In a Life Chapter 1: Utopia, a doctor who fanfic

Summary: Not everyone who travels with the Doctor wants to travel with the Doctor. First in the Mayflower Series, Doctor/Oc, slowmance

Rated T for safety reasons.

Disclaimer: Belongs to BBC. I'm just a girl who fell in love.

Welcome~ so I originally had another story named In a life but I decided to revamp it. Completely new story line, and Oc. Hope none of you are too disappointed. I shouldn't think so since that story had only one chapter lol but I promise you this plot is a lot better than the last :3

enjoy~~~

Unbeta'd: All mistakes are my own and I will fix them when you or I catch them :)

…

Utopia:

Time

…

Grab….

…hand, May.

May, May hold...

Together…

Just stay…

Hang on!

Please, don't…

…forever.

…love…

…May.

Rain.

Was it raining? Her face was wet, but…no. No, it wasn't raining. She was crying. Why was she crying? Why was she sad? So sad. So hurt. Was she hurt? No, it hurt inside. Her…her heart hurt.

Ached.

Something was missing. Something…

Footsteps.

All previous thoughts disappeared, vanished, to another part of her subconscious; and May suddenly found herself flooded with new questions.

Where am I? I – I don't…She couldn't remember anything. The last thing she could remember was…was…

Voices.

May tensed, and she began to listen closely. They were too far away for her to understand what they were saying, but she could hear the voices of a man and a woman; maybe two? They were arguing loudly. I need to move. She thought, panicking. I need to hide. She needed more time, they were even closer now. May attempted to open her eyes, but they refused to open. Her muscles, her body, refused to cooperate. She was paralyzed. May's heart thundered in chest at that whisper of a thought. Her anxiety grew. Why can't I move? She began an inward struggle. Mentally throwing herself against her fleshy prison. Move. Move. Move! Don't have enough time. No time. No time!

She could hear them clearly now. Three distinct individual voices: unfamiliar, new, scary. Maybe they wouldn't see her? Maybe she was hidden? They would continue onward, and leave her alone. Please, please, please just…

"Oh my god."

May's heart stuttered. What do I do now?

There was running, frantic running, and then someone was stepping near her head.

"Is she okay, Doctor?"

Doctor? There is a doctor?

There was buzzing: a loud irritating sound.

"She's fine. She is fine. She's just unconscious."

"How...? Who would do this to her?"

May was then lifted upwards. A hand grasped her shoulders pulling her against a warm body; a safe body. Everything inside her magically relaxed. Something that was coiled tight inside became nothing more than a limp noodle. What the heck just happened? May's emotions had just did a complete one eighty.

"Legs? Legs can you hear me? Speak to me Legs."

Something inside her stirred, and phantasmal hands reached outward. Who the heck was Legs?

"She won't wake for hours, Jack. Best we go back to the Tardis and – ."

Tardis.

May's eyes opened wide in an instant, and her dark world flooded with white light. Tardis. Why did that word inspire such terror inside her? Adrenaline pumped through her system, and suddenly her body was buzzing with unnatural energy. She tore away from her holder, and in a state of madness, broke free from the people that encircled her. They shouted out in surprise.

Run. Run. Run. Danger. Danger. Weak. In danger. Run.

May had no idea what she was doing. Absolutely no clue. She just knew she had to escape, and get far far away from them. It was crazy. Those people had a doctor! They could possibly help her and tell her what's going on. It was impossible though. Like how could there be a Tardis here? A real and terrifying Tardis. It was insane.

I've gone crazy. She whimpered pitifully. Her mother had been right about her all along. I finally broke.

"May! May, stop running! Please!"

May blinked rapidly, and she felt herself slowing to a jog before standing still.

How…?

"H – how-?"

…did they know…

" – do you know…"

…her name?

"…my name?"

As their footsteps slowed, May turned fully to look at the group who had followed her. Her posture stiff and uninviting. She wrapped her arms around her chest, tucking them underneath her breasts as much as possible. She slouched over a little, directing a frown in their direction, and furrowed her brows in suspicion. Until they rose abruptly, almost disappearing in her hairline as her mouth dropped open in a gasp.

No. No, it's…impossible.

Martha's expression was a cross between confusion and concern as she looked at May with such wide real eyes. She turned towards the Doctor (Oh my god the Doctor. May felt sick to her stomach), and grasped his sleeve giving it a forceful tug.

"Doctor? What's wrong with her?"

Jack (Jack-freaking-Harkness!) stared her down with smile. He opened his arms as he took a step forward.

May panicked and stepped back several steps. "No! Stay away!"

He froze, his smile falling, and eyes growing dark and sad. Why?

"Legs? What's wrong?" He asked softly, a frown now placed on his beautiful face.

May blinked rapidly. "W-why do you call me that?" She stared hesitantly at the three while displaying her confusion. "And how do you know my n-name?"

"May, do you know who we are?" Martha inquired, eyes misting.

May paused, and narrowed her eyes. "Yes. You're Martha Jones, Jack Harkness, and the D-Doctor." She pointed to each individual after each name before placing a hand against her chest. "But what I want to know is how do you know my name? Is this a dream?"

The dark skinned woman's eyes widened, and she grabbed the Doctor's hand. "Doctor, what's wrong with her?"

The Doctor, who had been a silent observer, was staring hard at May; making her insides quiver. What's going on? He was the Doctor, thee Doctor. The kindest man, the kindest Time Lord – May shivered. Why does looking at him make her entire body break out in a cold sweat?

She wanted to go home.

"I don't know." He mumbled in reply.

Jack scoffed. "Never thought I would see the day."

"I don't know." The Doctor scowled over at his companion and pulled out his sonic screw driver (God, was that what it really was? Really?) from his breast pocket. "But, I have an idea."

There was that buzzing noise again, but this time May could see the Doctor scanning her up and down. May resisted the urge to cover herself, and instead scowled. She didn't very well liked to be scanned without permission - she felt naked.

The Doctor's squinted, eyebrows furrowing, as he looked over the screwdriver.

"She's young." The Doctor's eyes widened, his voice becoming slightly high pitched. "Very young. She might be the first of..." He trailed off. Mouth closing to form a firm line.

All three turned to him, staring with varying degrees of confusion.

"What do you mean, Doctor?" Martha questioned tugging on his sleeve with her other hand. "What do you mean she is the first? First of what?" The Doctor didn't answer her, instead he let go of her hand, and took a step towards May.

Fear struck her, panic swelled in her heart. No, no, no!

"No!" May stepped back, but her foot caught on something and she fell backwards. Oh god. She was going to throw up. The pain, confusion, disorientation: it was beginning to be all too much. I'm going to be sick. She hurried and covered her mouth as she felt her stomach lurch.

Someone touched her shoulder, and May froze. She hesitantly looked up. Please. Please. Just please!

The Doctor's face was just inches away from her own, and everything inside May stood absolutely still. Wow. A small voice in the back of her mind whispered in awe. The tenth Doctor's eyes were so deep and old. She didn't know eyes could look so old. She thought the saying was just that, a saying, but staring into this man's (Time Lord's?) eyes she knew it was true. The eyes were a window into one's very soul. She wistfully wondered what he saw when looking into her eyes. Could he see her raw fear? The way his brown eyes shifted between confusion, anger, sorrow, and disappointment; she could only assume so.

"May." The way he said her name made her heart beat faster, but strangely not from fear. May swallowed down the lump in her throat, eyes shifting to his face then quickly away.

"How do you know my name?" She whispered staring into his eyes with as much bravery she could muster.

The Doctor's lips twitched into an almost smile. "The way you know mine." Her eyes widened. What?

This time the Doctor did smile, he even laughed, much to her ever growing confusion.

"Well, you cheated." He grinned cheekily. "I've known you for a while, May Owens." Her eyes widened and the Time Lord's gaze sparkled mischievously. "You're like an itch that just won't go away."

Huh?

"Oi, Doctor!" Martha shouted with a glare as Jack gripped his head and groaned.

"I meant a good itch!" The Doctor defended, looking backwards before turning to May with wide eyes - he looked slightly panicked. If May wasn't so freaked out, she would have found it funny. An itch?

"A good itch." He reaffirmed as if hearing her thoughts. "Basically, what I am trying to say is: you're safe, May. Don't run." And he held out his hand.

May shied away slightly as she stared down at it. Half expecting it to reach out and snatch her, The other (the slightly delirious half) expected it to grow fangs and bite her, but it was just a hand. A still hand attached to a patiently waiting man. May's eyes flickered to and from the Doctor; deep in thought. Maybe he can help? He could tell her what's going on or even take her back home? Besides, where could she even go? She was stranded alone, frightened, confused, and hungry. May's eyes widened. God I'm so hungry. Why had she just now realized this? She's hungry. Starving. Her stomach felt like it was just about to cannibalize itself. She was so freaking hungry.

May looked up, and was about to ask the Doctor if he happened to have any food, when she noticed his closed off expression. He was completely stone faced; eyes colder than any ice. His arm was pulling back slowly, and his hand was closing into a fist. He sat up taller on his knees as if feeling the need to tower over her. Assert some sort of dominance. May shrunk into herself, but was unable to look away. It was like staring into the eyes of a predator. He opened his mouth to say something when his head whipped around towards a noise. May's gaze automatically followed.

"Hhhhuuummmmaaannnsss!"

On top of a hill, a group of people stood carrying torches and weapons varying from swords, pitch forks, scythes, and spears. Each of them were clothed in animal skins that were so poorly sewn together, it looked as though they would fall apart any second. The tattoos they were sporting were done just as poorly. It was as if they were made by children with a permanent marker. Maybe they were the natives? May's heart swelled with hope. Maybe they could help?

"Do you think they're friendly?" Jack asked as he and Martha came closer.

"Humans!" A man, the leader May supposed, shouted with a large grin revealing pointed teeth. "For Kind!"

The swarm of people descended down the hill with a battle cry.

Jack made a grab for Martha's hand pulling her with him. "I suppose that answers that question." He laughed; sounding ecstatic at the idea of the possibility of death by Kind. "Doctor!"

"Doctor!" Martha echoed his cry as the two fled. Thankfully, she looked less than enthused at the idea of becoming lunch. The only sane one in a bunch of idiots.

The Doctor knelt before May blocking her view of the approaching Kind. "May."

She looked at him, once again seeing deep into his eyes.

"You know what I said about running?" He asked, expression serious. May nodded dumbly. His eyes are so...sad. Why was he sad?

"Forget all about that." He grinned; tone jovial, but his gaze contradicted that expression. "Run."

He grabbed her hand, efficiently pulling May to her feet, then without letting go; began to run. May's eyes went wide as saucers.

Jack turned his head and looked at two of them with a large grin on his face. "Oh, I've missed this!" He threw his head back and laughed. "Don't suppose you know why we're being chased do you?"

"Well." The Doctor paused turning his head to look at the approaching mob. "I think we're being hunted."

"Fantastic!" Jack exclaimed as they both grinned at each other.

"Hunted? Why are we being hunted?" Martha shouted from the front.

"Food! Food! Food!"

"Never mind!" She cried as she jumped over a particularly large rock. Jack just laughed even harder. The Doctor continued tugging May along, who stumbled and tripped over her feet as she tried to keep up. She tried to break free of his grasp in order to run on her own (maybe even escape) but the Time Lord had a firm grip. He kept their joined hands strictly across his chest. How he did that while continuing to run so smoothly - she had no idea. And it's annoying. She grumbled.

"Oh, company!" The Doctor shouted cheerfully and May looked up. Another group of Kind, equally savage looking, were coming across the plain chasing another person. He looked absolutely terrified. As they bounded over the hill their group and the man's group merged to form one giant mob.

"Well this is pleasant." May mumbled under breath and glared. There was a tug on her hand, and she looked up to see the Doctor smiling down at her.

"Isn't it?" He exclaimed before turning towards the newcomer, effectively missing May's flushed face. "Hello, I'm the Doctor, and this is May." He stretched out his free hand while May gave a nod. The man turned to the Doctor giving him a bewildered look before grasping the Time Lord's hand.

"P-P-Pa-Padra."

"Padra…Padra…I knew a Padra once." The Doctor said whimsically. "Nice girl, nice scales. Loved May..."

"Doctor!" Shouted Martha.

"Right, sorry." He apologized, and released the man. "And that's Martha and Jack."

Jack turned his head and winked. "Hello." Padra stumbled.

Martha turned, scowling, and gave a shrill: "Doctor!"

"Right, sorry." He apologized again. "You wouldn't happen to know a place where we could go? Perhaps a place to hide?"

Padra nodded.

"The silo. We need to reach the silo." He replied, and began to run even faster. "If we reach the silo then we're safe."

"The silo?" The Doctor threw the question towards his comrades.

"The silo." Jack repeated.

"Silo for me!" Martha shouted back.

"I-I second the silo." Chimed May gasping in large amounts of air. The Doctor was a natural sprinter. May was most definitely not.

They ran harder now in efforts of reaching their destination. May could hear the mob approaching, and she felt her heart speed up. We aren't going to make it. She was slowing them down. Slowing the Doctor down. The man who was usually ahead, leading everybody, was several feet behind – with her.

"Please, I'm-m slowing you down." She gasped, her lungs burning. "Just let m-me go!"

The Doctor looked down at her, his eyebrows furrowed, expression unreadable. Just let me go, please.

"Over there!" Jack shouted. She and the Doctor looked up to see watchtowers and spotlights that brightened the dark sky.

"Come on!" The Doctor pulled her hand causing her to stumble into his side. The Doctor let go of her hand, and May's heart leapt at the chance to pull away. Before she could react on it though, the Doctor's arm went around her and gripped her shoulder, pushing her forward.

"It's the Futurekind!" Cried Padra as they all slid downhill rushing towards the large gate. "Hurry, open the gate!"

The guards ran to the gate, sticking the open ends of their guns through the fence.

"Show me your teeth!" Demanded one guard as they approached. "Show me your teeth!"

"Show them your teeth!" Padra told them over his shoulder as they approached the closed gate.

"What?" Martha exclaimed gasping for breath, looking at Padra whose mouth was stretched open in a grimace, revealing his teeth.

"What?" She repeated, looking at the guards who pointed their guns at her.

"Show me your teeth!" A guard commanded; eyes fierce.

Padra elbowed Jack. "Show them your teeth!"

They all looked at each other for just a moment before they all began grinning madly. May trembled in the Doctor's grasp, her breathing coming out in funny sounds through her teeth as she grinned.

"Human! Let them in! Let them in!" The guard yelled.

The gate opened; and the Doctor pushed May in first, causing her to stumble, before jumping in after quickly. Martha swiftly came to May's side pulling her away from him who handed her off with ease. May tilted against Martha who-? Wait was she always this short? May thought surprised. It was hard to notice on television, it made everyone seem the same height. Maybe May was just tall? But the Doctor made her feel short. Oh! A dizzy spell hit her with full force. She needed to sit down or she was going to throw up. As May leaned over, Martha caught her, wrapping her arms around May's middle.

"You need to breathe, 'kay." Martha stated calmly, ducking her head down to catch May's eyes. "You're beginning to hyperventilate, May. You just need to breathe, just breathe. In. Out." May nodded as she continued to stare into Martha's dark eyes. They were opposite of the Doctor's. Though darker in color, they were younger; fresh. Full of wonder and deep caring. Martha cared about her. May's eyes fluttered as she felt her breathing slow. The ache in her chest lessened. Not very many people claimed to care about her.

"Get back!" Shouted the guard captain. May looked up to see the Kind standing a few feet away, circling the gate like hungry lions. The leader, who looked the most disfigured and mutated out of all of them, stepped forward. The guards began shooting and the Kind jumped back; hissing.

"I said get back!"

The leader growled baring his misshapen teeth. "Humans! Humani!"

"I said: Get! Back!" The captain repeated, firing another warning shot.

This time, the leader didn't flinch, instead he stared at them with unwavering black eyes.

He pointed at them. "Kind watch you." He then pointed to his chest. "Kind hungry." He chuffed, throwing his head back before sweeping his arms to his side. The Kind hissed before slinking backwards into the dark, obeying the order to retreat. The leader was the last to leave their sight – never once taking his eyes off them before he to disappeared. There was a resounding sigh of relief as everyone let out their breaths they had been unknowingly holding.

"Thanks for that." The Doctor stated sincerely, scratching the side of his head.

"Right." The guard captain nodded before turning away. "It's best to get you inside."

The Doctor nodded back slipping his hands into his pant's pockets before walking after the captain. Jack came to May's side, who was still using Martha as a crutch, and swept her up into his arms – bridal style.

May let out a girlish shriek, and stared at him wide eyed and red faced.

Jack grinned and gave May a wink. "Just like old times, eh Legs?"

May sputtered, as she felt her face grow even hotter.

"Hey." Yelled the Doctor, eyes narrowed. "Knock it off."

"Sheesh, someone's in a mood." Jack grumbled, glaring over at the Doctor. "I found her first."

The Doctor glowered causing Jack to smirk.

"Alright enough you two." Martha shouted stepping in the space between the two. "This is not the time. Can't you see that May is sick, and needs proper medical attention."

The Doctor barely glanced in her direction before turning away. "She will be fine with some food."

May's face lit up at the word food.

"Doctor, this is serious." Martha consoled. "She could have amnesia, and we don't even know how she got here and why."

The Doctor turned around on his feet, eyes blazing with anger.

"I know how she got here." He growled, pointing at May who cowered into Jack's chest. "She. She! Was playing with something she knows better than too! She is the one who did this! No one else! It's her fault! I told her…I told her!" Doctor curled his finger back into his hand which tightened into a fist. He shook it for a moment, his face contorting into so many emotions at once: anger, despair, sadness. Then it was gone, his face back to stone, and he turned around; shoving his hands into his pockets.

Martha watched him go, jaw hanging open with a flabbergasted expression. "I've never seen him so…?" She trailed off as Jack came to stand behind her.

"Should've seen his other face." Jack stated casually. "That man was a piece of work."

Martha snapped her head towards Jack as he began to walk away. "What? Other face?"

Jack just hummed.

"Excuse me."

May turned her head to see a guard. A boy in his late teens with dark hair and bright green eyes behind circular glasses. He was holding out a bar to her.

"If you're hungry, I've got a spare energy bar."

May's eyes widened in surprise before they softened. She smiled.

"Thank you." She whispered grabbing the bar. The boy nodded his head.

"She is going to need more than that, mate." The Doctor called over his shoulder. "Right now, her body is lacking the sufficient amount of carbohydrates and protein. A whole cerbarrorian herd wouldn't be able to stave off her hunger."

Jack leaned over to Martha who gave him a questioning look. "Basically a horse about ten feet tall, six legs, three tails, and two heads; but think of one head as a lion."

"Oh."

The guard nodded to the Doctor than turned towards May. "I'll see if the cooks have any stew left over. That stuff can fill a grown man twice over."

"Thanks." She gave him a reassuring smile, which he returned, but it was shaky. As he ran off towards the building, May looked back down at the bar. Staring at it curiously, May ripped off the wrapper to reveal what looked like a granola bar. If a granola bar was gray and smelled like wet cardboard. May wrinkled her nose in distaste, but steeled herself anyway. She didn't want to be rude to the boy who obviously didn't have much. May closed her eyes, steeled herself, and took a bite.

Jack began laughing as her face turned an interesting shade of green.

...

Jack sat May down at the bottom of the steps of a staircase that opened up into a lobby. He turned and walked towards the Doctor who was talking to a man introduced as lieutenant Atillo.

"It's a box, a big blue box –." The Doctor circled the man, peaking over his shoulder.

Padra rounded the man's other side, looking frantic. "Sir, my family!"

Atillo held up a hand, silencing them both with an agitated look. "Sirs, if you please - ."

"May?" Martha came into her line of vision. "Are you alright?" May glanced up at the other woman before turning her head.

"Yes, I'm fine." She muttered. "Just hungry."

Martha smiled. "At least that's something that hasn't changed." She laughed. "You're always eating." May looked up at her; brows raised. Martha's smile dropped and her face paled a little. Panic flooded her gaze.

"N-not that you eat a lot! I didn't mean it like that." Martha trailed off as she held her face in shame. "Sorry."

May stared at her for a moment longer before she looked to her lap. She began to rub her hands together.

"Martha, can I ask you a question?"

Said woman's eyes went wide before she smiled kindly. Kneeling before her, Martha sat a hand on May's knee comfortingly.

"Of course."

May licked her lips nervously eyes flickering between Martha's hand and her own. "W-what am I to you?"

Martha's brows rose. "A friend. You're my friend, May."

May's entire face flushed and her heart jumped in her chest. A friend? No one called her friend except…

"And Jack?"

"A friend."

"And the D-Doctor?" She whispered his name as she peered under her eyelashes towards said man. His back was turned towards them, but his posture was too stiff and too tense. May was sure that he had heard her. Or maybe not. She thought. He seemed keen on ignoring her.

"Everyone considers you a friend, May. Even the Doctor." Martha reassured, eyes sincere.

And yet.

"And I consider you friends too?" May inquired cocking her head. "Close friends?"

She laughed. "Of course, silly."

May's lips twitched, giving her a small smile in return. From the corner of her eye, May saw the Doctor turn his head slightly in their direction.

"Excuse me."

May turned and saw the guard from earlier at her side carrying a steaming bowl.

"I'm sorry, they were all out of stew; but I brought you bone broth, ma'am." Both May and Martha smiled.

"Thanks again." The taller woman thanked as she was passed the bowl. She set the edge to her lips and took a sip. Better. But still hungry.

"You're welcome, ma'am." He said bowing his head slightly. "It's my duty to look after the survivors, but umm...?" He trailed off, face coloring. His eyes flickered to May's face then away.

"The boys and I were wonderin' what tribe you're from?" He asked nodding towards a group of teens in the far corner. They were all staring. "Never seen markin's like yours before."

May's brows flew upward. "I'm not from a tribe." She turned towards Martha. "What markings?"

"He means your piercings."

"Piercings?" May glanced between the two in confusion. "I don't have piercings."

This time it was Martha's turn to look confused. "Yes, you do May. You've always had them."

"No, I – ?" May froze as she stared at a reflection from the stairwell. It was like staring at your reflection from a spoon, all misshapen and angled, but you could still see clearly.

"No." She whispered leaning close. She touched her cheek, no, not her cheek. Couldn't be. Can't be! This impostor who was staring back at her with wide hazel eyes was not May. The impostor touched dark brown hair with hesitant fingers, feeling its thick silky strands. Finger tips that traced over ears that were covered in multiple studs and rings varying different colors and patterns.

They then trailed to cheeks where the impostor circled over dimple piercings to her lips where she had snake bites and a labret. Her nostril piercings were to the very bridge of her nose, and her eyebrows were pierced twice. May covered her mouth in horror. How could she not have known? How could she not feel…? Oh god. Her eyes widened. Was even her tongued pierced? May stuck out her tongue, and there it was plain as day: a stud with a picture of a skull and crossbones. She flinched backwards, and stared at the reflection in terror.

She didn't know this person. She didn't know. She didn't know this face; these hands! These hands covered with rings, and nails painted black. She didn't know…she didn't know…how could she have not seen? Not felt? Was she even May? Was May even her name? Who was she? What...was...she?

"May? May? Doctor! There's something wrong with May!"

Everything was wrong. So very wrong. This place was wrong. She wanted to go home. Home with…with…? May curled into herself as her head exploded in pain. It felt like her entire body was being torn apart. She just wanted…just wanted to…eat. May clenched her eyes closed. I'm starving. Maybe if she ate something, got rid of this painful hunger, she could think clearly.

"May? May, I need you to listen to me. You've just got to hold it together, okay?" She heard the Doctor implore. May nodded and took a calming breath.

Oh wow. Her mind whispered in awe as the sweetest scent hit her. Someone lied to you kid. Because someone was cooking something mouthwatering. May couldn't describe it even if she tried. It was like someone had decided to make all her favorite desserts into one ultimate dish, and created something beautiful. Her stomach growled, and all thoughts drifted away.

"Whoa there, Legs." Jack laughed breaking her trance. May's eyes snapped opened, and she suddenly found herself snuggled up against the man. Arms around his neck with her nose shoved in between the divot of his shoulder, and mouth brushing against his collarbone. May turned redder than a tomato.

"I'm sorry!" She squeaked and tried to pull away, but Jack held her close.

"It's okay Legs. You can use me anyway you like at anytime." He winked and then knelt to pick her up again. "Time to get moving."

"Are you alright?" Martha questioned eyes full of concern; holding May's forgotten broth. May nodded and looked away only to see the Doctor staring at her with a look she could not decipher.

"Yes, I'm fine." Was he always so far away? I swore he had been closer.

May took the bone broth from Martha's hands, and began sipping on it slowly as they approached a young boy waiting patiently.

"Right, follow me." He gestured them towards a nearby hallway.

Martha's brows furrowed as she stared at him. "How old are you?"

"Old enough to work." He stated nonchalantly before starting forward. "This way." She turned to looked at May in concern, who just shrugged in response.

May turned her head to look at Jack. "I can walk on my own, you know."

He grinned. "I know, but it's nice to have you in my arms again, Legs. You don't know how much I've missed you."

May refused to blush. Not this time. "I don't know what you are insinuating, Jack, but I would appreciate it if you would stop."

"Oh, I'm not insinuating anything, Legs. You're the one with their head in the gutter." He laughed as May felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. Dang it.

"Oi!" The Doctor barked. "Keep up you two!" And then he disappeared around the corner with a scowl etched on his face.

"Someone's jealous." Jack whispered eyes sparkling mischievously.

May decided then and there to just dye her face red. It seemed to be her natural color anyway.

...

"Chan, hello, tho." Greeted the beautiful blue woman – insect? May swallowed thickly, as she shook the female's hand. It was smooth - like silk. Weird.

"Hello." Jack flirted back, a smirk in place, as he took her hand in his. "Captain Jack Harkness."

"Stop it." Commanded the Doctor as he peered over his glasses from his position by a strange looking console.

"Can't I say hello to anyone?" Jack asked in mock exasperation.

The female's cheeks turned a darker shade of blue. "Chan, I do not protest, tho."

Jack smirked. "Maybe later blue." And he winked.

May felt a swelling form of panic in her chest. There wasn't denying it now. This was Chantho and that was Yana who was…was…! She shivered causing Jack to tighten his hold in response. She was in the Doctor's universe, there was no mistaking it now. If this was a dream (God she had been praying for it to be so) it surely would have ended by now. Unless? She pinched herself. She winced at the small amount of pain, but nope…still there. What was she going to do?

Jack walked her over to a small sitting area, and sat May down on an aged worn chair.

"There you go, Legs. Nice and comfy."

"Thank you." She replied sincerely as he stripped off his bag and sat it by her feet.

"Watch that for me?" He asked; watching her nod before walking off towards the Doctor. Martha, a habit forming it seemed, came right to her side.

"Better?"

"Yes." May answered as her fingers fiddled with the handle of the bag anxiously. "I'm sorry about before, I don't know why I freaked out like that." Or why she had been so scared of her own face.

"It's okay." Martha smiled grabbing her hand squeezing it comfortingly. "I'm just glad you're feeling better."

May returned her smile. "Thanks."

Martha nodded and gave her hand one last squeeze before standing up. She started to walk away when she froze and gave the taller woman a strange look.

"Do you hear that?"

May furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Hear what?"

Martha paused before she pointed into the air. "That."

"I don't hear anything."

"I swear." She mumbled lowering her hand. "It's a strange…bubbling…from there." She reached for Jack's bag. May opened her mouth to say something, maybe even stop her, but the words caught in her throat. If I stopped Martha from revealing the Doctor's hand, would it really stop the Master from taking it? Before she could decide though Martha was already unzipping the backpack.

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed in shock as she looked into the bag. "You've got a hand?"

The Doctor turned around, along with Professor Yana, in time see Martha pull out a hand in a jar from Jack's pack. Martha stared up at Jack in mild disgust, who in return, looked like a boy whose hand had been caught in a cookie jar.

"You've got a hand in a jar. A hand in a jar in a bag." She stated as the Doctor rounded her; pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose.

"But that's…that's...?" He glanced between May and Jack; expression bewildered. "That's my hand."

"I said I had a Doctor detector." Jack stated with a shrug.

Chantho eyed the two in confusion. "Chan, is this a tradition among your people, tho?"

"Not on my street." Snapped Martha, outraged. "What do you mean that's your hand? You've got both your hands, I can see them."

The Doctor shrugged, settling back into a chair that he was commandeering. "Long story. I lost my hand Christmas Day in a sword fight."

"What?" Martha mocked with a smirk and gave a delirious chuckle. "And you just, ah, grew another hand?"

"Er, yeah, yeah, I did." He agreed nonchalantly, nodding his head. As Martha's smile fell to a frown, the Doctor gave a short wave with his newly formed hand.

"Hello."

"Might I ask, what species are you?" Yana questioned looking thoroughly enchanted by the bubbling hand in a jar.

"Time Lord, last of." He stated, face serious. "Heard of them?" Yana and Chancho glanced at each other before shaking their heads.

The Doctor sat up looking a little put out. "Legend or anything? Not even a myth?" They shook their heads again staring at him blankly.

"Blimey." The Doctor fell back into his seat with a slight pout. "End of the universe is a bit humbling."

"Chan, it is said that I am the last of my species too, tho." Chantho sympathized, eyes cast downward.

"Sorry, what was your name?" The Doctor inquired, sitting up again. May rolled her eyes. Can this man ever stay still?

Yana clapped his hands and apologized swiftly for his forgetfulness as he grasped Chantho by the shoulders.

"My assistant and good friend, Chantho." He gave her a slight shake which had Chantho turning dark blue again. "A survivor of the Malmooth. This was their planet, Malcassairo, before we took refuge."

"The city outside." The Doctor pointed. "That was yours?"

Chantho nodded shyly. "Chan, the conglomeration died, tho."

"Conglomeration! That's what I said." He shouted, clapping his hands in delight, before he fell back into his seat.

"You're supposed to say sorry." Jack chided, and the Doctor expression fell again.

"Oh, yes." He sat up (once again), and gave Chantho an apologetic look. "Sorry."

May resisted a smile. So childish.

"Chan, most grateful, tho." The female Malmooth bowed her head.

"You grew another hand?" Martha repeated still looking a bit shell shock.

"Hello, again." The Doctor waved his hand at her in good humor, causing May to giggle slightly, but at Martha's still shocked expression he stood up. "It's fine. Look, really, it's me." He wiggled his fingers, and held out his hand to her. Martha hesitated for just a moment before settling her palm inside his.

Giving it a few experimental squeezes, properly testing it's authenticity as a real hand, Martha laughed. "All this time and you're still full of surprises."

May leaned forward studying the hand in the jar. Curious, she reached out and tapped the glass.

"Chan, you are most unusual, tho."

May's eyes widened and she pulled her hand back quickly.

"Well." The Doctor exclaimed; expression pleased.

Holy mother. The hand actually tapped back. May resisted a nervous giggle.

"So what about those things outside?" Jack asked, gaining everyone's attention. "The Beastie Boys. What are they?"

The Professor let out a deep troubling sigh - as if he was shouldering some great weight. "We call them the Futurekind, which is a myth in itself, but it's feared they are what we will become." He looked at them with hope. "Unless we reach Utopia."

"And Utopia is...?" The Doctor left the question hanging, looking perplexed.

"Oh, every human knows of Utopia." Yana said sounding slightly exasperated. "Where have you been?"

He shrugged. "Bit of a hermit."

Yana didn't look as though he believed that one bit. "A hermit with, uh, friends?"

"Hermits United." The Doctor explained casually. "We meet up every ten years and swap stories about…caves." May raised an eyebrow and shot him a look. Really?

The Doctor grimaced. "It's good fun, for a hermit." Wow, even the Doctor looked a little green. He quickly brushed it aside though.

"So, er, Utopia?"

Yana sighed, shaking his head slightly, and motioned for them to follow him. They left May sitting alone in order to gather around an ancient looking monitor, but she didn't mind. In fact, it gave her time to think about her situation at last.

Everyone seems so real. May thought whimsically as she watched the group in fascination. She was still having trouble wrapping her mind around everything. This was all too sudden, all too real, and everything was about to get bad; fast. But what could she do? What could May Owens do to stop the year that never was? What could May Owens do to stop the Master? What could May Owens do to save Chantho?

What was she even doing here?

"Oh, we've been chatting, I forgot to tell you." The Doctor's voice drifted over to her, breaking May out of her thoughts. The Doctor was staring at her from across the room, a broad grin placed on his face as his eyes sparkled. May felt her own lips twist uncontrollably upward in response.

"I'm brilliant."

And the room came alive with one click of his sonic screw driver.

...

I've been in a bit of a funk for the past two years. Not going to lie, but I've become embarrassed by my writing. I don't really know how it came about, but every time I write or begin to write I just can't look at it without feeling ashamed. No matter how good of the story line I think up, I just can't ever continue. I read many good stories and great writing styles. Authors that just pull you in and I think, I wish I could do that.

But I am trying to be braver. How can I grow as a writer if I don't write?

So what better way to debut a new you then with the Doctor?

So, please, be brutally honest when you review. Tell me my mistakes and I will do everything in my power to fix them. Tell me strengths, and I will be on cloud nine for days. :3

Just tell me what you think of my story, and tell me what you think of May.

She's different isn't she?

Kait