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FIC: In need of a doctor
Title: In need of a doctor
Author: dk323
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Ten/Martha, Jack
Spoilers: Takes place post-Series 4
Disclaimer: Don’t own Doctor Who, just playing with its characters.
Summary: Christmas is never exactly a peaceful affair for the Doctor. This year is no exception.
A/N: Written for the ![[info]](https://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small}
dreambythefire Christmas ficathon. Prompt: Ten and Martha are having a snowball fight (on Earth or another planet, future or past), Martha sprains an ankle, Ten rushes over to give it a look, a "moment" occurs, and there be a kiss! It could be S3 or post-S4 based, up to you!
“Don’t you dare,” Martha warned as the Doctor formed a snowball in his hands.
~ * ~
They were on an alien planet known for its long winters – a long way from home – for Martha at least. The Doctor had insisted on taking her to an alien planet as his early Christmas gift to her.
Because as Martha had said then (albeit a tad sarcastically) – she really needed to gallivant off to another planet where there would likely be some alien war they’d have to stop. Even though she wasn’t ‘officially’ his current companion, Martha felt that after the Doctor lost Donna, she might as well have been. And she couldn’t refuse his Christmas present especially after the way he grinned in anticipation at her; waiting for her agreement.
Unfortunately, the Doctor hadn’t found another companion yet. She thought that maybe he just didn’t feel like starting over once again. That it was just easier for him to fall back on old, familiar faces to travel alongside with. Whenever Martha tried to bring up as to why he hadn’t moved on yet, he would abruptly change the subject. Instead he chose to recount stories of his past travels (of places Martha had yet to see); a wistful look in his dark eyes.
When they first arrived, they sat on a park bench watching the snow fall around them. The sight was something to behold – like a holiday postcard. Well, except, the snow was a brilliant shade of blue with a hint of purple in some snowy patches here and there.
The Doctor then had taken her hand, citing it was no good just sitting there. So they took a stroll, Martha leaning on him with her hand comfortably in his.
“Snow, Martha. Real snow – isn’t it brilliant?” He said, turning to her, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
She placed her hands on her hips, trying but failing to look reproachful, “No throwing snowballs! Remember what happened last time?” Martha said, hoping he would see reason.
“Aw, come on, Martha. Get into the holiday spirit – and I promise you, your clothes won’t get soaking wet this time. Now where was I?” He walked forward a bit and bent down, grabbing a hold of some snow.
“Don’t you dare,” Martha warned as the Doctor formed a snowball in his hands.
Martha didn’t see the snowball before it hit her right in the face. She sputtered, exclaiming in shock at the unexpected hit.
Before she could form a counterattack, the Doctor came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist; lifting her up in the air.
“Get me down, Doctor!” She cried, trying to wriggle out of his hold.
“Not until you say ‘I’m positively, without question, absolutely brilliant’.”
Martha grinned, shifting around to face him, “Those exact words?”
The Doctor gently set her down, but still held her in his arms, “Cheeky Doctor Jones. ‘The Doctor is’ instead of ‘I’m’. There – go on, say it.”
“I don’t want to say it.” She said, pretending to be indignant about it.
He touched her nose, then pulled her even closer to him, saying softly, “But Martha, then you won’t be able to see the unicorns.”
“Oh, shut up. Unicorns don’t exist. You’re just saying things.”
“Oh no, I’m quite serious about this, Martha. When have I ever lied to you?” At the incredulous look on his companion’s face, he changed tactic, “Oh, all right. But honestly, I’m telling the truth this time.”
Martha stepped away from him and then, arms across her chest, took a good look at him, “No, but I’ll tell you what I will do--”
He looked at her, suddenly becoming very nervous, “What?”
She gave him a wide grin and walked away from him.
“Martha? What’re you--”
A few moments later, she turned around and pelted him with a snowball, which hit his chest area upon impact.
“A little too high. Pity.” She commented thoughtfully.
“Very funny, Martha.”
She just stuck her tongue out at him in response, “What about – ‘The Doctor is pretty.’”
He made a face, but quickly composed himself – hoping Martha didn’t see it.
“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment.” He said, trying to sound reasonable.
Martha put her hand over her mouth and pointed at him, “Oh, the look on your face! You thought you could hide it! It’s too much!” She exclaimed and laughed so hard that she didn’t remain standing for long.
From that point on, the snowball fight went on full force – each getting some good shots in, but they weren’t really trying too hard. Martha was convinced that the Doctor enjoyed picking her up after the third time he did it. Or maybe he didn’t want to get hit by snowballs as much as he wanted to get her with them – “your clothes won’t get soaking wet this time” Yeah, right.
In an attempt to avoid a flying snowball coming at her, Martha tried to run away from it. Unfortunately, she slipped on an especially icy patch of snow and she fell to the ground.
The Doctor saw her fall and immediately rushed to her side, kneeling beside her and inspected what was the problem.
“I think I sprained my ankle, Doctor.” Martha told him.
The color seemed to have drained out of his face after her words. It was a more intense reaction than needed for a minor injury, Martha thought worriedly. And anyway, she was sure the TARDIS’ Med Bay had some advanced medical technology to treat this more efficiently than 21st century medicine ever could.
The Doctor sat down next to her, but he didn’t look at her. Instead he looked straight ahead of him, as if he were spacing out.
Martha hadn’t the faintest idea as to what was going on, but she knew that she had to get answers soon.
“Doctor?” She said tentatively.
He finally looked at her, giving her a small smile, “I’m so, so sorry.” He whispered, his voice cracking slightly with emotion.
The he tilted her chin up with his hand and kissed her on the lips.
“What’s wrong? Why are you apologizing, Doctor?” She asked, concerned, after the kiss.
The Doctor didn’t answer her, just took out his sonic screwdriver and pointed it at her hurt ankle.
The sonic buzzed briefly until the Doctor nodded, satisfied.
“Your ankle should be fine at least until we get to the TARDIS and I can take care of it properly.”
“I can do that. I am a doctor after all.” She reminded him, wishing he wasn’t avoiding the subject she most wanted to talk about.
“Quite right. Of course. Here – let me carry you. It wouldn’t do to place any more stress on the ankle.”
“Doctor, please. Tell me what’s wrong – I saw how you reacted after I said I sprained my ankle. Is something bad going to happen?”
The Doctor seemed not to have heard as he lifted her gently up off of the ground, one arm supporting her head and the other underneath her knees.
“‘The Oncoming Silence’.” Martha said under her breath.
As he carried her back to his ship, the Doctor said, “I’m sorry, Martha. It was just déjà vu I suppose. It’s probably nothing. Please don’t worry about it. I’ll just take you back home and that will be that. How does that sound?”
“Jack would want to see you. There’s a holiday party he’s having for his team at Torchwood. He invited me. You can come along too, of course.”
The Doctor shook his head and said apologetically, “Sorry. I have somewhere I need to be. Give Jack and the others – your family too – my best.”
“You never told me you had other plans, Doctor.”
They had reached the TARDIS, the Doctor setting Martha down after asking her if she was all right to stand on her own.
Martha nodded, though she leaned on the Doctor for support. He smiled at her, placing his arm securely around her shoulders.
“My Martha Jones. I’m going to miss you,” He murmured, kissing the top of her head.
Martha wasn’t quite sure if she heard him right.
After he opened the TARDIS doors, they went inside and headed for the Med Bay.
~ * ~
After her sprained ankle was taken care of, the Doctor had set the course for Martha’s home. He didn’t explain his odd reaction any further, though he did glance at her a few times and shake his head each time.
She knew he wanted to tell her something, but what was stopping him from doing so? Martha hoped that he didn’t think she couldn’t handle it. She had been through more than enough to take anything that come her way in stride – well, most things.
Once the TARDIS had landed, the Doctor told her to remain in the TARDIS and to hold that lever down over there –
She interrupted him, frustrated that he could even think he could trick her like this.
“No, I won’t do it. Jack told me you did this once before. I’m not letting you go off who knows where by yourself. You need someone backing you up, Doctor.” Martha said firmly, a defiant look on her face.
She remembered what Jack told her about his previous incarnation sending Rose back home to keep her safe – when there was little hope he’d make it out alive.
He walked over to her, put his hands on her shoulders and then said, “Hold that lever down, Martha. And keep it in position. Please.”
“No. Tell me what is going on. Right now.”
“If I don’t do this, it’ll cause a paradox. And I need to do it alone. Believe me, I didn’t want it to happen during your holiday trip with me. It’s out of my control now. I’m sorry about that, but just listen to me.”
“Can you at least tell me where you’re going? I can get help – UNIT and Torchwood--”
He shook his head, “This is my problem, Martha. Please don’t get involved. I don’t want you to. And anyway, my Christmases are always like this. Just don’t worry about me, okay?” He tried to give her a reassuring look.
Martha stared at him, “You’re telling me that I should just sit tight and let you deal with whatever this is alone?”
The Doctor nodded, “Yeah, that’s about right.”
Before Martha could respond, he was in front of her and he kissed her as if it were last. She instinctively returned the kiss, backing up against the console as the kiss deepened.
And just when Martha felt the Doctor’s arousal, he said something to her. Not a moment later, he had rushed toward the door – leaving her
Holding down that damn lever.
~ * ~
Martha glared at the lever that she had just let go of. The Doctor had used some mild hypnosis on her to get her to do as he said.
A hologram of the Doctor appeared in the console room, but she paid little attention to it as the hologram started speaking. Instead, she took a seat and started flipping through a novel she had brought along with her.
Martha couldn’t help but perk up when the hologram said the TARDIS was taking her to Roald Dahl Plass and by extension, Jack, instead of taking her home.
Well, she thought hopefully, if she was going straight there then she would have a start on getting the Doctor help right away.
“…because I don’t want you to be alone, Martha, especially on Christmas. Tell Jack not to worry…”
“You’re the one who shouldn’t be alone. You can’t keep going on like this, Doctor.” She said quietly, even though she knew it wouldn’t do any good.
It was only a hologram of him after all.
“You were brilliant, absolutely brilliant, Martha Jones.”
She just stared at the holographic image of him and threw her book at it as the image faded away.
The TARDIS landed shortly afterwards, Martha trying to keep herself from crying as she went to leave the TARDIS.
~ * ~
“You think--” The Doctor said, coughing up blood soon after. He looked up, determined to finish what he had to say, “—that I’d make it easy for you?”
His captor nodded toward the two guards holding him, “Make him suffer. You should know, Doctor, that we would have been far more lenient if you hadn’t let your companion escape.”
“Liar,” He spit out.
“We won’t let you go so easily.”
Before he could reply, one of the guards administered a sedative into his neck.
And he was lulled into the darkness, which was welcome as then he didn’t feel the breaking of bones in his hand.
~ * ~
Martha stood outside of the TARDIS, not sure what to do with herself.
She looked up when she heard Jack’s approach.
“Martha? I heard the TARDIS and – what’s wrong?” He trailed off when he noticed the sad look on her face.
“The Doctor’s in trouble, Jack. He sent me here because he said that he needed to do this alone. I can’t believe him sometimes. He’s just--” She couldn’t continue on as she felt tears about to come down.
Jack sighed and moved to wrap his arms around her in a hug. Martha wished she wasn’t falling apart like this – I mean they would find a way to rescue him, right?
But he didn’t have the TARDIS with him and that just made it worse…it wasn’t right. How could he just send her away leaving him defenseless?
“We’ll figure something out. It’ll be fine, Martha.” Jack said, leading her toward the Plass.
“I wish this hadn’t happened so close to Christmas. He doesn’t deserve this, no one does.”
“You know how the Doctor is. Come on, what do you say to some hot chocolate?”
“Something stronger, maybe?” Martha suggested.
He kissed the top of her head, “Sure, we have that too.”
They walked in silence the rest of the way, Jack’s arm around her shoulders and Martha leaning into him for warmth. She wished the Doctor was here with them.
It was only a few days before Christmas – and even though it was a bit cliché, Martha hoped that the Doctor would be home for Christmas. Or at least they would find him before then. But that was impossible, right? Then again…she saw impossible things when she was with the Doctor, so Martha decided to not lose hope.
For the Doctor’s sake.
The impossible man who made the unimaginable: possible.
And she was sure he loved her – if not through words then through actions.
No matter how much she hated the fact he’d tricked her into leaving when he needed a companion the most.
~ * ~
Waking up in a white-walled cell, the Doctor felt almost certain that he would have to regenerate soon. He could barely move because every time he did, pain flared up in his body.
He wasn’t sure how long it had been since he’d been taken by them. One thing was for sure, he was getting tired of staring at the white walls.
He was never fond of them…especially after, well…
Anyway, it was a long time ago. As time moved on, he moved on…
He fervently hoped that Martha would be able to forgive for what he had done if he made it out of here. She had to know that he only had her best interests at heart.
Though he could never quite say the words to her, he knew – oh he knew -- that she understood what he kept close to his hearts.
She had saved the world…saved him.
She was his doctor. She always would be.
~ * ~
Was that the--? The Doctor sat up abruptly, groaning at the sharp pain caused by the sudden movement.
The last thing he expected was hearing the TARDIS. He couldn’t think of a sweeter sound than her engines as his ship materialized around him.
But as soon as he saw who was in the console room – absorbing the time vortex, he realized it wasn’t exactly his TARDIS.
“How is this possible? This can’t happen…” The Doctor said out loud.
He could feel his ship take off again, to where he wasn’t sure. Any place was better than where he was before.
He heard the TARDIS in his head, chuckling at him, “Lucky Rose can’t control what she’s doing.”
“What – I’m some sort of hitchhiker then? On my own ship?”
He could feel the TARDIS nod and then she said, “You’re going home.”
An image of Martha in a red dress sitting at a round table, holiday decorations all around her, came unbidden into his mind (the Torchwood holiday party? … recalling what Martha had told him). He could just see someone offering her their hand and her smile as she took it before the image was gone.
“Thank you,” He murmured then walked slowly to sit on the Captain’s seat.
He smiled gratefully as he felt the TARDIS healing him – at least enough so that the pain didn’t hurt as much.
For the rest, he trusted Martha to take care of.
~ * ~
When he stepped out of the TARDIS – the ship dematerializing soon after – he only had to walk a few feet before Martha -- in the same red dress he had seen in the image -- enveloped him in a tight hug.
“We tried everything. Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay. How did you manage it? I heard the TARDIS, but that can’t be because...”
The Doctor could only smile at her, saying, “You look beautiful, Martha.”
And then he collapsed from exhaustion and sheer relief that he was finally home.
Martha looked to Jack who had reached them.
Without a word, Jack carefully lifted the Doctor off of the ground, carrying him in his arms.
“Oh, Doctor.” She said softly as she kissed his forehead.
They walked to the TARDIS, which was nearby.
~ * ~
The Doctor woke up in a bed in the TARDIS’ Med Bay, Martha at his bedside.
He tried sitting up, but Martha stopped him, “You’re still hurt. Take it easy,”
“I’m sorry I’m making you miss the party…” He said apologetically.
Martha shook her head, taking his hand and kissing it, “I want to be here with you. I know where I’m needed more.”
“This is the last thing I wanted to happen, Martha. I’m sorry--”
She put her finger over his mouth, stopping him from going further.
“What matters is you’re home.” She said, her tone brooking no argument.
He grinned at her and she grinned back at him.
Falling asleep to her stroking his hair, the Doctor couldn’t argue with that. For now, Martha Jones was by his side.
And that’s all he really wanted.
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I had a feeling someone would say that.
There was rather more angst and torture than I was expecting for a holiday fic!
Sorry! *is apologetic* That's why I tried to cut it off before it went too far, but I was always planning for a happy ending. Even though it's more of a "quiet" happy ending more than anything else.
Thanks for commenting. :)
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I confess I looked at it and expected fluff!
Sorry! *is apologetic* That's why I tried to cut it off before it went too far, but I was always planning for a happy ending. Even though it's more of a "quiet" happy ending more than anything else.
Although the Doctor would probably say "What's Christmas without a bit of mayhem and torture?"
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It did start out as fluff - it just shifted in a different direction. *blush* I'm planning to write a short Christmas fluffy (humorous really) fic very soon to make up for it. :)
Although the Doctor would probably say "What's Christmas without a bit of mayhem and torture?"
I agree. I can imagine him saying that a few days later and then Martha gives him the eye for even saying it.
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That's a relief.
I agree. I can imagine him saying that a few days later and then Martha gives him the eye for even saying it.
Quite right too!
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I'm so curious about how the Doctor knew he had to send Martha home!
I loved "The Oncoming Silence"! That needs to be an icon...
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Thanks - I was hoping that the combo would work. I'm pretty happy with the result at least. :)
I'm so curious about how the Doctor knew he had to send Martha home!
Well, Martha spraining her ankle tipped him off to where he had to go. He knew that at some point in time, he would have to do so; but he wasn't sure when exactly (only what event would lead to it). And he sent Martha home because he knew what to expect and he didn't want her a part of that especially during the holidays.
I loved "The Oncoming Silence"! That needs to be an icon...
I agree - there definitely should be! :)
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The mystery has me wanting more!
I was just a bit tempted to add more to the Doctor's predicament, but the story was getting pretty long as it was. I wasn't sure whether LJ would allow the whole thing under the cut or if I'd have to divide it up. And not to mention, I wanted to keep the angst at a minimum - didn't quite work out I suppose, lol.
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Lovely, lovely.
Thank you for writing.
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