The dreams were getting worse. Gingerly, I settled on the edge of my bed, cradling my wrist with my other hand. Tonight's dream had been even more vivid, and particularly emotional. It had been about the Doctor again, and this time he had kissed me/Martha. My mind wandered back to it, the feel of gentle lips against mine. Stop it! The force of the mental shout was so strong that I nearly fell off my bed.
I paused. Are you Martha?
Her voice came back. Should I be anyone else? So now she was not only here, but she had a sense of humor.
How are you still here?
She sounded frustrated now. You're the alien here; you tell me.
How am I supposed to know? You're the one who's sharing your memories, whose still here when you shouldn't be.
Her voice was furious and rapid-fire. Those memories are not yours!
I sighed and pressed a hand against my temple. Stop it, my head hurts.
There was an odd, tired note to her voice. Technically it's my head. But it sounded as though she were giving up. Breath rushed in my lungs, and I paced to the mirror in my bathroom. Martha was quite pretty, all things considered. She had smooth, dark skin and glistening brown eyes, with of course, a ring of silver around the pupil. It's my body, and don't you forget it. I ignored her and brushed a hand over my hairline. It's mine . . . A groan escaped my throat and I dropped my head.
Look, if you're going to keep saying that, this could get old real fast.
Martha was sullen now. It already got old.
Pain shot up my arms as I pressed my elbows to the countertop. So . . . who is this Doctor, anyway?
Fury came from Martha. Why do you care? You just want to tell the Seeker.
Laughing dryly, I paced to the window. You know that she and I aren't exactly friendly.
Now she was laughing, too. That's an understatement! There was a pause. You're strange for one of the aliens. They're . . . peaceful.
My lips twisted in a grim smile. Yeah, I've always been different. I was on a place called the Fire World. It was a vicious place, full of fire and death, but I was quite at home there. I winced. I've always had a bit of a temper.
Martha was laughing again. I think that I would like you, were we in a different situation.
This sobered me, and I dropped my head into my hands. What are we going to do about this situation?
Martha paused. We have to find the Doctor. He can fix this.
I scowled at my reflection. You mean he'll get rid of me.
An emotion, one I didn't recognize. Yes.
Anger was starting to thrum in my veins. "And why would I do that? He'll kill me!" I didn't realize that I had spoken aloud until the echoes bounced off my bathroom walls.
Another emotion, this one identifiable; rage. This is my body.
"It's mine now."
You have taken it.
"I have your memories; I could convince the Doctor I'm still you. We could live your life."
I expected anger, but her voice was soft. It's a life that you have stolen.
"Who says that you deserve to live more than I?"
Martha was contrite. But I had this life first. It will always be mine.
"I could get rid of you." Alarm seared me, frighteningly strong.
No! My mouth twisted in a snarl. "I could lead the others to the Doctor." No! "He could be one of us." NO! This time the horror was overwhelming, and my body spasmed. Martha flew into her place, bringing our fist forward to slam into the mirror. Shards of glass rained down on us, tearing our skin. Blood ran down our left hand.
Martha spoke, and her voice was cold and cruel. I will die before you take the Doctor. I shook my head, determined. "I could stop you. I'm in control." You saw what just happened. I can make you do what I want if I try hard enough. My teeth sawed into my lower lip.
"This is my body now, and I am keeping it." My tone was full of conviction. Martha wasn't fooled. But I will still be here.
I sat in front of the mirror the rest of the night.
The next morning, I went to my Healer.
"Ash! How wonderful to see you!" She trilled brightly. Her smile fell at the sight of my expression. "Is something wrong?"
I took a long, deep breath. "My host is resisting. I do not know what to do."
Her concern was immediate. "Goodness! Have you talked to your Comforter?" Quickly, she ushered me to a chair.
Pursing my lips, I shook my head. "I don't know what to do, Healer." She patted my shoulder very gently. Inside, Martha recoiled from her touch.
"Perhaps this host is not meant to be." It took a moment for Martha to process what she meant. Yes! They will set me free! But the Healer's next words left us both cold. "A Seeker will find the information necessary, and then this host will be discarded. Martha broke through the wall that separated us.
"NO!" The cry ripped through me, and the Healer called out, shocked, as I ran from the room and leaned against the wall outside, breathing hard. In my head, Martha was hysterical. They're going to get rid of me! I pressed a hand to my side.
I know.
A beat and then, We have to leave.
Where?
We both knew who we had to find. "The Doctor." The Doctor.
But there was one question: How?
Jack
I waited by the Rift. The Doctor had to show up at some point. He had to. So I waited. Night fell and the moon rose, and still I waited. Gwen had looked concerned when she'd seen me standing there, but Owen had tugged her away. He knew that I had something serious to do. But, of course, he didn't know what.
Days passed. And one day, in the rain, I heard the sound of engines. A grin spread across my face as that wonderful blue box appeared in front of me.
"Oh, Doctor," I sing-songed and knocked against the door of the TARDIS. Abruptly the door flew open, and the Doctor stood there. His hair was even messier than usual and there was a wild light in his eyes. But that wasn't what bothered me. No, what bothered me was the blood spattered crimson and sticky across the front of his shirt.
"Doctor, are you all right?" He shook his head frantically.
"I'm fine, Jack." He rushed back into the TARDIS, and I had no choice but to follow.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"I'm fine, Jack. But Martha isn't." Alarm shot through me.
"Well where is she?"
The Doctor pressed his lips together. "She's been taken by aliens in the future."
I choked. "What?" My hands clenched. "What kind of aliens?"
The Doctor shook his head. "They call themselves souls. They-they're parasites."
"Parasites," I said slowly.
The Doctor nodded, and I thought I saw a tear trembling at the edge of his eyelid. Was the Doctor really crying? "They take over human bodies. I don't know how, but they have Martha." He wiped frantically at his eyes with his sleeve. Concerned, I reached out and awkwardly patted his shoulder.
"So you need to get her back, yeah?" He shot me a strange look. "Of course. I'm coming with you."
The Doctor shook his head. "Your team, Jack. They need you."
"Aw, they can do without me for a few days. I'll help out an old friend."
And inscrutable look. "It will be very dangerous."
I grinned. "I eat danger for breakfast."
The Doctor looked at me, and the serious expression on his face was enough to make me feel contrite. Smiling, I reached for his hand and squeezed it. "Don't worry, Doctor. We'll get her back." A crease formed between his brows. "We'll get her back." I moved to the other side of the console, but I could I still hear his murmur.
"Yes, but she may not be her anymore."
