Scars

Summary:

When the Tardis lands on the planet of Ascion, the Doctor looks forward to showing Ace and Hex a place known for its natural beauty – where he plans to discuss his feelings with Ace, as the two of them are undeniably growing closer and he has decided to welcome this new romance...

But on leaving the Tardis, what he finds instead is a wasteland devastated by war, and when he is arrested and accused of spying, it is up to Ace and Hex to come to his rescue.

But the people of Ascion, embittered by the bloodshed that has devastated their world, are wary of strangers and Ace is horrified to learn the Doctor has been taken to brutal Shadowgate concentration camp, where those deemed to be a threat to the planet's security are held in appalling conditions and beaten and tortured.

Ace and Hex beg the authorities to listen, explaining the Doctor is merely a traveller and certainly not a spy – but the prison governor, much like the rest of the inhabitants of the war torn planet, is paranoid and mistrustful of non humans, and it has already been established the Doctor has two hearts...

When Ace is finally allowed to visit the Doctor, she is shocked to discover he has suffered torture and beatings, and has also witnessed random executions of innocent prisoners for seemingly no reason.

The Doctor tells Ace to leave with Hex and escape before they too are arrested – but Ace refuses to leave, vowing to set him free. But the prison security system is impenetrable, and time is running out as Hex and Ace work together to try and make the prison governor see reason, as they fight to save the Doctor's life by desperately trying to find a way to prove that not all strangers mean the planet harm – but time is against them, as the Doctor has already been moved to the death cells, awaiting further torture and the inevitable fate of all suspected spies, death by execution...

Rated :T

Warnings: Contains scenes of torture.

Disclaimer: I own nothing this is a work of fan fiction.

Chapter 1

In the Death Block:

Hex was steaming mad.

He wanted to punch out every single armed guard on the wing, he wanted to snatch the keys from the jailer who held the key to the Death Block and open up the door himself, maybe snatching a gun on the way, too – because he felt like killing someone, any one of these twisted people for what they had done to the Doctor.

But instead he remembered the most important fact of all:

They expected everyone around them to be as calm as they were.

Displays of anger were seen as a threat of violence.

Ironic considering they were the most brutal bastards he had yet come across in his travels through time and space in the Doctor's Tardis.

He had to be polite if he wanted to get the Doctor out before it was too late...

As he stood at the desk and held up the paperwork signed with the judge's seal, he spoke calmly, keeping his anger inside.

"The Doctor's identity has been confirmed by Earth based security UNIT, he is a Time Lord from Gallifrey and certainly not a spy."

The armed guard took the paperwork and looked through it.

Seconds had passed, but to Hex it seemed like minutes were dragging by, valuable minutes that could mean the difference between life and death...

He drew in a tight breath and spoke up again.

"Prison Governor has just approved the Doctor's release. He's signed it, look -"

The guard handed the paperwork back to him, and pressed a button.

"You may remove him from the holding cell," he said, and the door swung open.

Hex ran.

He ran down the corridor, heading for the only door that had automatically opened, all the others were closed.

When he reached the cell he went inside and fell to his knees, gently turning the Doctor on his side as he fought against the urge to cry and remembered something he had learned shortly before he had got to know Ace and the Doctor – it was never easy when it was someone you knew...

And now it was the second time he was looking at a badly injured casualty and feeling torn between doing his job and weeping for a friend, but his professional training kicked in swiftly as Hex began to check the Doctor over:

His pulse was weak but consistent, he was covered in bruises and what he could see from his open, bloodstained shirt, he had suffered multiple cuts and open wounds - some seemed consistent with electrical burns.

But the Doctor was breathing, he was still alive...

That was all Hex could be certain about, because he was unconscious and remained so, despite him calling his name several times.

He wanted to pull the Doctor into his arms and hold him tightly, he wanted to yell Bastards as he thought of those responsible for this.

But he couldn't move him in case of broken bones, and he knew if he started yelling and cursing his actions would be seen as potentially threatening, and then they would probably shock him heavily and throw him in the cell next door...

Hex checked his breathing again, and then his pupils.

"Doctor!" he said again, but got no response.

The Doctor had a bump on the side of his head, and a small gash that was leaking a lot of blood. Small cuts to the scalp often bled heavily and that was the least of his concerns: The Doctor had suffered a blow to the head, and no doubt other internal injuries that he couldn't begin to diagnose without the proper equipment...

"It's okay Doctor," he said as he got up, "You're a free man now – the least they can do is get you some help...I'll make sure they do..."

And he hit the emergency button on the wall.

As the light flashed, Hex leaned out of the cell door, and then he did yell, he shouted at the top of his voice and his words echoed down the corridor:
"I need some help in here! Get me some help before this man dies!"

One Week Before:

"What do you think about when you look out there and see the stars?"

His question had taken her by surprise. Ace turned from the view of starry space and looked into the eyes of the man she called Professor.

"A lot of things," she said quietly, and she hoped he couldn't read her mind because she had wanted to give him the one world answer, You, when he had asked her what she thought of, but that answer was swallowed up as sure as a blush was spreading heat through her face.

And he looked at her thoughtfully and smiled.

"I think about a lot of things too," he replied, and then he left the console room.

Ace stood there looking out at the depth and darkness of space and guessed even the deepest, darkest places could not hide secrets forever:

They had crossed a line – if only in thought and not deed, when they had landed on a quiet planet that the Doctor had promised was a perfect place to unwind.

Ace and the Doctor had gone for a walk along the coastline of a white sand beach where shells glittered like diamonds. Ace had paused to watch waves breaking against rocks that rose out of the water up and down the shore like stone sentries standing guard over the quiet paradise.

And her hand had brushed his hand.

They had looked at each other, that was all, a look – but Ace knew in that moment the secret was exposed. A Time Lord as old as the Doctor could read a look in a single glance.

He knew how she felt about him...

"Ace," he had said quietly, and she had looked out to sea.

"What, Professor?"

"Do you really think we ought to cast aside our years of friendship for something deeper that may or may not last?"

His question had been direct, too direct for Ace.

"You saw it in my eyes."

"Look at me."

She had turned to him, and the man who had been so light and warm as they strolled by the sea and kept her amused by mimicking the cry of the birds in the trees just beyond the beach was gone – in his place was a Time lord with ancient wisdom burning in eyes that darkened as he looked at her - or perhaps, right into her soul...

"I was thinking maybe it would be a terrible idea," he said quietly, "because you're so young, and only human."

"I'm in my twenties, I'm not a kid, Professor!"

"Ah yes, but you're also a fragile human and your fragile heart , your only heart, reminds me of our differences. Perhaps that line should not be crossed."

And Ace had stood there looking into his eyes as she struggled to find a reply as the waves washed to shore in the distance, turning over grains of ancient sand in a steady rhythm.

She felt caught out.

All because her hand had brushed his and he had caught a look in her eyes...

Her heart was aching.

"Are you saying you could never -"

"No, I'm just saying that's one way of looking at it. Or perhaps if we did get closer it could be the very best thing that could happen for both of us. I just don't know, Ace."

"I thought you knew everything, you've certainly made me feel that way in the past!"

Her tone had sounded accusing.

"I don't know everything," he replied, "I wasn't expecting this to happen – or to find I happen to feel the same way."

And she had stared at him on that day they stood framed by white sand and shells that shone like diamonds as he told her the secrets of his twin hearts.

"Yes, " he said, "I love you too. But what to do about it, what to do for the best? That's another question altogether...I need time to think. I'm going back to the Tardis."

And then he had turned and walked away, leaving Ace alone in a beautiful place that lost its beauty the moment he left her side.

Then Hex had called to her, running up the beach with a colourful crab in his hand.

"Oh my God, Ace!" he had exclaimed, "Look at this – it's got spots!"

And Ace had forced a smile, and looked back at the Professor, walking alone back to the Tardis as her heart had ached and she had wished she was at his side...

Now Ace stood alone in the console room as the Tardis sped on its way towards their next destination – when she and Hex had returned to the Tardis he had announced they would be travelling to the planet of Ascion, another stunningly tranquil and beautiful place, but also the home to a long established Earth colony, who had turned the place into a holiday destination. He had said it was less isolated, there would be so much more to do, and perhaps a couple of weeks there would do them all good...

She wondered what his decision would be.

He was no doubt taking her there to give them all a holiday that would be filled with distraction, perhaps to keep Hex occupied while he had a talk with her about why a human - Time Lord relationship would never work out...

Was that what he intended to do?

Ace felt like crying, but she held it back, even though her heart ached as she pictured the Professor calmly explaining to her that there could be no relationship between them other than friendship...

Did it really have to end that way, or was she just worrying too much?

Ace could never work him out, not completely, because the Professor was always holding something back...

"Are you okay?"

Ace turned from the view of star filled space and nodded, and Hex walked over to the viewing port and joined her.

"Are you sure you're okay, because you've been quiet since we came back to the Tardis. "Was it the crab?"

"What?"

"I don't know...everyone's got something they're scared of. Did you not like the crab I showed you, is it my fault, I did sort of shove it in your face and -"

"No!"

Ace laughed softly.

"Oh Hex, don't be silly! I'm not scared of crabs. Or anything else! I've just got stuff on my mind, that's all."

He looked intently at her.

"Well you know I'm here if you need to talk – I mean, if you want to talk to me about it, just remember the offer's there, okay?"

Ace nodded.

"Thanks," she said, "But this is something I can only discuss with the Professor...it's a bit..."

"Private?"

"Sort of."

Hex smiled.

"Then I'd better shut up about it. But you know I'm here if -"

"If I need to talk. Thanks for the offer. And I've got stuff to do now."

And then Ace walked out of the console room, her heart aching as she thought about the Professor and the decision she was waiting to hear, yet dreading at the same time...

Much later, the Tardis was silent save for the usual hum that filled the ship. They were still a fair distance from their destination, and after sitting in her room for more than an hour, Ace left the room, taking a wander down the corridor in search of the Professor.

She wasn't sure what she would say when she found him. She didn't even know if she was making a bad situation worse by looking for him like this – but her heart was aching, in a way that was uncertain, and that made it the worst kind of ache of all, the ache of not knowing if he was about to return her feelings or reject them...

She knocked on his door and got no reply.

Then she wondered if he was in there but choosing to ignore her – would he do something like that? Ace had never been certain she could ever truly know all of the Professor. He always kept something back, always held on to far too much, holding back from her, when all she wanted from him was openness.

She guessed she would never have what she wanted, even if he met her halfway...

"Ace."

She turned and saw him standing in the Tardis corridor. His hat and jacket were off and his tie was missing, his shirt was open at the neck and she guessed he had been about to grab a few hours sleep before they arrived at their destination.

She walked back up the corridor, he walked towards her, and they met in the middle.

"Something on your mind?" he asked her.

This time she said it.

"You, actually."

And then she avoided his gaze because it was a look that went deep into her soul and suddenly felt like too much.

"If you don't want to take it anywhere, just say so," she said quietly, "I can live with that."

"Can you, Ace?"

She was still avoiding his gaze.

"Of course I can."

"Well I can't."

She looked into his eyes, confused by his statement. She saw desire, yet at the same time an immense amount of self control as he held back from her.

"I don't get it, Professor. I've travelled with you for several years and every time I think I know you, I suddenly feel as if I don't. Why are you holding back from me?"

The Doctor stepped closer and placed his hand on her cheek.

Ace closed her eyes for a brief moment, aching for more of his touch, his closeness, but as she opened her eyes again, he was still looking at her intently.

"I know you're not entirely innocent," he replied, "But I also know that you haven't actually been thoroughly intimate with anyone – not in the true sense of the word...why is that?"

And she felt caught out.

"I suppose deep down inside I only ever wanted you."

"And are you ready to have what you want?" he asked, "Because if you're not, this will end badly for both of us."

And then he fell silent and as she continued to look into his eyes, she suddenly understood, and she started to smile.

"I could break your hearts just like you could break mine. You love me too..."

"Probably too much," he added, and then he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close in a sudden movement she was not expecting, and gave her a brief kiss.

"Professor?"

"Tomorrow," he promised her, "When we land on the planet, when we get out of the Tardis and we can grab some time alone..that's the best time to take some time to make this change. And it will be a huge change, we will be crossing a line...are you happy about that?"

His arm was still around her waist and she never wanted him to let go as she ran her fingers though his hair and looked into his eyes.

"Of course I am! This is what I want!"

"Then we shall see what we can work out tomorrow," he told her, "I'll leave early and find us a nice place to stay for a few days...and nights..." his voice had lowered as his gaze briefly wandered down her body and back up to her face again, and a thrill shot through her body like electricity.

And then he let go of her and stepped back.

"See you in the morning," he said, and he smiled as his eyes sparkled.

"Goodnight," she replied softly.

She stood there in the corridor and watched as he turned away and walked towards the door of his room. He opened it, and then went inside.

"Ace..."

"What?" she asked as he looked out the door again.

He smiled mischievously.

"I can't wait for tomorrow!" He said excitedly, and then he shut the door again.

Ace smiled as her face flushed.

"Don't tease me like that.." she said under her breath, and then she went back to her own room, to dream of all the possibilities tomorrow could bring.

Several hours later, the Doctor was ready to leave as the Tardis landed on the planet of Ascion. He went quietly into the room where Ace lay sleeping, and he stood over her bed, smiling as he looked down at her, and then he kissed her cheek.

She woke up sharply and smiled back at him as she saw him standing over her.

"I'm going to find us a nice place to stay – I'll be back soon, wait here in the Tardis with Hex."

She gave a sigh.

"Why don't you just -"

"Not now, not here. Some things are worth waiting for. And I want it to be special for both of us."

He leaned over her again and she wrapped her arms around him. He kissed her deeply, something she had not been expecting and she clung to him tightly but he let go of her and stepped back again.

"See you soon," he said, and winked.

"I love you," Ace replied softly.

The Professor had just reached the door. He turned back.

"I love you too, Ace," he said warmly, "I love you with both my hearts. And I won't be gone long, I'll be back before you know it."

And then he was gone and Ace lay there in bed smiling as her eyes sparkled with excitement and her single, human heart raced as she dreamed of the moment he finally took her in his arms again...

The Doctor stepped out of the Tardis, ready to take in a breath of warm, sweet air as he was greeted by the sight of tall shining buildings and a wide shopping mall, and far beyond, waves rolling to shore on a distant beach.

Instead a cold wind blew, spiralling litter along a rain-soaked street.

The buildings were cast in grey brick and all around the entrance was razor wire, and a sign that said Keep Out.

"Keep out?" he wondered, and walked along the barbed fence, pausing to raise his hat casually to a security camera, and then he followed the pavement around a corner to another fence that carried more warning signs.

Further up the long, wide road, he saw break in the fence where wires had been cut and bent back.

He glanced behind him, saw no one about, and stepped through.

There were more signs here, Restricted Zone, No Entry.

The Doctor looked all around and wondered why a once beautiful planet devoted to leisure had become so grim and grey and oppressive.

He walked on, towards the fork in the road where it seemed to lead to industrial areas both left and right.

And then he heard the whisper of an almost silent engine.

"Halt."

He stopped walking, and turned to see a heavily armoured vehicle pull to a stop, and he wondered how long it had been creeping up behind him.

Two armed guards in black uniforms got out, both training their high powered laser weapons on him.

"What are doing in the restricted zone?" said the guard who stood closest to him.

"I'm just a traveller," the Doctor replied, "And there's no need for guns, I'm not armed. What's happened here? This place used to be a resort planet – now it looks like a war zone!"

"Show me your papers," the guard said.

"I don't have any," the Doctor replied wearily, as he thought of Ace and the promise he had made, and guessed he might be a little bit late back now...

"Papers!" the guard demanded again.

"I don't have any papers, I told you I'm a traveller -"

As he was shoved against the brick wall of a nearby building, his breath knocked from his lungs.

"You will identify yourself," the guard said, and twisted his arm behind his back roughly.

The doctor gave a gasp, feeling pain shoot up his arm as the guard gave it another twist. He was pinned against the wall and could barely breathe, let alone move to try to escape.

"My name is the Doctor, I'm a traveller – I'm telling you the truth!"

Suddenly his other hand was grabbed and heavy cuffs were snapped on to his wrists. The guard grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him sharply back from the wall.

"You are in the restricted zone after curfew and have not provided a satisfactory explanation. You are now under arrest, Doctor – if that is your real name."

"Under arrest for what?" he exclaimed.

"I have reason to believe you are a spy," he was told, and then he was dragged over to the armoured vehicle, and shoved roughly inside.

As the Doctor struggled to sit up in the back of the vehicle, one guard climbed into the front and started the engine, while the other sat in the back, holding him at gunpoint.

As the vehicle gathered speed, the Doctor looked up at his captor.

"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded, "Is this how you treat visitors these days? I remember when this planet was a harmless resort! What happened to this world to change it so much?"

"War," the guard replied, "The East against the West continents. And we paid in blood for our liberty, but we learned from the enemy. Now we crush all those who would threaten us!"

The Doctor had given up on trying to escape, at least for now, because the cuffs were tight and it was impossible to stand in the moving vehicle as it turned sharp corners at speed.

"So you were forced to fight evil and instead of crushing it, you became worse than the enemy," the Doctor replied, "Why do so many make that mistake? Don't you realise you're just lowering yourselves to their level?"

The guard kept the gun trained on him as he replied.

"You opinion counts for nothing You are now a prisoner of the state, a suspected spy and will be treated as such."

The Doctor's gaze darkened.

"What's that supposed to mean, interrogation and imprisonment for being in the wrong place at the wrong time? I don't suppose you'd be interested in the truth."

"You'll have a chance to speak the truth soon enough," the guard replied, "You'll tell us everything."

"And now you're taking me to your leader?" he guessed, but the guard's reply shot ice through his blood:

"No," he said, "You're on your way to the place where all spies and enemies of the state are held – Shadowgate concentration camp..."