You Can't Go Home Again (or can you?)

Part 7

[Note: I realized after writing this chapter that Gemma Corwyn had been killed during The Wheel in Space. Oops... This is set in an alternate universe, though, and I like to think this is one where she hadn't been killed.]

"And here we are," the Doctor declared, landing the TARDIS on board the Wheel.

Double-checking the scans of the area, he frowned. They seemed to indicate the presence of a spacecraft in the vicinity of the station's exterior. Remembering what happened the last time with abandoned rocket ship they'd landed upon and the Cybermen invasion, he hoped he wasn't getting a feeling of déjà vu.

He shifted his gaze to the view screens and squinted at the sight in front of him, just off to the east of the Wheel's hull. It appeared to be another space station, one that was very small in comparison. A quick scan of the craft didn't turn up any life signs on board, although there were some interesting signatures surrounding the ship and coalescing outside the Wheel.

He sighed, electing not to tell Jamie about it. Hopefully it didn't really mean anything. The reason they were here was to find Zoe and make sure she was okay. He wasn't about to let Jamie down.

"We're back on the Wheel, Doctor?"

"Yes. I brought us here a week after our initial visit. When the Time Lords wiped Zoe's memories, she was sent back to the time right after we'd been there."

Jamie stared at him, his brow furrowing in confusion. "How d'ye know?"

"After you both had been sent away, they showed me on one of their screens. They called up a video of Zoe back on the Wheel. Tanya was asking if she'd seen us off and she replied in the affirmative. It was as if she'd never gone back with us in the TARDIS."

Jamie nodded, appearing a bit sad. He gazed up at the Doctor again as if he had something else on his mind. "Did they show ye what happened tae me?"

The Time Lord heaved a sigh. "Yes. They showed you back on Culloden Moor, just as you'd appeared when Ben and Polly and I had first met you. A Redcoat shot at you and you took off after him..." He imitated Jamie's Gaelic battle cry, "Creag An Tuire!!"

Jamie gave a hint of a chuckle before his eyes widened and he stared off into space.

"Jamie? What is it?"

It seemed to pass after a while and the young man lowered his gaze, shaking his head. "It's just ... That's what happened before I was captured and thrown into prison. I charged after that Redcoat and was ambushed from behind." He looked back up at the Doctor, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I can't thank ye enough for saving me, Doctor. I don' know how long I would've lasted in that prison."

"You don't have to thank me, my boy," he softly, patting Jamie on the shoulder. The Doctor felt his hearts swell. At this moment, he was actually happy. After having lost a dear companion recently, he was able to save another from a cruel fate and give him a second chance, in a way.

His brain suddenly kicked into gear and he inwardly smacked himself upside the head. Now was not the time to get mushy. They had to get to work and do what they'd come here for.

"Come on," he said, opening the doors and gesturing to Jamie to follow him out of the TARDIS.

Stepping out into the colorless, clinical atmosphere of the Wheel, the Doctor sniffed. "Well. Place hasn't changed a bit." He then noticed Jamie's curious expression. "Not that it would only a week later, of course."

He carefully trod down one of the corridors, Jamie on his heels. They had to be careful. Most of the personnel with whom they'd interact would probably recognize Jamie, but he himself was a whole new ball of wax. He crafted a cover story as they walked in search of someone who could lead them to Zoe ... perhaps that Doctor ... what was her name? Ah, Gemma Corwyn. Or maybe even Tanya Lernov herself.