[Universe 1] It did not take long to get to the TARDIS. Unlocking the door, the Doctor entered first knowing that Jen would close the door behind them. Heading over to the console, he did not speak but instead started to prepare the time machine to leave. He did not dare to look over at Jen as he had a feeling he would see anger and disappointment in her eyes. But she did not understand. One Dalek. That was all it took. One Dalek alone could destroy an entire city. Wipe out earth and then take on the universe. If it stayed that way, yes the Dalek would probably be destroyed but it was a smart creature. It would have found a way to start the process to create even more Daleks. His entire race would have died for nothing. As the TARDIS started to leave, the Doctor steeled himself and glanced over as Jen came his way. He waited for her to tear into him. Patiently listening he was surprised that even though she did think he shouldn’t hold the Dalek accountable for the rest of its people she also came to his defense stating he was not a killer. That he did a lot of good. He started to shake his head. She did not really know him. He was a killer. He fought and killed. Billions of his own children died at his hands. All in an instant to end that war. When she stated she admired him he felt like a fraud. Perhaps if she knew the whole truth she would not agree with him. Stiffening a bit, he pushed her slightly away and turned toward the console. “Thanks for your support but I don’t deserve it.” He declared not meeting her gaze. “He was right. I would make a good Dalek. To mighty civilizations gone by my hand.” He looked over at Jen, his jaw locked. “I made a choice that day.” He chuckled bitterly. “Save the universe but destroy my own people.” He looked away. “When I saw him it felt like everything I did, went to waste. I just takes one.” He said shaking his head. “Just one.” He rubbed his noise and cleared his throat. He glanced at Jen. “I’m sorry I scared you back there.” He stated. “But that’s who I am.” And that was why he worked so hard now to give a chance. He did not want to take out the Nesting Consciousness but he would have if he needed to. He worked so hard to avoid violence and stop other civilizations from doing it. Not many people understand the true cost of war. Even the humans with their multiple wars that killed millions did not fully comprehend that full scale intergalactic, across time and space war. A war that millions died every second. But even if they did not fully understand, if he could just stop their conflict, if he could just reason with them, no one else had to die. Because in the end, everyone died. He just wished that once everyone would live. That he could step in and save everyone. But someone always died. The warm hug caught him off guard. Despite all he said she still came up to him. He glanced down at her as she pulled back. His lips twitched as she mentioned his having an awesome space ship. Had it been anyone else he would have wondered if they just did not care. That they would allow wrong as long as they still got what they wanted. But he knew Jen wasn’t like that. She had stepped in between him and the Dalek. She had tried to talk some sense into him. And despite his anger, she still was willing to travel with him. He shook his head. “You humans are something aren’t you?” He stated, though this time it was not meant as an insult. There was a reason why he liked traveling with human companions. They made him see things again. They showed him what it meant to be human. And she was right. He had changed a bit sense meeting with her. In a way, his hearts were actually opening up and were ready to let someone else in. Turning back to the console he grinned. “So where to next?” He inquired. “Paris during Napoleon’s era? Ancient Egypt? The Holy Land during the crusades? Time of dinosaurs?” He looked over at her. “Or perhaps New New York?” The tension from earlier slowly fading the Doctor reverted back to his travel loving self. What was done was done. He just wondered if she would ever understand how bad the Daleks truly was. He hoped that she never would have to find out. Suddenly the TARDIS jolted and dropped out into real time chasing a much smaller craft. Grabbing hold of the console the Doctor stared at the screen as Jen inquired what was going on. “It’s a Mauve.” He informed her. “The universally recognized colour for danger.” He chuckled when she mentioned red. “No. That’s just you humans.” He told her. “By everyone else's standards, red's camp. Oh, the misunderstandings.” He shook his head. “All those red alerts, all that dancing. No. Mauve is what everyone else uses for danger.” He told her. The TARDIS jolted around as it chased the craft through time. When Jen inquired if it was safe, the Doctor nodded. A loud bang made him wince. “Alright. Reasonably.” He stared at the screen. Just great. “Well. Safe to us. However, it’s headed straight for London. It is probably going to cause some ruckus.” He grinned. The thrill of the chase was back on. It was good to be back. --- [Universe 2] Summer opened her eyes, her vision starting to clear. What had happened? She remembered going into the house and confronting the Carrionite and it backfiring. The woman had just laughed and then taken her out just by speaking. She looked over to ask the Doctor what happened but saw him on the ground. Forgetting herself, she quickly went over. “Doctor? Doctor are you alright?” She inquired worried. She set her ear to his chest to see if she could hear his heart, as checking a pulse always seemed a bit difficult for her. She heard the clear thumping of one and something else. Almost like another one slowly picking up speed. Two hearts? She looked at the Doctor. She shouldn’t be surprised. He was an alien. She just didn’t think about how the interior would be different from human. She wondered what else was different. Realizing now was not the best time to figure think about it, she brushed the thoughts aside. Alright, so if his hearts were beating was he alright. She was grateful for that. It would have been a bit difficult trying to give him aid. How did one do CPR on an alien with two hearts? And the mouth-to-mouth. She felt her eyes go up to his lips. That might not have been bad. Closing her eyes, Summer shook her head as she felt the heat flood on her face. Sure the Doctor was attractive. However, that gave her no reason to think about such things. Besides, he was not doing well. A noise caused her to look over. The Doctor seemed to start to wake up. As soon as his eyes were open he glanced over at her. Seeing that she was alright, he sat up. Slightly composed, Summer helped him up. “I’m fine.” She told him upon his inquiry. She made no mention of how worried she had been for him. Seeming satisfied and a bit preoccupied by whatever worried him, the Doctor dashed off. Following him, Summer held all questions knowing that whatever was happening, speed was of utmost importance. Spotting the Globe Theatre Summer realized where they were going. So they had been right. The theatre had something to do with the Carrionites. Entering, Summer’s heart sank as she realized that the play was almost finished. Ignoring what the others might think, she followed the Doctor backstage where they roused Shakespeare. Heading out onto the stage as people started to scream, Summer eyes widened at the sight of so many Carrionites swirling around the room. Was it too late? Would history be erased? Would that mean she would disappear, having no longer been born? Thankfully, it wasn’t too late. Listening to the Doctor, Summer glanced at the Shakespeare. The Doctor was right. Shakespeare would know what to say. He was brilliant with words. As Shakespeare started to wrap up, he frowned as he tried to come up with the last word. “Expelliarmus!” Summer stated remembering some of her friends use that word. It was something to do with Harry Potter or something. She had no clue what it meant. However, it seemed to work. The portal closed leaving the three of them alone in the Theatre. Everyone else had fled and the Carrionites that had been free had been trapped, sent back with the others. Smiling, Summer exchanged a glance with the Doctor. Her smile faded a bit as she saw the tiredness in his eyes. She nodded as he stated they should leave. She shrugged when he apologized. “Hey, at least I didn’t get kidnapped or anything.” She replied. It had been an improvement. No vampire-like creatures to capture her, no Daleks to transform her. It was a bit strange actually. Then again, the Carrionites did knock her out so it wasn’t a complete loss. She smiled at the sarcastic thought. Turning, she nodded to Shakespeare as they said goodbye. “It was a pleasure meeting you.” She stated. It was. Despite the fact he hit on her the entire time. Following the Doctor back to the TARDIS, Summer kept close. “That was nice.” She admitted, breaking the silence. “Despite the aliens trying to take over the world and all.” She glanced sideways at the Doctor. She had come to realize that no matter where they went there would always be something like this happening. Whether it was vampires, aliens in the water or Carrionites, they would show up and the Doctor would deal with them. If asked a year ago, she would have denied and even done her best to avoid getting into trouble. But now… It was exciting. She was actually doing something. Well. The Doctor was doing it but she got to be right there and see it. She hoped this never ended. Who could go back and live after seeing all this? After realizing that the world was not safe as everyone assumed. That their existence was constantly challenged throughout time and space. She paused at the door of the TARDIS, her hand casually running along the inside of the door frame. She hoped this never ended. Excusing herself and quickly changing back into pants, Summer made her way back into the main room, glad to have her legs free once again. Leaning against a pillar she looked at the Doctor. What had he done before he found her? She couldn’t have been the only one who travelled with him. That would have been absurd. She wondered what happened to them. Did they move on? Did they die? Realizing she probably did not want to know, she straightened and came over to the Doctor. “So, where to next?” She inquired looking over his shoulder. Their gazes locked. “Maybe some place less… dangerous?” She teased knowing that it really didn’t matter. As long as she was with the Doctor she would be safe. Nothing would ever get between them and he would always be there.