Part 2

Dr. Martha Jones could feel herself gliding to a world that was not as safe and comfortable as the one in which she was currently residing. She knew she needed to make it there in order to get some answers. She heard someone groan and wondered who was in the room with her.

"Martha?" someone said. Had she been the one who groaned?

With every bit of strength she had, she managed to open her eyes. The overwhelming bright light forced her eyes closed again. She tried again, slower this time.

"Ugh," she managed through her dry throat.

"That's it," the voice encouraged her. "Take your time. Come back."

She focused on the sound of the voice before actually seeing the fuzzy ball in front of her face that belonged to it.

"Wha--?" she tried to speak.

"Relax, Martha," the voice that belonged to the fuzzy ball said to her. "Focus on my face. Don't talk unless you have to talk."

The face became clearer. The nice-looking man sitting beside her smiled. He had a beautiful smile, she noticed. He also had cute dimples, kind brown eyes and unruly brown hair. She wondered if he'd combed his hair within the last month.

"Are…," she began before moistening her lips.

"I'm here," he replied. "I'm not going anywhere." He got her some water and held the cup as she sipped it.

"Are you the doctor?" she managed to ask.

"Sorry?"

"They said they were going to get the attending physician," she explained.

"Martha, that was yesterday," he replied.

"So, you're not the doctor?" she asked. She thought she saw him smirk knowingly before he answered.

"No, I'm not," he told her. "They told me the last thing you remembered was planning Leo's 21st birthday party." Martha nodded. "Should I be offended that you just happen to forget everything that's happened since the day before you met me?" he asked playfully.

"Oh," she replied, obviously confused.

"I'm John, your flatmate," he said. "We've been best mates since the day after Leo's 21st. We met at the hospital. I had my appendix removed. We became mates the day we met. About a month later, I moved to Cardiff. You phoned to let me know you were moving here and I offered you a place to live until you found a place of your own."

"How long ago was that?" she asked.

"Almost two years," he replied.

"I can't remember almost two years of my life?" she asked no one in particular. "What happened?"

"Car accident," he lied easily. "A drunk driver ran his car into yours on the way home from work." She was about to speak, but 'John' knew the question. "He's fine. He sustained a few bruises, and a minor concussion. He's still in custody."

"The last two years of my life are gone because of a drunk driver," she said, defeated.

"The doctor said it would come back to you," he told her. "She's agreed to release you into my care; so, we can go home tomorrow. She also said it would more than likely help you regain some of your memories."

"And we're flatmates?" she asked. He could tell she was a little apprehensive.

"Yes," he replied, trying not to laugh. "Don't worry, Martha. If you're not comfortable with me, we can call your mum or Tish to stay with us until your memories return."

"Are you mad?" she inquired. "If you know anything at all about me, you'd know I would never let that happen."

"But, the look on your face when I suggested it was worth it," he happily stated.

"Watch it, mister," she warned playfully.

He smirked. "Now, there's my Dr. Martha Jones."

"So," she began. "We're mates." He nodded. "That's it?"

"Sorry?"

"We're not…" she hesitated.

"What is it, Martha?" 'John' asked.

"We're not mates…" she hesitated once more. He arched an eyebrow. She began again. "We're not mates… with…?"

"Benefits?" he finished. "Nope," he declared as he purposely popped the 'p' in the word. "Not for lack of trying when we met." He nudged her with his elbow. "But, you said 'No… friends or lovers', and we've been platonic friends for almost two years."

Martha wondered if it was wrong of her to be pleased with his disappointment at that fact. She did find herself extremely attracted to John, and wondered how they could have been flatmates for almost two years and not shagged even just once. Well, she thought, he must have one bloody hell of a personality. I guess he really is my best mate.

"What time are you picking me up tomorrow?" she finally asked.

--

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Doctor?" Jack asked later in the TARDIS.

"You'll have to start calling me John," the Doctor replied. "We can't make the mistake of saying my name in front of Martha. She trusts me, Jack." He jumped up from the kitchen table. "You should have seen us!" he bragged. "After I made the joke about calling her mum in to stay with us, we talked and talked. She likes me. She believes in me!"

"She always has, Doctor," the ex-Time Agent reminded him. "She walked the earth for you," he mock whispered.

"No, I mean human me," the Doctor tried to explain. "She doesn't know anything about traveling through time and space, or Gallifrey. She's just happy to be my friend." He continued to bounce around the kitchen as Jack calmly drank his tea while trying to hide his delight in the Doctor's manic movements. "We're actually mates! It's brilliant!"

"So, you're saying you are ready for this?" the Torchwood leader playfully asked.

"Oh, yes!" he replied. "I'm picking her up first thing in the morning. So, expect a welcome home dinner with the rest of the group at our place in a couple of days." He started putting the dishes and things away while Jack just watched him.

Jack looked up at the TARDIS. I know you understand this is for Martha, so you're not upset. But, did he really just say "our place"? Jack asked her. The humming increased long enough for an answer. Don't worry, my dear. I'm sure he's just so excited to be helping Martha. Things will get back to normal soon enough. "Well, whatever the definition of normal for the Doctor would be."

"Hmm?" the Doctor turned to the captain. "Did you say something?"

"I was talking to the TARDIS," Jack replied.

"Oh, that's brilliant!" the Doctor exclaimed. "I didn't realize the two of you had developed a way to converse as yet. But, that's progress! What a brilliant day!" He walked out of the kitchen.

"I know what you're thinking," Jack said aloud. "I kind of miss 'Emo Doctor' right about now, too."

"Jack," the Doctor called from outside the kitchen. "Come on!"

"Fine," he said more to himself than the Doctor. He let out a sigh at the difficult work ahead in the next 8 hours. "Let's start Humanity 101."

--

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