Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. Jill: I really hope I'm not going to get too dark for you; but I'll try.
and Ashena-Iulik: Don't hesitate to ask me anything and let me know if you're disagreeing with any of my ideas :)
Seska is about to meet the worst nightmare ever... a girl that is about his age.
So much for the foreword.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
Jack leaned on the Doctor's table with folded arms. The Doctor shrugged.
"It means bloody well everything you want it to mean" he grumbled and picked up a piece of paper.
"And your hand just keeps scribbling the same words over and over again, 'He shall return'?" Jack went on.
The Doctor glared at him.
"I feel it, Jack…" the Doctor growled; he tried to forget the terrible screams and shouting inside of his head. "I can sense him."
"Who is he?" asked Jack.
The Doctor stared at him with a pair of icy-blue orbs.
"It's him" he mumbled eventually as the colour of his eyes changed back to normal.
"Him?" repeated Jack.
"Yes him, the Master! I thought you were an ape and not some kind of bloody parrot!"
"No need to shout" snapped Jack.
The Doctor sighed and Jack heard the expected thudding noise as the Doctor's head hit the table.
"Something is wrong here, Jack" the Doctor lifted his head again and tapped his temples nervously.
"Something is entirely wrong."
"Like what?" asked Jack conversationally.
"Like everything!" snapped the Doctor. "Don't you get it Jack? Your stupid simian brain must have worked it out by now: I'm here, safe and sound, I'm working for Torchwood, together with Ash with whom I'm living in a bloody normal house with bloody normal kids in a bloody normal street! Can't you see the obvious, Jack? Someone's tempering with reality, someone's changing everything!"
Jack stared the enraged Doctor in the face; eventually he looked aside.
"And Seska… he's…"
Jack shifted a bit uneasy.
"Aren't you happy?" he asked cautiously and took a step back as he received a warning growl from the Doctor; but he continued talking nonetheless. What should the Doctor do, kill him? That would only prolong the conversation unnecessarily.
"Aren't you glad for having him back?"
"Glad?" spat the Doctor, "Do I look glad, Jack? I live in constant fear of losing him again. He died, Jack" he looked at him with pleading eyes "He died in my arms. And in the blink of an eye he's back, time rewound and jumped back into a different place."
Jack scratched his head. "Is this some kind of parallel universe?"
"I don't think so, Jack" the Doctor shook his head "It's not another universe, it's altered. Someone tries to change it. Someone's working hard on shaping it in his own image."
"He wants to redesign the universe?" Jack made further inquiries. The Doctor shrugged.
He stood up and shuffled over to the window. The red sports car disappeared into the foggy streets.
"I don't know, Jack" admitted the Doctor and gave Jack a tired-out look "And I'm not sure if I want to find out."
Jack joined his side and gave him a consolatory pat on the back.
"What about the boys?"
"It's best if they're staying with Ash and me" replied the Doctor instantly "And don't worry; they won't be bothering you."
"I didn't..." began Jack but stopped as he felt the Doctor's penetrating stare in his neck.
He sighed.
"How are they...?"
"They can't remember a thing" explained the Doctor coldly "It seems as if they have no memories at all. Only the wrong sensations that keeping sweeping over us; but they don't remember it being different."
"And they believe to be human?" asked Jack.
"They are human" corrected the Doctor sharply.
Jack stopped short.
"How...?"
The Doctor cut him off. "Chameleon Arch" he explained and added coldly "And yes Jack, it does hurt hearing your children cry like that."
Jack wanted to say something that would release the tension right now; sadly he couldn't think of anything.
"If you can't think of anything to say to me you could make yourself useful and bring me painkillers."
Jack nodded absent-mindedly and headed for the door.
"Anything without aspirin" shouted the Doctor after him as he collapsed back into his chair.
He tapped his temples again.
He was coming;
the Master was definitely planning something and he was coming.
Coming for him.
-ΘΣ-
Seska sat on a park bench, dutifully watching over Jakaar as he played with James.
He was starting to get a headache, just like his father; maybe it run in the family.
Seska scratched his wrists, something, he remembered, he did every time he was nervous.
Every time he closed his eyes he saw the images in front of him; smoke; destruction; death.
Quickly he pressed a hand against his chest.
The pain never stopped; the pain wouldn't go away; every beat of his heart hurt. As for his memories...
"You surely don't mind."
Seska looked aside to find a young girl sitting beside him; he hadn't even heard her coming.
He looked back and forth between her and his still playing brothers.
Eventually he nodded.
"Brilliant" the girl chuckled and unpacked a round thing that looked closest to something that couldn't have decided if it had wanted to turn out as a pie or a pizza. Either way, it had failed.
"It tastes better than it looks" replied the girl as she noticed Seska's dismissive glare "Which isn't hard" she added bitterly and bit a piece out of the charred crust.
Seska's eyes rested again on his brothers.
"I'm Green" explained the girl "Green Hope."
She cleaned her fingers on a neatly folded napkin she had brought with her and extended her hand.
"Seska" replied Seska absent-minded. He looked down and touched her hand; she flinched.
Green apologized in an instant.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled "You're very cold. Colder than I had expected."
Seska tried to ignore her comment; in fact he tried to ignore her at all; his gaze wandered over the calm surrounding again.
Green waved at James as he'd caught sight of her.
"They are so cute" she smiled as Jakaar grasped James tightly as he tried to toddle over to her; "They belong to you, don't they?"
Seska stared her in the eye; it would have been wrong saying to her that she was annoying; and besides it wouldn't even come close to what she actually was.
"Yes they pertain to me" explained Seska eventually and looked her over.
The bright and merry expression vanished as she caught sight of Seska's eyes; she didn't even dare to blink. Seska turned his head aside.
"I'm sorry" Green mumbled "It's as if... do I...?"
"No" added Seska instantly "I can't remember ever..."
"But your eyes... you're so..."
"I'm not familiar with someone who..."
"You haven't got a...?"
"No, I have no elder brother. Not anymore."
"I'm terribly sorry to hear that" Green expressed her condolence.
Seska hesitated.
"How do you...?"
"I just know" interrupted Seska in order to spare him from the girl's forthcoming questions concerning how he was able to read her thoughts.
But it is so easy, thought Seska. As if there lead a tiny path into her mind... a piece of thread...
"You're amazing" concluded Green. As Seska seemed unimpressed she added:
"Mind me asking you out on a date?"
Seska cocked an eyebrow at her; to his disgrace he felt himself blushing before her innocent stare.
He couldn't even think of a reply.
"It's not asking too much, is it?" she begged, "Only you're looking so cute. I've been eyeing you up all the way since you picked up, what I assume is, your brother."
"You're following perfect strangers?" asked Seska.
"Only those who are attractive" added Green.
Seska looked aside.
"Oh, come on" she kept on pleading "Just one date; and I'm paying for everything."
"Paying?" repeated Seska. "I'm not...?"
"Just say yes before I make things worse" begged Green.
Seska nodded irritated. The girl made him feel uncomfortable; and worst of all: she somehow seemed familiar. He was used to her way of talking... as if he'd met her before...
Seska was relieved as she let him go as soon as he'd handed over his mobile number. He picked up James and ignored the mad waving girl, pretending that this had never happened.
Seska hurried home, accompanied by Jakaar.
Though he failed to notice that there was someone else following them...
-ΘΣ-
As Ash entered the room the Doctor was leaning by the kitchen window again.
"Enjoying the view of grey nothingness in front of you?" asked Ash mockingly.
"Nothing worth looking at around here" replied the Doctor, a small smile appearing on his face.
"No reason for being rude" countered Ash.
"No reason for still being dressed" teased the Doctor and turned around, facing Ash. Ash smirked.
The Doctor placed his hands around Ash's, in which he held a teacup. He dared a glance downwards.
His teacup.
"I didn't even hear you coming" Ash drew a sharp breath and sucked in the Doctor's beguiling scent "You never said that Time Lords belong to the feline creatures."
"Oh, I bet you know already" growled the Doctor and pulled Ash nearer with a strength that you wouldn't have given his slim body credit for; he kissed his neck hard, hard enough to leave marks all over his skin.
Eventually the Doctor snatched the cup from Ash's fingers and finished it in an instant.
"All this affection for a cup of tea?" asked Ash disappointed as the Doctor handed back the empty cup.
"And hardly even worth it" added the Doctor "it was nearly empty anyway. And besides, it's my cup."
"It's the only one available right now" pointed out Ash and placed it on the table.
"And Seska apologized for smashing it. I believe he didn't do it on purpose." Or at least I hope so, thought Ash bitterly.
"He shouldn't have done that, that bloody brat" mumbled the Doctor.
"What?" added the Doctor as he caught sight of Ash's appalled expression.
Ash couldn't think of anything beside: "He's your son!"
"Damn right" added the Doctor "and as long as I gave birth to him I bloody well call him whatever I bloody want."
Ash shook his head sceptically.
"You haven't had children, have you?" asked the Doctor.
"No!"
"Wasn't hard to guess, anyway" added the Doctor. "And Seska shouldn't have apologized to you. I broke your cup and I'm sorry. And I guess Seska needs a lesson in manners."
"From me" added the Doctor as he looked Ash in the eye.
"It's not even half a day and you've already turned into a single mother" mumbled Ash while he shook his head.
"I know; I've regressed."
The Doctor sighed and flung his arms around Ash.
"I don't have any more tea" sighed Ash "You've got to make it yourself; there's no sense in snuggling up against me."
"You're warm" replied the Doctor in a muffled voice as he'd pressed his face against Ash's shoulder; he breathed out quietly before adding in a lower voice: "We need to talk."
Ash followed the Doctor into their bedroom; he had to admit that it was still hard for him to believe that this was real; or, at least, that it was actually right in front of him.
"You know that it isn't real" pointed the Doctor our wearily.
"Stop reading my thoughts" snapped Ash. The Doctor chuckled.
He sat down on the bed, his legs crossed; Ash folded his arms.
"It's reality, the reality, the reality each of us realises. That doesn't mean that it's real, of course; it's just how things are right now."
Ash nodded in silence.
"So yes, Ash, we are living together in some kind of symbiosis to raise 'our' children in a house like two domestic animals in a kennel."
"I would have said 'family' but, you know, whatever..." added Ash.
"I don't want this argument to get personal" pointed the Doctor out "You just need to know this; tempering with time and history is fine as long as it doesn't upset reality. Everything is in flux. But reality is old, Ash, very old. You could imagine it like an old elastic rubber band; one unmindful pull and it snaps back but into a wrong place; and overstretch it once and for all and the universe falls apart."
Ash digested it quietly.
"So this is reality" concluded Ash "but it shouldn't be."
The Doctor nodded glumly. He scratched his head uneasily.
"We both know who did it, don't we?" asked Ash as he sat down beside the Doctor.
The Doctor snorted dismissively.
Ash placed his hands on the Doctor's; the Doctor shivered beneath their warmness.
Ash watched him closely.
"You've got a plan, haven't you?" he asked mildly.
"Lots of plans" added the Doctor "starting with some minor changes here at home."
"As long as this is my household there will be no alien technology, no dubious and job related gimmick as long as it's within the children's reach and, most important, no weapons."
He stared accusingly into Ash's warm eyes.
Ash shrugged.
"I mean no weapons at all" repeated the Doctor "Nothing that can be used as a weapon."
Ash cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Come on Ash, I know that you're armed. Even now you're having a gun in your pocket."
Ash placed the small handgun into the Doctor's hands.
"How did you know?"
"I can smell metal" replied the Doctor mockingly.
"Really?" repeated Ash unbelievingly.
"What do you think I am, a Menoxeevock*? I know that you're armed, Ash. I know you better than you think..." he considered this again before adding "and better in this reality than in the real one."
Ash shrugged and sighed.
"I just want you to be safe."
"I am safe, Ash" explained the Doctor "As long as you're not armed."
"Alright, alright" mumbled Ash; he added in a lower voice "But he will be armed."
The Doctor narrowed his eyes at him and Ash remembered that you couldn't take quiet enough for a Time Lord when you didn't want him to hear what you thought; anyway, he could even read your thoughts.
"You're better than him, aren't you?" snapped the Doctor. Ash evaded his gaze.
"Prove to me that you're better than him."
I already am, thought Ash; at least I'm not responsible for any of his children's deaths.
And Ash bit his lower lip as he realized that the Doctor was still reading his thoughts.
*The Menoxeevock (also known as the great germanium grinding grizzler, or, shorter, G4) is a complex species that specialised on sniffing out and digesting rare metals and metalloids; due to their abilities nearly every free-living specimen has been abducted from their home planet and been sold to an intergalactic construction company; they're enslaved (basically in the same way humans are enslaving pigs for hunting truffles)
-ΘΣ-
When Jack called the Doctor had just gotten comfortable in the big armchair in the living room.
Grumpily he answered the phone.
"What?" he hissed.
"I'm sorry for calling you at home, Doctor" Jack began as the Doctor watched Seska ascending the stairs "but we need to talk."
"Talk" repeated the Doctor as he was unwilling to take his eyes off his son.
The rasping voice continued: "Doctor you know that I have great confidence in both you and Ash..."
"To the point, Harkness" snapped the Doctor, still staring Seska, who had sat down beside him, in the face.
Something about his son was worrying him.
Most of all it was his inability to read his mind and thoughts; he'd never had problems with that before; not as long as Seska had been a Time Lord.
Seska popped his head to one side as if listening to some inner voice.
Now, if anything, Seska tried to read his thoughts.
"We need the TARDIS, Doctor. You've got to retrieve her."
The Doctor sighed as he ran his fingers over the arm chair's cover; he darted a side-way glance at Seska.
"I can't" he replied crestfallen.
"But we need her help" insisted Jack
"I said I can't!" snapped the Doctor.
Seska arose quietly and left the room.
I didn't even had to order him, thought the Doctor; he just left on his own, as if he knew what I was thinking, as he if knew that this wasn't meant for his ears.
Jack, on the other end, sighed.
"I know that you don't want to risk anything on the boys. And I have respect for your wishes. But it's urgent, Doctor. There's something coming."
The Doctor leaned back, his nails scratching across the chair's cover. He was uneasy; he could feel it himself.
"Recorded Rift activity?" asked the Doctor eventually.
"It's not the Rift, Doctor" explained Jack, "There is something else, something new; I'd say it's a new Rift, but it doesn't seem strong or continuous enough. It's shifting and changing all the time; it's not even a real matter; it's just... redefining everything else."
The Doctor listened carefully, kick-starting his mind to join the slow race that was beginning to lead his mind; inside of his skull there was enough spare space to form a new universe.
"It's not overrunning everything else; it's as if everything else has been like this before. As if it's never been different."
"It's rewriting history" hissed the Doctor "Something's changing the universe;" eventually he added in a lower voice "Or someone."
There was a long pause as the Doctor's mind rattled with ideas, mad enough to have originated from the Master's mind itself.
Eventually, Jack dared to ask the question that had been banging inside his head for minutes to become vocalized.
"What is it?"
"A gap in reality" thought the Doctor out loud. "And I bet it's spreading. How fast?"
There was the sound of keyboard keys being ruthlessly pressed over and over again at a mad speed.
"It started in the Square Mile thirteen hours ago" explained Jack eventually; "it's moving inconsistent... it' slowing down in the City of Westminster..."
"Some histories are harder to digest" mumbled the Doctor as he rethought Jack's explanation "so it's not only consuming but bringing itself into being."
"It has arrived in Lambeth and Southwark" Jack went on "Hackney is next."
"Which gives us, judging by the speed it's currently using to effuse, approximately 5 days until London is completely absorbed" concluded the Doctor.
"The computer's calculations are ranging from 4 to 14 days."
"Never try to compete with a Time Lord's brain" snarled the Doctor "You've lost before you started."
"So Doctor" Jack terminated the Doctor's computation and omitted his remark tactfully "Your opinion?"
The Doctor hung up by smashing the phone against the wall.
But Jack got his answer nonetheless.
-ΘΣ-
"We needn't take them with us" Ash pointed out after the Doctor had gathered his sons and slammed the car door behind them.
"We can't leave them alone" disagreed the Doctor "They're not safe here."
"Seska is old enough to..."
"I don't want to hear another word!" bellowed the Doctor as he lunged at Ash; Ash held his breath as he felt the Doctor's cold and determined finger's around his neck.
"Can't you hear it?" screamed the Doctor.
Ash breathed in deeply as he tried to listen.
There was the distant sound of squealing tyres.
"He's there, he's waiting for them; he's waiting for me. Can't you hear it? He's there. He's been following us; all the time he's been following us, even following the children on their way home!"
Ash let out a deep sigh as the Doctor let go off him; but he shouldn't have been relieves as he grabbed him by the shoulders immediately afterwards.
"These are my boys, they're all I've got left" the Doctor's eyes were both threatening and pleading "And I'm not going to leave them ever again."
Or let them leave you, thought Ash bitterly as he tried to look through the tinted windows; he felt Seska's stare on his neck.
The Doctor smacked him instantly, demonstrating that he usually held back his strength not to hurt him; but not this time.
"Don't think that ever again" hissed the Doctor "They are my children and I'm not going to let anything happen to them. And if you're trying to stand in my way than I'm going to crush you like every other stupid ape; and don't you start treating me like a broken old man, just like bloody Harkness!"
Ash nodded obediently and met the Doctor's enraged stare; Ash's warm eyes seemed to have the desired effect as he managed to calm the Doctor down a bit.
"My sons are coming with us" stated the Doctor icily "They are safe as long as they are around me." Which, obviously, was a lie, both the Doctor and Ash knew; no one was ever safe around the Doctor.
"Alright" agreed Ash calmly; "Where are you taking them?"
"Camden" replied the Doctor scarcely.
Ash reconsidered this.
As soon as he opened his mouth the Doctor snapped:
"I know what I'm doing."
"And the boys?" asked Ash "What are you going to tell them?"
The Doctor owed him a proper reply.
Nonetheless he said something that made Ash's heart beat faster.
"Get in the car."
-ΘΣ-
[Reality's light the children enthrals
Beneath their strength authority falls
And Mother's throne is overthrown,
The one who was Victorious,
By whom who's still Vainglorious
The Unnamed joined the alliance to rise
To see the world with his own eyes
The First of Many his plans compiled
Preparing the world for The Nightmare Child]