Stepping out of his TARDIS and into this surreal technological afterlife took Robin's breath away. What a marvel. Architecturally this particular region resembled 1940s New York; however the populace convinced otherwise. Robin pulled the door shut and begun to walk away. A 'vroompf' sound caught his attention; Robin turned back - his TARDIS had morphed into a red, glass paned telephone box. 'Okay' Robin laughed scratching his head. It wasn't quite befitting the period but at least he'd sort of fixed the chameleon circuit. Oh well, he figured his TARDIS was just out of practice. Robin shook his head amused and carried on. He knew Anne was about here somewhere. It had been an emotional couple days, after dropping off Marceline in her correct time and also saying goodbye to Ben and Bonnibel... He was exhausted and just wanted to find Anne.

There was no wonder now why The Celestial Toymaker wanted this city. Robin shivered to imagine what could be done with the lives of every human to ever live. It could in essence become an invincible fighting force. How do you beat an army which instantly resurrects? For it there would be no consequence nor any limitation in the path to victory.

Robin carefully crossed the road, grinning seeing period vintage cars drive by amongst futuristic vehicles. He breathed in the air, taking in it's aroma. 'Mm Gasoline' Robin mused - The smell of the combustion engine. Cheap & nasty transport Robin chuckled. A funny way of getting around. He couldn't deny there was something intoxicating about being on the move again. Him and his TARDIS; and soon Anne too.

Robin stepped onto the footpath and made his way down the street. His TARDIS had detected her nearby; though it was hard to be sure. 'Should've brought Henry.' He told himself. Frankly though he'd been worried Henry might scare the locals. But now Robin was out and about it clearly appeared that in a technological afterlife where everyone to have ever lived in humanity was reborn anything goes. So many people existed in this world. Every city, every unique environment - all recreated in this afterlife.

"Hello stranger." A familiar woman's voice called from behind. Robin turned heel to face her. "My goodness, you must love me." She smiled playfully. "You had the faith to let yourself be sucked through a black hole. To see me again." Robin was amazed at the sight of her. Different but unmistakably the same woman, the same face. She now had long brunette straight hair; wore a lengthy stylish fur coat and leaf-like earrings. He couldn't deny he liked her new look.

'What?' Robin gasped at first confused but his smile grew upon the realisation. Robin ran over and picked her up into the biggest hug. "I don't believe it. It's really you! You've had a makeover. I almost didn't recognise you!"

She pulled away similarly thrilled to dote upon his face. 'An...' Robin began to say her name but she put her finger to his lips cutting him off. "Not anymore Robin. I died. I can't go on as if I'm the same person. If I go on then I start anew."

Robin nodded understandably. "I think I know how you mean." His hand lingered on hers and they entwined their fingers embracingly. "Whatever it takes, I'm here for you."

She smiled warmly and grinned. "I had a realisation. All this time and you've never told me your name." Robin looked at her surprised, how had she known? "Oh please I've had a lot of time to properly think lately. I have read that many renegade Time Lord's take up an alias. You do so aspire after that mentor of yours, obviously you'd hide your name in the same fashion."

"I'm sorry, I suppose I've become so accustomed to it I never thought to really say anything of it. Normally there's only one occasion I could tell you my name." Robin reasoned frowning slightly but then perked up again; "Be damned with the rules." To her astonishment he immediately lent to her ear and whispered intimately with complete trust.

"Really?" She spoke, her face seemed to light up brightly. "I take it that means you intend to marry me now?" She laughed and sat back down to her seat, sipping on her tea.

Robin unclasped a chain from around his neck which held a ring with a diamond which glowed bright red. Tenderly he placed it in her palm and closed her fingers over it. She giggled looking at the token of his affection returned to her at last. "I'll take that as a yes." She smirked returning the ring to her finger. Robin reached his hand for hers on the table, telepathically joining with her; 'Anne.' He met her gaze weary eyed. "Gazelle." She spoke warmly. "You can call me 'Gazelle'." She stepped to her feet and tugged Robin along. "This world is too perfect. Too idyllic. I could never settle here. I want to go back out there and make a difference. With you, dear fiance." She grinned holding his hand firmly.

"You know you can never slip back into your old life. You died and time moved on. But..." Robin looked to her saddened eyes. She had expected him to say that. "I see no reason you couldn't go beyond to something new... Gazelle." Her expression beamed happiness back at him. It felt good to hear him use her newly chosen alias. "Together we can begin anew." Walking back up to his TARDIS, Robin laughed. "Oh I should say we have a pet now." He tentatively approached the issue of 'Henry the microwave death bot'; "It's not exactly conventional..." As she opened the door an electronic voice screeched 'Mistress!' welcoming her home.

Gazelle rolled her eyes in amusement of his creation but with joy she turned to Robin. "I always have wanted to see your home; your family." Gazelle replied, her mood a roller coaster of emotion. Up and down. It was goodbye to her old life; hello to the new.

In response about Henry, Gazelle teasingly replied; "Don't worry. You can explain that right after you've explained what went on with Marceline."

Robin looked at her shocked. How had she found out already? She ruffled his hair and kissed his cheek relaxing her momentarily stern appearance. She forgave him. "It's okay, I understand what you must have went through thinking me dead. I'm glad you were there for each other." She added calming his tense stance. "But if you ever do it again..." She voiced loudly almost making Robin jump. She laughed and shot back a playful look as the two entered his TARDIS and continued to mess with one another. "And who said you should fix the chameleon circuit?" She continued to tease. Ah, he had missed her. Robin smiled honestly overjoyed.

Robin pulled her close by the hand, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm sorry for what happened. It was my fault, they played me a fool." He looked deep into her eyes, telepathically joined he understood how she felt. "The Toymaker will never stop chasing me. And I have to protect you, more so than ever before. This time we will be ready for anything he can throw at us. Next time... we will have back-up. Gallifrey." Robin grinned a twinkle of a brilliant plan grew in his mind. He ran his hand along her belly noticing how it had grown. Incredible.

"You sir will have to get a job." Gazelle tapped him on the nose. Robin tensed at the idea. Him, a job? Please... though maybe she had a point. A working life on Gallifrey would be safer than running about the universe. First he had to find his universe and then Gallifrey. No easy task, but his confidence was renewed. He'd had plenty of time to think about this and the Orb gave him new data, bucket loads just waiting to be sifted through. "Brings new meaning to the phrase 'move heaven and earth', your being here. Not so much earth perhaps, but the thought counts. Thank you Robin." Gazelle's eye's fixed with his own and Robin couldn't help but grin in response.

"Well actually... I may have moved the solar system a couple hundred-thousand light years. You remember that hypernova problem you were working on but never got to finish. Well I've taken care of it." Robin explained merrily to her amazement. He'd sworn to not interfere. It meant an enormous deal to her.

"Good job." Gazelle punched his arm flirtatiously. She moved closely to him, bringing his hand to her belly. "I hope you're ready. Where to next? How do you plan to get to your own universe?"

He shone with a cheeky smile; "Tell me, have you ever heard of 'Kostavion'?" Robin asked straight faced. She shot up a finger to remind him how bad an idea that was but Robin broke out in laughter. Gazelle sighed in relief and chuckled too. 'You had me for a moment'. The dimensional modulator fully charged and the TARDIS wheezed into action. "Do the honours?" Robin waved his hand to a lever on the console.

"With pleasure." Gazelle flicked it down. The TARDIS groaned and strained as the dimensional modulator kicked in. Robin hadn't heard it do this in years. Back on the road; to his universe - to Gallifrey.

This is not the end.

Author's Note:

Wow I cannot believe we are here. I hope you've enjoyed this story, it's been a lot of work.

Anne has taken up the alias of 'Gazelle' and 'Robin' has been an alias all along. Plus Robin's TARDIS now has a mildly functional chameleon circuit once more. Do not fear, this is not the end for Robin and Anne/Gazelle. I have a Doctor Who story - mostly Doctor centred but Robin & Gazelle will have an important part to play. The Celestial Toymaker's scheme is NOT even nearly over. I believe this new story will be called 'The Robin's Tune'. Be on the lookout for it.

Also my pal Spazzy and I are talking of a collab work which will probably be out sooner, so that's something to also checkout.

One more chapter (epilogue), stay tuned to see what happened to everyone else! Please do review and tell me your thoughts, I really appreciate feedback.