!EDITED! 

A/N: was 7847 words, is now 8772! Enjoy! :D

The Daleks were still gliding about the place in a full-blown panic. The one that was still guarding me turns sharply, "you know the Doctor! You understand him! You will predict his actions!"

"I- I- I don't k-know!" I stumble back into the wall as the Dalek glides even closer. "I would- would never tell you if I did!"

"Predict! Predict! Predict!"

"TARDIS detected! In-flight!" one of the Daleks scream.

"Launch missiles! Exterminate!"

"You can't! You'll destroy him!" I shout.

"You have predicted correctly," the one before me replies, making me whimper as I wrap my arms around my waist; please Doctor... please.

I slump in relief when I hear the TARDIS engines and she begins to materialize around me. I turn to see the Doctor by the console, Rose beside him, and Jack with his huge defabricator gun. "Lizzie! Get down!" the Doctor shouts at the same time Rose screams. "Get down, Lizzie!"

I throw myself to the floor, breathing heavily just as the Dalek screams and shoots its laser. I turn quickly, watching as Jack shoots the Dalek with the defabricator, causing the dome head and the middle section to explode. "Oh, my God..." I get up shakily. "You- you did it!" I beam at the Doctor.

The Doctor doesn't say anything, just rushes over and wraps his arms around my waist tightly. I squeak when he lifts me, setting me down on one of the coral structures and kisses the side of my head over and over. The Doctor pulls away, cupping my face in his hands as he looks me over.

"I'm so happy to see you, it- it feels like it's been ages," I whisper, the Doctor wiping away a tear that leaks out with his thumb.

"Told you I'd come and get you," he smiles softly.

"Never doubted you for a second," I pull him back into a hug, nuzzling his shoulder.

"I did," he admits, rubbing my back as he buries his face in my hair. "You alright?"

"Brilliant now... you?" I ask hesitantly, feeling his potent mix of emotions.

"Not bad, been better!" he pulls away, smiling as he presses a kiss to my forehead that makes me blush brightly.

I hop down from the coral structure when he moves to inspect the Dalek. Just as my feet hit the grating floor, a blur of blonde crashes into me, making me gasp as arms go around my waist and there's sobbing against my neck. "I thought you were dead!" Rose cries, squeezing me near death.

"I'm right here," I hold her tight, reaching up to stroke her hair.

"Don't ever do that again! It was supposed to be me!" she pulls away so she can slap my arm, making me yelp and the Doctor hiss.

"Hey," I smile, placing my hands on her shoulders. "You're my baby sister and I won't ever let anything happen to you if I can help it, do you hear me?" I wipe a few tears away.

"I thought you were dead..." she repeats, her voice shaking as she pulls me back to her.

"I'm ok," I assure her, kissing her cheek.

"Don't I get any love?" Jack whines.

I laugh, pulling away from Rose, "aw, come here!" I hold out my arms.

"I was talking to him," Jack smirks, pointing to the Doctor.

"Fine, don't hug me, then," I shrug, squeaking when I'm suddenly lifted in the air and being spun around. "Jack!" I laugh, slapping his chest lightly when he sets me down.

"Welcome home!" he beams down at me.

"Oh, I thought I was never gonna see you again!" I wrap my arms around his waist tightly and he holds me against him as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Aw, Captain Snuggle!" I smile up at him, giggling when he tickles my sides.

"I'm never gonna get away from that name, am I?" he chuckles, swaying us from side to side.

"Nope!" I shake my head, pulling away. "So... that's really useful," I point to the defabricator.

"Oh, that... yeah, that was just a one-shot wonder; drained the gun of all its power supply," he explains. "Now it's just a piece of junk," he shrugs.

"Well, that's a bit rubbish, we could've used it," I sigh, turning to the Doctor, who was still examining the Dalek.

I walk over to where he was knelt by it, wrinkling my nose at the fried squid-like alien. Hissing, I wince at the rage and pain I get from the Doctor. I lean against his back and wrap my arms around his neck loosely. The Doctor tenses before breathing out, taking one of my hands and lifting it to press a soft kiss to the back of it. Moving my head to lean against his shoulder, I look at the dead Dalek and wince again when a pain shoots through my mind, the Doctor hissing in pain. The man's voice once again screams 'no!' right after a shout of 'exterminate!' It was gone quickly and I squeeze the Doctor quickly in apology.

"You said they were extinct," Rose comes over, leaning against the railing and folding her arms. "How comes they're still alive?"

"One minute they're the greatest threat in the universe and the next they vanished out of time and space," Jack puts in, coming over as well.

"They went off to fight a bigger war... the Time War..." the Doctor murmurs, gripping my hand tightly.

"I thought that was just a legend," Jack gapes at him.

"I was there," the Doctor retorts, his voice going dark. "The war between the Daleks and the Time Lords with the whole of creation at stake... my people and others were destroyed, but the Time Lords took the Daleks with them," he sighs and I intertwine our fingers as guilt washes over me, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "I almost thought it was worth it... now it turns out they died for nothing," he grinds out and I lean more into him, trying to comfort him.

"There's- Doctor, I'm sorry but there's thousands of them..." I mutter.

"We could barely stop one!" Rose points out. "What're we gonna do?"

The Doctor lets go of my hand, patting it and I get off him so he can stand. He then turns to us with a wide, fake grin, "no good stood round here chin-wagging! Human Race, you'd gossip all day!" he scoffs. "The Daleks have got the answers! Let's go and meet the neighbors!" he beams, grabbing my hand and starting to drag me to the doors.

"No! We can't go out there!" I try to pull him back.

The Doctor ignores me, opening the door and stepping out with me behind him. I clutch onto his leather jacket with my free hand as the Daleks scream and fire at the TARDIS. What's shocking, though, is that there's some sort of force-field around the TARDIS several feet out. Oh... they must've used the extrapolator.

"Is that it?" the Doctor scoffs. "Useless! Nul points!" he taunts, leaning against the TARDIS while he squeezes my hand. "It's alright, come on out!" he calls to Rose and Jack. "That force-field can hold back anything!"

"Almo-" Jack's cut off by Rose slapping a hand against his mouth.

"Thanks, Rose," the Doctor smiles.

"Jack, you're an idiot," she rolls her eyes, taking her hand away.

"Sorry..." he rubs the back of his neck.

The Doctor lets go of my hand and steps forward to address the Daleks. I go to follow, but he gives me a clear 'don't move' look, so I lean against the TARDIS and fold my arms. The Doctor nods and turns back to the Daleks, "do you know what they call me in the ancient legends of the Dalek Homeworld? The Oncoming Storm!" he smirks and I raise an eyebrow; that's... a rather accurate name actually and quite a good one. "You might've removed all your emotions... but I reckon that right down deep in your DNA, there's one little spark left, and that's fear! Doesn't it just burn when you face me?" he taunts. "So, tell me: how did you survive the Time War?"

"They survived... through me!" a deep robotic voice answers.

I look over when a light comes on, illuminating a giant, golden Dalek that was towering above everything. "Lizzie... Rose... Captain..." the Doctor mutters quietly, getting our attention. "This is the Emperor of the Daleks," he introduces, taking a few steps forward.

"You destroyed us, Doctor," the Emperor accuses and I get a flare of anger and a slight one of guilt; though, I doubt the guilt was for the Daleks. "The Dalek race died in your inferno but my ship survived, falling through time; crippled but alive-"

"I get it!" the Doctor cuts in.

"Do not interrupt!" a Dalek screams, the rest repeating it.

"I think you're forgetting something," the Doctor rolls his eyes. "I'm the Doctor and if there's one thing I can do - it's talk! I've got five billion languages and you haven't got one of stopping me! So, if anybody's gonna shut up... it's you!" he shouts the last two words, making all the Daleks right outside the force-field glide back sharply.

I move forward to be beside him and take his hand in mine. The Doctor tenses, sending me a scolding look but he doesn't make me go back by the TARDIS and intertwines our fingers, pulling me a bit closer, "okey-doke!" he smiles. "So! Where were we?" he asks the Emperor lightly.

"-we waited here, in the dark space! Damaged, but rebuilding!" the Emperor continues as if there was never an interruption. "Centuries passed and we quietly infiltrated the systems of Earth; harvesting the waste of humanity! The prisoners, the refugees, the dispossessed, they all came to us! The bodies were filtered, pulped, sifted!" I put my free hand over my mouth as my stomach churns and the Doctor runs his thumb over my knuckles. "The seed of the Human Race is perverted! Only one cell in a billion was fit to be nurtured!"

"So... you- you created an army of Daleks out of the- the dead?" I ask, completely and utterly disgusted.

"That makes them... half-Human," Rose realizes, looking about to be sick.

"Those words are blasphemy!" the Emperor screams.

"Do not blaspheme!" a Dalek screams, the rest repeating and sending chills down my spine.

"Everything human has been purged! I cultivated pure and blessed Dalek!"

"... since when did the Daleks have a concept of blasphemy?" the Doctor asks, staring around at all the Daleks.

"I reached into the dirt and made new life! I am the God of all Daleks!" the Emperor answers.

"Worship him! Worship him! Worship him!" the Daleks chant and I scoot closer to the Doctor as fear and horror wash over me.

"They're insane," the Doctor breathes out. "One hundred years in silence, that's enough to drive anyone mad," he stares at the Daleks in disgust as I get a tiny pang of pity. "But it's worse than that: driven mad by your own flesh... the stink of humanity... you hate your own existence," he shakes his head. "And that makes them more deadly than ever," he turns to the Emperor. "We're going!" he announces.

"You may not leave my presence!" the Emperor screams as the Doctor pulls me to the TARDIS.

"Stay where you are!" a Dalek screams.

Jack ushers Rose inside the TARDIS and then the Doctor pushes me in after them. He sends the Daleks a wide, mocking grin before shutting the door. "Exterminate!" the Daleks begin to scream over and over and I can hear their lasers hitting the force-field outside, bringing the pain back in my mind before it's gone quickly.

I move to stand beside the Doctor, who was leaning his forehead against the door with his eyes closed. I put a hand on his arm and squeak quietly when I'm suddenly between him and the door. The Doctor uses one hand to hold him up and the other arm to wrap around me as he breathes out shakily. I wrap my arms around his waist, leaning my ear against his chest and hearing his hearts racing. "I'm so sorry," I whisper, squeezing him tightly.

The Doctor kisses the top of my head, taking a few deep breathes before letting me go and running up to the console to fly us back to the Game Station. I move over to Rose, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug.

***

The Doctor, Jack, Rose, and I head out of the TARDIS into Floor 500 and I look around, noting the differences from last time. "Turn everything up!" the Doctor calls, pulling me over to a long control panel. "All transmissions! Wide-open! Full Power! Now!" he orders. "Do it!" he shouts when everyone just stares at him.

"What does that do?" a man in a short-sleeved button-up asks.

"Stops the Daleks form transmatting on board," I reply, making him look up at me from his desk. "Hi, Lizzie Tyler," I smile, holding my free hand out.

"Davitch Pavale," he smiles, shaking my hand.

"How did you get on?" the Doctor cuts in. "Did you contact Earth?"

"Well... we tried to warn them but all they did was suspend our license because we stopped the programs," he explains, running a hand down his face.

I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose, "of course all they care about is the fact they can't watch telly," I shake my head.

"And the planet's just sitting there, defenseless," the Doctor sighs. "Lynda!" he exclaims and I look over to see the blonde sitting beside Davitch. "What're you doing on board?" he demands before rounding on Davitch. "I told you to evacuate everyone!"

"She wouldn't go," Davitch rolls his eyes, seeming very annoyed.

"Didn't want to leave you," Lynda smiles up at him, making me frown.

I glance at Rose to see her scowl at Lynda, her and Jack whispering to each other. Well... at least I wasn't the only one who didn't like her much. The Doctor chuckles, pulling me to his side and kissing the top of my head, making me bite my lip as my cheeks burn.

"There weren't enough shuttles, anyway or I wouldn't be here," a woman cuts in. "We've got about a hundred people stranded on Floor Zero," she explains.

"Well... that's lovely," I sigh. "What's your name?" I look over at her curiously.

"Nisha Nayer," she introduces shortly.

"Nice to meet you, then," I roll my eyes.

"Excuse me if I'm not warm and friendly," she snaps. "Your friends came up here, pointing guns around the place and threatening the staff," she glares at the Doctor.

"You what?" I look up at him sharply.

"You were dead..." he whispers, his face scrunching up as a strong wave of grief hits me. "I wasn't gonna hurt any of them," he adds.

"Doctor," I sigh, leaning my head on his arm; is it wrong to feel a bit touched?

***

"Oh, my God!" Davitch gasps from his computer. "The fleet is moving! They're on their way!"

The Doctor was moving around the controls, ripping armfuls of wires from under the desks. I was leaning against the controls with Rose and Jack. "Dalek plan, big mistake!" the Doctor grins. "Because what have they left me with? Anyone? Anyone?" he asks, getting blank stares... even I was having a bit of trouble keeping up. "Oh, come on! It's obvious! A great, big transmitter! This station! If I can change the signal, fold it back, sequence it... anyone?"

My eyes widen as I catch on, "oh, my God!" I gasp.

"That's my girl!" the Doctor laughs, a wide grin as I blush, Rose snickering beside me.

"You've got to be kidding..." Jack shakes his head.

"Give the man a medal!" the Doctor beams.

"A Delta Wave?" Jack and I ask incredulously.

"A Delta Wave!" the Doctor repeats giddily.

"What's a Delta Wave?" Rose asks, eyebrows furrowed.

"Kitten?" Jack waves for me to explain.

I bite my lip, "it's a wave of Van Cassadyne energy... it fries your brain," I explain.

Jack nods, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, "stand in the way of a Delta Wave and your head gets barbecued!"

"And this place can transmit a massive wave!" the Doctor laughs. "Wipe out the Daleks!"

"Well, get started and do it, then!" Lynda grins widely.

I roll my eyes, folding my arms as I kick the floor with the toe of my shoe. Jack chuckles under his breath, squeezing me, "don't worry, kitten," he whispers in my ear. "Doc only has eyes for his 'tiny'," he smirks, kissing my cheek as it burns.

"Bastard," I push his face away as he laughs.

The Doctor rambling quickly draws my attention back to him, "trouble is: wave this size, building this big, brain as clever as mine; should take about... oh, three days? How long till the fleet arrive?"

"Twenty-two minutes," Davitch replies.

The Doctor picks up the pace and I move from under Jack's arm to help.

***

The Doctor and I were working furiously to get the Delta Wave ready while Jack and the others prepare to fight. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying as I was so focused on what I was doing. So... I jumped and let out an embarrassing squeal when the Doctor calls Rose over to start on stripping the wires, making him laugh. "Shut up!" I whine, pushing him and not even making him move an inch. "Arse," I huff as he just laughs harder.

"Into the lift! Isolate the lift controls!" Jack orders and Davitch, Nisha, and the other staff members head over.

I sigh when Lynda approaches the Doctor nervously, "I... I just wanted to say, um... thanks, I suppose and... I'll do my best!" she smiles up at him.

"Me too!" the Doctor smiles, dodging her attempt at a kiss/hug and shaking her hand instead, making me smirk to myself a bit.

Rose nudges me, making me look over at her and she wiggles her eyebrows teasingly. I roll my eyes, nudging her back and going back to working on the wires with her. That was till Jack comes over, "it's been fun!" he smiles. "But... I guess this is goodbye..." he sighs.

"Don't talk like that!" Rose protests. "The Doctor's gonna do it! You just watch him," she smiles.

"Rose..." Jack cups her face in his hands. "I gained the best partner in crime with you and... you are worth fighting for," he presses a kiss to her lips, making me raise an eyebrow as he pulls away and turns to the Doctor. "Wish I'd never met you, Doctor!" he laughs, cupping his face in his hands. "I was much better of as a coward," he presses a kiss to his lips as well and I snort. "Kitten," he smirks when he pulls away, cupping my face.

"We'll get out of this, yeah?" I ask, tears welling up.

Jack smiles softly, "people can only make you feel as small as you let them, kitten," he strokes my cheek with his thumb. "Don't let them make you believe you're anything short of amazing."

"Jack Harkness," I grab his forearms. "Did you seriously use what could possibly be our last words to each other as a joke on my height?"

"Maybe... but I meant what I said," he presses a kiss to my lips, making me smile as I stand on my tip-toes so he didn't have to lean down so much. "See ya in hell," he pulls away with a wink, running from the room.

"He's gonna be alright... isn't he?" Rose asks quietly, not getting an answer.

I sit down to quietly strip the wires, tears falling down my face. I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders and I snuggle into the Doctor's side as we work with Rose sitting across from us.

***

My hands were really starting to cramp up... who knew saving the planet would require so much manual labor?

"Suppose..." Rose trails off.

"What?" the Doctor asks.

"Nothing," she shakes her head, biting her lip.

"You said suppose," the Doctor retorts.

"No... I was just thinking," she mutters, not looking up. "I mean, obviously you can't but... you've got a time machine," she looks up. "Why can't you just go back to last week and warn them?"

"Soon as the TARDIS lands - in that second - I become part of events; stuck in the time-line," the Doctor explains.

"Yeah... thought it'd be something like that..." Rose mutters.

"There's another thing the TARDIS could do... she could take us away," the Doctor shrugs, making me look up at him. "We could leave, let history take its course; we go to Marbella in 1989," he offers.

"You'd never do that," I point out.

"No, but you could ask," he retorts, making Rose and I frown as he looks between us. "Never occurred to either of you, did it?" he shakes his head with a smile.

"Well... we're just too good," Rose looks down with a smile, making me breathe out a laugh.

The computer whirs, "the Delta Wave's started building!" I smile.

"How long does it need?" the Doctor jumps up, walking over to it with Rose and I following.

The Doctor sits in a chair, Rose and I on either side of him as he presses a few buttons. I look at the monitor, face falling at what I see. Rose chews on her bottom lip, looking between the Doctor and I, "is that bad?" she asks, not getting an answer. "Ok, it's bad... how bad is it?"

The Doctor suddenly perks up, leaping to his feet, "Rose Tyler, you're a genius!" he grabs her face, kissing her forehead. "We can do it! If I use the TARDIS to cross my old time-line... yes!" he laughs, pulling me over to the TARDIS while I frown; what's he going on about?

"But... Doctor-" I start as he rushes up to the console.

"Hold that down and keep position!" he orders Rose, pointing to a lever.

"What's it do?" she asks, holding it down.

"Cancels the buffers," the Doctor waves off, going over to the monitor and leaving me by the railing feeling very confused. "If I'm very clever - and I'm more than clever, I'm brilliant!" he throws me a wink. "I might just save the world... or rip it apart!"

"I'd go for the first one," Rose smiles.

"Me too!" the Doctor nods. "Now... I've just got to go and power up the Game Station!" he comes over to me, cups my cheek in his hand, kisses my forehead gently, and lingers for a moment as he runs his thumb along my jaw. "Be right back," he pulls away smiling and I frown, feeling guilt wash over me; he wouldn't... no, he wouldn't. "Hold on!" he runs out, slamming the door shut.

I run to the door, pulling on the handle and my heart sinks, "Doctor!" I beat on the door, tears welling up. "Doctor, don't you dare! Open this damn door, right now!" I scream as more guilt washes over me. "Open the door!"

"I don't understand... what's he done?" Rose rushes over, pulling on the door as the engines start. "Doctor? The engines have started... Doctor!" she beats on the door.

"Doctor, let us out! Dammit, let us out! You bloody, self-sacrificing bastard! Don't do this! Please!"

"Let us out! Doctor, what've you done!?" Rose shouts.

"Please don't do this to me..." I whimper, leaning my forehead against the door and wincing when I can't feel him anymore.

"This is Emergency Program One," the Doctor's voice makes me turn around to see a hologram of him up by the console. "Girls, now listen, this is important: if this message is activated, then it can only mean one thing... we must be in danger and I mean fatal; I'm dead or about to die any second with no chance of escape."

"No!" Rose and I rush forward, stopping at the top of the ramp.

"No, you can't!" I shake my head, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"And that's ok, hope it's a good death," holo-Doctor smiles, making my heart ache. "But I promised to look after you girls, and that's what I'm doing; the TARDIS is taking you home."

"We won't let you!" Rose screams as I just stare at him.

"And I bet at least one of you is fussing and moaning now, typical," he scoffs lightly. "But hold on and just listen a bit more: the TARDIS can never return for me; Emergency Program One means I'm facing an enemy that should never get their hands on this machine, so this is what you should do... let the TARDIS die-"

"What?" I choke out.

"-just let this old box gather dust; no one can open her and no one will even notice her. Let her become a strange, little thing standing on a street corner and over the years, the world will move on and the box will be buried... and if you want to remember me, girls, then you can do one thing... that's all, one thing," he smiles softly. "Have a good life... do that for me, girls, have a fantastic life," he grins before he turns to me. "Lizzie... I know you'll be angry with me, probably hate me... and that's alright cause you'll be safe, but just remember to move on, to be brave, and let people see just how clever you are... can you do that for me, tiny?"

My hand flies to my mouth when he disappears and I choke out a sob, falling to my knees. Rose runs up to the console, trying to fly us back desperately, "You can't do this to us! You can't! Take us back! Take us back!"

The engines stop and Rose runs outside, coming back in a second later while I just stay where I am. "Come on, fly! How do you fly!?" Rose slams down several buttons and pulls on multiple levers.

I vaguely hear Mouse shout as I just stare ahead, tears running down my face.

3rd Person POV:

"Kitten, I've called up the internal laser codes!" Jack calls into a holo-screen. "Can you read them out to me?"

"She's not here," the Doctor mutters blankly, his hearts clenching when he remembers her pain, her anguish, and her anger as she begged him not to.

"Of all the times to take a leak!" Jack complains, not noticing. "Rose? There should be a different number on every screen!"

"She's not here either," the Doctor sighs, rubbing his face as he remembers the hurt in her voice as they both beat on the doors. "They're not coming back," he shakes his head.

Jack pauses in his work, "what do you mean? Where'd they go?"

"Just get on with your work," the Doctor orders, looking down at the wires in his hands.

"... you took them home, didn't you?"

"Yeah," the Doctor nods.

"If kitten finds a way back, she will kill you... you do know that, don't you?"

"She won't find a way back, she can't," the Doctor denies.

"If it means getting back to you, she will! She'd do anything if it meant you were safe," Jack scoffs, getting no reply. "How the hell can someone be so oblivious?"

"Who said I was oblivious?" the Doctor snaps.

Jack raises his eyebrows, knowing his tone meant to drop it, "the Delta Wave," he changes the subject. "Is it ever gonna be ready?"

"Tell him the truth, Doctor," the Emperor pops up on another screen. "There is every possibility that the Delta Wave could be complete, but no possibility of refining it! The Delta Wave must kill every living thing in its path, with no distinction between Human and Dalek; all things will die... by your hand!"

Jack stares at the silent Time Lord, "... Doctor, the range of this transmitter covers the entire Earth," he points out and the Doctor stays silent still.

"You would destroy Daleks and Humans together," the Emperor taunts. "If I am God, the creator of all things then what does that make you, Doctor?"

The Doctor finally snaps, "there are colonies out there! The Human Race would survive in some shape or form but you're the only Daleks in existence! The whole universe is in danger if I let you live! Don't you see, Jack?" he turns to the captain. "That's the decision I've got to make for every living thing: die as a Human or live as a Dalek... what would you do?" he asks desperately.

Jack looks at the broken man, "you sent them home, they're safe," he reminds him. "Keep working..."

"But he will exterminate you!" the Emperor protests.

"Never doubted him! Never will!" Jack grins.

The Doctor grins back, leaping to his feet and walking up to the Emperor's screen, "now, you tell me, 'God of all Daleks'! Cause there's one thing I never worked out; the words 'Bad Wolf' spread across time and space, everywhere, drawing me in: how'd you manage that?"

"I did nothing!"

"Oh, come on," the Doctor rolls his eyes. "There's no secrets now, your worship!" he smiles.

"They are not part of my design! This is the truth of God!"

The Doctor looks up at the huge 'Bad Wolf Corporation' sign, his hearts racing; what the hell is it, then?

1st Person POV:

Mouse had called mum and she came to the TARDIS, dragging me away and to a cafe down the road. I was sitting beside Rose - Mouse, and mum across from us - pushing my chips around with my fork. I was numb... what was the point of eating when the Doctor was- my face screws up as I stab the styrofoam container. I wasn't paying attention to their attempts to get my mind off it; how the hell was I supposed to get my mind off him.

"Oh, girls, have something to eat," mum sighs.

"200,000 years in the future, he's dying and there's nothing we can do," Rose glares, making me flinch.

"Well, like you said... 200,000 years, it's way off!"

"But it's not! It's now! That fight is happening right now and he's fighting for us! For the whole planet and we're just sitting here eating chips!" she shoves her's away.

"Listen to me," mum sighs. "God knows I have hated that man but right now, I love him and do you know why? Because he did the right thing; he sent you girls back to me," she smiles, tears in her eyes.

"Yeah? How is that the right thing?" I scoff, my voice cracking and my throat raw from crying earlier. "What am I supposed to do, huh? Go back to school? Get up, go to classes, come back home, eat chips, go to bed? Is that it?"

"It's what the rest of us do," Mouse scowls.

"But we can't!"

"Why? Cause you're better than us?" Mouse glares.

"That's not what she meant!" Rose glares right back. "But it was... it was a better life..." she breathes out. "And I... I don't mean all traveling and seeing aliens and spaceships and things, that don't matter," she shakes her head. "The Doctor showed us a better way of living your life! You know, he showed you too! That you don't just give up! You don't just let things happen! You make a stand! You say no! You have the guts to do what's right when everyone else just runs away!"

"You don't get it, neither one of you gets it... how amazing he is, how truly brilliant," I smile, tears welling up. "He didn't just make my life better, the Doctor's made me better... he helped me step outside of the little box I put myself in, to be proud of who I am and you want me to just abandon him!?" I glare between them. "How do I do that? Turn my back on him after everything he's done!? I'm just supposed to leave him to die like he doesn't mean everything to me!?"

"Lizzie..." mum stares at me, reaching out to take my hand.

"I can't do this," my voice cracks and I shake my head, getting up and running out.

***

I run back to the TARDIS, leaning my hands against the side as my body shakes, tears streaming down my face. I feel arms go around me and turn into Rose's embrace, "he sent us away! How could he do that?" I cry into her neck.

"We'll find a way back to him, I promise," Rose strokes my hair.

I pull away, wiping at my eyes, "can I- please, I- I need some times to myself..." I whisper.

"Of course," Rose smiles softly. "I'll go walk for a bit... phone if you need anything, yeah?" she asks, moving a few loose hairs from my face.

I nod, watching as she walks away before going into the TARDIS. I walk up the ramp to the console and run my fingers along it, "please, take me back... I know you can hear me... please.... take me back to him," I beg, more tears streaming down my face and there's nothing in reply; no hum, no lights flashing, no trills or singing in my mind. "I- I need him... please..." I fall to my knees.

3rd Person POV:

If the TARDIS could, she would wrap Lizzie up in a hug and never let her go. Oh, how she could kill her thief! No matter, the Bad Wolf will come and save him. Now... she just has to make sure that the right sister becomes Bad Wolf. If it's the wrong one... oh, that just isn't- won't be? Oh, tenses are so hard! Lizzie cannot become the Bad Wolf... that just wouldn't do! Then protecting Lizzie from the effects her heart would have- will be? for nothing! The TARDIS couldn't have that! Not when it would cause- oh... no, it was much too soon, she was sure of it!

1st Person POV:

I don't know how long I was lying on the floor with my arms wrapped around myself, but I shoot up when the door opens. Rose and Mouse run in, Rose looking absolutely ecstatic, "we can get back! Bad Wolf is here and it's not a warning! It's a message! Right now and in the future with the Doctor, it's connected!" she comes over, grabbing my hands. "All the TARDIS needs to do is make a return trip!" she beams. "Just... reverse!"

"Yeah, but we still can't do it," Mouse points out.

"The Doctor always said the TARDIS is telepathic! She's alive, she can listen!"

"Except she isn't listening! I tried and she won't respond at all," I shake my head.

"We need to get inside!" Rose bounces, making my eyes widen. "Last time we saw you, with the Slitheen," she turns to Mouse. "This middle bit opened up and there was this light and Lizzie said it was the heart of the TARDIS," she explains.

"If we can open it... we can make contact," I smile, my heart picking up a bit. "We can tell her what to do!"

"Rose..." Mouse trails off and she hums, looking over at him.

"If you go back, you're gonna die," he murmurs. "You both will..."

"That's a risk I've got to take," I pick at the end of my jumper. "I... I can't let him die..." I shake my head. "But that doesn't mean... Rose I can do this on my own," I turn to her.

"Yeah, that's not happening," Rose snorts. "I told you, us and him are family, I'm not leaving him," she smiles.

Mouse sighs, looking between us, "ok... let's get this thing open," he decides and I run over, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Thank you, Mouse," I nuzzle his shoulder.

"Don't thank me yet, Bird," he pulls away, wiping my tears away. "Still have to make it work," he sighs.

***

Rose and I were standing beside the console, watching the chain that was attached to the console and Mouse's car. "Faster!" I call.

"It's not moving!" Rose yells.

I bite my lip, watching the chain tighten then shudder and break off. I shout in frustration, Rose kicking the console before we both slump down in the jump-seat. Mum comes in and stands beside me, rubbing my back, "it was never going to work, sweethearts and the Doctor knew that; he just wanted you safe," she tells us gently.

"We can't give up," Rose protests.

"Lock the door, walk away-"

"Dad wouldn't give up," I look up at her, narrowing my eyes.

"Well, he's not her, is he?" she retorts sharply. "Even if he was, he'd say the same," she shakes her head.

"No, he wouldn't," Rose backs me up. "He'd tell us to try anything! If we could save the Doctor's life? Try anything!"

"Well, we're never gonna know!"

"We do! Cause... we met him... we met dad!" I tell her.

"Don't be ridiculous," mum shakes her head.

I grab Rose's hand in mine, tears welling up, "remember when dad died? There were people with him... two girls," my voice cracks. "A blonde and brunette and they held his hands..."

"You saw them from a distance, mum!" Rose stands when she just stares at me in disbelief. "You saw 'em! Think about it! That was us! You saw us!"

"Stop it," mum whispers.

"That's how good the Doctor is!"

"Stop it! Just stop it!" mum runs from the TARDIS.

***

Rose, Mouse, and I were leaning against his car. "There's got to be something else we can do," Mouse sighs, folding his arms.

"Mum was right... maybe we should just lock the door and walk away," Rose mutters miserably.

"You can if you want, but I can't give up... I won't," I shake my head.

"No, I'm not having that, Rose," Mouse cuts in, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'm not having you just... give up now, no way! We just need something stronger than my car, something bigger..." he trails off. "Something like that!" he laughs.

I turn, jumping when a loud horn sounds from a huge, yellow recovery truck driving around the corner. It stops right in front of us and I beam, sharing an excited look with Rose when mum hops out, "right! You've only got this until six o'clock, so get on with it!"

"Mum... where the hell did you get that from?" I ask incredulously.

"Rodrigo, he owes me a favor," she shrugs and I raise an eyebrow as Rose snorts loudly. "Never mind why," she waves off. "But... you were right about your dad, girls, he was full of mad ideas and this is exactly what he would've done," she smiles. "Now, get on with it before I change my mind," she chucks the keys to Mouse.

I pull mum into a tight hug, "thank you..."

"You're welcome, sweetheart," she pulls away, wiping my hair from my face.

***

We get the chain hooked on the back of the truck and hook the other end back to the console. Rose and I were inside the TARDIS watching the chain and mum was outside watching Mouse. 

"Keep going!" Rose shouts.

"Put your foot down!"

"Faster!"

"Give it some more, Mickey!"

"Keep going!" I shout as the chain begins to crack.

"Come on! Come on!"

"Keep going!"

"Give it some more!"

The chain breaks and the heart snaps open, bright, golden light pouring from it. I go to look in, but my mind was overwhelmed with the singing of the TARDIS and I wince, stumbling back. I look over to see Rose in front of the heart, vortex energy flowing from the TARDIS directly into her eyes. The engines start up and I grab onto the console to keep steady. A moment later they stop and Rose walks to the doors, surrounded by light and she opens them without even touching them. I try to run out, but Rose holds up a hand and I'm stopped at the doorway. The Doctor was just outside, surrounded by Daleks, "what've you done!?" he stares at Rose, horror and fear washing over me as he stumbles back, falling down.

"I looked into the TARDIS and the TARDIS looked into me," Rose answers, her voice having an echoing, ethereal quality to it and I watch her worriedly; oh, my God... what've I done?

"You look into the vortex, Rose! No one's meant to see that!"

"This is the abomination!" the Emperor screams.

"Exterminate!" a Dalek fires.

"Rose, no!" I scream, trying to jolt forward but still being kept frozen in place.

Rose simply raises her hand and the bolt bounces off her palm, reversing back into the Daleks gun and it explodes. I stare at Rose as she stares straight ahead, "I am the Bad Wolf!" she announces. "I create myself! I take the words," she waves her hand and the 'Bad Wolf Corporation' sign floats in the air and she sends it off. "I scatter them in time and space: a message to lead myself here!"

"Rose, you've got to stop this! You've got to stop this now!" the Doctor pleads as more fear washes over me. "You've got the entire vortex running through your head! You're gonna burn!"

"Lizzie and I want you safe!" she replies, making the Doctor look between us in shock. "Our Doctor... protected from the false god!"

I don't take my eyes off the Doctor, tears streaming down my face as horror washes over me, "I'm s-sorry," I whisper.

"You cannot hurt me!" the Emperor screams. "I am immortal!"

"You are tiny!" Rose snaps, her voice shuddering through the place. "I can see the whole of time and space, every single atom of your existence and I divide them!" she raises her hand and the Daleks in the room melt away in vortex energy. "Everything must come to dust! All things! Everything dies! The Time War ends!" she declares.

"I will not die! I cannot die!" the Emperor screams as he and all the Daleks, including the ships disintegrate.

"Rose, you've done it!" I call, my voice shaking. "Now stop! Please, just let go!"

"How can I let go of this?" she asks, turning to me. "I bring life," she smiles.

"But this is wrong!" the Doctor shouts. "You can't control life and death!"

"But I can," Rose retorts, turning back to him. "The sun and the moon, the day and night! But why do they hurt?" her voice cracks.

"The power's gonna kill you and it's my fault!" the Doctor cries in anguish, making more tears fall with my own guilt.

"I can see everything! All that is... all that was... all that ever could be!"

The Doctor stands, moving over to Rose carefully, "that's what I see, all the time... and doesn't it drive you mad?"

"My head..." Rose cries in pain, sounding terrified.

"Come here," the Doctor smiles gently, holding out his arms.

"It's killing me!" Rose whimpers, stepping into his arms.

"I think you need a doctor," he breathes out a laugh as he pulls her close.

I watch, the Doctor sending me a small smile before pressing a kiss to Rose's forehead. The vortex energy flows from Rose into the Doctor's eyes and my own widen when I realize he's pulling it from her and taking it into himself. After it's all out of Rose, she slumps against the Doctor and I'm freed from the hold on me. I rush forward, taking Rose from him and laying her down on the floor carefully. "Will she be alright?" I ask, voice cracking as I stroke her hair and I look up to see the Doctor blowing the vortex energy into the TARDIS, making the doors slam shut.

"She'll be fine," the Doctor assures me, coming over and lifting Rose up bridal-style.

I rush over and open the TARDIS door for him. The Doctor carries Rose in and lays her down on the grating floor by the console gently. I move over and stand by the console while he gets us ready to leave. After setting us in deep space the Doctor turns to me and a rush of emotion hits me, making me gasp softly. "Are you alright? Did you look into the light?" he moves over to me, cupping my face in his hands. "... Lizzie?" he frowns when I don't answer.

"I'm fine," I glare, taking his hands from my face and stepping back, making him flinch. "How dare you! You had no right! No right whatsoever to send me away! I could've helped! And... and... and I couldn't feel you anymore!" I start to pace, rubbing my arm as tears run down my face. "I thought I was losing you! I thought you were dying!"

"I was protecting you!" the Doctor steps in front of me.

"That's not your job! You don't get to just force me away when you think it's too dangerous! You don't get to decide to leave me!" I push him back.

"Like what you did!?" he shoots back, a wave of anger and hurt and grief hitting me.

"... w-what?" I ask, blinking as I take a step back.

"You made the decision to leave me! I thought you were dead! You left me and then I come to find out that you're on a Dalek ship! I chose to protect you just like you chose to protect Rose! I wasn't about to lose you to them as well! So, yes! I had every right to send you away!"

"... I thought- I thought I was losing you..." I whisper, my voice cracking. "Y-you sent me away and- and I tried to get the TARDIS to bring me back... she wouldn't listen! S-so Rose thought that- that- that-" arms wrap around me and I clutch onto the Doctor's jumper, squeezing my eyes shut. "I wanted to be the one... I didn't know that- that Rose would almost die... I just wanted you back... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"I'm sorry," the Doctor whisper, one arm wrapped around me and his other hand stroking my hair.

"I'll promise not to run into danger so willingly if you promise you won't do it again," I tighten my arms around his waist and lean my ear against his chest. "Please..." I mutter when he tenses, not saying anything. "Please, I can't- I can't go through that again... I can't..."

"Elizabeth Tyler," he strokes my hair and I huff slightly, making him chuckle as he pulls back enough to see my face. "The girl who stuttered and blushed her way into my life," he smiles, cupping my cheek in his hand and running his thumb along the now pink skin. "You see me as I am and you're still too damn stubborn to leave," he shakes his head.

"Language..." I whisper.

The Doctor breathes out a laugh, "I don't think I have the strength to force you away again," he smiles softly.

"Well, that's not an... awful promise," I murmur, biting my lip.

"But... if you choose to leave, I'll understand," he tells me.

"Why the hell would I choose to leave?" I frown.

"Just know that... I'm sorry," he gives me a sad smile, lifting his hands so he can place his fingers to my temples.

I whimper when he blocks the connection and pull away from him sharply, "why... why would you take that away after we just got it back!?" I demand.

"I'm sorry," he repeats, cupping my face in his hands as he kisses my forehead. "I'm so sorry, Lizzie," he murmurs against my skin, running his thumbs under my eyes as tears roll down my face.

"I don't understand," I shake my head, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"What happened?" Rose's voice cuts in.

I pull away from the Doctor and rush over, kneeling next to her, "take it easy, sweetheart," I tell her gently, helping her sit up carefully.

"Don't you remember?" the Doctor asks, moving over to the console.

"It's like... there was this singing..." Rose murmurs, making me frown; so she heard the TARDIS singing as Bad Wolf... did she make her forget, then?

"That's right! I sang a song and the Daleks ran away!" the Doctor jokes, making me snort despite myself.

"I was home... no, I wasn't," she shakes her head. "I was in the TARDIS and... and Lizzie, you were there," she looks at me. "I can't remember anything else..."

"That's alright, don't try and force yourself," I tell her, helping her stand.

"Lizzie and Rose Tyler," the Doctor gives a small laugh, making us look over as I hold onto Rose to keep her steady. "I was gonna take you to so many places! Barcelona! Not the city Barcelona, the planet! You girls would love it! Fantastic place! They've got dogs with no noses!" he laughs, making Rose giggle but I just watch him with a frown. "Imagine how many times a day you end up telling that joke and it's still funny!"

"Then, why can't we go?" Rose asks. "I mean, I could use a short holiday from all the danger," she grins.

"Maybe you will, and maybe I will, but not like this," the Doctor smiles sadly, turning to the monitor.

"Doctor..." I trail off, seeing him tense. "Why does it sound like you're saying goodbye?"

"Yeah, you're not making any sense," Rose points out.

"I might never make sense again!" the Doctor laughs. "I might have two heads! Or no head! Imagine me with no head... and don't say that's an improvement!" he points to me sternly, making Rose giggle but I just frown more. "But it's a bit dodgy, this process... you never know what you're gonna end up wi-" he lurches forward with a groan, clutching his stomach as he glows golden for a moment.

"Doctor!" Rose and I call, moving forward.

The Doctor holds out a hand, making us stop, "stay away!"

"Doctor, tell us what's going on," Rose's voice falters.

"I absorbed all the energy of the time vortex and no one's meant to do that! Every cell in my body's dying," he explains, his face contorting in pain and my face pales as my heart beats hard in my chest.

"But I- I just got you back..." I whisper as tears well up and the Doctor looks at me, his eyes softening.

"Can't you do something?" Rose begs, her voice cracking.

"Yeah, I'm doing it now!" the Doctor nods. "Time Lords have this little trick! It's... sort of a way of cheating death," he explains. "Except... it means I'm gonna change and... I'm not gonna see you again, not like this... not with this daft, old face," he laughs.

"That's why you did it," I realize, wrapping my arms around myself. "So I wouldn't feel you dying?" I choke out.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, not taking his eyes off me. "Before I go-"

"Don't say that!" Rose cries.

"Rose..." his eyes move to her and she freezes. "Before I go... I just want to tell you, you were fantastic... absolutely fantastic," he beams, so proud. "Lizzie..." he looks back to me. "You were brilliant... tiny and annoying, but fantastic," he smiles softly as I bite down on my lip to keep from sobbing. "And do you know what?" he asks. "So was I," he gives Rose and I a huge, dorky grin and I nod in agreement.

The Doctor suddenly convulses and shoots his head back, holding his arms out as golden energy blasts out from his body. I stagger back from the heat, pulling Rose with me and shielding my eyes from the brightness. I move my arm, blinking in shock as the light dims and there's a man there with the Doctor's clothes. The man was a bit taller than the Doctor, extremely thin, has crazy brown hair, freckles, and brown eyes. Looking him over I note that he was very handsome but... where's the Doctor? The man looks between Rose and me, blinking slowly, "hello!" he beams suddenly with an estuary accent. "Ok... ooo..." he frowns, running his tongue along his teeth with furrowed eyebrows. "New teeth... that's weird..." he murmurs. "So, where was I?" he asks, looking over at us. "Oh, that's right! Barcelona!" he grins.

A/N: I didn't want to interrupt the emotional flow of the chapter with an a/n, so! Can anyone tell me why - if the beam was a transmat and not a disintegrator - when in the show Rose was hit, a pile of ash was left behind? It's been bugging me. Anywho, thanks for reading! Let me know what you thought with a comment or a vote! :*