CHAPTER VIIII
The smoke became more apparent and the fire crackled and the loose cables fizzled and water dripped down from the wreckage of the interior of the space ship. The Doctor was meanwhile faced with the decision of either leave and let the Earth become the next black hole, or stay and be caught up in the explosion of the self-destructing space ship.
There is never an easy option for me is there? He thought amused. Oh well, I'll think of something. I always do. He eyed the creature who eyed him in return; Teresa made a little sound as she woke up in a daze. "Do you feel ok?" The Doctor asked.
She nodded, "I think so…" she felt the back of her head and then a look of shock flitted across both their faces. On her hand was an extreme amount of blood. The Doctor realized he'd been so focused on the creature that he had neglected to check the girl adequately He kicked himself mentally and hurriedly, he helped sit her down, and taking off his neck tie, handed it to her to staunch the bleeding. "It's ok, just a small bump…" she mumbled, "…got this once when I was a little girl…was swinging and hit a metal pole at …"
The Doctor had the urge to ask her how you hit a pole with the back of your head, but didn't. The creature laughed weakly, struggling to its feet. The Doctor knew that this alien was beyond help. Even if he did get his reasons for why his people had attacked theirs…it was pointless now that he was determined to defeat this alien.
"The ship will blow in five minutes….you have no chance of escape…. And Earth will be consumed!" it hissed gleefully.
"You must think yourself to be a bloody Martyr." The Doctor said quietly, his anger masked by his perfect poker face.
"Don't you look at yourself the same way?" it sneered in response.
The Doctor felt Teresa tug on his sleeve, "John, I think this alien is nuts."
"I know." The Doctor replied, turning back to the alien that now had somehow gotten an alien gun and was pointing it right at them both.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." It hissed triumphantly. The Doctor had his Sonic Screwdriver raised and he saw not one…but at least twenty of those alien bombs scuttle from the secret entrances on both sides of the main control room and form four rows of five in front of the alien.
Teresa and the Doctor were in a tight spot. The Doctor had been in tight spots before; a challenge always gave him an extra burst of energy.
Teresa's eyes darted around the control room, looking for anything that could help them. She was good at timing and she knew that they only had two minutes. She didn't see how anyone sane could possibly get out of this no win situation. Even an insane person wouldn't be able to get out of this situation. She spotted the dripping wires that were reacting faintly to the sparks. An idea clicked. It was an insane life threatening idea…but it was just logical enough to actually work. "John," she said abruptly.
The Doctor without taking his eyes off of the scaly beast, replied, "Teresa Hendricks, I'm doing the best I can."
"Yes, but I'm thirsty." She emphasized the thirsty. The Doctor looked at her confused. She repeated loudly, "If we're going to die anyways, why not have a toast?" The Doctor still did not get what she was prattling about and the creature hissed firing up its gun. In one fluid movement she grabbed the Sonic Screwdriver, and holding his hand directed him to point at the wires instead of at the scaled beast or the robots and as water erupted from above, it roared and the Doctor yelped in surprise as Teresa tugged him upwards and instinctively they both were swept around in the flood as it consumed the interior of the ship and the creature hissed as it flailed. Teresa and the Doctor watched as the small robots were malfunctioning because of the water and the Doctor looked at Teresa in amazement.
"Water conducts electricity," she pointed out, "fire won't be an issue, but we have to get away from the water…or we'll be the ones getting toasted."
They heard the creature hiss in anger and as they bobbed up through the hole where the water had erupted, they climbed onto the roof of the space ship. The Reptilius below hissed and made to swiftly grab the Doctor by his leg and Teresa yelled as the Doctor fell backwards and into the water. The beast held onto him, preventing him from escaping as he fought back. Air bubbles bobbed to the surface and Teresa watched helplessly from above as she saw the Doctor sinking lower and lower and she frantically fumbled with the Sonic Screwdriver. "Come on… what else can you do?" she mumbled. It bleeped open and she saw an odd ballpoint appear at the tip; like the tip of a ballpoint pen and she frowned. She didn't question it then, she just instinctively pointed it right at the Doctor and as a beam of blue light shot down into the water, a split second later, the beam returned with a wet and frazzled Doctor. He coughed and she patted his back repeatedly. He rolled over on his back and blinked; he was completely soaked and completely surprised.
"How…in the name of Jupiter….did you do that?" he panted, looking at her with utter awe and mainly bewilderment.
She grinned, "I pressed the Sonic space evaluator, then the Sonic wave electrifier and slid my thumb on the Sonic-"
"Alright, alright, I get it…pay back for earlier…migraine accomplished…" he said waving his hand at her dismissively; but he was smiling warmly.
They both heard a sudden loud BREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Teresa gasped. "That's the sound of the space ship self-destructing in less than ten seconds!" she yelped horrified. She scrambled to the edge of the roof but groaned as the drop was more than 20ft. below them.
"How'd you do that?" the Doctor repeated, eyeing his Sonic Screwdriver.
"John, we're about to explode! There isn't time to figure out the great interworkings of your fabulous Sonic Screwdriver!" Teresa said annoyed.
"Ok, let's just forget for one second that we're about to go kaboom, I'm asking you," he said briskly, "How did you do that?"
Teresa shook her head frantically and finally tried to remember what she'd done previously. She looked at the screwdriver and tried to find the button that she'd pressed and she pressed on it, praying for it to work. The Sonic Screwdriver felt hot in her hands and she yelped, dropping it. The Doctor gasped and made a lunge for it, catching it, just as it was about to roll off the edge of the roof. He sighed with relief and rolled back over and hopped up.
Just then the spaceship exploded.
Teresa screamed and was still screaming, even after she and the Doctor had been zapped into the inside of the T.A.R.D.I.S. The Doctor stumbled around dazed and a familiar face caught him as he leaned on for support. Looking up he said, "Martha Jones?" Sure enough, Martha Jones was supporting him, and he realized they had somehow been returned to the T.A.R.D.I.S….but the question was, "How?" he asked.
Another, familiar, and very cocky voice boomed, "You haven't changed one bit have you Doctor?" out stepped in front from behind the controls of the T.A.R.D.I.S., a man with a forever young face and the Doctor's eyes widened in surprise.
"Captain Jack…." He breathed. A slow grin broke out across his face and he animatedly bounced back.
Teresa had stopped screaming and was looking quite perplexed at the two new strangers in front of her. "Wait no…you actually have changed quite a bit," Jack boomed again, "Finally removed that stick that was up your ass those few regenerations ago? Or does that only keep regenerating new and improved as well?"
"Hn. Very funny." The Doctor rolled his eyes.
Teresa wondered what his relationship with these people were but she was just grateful that they had been saved. "How did you save us?" she asked incredulous.
Jack walked over to her, and offered her is hand; a completely gentleman demeanor face smiling at her. She gratefully took his hand and that's when he noticed the blood. "You're bleeding." He said stunned. Martha hurried over and she directed the girl to the couch and set forth to helping her head injury. The Doctor looked at his Sonic Screwdriver and grimaced; it would need cleaning.
Martha checked her out and then said, "She only bumped the top layer of skin…at most she'll have a small goose egg…but it's not life threatening."
The Doctor and Captain Jack breathed in relief. Teresa had another pressing matter and she asked, 'John, we still have to stop the black hole!"
"Been there, done that." Captain Jack replied coolly, "Since when did you call yourself John?" he turned to the Doctor, eyebrows raised.
"John Smith is my other name I go by…although most people call me the Doctor…" the Doctor said innocently.
Martha nodded at Jack, "When he was the tenth Doctor, he actually tried being human for some time…called himself John Smith."
Jack snickered, "Had to pick a different J eh? I know, you wish you could use Jack, but there is only enough for one Jack in this crew."
"Will there be enough room to fit both their egos?" Teresa whispered to Martha. Martha smiled, and laughed. The two men turned in surprise to her and she resumed what she was doing to Teresa's head innocently. "What's this about regenerations and who are you two?" Teresa asked.
Martha looked to Captain Jack who answered, "It's a very long, long, long. Long." He took a deep breath, "long, long, long, long, story, and filled with much heroism and hard battles fought and won… well….he helped a little," he joked, pointing at the Doctor, " …and let us not forget Bad Wolf…" he raised his eyebrows at the Doctor who looked away innocently. "The Doctor here, he did something that he still hasn't taken responsibility for."
"What?" The Doctor asked confused.
"Oh come on, don't tell me you've forgotten. I was made immortal remember?" he looked at the Doctor with his eyebrows raised.
"That wasn't my doing," the Doctor replied coolly. Captain Jack raised his eyebrows higher, "Oh? Who else could've…." His voice trailed off and Teresa saw a flicker of something clicking that she didn't know about and then the second odd man coughed and said briskly, "Right well, anyways, Martha and I have already gone and prevented the dark hole generator device as well as saving you two in our free time."
"How did you ….find us?" Teresa asked incredulously.
"Quite simple really," Captain Jack said cheerfully, "I used my new and improved Ultrasonic biophysical vortex manipulator."
"Escuse me, did you just say…Ultrasonic?" the Doctor asked bemused.
"Why yes I did, you may have that rusty old Sonic Screwdriver, but I have something Ultrasonic, why? Jealous old man?" Jack grinned.
Teresa watched these two men as the Doctor seemed to carry on wittily with the other man. "Excuse me, Jack?" she asked.
"There should be a Captain in there, somewhere." Captain Jack said and then blinked. "I think I just made a Pirates of the Caribbean reference."
"It's ok, I made a Lion King reference once." The Doctor shrugged.
Martha smiled at Teresa, "So, you must be the new companion huh? How'd you get involved with him?"
"Met him in Vegas." Teresa replied.
Captain Jack snorted. "That's a new one for the books."
"He seems really…upbeat for an old guy." Teresa commented.
Captain Jack grinned, "Ho, you should've seen his first generation. He was quite energetic."
The Doctor looked at Captain Jack confused. "You went back to when I first arrived?" he stated taken aback.
Captain Jack grinned, and pointing his thumb at the Doctor said gleefully, "I think it's so wonderful that in hindsight we now know that this grumpy old man is actually the Doctor at his most youthful...hell it might be the equivalent of his teenage rebellious years …that'd make Colin Baker and McCoy his mid-life crisis…."
" Did he come with someone?" Teresa asked curious.
The Doctor felt uncomfortable; Susan's face was looming in his mind and he didn't want to talk about it. Changing subjects by prattling on about confusing things was one of his specialties. "Ah, hello, new subject." He said cheerfully, "Does anyone know where the Quantum space chic fillet happens to be?"
"What?" Martha asked.
"My space and time….chicken." he replied.
Martha rolled her eyes. "Doctor, you're goofing." She said sternly.
"Ah, you're talking to me again…are we…cool?" the Doctor replied cheerfully.
Martha sighed, "Actually, I'm only here because Captain Jack requested it."
The Doctor's face fell a little but he grinned none the less. "Ah well, the more the merrier I always say…and the T.A.R.D.I.S. was doing some updating a bit back so now it may be smaller than it was previously but it does have more useful assets…"
"When you say ….smaller…what things had to give?" Captain Jack asked curiously.
"Oh you know…kitchen…ping pong room…" the Doctor started.
"Hold on, we had ping pong?" Martha and Jack asked surprised.
"Yes…but that was after you two weren't around, and Martha…you're older than when we last talked. I forgot to mention that when I saw you…earlier." the Doctor said sheepishly.
Teresa listened and watched in interest as Martha swatted the Doctor but she saw that something was still stiff about their relationship. She wondered what could have happened between them. Old lovers? She mused. She sighed and felt oddly better and she hoped that the Doctor wouldn't remember about his anger at her.
"Alright...well… since you two have already saved the Earth without me…." The Doctor said cheerfully, "I just have to make a quick stop at Teresa Hendrick's home to return her to her family."
Teresa's heart sank. He hadn't forgotten.
And she didn't have the strength to argue with him because she felt that arguing wouldn't get her anywhere.
The Doctor set his coordinates cheerfully and everyone grabbed a hold of something as the T.A.R.D.I.S. rumbled. It seemed only seconds before they arrived at Teresa's parents' home. Teresa was reluctant to go, she couldn't.
The Doctor stepped out and beckoned to her, and she reluctantly followed him.
She was surprised to find it was evening but figured it was to be expected. "Come along then, no time for diddle daddling." The Doctor said cheerfully. He bounced up the steps and rang the doorbell.
A woman opened the door and asked, "Who are you?"
"Hello, I'm the Doctor," the Doctor said, waving, "and I am here to take your lovely daughter on space and time adventures with me."
Teresa gaped. She wasn't the only one.
"Teresa?" the woman gasped, and looked to see Teresa standing on the lawn. Her eyes welled up with tears. "Oh my god, Jim, Jim she's alive!" and her father came to the door in an instant and they both pushed past the Doctor who stepped to the side as best he could in such a cramped space, and they hugged Teresa. Teresa felt very awkward but she hugged them both; she knew they had been worried about her.
"Honey, come inside." Her father Jim said.
"I can't." Teresa said.
"What do you mean you can't?" her mother sputtered, 'for god's sake we've been thinking you were dead for the past seven hours!"
Teresa didn't know how to explain all that had happened because she felt that her parents wouldn't understand.
Jim glared at the Doctor who looked around not sure why he was getting the death stare. "This man you say is the reason you're not dead then." He growled.
Teresa nodded. "It's really complicated but yeah. Also, that old late 1900's police box, it's his T.A.R.D.I.S. and he can fly through time and space."
Her parents stared blankly at her. Her mother put a hand over her mouth and said, "Oh my god, oh my god. He's brainwashed her Jim! That mad man brain washed her!"
"I prefer the Doctor…" the Doctor interrupted as politely as he could.
"You and your blue box are coming with us to the police." Jim growled at the Doctor. The Doctor sighed and put his hands up.
"Very well then," he said submissively. Teresa tried to get a read on what he was doing. He had been inching slowly to the T.A.R.D.I.S. and he gave Teresa quick wink and then hopped into the T.A.R.D.I.S. before anyone had time to react. Teresa heard that whirring sound as the light flashed and her heart beat faster.
The Doctor closed the door and turned to see Jack already handling the controls while Martha sat reading a book. They looked up and Jack said, "Where's that girl?"
"She's not coming." The Doctor said.
"What? You're just going to leave her there and expect things to work themselves out?" Martha asked disapprovingly.
The Doctor didn't know how to respond to that without sounding like an ass, so he said, "Things always work out in the end." As he said that, he heard the door of the T.A.R.D.I.S. open; and the sounds of Teresa's parents yelling and turned to see her, frazzled but otherwise she was back in the T.A.R.D.I.S.
"You are so not getting rid of me that easy," she said panting.
"You always know how to pick them, don't you Doctor?" Captain Jack said, shaking his head amused.
"What's that mean?" Teresa challenged.
"Nothing," Captain Jack grinned, a mischievious glint in his eye, "I just had a feeling you wouldn't give in that easy."
"Like hell I was," Teresa put her hands on her hips and looked at the Doctor, "...I want to come with you and your gang. I know that I'm not the best behaved at times, but I think we make a pretty good team and in addition," she put her hand up to stop the Doctor who was about to speak, "...you owe me a new apartment and a car. So, Unless you have the money to pay for all the damages, I'll take space and time adventures as payment until I can find a new place to live in the future. What do you have to say to that?"
A slow grin spread across the Doctor's face, "...I didn't think you would give up that easily either... and you're reasons are valid... I warn you, it'll be dangerous."
"Danger is my game," she said calmly.
"Lots of scary monsters..."
"None as scary as my mother when she's angry at me for bringing a mad man in a bluebox with me home and then turning promptly around and getting back in..."
"... You could die."
"Well, I better start livin' it up then, yeah?"
"... There will be other creatures wanting to get to you to get to me," he said sternly.
"...Doctor, she's obviously not going to be deterred," Captain Jack raised his eyebrows amused. Teresa flashed him a grin.
The T.A.R.D.I.S. rumbled and then began to become more serene and Jack said, "We're flying within Earth's solar system still, we'll be just orbiting the Earth for a while until this crazy man with a blue box has other plans."
"Well, I won't let him get in the way of my plans. Captain Jack, can you take me back to Mickey's? I can't leave the kids at home with just him for too long." Martha said briskly.
Teresa annulled her idea of the Doctor and Martha being old lovers; she noticed that something about the way Martha spoke to the Doctor was as though something big had happened in the past… something big enough to damage whatever friendship they had. But what had happened? Teresa didn't want to pry so she didn't. She was mainly just glad that the Doctor had let her come back on board and she knew her parents would cope somehow.
"Well, your parents seemed lovely." The Doctor was saying cheerfully, and he was back at the controls and had set the course for Martha's home. Teresa raised her eyebrows.
Captain Jack announced, "Martha, we're at your stop." Martha nodded and the Doctor bounded over to the door to help and she politely nodded and then turned exited the T.A.R.D.I.S. the door shut closed behind her and it was only Captain Jack, the Doctor, and Teresa now.
Teresa didn't know when she'd fallen asleep but when she woke up, she realized that the lights were dimmed and the Doctor was resting on the steps by the controls and Captain Jack was not in sight. Teresa groggily rubbed her eyes and looked at the Doctor's sleeping figure. What an interesting fellow, she thought amused, and then she heard a knocking on the T.A.R.D.I.S. door. The Doctor woke with a start and shared a glance with Teresa. Jack called from down the stairs, "Who the heck is banging like it's kingdom come?"
Teresa saw the Doctor rise slowly and then take a few strides towards the door. She wondered what he was doing and who was on the other side of that door. Her heart began to pound. "Erm, who is it?" The Doctor asked through the door. There was a moment of silence.
"Hello, Sweetie," a female commanding and yet playful voice, replied. The Doctor had an expression that Teresa didn't know and then to her surprise, he opened the door and there in the doorway stood a blonde curly haired woman in a black cocktail dress and a glass of wine, a gun in her holster around her waist, and as soon as the Doctor opened the door, she threw herself into his arms while he had a look of utter confusion.
"Wh-What are you?-"
"Surprised? I saw you were in town and thought I'd say hi... I've missed you..." she said, stroking his cheek. The Doctor's ears began to turn red and Teresa had never seen him look as disleveled as he did now -but not annoyance- more like... shyness? The Doctor...shy?
Teresa wondered what kind of powers the woman possessed.
She cleared her throat.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, how rude of me," the woman flashed Teresa a warm grin, "I'm River Song... you can just call me River or Mrs. Doctor River Song."
Teresa's Jaw dropped.
The Doctor was married?
The Doctor coughed and nimbly wriggled out of the woman's hug. Teresa looked at him and he nodded in response to her mental question of, is this really true?
"My...you do look different...regeneration sure is a fascinating thing, almost didn't recognize you..." the woman said, and she kissed the Doctor on the cheek. "But your hair is still as messy as ever. You still running around alot?"
"Oh yes," The Doctor replied, "There's always lots of running."
"I like a man who can keep up," the woman replied in a playful sexy voice. Teresa raised her eyebrows again.
"So…what now?" Teresa asked curious.
"Well, I'm here to accompany the Doctor and you-his newest companion- in an alien investigation that only the Doctor can solve." she turned to the Doctor and Teresa knew that the woman was serious. Captain Jack came up the stairs and raised his eyebrows when he saw River Song. The Doctor had another thought on his mind and he turned to Jack to ask it.
The Doctor played with his controls and replied, "Firstly, before I do anything else, I've been meaning to ask you... how did you find Martha and then myself?"
Captain Jack scratched his head and grinned, "I told you, my Ultrasonic biophysica-"
"Alright, alright, a simple time tracker. Just say so." The Doctor cut him off, rolling his eyes. "Dare I ask how you knew what going on?" he pressed.
Captain Jack smirked and replied, "Oh well, I have my ways," and he wouldn't reveal any more than that. The Doctor was burning to know the answer but it was apparent that Captain Jack was having too much fun lording the fact that the Doctor couldn't figure it out himself.
Suddenly, Teresa's stomach growled for all to hear.
"Does the T.A.R.D.I.S. have a fridge?" Teresa asked meekly.
Captain Jack replied, "Not that I know of."
The Doctor face palmed himself and said, "Oh my stars, I'm very sorry. You haven't eaten in the last few hours have you? Alright then, how about we go to 1930's Pari?"
Teresa raised her eyebrows, "You mean eat in the 1930's, in Paris?"
"Of course!" the Doctor beamed.
"You know what they say... that Pari is the romantic get away..." River Song whispered into the Doctor's ear and the Doctor -slightly blushing- remained composed and sidestepped her.
"Sweetie... we haven't been alone since my wedding..." she said dissapointed.
"Uh well...lots to do...lots to do...very busy..." he mumbled not making eye contact.
River Song smiled and skipped over to the controls as well and elbowed him playfully, "Hey, no need to be a stranger," and she laughed.
Teresa was really interested in their relationship, but she was also very interested in lunch.
"Lovely then! You'll get to try the French snail." The Doctor said cheerfully, reading Teresa's facial expression and bubbling over with energy.
Captain Jack shook his head, "You really have changed haven't you?…although your 9th self was serious and introverted, your 10th self was more quirky and I believe I met your once eccentric 11th self but I haven't seen you since then. Frankly, your drastic change each time you do that…regeneration thing is fascinating." He eyed the Doctor curiously who was keeping rather quiet.
"Wait, you mean he's had 11 regenerations?" Teresa asked amazed.
"Yes he has, although I don't know what number this one is." Captain Jack shrugged. "He could probably go on forever."
"That's me, I'm special." The Doctor joked, but his heart was sinking. He didn't like having the ability to regenerate… but he figured to humans that would sound wonderful. As for the Doctor, every time he regenerated his memories of his past selves were stored; he didn't understand why he was seeing stuff from his past more frequently. His hearts beat and he put on his happy mood saying, "I do say, French Cuisine is to die for."
A while later, Teresa was sitting with the Doctor, his wife, and Captain Jack at a small French café; gazing at a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower. Even though Teresa didn't know French, the T.A.R.D.I.S. had this weird capability to apparently extend her power to translate for the Doctor as well as her and Captain Jack.
Teresa stared at the Eiffel Tower, thinking about how she would explain herself to her parents the next time she saw them; if there was a next time. She didn't know what sort of dangers she'd face with the Doctor and Captain Jack… but she was looking forward to it. That weird Reptilius creature she'd sketched in her mind and she wanted to ask if it was possible for her to get a sketchpad. She also wondered why no one was questioning the odd clothes she and her companions were wearing.
The Doctor could tell that there were many thoughts swirling around in Teresa's mind and he wanted to ask her what she was thinking about. Then Teresa asked, "How come no one is questioning what we wear?"
The Doctor grinned, "Oh well, you are dressed out of this time zone aren't you?"
"Won't I raise questions? Won't we all?" Teresa asked interested, eyeing the Doctor in his outfit, Captain Jack's military like outfit, and River Song's cocktail dress -she still had the wine-.
"I don't think we will." The Doctor shrugged, "and if we do, we can always leave."
Captain Jack raised his eyebrows and leaning to Teresa he whispered, "I swear, the older he gets, the more reckless."
"What? I can't hear you. What'd you say? I'm an old man who isn't getting any younger…on the inside I mean." The Doctor said, cupping his hand around his ear and speaking very loudly.
Teresa couldn't suppress a small smile. These two were really having a go at each other…but she saw it as no more than two egotistical men squabbling. What she found fascinating was what she'd learned about the strange man with the blue box in this short time. She wondered what new adventures awaited them...