Cassia

Chapter Three: Cassidia

He had his arm wrapped around her as they walked, keeping her close, "What are those creatures? A-and why do they keep calling me a 'Nghyon'? What is that?" she asked.

"Micuidili. An alien species with human and mosquito-like characteristics... Nghyon... Is their word for your and your mum's species..."

"They-they ate her..."

He hugged her, "I know... I'm so sorry..."

"They made me watch... I-I can remember now..."

He held her tighter, "... I am so so sorry, sweetheart..."

"Why...? Why did they take us...?"

He paused for a moment, "They suck the life out of other humanoid species but their favorite are our species; your mum and mine... I'm so sorry, Cassia..."

"... Mum used to call me her little flower..." she remembered. "... Why am I remembering all of this now?"

"Because of our telepathic bond... It's part of the reason you collapsed the other day and needed rest."

"... Cassia flowers...?"

"The Cassia's you know arrived here from an asteroid and micro-evolved to better adapt to Earth's environment. But the Cassia's home planet is Cassidia; sixty-five percent of the planet is covered in them," he smirked, "The only planets with Cassia's are the two that you've been to."

"What's special about the Cassia though?"

He grinned, "Cassidia is where your mum and I first met..."

"It is? C-can we go there?"

He smiled, "Of course."

"Can you tell me more about mum?" she asked as they rounded the corner to her school.

"She was beautiful," his face lit up, "I first saw her dancing in one of the many meadows. She looked just like one of the Cassias in her flowing yellow dress... She saw me watching and smiled before inviting me to dance with her. I was a bit embarrassed but I did," he chuckled, "We fell in love, got married... And then we had you," he smiled at her, "You look so much like your mother."

"I do?"

He nodded, "Just like her."

"I-I think I want to be called Cassia for a while..."

He smiled, "I'm glad." They stopped at the entrance to the large gray school building. "The TARDIS is inside. We'll be safe there."

As soon as they heard footsteps they were on alert, the Doctor's arm around her protectively as he armed his sonic in the other, "There you are spaceman! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Donna grinned, "And who's this?"

"My daughter Cassia."

Donna beamed at them, "It's nice to meet you," she grinned in a knowing way at the Doctor before shaking her hand, "Donna Noble."

"Nice to meet you too."

"I've been hearing about this clever girl all day from her teachers," she told him, "The star pupil they say. Got 5 awards in science, 11 in maths, 3 in English, and 1 in history."

He grinned, "I'm proud of you, Cassia."

Cassia blushed, "Most of those were just certificates, I only have 3 actual awards..."

"Rubbish! An award is an award, you should be proud of yourself!"

"I am," she smiled.

"Good! I wonder where you get it from?" Donna smirked. The Doctor beamed. "Must be her mum."