Summary: First, Tegan must enter the Doctor's mind. Then, Tegan tells Jack and Ianto about a decision that neither wants Tegan to follow through with.
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Episode 4 – Eye Opener
In the three days since bringing the Doctor to the Medical Bay, Tegan has divided their time between keeping an eye on the Doctor, trying to figure out how to address the situation with Torchwood, and helping the Master with whatever he decides he needs or wants help with concerning not only the Archangel Network but also the inner workings of the Valiant. Tegan began to gather rather quickly though that the Master didn't need help, while the Archangel Network was something Tegan understood, they realized they were in over their head with regards to the Valiant, and also began to wonder about the Master's condescending and sometimes downright sadistic attitude toward people not named Tegan Harkness.
It had surprised the Master how easy it was to convince Tegan to help him with something that they had to know was wrong. He had figured that after getting what Tegan had wanted, help rescuing the Doctor, that they would try to back out of the agreement, but they hadn't. He had also figured that he'd have to change his attitude toward others but as long as it wasn't directed at Tegan, they didn't seem to care. He wasn't looking forward to having to adjust his attitude when he was running for Minister of Defense, even if the results would be predetermined. He couldn't have everyone thinking he was sadistic before he put his plan into motion, now could he? He had actually suggested that they clone his hard drive so that they could both work on his project even while Tegan wasn't on Earth. He had actually enjoyed seeing Tegan's reaction because they were apparently going to wait until closer to when they were leaving. He figured that Tegan didn't know that the Doctor was really a spur-of-the-moment traveler. He knew the one thing he wouldn't be able to get Tegan to help with would be the paradox machine which he was making by lobotomizing the T.A.R.D.I.S. he'd stolen from the next Doctor. He was adjusting his plan slightly though, who needs a simple-minded Earth woman when you can get a highly intelligent albeit naïve Time Lord with a gender identity problem? Even though due to the possibility of changing sexes when you regenerate, he figured that all Time Lord's did that at least once during their regeneration cycle, he'd done it twice himself, not that anybody ever actually needed to know that.
It had quickly become a routine between Tegan and the Master that when neither was busy that the Master would allow Tegan to view what he remembered of Gallifrey in his mindscape. He didn't mind since Tegan's presence would quiet the drums and there was an understanding that Tegan would stay out of his other memories, even though there were occasional glimpses of a young Koschei and Theta Sigma, but that always resulted in him quickly closing his mind because those were his memories and nobody else's. Tegan figured the reason the Master reacted that way was because either a) there was something between them at one point or b) he's ashamed that he still cares about that part of his life.
Tegan was looking around the Death Zone and was surprised at the detail that the Master remembered of it. Watching as a young Koschei ran out into the middle of it before Theta came running and jumped on Koschei, sending them both to the ground. Tegan heard Koschei say something in Gallifreyan that they'd come to learn meant 'Dammit, Theta'! Tegan fully expected to be shut out like normal but before the Master even had the opportunity, they both heard a scream. The Master had his hands over his ears and asked, 'What the fuck was that'? Tegan said, 'The Doctor's awake'.
Tegan left the Master's mindscape.
The Master decided just to stay where he was since he wasn't real sure what the Doctor would think after just waking up from a healing coma to find out that the Master was on board the T.A.R.D.I.S. and he was perfectly comfortable in Tegan's bed. And, he also knew that the truth of Tegan enjoying falling asleep in his mindscape and he just liked falling asleep without the sound of the drums and nothing actually happening between the two of them probably wouldn't be believed.
The Doctor tried to sit up quickly after waking from another nightmare but hit his head on the lid of the coffin-like machine which resulted in him collapsing backwards and trying to figure out just where he was. The last thing he remembered - what was the last thing he remembered?
The lid opened and The Doctor sat up before looking around and realizing he was in the Medical Bay of the T.A.R.D.I.S. and he was wrapped in what seemed like a sheet or thin blanket.
The Doctor managed to get out of the machine before collapsing onto all fours and throwing up which didn't say much for whatever reason he was in that machine since he didn't remember the last time he ate. What was that machine for again?
Tegan walked into the Medical Bay before rushing over to the Doctor, crouching down, placing their right hand on the Doctor's back, and asking, 'Is that supposed to happen after a healing coma'? The Doctor sat up and asked, 'Who are you? And, what are you doing onboard my T.A.R.D.I.S.'? Tegan was concerned and a bit scared as they said, 'Tegan Harkness, you asked if I wanted to come with you, but things keep interfering'. The Doctor shook his head and then said, 'The only Tegan I know is Tegan Jovanka'. Tegan asked, 'Was that Tegan also a Time Lord'? The Doctor tilted his head to the right and said, 'The Time Lord's died when Gallifrey burned'. Tegan said, 'Yes, but you survived and I wasn't on Gallifrey when it burned'.
Tegan was frightened when the Doctor used his right hand and grabbed them by the throat, Tegan couldn't keep the fear out of their voice as they asked, 'Doctor'? The Doctor shouted, 'The Time Lord's are dead'! Tegan couldn't keep the sadness out of their voice as they asked, 'What did they do to you? That device was only supposed to affect your telepathic center, not your memory'.
The Doctor grabbed his head with both hands before collapsing onto his left side and curling into a ball.
Tegan was startled when they heard the Master say angrily from the doorway, 'Fucking humans'! Tegan looked at the Master and said, 'You said that the device was only supposed to affect the telepathic center of a Time Lord's brain'. The Master said, 'If it's used properly but apparently they don't even know how to use something properly when it's not only verbally explained to them but also with written instructions and diagrams'! Tegan asked, 'How the hell can I help him recover if he doesn't even remember me'?
The Master thought for a minute before responding, 'You'll need to enter his mind and see the damage firsthand and see if there is actually anything that can be done. If there isn't then you'll need to start over with him'. Tegan said, 'But, that's probably going to require me going deep into his mind and that's dangerous for both of us'! The Master said, 'Not if you have an anchor'. Tegan asked, 'A what'? The Master said, 'Think of it as a tether back to your own mind. I can anchor you so that you will have a way back'. Tegan was concerned but asked, 'Are you sure you can'? The Master smiled before laughing and then saying, 'No. I've never been an anchor before but I've had others be my anchor. How hard can it be'?
Tegan hesitated before responding, 'Fine, but if you start losing our connection, go ahead and get me out'. The Master said, 'Agreed'.
The Master sat down to Tegan's right before grabbing their right wrist with his left hand. It surprised Tegan for a moment before they remembered that the Master was a touch telepath.
Tegan entered the Doctor's mind and was at first surprised to see that none of his telepathic shields were up. Tegan know how strong the Doctor's shields were so they knew that this wasn't a good sign. But, what was even more worrisome was the fact that there was nothing but blackness. Tegan knew that for someone to enter their mind that it would look the same way at first glance but it was just that the whole wall and door way of doing things wasn't their style. Tegan had actually found it funny when the Master had said that their mindscape seemed more electronic inclined. Tegan also knew that while the Master had strong telepathic shields of his own, the only thing he really bothered hiding was in a black dome and that was where his shields were focused.
Going deeper and deeper into the Doctor's mind, Tegan began getting more and more concerned because it stayed black. This wasn't even expected with someone whose mind had been destroyed, in that case, their mind would be in ruins, but this, it seemed like the mind was just gone!
The Master could feel Tegan's concern and it made him wonder if Torchwood had even cared that they were using the device wrong. Did they somehow know what would happen if they used the device incorrectly? Did they not want to kill the Doctor because he would have just regenerated and found the next best thing was to try to destroy his memories? In that moment, he wondered how Torchwood would react if the Master, under the guise of Harold Saxon, once he became Minister of Defense, made a target of Torchwood. Or, would it be better to wait until he became Prime Minister and make Torchwood an enemy of the entire United Kingdom? Maybe he would warn Tegan so they could at least try to get Jack and Ianto to leave Torchwood first. Well, it was an idea but whether it was one to follow through with or not, he wasn't sure yet.
Tegan found the deepest part of the Doctor's mind and could barely stay focused on trying to find something of the Doctor when the few memories that Tegan had been finding were fading. The companions, the T.A.R.D.I.S., and Gallifrey all fading.
Tegan searched and searched, trying to find something, anything of the Doctor that wasn't fading!
The Master could feel how frantic Tegan was getting and it was making it difficult for him to keep the connection but he wasn't willing to pull them back just yet.
Tegan had almost searched all they could when they found something that wasn't fading. Even though around it was dark, it looked like the Doctor was sitting with his back to a wall. This was the right regeneration of the Doctor but with his knees pulled up to his chest, his arms around his knees, and his head leaning on his knees, it was disheartening.
Tegan slowly approached the Doctor before sitting cross-legged in front of him and tried to keep their voice calm as they asked, 'Doctor'?
The Doctor didn't respond and Tegan tried again, 'Doctor'?
The Doctor still didn't respond and Tegan decided to try something else, 'Theta'?
The Doctor began to fade and Tegan said concerned, 'No'!
Before the concern could fully set in, the mindscape began to change. Tegan stood up quickly, looking around, and it was like a war zone! It took Tegan a few moments to realize what they were seeing. Time Lord's and Dalek's, a message being blasted into a wall reading 'No more', a barn, a box, the voice of a white haired bearded man saying, 'Gallifrey burns', the children and the counting, two point four billion children dead. Once the scene was finished, it faded and the Doctor was back right where he had been.
Tegan placed their left hand on the back of the Doctor's head and tried to keep the sadness out of their voice as they asked, 'Doctor'? In a voice so soft, quiet, and filled with sadness that Tegan strained to hear it, the Doctor said, 'Tegan, please make it stop'!
Tegan wasn't sure what the Doctor was meaning until the same scene from the Time War began playing again. Tegan thought, 'Oh God! He's stuck in a fucking loop of the worst day of his life'!
Tegan's eyes glowed yellow as the scene froze. Tegan knew they couldn't remove the memory but they could at least break the loop. The memory began to fade and this time it didn't concern Tegan because they knew the memory was still there, it just wasn't an active memory right then.
Tegan sat down to the right of where the Doctor was going to reappear.
Once the scene had completely faded, the Doctor looked at Tegan, and Tegan said, 'You can't stay here, you know that'.
Instead of responding, the Doctor laid on his right side, with his head in Tegan's lap. Tegan put their left hand on the Doctor's left arm and said, 'You're safe now. And, if Torchwood tries to take you again, I have a new trick up my sleeve'.
Not that he was going to say it, not yet anyways, but the Doctor planned on making sure Torchwood fell. Whether it was this regeneration or the next, Torchwood would fall.
It was almost half an hour before Tegan looked at the Master and said, 'Thanks for keeping me tethered'.
The Master released Tegan's right wrist and then asked, 'Is he going to be okay'? Tegan said, 'I think so. He'd buried himself in the deepest part of his mind but he should be coming around in a couple minutes'. The Master asked, 'His memory wasn't damaged'? Tegan shook their head and then said, 'No, it was just the only memory he had that he hadn't buried with him was of the Time War. The only potential problem I see is that as he was opening his mind back up, there's a darkness there that I haven't felt before'. The Master said, 'You were probably just feeling the Oncoming Storm'. Tegan shook their head and then said, 'Mister Saxon, what I felt was much darker then the feeling I get from that'.
The Master couldn't help but be slightly concerned, he held a fear for the Oncoming Storm and if what Tegan said was true, then the Doctor might just end up becoming the Valeyard earlier then what he thought, and if that was the case then he needed to tread even more carefully with his plans. Or maybe, the Doctor would become something even worse. Was there anything worse then the Valeyard that he could become?
The Doctor slowly sat up, deciding he'd ask why he was wrapped in a blanket later, he looked at the Master and asked, 'Who the hell are you and what are you doing onboard my T.A.R.D.I.S.'?
The Master was suddenly quite glad that he had been wearing a perception filter to keep the Doctor from knowing he was a Time Lord.
Tegan glanced at the Master and seeing his hesitation to speak returned their attention to the Doctor and then said, 'His name's Harold Saxon, he was actually the one who came up with the plan to rescue you from Torchwood, and then actually helped with the rescue'. The Doctor asked, 'Do you work for Torchwood'? The Master said, 'No, I know people who work for Torchwood, I don't deal with them much myself, but I don't work for them'.
The Master looked at Tegan and said, 'But, I probably should get back to working on my projects'. Tegan said, 'Take care, Mister Saxon'.
The Master was walking to the console room of the T.A.R.D.I.S. and wondering if it would be better to try to get Tegan to call him Master or maybe Harry, because he wanted to keep the 'Mister Saxon' nonsense to his political endeavors.
Tegan was standing outside the Medical Bay with their back to the door while the Doctor got dressed.
The Doctor was curious who Harold Saxon was. He knew he should recognize him but he didn't. And, why did Tegan seem to get along with him? Besides Jack, Ianto, and himself, Tegan didn't get along with people. And, despite the familiarity, the one thing he was certain of was that there was no way that he was a Time Lord because that he could feel and with Harold Saxon, he didn't.
The Master was at the door to T.A.R.D.I.S. and about to open the door so he could leave but there was a knock at the door.
Tegan started walking toward the console room and thought, 'It's about damn time'!
The Doctor stepped out of the Medical Bay leaving his socks and shoes but putting his leather jacket on as he began walking to the console room.
Another knock at the door, the Master looked back and waited as Tegan with the Doctor following behind walked into the console room. Tegan asked, 'Are you going to open the door or not'? The Doctor whispered in Tegan's right ear considering he was standing on Tegan's right, 'What is going on'?
The Master opened the door and Jack asked, 'Who are you? You're not the Doctor or Tegan'. The Master stepped to the side, Jack stepped in followed by Ianto who closed the door behind him. Jack looked at Tegan and asked, 'What is this about'? Ianto looked around and said, 'It's bigger on the inside'. The Doctor said, 'It is fairly common for Time Lord technology to be that way'. Not taking his eyes off Tegan, Jack asked, 'What is this about, Tegan? Why did you want both me and Ianto here'?
Tegan looked at the Doctor, then the Master, then Jack and Ianto, and then back at the Doctor. Tegan lowered their head and then said, 'Papa, up until here recently I haven't minded working freelance for Torchwood, but after what happened, I don't want to continue'. Tegan looked at Jack and Ianto and then said, 'I'm not going to continue working for Torchwood. If you ever do manage to take control of Torchwood Three, I'll consider working for you, but with the way things are right now, I'm done'.
The Doctor wasn't planning to speak up but he was actually proud of Tegan, why this conversation had to take place in his T.A.R.D.I.S. he didn't know, but he was happy about Tegan's decision.
The Master knew he could slip out without a word but he was actually interested in where this conversation went.
Jack said, 'Tegan, I understand your decision, but you need to understand, since you began working for Torchwood, leaving has never been an option'. Tegan couldn't keep the anger out of their voice as they asked, 'Why the fuck not'? Ianto said, 'Tegan, you're a Time Lord, and while you're not their number one enemy like the Doctor, you're still an alien, and due to their policy if it's alien it's ours, you would end up a target of Torchwood just as much as the Doctor is. As long as you're working for Torchwood, you're safe'. Tegan still couldn't keep the anger out of their voice as they said, 'Bullshit! They tried to fucking arrest me to get at the Doctor'! Ianto said, 'Well, you're safer then if you weren't working for Torchwood'. Tegan wasn't even trying to the anger out of their voice anymore, 'You two don't seem to understand, this decision isn't up for discussion! I didn't ask if I could leave Torchwood, I said that I was leaving Torchwood! I decided to tell you two first because Jack, you're my papa and Ianto, you're my friend'. Jack said, 'Tegan, I can't protect you if you leave Torchwood'. Tegan said, 'Look, I don't know how things work with Time Lord's but with humans, I'm twenty-one, I don't need your protection, papa'.
The Doctor said, 'On Gallifrey, you would still be considered a child at ninety'. Tegan looked at the Doctor and said, 'You're not exactly helping by saying that'. The Doctor said, 'This isn't Gallifrey, Tegan'.
Jack asked, 'Do you know what you're risking by leaving Torchwood'? Tegan said, 'Papa, I know why you work for Torchwood, it's not just to protect me but to try to protect the Doctor as well. I appreciate you trying to protect me but he has done nothing wrong and yet they tortured him. I'm sorry that I can't keep working for people who deem someone who's protected this world longer then I've been alive as dangerous and worthy of torture. Hell yes, he's dangerous but that doesn't actually make him a threat! Papa, you know how I feel about torture, even when I wanted the Doctor dead, I would have never done what they did'!
Ianto hesitated before asking, 'This isn't just because they tortured him, is it'? Tegan asked, 'Why can't it be'? Ianto again hesitated before asking, 'This is because they raped him, isn't it'?
Jack spun around, looked at Ianto, and asked, 'What'?
The Doctor took a step back.
Tegan could feel Jack's surprise as well as the Doctor's anger, sadness, and even a bit of fear. Tegan looked at the Doctor before returning their attention to Jack and Ianto. Tegan said, 'I don't think I would've wanted to stay with Torchwood anyways but while I know some people use rape as a form of torture, it's the worst way someone can be violated'. Tegan looked at the Master and then said, 'In some ways, I think telepathy if used without the other persons consent, could be seen as a form of mind rape'.
The Master could tell by the way that Tegan said it that it wasn't the way they were taught, that Jack might have taught them that it was wrong, but that he probably wouldn't have went to that extreme.
Tegan returned their attention to Jack and Ianto and asked, 'Do you really expect me to stay with Torchwood'? Jack looked at the Doctor and asked, 'Will you at least try to keep Tegan safe? I'm not saying I expect you to succeed all the time because I don't, but Tegan is - Tegan's the only family I have that really wants anything to do with me and -' Tegan could feel what Jack was trying to say but always seemed to have a problem vocalizing, so they said, 'I love you too, papa'.
Jack and Ianto left the T.A.R.D.I.S. after realizing that there wasn't any talking Tegan out of this decision but they'd also come to realize that maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that Tegan had stood by their decision.
The Master left after bidding Tegan goodbye and getting the feeling that if he stayed much longer the Doctor was going to start asking him questions to figure out who he was.
The Doctor asked, 'So, where would you like to go'? Tegan thought for a minute before responding, 'Somewhere you would have to see to believe'!
The Doctor set the coordinates on the T.A.R.D.I.S. and while he wouldn't openly admit it, hoped that she'd go where and when he'd set.
Tegan thought about asking the Doctor why he wasn't wearing shoes or socks but before they could, the Doctor said, 'Pull the hand break'. Tegan had a blank look on their face and the Doctor used the index finger on his right hand to point at the hand break and Tegan said, 'Oh'. Tegan approached the console where the hand break was, used their left hand to pull the hand break, and the Doctor said, 'You might want to hang on to something'!
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Author's Note 1: In case anybody ever actually notices in the Author's Notes from Episode 1, I know I messed up and spelled Jodie Whitaker's name wrong, I managed to forget the E at the end.
Author's Note 2: Episode 5 will be Tegan's first off-Earth adventure as well as some of the darker Doctor.
Reviews/Comments/Critiques welcome!
