Chapter Twelve.
When the Doctor finally spotted Tegan, she was with Lt. Brown finalising the attack plans for the next day. Standing on the far side, at the back of Main Area.
"Okay, I think that just about covers it. Brief the others and get the Dream appeal put out one last time. Just incase there are any stragglers who got caught somewhere," he heard Tegan say as he walked up.
"Dream appeal all bases, check," Lt. Brown answered writing it down on his note pad.
"How are we for weapons?" he asked.
"Modifications have been made to all the guns I can find. Yours still needs doing and anyone else who turns up now. Bombs are re-wired. They'll be fine for a while, but I'll start checking up to see what our next design could be. Our weapon's team must have something ready. If not I'll shout at them until they have!" she answered.
"No you won't," the Doctor said firmly, "Time to eat and relax for a while, with everyone else."
"I agree, take her away Doctor, before she starts making plans to rebuild the bases!" Lt. Brown said, "The girl never knows when to stop!"
"Hey, I have things to do!" Tegan insisted.
"I'll take care of them," the Lt. insisted just as firmly.
"According to rule 284, this is borderline mutiny!" she exclaimed.
"Put it this way, what would you do as Commander, if one of your troops acted this way?" the Doctor asked.
"Two against one isn't fair!" Tegan complained.
"I could have you relieved of duty under rule 216. Lets see, Commander unfit for duty. Has to be removed for her own health and safety." Lt. Brown added.
"I give up, I'll take a short break. Then I'll get back to work. Okay?" she asked.
"That's all I ask, little one." Lt. Brown said, "Take her away, before she changes her mind! She wears herself out, but makes everyone else rest!"
The Doctor lead Tegan to an empty box/seat while he fetched them some food. She ate halfheartedly, but her mind was elsewhere. She was jolted to her senses as the Doctor snapped his fingers loudly in front of her face.
Her hand flew to her knife instinctively, ready to fight. "Whats going on?" she demanded.
"I was worried about you. We have been sitting here for over 20 minutes and you have been staring off into thin air for most of that time," he commented.
"I'm sorry, I was thinking," Tegan said dumping her food tray into the bin next to her without bothering to get up, she was too tired to move.
"Thinking about what?" he asked.
"Just Commander related things" she replied.
The Doctor glared at her, he knew when she was lying. Always had.
She sighed, "I was thinking about Paul, my husband."
"Do you want to talk?" he asked.
"Not now. I need to focus for the raid tomorrow. I can't risk losing my concentration. It could cost my life and others. I won't allow that to happen," she answered.
Tegan seemed to notice something or someone across the room, she stood for a better look. He rose also to try and see what was the matter.
"Lt. Harris," she muttered, "He seems so happy. I guess tonight was his Stag Party, I better go. It won't take long, if you want to wait."
"I'll stay right here." the Doctor promised.
Tegan smiled weakly and went over to where Lt. Harris was joking with his friends. They'd curtained off a small area of seating. Paper streamers adorned the walls and everywhere else. She could smell alcohol and wondered briefly where that had been hidden while it fermented.
She stopped by the curtain and waited for him to realise she was there. "Lt. Harris, may I speak to you privately?" Tegan asked.
"Can it wait until later?" he asked, "We're having a party."
"I am sorry, but this is urgent," she replied.
The Lt. put down his half finished meal and followed her into an empty antechamber.
"Its about Private Cole, your fiance." she said.
"Samantha, whats wrong Commander?" he asked worried.
"Joe, I've known you a long time. I think we should drop rank tonight. This is very serious." Tegan said.
"She's hurt isn't she?" he asked.
"Sam was brought in this morning, souped. The internal damage was too much, nothing I could do," she answered.
"Is she still alive? Did you make her stay like that?" he demanded angrily.
"You know I couldn't have done that, Sam was my friend. I killed her. One bullet in the brain, she didn't feel any more pain than she was already in," Tegan said.
"Its what she would have wanted," Joe muttered.
Tegan nodded, "We had a deal. If any of us ended up like that, we wouldn't suffer."
"Is the body still here?" he asked.
"Next door," she answered softly.
He went ahead and took the blanket from Sam's body. It wasn't a pretty sight. He dropped the cloth back down and began to sob. Tegan drew him towards her and held him until the tears ended.
She remembered being like this herself over Paul. Steve had been there for her, without him she never would have survived the pain. Now, a year later it was her turn to help a friend.
"Will you be okay?" she asked as he pulled away.
"I think so," he answered.
"You won't go and do anything stupid, will you?" Tegan asked, "I can have someone keep an eye on you for a while."
"Like you did?" Joe asked.
Tegan lowered her eyes, "Something like that," she whispered.
"I promise," he whispered, "Sorry for bringing that up."
"Its okay, its just that Claire Johnson said something earlier about me killing Paul, it wasn't very nice," she said.
"She is nasty, spent ages trying to break us up," Joe said reaching for his lover's cold hand.
"Don't come on the raid, take it easy for a few days," she said.
He nodded, "Can I be alone?"
"You know where I'll be, if you need someone," she said as she left.
"Yes, I know," he whispered.
Tegan walked back into the main area. The Doctor was still waiting. She saw Turlough go over to him. Trying to read lips, she saw the Doctor asking if he'd seen her. Turlough hadn't and she couldn't face them just now.
Tegan went back to her bed area and changed her pretty dress for normal clothes. Dropping her hair down loose from the clip. Somehow she didn't feel like celebrating any more, or ever again.
Then she went for a walk, collecting her weapon and supplies on the way. She never left without then any more. The only time she had, Paul was killed. Tegan wandered through the tunnels for a long time before she surfaced deep into London ruins. She didn't know where she was going, but she had to get away.
Outside amongst the ruins it was raining lightly. She hadn't seen rain in a long time. There had been a big storm, Tegan could still feel it in the air. It made the air tingly and everything felt very
calm and relaxing.
She walked along to one of her favourite places. It was a blank space on the hillside where she could see for miles on a clear day. It was a beautiful view over fields with the odd ruin here and there. In places some trees still survived. She came here often, mainly when she was troubled. The view helped her think.
Tegan sat on a slab of stone and watched as the last of the rain cleared up and the sun came out. She leaned back on the slab and stretched lazily in the late afternoon sun. It felt good to relax, even if it was only for a few moments.
She could forget everything that plagued her waking hours and just enjoy the feeling of warm sunlight on her bare skin. Tegan closed her eyes and thought of nothing. After a few moments she began to drift off.
