First of all, I'd like to thank all the guests who reviewed this since I couldn't PM you like the rest, especially Interesting Wolf, who left two very exuberant reviews (beratings) that were very welcome. And again, thank you to all the members for staying with me.
Second, I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. I meant to get it out weeks ago but I've been absorbed in a Secret Santa fic exchange that's due Nov 24. Thank you for your patience!
WARNING: Quasi-child death. Nothing worse than what we saw in Human Nature, though.
Martha narrowed her eyes as she watched John Smith shyly give the mysterious Rose a bouquet of flowers. His cheeks heated enough despite the cold to flush crimson and Martha didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit. She didn't like the way his eyes followed Rose from behind or the way they seemed to caress the woman's back and hips.
Bitterness welled inside of Martha as she watched John start to fall for someone who wasn't her. He rebooted his entire system and still she's just furniture. For a while there, she thought he might have gone for Joan, but something seemed to have changed when he met Rose. In fact, Martha suspected it could be some alien thing. Not the Family, or probably not, but it could be some other alien who lured men into her lair, seduced them and then sucked them free of all their energy. Like a succubus alien.
Maybe that's what she was!
It explained John falling so fast. And it also made Martha feel much better. He wasn't falling for someone else; he was responding to irresistible alien pheromones.
She wondered what – if anything – the TARDIS had on hand that counteracted such things. Perhaps a bug spray that just sent the alien away? Something quick and decisive. They didn't need this problem on top of the Family. Nodding, Martha resolved to run to the TARDIS for a quick check through in the infirmary and she'd also try to access the database for such things as soon as Rose and John parted.
Yawning, Martha watched as the couple went into Mercer's Café and sat at the table in front of the back window. It had a lovely view of the creek that flowed parallel to the town's main road. Weeping Willows and blossoming flowers of all kinds – even in the cold, fall weather – made for quite the romantic view. Martha scowled.
Nothing will happen in broad day light. If she doesn't want to draw attention to herself, she'll know better than to lure a man out somewhere with so many witnesses, only to have him disappear.
With that thought in mind, Martha turned and marched away, through the back of the village and toward the TARDIS' hiding spot.
Joan felt like a, what was the word the mysterious Miss Tyler had used on that boy? Oh yes, a creeper. She was crouched behind a book in Levenson's Books and Paper Shoppe, discretely observing Mr. Smith and Miss Tyler. She didn't know why she was acting this way, other than that incident that may have been from her imagination. It was not like her.
It had nothing to do with the other woman stealing Mr. Smith's attentions from her either… or very little. She was just a suspicious character, someone of lower standing than Joan, and even if she wasn't violent, the girl was probably trying to attain a higher station – one that would be extremely difficult to ascend to on her own – via marriage to an upstanding, English citizen.
"If'n ya say so, mum."
Joan startled. There was Sally Lockes, the butcher's daughter, standing in front of her and holding the… book that should have been obscuring her face. And words that indicated she had spoken aloud. How had she forgotten herself? Joan shook off the disconcerting feeling of lost time and turned to the girl.
Sally handed the book back with a lifted brow and murmured, "She's jus' a girl, like'n all the rest 'round here, mum. Why ya n' them a'ways gotta make 'em out to be murderers n' t'ieves?"
Joan straightened her spine and schooled her shocked expression into aloofness.
"It is not a matter that requires your attention, Miss Lockes. If you will excuse me."
Joan placed the book neatly back onto the shelf, smoothed down her vest and exited the store. She glanced once more at the window through which she could see John Smith and Rose Tyler laughingly enjoying some tea and crumpets before she moved off at a swift pace. She winced as yet another headache stabbed through her skull, nearly debilitating.
If this continues, I shall have to retire.
Martha hit the TARDIS and yelled. A soft, somewhat disapproving hum echoed throughout the control room and the monitor flickered briefly. Martha rolled her eyes. The ship may have personality, but she was loath to admit it was sentient. If it was, it would have answered her requests for help on pheromone succubae alien species. As it was, she couldn't get into the database and access to the med bay was closed off, so no looking with her own eyes.
She collapsed onto the jumpseat and hung her head. She knew she was a bit – frantic. Manic. After nearly three months of taking care of the Doctor's body, how could she not be? She'd always been possessive, but truth be known, Rose didn't seem much of a threat. A little too unassuming to be something less than interesting, but not dangerous. The TARDIS seemed to agree.
It's entirely possible there's no such thing as a succubae alien race and I'm just reacting crazily to the green-eyed monster.
Martha cradled her head in her hands. Entirely possible and most likely, likely.
"Are you certain I cannot walk you back to the school, Rose?"
Rose smiled, the sentiment behind it genuine even if the act was a bit forced. She had enjoyed her time with John, but all day she'd had the nagging feeling that they were being watched. She'd caught sight of Martha a time or two, but something else, perhaps her advanced awareness in this body – told her something else was happening. She needed the TARDIS.
"Quite certain, John, thank you. I have a few errands to run."
John nodded slowly, his expression a bit let down, but understanding shining in his eyes. Smiling more easily this time, Rose placed her hand gently on the instructor's arm, and said, "I had a won'erful time."
Cheeks and ears pinking, John grabbed his hat into his hands, fingers kneading the brim nervously.
"I did as well, Rose. I have had the most delightful day that I can remember."
Raising her hand, Rose wiggled her fingers in farewell and started to move off. John ducked his head again and smiled, seemingly to himself, before turning and wandering off toward the school.
Tension bled from Rose like water sloughing off a duck's back. With the unwanted romantic entanglement gone, she could stretch herself – and not just this new body's abilities, but her own knowledge and skills gained from years of experience.
Wouldn't do to rely on this body too much.
Someone else had been watching them, she was certain. But they were gone now. Probably, like Martha, had been for a while. It could have been the Rani, but Rose was worried it could be this unknown alien element.
Hurrying her steps down the back road that led to the TARDIS' hiding place, Rose cinched her cloak around her. Her eyes flitted furtively about and she stretched her ears, trying to catch any crunching leaves or breaking twigs or dragging feet. Nothing.
By the time she made it to the shed, Rose was certain that for once, she wasn't being watched. She made quick work of the lock with her hair pin and shuffled inside, carefully maneuvering the lock back into place as best she could. Best to look locked.
Turning, Rose's eyes fell on her beloved home. The old girl was dusty and probably a bit antsy, but she was there! Rose giggled in excitement and relief and then started forward. Hands shaking, it took a few minutes than Rose was used to, to pop open the door and step inside.
After she closed the doors, she turned around and met a pair of shocked brown eyes.
"Well… shit."
The Rani stomped through the dead leaves of fall and grumbled to herself. She'd managed to calm herself before she'd done anything rash. She had no escape plan at the moment, so murder and mayhem would have to wait. Too easy to be caught in this body and with no advanced technology – like a particular ship.
She growled to herself and rudely kicked a pile of muck at someone's house.
This is what I have been reduced to. I'll get you, Rose. And your little Time Lord, too.
Sharp pain lanced unexpectedly through the Rani's head. Screaming, she dropped to the dirt road, hands clutched around her ears. Flopping onto her back, she arched her body, and the tensions eased somewhat. Enough, at least, so that she registered a telepathic invasion when she felt one. Teeth gritted, she focused all the power of her mind she safely could (wouldn't due to burn out this body while she still needed it) and pushed back.
The creature inside her head shrieked and retreated. A green haze coalesced in the air above the Rani and then, at the small gasp behind her, zoomed in that direction. The Rani turned in the mud and watched dispassionately as the haze surrounded the little girl and then absorbed into her little body like water into a sponge.
Head titled, the Rani stood and stuck her hands into her coat pocket, grasping the handle of the pistol she'd acquired, and pulling it out while the creature was distracted. She hid it behind the folds of her coat and waited. This mysterious creature might be willing to team up; wouldn't do to neutralize it until she was sure.
Once the creature was seated quite comfortably in its new digs, it looked up at the Rani.
"What are you? You're not human. None of these weak bipeds have such a capability."
The Rani bared her teeth. "I am what I am, fer the momen'. What are ye?"
The former child tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. "I am Sister, member of the Family of Blood."
The Rani's heart stopped. The Family. She'd heard of such creatures. A massive, bee-like family, they were, with thousands upon thousands of swarms ready to steal the life of any long-living being. Time Lords and Ladies had always been there favorite. And they would not compromise – it was why they had been wiped from existence.
It was also why the Doctor was hiding – as a human! she quickly realized. Her worry swirled through her swiftly, in a matter of seconds – nothing like she was used to but these human bodies weren't as daft as she's long suspected – and the creature didn't have time to register anything amiss.
It happened the moment she'd realized. The pistol was still smoking in her hand when she ran, lights in the house flipping on hurriedly from room to room behind her, illuminating the fallen and broken trees in her path. She finally obscured into the depths of the forest and cursed. She didn't know how many there were of the Family left and finding that out, eradicating them all, keeping their attention away from her Rose-occupied body and doing it while keeping the Doctor human was going to be a nigh impossible feat.
Still though, magnificent.