Thanks to Kaendra Camargo, doctor712, lindsayejcampbell12, Isabelnecessaryonabicycle, NicoleR85, Charmed2100, for following/faving my story.
Doctor11rocks: Yep, Sarah Jane is a very nice person. And thanks!
doctor712: here's more!
NicoleR85: thanks!
Alix Winchester: I'm really glad you love this so far.
Charlotte shivered and pulled the thick blanket tighter around herself. She really despised being sick. And of course having still not recovered her memory despite being it being months since she was saved by Sarah Jane, made her feel much worse. If she could've have remembered getting sick then Sarah Jane wouldn't have to 'baby' her. She'd be able to take care of herself.
Another shiver racked through her body, making her pull the blanket even closer to her body. Ooh how she wanted to get her hands on that damn mutant squid-fish thing that had gotten her sick in the first place. She and Sarah Jane had been investigating an unusual sighting down by the Portsmouth Docks when all of a sudden the creature they were looking for had grabbed her and dragged her into the water.
Charlotte had been very lucky in landing a hit on the creatures weak spot forcing it to release her. but of course thanks to the bloody thing, she was now battling the frigging flu.
Sarah Jane was currently out at the moment, following up on a lead about their mutated aquatic friend. Apparently it had been sighted on the banks of the River Lea, one of London's lesser known waterways. So there was nothing more she could do except try to sleep off the thing that was keeping her confined to her nest of blankets on the sofa.
The curly haired woman was roused hours later by Sarah Jane shaking her shoulder. She moved her hands from under the blankets and clumsily signed 'What's wrong?'
Thanks to the flu, she now had a sore throat which made speaking tricky. Luckily Charlotte knew sign language, saving her from writing notes. She'd learned it during the first 6 weeks of her stay with Sarah Jane and it proved to be a far more effective way of communicating during the period when she wasn't talking. Sarah Jane had chalked her temporary muteness up to whatever trauma she'd been through.
"Take a look at the TV", Sarah Jane said. Charlotte eased herself into a sitting position and squinted at the TV where some brunette woman was speaking. The tickertape at the bottom told her that it was Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North.
"The crisis has passed! Ladies and Gentlemen, I have something to say to you all! Mankind stands tall, proud and undefeated. God bless the human race", the woman said.
The screen changed back to the BBC studio "that was the speech given by Harriet Jones outside the ruins of number 10 Downing Street. The building had been destroyed by a missile allegedly fired by a submarine in the Royal Navy", the female reporter said "the Navy are currently denying this".
Charlotte looked at Sarah Jane, stunned 'did I just miss an alien invasion?'
"We both did", Sarah Jane admitted. She'd been to busy trying to capture the squid-fish mutant that she hadn't been made aware of what had supposedly gone down at number 10 until she'd passed a TV shop where the ones in the window were displaying the news.
Charlotte glanced at the TV and then back at Sarah Jane 'do you think the Doctor saved the day?' she questioned. Sarah Jane had told her stories about the Time Lord she used to travel with.
"I have no doubt that he did", Sarah Jane replied. Charlotte reached out and gave hand a gentle squeeze when she saw the woman's expression turn wistful.
'You miss him', she signed.
"Yeah, I do. Some days more than others", Sarah Jane admitted.
'Do you think you'll ever see him again?' Charlotte asked carefully.
Sarah Jane shook her head "I don't think so", she said.
'You never know Sarah Jane. Your paths may cross at some point', Charlotte said optimistically.
"Maybe", Sarah Jane said, though highly doubtful.
A couple of hours later…
Charlotte paused at the front door, giving the stairs a wary look. Sarah Jane had gone up to the attic to do some work but she had no idea when she'd be back down. It was better if Sarah Jane didn't catch her leaving. If the older woman did, then she'd more than likely force her to stay on bedrest until she was better.
Charlotte knew that is wasn't a good idea to leave the house given how ill she was but she just needed to get out for a little bit, get some fresh air. She opened the door and slipped out, quietly closing it behind her.
She slowly walked down path and along the pavement. Charlotte had only been out for roughly 10 minutes when she started to feel really light headed. Better get back she thought preferably before I pass out. She turned and slowly headed back the way she came.
~13 Bannerman Road~
"Charlotte I'm all done with my work", Sarah Jane said entering the living room "would you like…" she trailed off seeing that the curly haired woman wasn't in her nest of blankets. "Charlotte?" she called. No answer. Sarah Jane checked the kitchen, no Charlotte. She then looking in the downstairs bathroom. Nothing.
Sarah Jane went out into the hallway and that's when she saw it. Charlotte's shoes were no longer by the front door! "Why on earth would you go out?" Sarah Jane muttered as she hastily pulled on her own shoes, grabbing her keys from the hook before dashing out of the front door.
One road away, the Doctor wandered about. He wasn't sure why the TARDIS had alerted him to this particular area as everything looked pretty normal. He was going to have to check her over to make sure everything was running properly.
The Time Lord turned and started back towards where he'd parked the TARDIS when he noticed something across the road that made him stop. It was a woman. She was walking incredibly slowly, hugging a thick cardigan around her body. Suddenly she collapsed causing the Doctor to rush over to her. When he brushed her hair back to check for a head injury, the Time Lord's twin hearts stopped.
He knew that face. Granted he'd only seen her once before but he would know her anywhere. "Ziva", he breathed.
The Time Lord got another shock when he heard a rather familiar female's voice shout "Charlotte!" he looked up to see his former companion Sarah Jane quickly approaching. "What happened?" she asked when she reached him and the unconscious woman.
"She just collapsed", the Doctor explained, still shocked by the arrival of Sarah Jane "I couldn't leave her here".
"I'm glad you didn't", Sarah Jane said "my house isn't far. Can you help me get her there?"
The Doctor nodded "of course", he said. He carefully picked up Charlotte and with Sarah Jane in the lead, he carried her to his companion's home.
"I really appreciate this", Sarah Jane said as the Doctor placed Charlotte on the sofa, on top of the nest of blankets "I have no idea why she thought it was a good idea to leave in the first place" she shook her head "I'm Sarah Jane by the way".
"The Doctor", the Time Lord said.
Sarah Jane's mouth dropped open slightly as she stared at him. She had no idea this guy was the Doctor given that he looked so different from when she last saw him years ago. "Doctor…" she said quietly "you've regenerated".
"A few times since we've last met", the Doctor said.
"You look good", Sarah Jane remarked.
"As do you", the Doctor countered.
Sarah Jane shook her head "I got old", she lightly retorted.
"So who is your friend?" The Doctor asked nodding to the still unconscious woman. It was curious that Sarah Jane had called Ziva, Charlotte. Why would she do that unless the curly haired woman had given her a different name but for what reason?
"She's someone I met a few months back", Sarah Jane replied "found her injured not too far from here. No memory".
"And now?" the Doctor questioned.
"She still doesn't remember and not for the lack of trying either", Sarah Jane answered "I know she will, its just a matter of time", she added. Despite a few months of not finding out anything on the amnesiac, Sarah Jane was still optimistic that Charlotte will recover her memory. They just had to be patient and stay hopeful.
"I might be able to help", the Doctor said "I met her once before. She helped me with a little Skovox Blitzer problem".
"Did she share anything with you?" Sarah Jane asked hoping that the curly haired woman had.
"Just her name. Ziva", the Doctor replied. Sarah Jane looked down at Charlotte/Ziva. It wasn't much but at least she now learned her guest's name which was a start.