[Public]
[Because after his talk with Rex, and some other mentions of losing his temper and dwelling on what a horrible person his mirror self was, he's trying to dredge up what it was that made him a good person.]
This is another one of those stories. Feel free to ignore it, if you so like. But it's on a matter I've recently had brought to mind, and I forgot how important this matter was. Rex simply reminded me.
Her name was Bernice Summerfield- Benny. An archaeologist. Passionate and unstoppable. She was an admirable woman, and my first encounter with her occurred while I was still with Ace. I was a lesser man then, and I was still in debt to Death herself.
I feared I would have to have Ace to pay this debt, and I was doing everything in my power to avoid this consequence. Even placing Ace's romantic interests at risk. She was fond of boy, a single individual, whose life forsaken could be instrumental in saving a galaxy.
I also knew she was capable of leaving the TARDIS for him.
I convinced myself that it was only for the good of the galaxy that I make these arrangements. But Benny knew better. She knew that some part of me was cruel and selfish, and didn't want to be alone. With good reason I lost Ace for a while after that. She rejoined me later, but for a time it was only me and Benny. Benny was with me for the longest at any stretch than any one of my companions, and before she agreed to come, she made but one request of me; that I wouldn't use her life as a part of any of my schemes. That just avoiding physical violence wasn't enough.
I'm glad she did. I'm glad she forced me to change the way I thought. It brought my past actions to light, and I knew I needed that change. Some people need to find someone like that in their lives. It's very important. Because after having seen more of the worst in myself, I'm glad she kept me from going further in that direction. She will probably always be one of my favourite people in the universe for that.
[Private to Dick Grayson]
I know you've shown an interest in David, and my inmate now wants revenge on him for what he's done. But my inmate is little more than a boy too, you understand. He just feels that he failed in keeping his young friend Johnny safe and secure.
I don't know if going to his warden would exacerbate matters or not. Would it?
[Private to Frances Owens]
I feel as though I owe you an apology.