«Time is very slow for those who wait. Very fast for those who are scared. Very long for those who lament. Very short for those who celebrate. But for those who love time is eternal.» my mouth closed into a smile, my gaze low, thinking over those words that just left my mouth. 

«Who is that?»

My head snapped up and I craned my neck, to look up at him, dressed in a shirt and brown pants. His dark hair flew at the wind, some sighs of hair visible on his jaw line and chin, meaning he haven't shaven this morning and started working in the field at an early hour.

He stayed silent, awaiting for my answer, even though I knew he was dying of curiosity. I smiled wider. I closed the little book I was holding, keeping a finger between the pages I stopped at, as I glanced down at the cover, even though I already knew the name of author. «William Shakespeare.» I smiled down at the little book I was clinching in my hands, as I ran my thumb on the old looking and fragile cover. «I found it in my mother's library. Earth's Classics section.» 

«For being a human he is sure a wise man.»

«Well, you would know.» I teased.

He chuckled. Then picked up a wooden dumpster and positioned it in front of me, before sitting down on it, speaking «Read me something else.»

I laughed a little at how interested he looked, as he awaited with an awed smile. I, once again, opened the book «To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer, The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them.»

«Your mother surely has good taste in literature. I'd love to visit her library once.» he spoke.

«Oh, I'm sure you'd love it there. Especially the Earth section! Father always teases mother and I on how we can spend days closed in that library. I can't help it, the Earth writers write such interesting things! It is so interesting to see how they saw their world, and it's a way for me to know something more about another plant .» I told him.

He laughed softly «Your mother and you sure have same interests, my darling.»

«Yes, indeed, we do. And I'm glad they named me after something human. Makes the both of us closer to the beautiful planet.»

«Yes, but not even closely beautiful as you.»

I rolled my eyes «You're such a flirt, Theta.»

«You love me.»

«You're so sure about it, aren't you?»

«Well... Y-yes.» he frowned, insecurely.

I rolled my eyes smiling. Then leaned in closer to him, and pecked his soft lips. I couldn't help but feeling something exploding inside me as I did. Like humans sometimes wrote in their books, fireworks. I heard they were some kind of really colourful explosive. Weird race the humans, but fascinating. As I pulled back I looked in his eyes «I love you, Theta.» I declared.

I could see relief overtaking his features. He smiled «I love you too, my love.»

He went to kiss me again, his eyes closed, but I leaned back and opened the book again. «Did you know that they have green grass? And that, apparently, their sky is blue?» I asked him, matter of a factly, as I pretended not to notice that he struggled to maintain his balance once he understood my mouth was within his reach. I could see him blush, and stifled a laugher.

«Well, once I'll get a TARDIS we shall prove such theory.» he said, standing up.

I chuckled «You have to pass at least one of your exams first.»

«And I will. One day. It's just, I can't understand what I'm doing wrong! Why do I always fail it.»

I looked up and narrowed my eyes at him, dropping the book in my lap. «You. Leave. The brakes on! The engines scratch against each other and it makes the noise.»

«Well, I love the noise!»

«My dear, it's harmful for the TARDISes.»

He sighed, grumpily «Whatever.» he said, as he turned around. Not before I caught him blushing as he realised how I called him. It was very easy to make him blush. The big deal was, making blush me. I never blushed. But with him, it was an exception. Every time he would say something sweet, or kiss me, I found myself blushing violently.

I sighed, getting sadder with every word I spoke next «Besides, my father won't ever let me leave Gallifrey. I am the daughter of the president, then also the heir... He wouldn't want something to happen to me. He doesn't even want me to learn how to fly a TARDIS, only to keep me here.»

Theta was looking at me for the whole time and, as I finished, he laughed softly, shaking his head «Not that it kept you from doing so.»

«Well, what can I say. I'm a rebel.» I grinned, winking at him.

He still shook his head, grinning, as he looked down on the floor. He looked up at me, only to probably notice my grin was slowly fading. The sad reality was, I couldn't leave this planet. Metaphorically, I was chained to it.

The Gallifreyans were the folks I one day was supposed to rule on. Guide them to the right decisions. But the truth was, I never wanted that. I wanted to travel, see planets and worlds. I wanted to marry Theta and live with him happily. Have a family. Then grow old with him and, eventually, die.

But I didn't want to have the responsibility to look over millions lives, man, woman and children. And, if one of them would've died, there was no one to blame other than me.

«Crystal...» his gentile, lovable voice, brought me back to reality. I looked up at him: he was looking at me with pity in his eyes. He was sad I had to go through this. That I couldn't be free.

«I don't want this, Theta...» my voice came out as a tired whisper. I shook my head looking back down «I don't want to do it.»

«Then don't.» he interrupted softly.

I looked up at him. «What?» I faintly, asked.

He approached me in two large steps and crouched in front of me, his hands taking mine «Let's run away. Together. Let's travel together, see worlds, planets. Shakespeare, even!»

«But my family, the city, what will happen to them?»

«They'll elect a new president. It doesn't have to be you.» he said, shaking his head «I don't think I'll be able to bare seeing you unhappy every day.»

I smiled at him, and cupped his face between my little hands. «Theta, I'd love that. But I can't just suddenly leave! It won't be correct, I'm not old enough and I can't stay alone, I have to-»

«Then marry me.» he interrupted.

I froze, my eyes fixed on his, my mouth open «W-what?»

«I mean it. I'm serious.» he told me. Then he reached in his pocket and started rummaging in it. «I wanted to ask you for a while now, but I was waiting for the perfect moment and, well, what other moment than now.»

I watched him, with tears in my eyes as he took out a little box from his pocket and, one knee on the ground, opened it to reveal a little ring, with a little Crystal heart.

«I know how much you love Earth and its traditions so, well, I looked in a few books and.» he smiled at me and my reaction as I watched the ring, a hand over my mouth.

«Crystal.» I looked in his blue eyes, that were staring into mine. My hearts thumped so hard I was afraid they would've jumped out in any minute. «Will you do me the immense honor, and become my wife?»

I couldn't speak, tears of happiness falling down my cheeks. He looked at me with a little smile, even though I could tell he was extremely nervous, standing there on the ground before me.

I wanted to say something to tease him, but I couldn't. Every word got stuck in my throat, not able to get out. Every word except one.

«Yes.»

His eyes widened, pure surprise happiness in them. For a second he was at lose of words but then, eventually, he let out a «C-could you repeat? I don't think I heard you correctly, I'm really nervous.» he admitted, blushing a little.

I rolled my eyes, laughing happily «Yes! I said, yes!»

His eyes widened even more then, forgetting about the ring, he just picked me up, hands on my waist as he lifted me in the air «Yes! You said yes! You'll be my wife!» he exclaimed happily as he spun me in the air, my white dress flying around me.

I laughed. When he finally stopped the spinning he lowered me so we were at the same eye level, and kissed me. The kiss was gentle but passionate and I couldn't bare myself melting into it, as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pushed my fingers in his hair.

When he pulled away, he still rested his forehead on mine, as we both tried to catch breath. «You're going to be my wife.» he whispered, in pure astonishment.

I chuckled «Yup.» I then pointed a finger at myself «Crystal» then I pocked his chest «wife of Theta.»

He laughed. Then gently kissed my forehead, before wrapping me in a tight hug.

«My wife.» I heard him whispering in my shoulder.

I squeezed my eyes shut, not able to stop myself from smiling. I couldn't have been happier. I was marrying Theta. The man I loved in forever. The man I would do anything for. And I was marrying him.

Everything was perfect. Note the was.

«Well, aren't you two adorable?» I heard someone speaking from a distance. I pulled back from the embrace and craned my neck to look in the direction of the voice.

My eyes widened «Koshie!» I pulled back from Theta and ran up to my old friend, who welcomed me with opened arms into a hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he spun me around a little. As usual he wore formal but black clothes. Not that his choice of dressing mattered to me.

«God, it's been so long! How are you?» I asked as I pulled back from the hug and put some space between us.

Theta and I haven't seen Koschei in a long time. Because Theta went to the academy, while Koschei elsewhere, I'm not exactly sure where. As for me, I didn't study at the academy. My father didn't want me to do even that. But Theta and I still saw each other, even though my father was opposed to it. For some reasons, my father disliked him. It though didn't keep us from hanging out together, falling in love and now engaging.

«All better now.» Koschei grinned as he watched me. I grinned back. His eyes drifted behind me and I could only guess that Theta was now standing there.

«Theta.» Koschei greeted him with a nod. Rather coldly, considering the two have been best friends when we were little.

«Koschei.» Theta greeted in the same way. «It's been a while.»

I was surprised by their coldness towards each other, and noted to myself to ask a question or two to Theta later.

«It had, indeed. But I'm not here to talk to you. I'm bringing some news to Crystal here.» he looked back at me.

I smiled, arching a brow. «Yes?»

«Well, where to start. Your father, he made an order. He said soon you'll be old enough to take his place at the power. And he wants someone to be there with you. A, well, husband.»

I grinned and, reaching behind, took Theta's hand entwining our fingers «Yes, talking about it, Koshie, I have to tell you something: Theta and I just got-»

«You and I are getting married!»

Everything drown into silence. I froze. My hearts sunk. Everything around got blurry. It took me a while to speak, but eventually I did. «W-what?» I asked, shakily.

Koschei was grinning madly «You and I are getting married! Order of your father. Isn't it wonderful? You're going to be my wife!» he didn't wait for my answer, and pulled me into a hug.

My chin on his shoulder, I looked up only to encounter Theta's eyes. He was staring at me in shock, emotionless. Until eventually one emotion showed: a tear rolled down his cheek as he closed his in the slightest open mouth.

I looked down on the floor, still too shocked to do anything. A tear slid down my cheek. Theta and I were never getting married.

The next thing I know, there was the war. I could hear people screaming outside. Children, man, woman and a metallic voice. Followed by shots. And other screams.

And then there were my screams. «No, please, don't do this to me! Let me go! I want to help! I can't leave them! Please don't! Let me go! Theta! I need to save him! I can't leave him!» I cried, as I tried to get rid of the guards that were holding me.

«Please! Please don't! I want to die with them! Let me die by their side! Please just let me go! Please!» tears where streaming down my face as I struggled to get out of their grip.

Of course, unsuccessfully. Then, one of them pulled something out. Something circular.

«Please! I'm begging you, I have to stay!» I cried, but nothing. The man then opened the circular object and a loud scream pierced my ears.

Suddenly the scream transformed into a lullaby. The lullaby I kept hearing, wherever I went.

Tic Toc goes the clock
Your turn has came
Your time must stop, but not the game

I looked down and there was blood on my hands. Red blood all around me. Me drowning in blood. I opened my mouth and tried to breath only to find the hot liquid sliding in my mouth.

I pushed myself up and sat up straight, breathing in and out heavily and quickly.

I looked around. I was in my bathroom. In the TARDIS's bathroom of my bedroom. Sitting in the bath tube. And everything that happened was just a dream, another dream. I fell asleep in the bathtub. It was all just a dream.

I relaxed slightly into the hot water, still breathing deeply. It was all a dream. I clenched my fists underwater trying not to cry, as I sat alone in the hot water. A dream. Just another dream.

I never had this kind of dreams before. The dream where I was Crystal. I always watched from a distance, but never have I been her or anyone else.

I could still hear perfectly the scream, that loud scream that echoed just before the dream ended. And the lullaby's melody, which verses were still incomplete.

Unable to control myself anymore, I left a few tears slide down my cheeks and fall into the water. I sniffed as I tried not to brake down completely. Then, with my hands, I splashed some water on my face, letting a suffocated lament leave my lips.

I then reached for the water tap and turned off the water that was still pouring into the bathtub. Then I carefully climbed out of it and wrapped a towel around my body. I mentally thanked the TARDIS for putting the towels there and she hummed in response. I walked in front of the now blurry mirror, and slid a hand across it.

In the mirror appeared a girl with wet hair, bloodshot eyes after crying and a towel around her naked body. I inhaled deeply, trying to recover control over myself, but it went out shakily. My whole body was shaking, and I couldn't figure out if it was for the dream or because it was cold.

I picked up a comber and brushed my tangled long wet brown hair, not tearing the eyes from the girl in the mirror.

Who was that girl and why was she such a freak? Why couldn't she live normally? Why couldn't she get the answers to her questions? Why, why and why again.

I left the comber on the sink and exited from the bathroom. On my bed I found a causal outfit: skinny blue jeans and a white shirt.

«Thanks for taking care of me, dear.» I smiled up at the TARDIS. And again, she hummed in response. Sometimes I wanted to talk to her. I was sure she knew who I was. She had all the answers. But I didn't want to talk to her about that, instead about how was she? How was she doing? Was it difficult living with the Doctor for all this years?

I picked up the outfit and slowly put every item on. Then I returned once more in the bathroom, applied a bit of make up to cover any signs of me crying, picked up a towel and, once again started brushing my hair, exiting.

I sat on the bedroom but already two seconds later, stood up again. The silence was killing me. So not minding my hair, which was still a bit wet, I picked my always jacket and exited from my room.

I walked down the silent hallways, emerged in my thoughts until, all of a sudden, the TARDIS shook violently sending me on the ground with a loud bang.

I groaned, rubbing my head in the spot where I slammed if «Ouch. What the...?»  I couldn't finish the sentence since, once again, the whole place shook, sending me lying down on my back.

«Ow! What the hell?!» I whined. I jumped up on my feet and carefully made my way down the hallways, clutching on the walls since the TARDIS was still shaking.

Suddenly its shaking stopped and I found myself sighing in satisfaction «Finally!»

With that I took off running down the corridors, trying to get to the console room and, consequently, to the Doctor.

«Doctor? What happened?» I asked as I turned the corner to the console room. Only to find no one.

I arched a brow «Converse wearing weirdo, were are you?» 

There was no answer. I walked around the console, for any sight of the Doctor or Martha. But nope, nothing. That was when I heard voices from outside the TARDIS.

I opened the door and «Doctor, what just happened and you owe me a new head and a new back.» I said, exiting as I rubbed my head, but stopped seeing a quite weird picture.

The Doctor was hugging someone while Martha stood aside, not really content. The only words I caught her saying was something similar to a «The good old duo.»

I watched the Doctor, who didn't notice me yet, happily smiling in the shoulder of the man he was hugging. Suddenly my eyes widened, as I realized it.

«Jack?»

The Doctor opened his eyes to look at me, but my eyes were fixed on the man's back. They pulled apart and the man finally turned to look.

His eyes widened, but he was more surprised then I was. It had to be a long while since the two of us last saw each other, for him. «Melody?» he breathed out.

«Jackie!» I laughed as I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around him.

«Mels! Oh my god!» he laughed in my shoulder, as he lifted me up a little.

I laughed as I pulled back. His eyes were wide. «How are you? Where have you been?? I haven't seen you in forever! Since the day you left us on that square!» he told me.

«Yeah, had some stuff to do. By stuff I mean, save the weirdo behind you.» I glared at the Doctor a little.

«So, you left the Doctor to save the Doctor?» Jack asked.

«Yup.» the Doctor and I said in synchronize.

«Oh, okay then.»

I chuckled a little.

«Still, may I say Melody, you look stunning as always.»

«Jaaack.» The Doctor called, sternly, dragging the a.

«I'm just trying to be nice!» Jack acted innocent, then winking at me.

I sighed, Martha coming to stand by my side, arms crossed on her chest «Spaceboy and Playboy, what'd you think?» I asked her, crossing my arms on my chest too.

She shook her head, watching the two boys «This is going to be fun.»

I chuckled.

~

Some minutes later, Jack was walking alongside Martha, and I, the Doctor walking in front of us. Jack was immersed in telling his story to Martha, trying to impress her.

I couldn't be bothered by it, as I walked with my head down, watching my adidas getting dirty because of the mud on the path. My right hand, that was stuffed in my pocket as also the left one, kept brushing the pocket watch.

Somewhere deep in my head, I heard whispers every time the metallic cover came in contact with my skin. That was why I regretted my hand every time. But returned to touch it, drawn to it.

With every time I touched it, the whispers got louder, but I still couldn't decipher what were they saying.

Jack's voice snapped me back to reality «So there I was, stranded in the year 200,100, ankle-deep in Dalek dust, and he goes off without me. But I had this.» he tapped something on his wrist. «I used to be a Time Agent. It's called a vortex manipulator. He's not the only one who can time travel.» he glared at the Doctor a little.

The Doctor seemed profoundly hurt by that statement «Oh, excuse me. That is not time travel.» he said, pointing at Jack's wrist «It's like I've got a sports car and you've got a space hopper.»

Martha laughed, nudging my side with her elbow «Boys and their toys.»

I shook my head «Tell me about it.» but still smiled a little.

«All right, so I bounced.» Jack sarcastically pointed. The Doctor rolled his eyes a little while I chuckled silently, returning to watch the ground as we walked. «I thought: 21st century, best place to find the Doctor, except that I got it a little wrong. I arrived in 1869 and this thing burnt out so it was useless.»

I shook my head a little, at the fact that he admitted his mistake «Bad move.»

«Told you.» the Doctor in fact, spoke, self fondly.

«Told you.» I told Jack, never tearing my eyes away from the ground. Martha chuckled next to me.

«I had to live through the entire 20th century waiting for a version of you that would coincide with me.» Jack told the Doctor.

Martha spoke, matter of a factly «That makes you more that 100 years old.»

«And looking good, doncha think?» he laughed a little. I couldn't help but smile down at the ground. I knew Jack couldn't die. That was why he was the Face of Boe. The oldest creature in the universe. Well, excluding the Doctor.

«So I went to the time rift, based myself thing 'cause I knew you'd come back to refuel. Until finally I get a signal on this detecting you and here we are.» Jack finished, proudly.

«But the thing is, how come you left him behind, Doctor?» Martha asked.

«I was busy.» he replayed nonchalantly.

«Is that what happens, though? Seriously? Do you just get bored with us one day and disappear?»

«Not if you're blonde.» Jack stepped in.

«Oh, she was blonde? Oh, what a surprise?» Martha said sarcastically.

The Doctor sighed «It's different, she is like me. We were-»

«You three!» I interrupted stopping, hands in my pockets. Everyone stopped and looked at me, surprised. «We're at the end of the universe! We're at the edge of knowledge itself and you're busy... blogging!»

I watched the three of them looking down in embarrassment. I didn't absolutely care who they were talking about (probably Rose) and I had no intention to find out. Because, as my dear friend River said, spoilers.

I still watched them sternly and in a bit of disbelief. Just so they would feel a little bit guiltier. Then snorted a little «Come on.» I told them, as I turned around and walked away from them.

And to the edge of a canyon. It looked like it once held a city of some sort. It also looked like... Abandoned. It didn't show any kind of having been harmed because the thin bridges stood perfectly fine and sound. Not really stable though.

I heard some footsteps behind me «Is that a city?» Martha asked, standing at my right.

«A city or a hive.» the Doctor spoke, on my left, standing closer to me than Martha.

«Or a nest. Or a conglomeration.» I added.

«Looks like it was grown. But look there. That's like pathways, roads... Must have been some sort of life.» The Doctor spoke.

«Long ago.» I said, pursing my lips.

«What killed it?» Martha questioned.

«Time. Just time. Everything's dying now. All the great civilizations have gone.» he looked up at the sky «This» he pointed upwards «isn't just night. All the stars have burned up and faded away into nothing.»

«It must have an atmospheric shell. We should be frozen to death.»

«Well, Martha, Melody and I, maybe.» the Doctor agreed with Jack, as he watched the sky.

I looked over at the American, knowingly «Not so sure about you.»

Jack stared back at me, glancing between me and the Doctor behind me.

We were interrupted in our staring at 'each other competition' when Martha asked «What about the people? Does no one survive?»

«I suppose we have to hope. Life will find a way.» the Doctor spoke, dramatically.

«Yeah. In fact, he's not doing too bad.» I said nodding towards a running man along one of the pathways.

It's just a matter of time we see a group of people chasing him. I frowned.

«Is it me, or does that look like a hunt?» the Doctor spoke.

«Come on!» I exclaimed and took off running. The trio followed. We ran down along a roadway, me in the head with the Doctor following right behind, Jack slightly behind him and for last Martha.

I heard Jack laughing as the Doctor and I ran side by side, matching each other in velocity «Oh, I've missed this!»

I would've grinned, but I was too busy running and trying not to stay out of breath.

Just then we reached the man and Jack got a hold of him. «I've got you.»

«We've gotta run! They're coming! They're coming!» the man exclaimed, trying to catch his breath.

Jack passed the man to the Doctor, who stood beside me. He then pulled out his revolver and aimed it at the people. «Jack, don't you dare!» the Doctor and I shouted at the same time.

Reluctantly, Jack moved his gun into the air and fired three shots in the air. The group stopped and I was able to take good look on them: they were dressed strangely, but had humanoid aspects. Their teeth though were sharper and thinner, like the ones of a predator.

«What the hell are they?» Martha seemed to read my mind.

«There's more of them.» the man we just "saved" told us «We've got to keep going.»

The Doctor put his hands on the man's arms, staring in his eyes «I've got a ship nearby. It's safe. It's not far, it's just over there.» he and I looked back the way we came to see more of the people running down.

«Or maybe not.» I told him.

«We're close to the silo. If we get to the silo, then we're safe.» the man said.

The Doctor's head shot to look at us «Silo?»

«Silo.»

«Silo for me.»

«Silo all the way!»

With that we took off running again, still followed by the man.

It took us a little bit, with the people on our hills, but, eventually, we arrived at a gated area with watchtowers and guards. «It's the Futurekind! Open the gate!» the man we saved shouted.

«Show me your teeth!» the guard shouted back «Show me your teeth! Show me your teeth!»

The man looked at us «Show them your teeth.»

We all gritted our teethe in wide smiles.

«Human! Let 'em in! Let 'em in!» They finally opened the gate. I first let Jack and Martha pass and wanted to push in the Doctor before me too, but he was quicker and pulled me inside first. As soon as we were in the guard shouted «Close! Close! Close!»

They were closed the gate but weren't fast enough, the people would've reached us. That was when the guard fired his gun at the ground in front of the people. Then they shut the gates, and I released a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I looked up, behind the gates, at the people that were running after us.

«Humans. Humani.» one of them, the leader, hissed «Make feast.»

I gulped, as the guard spoke «Go back to where you came from.» they didn't move. «I said go back! Go back!» he aimed a gun at them.

«Oh, don't tell him to put down his gun.» Jack spoke to the Doctor and I.

«He's not our responsibility.» the Doctor answers for me, while I just continued staring at the strange people outside.

«And I am?» Jack scoffed «That makes a change.»

«Kind watch you. Kind hungry.» with that said, the leader signaled the others and they back away.

«You alright.» I jumped a little as the Doctor spoke close to my ear. I looked up at him, only to see him staying close to me and staring at my from up, concerned.

«Brilliant. Why wouldn't I be?» I replayed, rather absently, as I looked back at the gate. I didn't mean it to come out that cold, I was thankful he worried for me, but I wasn't in mood for hugs and other stuff.

He stared at me for a minute then, as a guard passed by him, he spoke «Thanks for that.»

«Right. Let's get you inside.» the guard replayed and we followed him.

«My name is Padrafet Shafekane.» Padra, the man we save, or well, who saved us, spoke to the guard «Please tell me, can you take me to Utopia?»

«Oh yes, sir.» the guard grinned «Yes, I can.»

With that we followed the guard into a large tunnel carved into a mountain, that had to be the silo.

~

Some minutes later were all standing with a man by the stairs we just got down from. Atillo, the man who stood with us, perhaps a LT, gave us little metallic cards, that I looked at curiously as the Doctor spoke to him «It's a box, a big blue box. I'm sorry, but I really need it back. It's stuck out there.»

Pandra then spoke too «I'm sorry, but my family were heading for the silo. Did they get here? My mother is Kistane Shafekane. My brother is Beltone.»

The Doctor too looked the metal medal in his hands then looked at mine. He took mine out of my hands carefully and I took his, then we both expected them, curiously. I then took mine back and he took his, the two of us standing side by side.

«The computers are down but you can check the paperwork. Creet!» Atillo called. A young boy, about 10 years old, stuck his head around a corner. «Passenger needs help.»

«Right.» the boy spoke, coming to stand by Pandra with a clipboard «What d'you need?»

Padra looked at the boy's clipboard, while the Doctor and I observed him curiously. Until Atillo's voice snapped our heads up «A blue box, you said.»

«Big, tall, wooden.»

«Says "Police".» I added.

«We're driving out for a last water collection. I'll see what I can do.»

«Thank you.» the Doctor and I said in synchronize.

«Come on.» Creet said to Pandra.

«Sorry, but how old are you?» Martha asked the boy, while the Doctor looked the medal over again.

«Old enough to work. This way.» the boy replayed.

I watched the Doctor, hands in my pockets. «What are the metal things?»

«No idea.» he said, stuffing it in his pocket.

I chuckled a little and saw him smiling down at me for the corner of my eye.

We followed Creet through corridors lined with people, camping. «Kistane Shafekane. Kistane Shafekane. Kistane and Beltone Shafekane? Looking for a Kistane and Beltone Shafekane.» Creet called.

«The Shafekanes anyone?»

«Anyone? Kistane and Beltone Shefkane? Anyone know the Shefkane family? Anyone called Shafekane?»

«It's like a refugee camp.» Martha spoke.

Jack scrunched his nose up in disgust «Stinking.»

I slapped his chest with my hand.

«Ooh, sorry. No offence.» he told a large man.

«Don't you see that? The ripe old smell of humans. You survived. Oh, much better than a million years evolving into clouds of gas. And then another million as downloads, but you always revert tp the same basic shape. The fundamental humans.» the Doctor spoke, grinning. «End of the universe and here you are.»

«Indomitable.» I whispered in awe.

«Indomitable! That's the word! Indomitable! Ha!» the Doctor looked down at me and grinned. I grinned back then we both returned to watch our path.

«Is there a Kistane Shafekane?» Creet called as we turned to another corridor.

This time, though, a woman stood up «That's me.» She gasped when she saw Padra with us.

«Mother?»

«Oh my God.» the mother cried.

«Beltone?» he ran up to his family, and embraced them in a big hug.

«It's not all bad news.» Martha proudly said, looking at me beside her.

I smiled a little from the corner of my mouth, as I watched the happy family reunited. At least they had each other. Wait, since when am so pessimistic?

I waited for the voice in my head to tease me, tell me something similar to "Since always?" but nothing.

I frowned a little "Voicy-voicy, in my head, are you alive there or are you dead?"

But there was no answer. This was weird. The voice has always been there. Where was it now?

I blinked several times to snap back to reality, then looking around, looking for something that could've given me just a little idea of where we were. A door caught my eye.

I approached it and looked at the panel. It said the door was deadlocked. Nothing that can't be resolved with a Doctor and a sonic. Mostly a sonic.

I looked around, until I caught sight of the Time Lord. «Doctor?» I called.

He looked over at me. I signalized for him to approach. He did.

«How do you feel about deadlocked doors, Doctor?» I asked, with playful interest, hands behind my back.

He grinned down at me «That they're there to be opened.» He said as he took out his sonic, flipped it in the air and caught it again. «By me, most of the time.»

I rolled my eyes at his show off, but still chuckled a little as I leaned back on the door, arms crossed on my chest.

My eyes wondered on Jack, who just stopped a blonde man and, guess what? «Captain Jack Harkness.» they shook hands «And who are you?»

«Stop it.» the Doctor, who was sonicing the door trying to open it, called «Give us a hand with this.»

I chuckled as Jack reluctantly left go of the man's hand before he and Martha joined us «It's half deadlocked. See if you can overwrite the code.» the Doctor told him.

Jack set to work on the keypad while the Doctor continued to use his sonic. As something beeped on the console, I pushed off of the door, and gave them them a look. «Let's find out where we are, shall we?» I told them as the door slid open. Then I stepped in, expecting to feel ground under my feet.

Only to realize there was no ground at all. I let out scream.

When I thought that this was it, I was going to fall and squash against the hard floor, I felt two arms wrapping around my waist, then pulling me to someone's body. Believe me or not, the second they touched me I already knew who it was.

«I got you! I got you!» the Doctor said, as he held me close, tightly wrapped in his embrace from behind.

«And I got you.» Jack said, taking a strong grip on the Doctor's coat, and pulling us both inside.

«Thanks.» the Doctor thanked Jack, still holding me close.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. «Woah.»

While Jack spoke to the Doctor «How did you cope without me?»

I laughed a little, totally in relief. The Doctor's arms never loosened around me, and he held me close, almost hid by his long trench coat, while his arms were wrapped around me from behind, my back pressed to his chest.

«Now that is what I call a rocket.» Martha said avoiding eye contact with me. I almost frowned at her strange behavior, confused by it.

«They're not refugees, they're passengers.» the Doctor said, slightly rocking me from left to right. I could feel his deep voice rumbling in his chest as he spoke.

«He said they were going to Utopia.»

«The perfect place. 100 trillion years, it's still the same old dream. Do you recognize those engines?» he asked Jack. I still stared at the rocket, trying to process everything.

«Nope. Whatever it is, it's not rocket science. But it's hot, though.» Jack replayed.

«Boiling.» the Doctor said. We stepped back and Jack closed the door, the Doctor's arms still around me. I didn't tear my eyes away from the rocket until the doors closed and even then I stared at the metallic wall, deep in thoughts.

«Are you okay?» his deep voice next to my ear made me jump a little.

I shook my head a little to free my head from my thoughts «Fine, yes. Thank you by the way. You save-»

«What is bothering you, Melody?» he cut me, the side of his face almost pressed to mine. Other people would've blushed, but not me. I wasn't that kind of person. It was almost impossible to make me blush.

I sighed, in resignation. «If the universe is falling apart, what does Utopia mean?»

That was when a short old man ran up to us. He wore a vest, trousers and a white shirt beneath. Even though his age, he looked totally cheered up as he glanced in between us, the Doctor's arms slowly loosening around me as the four of us stared at the man, in confusion.

«The Doctor?» the man asked to Jack.

Jack shook his head and he, Martha and I, pointed towards the Doctor who spoke as we did «That's me.»

The man took the Doctor's hand and leaded him away. «Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good.»

The Doctor, as surprised as the rest of us, looked back to us «It's good apparently.» he informed.

I nodded, still arching a brow in confusion «Apparently...»

I stared after them as Martha passed by me, following the two man. I snapped out of my daze only when a hand was placed on my shoulder. «You coming, Mels?»

I just then realized the way I was looking at the man: suspiciously. I just met him, but that thing that woman have, the sixth sense, was kicking in telling me there was something wrong with him.

«Yup, let's go.» I said to Jack, then started walking, Jack following eventually.

We arrived to the lab only to be welcomed with a blue skinned woman. «Chan, welcome, tho.» she smiled at us, politely.

With my eyes, I searched for the Doctor. He was with the old man, who was still dragging him around by his hand, showing him everything. «This is the gravitissimal accelerator. It's part of the... Fades.»

I approached the blue skinned girl and smiled at her warmly «Chan, welcome, tho.» she spoke.

«Hi, I'm Melody, she's Martha, he's Jack and that's the Doctor. What about you?» I asked, first indicating everyone then stuffing my hand in my pocket and rocking childishly back and forth on my heels, grinning widely.

«Chan, Chantho, tho.» she replayed.

I smiled and opened my mouth to speak, but was preceded «Captain Jack Harkness.» he flashed her a smile.

«Stop it.» the Doctor called, shooting Jack a stern look, from behind his glasses which he now was wearing.

«Can't I say hello to anyone?»

«Chan, I do not protest, tho.» The girl assured.

«Maybe later, Blue.» Jack winked and I couldn't help but stifle a snort as I rolled my eyes and as he proceeded clapping his hands and talking «So, what have we got here?»

Martha followed Jack, while I stayed on my spot, hands crossed on my chest.

«And all this feeds into the rocket?» I asked the man.

«Yeah, except without a stable footprint we'll never achieve escape velocity. If only we could harmonize the five impact patterns and unify them, well, we might yet make it. What do you think, Doctor? Any ideas?» The man asked, excitedly.

He whirled around on his spot, looking around. «Well, um, basically... sort of...»

I sighed and, arms crossed on my chest, came to stand by his side. «He has no clue.»

«Yeah... Sorry.» the Doctor agreed with me.

The mans enthusiasm dropped «Nothing?»

«I'm not from around these parts. I've never seen a system like it.»

«Sorry again.» I said, emphatically.

«No, no. I'm sorry. It's my fault.» the man said, dejectedly «There's been so little help.»

I smiled a little again, and wanted to tell him something to cheer him up, but was interrupted by an «Oh. my. God!»

Our heads shot up only to see Martha standing in the sitting area, holding a jar with a... hand in it?

I arched a brow «Well, that's new.»

We came over to her as Martha set the hand on a table and stared at it. «You've got a hand! A hand in a jar! A hand, in a jar, in your bag.»

«We're not judging, Jack.» I assured him, as he stood by my side.

«That's, that's my hand!» the Doctor, who was now sitting on one if the sofas, exclaimed.

Jack grinned «I said I had a Doctor detector.»

«Chan, is this a tradition amongst your people, tho?»

I chucked through my throat, arms crossed on my chest «Oh, I can't choose who's reaction is the funniest.»

Jack chuckled silently while the Doctor smiled a little, lopsidedly, at the contrary of Martha, who's eyes were still wide «Not on my street. What d'you mean that's your hand? You've got both your hands, I can see them.»

The Doctor inhaled «Long story. I lost my hand Christmas Day. In a swordfight.»

Martha laughed a little «What? And you grew another hand?»

«Um yeah. Yeah I did. Yeah.»

Martha's smile faded, into an "are you serious" expression.

While the Doctor just waved at her waggling his fingers «Hello.»

«Might I ask what species are you?» the old man asked.

The Doctor's eyes shifted from Martha to him «Time Lord.» he then replayed «Last of.»

The professor stared at him, weirdly.

«Heard of them? Legend or anything? Not even a myth? Blimey, end of the universe is a bit humbling.»

«There, there.» I consoled.

He glared at me, playfully.

«Chan, It is said that I am the last of my species too, tho.» Chantho spoke.

«Sorry, what was your name?» the Doctor asked.

«My assistant and good friend, Chantho. A survivor of the Malmooth. This was their planet, Malcassairo, before we took refuge.» the professor spoke for her.

«The city outside, that was yours?» the Doctor asked her.

«Chan, the conglomeration died, tho.»

«Ha! Conglomeration! That's what I said!» I exclaimed.

«You're supposed to say sorry.» Jack told me.

«Oh, yes. Sorry, that was rude of me. I'm really sorry for your lose.» I told Chantho.

«Chan, most grateful, tho.»

I heard the Doctor chuckle beside me and I, my eyes still on Chantho, smiling at her, couldn't help but slap his arm, making his chuckle transform into a cough, with which he covered it.

«You grew another hand?» Martha asked again, her eyes still focused on the jar. My eyes moved to her, and so did his.

Then, once again, he waggled his fingers at her «Hello again.»

Martha's look showed surprise and, a glimpse, of fear. He stood up and, in one step approached her, speaking «It's fine. Look. Really, it's me.» he held out his hand and wiggled his fingers before her, then shaking her hand.

Martha laughed nervously, me watching them with a smile «All this time and you're still full of surprises.»

The Doctor clicked his tongue and winked at her.

«Chan, you are most unusual, tho.» Chantho spoke, shaking her head in astonishment.

The Doctor grinned a little, self-fondly «Well...»

«Oh, don't tell him that.» I shot him an amused look «He'll get ideas.»

He looked scandalized, at that point that his voice rose as he spoke «But I am unusual!»

«Don't flatter yourself, darling.»

He frowned, pouting. «You're mean.»

I smiled «Now you're flattering me.»

He glared at me and I glared back, but we both struggled to contain our laughs.

«So!» Jack loudly called, probably on porpoise, to get out attention. The Doctor and I looked up at him. «What about those things outside? The Beastie Boys. What are they?» Jack asked the professor.

«We call them the Futurekind. Which is a myth in itself, but, uh, it is feared they are what we will become. Unless we reach Utopia.» he replayed.

«And Utopia is...» the Doctor, standing hands in his pockets next to me, asked.

The old man looked at him like if he was crazy «Oh, every human knows of Utopia. Where have you been?»

«...Bit of a hermit.»

«A hermit... with... friends?»

«Hermits United.» I told him.

«We meet up every ten years.» the Doctor added «Swap stories about caves. It's good fun... for a hermit.» I tried hard not to face palm and, probably noticing, he softly nudged me in my side, eyes fixed on the professor «So, um, Utopia?»

The professor, who surely didn't believe a word of what we told him, crooked his finger for us to follow. The Doctor and I exchanged glanced then shrugging at each other and following. He leaded us to a computer that showed a navigational chart with a blinking red dot.

«The call came from across the stars over and over again. Come to Utopia. Originated from that point.» the Professor said.

«Where is that?» I asked, while the Doctor leaned on the table and stared at the computer.

«Oh, it's far beyond the Condensate Wilderness. Out towards the wildlands and the dark matter reefs. Calling us in. The last of the humans. Scattered across the night.» Yana replayed, looking at me.

«What do you think's out there?» the Doctor asked and Yana looked back on him.

«I don't know. A colony, a city, some sort of haven? The Science Foundation created the Utopia Project thousands of years ago to preserve mankind, to find a way of surviving beyond the collapse of reality itself. Now perhaps they found it. Perhaps not. But it's worth a look, don't you think?»

The Doctor grinned «Oh yes. And the signal keeps modulating, so it's not automatic. There's a good sign. Someone's out there. And that's... ooh, that's a navigation matrix, isn't it? So you can fly without stars to guide you.»

«Professor?» I spoke, looking at the old man who had his eyes shut.

The Doctor noticed it too and looked at him «Professor? Professor?»

The man shook his head, his eyes flying open and looked at us «I... Right, that's enough talk. There's work to do. Now if you could leave. Thank you.» With that he walked away.

The Doctor and I were frowning, but my frown showed more preoccupation «Are you okay?» I asked.

«Yes. I'm fine! And busy!»

«Except that rocket's not going to fly, is it?» The professors looked at the Doctor as he spoke. «This footprint mechanism thing, it's not working.»

«We'll find a way!» Yana insisted.

«You're stuck on this planet.» I told him, as sympathetically as I could «And you haven't told them, have you? That lot out there, they still think they're gonna fly.»

The professor looked down «Well, it's better to let them live in hope.»

«Quite right, too. And I must say, Professor...» The Doctor removed his coat and Jack took it as he passed, hanging over his arm «Um, what was it?»

«Yana.»

«Professor Yana. This new science is well beyond me, but all the same, a boost reversal circuit, in any time frame, must be a circuit which reverses the boost. So, I wonder, what would happen if I did» He took the circuit from Yana's hands and pointed his sonic on it. «this?» suddenly the whole place lit up, the power starting.

«Chan, it's working, tho!» the girl exclaimed.

«But how did you do that?» Yana asked the Doctor.

«Oh, we've been chatting away. I forgot to tell you...» the Doctor grinned «I'm brilliant.»

I sighed, smirking a little as I moved by his side, arms crossed on my chest «But modesty isn't his best, as you can see. Steady on, my friend. His ego's bad enough as it is.»

Yana laughed a little while I looked at the Doctor, taking his glasses and placing them on me. «Shall we?» I grinned.