I looked down from the streetlight and turned around to go back to the TARDIS. Or maybe just an alley way. The old girl isn't her best today, why bother her?

I took a few steps but stopped when I heard someone walking behind me. At first, I dismissed it and thought it to be just an echo, but it couldn't have been. The pattern that the second set of footsteps was making wasn't the same; that's when I stopped.

The pair of footsteps belonging to whoever, friend or foe I haven't figured out yet, stopped right after I did. I stopped breathing to see how close they were. I could hear their breathes, but faintly, and I could just feel every push of air tingling the back of my neck. They weren't that close, but they weren't that far.

They weren't moving, but why wasn't I?

I took a step forward and was going to take another, but the voice stopped me.

"Doctor?"

I recognized it immediately.

"Madame Vastra. What are you doing out so late?"

I could tell right away that it was the green, scaly lizard women. And why was she out here, anyway? Judging by her voice, she hasn't slept for very long. My theory was justified as she yawned.

"I could ask you the same thing."

No getting around a Silurian.

"Taking a walk."

"And why would you be taking a walk, Doctor? Especially at this time of night?"

She had a point, but that didn't matter to me. She was annoying me now. Why can't she just let me be? I guess I deserve it though, I did leave without a word.

I turned my head so I wasn't completely facing her, but I could see her in the corner of my eye. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Doctor, lets not play anymore games. I need an explanation."

Stay calm, Doctor, stay calm. You can't yell at Vastra.

"An explanation about...?"

I could see her stand taller and saw her face become stern.

"Doctor!" She clenched her jaw and closed her eyes; she was focusing, no, calming down. Everyone knows you can't yell at a madman, you'll accomplish nothing; he'll only yell back, louder and stronger than you had before. Never get angry with a mad man. Especially one with a box.

"Come, please?"

Sorry, backtrack a second, was Madame Vastra begging? Begging for me to come with her? When did she have to beg? Holding a sword to my throat would've made me gone, but so would a simple 'follow me', but begging? Begging?

"Why? Do you need my help?"

"Doctor, I'm starting to think you're the one that needs an aid."

I turned around, looking directly at her, "Why should I come? Is something happening?"

"Well, a dear friend of mine is going insane and won't tell me the truth!"

"Humf," I looked at her unamused, "Thats happening to me, too."

"No it isn't Doctor. You left! We've been worried sick, and you don't even care."

I looked to the side, trying to ignore her last comment.

"Why do you need me?"

I looked back at Vastra while she thought of an answer. After a few seconds of me staring and her thinking, she finally spoke.

"If you are wondering, we need your help, Doctor."

"You still haven't answered my question."

She rose her eyebrows and was about to ask 'what question?' until I walked up to her and silenced her with my finger.

"Why?"

I ended up going in her carriage and was taken to her house. I'm now surrounded by Jenny and Strax, everyone sitting in front of me. Vastra is directly in front, Jenny is to her left, and Strax to her right. The tea tray is there as well, like it always is; compliments of Jenny. They're all trying to convince me; they're all trying to answer my question. Why?

"Well", Jenny spoke after pouring the tea, "Mr.Harriet says that there are kids terrorizing his house. He asked us to find out who the kids are, and we can't figure it out. Mind you, Mr.Harriet is a bit old and delirious, but nevertheless, I think you might... want to analyze it?"

Vastra saw that this wasn't working and started in, trying to convince me, "Mrs.Smith said that over at her sewing shop someone has been stealing. She doesn't have any numbers or counts, but she's sure that someone is taking from her. She's always losing needles and..." she stopped. She saw there was no point.

That didn't stop Strax, though.
"I heard that an anonymous warrior race are going to try and claim Earth by this Friday. We have no defences, no armies, and no grenades. Frankly, if these rumours are true, we will lose and die in battle. I've always wanted to die in battle, but dying in that battle will be a disgrace to my clone batch. I'm a nurse for them, which is a big disgrace already, but... did I forget to mention? Grenades. We will lose without any grenades. We need grenades."

Jenny and Vastra both turned their heads to Strax as in to say either 'seriously?' or 'thanks for trying, Strax, but its just not working'. I'm not sure which one, and I wouldn't have time to because they all turned their gaze to me. They all saw my unconvinced face that hasn't changed since I came.

"Anything else?" I asked them.

Strax lowered his gaze and Vastra put her veil down. Jenny started to sip her tea, but stopped. She took her lips away from the cup, looked at Vastra, and then put the cup down.

She coughed, clearing her throat. Thats Jenny. She'll never stop trying.

"Doctor, what happened to the Ponds?"

Not what I expected her to say, but that's still the same old Jenny. She didn't stop trying, she's still trying to get me to talk. Except now, she's the one asking why.