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Sam had felt anger rising in her, tightening across her shoulders, cramming the back of her throat. In a strained voice she had said, 'I don't want you protecting me, Doctor. And I certainly don't want you deciding what I can and can't see or do. I can make my own choices, you know. I thought you respected that, I thought you respected me. I have enough sexist crap without -'

'This has nothing to do with your gender,' interjected the Doctor, quietly but firmly.

'Sure,' Sam said.

'It hasn't, Sam. It's just... well, you're seventeen -'

'Ageist as well as sexist now -'

'Listen to me. '

There was not exactly anger in his voice, but his tone nevertheless had the same effect as his banging the flat of his hand down hard on an unyielding surface. Sam clammed up and looked at him.

Quietly he said,'Sam, you're young.That is a fact. And however tough you may think you are, however much you may think you can take, you are not a superwoman: you are a thinking, feeling, caring human being, and therefore not immune to the psychological effects of extreme trauma.This isn't a failing, Sam. I've seen hardened, combat-trained soldiers weeping, catatonic, driven half mad by the nightmares of what they've seen and experienced on the field of battle. You wouldn't be a properly functioning Human being if you didn't have such emotions.'

'Yeah, I know all that, Doctor, but I also know better than you what my limitations are. I mean... I've seen bad stuff. I've been bitten by vampires.

IVe even killed a vampire. I've seen people die.'

'I know that,' the Doctor said quietly, 'but that's because you happened to be there. It was unavoidable. Travelling with me is not some kind of endurance test, Sam. You don't get points for the number of atrocities you can witness before teatime.'

'I know that. Don't insult me, Doctor.'

'I'm not insulting you. I'm just trying to make you understand.'

'I do understand. Besides, that isn't the issue. I'm not saying I really, really wanted to be at the postmortem. I'm just saying that in the future I want to be given the choice, that's all.'

He had agreed, wearily, that from that moment on he would not wilfully exclude her from anything. Then he had told her about his day, relating his conversations with Nathaniel Seers and his daughter, Emmeline, with a thoroughness that Sam couldn't help but find impressive. Later, over supper, he had announced his intention to return to the factory in order to take another look in the basement.When Litefoot had realised that the Doctor actually intended to break in to the premises that very evening he had been horrified.

'You can't do that, Doctor. If the police discover you, they'll view your behaviour as nothing more than the actions of a common criminal.'

'Then I'll have to make sure I don't get caught, won't I?' said the Doctor facetiously, grinning at Sam.

When Litefoot's only response was a disapproving shake of the head, the Doctor exclaimed, 'Oh, come on, Professor! Surely you can see that it's in a good cause? One man has already died in terrible circumstances and I aim to find out why.'

'We,' said Sam firmly.'You're not leaving, me behind this time, Doctor?

'I don't intend to,' the Doctor said. 'In fact, I'll need your help.'

'Outrageous' spluttered Litefoot. 'What you are proposing, Doctor, is bad enough, but to inveigle Miss Samantha into your foolhardy venture -'

'He's not inveigling me,' said Sam.'I want to go.'

Litefoot sighed.'In that case, you leave me no alternative. I shall have to accompany you - under protest, of course.'

The Doctor laughed.'You old rogue.You're itching to get going, aren't you?'

Litefoot had looked indignant, though Sam had thought she could detect a twinkle in his eye.'Certainly not. My sole intention in this venture is to keep you both out of trouble.'

Now, three hours later, the three of them were creeping round the back of the factory, cloaked by the dark and the freezing fog. Litefoot