A/N: In case anyone noticed I changed the cover image for this story. I love messing around with photos and ended up changing the previous one. The new one looks clearer and better, at least in my opinion. I'm critical to myself in what I create, so yeah. Just thought I mention that in case someone thought they clicked on the wrong story.
Many thanks to those who've reviewed, followed, and faved!
Chapter 11: The Shakespeare Code Part 3
The four left the Bethlehem Hospital almost immediately and made it back to the Elephant Inn up to Shakespeare's room. The Doctor had a brief suspicion the entire time that it could be the Carrionites, but as always, he thought it was impossible. But of course, that wasn't the case.
"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe," he explained as he paced around the room. "Nobody was sure if they were real or legend."
"Well, I'm going for real," Shakespeare commented from his desk.
"But what do they want?" Martha asked.
"A new empire on Earth," the Doctor said. "A world of bones and blood and witchcraft."
"But how?"
Rose thought hard as she tried to piece everything together—the mysterious deaths, the structure of the Globe theatre, making the architect insane, words with power. Words. A sudden realization came to her. "Shakespeare," she breathed out.
The others looked over at her, the playwright answering to his name. "What?"
The Doctor eyed her curiously as she glanced at him and pointed to Shakespeare. "It's Will, he's the key."
"Sorry?" the man said confused.
Something snapped in the Doctor's mind as he caught on to where she was going with this. He turned to Shakespeare and asked. "Will, what were you doing in here last night?"
"Finishing the play."
"How's it end?"
Shakespeare shrugged. "The boys get the girls, they have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought provoking as usual—" He paused for a moment as if he tried to remember, "Except those last few lines. Funny thing is…I don't actually remember writing them."
The Doctor nodded once. "That's it, they used you. They gave you the final words. Like a spell, like a code. Rose, you were right, it's a spell! Oh, brilliant!" He ran over and cupped her face then placed a quick kiss on her forehead before continuing. "Love's Labor's Won, it's a weapon! The right combination of words, spoken at the right place with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing!" He ran into a back closet before popping his head back out to add, "And yes, you can have that."
He searched for a map and when he found one, he ran to the desk and laid it out. With a finger he scanned for where they needed to go.
"All Hallows Street, there it is," he said, looking up "Right, I'll take the house with Rose and Martha," he turned to Shakespeare. "Will, you take the theater. Whatever you do, stop that play."
Shakespeare nodded and shook the Doctor's hand. "I'll do it. All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you, Doctor, I know nothing."
Rose snorted. "Don't inflate his ego anymore than it is."
The Doctor shot her a look and she smiled sweetly.
"Yeah, don't complain," Martha said.
"I'm not," Shakespeare said. "It's marvelous. Good luck, Doctor."
"Good luck, Shakespeare," he said, releasing his hand and turning to the girls. "Right, Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, come with me," he grabbed Rose's hand before shouting, "Once more into the breach!" He headed out the door with the girls.
"I like that," Shakespeare said, before realizing what the Doctor had quoted. "Wait a minute…that's one of mine."
"You just had to throw in another one, didn't you?" Rose joked.
All he responded with was a click of his tongue and a wink.
Rose muttered to herself as they ran outside in search for All Hallows Street, which seemed to be easier to find on the map, but apparently it was somewhat inaccurate. Luckily they turned a corner and found it
"All Hallows Street, but which house?" the Doctor asked, looking around.
"The thing is, though, am I missing something here?" Martha spoke up. "The world didn't end in 1599. It just didn't. Look at me and Rose, we're living proof."
Rose understood where she was coming from, since she was once in her position. "It really doesn't matter," she started. "You see, Martha, there's these creatures and other things out in the world constantly changing things in Time because it can be rewritten. But we—well, the Doctor mainly—always fix those things so that the world isn't destroyed. Does that make any sense?"
The Doctor stood by Rose and nodded at her brilliant explanation. Oh, she's learned so much. Martha, however still looked confused. Ruffling his hair, he tried to find a more simpler way of explaining it.
"Oh, how to explain the mechanics of the infinite temporal flux?" A thought came to him and he lowered his hand from his hair and snapped his fingers at a perfect example. "I know! Back to the Future. It's like Back to the Future!"
"The film?" Martha asked.
The Doctor blinked once. "No, the novelization," he said with such thick sarcasm that made Rose inwardly giggle as she saw his former Northern self coming through. "Yes, the film. Marty McFly goes back and changes history…" he trailed off hoping she was understanding.
"And he starts fading away," she finished, before finally realizing. "Oh, my God, am I going to fade?"
"You and the entire future of the human race," he told her. "It ends right now in 1599 if we don't stop it. But which house?" The Doctor looked around again as Rose tapped his arm.
"Um, Doctor," she pointed at a door to a house on the corner that suddenly thrust itself open.
The Doctor opened his mouth. "Ah."
"I think what you meant to say was witch house," she said with a hint of a joke, nudging his side.
A faint smile appeared on his face. "Oh, good one."
Approaching the house cautiously Rose felt another chill, which made her feel certain that this was definitely where the witches were, but also made her a little worried about what bad thing might happen. No, she wasn't going to think negative right now. They would fix this, just as they always did. They climbed up the flight of stairs and met a young woman standing in a small den, and judging by how she made Rose twitch, she was definitely a Carrionite.
"I take it we're expected," the Doctor called.
"Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time," she replied.
Martha tapped Rose's arm and confidently told her. "Right then, it's my turn. I know how to do this," she pointed at the witch, "I name thee Carrionite!" The witch gasped, but then began to smile as she was still standing before them. "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?" Martha asked the Doctor, confused.
"The power of a name works only once," the Carrionite told her. "Observe," she raised a hand to point at Martha, "I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee Martha Jones." Martha suddenly gasped before collapsing, luckily the Doctor and Rose were right beside her and set her on the ground.
"Martha!" Rose said, studying her face and checking for her pulse. Thankfully she was alive, just unconscious.
"What have you done?" the Doctor shouted, kneeling by the girls.
"Only sleeping, alas. It's curious, the name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time." She turned her attention to the Doctor and pointed at him. "And as for you, Sir Doctor." Nothing happened. He just gave her a hard look as she studied him. "Fascinating. There is no name. Why would a man hide his title in such despair?" A small smile grazed her lips. "Oh, but look. There's still one word with the power that aches."
"The naming won't work on me," he warned, standing to his feet and bringing Rose with him.
"Never said it would," she smiled wide as she turned to Rose and pointed at her. "But your little mate here is more than what meets the eye as well." She tilted her head and observed her. "Her heart burns warm, insides cold with woes, time will tell until she becomes a wilted…" she leaned closer before finishing off with a whisper."…Rose."
At mention of her name Rose gasped as another chill shot through her body and made her lightheaded. She fell to her knees holding her head, the Doctor right beside her with an arm around her midsection to hold her and…nothing else happened.
The Carrionite glared in disappointment and shock. Her magic wasn't working on them. "Impossible! Your name has merged with another and kept hidden as well! Hiding your true self beneath a golden light! That's never supposed to happen!"
The Doctor relaxed as he looked over Rose unharmed. He had a pretty good idea of what the other name was, but wasn't fully certain. Whatever it was he was thankful that the Carrionite couldn't find it. He moved a hand behind her neck and rubbed her skin gently before releasing her and glaring at the woman.
"Oh, big mistake," he ground out as he stood at full height and walked over to the woman, towering over her. "She keeps me fighting. The Carrionites vanished. Where did you go?"
The woman took a quick glance over his body before turning away from him to stand up on the slightly elevated floor as she talked. "The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness."
"And how did you escape?"
"New words. New and glittering, from a mind like no other."
"Shakespeare," the Doctor said.
The Carrionite moved to the window and looked out. "His son perished. The grief of a genius—grief without measure. Madness enough to allow us entrance."
"How many of you?"
"Just the three," she answered. "But the play tonight shall restore the rest. Then the human race will be purged as pestilence, and from this world we will lead the universe back into the old ways of blood and magic," she told him as she turned to face him with a grin.
The Doctor scratched his sideburn. "Hmm…busy schedule," he commented as he stepped closer to the witch. "But first you've got to get past me."
"Oh, that should be a pleasure," the Carrionite said in a soft voice as she moved until she was a breath away from him, the elevated floor making her eye to eye with him. She raised a hand and traced the features of his face, just as Rose had the night before. "Considering my enemy has such a handsome shape."
"Now, that's one form of magic that's definitely not going to work on me," the Doctor told her calmly, unphased by her touch. Only one person can wield such magic onto him in this way, and this witch definitely was not her.
She grinned as her hand moved to the side of his head and brush over his hair, her lips ghosting over his cheekbone. "Oh, we'll see," she said seductively.
That was all Rose needed as her head finally cleared and she jumped up to stomp over to the witch. "Oi, hands off! He's taken!"
She pushed the woman away from the Doctor, but she hadn't noticed the witch had a small pair of clippers in her hand until they heard a snipping noise.
The Doctor brought a hand to his hair and furrowed his brows. "What did you do?" he asked the Carrionite who was giggling.
"Souvenir," she said happily as she held up of few of his hairs in one hand and her pair of clippers in the other.
"Well, give it back!" he shouted as they ran over to grab her, but she threw her arms up in the air and flew backwards out the window. He sighed. "Well, that's just cheating."
"Should I grab a bucket of water and make her melt?" Rose asked.
"Behold, Doctor," she called as she hovered in the air. She took out a small crocheted doll and wrapped his hairs around it. "Men to Carrionites are nothing but puppets."
"Now, you might call that magic. I'd call that a DNA replication module," the Doctor pointed out.
Rose felt another chill shoot through her. This isn't good. She tapped his arm to warn him. "Doctor—"
"What use is your science now?" The Carrionite interrupted as she stabbed the scissor point straight into the doll's chest, causing the Doctor to scream in pain and fall into Rose's arms. His weight was too much for her as she gently brought him to the ground. Looking up, she saw the witch fly away cackling. Bitch witch.
Martha began to stir as she heard a scream and cackling. When she opened her eyes she saw the Doctor lay on his back motionless on the floor with Rose by his side. "Oh, my God!" she said rushing over to them.
Rose stopped Martha with her hand before turning to the Doctor. "All right, you can stop the act now," she told him. "You have two hearts, and you're really heavy for someone so skinny."
The Doctor 'woke up' as he grinned and opened one of his eyes. "No foolin' you," he commented.
"It's not hard when I can literally see you breathing. Besides, I already had one near-heart attack with you already. I don't fancy you havin' another."
He huffed. "Too right." He moved to stand up slowly only to double over and clutch Rose's arm in pain. "Ah! I've only got one heart working," he glanced at both women with gritted teeth, "How do you people cope?" He threw his head back with his eyes shut and grunted. "I've got to get the other one started. Hit me! Hit me on the chest!" Rose did just that and punched him. His eyes shot open wide. "Gah! Other side."
Whack.
"Now, on the back, on the back."
Whack.
"To the left a bit."
Whack.
He straightened up and cracked his back. "Gah, lovely. There we go. Ba-da-boom-ba!" He glanced at the girls and sniffed. "Well, what are you two standing there for? Come on, the Globe!"
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Leaving the house they ran for the Globe, but stopped for a moment when they saw the sky opened up as a storm was hovering over the theatre with people all over screaming in fear.
"I guess the play wasn't stopped," Rose commented as they ran for the back door. Once inside they saw the man himself who was directed to stop the play leaning against a wall and holding his head.
"'Stop the play.' I think that was it," the Doctor shouted at Shakespeare. He glanced over at Rose who nodded before turning back to him. "Yeah, I said, stop the play!"
"I hit my head," he told them as he rubbed it.
"Yeah, don't rub it, you'll go bald," the Doctor advised, making Rose stifle a laugh. Just then more screams came from the stage. "I think that's my cue!"
With that, they all ran out on the stage and saw a gaping hole in the air over the audience pit, swirling with strong winds and lightning as black silhouettes of the Carrionites flew out of it and into the sky.
"Doctor, what do we do?" Rose shouted over the chaos.
"Come on, Will!" He yelled as grabbed a fearful Shakespeare's arm and pulled him closer to them. "History needs you!"
"But what can I do?" He asked, unsure.
"Reverse it!"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"The shape of the Globe gives words power, but you're the wordsmith, the one true genius. The only man clever enough to do it."
He shook his head at him. "But what words? I have none ready!"
"You're William Shakespeare!" Rose exclaimed.
"But these Carrionite phrases, they need such precision."
The Doctor held his arm tighter for encouragement. "Trust yourself. When you're locked away in your room, the words just come, don't they? Like magic. Words of the right sound, the right shape, the right rhythm - words that last forever. That's what you do, Will. You choose perfect words," he brought him closer to the edge up to the swirling storm. "Do it. Improvise."
Shakespeare took another look at the three of them before taking a deep breath and began to speak, gesturing with his arm. "Close up this den of hateful, dire decay, decomposition of your witches' plot! You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not! Foul Carrionite specters, cease your show! Between the points…" He trailed off and turned to the Doctor for help.
"7-6-1-3-9-0!" the Doctor told quickly.
"7-6-1-3-9-0!" he repeated, getting back into the flow. "And banished like a tinker's cuss, I say to thee…" He trailed off again but when he looked looked back at the Doctor he was lost and didn't know what to say.
"Expelliarmus!" Martha suddenly shouted quickly.
Rose and the Doctor smiled at her before glancing at each other and simultaneously repeating it. "Expelliarmus!"
"Expelliarmus!" Shakespeare yelled.
"Good old JK!" the Doctor happily exclaimed as the swirling cloud funneled into a tornado, pulling in all of the Carrionites as well every page from the play's script. "Love's Labor's Won," the Doctor said as he slung an arm around both of the girls, watching it disappear into nothingness. "There it goes."
After another moment the tornado thinned out before disappearing completely. The audience were utterly gobsmacked at what had happened. Everyone breathed out in relief before applauding wildly and whistling. At the sound of cheering, the actors from the play each stood together to take their bows.
"They think it was special effects," Martha commented, smiling.
The Doctor nudged Rose's shoulder and nodded his head to the stage door. Together they ran out and headed up the stairs to the box seats. Pulling back the curtain to one of them, they noticed a crystal ball laying on the ground. Walking over to it Rose knelt down to pick it up and saw the Carrionites trying to claw their way out.
She laughed at them. "Not so powerful in there now, are ya?"
Kneeling beside her, the Doctor gingerly took it from her hands and inspected it. "No chance of escaping anymore, they're trapped in there forever."
"What're you gonna do with it?" she asked curiously.
The Doctor stood up and Rose followed suit, still studying the ball. "Oh, I've got a special place for this in the TARDIS."
She chuckled and arched a brow at him. "You're keeping it as a souvenir?"
"Why not? Has nowhere else to be," he lifted it up and grinned as the Carrionites clawed at him from inside the ball.
"You're such a hoarder," she joked.
"Oi, it's not hoarding," he defended. "More like collecting."
She snorted as they headed back down to the inn.
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Beings how it was late the Doctor figured they could stay for the night and head off in the morning—well, technically speaking it was already morning, so they'd be off at daylight. Martha would be going back home, so she needed as much rest as she could get. He wasn't too surprised when Rose fell asleep right away. Though her cycle could be pushed back like his own, she was still exhausted over the last couple days, so he just let her have a peaceful slumber.
Instead of staying with her the whole night, he left the inn for a brief walk to the Globe. So much has happened during their visit here that he needed to clear his head for a little bit. The streets were quiet and unoccupied, the only sounds were the scuffing of his trainers and light brushing of the bottom of his coat across the dirt paths. He stopped to gaze up at the theatre, and even in the moonlight it was magnificent. Rounding to the back, the Doctor slowly walked in and shuffled across the stage, his soles squeaking against the wood. The place was bathed in darkness, all except for the brightness from the moon hanging high above like a spotlight in the sky, shining directly on him.
Standing in the center of the stage the Doctor lifted his head and stared into the darkness of the bleachers and seats, letting his mind wander off into various places, which was a given expectation in this kind of environment. Stories have been told here—stories of triumph, and failures, and love, and loss. So many emotions could be displayed in this very building. Burying his hands in his deep pockets, he couldn't stop himself from delving deep into the recesses of his mind as he stared blankly into nothingness.
Here he was once again, surrounded by the dark, something he's grown accustomed to for so long being on his own. When no one else was around he could always depend on the shadows comforting him. Sad as it was he sometimes felt a strange sense of serenity when wrapped up tightly in its welcoming embrace. He was never looking for anything in particular, just traveling in mystery, not knowing what was ahead of him. Days like those haven't occurred for a while now, which was good, but he still felt some kind of unexplainable emptiness within.
Even before the war he had felt a hole deep inside of himself just aching to be filled, but he never understood what it was exactly. For so, so long he contemplated the thought of what was pushing him further, wondering whether or not anything was worthy, or purposeful - wondering what exactly was keeping him going on when there wasn't anything special waiting for him in his path. Of course the TARDIS was always with him, but he always wanted a helping hand to lead him through the darkness with a clearer mind, someone to give his long life some kind of meaning.
And then he met a certain pink and yellow human…
It was like he was touched by a light—an angel that illuminated his darkness, chasing away the shadows and the demons and everything else hidden away deep inside. Somehow, some way, she took one look at him and had his hearts right from the beginning. She saw right through him and picked at the guilt eating away at him with ease and healed him. Every day with her felt like an old wound was being patched up, but he had too many scars that needed healing that would never fade. They'd stay for as long as he lives, no matter how many times he changes. But the determination in this young woman forced any and all doubts out aside and chucked them away.
Looking down at his feet the Doctor saw a faint yellow light approaching him from behind. He hadn't heard anyone following him, but someone knew where he would be. Turning around he was greeted not by a stranger, but by the one person who did the impossible to him in so many ways, and he couldn't help but smile warmly.
Rose walked slowly over to him, her footfalls soft and quiet, with a candlestick in her hand and an equally, if not brighter, smile. Just like Shakespeare had said—always shining her golden light, and that's exactly what she doing right now. Her beauty was illuminating along with the candlelight, her hair giving off an angelic glow as it cascaded down her shoulders. She had looked the same as she did on the night they opened up their feelings to each other on Noel when they kissed passionately for the very first time underneath the magical mistletoe by the fireplace. The beginning of something new yet something that's been lingering inside both of them for a long time.
Once she made it to him he arched and eyebrow at her. "You lost?"
She shook her head, still smiling. "I knew where I was going."
"How'd you know where to find me?"
Rose shrugged and looked around the Globe. "You were fanboying over this place when we got here, and I know this seems like somewhere you'd wander around in. It's very you."
He let out a deep breath. "Well…I suppose it is. Thought you were asleep."
"I was, but I realized you were gone. And that bed isn't really something to sleep on."
"I was gonna come back, it's just I needed to, you know…walk around for a bit."
"No, it's fine. I really didn't even need that much sleep anyway," she said, placing the candlestick down on the floor beside them.
He chuckled. "I see you're improving, then."
She smiled at him. "Shut up." Stepping closer to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"What's this for?" he asked, wrapping his own around her waist.
"You need to know that you're not alone," she whispered.
"What?"
"I know you, Doctor. I know when you have your moments like this—some guilt and sadness comes over you and then you wander around with that distant look in your eyes. But I told you before, you shouldn't keep beating yourself up whenever those feelings return. You've got me."
"I know," he said softly. "But I don't want to—"
Pulling back a fraction, Rose placed her hand over his mouth. "Don't you dare say what I think you're gonna say. I promised you that I'd take away whatever pain you feel inside. I know I'll never take it all away, but you can always let me in whenever."
Rassilon, how does she do it? He always knew Rose was anything than just ordinary, but she always proved to him why he needed her—she was his savior, his healer, and so much more.
She removed her hand from his mouth and brought it back with its twin to the back of his head into his hair, bringing him down to her lips as he gently pulled her closer to him by the waist. The kiss was slow as they savored each other's taste, every millimeter of their mouths. Both of the Doctor's hands were splayed on the small of her back as he held her while Rose tugged at his locks. He growled as he brought a hand up to her jaw before thrusting it in her silky, golden hair, plunging his tongue deeper in her mouth once she moaned softly.
Sometimes the Doctor needed a reminder that she was really here with him to stay, just to know that he wasn't dreaming. He never felt he deserved someone as amazing and patient as Rose in his hectic life, but all the same he was grateful that he was given the greatest gift the universe had to offer. He thanked every god he didn't believe in for this precious girl—the only thing he ever really believed in.
They broke the kiss when they were breathless and leaned their foreheads together. Rose looked up at him, bringing a hand down to his chest and poking him. "No witch will ever experience that, no matter how much they flirt with you."
The Doctor gave her a lopsided grin. "I didn't see you get so protective when Shakespeare flirted with me."
"That was different."
"How so?"
Rose smiled. "It just was. Are you bragging?"
"No, no, I was just mentioning it, is all."
He tucked her head under his chin as he kept her close. They remained in their warm embrace for a few moments before Rose asked, "Doctor, what did the Carrionite mean when she said my name is hidden?"
"I don't know but she must have sensed Bad Wolf," he answered. "Now that your system adjusted to the Huon particles, everything that you are merged with them and made you more advanced. That's why she couldn't use her magic on you—you were too powerful."
"So…is that my actual name then?"
"'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,'" the Doctor quoted softly.
Rose swatted his chest playfully at his words and laughed. "You've been saving that all day, haven't you?"
He grinned unashamedly. "I guess I had one more." Pulling back, he scrunched his nose. "I couldn't resist."
She laughed again. "But doesn't that mean a name doesn't matter because the person would still be the same?"
"Why yes it does! Gold star for you," he exclaimed.
"So are you saying that Bad Wolf is my name?"
"No, Rose. Bad Wolf isn't your name, but it is a part of who you are. It protects you."
"Just like you?" She asked sweetly.
He chuckled and placed a kiss to her nose. "Exactly. Besides, I wanted to quote Shakespeare with 'rose' in it, and that's the most popular one."
"Fanboy," she commented before bringing him down for another kiss.
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Morning came and Martha joined Shakespeare at the Globe, sitting on the stage while the Doctor and Rose rummaged around backstage. She hadn't seen much of them after they saved the world from witches. When the actors came out to take their bows onstage they had just disappeared. Later that night she did see them come back to their guest room and lay down together on their bed, but when she woke up they were gone. Of course, the Doctor said that they don't need much sleep, maybe they walked around the Town or…maybe they did other activities.
No, that was inappropriate of her to think of her friends in that way. But she couldn't help but think like that given the way they look at each other. It's kind of obvious that they're a couple.
"…and I say, a heart for a hart and a dear for a deer," Shakespeare said with a laugh, breaking her out of her thoughts.
Martha smiled. "I don't get it," she said honestly.
"Then give me a joke from Freedonia."
"Okay." She thought of anything and then something popped into her head. "Shakespeare walks into a pub and the landlord says, 'Oi, mate, you're bard.'"
It seemed to work as he laughed. "It's brilliant! Doesn't make sense, mind you, but never mind that…" he placed his hand on her back and pulled her closer to him. "Come here."
She smiled shyly. "I've only just met you."
"The Doctor will never kiss you, not while he has his Rose," he said.
That was wasn't interested in him, not when he already has someone. Granted, he's handsome, there was no denying that, and charismatic, but Rose is his mate, and Martha just wasn't that type of person. Just looking at the two of them one can see how perfect and beautiful they look together. Besides, Rose was very nice and friendly, and she wouldn't dare try to make a move on someone who is unavailable.
"Why not entertain a man who will?" Shakespeare finished as he leaned over to kiss her, but she pulled back.
"I don't know how to tell you this, oh great genius, but your breath doesn't half stink."
"Good props store back there!" came the Doctor's voice as he and Rose strolled out from the back onto the stage. He wore a white cuff around his neck and carried several items in his arms while Rose had some kind of red hat on her head and a fake sword in her hand.
Rose gestured at the Doctor. "This one is worse than a five year old," she said with a smile, and Martha laughed. "He was reciting words to a skull."
"What's wrong with that? It's a clever idea, wouldn't you say? Full of emotion, just what a good performance needs." He placed down all of the items and held up a large animal skull. "I'm not sure about this though," he added, showing it to Rose.
"Aww, our very first Christmas. So many memories," she said with a giggle and a nostalgic expression.
Martha and Shakespeare just stared at them. "Sorry?" he said.
"Remember the spaceship on Christmas, Martha?" The Doctor asked, showing her the skull. "This guy sort of looks like them—the Sycorax."
Martha gaped. They were there too? Knowing them they were probably there when that spaceship crashed into Big Ben as well.
"Sycorax," Shakespeare said thoughtfully. "Nice word. I'll have that off you as well."
"I should be on ten percent," the Doctor said, placing the skull down with the pile of items. "How's your head?"
"Still aching."
"Here, try this. The Doctor took off the ruff from his neck and put it on Shakespeare. "Neck brace," he told him. "Should help. Wear that for a few days till it's better."
"Although you might wanna keep it," Rose suggested, gently nudging the Doctor in the ribs. "It suits you." They each shared a quick glance before looking back over at the playwright.
"What about the play?" Martha asked.
"Gone. I looked all over—every single copy of Love's Labor's Won went up in the sky," the Doctor informed.
Shakespeare sighed. "My lost masterpiece."
"You could write it up again," Martha suggested.
The Doctor and Rose shared a glance at each other. Definitely not a good idea. "Uh, I don't think that would be a good idea, Will," Rose told him.
"There's still power in those words. Maybe it should best stay forgotten," the Doctor added.
"Oh, but I've got new ideas," Shakespeare said. "Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons, in memory of my boy, my precious Hamnet."
Martha's brows shot up at the name. "Hamnet?"
"That's him."
"Hamnet?"
"What's wrong with that?" he asked defensively.
"Anywaaaay, time we were off," the Doctor cut in holding up the crystal ball with the trapped Carrionites. "I've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity," he gestured to Martha, "and I've got to take Martha back to Freedonia."
Shakespeare eyed him. "You mean travel on through time and space."
The Doctor looked startled. "You what?"
"You're from another world like the Carrionites," he said matter-of-factly. "Martha is from the future, out of her time. And Rose," he squinted an eye at Rose and tilted his head, "She's something else, something more. She's from the future as well, and also isn't all that she seems. But no matter where she was birthed, one thing is certain that her rightful place is by your side, Doctor," he finished with a smile. "It's not hard to work out."
"Oh, my God," Rose breathed out. He was clever.
The Doctor shook his head, stunned before grinning. "That's incredible. You are incredible."
"We're alike in many ways, Doctor," Shakespeare said, nodding to him before reaching for Rose's hand and kissing the back of it, making her blush. He then turned to Martha and held her hand. "Martha, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse. A sonnet for my Dark Lady."
The Doctor arched his brows at Rose. She leaned over to him and whispered, "You don't think he's gonna—"
She was cut off when the playwright began his sonnet. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate—"
"Will, you'll never believe it," a voice shouted from the entrance. Two of the actors from the play came running in. "She's here! She's turned up!"
"We're the talk of the town," the other said. "She heard about last night. She wants us to perform it again."
"Who?" Martha asked.
"Her Majesty. She's here," they informed as a fanfare began to play, followed by a royal entrance.
The Doctor's eyebrows shot to his hairline and smiled happily at who entered the Globe. "Queen Elizabeth the First!" he exclaimed.
Queen Elizabeth noticed him and glared daggers. "Doctor!" she said angrily.
"What?" He said, confused.
Rose chuckled then nudged his side and whispered with a small smile, "What'd ya do?"
The Queen turned her fiery gaze to her. "And his little temptress of a wife!"
Now Rose was confused as her smile vanished. "What?"
"Where is the rest of your brood?"
"Our what?"
"My sworn enemies. Off with their heads!"
They both shouted indignantly in unison. "What!?"
Martha stood up quickly. "Never mind what, just run!" There was no need to tell them twice. They dashed to the stage door. "See you, Will, and thanks!" Martha yelled.
"Stop that pernicious duo!" they heard the queen shout while Shakespeare laughed in the background.
They darted through the streets, swerving around crowds of people and side carts while soldiers ordered for them to stop as they chased them. Thankfully the TARDIS was close by to make their escape.
"What'd you two do that upset her?" Martha asked.
"How should I know?" the Doctor answered reaching for his key and unlocking the door. "Haven't met her yet. That's time travel for you."
Martha immediately went in, followed by Rose, but she stood at the door frame and smiled. "Looks like we have something to look forward to, Doctor."
He grinned. "I know! I can't wait to find out." Just as he turned, he saw one of the soldiers shoot an arrow from a bow. "Oh!"
He tackled Rose as he pushed his way in to shut the door behind them, just missing the arrow as it stuck to the TARDIS on the outside. The Doctor leaned his back against the door and began to laugh hysterically with Rose joining him.
