug, setting the block aside on a table. Without realizing it, I'd carved a little rose into it. I... didn't really want to be reminded of my baby sister right at the moment.

"A world of bones and blood and witchcraft," Kas nods, glancing at me as he sends me a small pang of worry. He worries about me too much. I send him a small smile and he raises an eyebrow before continuing his pacing.

"But how?" Martha looks between us curiously.

"I'm looking at the man with the words," Kas turns to Shakespeare.

"Me? But I've done nothing!" he splutters with wide eyes, looking between the three of us.

"Hold on, though," Martha cuts in. "What were you doing last night? When the Carrionite was in the room?"

"Finishing the play," he frowns.

"What happens on the last page?" I raise an eyebrow.

"The boys get the girls, they have a bit of dance," Shakespeare shrugs, leaning back against his desk and folding his arms. "It's all funny and thought-provoking as usual. Except those last few lines," he frowns, putting a hand to his mouth in thought. "Funny this is: I don't actually remember writing them...."

"That's it, they used you," the Doctor nods.

"They gave you the final words, like a spell, like a code," I mutter, my eyes widening and Kas and I share a look, his eyes wide as well. "Loves 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!" Kas beams, winking at me when I snort loudly. "And yes, you can have that," he turns to Shakespeare when he opens his mouth before rushing from the room.

"Aren't we going to follow him?" Martha asks when I sit in one of the chairs, putting my feet on the desk beside where Shakespeare was leaning.

"Nah, he'll be back in a sec," I smile, patting the seat next to me.

Martha frowns in confusion but sits nonetheless. Shakespeare shakes his head with an amused smile when Kas runs back in with a bunch of scrolls in his hands. I nudge Shakespeare with my foot so he gets off the desk and Kas shoves my feet off it before placing the papers on the desk and unrolling them. I stand and lean forward on my hands, looking over the maps. "All Hallows Street, there it is," I point to it when I find it.

"Martha, we'll track them down," the Doctor points to her before pointing to Shakespeare. "Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop the play," he orders.

"I'll do it," Shakespeare shakes the Doctor's hand. "All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you and Star, I know nothing!"

"Oh, don't complain," Martha teases.

"I'm not, it's marvelous," Shakespeare beams, making me snort quietly. "Good luck, you three," he takes my hand when I offer it to shake, bringing it to his lips and pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

"Oh... such a gentleman," I beam, blushing. Shakespeare just kissed my hand! "Good luck, Shakespeare," I wink and then because I can't help it. "Once more unto the breach!" I quote, making the Doctor chuckle and we head out of the room with Martha right behind us.

"I like that... wait a minute..." I hear Shakespeare trail off before shouting. "That's one of mine!"

I poke my head back through the doorway, "oh, just shift!" I laugh.

***

The three of us - the Doctor, Martha, and I - hurry to All Hallows Street. It was dark and pretty deserted for the time of night. Also, it was freezing. So not only was I wearing my leather Jacket, but Kas had let me use his coat as well. I had to roll up the sleeves, of course, so that the arms weren't hanging so far past my hands.

"All Hallows Street, but which house?" Kas looks around.

"The thing is, though, am I missing something here?" Martha frowns and I turn to her with raised eyebrows. "The world didn't end in 1599, it just didn't! Look at me, I'm living proof," she gestures to herself.

"Oh, how to explain the mechanics of the infinite temporal flux?" Kas sighs to himself.

"Ooo, I know!" I bounce up and down on my toes and he turns to me with an eyebrow raised, gesturing for me to go on. "Back to the Future!" I throw my hands up, making him shake his head as he chuckles.

"Yeah, it's like Back to the Future," he points to me.

"The film?" Martha looks between us with furrowed eyebrows.

"No, the novelization! Yes, the film," Kas rolls his eyes, ignoring when I narrow my eyes at his rudeness. Arse. "Marty McFly goes back and changes history!"

"... and he starts fading away," Martha frowns before gasping in realization. "Oh, my God! Am I gonna fade?" she looks between us worriedly.

"You and the entire Human Race, which might include me as well..." I murmur thoughtfully. If Humans end in 1599, then Jackie and Pete Tyler won't exist to take me in. So, what would happen to me? I shake my head, "it ends right now in 1599 if we don't stop it."

"But which house?" the Doctor wonders aloud, starting to look around again.

There's a squeaking sound behind us and the three of us turn to see a house with its door opening slowly. "Ah, make that witch house," Kas jokes, smiling down at me and wiggling his eyebrows.

"Idiot," I roll my eyes with a smile.

"Tiny," he smirks.

"Old man," I retort, grabbing Martha's hand and pulling her to the house.

"Glowstick," he snorts and Martha covers her mouth to stifle her laughter. Though, it wasn't really working.

That stops me in my tracks and I turn to him incredulously, "glowstick!?"

"Yep, you glow and you're nearly as skinny as I am! So! Glowstick!" he smiles widely, tapping my nose as he walks past and through the door.

"Arse," I huff, pouting when Martha won't stop laughing. "Stop it!" I whine, grabbing her arm and leaning my head on her shoulder. "Meanie," I sniffle dramatically, making her giggle.

"Come on," she rolls her eyes, still giggling quietly as she pulls me into the house.

The three of us head up the stairs to the upper level of the house and into the living room. If you could call it that with all the jars and ingredients and the giant black cauldron on a round table. There was a small woman with long, dirty blonde hair waiting for us. "I take it we're expected," the Doctor raises an eyebrow, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time," she smirks and I glare at her, my hand hovering over my holster.

"Right then, it's my turn! I know how to do this," Martha steps forward. "I name thee, Carrionite!" she points to the witch confidently and frowns when it does absolutely nothing. "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?" she turns to me with a pout.

"You're sort of adorable, did you know?" I snort, making the Doctor laugh quietly and Martha rolls her eyes, but she was blushing pretty heavily.

"The power of a name works only once," the witch cuts in, rolling her eyes before looking Martha over with a smirk. "Observe: I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee, Martha Jones," she points to Martha.

Martha falls backward and I glare at the witch as I jolt forward to catch her. I lower her to the ground gently, making sure she'd be comfortable when she wakes. The Doctor steps forward to be in front of us, "what have you done?" he glares at the witch, anger washing over me.

"Only sleeping, alas," the witch frowns down at Martha in disappointment. "Curious, the name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time," she notes. "And as for you, Sir Doctor!" she points to him and he raises an eyebrow when nothing happens. The witch taps her chin as she eyes Kas considerately, "fascinating, there is no name..." she trails off, eyeing me just the same. "For you or your wife," she tilts her head curiously. "Why would a man and woman hide their titles in such despair?" she muses before pausing. "Oh, but look! There's still one word with the power that aches with a pain that's fresh and new," she smirks between us.

"The naming won't work on either of us," I shake my head, standing and folding my arms.

"But your heart grows cold, the north wind blows and carries down the distant..." she trails off, her smirk widening. "Rose," she coos.

My heart aches as tears well up. Kas grabs hold of my arm when I jolt forward and slap the witch across the face as hard as I can. She grabs hold of her cheek and stares at me before bursting out laughing. Wrapping an arm around my waist to keep me from doing worse, the Doctor glares at the witch, "Big mistake, cause that name keeps us fighting," he snarls, anger and grief washing over me.

"The Carrionites vanished," I glare at her, my light flowing around me. "Where did you go?"

The witch rubs at her cheek before gritting her teeth, "the Eternals found the right word to banish us into the deep darkness," she admits, turning away.

"And how did you escape?" I raise an eyebrow, calming down as the Doctor rubs my side.

"New words," she turns back with a smile. "New and glittering from a mind like no other!"

"Shakespeare," Kas nods.

"His son perished," the witch puts her hands behind her back, eyeing us. "The grief of a genius... grief without measure... madness enough to allow us entrance," she smirks and I growl under my breath. How dare they use a mourning parent for their own selfish gain.

"How many of you?"

"Just the three, but the play tonight shall restore the rest," the witch smirks between us. "Then the Human Race will be purged as pestilence and from this world, we will lead the universe back to the old ways of blood and magic!"

"Hm... busy schedule," the Doctor hums, letting go of me and moving to loom over the witch. "But first, you got to get past me," he glares down at her.

"Oh, that should be a pleasure considering my enemy has such a handsome shape," she purrs, reaching up to cup the Doctor's face, stroking his cheek with her thumb and I growl as my light flares.

Kas glances at me with a warning look before raising an eyebrow down at the witch, "now, that's one form of magic that's definitely not gonna work on me," he shakes his head. "Not from you, anyway," he glares.

"Oh, we'll see," the witch laughs and plucks a few hairs from Kas, making me yelp quietly and touch my head where she'd pulled them from. Bitch.

"What did you do?" Kas demands as he rubs his head.

"Souvenir," she waves his hair teasingly.

"Well, give it back," I glare.

The witch raises her arms and the window behind her flies open. She levitates out, cackling madly. Kas and I rush over to the window, but she's out of reach. Well, that's not exactly a problem. "Well, that's just cheating," Kas scowls.

"Oh, one thing, though," I cut in with a smirk, leaning against the window frame and getting my blaster discreetly.

"What?" the witch huffs, glaring at me in annoyance.

"I don't appreciate people hitting on my husband or hurting my friends," I shrug, stunning her and watching as she falls to the ground.

It was only a short drop, so she was only unconscious. Shame, really. The Doctor looks down at her before grinning at me widely. I lean up and kiss his cheek quickly before rushing over to Martha, who was starting to stir. I help her stand as she groans in pain. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" I ask as I fuss over her.

"Yeah," she nods, rubbing at her temples and wincing in pain.

Holding my hand to her head, I let my light flow around my hand. Martha nearly moans in relief as she leans into my hand. "Better?" I snort quietly and I brush her hair back, still helping her headache with my light.

"Much," she sighs.

"Well, what are you standing there for, then?" Kas hollers, rushing past us. "Come on! The Globe!" he calls over his shoulder.

***

"We're going the wrong way!" Martha shouts after the Doctor as we run through the streets.

"No, we're not!"

I pull Martha to a stop and smile, counting down on my fingers and Kas goes running past us when I reach zero, shouting 'we're going the wrong way' as he does. Martha and I burst out laughing as we run after him.

***

The three of us get to the street down from the Globe and my eyes widen as horror washes over me. There was red energy and smoke pouring from the roof and people were running and screaming as thunder sounds, followed by lightning. The man who'd been screaming about the end of the world runs past us, "I told thee so! I told thee so!"

"Stage door!" the Doctor shouts, running off again.

Martha and I are quick to follow after him and we catch up, bursting into the Globe. We head backstage and I groan when I see Shakespeare in a pile of clothes, rubbing at his head. "Stop the play! I think that was it," the Doctor pretends to think for a moment. "Yeah, I said 'stop the play'!"

"I hit my head," Shakespeare groans in pain.

"Yeah, don't rub it or you'll go bald," I roll my eyes.

Screams sound from inside the theatre and Kas beams, "I think that's our cue, love!" he grabs my hand, pulling me through to the stage.

My eyes widen at the massive swirl of red smoke and lightning that was moving around the building. Inside the smoke were wraith-like creatures - the Carrionites. "They're not very pretty," I wrinkle my nose.

"Come on, Will! History needs you!" the Doctor turns to Shakespeare as he and Martha run up behind us.

"Oh, my God," Martha stares around in shock.

"But what can I do?" Shakespeare looks around with wide eyes at the aliens.

"Reverse it!" I shout over the noise.

"How am I supposed to do that?"

The Doctor grabs his shoulders, forcing the playwright to look at him, "the shape of the Globe gives words power, but you're the wordsmith! The one true genius! The only man clever enough to do it!"

"But what words? I have none ready!"

"You're William Bloody Shakespeare!" I raise my arms in exasperation.

"But these Carrionite phrases, they need such precision!" he argues.

"Trust yourself," Kas shakes him a bit. "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 the perfect words! Do it! Improvise!"

Shakespeare takes a moment to collect himself and turns to the front of the stage, "close up this den 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! Foul Carrionite specters, cease your show! Between the points..." he looks to the Doctor and I.

"Seven-six-one-three-nine-oh!" I provide quickly.

"Seven-six-one-three-nine-oh! And banished like a tinker's cuss! I say to thee..." he trails off, looking between us again.

"Expelliarmus!" Martha shouts.

"Expelliarmus!" the Doctor beams.

"Expelliarmus!" I jump up and down

"Expelliarmus!" Shakespeare yells.

"Good old JK!" the Doctor laughs.

"The deep darkness! They are consumed!" the younger of the witches screams.

The Carrionites get swirled around in their red cloud like a tornado and get sucked up into a cloud. I brace myself against the strong wind and yelp when the papers fly around the four of us at high speed and up into the cloud. "Loves Labour's Won, there it goes!" the Doctor laughs, wrapping his arms around my shoulders from behind.

The cloud dissipates and Kas pulls me offstage. The two of us hurry to the seats the three Carrionites were at while the audience cheer and clap madly. "They think it was part of the show," I snort, picking up the crystal ball on the bench. The witches were trapped inside, screaming and clawing at the glass.

"Humans," the Doctor shakes his head fondly, looking down at the crystal.

I smirk, waving at the aliens inside teasing and they snarl and claw toward me. "Who's the bad witches trapped inside a crystal, huh?" I coo to them, snorting when the youngest screeches. "That's right, you are!"

***

Everyone had left after things calmed down and Kas and I avoided the crowd by looking around the storage area where they keep all of the props. We may have also gotten distracted by each other and snogged on top of a pile of clothes. Making my way back to the stage, I stop when I hear Martha talking. "Ok, Shakespeare walks into a pub and the landlord says 'oi, mate, you're bard!'" she jokes, making me cover my mouth to hide a giggle. Was she really telling Shakespeare a joke about himself?

I lean against the wall, folding my arms as I watch them. Martha really seems to be liking time travel so far... maybe we could take her for another trip. Shakespeare laughs, shaking his head. "It's brilliant! Doesn't make sense, mind you, but never mind that," he smirks, grabbing Martha's waist. "Come here," he pulls her close and I raise an eyebrow.

"I've only just met you," Martha protests.

"Star might never kiss you," he retorts simply and my eyes widen when Martha splutters in embarrassment. "Why not entertain someone who will?"

I quickly duck behind the wall and frown as my heart races a bit. Does Martha... does she fancy me? But I'm married! I mean... I did kiss her and it was a lovely kiss but it was to save people! I made that very clear before I did it... didn't I? And... and she said she wasn't interested! Oh, my God! What should I do? Should I act like I didn't hear? Should I ask her about it, make myself more clear? Set things straight?

"Rinell?" Kas' voice makes me jump and I look to see him standing in front of me. "What's wrong? Your emotions are all over the place," he frowns.

"N-n-nothing!" I squeak and he raises an eyebrow, which I choose to ignore. "What are you doing?" I look him over, changing the subject. He was wearing a ruff collar and carrying a skull and the crystal with the Carrionites.

"Well, after you left me," he pouts, making me roll my eyes with a smile. "I did a little digging around," he places a ridiculous headpiece on top of my head, making me giggle. "Good props store back there!" he beams, walking onstage and I follow a bit slowly, not looking in Martha's direction. "I'm not sure about this, though," he holds up the skull. "Reminds me of a Sycorax," he grimaces, making me snort. It really does look like their helmets.

"Sycorax," Shakespeare tests the word. "Nice word, I'll have that off you as well," he smirks up at Kas.

"I should be on ten percent," he jokes.

"Still aching," Shakespeare winces, pressing a hand to his head.

"Here, I got you this," the Doctor takes off the collar and puts it around Shakespeare's neck. "Neckbrace, wear that for a few days till it's better," he smiles.

"Although, you might want to keep it," I look him over. Bit more like his portraits. "It suits you," I smile and he sends me a wink, making my smile widen.

"What about the play?" Martha asks, standing and brushing off her jeans.

"Gone," I shrug, biting my lip and rubbing my arm. I ignore the Doctor glancing at me questioningly. "Kas and I looked all over the place," I murmur.

"Every single copy of Loves Labour's Won went up in the sky," he nods, still eyeing me.

"My lost masterpiece," Shakespeare sighs, standing up.

"You could write it up again," Martha tries to cheer him up.

"Probably not the best idea, Shakespeare," I wince, folding my arms. "There's still power in those words," I explain when he looks at me with raised eyebrows.

"Maybe it should best stay forgotten," Kas agrees.

"Oh, but I've got new ideas," Shakespeare waves off. "Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons. In memory of my boy: my precious Hamnet," he smiles.

"Hamnet?" Marhta frowns.

"That's him," Shakespeare nods, still smiling.

"... Ham-net?"

"What's wrong with that?" Shakespeare looks at her in offense.

"Anyway, time we were off," Kas cuts in quickly. "We've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity," he holds up the crystal, snorting when they claw at him.

"And we've got to take Martha back to Freedonia," I add quickly and Kas gives me a 'we're talking later' look. Brilliant.

"You mean travel on through time and space," Shakespears smirks, making Kas and I gape at him. What the hell?

"You what?" Kas squeaks.

"You and Star are from other worlds like the Carrionites and Martha is from the future," he shrugs. "It's not that hard to work out," he smirks.

"Oh, you're brilliant!" I beam.

"That's... incredible! You are incredible!" Kas laughs.

"We're alike in many ways, Doctor, Star," Shakespeare smiles before turning to Martha and grabbing her hands. "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-"

"Will! Will!" a man shouts, running up to the stage with another man behind him. "You'll never believe it! She's here! She's turned up!"

"Who?" Martha frowns.

"Her Majesty! She's here!" the second man shouts excitedly.

I blink in shock when Queen Elizabeth I walks in with a few of her royal guard. "Queen Elizabeth I!" Kas and I beam.

"Star!" she snarls when she sees me.

"What?" my smile drops and Kas looks at me in shock.

"My sworn enemy!"

"What?" Kas looks between the furious Queen and me.

"Where are they? You cannot keep them away from me!" she snarls.

"What?" I squeak, jumping back.

"Off with her head!"

"I didn't... what? But- come on!" I whine. Why does she hate me?

"Never mind 'what', just run!" Martha rolls her eyes. "See you, Will, and thanks!" she pulls the Doctor and I off with Shakespeare laughing behind us.

"Stop that treasonous harlot!" Queen Elizabeth screams after us.

***

The three of us run through the streets with the royal guard chasing after us. "Stop in the name of the Queen!"

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

"How the hell should I know! I haven't even met her!" I shout.

"That's time travel for you!" the Doctor laughs.

"Still, can't wait to find out," I smile when we reach the TARDIS, unlocking her and ushering Martha in. "That's something to look forward to!"

"Oh!" the Doctor yelps, pushing me in and pulling the door shut quickly.

There's a thud from the door and I wince when the TARDIS gives an angry and indignant hum. She didn't like arrows being shot into her. Understandable, really. "Shh, I know, sexy," I stroke her door soothingly while Kas runs up to the console, piloting us off as the two of us and Martha burst out laughing.

A/N: one more chapter down! Thanks for reading, let me know what you think by dropping a comment or vote! :*