I do not own Doctor Who or any of it's characters. I do own Carina and her part in the plot.
Chapter 1: Pranked on the Moon
"Okay Carina, you have beds 9 to 12 today. Currently only bed 12 is occupied by a Mr. John Smith who presented yesterday with severe abdominal pain. Nothing is scheduled for him except the doctor's visit later this morning. Until then make sure he's comfortable and help out the other nurses" Vikki, the in charge nurse orders me sternly.
"Okay" I reply. I know I've only graduated less than a year ago, but you'd think I'd only just stared my degree, the way she treats me. Maybe it's because I'm Australian. Oh well I guess I'll just have to continue dealing with it.
I've been in London the past month, working at the Royal Hope Hospital. Every time I say something they go 'Oh you're Australian, throw another shrimp on the barby' that's all I ever get. I don't even like seafood.
"She sure seems grumpy today" Steph say leaning close to me so Vikki, who's striding out of the common room in front of us doesn't hear. Steph's the only person here who treated me with any decency, her bright blue eyes sparkling just below her straight-cut honey blonde fringe.
"Maybe it's her time of the month" I whisper back, making sure my hair is still contained within its bun at the back of my head.
"Probably" she giggles, causing Vikki to turn and glare at us. Pulling herself together, I can see herself struggling to contain it, the corners of her mouth continuing to quirk up.
"Get to work ladies" Vikki scolds, retreating into her office.
"Yes Sir" we both salute as soon as the shuts behind her.
"Okay Steph, I'll go and check on Mr. Smith, then I'll come help you, see you in a few" I wave heading to the right.
Flicking through the notes, Mr. Smith brought himself in yesterday night complaining about severe abdominal pain. What! There's no personal information in here other than his name. God what were the night nurses doing? From handover it didn't seem that busy. I'll be a bit longer than I expected before helping Steph.
Still looking at the file, flipping to a blank page to record his details, I don't notice the full linen trolley next to the wall until I've already banged into it. Sending the folder flying I try to right myself, but it's no good I'm already too close to the floor. Bracing myself, my right shoulder collides with the smoothed concrete first, followed soon after by the hip and knee. Searing pain shoots up my right side, but I haven't finished moving yet, the momentum enough to make my head bounce off the ground.
For a few seconds I don't know what's going on, everything is black, but is that because I was knocked out or do I have my eyes closed? Slowly peeling my eyelids open, I'm staring at the ceiling, the fluorescent light flickering. Dragging myself to the nearest wall, luckily there's no one was around to see my blunder. Doing the once over only a few bruises have already started to show, no doubt that more will come later, and as the first point of contact my shoulder is aching.
Other than that I'm alright except for the killer head ache I can feel coming on. I'll have to deal with it, I can't afford to lose the money. Heaving myself up and straightening the uniform and my hair, I retrieve the folder from where it landed and continue toward Mr. Smith.
"Good Morning Mr. Smith, I'm Carina and I'll be your nurse for today, how are you feeling?" I place the folder on the end of the bed looking up at Mr Smith.
"Ah, you know, still a bit, blah" he replies poking his tongue out
"No No. This isn't possible, it can't be, it has to be some sought of prank" I ramble, frantically looking around searching for the hidden cameras.
"Hang on, Carina wasn't it? Calm down what's wrong?" he reaches out to grasp my arm. But I can't calm down, this is too much. Jumping back, I flee down the corridor to room 5 where Steph's working.
Latching onto her arm "Do you have a minute I need to talk to you?" I drag her out of the room before she can answer.
"What is it Carina, some of us have patient's to look after?" she replies annoyed. Stunned for the moment she has always been a happy calm person, nothing ever annoying her, but now she seems like a completely different person.
"I ah, what's with the prank, I told you I loved 'Doctor Who' so you decide to use it against me?"
"What are you going on about Carina, we've barely spoken to each other since you've been here, and what on earth is 'Doctor Who'?" she says looking at me as if I've escaped the psychiatric ward. How is this possible, Steph has been the only friend I've had here and she's acting as if I'm a stranger?
"Steph please? We watched the series 7 final yesterday together. How can you act as if we don't know each other?" I plead
"Because we don't, now I have to get back to work, you should too" she shoves passed me back into the room. Turning to look back at me "You should talk to someone Carina, you need help" is the last thing she say before disappearing behind the curtain around a bed.
Heading back the way I came I can feel the tears trickling down over my heated cheeks. Maybe I am going crazy, I did hit my head pretty hard, I could just be seeing things. But Steph's acting so strange, maybe I just imagined her being friendly to me. To have thought that I may have made a real friend, yep I'm definitely crazy. But her not knowing about 'Doctor Who', she's British, I thought everyone here knew about 'Doctor Who'. Hastily wiping the tears away, trying to compose myself, I return to the room with John Smith. Nope he definitely looks like the Doctor. Pulling the curtains shut around the bed I confront him.
"Okay who are you?" I ask watching him carefully, taking a seat in the visitor's chair.
"John Smith" he replies, watching me just as intently, a smile curving his lips
"Yeah, and I'm the Queen of England"
"Who do you think I am, you reacted as if you knew me before?" he inquires, cocking his head to the side slightly.
"The Doctor" I say unable to look him in the eye. I can't believe I'm even saying this to him, he'll probably crack up laughing any second, knowing he's got me.
"What?!" he ask incredulously, staring at me as if I've grown another head.
"I…" I'm cut off suddenly by the curtain being pushed back by Dr Stoker, followed by a group of medical students including Martha Jones. This is too much, I know I must still be knocked out lying on the floor from earlier, that has to be it. Getting up, I move out of their way standing over near the head of the bed.
"Now then, Mr. Smith, a very good morning to you. How are you today?" Stoker asks flicking through the folder.
"Oh, not so bad. Still a bit, you know, blah." The Doctor replies. It's my imagination so I might as well call him that.
"John Smith, admitted yesterday with severe abdominal pains. Jones, why don't you see what you can find? Amaze me." Martha walking up to the Doctor,
"That wasn't very clever, running around outside, was it?" she asks.
Confused the Doctor asks "Sorry?"
"On Chancellor Street this morning? You came up to me and took your tie off." Oh I remember this he was doing it to prove a point to Martha.
"Really? What did I do that for?" he asks intrigued
"I don't know, you just did"
"Not me. I was here, in bed. Ask the nurses" sparing a quick glance in my direction I nod to confirm his statement, but under my breath I say
"Yeah but when you have a time machine it is possible to be in more than one place at a time" being close to the Doctor's head he hears my statement. Flicking his head quickly around, his brown eyes, full of suspicion connect with mine for a second, before flicking back to Martha, all lingering traces of suspicion disappearing.
"Well that's weird, cause it looked like you. Have you got a brother?" Martha continues certain she saw him this morning.
"No, not any more. Just me"
Getting impatient Stoker interrupts "As time passes and I grow ever more infirm and weary, Miss Jones."
"Sorry. Right." She replies abashed. Listening to the Doctor's chest, I can see her confusion at hearing the beat of two hearts.
Listening to Stoker complain about Martha's examination and what she obtained from it, I come back into focus when he gets zapped by the metal clip. Okay the rest could be faked pretty well, but the shock, that's difficult to replicate without a great deal of effort. This is beginning to look less like a dream as my dreams are never this vivid. The medical student's outline how they were shocked earlier when Stoker gets to his next question.
"That's only to be expected. There's a thunderstorm moving in and lightning is a form of static electricity, as was first proven by. Anyone?"
"Benjamin Franklin" the Doctor answers cheerfully.
"Correct"
"My mate, Ben. That was a day and a half. I got rope burns off that kite, and then I got soaked…" the Doctor rambles
"Quite." Stoker replies sceptically
"And then I got electrocuted." He continued.
"Moving on. I think a visit from psychiatric. And next we have…" Stoker trials off leaving the room.
"I think I'm the one that needs to visit psychiatry" I say collapsing back into the chair. My head's killing me, throbbing as if I've hit it against a brick wall. Well I have, a cement floor is pretty much the same isn't it? But in dreams you're not supposed to feel physical pain are you?
"Who are you, and how do you know about me?" the Doctor asks, all the jovialness disappeared, replace with suspicion.
"I'm Carina Blaire, new grad RN from Australia, and I know all about you, Doctor. If you really are the Doctor and I haven't gone completely mad, well I suppose I would have to be mad anyway for you to actually exist." I ramble, great I'm even acting like him.
"Okay Carina slow down, start from the beginning. I am the Doctor, though I don't know how you know that" he say suspicion still clinging to his tone "Start off telling me the date, and what's been happening with you today"
I've gone mad, might as well tell him everything "Today's the 23rd of March 2013 and…"
"No Carina, that's wrong. It's the 23rd of March, but its 2007 not 2013" he tries to correct me.
"No, that's not possible. In 2007 I was only 15 and still living in Australia, and now I'm 21. Besides it says it right here on my phone" I argue pulling out my I-Phone 5, showing him the date clearly displayed on the screen.
"Carina, now don't panic but your phone shows 2007, which shouldn't be possible. The I-Phone 5 wasn't released until late in 2012."
Flipping the phone to face me, it does say 2007. "No it can't be, Dad got it for me as a graduation gift. I can't be in 2007. This isn't real, I'm still lying on the floor where I fell, knocked out. This is all a dream, I just need to wake up" I panic, pinching myself so hard that bruises instantly appear, running up the inside of my forearm.
Grasping my hands tightly just as I'm about to pinch myself again, the Doctor holds them firmly with one hand and with the other, turns my face toward his, until I'm looking directly into his eyes.
"Carina this is real, I'm real and we'll work this out together, okay?" he tries to soothe, but I've gone past the point that words will help.
"If what you say is true then you have bigger issues to worry about than one girl. Focus on the original reason you came here Doctor, and do what you do best, save people." I force the words off my panic leaden tongue.
"What are you talking about, you need my help"
"The Plasma coils, think about it Doctor, the lives of everyone in this hospital and this side of the earth or the life of a single girl? I will not let you risk all their lives just to help me. So I bid you farewell. Allons-y!" I pull up the courage to say, staring as intently as possible in my panic ridden state into his old eyes, before bolting to the exit. I will not interfere with what has to happen, even if it is at my demise.
"Wait Carina, you are important" he yells after me, trying to climb out of his bed, but the blankets are tangling around his legs.
But I don't stop "Maybe, but I not worth putting the others at risk" I yell back, running as fast as my pounding head, and aching body will allow, finding somewhere to hide.
…
I decided the best place to hide is in plain sight, doing what I would normally do. Having downed a couple of Panadol, the pain radiating through my skull has dulled to a niggling ache, enough that I can focus on tidying the storage room. I may not be interfering with the main story, but that doesn't mean I can't help in small ways, like sticking a yellow post-it note reading 'this button' in radiology, making sure all the oxygen tanks are full and ready for later, as well as checking the oxygen outlets along the walls are working.
I'd checked back with Steph to see if she was back to herself, which she wasn't, and if she needed any help, which she declined. The other nurses were the same, not wanting help as they don't believe I would do it correctly. I passed my degree guys, with a credit average! I must know something.
I notice the Doctor walking around in his striped flannel pyjamas and navy blue dressing gown. Great that means it's going to happen soon. Heading to the nurse's station, Vikki's sitting there.
"I'm going to take my lunch break now, Mr. Smith is fine, I just checked on him" not that there was anything wrong with him to begin with.
"Fine, but first what happened to you arm?" she replies eyeing the deep purple bruise surrounding my elbow, heading up my arm, before disappearing under the navy blue shirt sleeve. She already thinks I'm a klutz, walking into a linen trolley won't surprise her.
"I ah, walked into a linen trolley" I tell her. Although she doesn't do it physically, I can feel the mental eye roll she's giving me.
"Watch where you're going in future Carina" she sighs as if she already knows it will happen again. Turning back to her paperwork, I'll take that as my cue to leave.
Walking to the nurse's common room, I pull out my Vegemite and cheese sandwich, banana and bottle of water from the fridge. That's the good thing about Vegemite sandwiches here, no one will ever steal my lunch. But is it even my lunch, if I've gone back in time and in another dimension, I'm still think it's highly improbable, but for the sake of the hypothetical, am I eating someone else's lunch? Is anything here still mine?
Pulling my bag out of the locker, I take everything out. Checking the purse, everything's still in there; Australian drivers licence, British workers permit, and my passport tucked into a secret section, as well as all my other cards and money, both pounds and dollars.
My camera still has all my photos that I've taken, Mum, Dad and Luke at the Airport, pictures from the aeroplane and all the ones I've taken since coming to England. It always rains here, I miss the sun. It's leaching what little colour I had out of my skin.
It's raining again now. Watching the droplets pour down is somewhat hypnotizing making me forget my worries, but as it starts going upwards, they can no longer be ignored. Not having anything stable to hang on to I'm thrown sideways, crashing into the sink, before landing harshly on the floor. I'm going to be a walking bruise by the end of the day.
Slowly lugging myself up, the room is shrouded in darkness, the light from the window gone, to be replaced by the darkness of space. Moving to the window, it's the most magnificent sight I have ever been privileged to. Retrieving my camera from the table, luckily it wasn't smashed, I take a few photos of the moon's crust and the earth, but the windows so small, it won't capture the pure magnificence of it.
Leaving the common room, it is utter chaos everyone panicking, screaming and crying. I can hear Martha trying to reassure everyone, heading toward the window. Okay so that gives me a couple of minutes before she and the Doctor come out to the balcony.
Flicking the latch up I push the door open. My breath leaves me, not because there's no air, but in awe. Snapping my jaw shut I take as many photos as I'm capable of, I'm glad I have such a large memory card. Okay it's been nearly 2 minutes, I better get going, I could stay out here forever though, it's so beautiful.
Shoving the camera in my pocket, I sprint back through the balcony doors, to get away before they get here, but I've miss judged the time. Running into the Doctor in his blue pinstripe suit, white collared shirt and maroon tie with blue designs on it.
Jumping back "Sorry, it's beautiful out their though" I smile at him before continuing to run down the hall.
"Carin…" but I'm already gone. Coming to a corner I can see Miss Finnegan, followed by the two slabs, heading in the direction of Stoker's office. Feeling sorry for the man, but there's nothing I can do, it has to happen.
Heading to the window I can see the huge cylindrical spaceships of the Judoon, landing and marching towards the hospital. Okay so what's my next move? First at all costs I have to try and stay out of the way of the Doctor, second avoid interaction with the Judoon, where would the best place be for that? Top floor? But then I'm trapped. Keep moving that would be best.
Okay so I'm on the fourth floor now, if I wait until they check the third floor maybe I can sneak past them onto the third floor. Okay I'll get the oxygen tanks out and ready.
"Here" I hand a tank to Steph, "They'll be needing it soon" I gesture to the patients. Nodding to me, I continue to hand out the rest of the tanks to the staff, giving the same explanation as I did to Steph.
After I give the last one to Vikki, I step back right into the advancing Judoon.
"Prepare to be catalogued" the Judoon states scanning me with the blue light "Human. Wait. Non-human traits suspected. Authorise full scan." Hang on, that's not possible. The Doctor only touched my face, he didn't kiss me, not that I would have minded.
"Human, but also traces of unknown origin. You will be detained until confirmation can be made" It says. Making a nodding gesture another two Judoon seize me from behind.
"Wait! No! I haven't done anything wrong. Let me go!" I yell struggling to get away, but their hold just becomes tighter, bordering on painful. Knowing it is futile I relax in their hold. Their grip has also loosened, struggle tighter, relax looser. Okay the Doctor mentions something about them being a bit thick, I wonder if they would fall for it.
Keeping calm I walk along casually as if I'm happy to be there. After scanning a few more people, they reduce it to only one Judoon holding me, to get the scanning completed quicker. The remaining Judoon's hold is so loose it's barely touching me. Getting close to a fire escape, it now or never. Swiftly moving out of the Judoon's hold, I burst through the escape doors, legging it down the stairs.
Entering the third floor I can see Martha and the Doctor talking. So relieved to see them, I start forward…
"Find the non-human. Execute" the Judoon call from the stairwell I just exited. Oh damn. Are they still talking about Miss Finnegan or about me now? Hearing the screams, the Doctor moves closer to Martha.
"Martha, stay here. I need time. You've got to hold them up"
"How do I do that?" she asks sceptically
"Just forgive me for this. It could save a thousand lives. It means nothing. Honestly nothing." He urges her to understand. Putting his hands to her face, his thumbs resting on her cheeks, he moves closer, kissing her long and hard. I don't need to see this. Breaking into a run again, I dart past them just as the Doctor's pulling away. Turning a corner I keep running in the direction of the MIR room.
"Carina?" I hear my name called. Glancing over my shoulder it's the Doctor, just coming around the previous corner. Ignoring him I keep moving, but I can hear him gaining on me. Crap, the man can move, I knew he was quick but not that quick. Rounding the last corner I can see the light spilling out through the glass in the door to the MRI, getting brighter with every magnetic pulse.
Nearing the door something grasps my shoulder making me loosing balance. Okay the floors coming up too quickly. Squeezing my eyes shut, I cover my head with my arms, waiting for the impact. But it doesn't come as I'm jerked back upright by two strong arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me back against a firm chest.
My eyes fly open, the arms holding me are clothed in blue pin-stripe sleeves. Steadying myself, I turn my head to look at him. Surprised that his face is so close, I turn to look back at the flashing coming from the MRI, my cheeks burning.
"I ah, thank you Doctor, I'm right now" I squeak out. Loosening his hold, he spins me to face him, holding onto my shoulders.
"Why are you running?"
"You're not the only one the Judoon are chasing" I reply, looking away from his piercing gaze.
"But you're human!"
"Yeah that's what I thought" the energy flashes I can see reflecting off the walls are getting brighter, "Now I need to find a good hiding place and you need to get in there" I point to the flashing room "and stop the plasmavore, you've wasted enough time with me already"
I can see him wanting to know more but he needs to move "Please Doctor, if you don't go in there now thousands will die, I will not allow that to happen. Go!" I shove him away. Walking backwards, but he not moving "Go, or I'll die along with you and everyone else"
Snapping out of his brief daze, he rushes into the MRI room. He'll be alright, I know he'll be alright, then why am I still worried? Moving away from the room my feet are dragging, I'm so tired, the lack of oxygen is finally catching up with. Swaying on my feet, the wall becomes my best friend, holding me up. Barely making it to the corner, I slump to the floor.
Floors can be quite comfy sometime, like now. Curling up on my side, using my arm as a pillow, the last thing I see are the heavy-set boots of the Judoon marching past, before blackness sweeps over me.
A/N: Hey what did you think? I hope I got the Doctor's personality right.
Salexa
