Chapter Four: Relapse

Lisa listened semi-patiently as the Doctor explained his reasons for leaving in the middle of the night. While she understood his reasons, she didn't have to like it.

"You should've woken me," she said. "I could've helped."

"I didn't have time. Lisa, please…"

"Oh, all right," she relented, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "At least you came back."

"Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?"

She simply shrugged, then caught his eye. Through the link, she got the sense that something was wrong with him. She asked, "Are you okay?"

Rose, who had been nosing around the pictures on the mantle and on the walls, turned towards them as soon as Lisa spoke. The Doctor noticed and fixed Lisa with a hard stare, broken only by brief flashes of pain. He wasn't well at all.

"What's going on?" Rose asked.

"Nothin'," the Doctor lied, putting out a hand to steady himself. Lisa knew he was dizzy.

"Doctor, come on." Lisa said, taking him by the arm and leading him down the Hall O'Rooms. "Stay here," she said to Rose as she passed her.

Lisa brought the Doctor to his room. Now that they were alone, they could talk.

"What's the matter?" she asked as he settled himself. He didn't have to answer her, however. "I knew it!" She lowered her voice at his wince. "Sorry. But, Doctor, I told you you shouldn't've done anything so soon after your regeneration. You're always unstable afterward. You always need to recover, and you didn't give yourself that chance."

"I had no choice."

"You always say that."

"It's always true."

"That's no excuse. Okay. Get some sleep. I'll take care of Rose, and then I'll be back."

"Wait…" He grabbed her hand to stop her. "Lisa…don't tell her about regeneration or what happened to Gallifrey…please."

"Sure." She gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room.

She found Rose sitting on the couch petting a black-and-white shorthair cat.

"That's Fluffy," said Lisa as she entered.

Rose was less concerned about the cat and more about the Doctor. "Is he all right?"

"He hasn't slept since he left here, has he?" Lisa asked instead.

Rose blinked. That was all Lisa needed.

"He just needs some sleep. I'm going to sit with him, but feel free to wander around. Be careful if you go through the forest, though. Stay on the path." She paused, then, "Yeah, you can use the one in my room."

"What?"

"You want to use a computer. The one in my room has Internet. I can read minds. Well, surface thoughts. They come through the loudest. I have no control over it. Follow me."

Lisa took her to her bedroom and situated her at the desk.

"You're from twenty-first century Earth, so you'll be fine. I'll be down the Hall if you need me. Just look for the open door."

She left the room and went back to the Doctor. He was staring out the door, waiting for her.

"You're supposed to be sleeping," she said as she sat beside him.

"I can't."

"Try. I'll be right here if you need me."

End chapter four.