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Valarie's eyes darted to the Doctor. He tossed the notes back onto the desk and leaned on the desk, resting his head on his hands. He watched and listened to Valarie like a teen girl listens to the recent gossip.

"Tell you everything I know?" Valarie asked, eyebrow raising as she set her cellphone back down. She folded her arms and leaned back in chair. The Doctor nodded.

"Alright. Well, Brion put a ad out three months ago. They were looking for new interns." Valarie began. The Doctor opened his mouth, beginning his input. Valarie quickly placed a finger above his lips, shushing him with a playful grin.

"You wanted me to talk, so I'll talk. But don't interrupt me." She advised, her grin growing when he rolled his eyes and nodded for her to continue.

"I'd never heard of Brion before. Thought it probably had moved from the states or somethin'. But when I saw they had internships open I jumped too it." Valarie explained.

"Why?" The Doctor asked. He truly did wonder why such a young woman would choose this kind of career. It seemed dreadfully boring, and he knew he would tear his hair out if he was the one having to work it. Then again, he also had seen the fabric of time itself, so many human things could bore him. But not many.

"Ever since I was a girl, I loved space and the stars," she shrugged, looking off from him, "Brion promised to help us advance towards the stars, find new methods of space travel and even find extraterrestrial life." Valarie sighed, her lips pressing into a thin smile.

"Finding extraterrestrial life? Like, aliens?" The Doctor gawked, a knowing smirk on his lips. He always found it funny, how he would watch humans frantically debate about if aliens were real. Some even would ask his impute; and he'd try not to laugh as he answered because the simple fact was he was an alien. To them at least; to him, they were the so called aliens.

"Basically. Ever since I was a kid-god this is stupid, why am I telling some stranger this?" Valarie laughed, pressing a hand over her eyes and shaking her head. The Doctor laughed.

"No, go on, you've already got me interested!" He chuckled, moving his head so his eyes still caught her. After a brief moment, Valarie sighed and admired it.

"I thought aliens were real. I still kinda think we aren't alone." She sighed, closing her eyes and waiting for the howling laughter and "you're crazy!" That she always expected. Instead, she received a soft voice.

"I don't think your too off." The Doctor smiled. He scooped the papers the two formally looked at, holding them back up and pointing to the odd language written on it.

"I'm pretty sure this is alien." He informed her, a eyebrow raised and a knowing look in his eyes. He set it back down, and scooted it towards her, allowing her to view it.

"Listen now, you don't have to humor me." Valarie laughed, still leaning forward to view the language.

"No," he cooed, folding his arms on the desk, "I actually do think so. Last time I saw someone right this, well, they didn't look too human." He revealed. Valarie's eyes darted to him quick as bullets.

"Are you trying to say you saw aliens? Listen, Doctor, I maybe 'mad' but you are completely over the bend." She snorted, disbelieving anything that was coming out of his mouth. He frowned.

"I'm being serious, Valarie. Whatever wrote these notes is here for no good. If anything odd has happened to anyone, anything that can help me, you'll need to tell me now Valarie." The Doctor's tone fell cautious. Valarie's smile and laugh slowly fell, and she mumbled. 'you're serious'. She sighed, leaning forward.

"There was this bloke, before Lee. Name was Olivia. When I was hired there was three interns; Marty, Lee and me. Olivia was the one behind the desk. She acted like Lee does now; cold, emotionless and melancholy." Valarie explained, trying her best to recall the first week she had spent at Brion.

"What happened to Olivia and Lee?" The Doctor questioned, trying his best to piece the pieces together like a crime scene.

"Well, Olivia was here two days. I thought she was forty, but Lee told me she was twenty seven. All life had been drained from her. Then she was gone. No explanation; and Lee was at the front desk. He wasn't the same." Valarie mumbled, eyes drifting over to daze out as she explained the odd situation.

"What happened to Lee?" The Doctor asked silently, his voice softer and more cautious, as if he suddenly feared someone listened it.

"I, I'm not sure," Valarie mumbled, a sudden creeping feeling crawling her spine, like a spider was working it's way up her body and she was suddenly to scared to move, "Lee was talking conspiracy. He thought something bad was going on. Then one night, Doctor Hyde told him he needed to stay late night. Maybe didn't get his work done; but the next morning Lee was...." Valarie trailed off, the pieces forming in her mind.

The Doctor stared at Valarie, awaiting her response. When the only response he received was the dread growing on her face, he reached forward and took the obviously scared girls hands in his.

"Listen, Valarie, I know your becoming scared, but as long as you tell me what I need to know I can keep you safe." Valarie's eyes darted to his, and she swallowed hard.

"He was grey. Null. Lee was just empty." The Doctor leaned back, running hands over his face as he let the reality of what they could be facing. His eyes fell victim to a daze. The Doctor's mind raced a million miles per second; almost like a database searching for the creature who obviously had no good planned for Valarie.

No, he wasn't allowing that. The Doctor simply wouldn't allow. He would not allow for these things to drain the girl before him. He would not allow for her grey eyes which help sparks of extreme wonder be turned empty and lifeless. He wouldn't allow her rosy cheeks to become dull and empty like porcelain. He wouldn't allow any of it.

"I need to get you out of here." His eyes darted to her, the warmth behind them hardened like molten rock. Valarie straightened herself up in her chair, hands clutching the arms until her knuckles turned white.

"What?" She asked. The Doctor pressed his palms flat against the desk, and pushed himself up. Valarie mimicked his actions, slowly standing up.

"I need to get you out of Brion. They'll turn you into a shell of who you are if I don't." The Doctor responded, voice more firm with Valarie. Valarie's eyebrows furrowed.

"But," she began as the Doctor turned away, "I want to help." She spat out. Her swallowed hard again as he lazily turned to face her; face bent by confusion.

"What?"he asked. His voice cracked with confusion, and his arms hung by his side.

"I want to help." Valarie restated, more boldly and forceful. The statement made the Doctor almost scratch his head. Most would've taken the leave, left him alone to handle it all. When their own life became threatened they'd do anything to keep it safe. Very few dared to want to help face the very thing that threatened them and their way of life. It was a rare sight in humans, but it was there. The Doctor knew it was there, as he stared down in utter shock at the rather small woman before him.

"I, I don't think that's the best option." He slowly told her, a twinge of shock in him still from her boldness.

"But you thought breaking in to snoop was?"

He looked away, clearing his throat as she repressed a smile on her lips. He straighter his jacket up, and then looked back at Valarie.

"All right. You can help. But the moment you are in an mortal danger, you run. As far as you can." He spoke to her like a parent earning a child almost. Valarie scoffed. She straightened her posture up and cleared her throat. She straightened the sweater she wore.

"All right. So, what exactly are we up against?" Valarie questioned. The Doctor folded his arms.

"They are called the Istods. They were once very powerful, but other races trampled over them. They were sweeper under the rug. They are all scattered now, taking shelter on many different planets. No real native home anymore." The Doctor began.

"So why are they here? What are they doing to people?" Valarie questioned, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"They feed of joy. Well, the chemicals more exact. Every species releases some sort of happiness or satisfaction chemical in their brain. Or, chemicals for every emotion like sadness, anger, joy and shock. This species lacks it naturally-except for anger- so the less in their system the more angry and hungry they become. Lucky for them, humans are renowned for emotions almost." The Doctor explained.

"So, they drain us, and once we are empty trash us like an empty juice box?" Valarie questioned, the whole idea of something poking around in her skull making her sick to her stomach entirely.

"You catch on quick." He gave her a half smile. It then dropped to return to the more dire situation.

"So, Valarie, any floors here you aren't permitted on? Any rooms or land you are not allowed under any circumstance to enter?" The Doctor questioned. His posture straightened more and his arms remained folded across his chest.

Valarie rocked back on her heels, trying to recall anything. A room number popped to her mind like a lightbulb had flickered above her head.

"Floor above us, room ten. Only ones permitted inside are some of the high ranking officials. No one has seen in or outside and survived with their job to tell the tale." A light grin played her lips. She rocked forward on her heels, leaning over the desk towards him.

"Doors always unlocked. They kept us spooked enough no one, including myself, dared go near it. Threats of termination of our jobs and possible police charged can scare any college kid enough." Valarie teased, remembering the hard lecture she was given her first day at Brion. She remembered the cold voice that rocked her to her core, and the glazed over eyes that sent chills up her spine. She shivered remembering it.

The Doctor grinned, not saying another word as he turned and took long strides towards the door, Valarie jogging to catch up.

The two walked in silence, the air tense around Valarie as faint twinges of fear rocked in her head. She swallowed harshly as they stopped before the lift, the Doctor mashing the upwards pointing arrow. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets, head thrown upwards to watch the number twinkle above the door.

The door seemed to open all too fast for Valarie. She began to nervously turn the ring on her finger; a nervous habit of hers. The Doctor stepped in, Valarie following. He peered to the numbers, and selected the one directly above the two. The elevator started early ascend.

"So, aliens are real and they want to suck my brains out like a bad zombie flick." Valarie scoffed, almost not believing herself at all.

"I guess all aliens are jerks." She mumbled, arms folded. The Doctors head jerked to her, appearing rather offended.

"No, not all of them." His volume had lowered to almost a hurt level, taking somewhat offense to what she had said. He placed a hand on his own chest; the dual heartbeat behind it.

Valarie snorted lightly, eyes flickering to him and soaking in the hurt look on his face. She looked away, taking nothing of his reaction besides maybe he had a little alien friend who didn't consider her a delicacy.

The elevator door dinged. The Doctors eyes flew to the door, and his frown and hand fell. The two stood side by side as the doors pried open, almost too agonizingly slow for Valarie. Once they were open fully, the Doctor stepped out. Valarie paused for a moment, mustering all the courage she could. She stepped out when he turned to her, giving her a nod.

At the end of the corridor a faint light peered under the door, a much brighter light shined through the window on the door. It dimly illuminated the hallway, making the scene all the errier to Valarie. She kept a brave face, but deep down she felt like a child for being somewhat fearful.

"All I ever wanted to do was see the stars." she mumbled to herself, slowly approaching the door. The Doctor was hot on her heels, and his larger frame loomed over hers as the two peered into window. The movement of the Doctor's head to peer at her when he heard her whisper went unnoticed to Valarie.

Within the room, creatures appearing like the creatures Valarie feared lurked under her bed as a child stalked. Their skin was a deep grey, and appeared like that of some odd crocodile-human hybrid. Any features in their faces that seemed even remotely human was over shadowed by their severely deformed spines and necks; almost forming the perfect 's' shape.

"Yup. Istods." The Doctor confirmed, peering at them like he had seen then millions of times before. He turned his head down to view at Valarie's horrified face. Valarie's eyes had trained onto the racks of bikes; odd liquid floated in them. They appeared to have the same texture as saliva, and each one ranged in pale versions of green, yellow, grey, etc.

"Are those...?" Valarie began, pointing a finger at the viles. The Doctor nodded, setting a hand on her shoulder.

"Yup. Now, when we go in be very careful. The Istods are renowned for being extremely hostile if the feeding process is threatened." He warned, as the two stood up straight and the Doctor set both hands on her shoulders, in a comforting gesture. He then pushed her behind him, keeping an arm in front as his hand found the door handle, and slowly turned it.

The door silently clicked open, the terrifying creatures taking no notice as they drank the viles. The Doctor folded his arms, Valarie barely peeking behind his frame.

"Now, what do we have here?" He cooed, eyebrow raised a smirk playing his lips. The creatures heads spun towards the voices source, one baring rows of razor teeth.

"Are you having a company lunch in?" The Doctor smiled, being rather playful with the creatures that could rip him and Valarie apart on the spot. One began to speak in a voice that hissed and was distorted. It sent another round of chills up Valarie's spin.

"You made a bad choice coming here, Doctor." The one-seemingly in charge, due to its larger appearance-hissed. The Doctor shoved his hands in his coat pockets, leaning forward with a boyish gasp.

"Ilek? Is that you? I thought you had gotten locked up! In fact, last time I saw you, you were behind bars!" He gawked, the leader-Ilek- only growling at the Doctor. It's eyes flickered to Valarie, who clutched the Doctors arms so tightly her knuckles began to turn snow white. Her grey eyes widened as it took notice in her, and licked its lips.

"You dare to taunt me, with my lunch holding onto your arm." Ilek cooed, slowly slinking towards the Doctor and extending a scaly hand towards Valarie's face. The Doctor threw a quick arm up, preventing the contact.

"You get away from Valarie." He snapped, playful tone dropping as Ilek looked towards the Doctor, now it being Ilek's turn to smirk.

"Oh what difference does one human make Doctor? Perhaps you can let us have one more meal. This one's scent has been taunting us. Most these kids have been, well, bland. But her, she's something new. My mouth is watering just smelling her-"

"Enough!" He finally bellowed, the room being rattled by his suddenness. His hard eyes went to Valarie, who was trapped between his arm and the wall. Oddly, she had pushed herself out from behind him, yet still held onto his arm in fear.

"You need to leave." Valarie finally spoke, the creatures eyes watching her closely.

"What was that?"

"You need to leave." Her voice was more stern, and her posture straightened as she took her place at the Doctor's side. He was rather impressed with her actions, a smile twitching his lips before the stern look returned. The creatures began to laugh.

"The little human girl thinks she had word against us! That she had word standing to a Time Lord!" They howled with laughter. Valarie glanced to the Doctor with confusion, but he acted as if the statement was never said in the first place.

"She's right, you know." He wanted, eyebrows raising and his head nodding slowly.

"You don't belong here. I've giving you the chance. Go." He commanded, but the Istods were defiant. They had already hit the gold mine in their minds; many emotional college kids are hired, they suck them dry, and then they repeat the cycle.

Valarie's eyes flickered to what they were doing; several different stations having been set up. They seemed to be experimenting with the chemicals. One bottle in particular hung over a burner, and was bubbling rather too much for her comfort.

"What is that?" Valarie questioned, pointing a finger at that particular vile. The Istod's took mo notice in her concern.

"Oh, is the Doctor showing me sympathy? I'll enjoy devouring what little joy you have. I never did get to taste something like you, you know, with the Time War and all." Ilek cooed.

His face hardened; waves of anger devouring him like a monster as any source of reasoning that didn't bubble up from the rage within him was blocked out. His eyes darted around the room, absorbing everything. His eyes rested on the burner that Valarie had spotted, and with a few glance to Ilek and the burner, he made quick action.

The screwdriver was free from his pocket quicker than a second it seemed, and it was aimed at the burner. It seemed the temperature sharply began to rise, and the vile violently bubbled.

The sound could only be described as a pop. The heat in the room rose and the goo within the vile splattered. Suddenly, more sharp pops followed as the Fire of the burner roared. Soon enough, Valarie was streaks of the very chemicals that caused her fear at the moment streaked across her clothing. She jumped when a greenish-vile popped and streaked across her nose and under her eyes.

Valarie watched in horror as the fire began to spread, pieces of notes that she remembered organizing last week catching fire.

"You didn't mean to do that, did you?" She asked the Doctor silently. His eyes were wide and watching as the chain reaction took place.

"Uh, sure, yeah." He shrugged. Valarie watched in horror, as the fire roared on the counter towards some glasses full of liquids- one Valarie swore was gas. She began to tug on his arm.

"Doctor."