Turn Your Back, Look Away and Blink

By Lumendea

Chapter Thirteen: Learning Curve

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who and gain nothing from the creation of this story

…..

John Smith blinked in confusion as he awoke in his bed and found himself looking up at the rather simple canopy of his bed. It just didn't seem right, but as he sat up and looked around his bedroom everything came together again. Putting his feet on the floor, he shook his head and looked up at the sound of a knock.

"Come in," he called as the door creaked open.

John watched as Martha came in with a breakfast tray and turned her head down, realising that he was still in his pyjamas.

"Pardon me, Mister Smith, you're not dressed yet. I can come back later-"

Standing up, John pulled on his brown dressing gown and told her, "No, it's alright, it's alright. Put it down."

Keeping her eyes lowered, Martha walked to the centre of the room and set the tray on the table. She shifted as she felt his eyes on her, he seemed to realise that he was staring.

"I was, um . . . ," he announced with a hint of confusion. "Sorry, sorry. Sometimes I have these extraordinary dreams."

Keeping her expression neutral, Martha walked to the window and threw open the curtains as she asked, "What about sir?"

Behind her, he chuckled and continued, "I dream I'm this..." he paused, searching for the right word, "Adventurer. This...daredevil, a madman. 'The Doctor', I'm called. And last night I dreamt that you were there." Martha watched him carefully as he frowned, "Something was after us..." John shook his head and sat down. "Ah, it's funny how dreams slip away." Martha steeled herself as he smiled at her and added, "But I do remember one thing; it all took place in the future. In the year of Our Lord two thousand and seven."

Forcing a small smile, Martha picked up the paper and held it out to him as she announced, "I can prove that wrong for you, sir, here's the morning paper." John leaned forward and took it from her, "It's Monday, November tenth, nineteen thirteen, and you're completely human sir," Martha said with a soft forced smile. "As human as they come."

…

Timothy Latimer looked up from the table he was working at as Matron Redfern walked into the library. The history work in front of him was quickly forgotten as he followed the Matron with his eyes as she approached Miss Rose.

Rose gave her a kind smile and stood up from her desk to greet her, "Good Morning Joan."

"Good morning Rose, I'm glad to say Doctor Adams has returned to town," Nurse Redfern announced with a guarded smile. "He can see you tomorrow, in the morning."

Timothy watched with interest as Rose nodded sweetly, but was a false expression. Only his manners kept him from snorting. He was amazed that Nurse Redfern didn't recognise the look.

"Thank you very much, Joan."

"Hopefully Doctor Adams can be of more help to you than I have been Rose."

"Do not be silly Joan. You've been wonderful to me. I'm certain I would not be in such good health without you."

Timothy noted that the Matron actually smiled at the remark and breathed a little easily.

"Thank you, Rose," the Matron replied. "I'll let you get back to work. I've got a lad with the stomach flu in the infirmary right now."

Nodding, Rose sat back down as Joan left and for a moment turned her attention to the list in front of her. She must have felt his gaze, because a moment later she looked towards him with a strange expression.

"Is something the matter Timothy?"

Shaking his head, Timothy wrapped his fingers around the watch and answered, "No Miss Rose sorry."

….

Hutchinson smirked as he skimmed over his letter with barely a glance at Baines who was sitting across from him on his own bed. Nothing particularly interesting this time, more of his father's pompous ramblings. Standing up suddenly, Baines smiled and looked around at his dorm mates, ignoring Timothy.

"This is overly dull mates. Who's for beer?" Baines questioned breaking the silence.

Looking up with interest, Hutchinson smiled and asked with interest, "You've got the beer?"

Baines shook his head and replied, "No, but Baxter's hidden a secret supply in Blackdown woods."

Raising his eyebrow Hutchinson arrogantly asked, "Well what are you waiting for?"

Nodding, Baines moved to the window and unlatched it. As he began to climb out, Hutchinson gave him a hand and added, "Make sure the Burser's down at the pub before you go past his window."

"A bottle for everyone, is it?" Baines asked as he leaned in through the window a bit.

Hutchinson gave a distasteful glance at Timothy. There had always been something not quite right about the boy, something that put him on edge.

Sneering slightly he answered Baines, "And none for the filth. And hurry back, Baines, I'm parched."

Smirking, Baines saluted Hutchinson before dashing off. He lingered by the window for a moment as he watched the other boy dash off. Without even looking at Timothy he closed the window and sat back down on his bed to wait.

…..

The path beneath her feet was rather rough, unlike the smooth pavements she'd grown up with in London, but Rose was managing thanks to years of navigating less friendly territory. As she exhaled, Rose's breath danced in front of her and the chill in the air seeped into her bones. Tightening her grip on John's arm, Rose looked up at him and chuckled.

"It's freezing out here John," she whined a little.

"You're the one who insisted on getting out of the school," John reminded her with a teasing smile. "Although you'll be off tomorrow."

"To go and see Doctor Adams, John," Rose reminded him with a dramatic sigh. "Hardly fun."

"Oh, and taking a walk in the freezing night is fun?"

Laughing, Rose shook her head and leaned against his shoulder and replied, "It can be John."

…

Joan pulled her coat around herself more tightly as she crossed the field trying to ignore the cold and the long shadows cast by the trees. She considered to herself that doing her errands so late might have been a mistake. Perhaps Rose would have been willing to see to them the next day, but it was too late for that now. She held back a sigh at the thought of the young pretty girl. John Smith certainly found her so and many of their students and Joan couldn't help but feel a spark of jealousy. She'd been so hopeful, so optimistic after her first conversations with the new history professor that he might be her second chance. That hope was fading quickly, the way John Smith looked at Miss Rose was painfully familiar to her, but she could not begrudge them that happiness.

Suddenly, a green light blinded her, making her throw an arm over her face as she stumbled back. The green beam shone over her for another moment before it shifted away from her. It reappeared to Joan's surprise only a few meters away and moved across the countryside. Breathing thinly, Joan began to run along the road and back toward the village. Her lungs ached, but fear was making her heart race and she ran as if demons were on her heels.

The light of the Bad Wolf Pub was a welcome sight, but she did not slow down as she approached it. As she rushed up, she spotted the two servant girls Marth and Jenny sitting outside at a small table.

"Matron are you alright?" Martha asked, jumping to her feet as Joan finally slowed.

"Did you see that? There was something in the woods... this light," Joan gasped, gesturing towards the woods.

So absorbed in Joan's words, Martha was surprised when she heard Rose ask, "Joan are you alright?"

Martha turned to see Rose and John standing together near them. They were arm an arm, both frowning in worry while Rose's eyes were searching the Matron's face.

"Anything wrong, ladies?" John asked once again. "Far too cold to be standing around in the dark, don't you-"

"There!" Joan shouted suddenly, pointing into the sky. They all looked up to see a shooting star fly overhead, "There, look in the sky!"

"It's beautiful," Jenny sighed with a smile.

John smiled and nodded as Rose smiled looked up at him, "They're...bolide. Commonly known as a meteorite," he explained to those present. "It's just rocks falling to the ground, that's all."

"It came down in the woods," Joan said looking out toward the woods.

Rose and Martha glanced at each other, both of them frowning, but Joan did not notice.

"No, no no, they always look close, when actually they're miles off," John insisted. "Nothing left but a cinder. Now, I should escort you back to the school," John said to Joan before looking over at Jenny and Martha, "Ladies?"

Rose quickly touched John's hand and said, "One moment John, I need to have a quick word with Martha."

He blinked in confusion, but nodded as Joan walked up to him and replied, "Of course Rose."

Rose nodded and joined Martha away from the others. The pair of companions shared a knowing worried look and Rose itched to rush off to look.

"One of us should check that out," Martha said softly and Rose nodded in agreement, "You should go with him Rose, if you try to go he'll want to stay close." When Rose was about to argue Martha cut her off, "If it is them we can't let him get that close to them."

"Fine Martha," Rose conceded. "Be careful and let me know when you get back to the school."

Nodding, Martha glanced over at Joan and John and promised, "I will Rose." She chuckled and nodded towards John Smith, "Now you better go protect your fellow. The Matron was making eyes at him before you came."

"He seems to have that effect," Rose sighed softly. "You just be careful."

Giving Rose a smile Martha nodded and loudly called, "I'll take care of that first thing, Miss Rose."

Holding back a smile, Rose rejoined John and Joan as they started the walk back to the school. She gave Martha one last wink as she linked her arm with John's though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Martha nodded in return, feeling bolstered by Rose's concern for her.

"Jenny, where was that?" Martha questioned as she turned to her friend. "On the horizon, where the light was headed?"

Blinking at her in surprise, Jenny shrugged, "That's by Cooper's Field." Nodding to herself, Martha turned and began to rush off in the same direction. Behind her, she barely heard Jenny yell to her,

"You can't just run off! It's dark. You'll break a leg!" However, a moment later Martha smiled as she heard Jenny following her.

….

Rooting around underneath the tree, Baines smiled as he pulled up a crate of beer bottles. The stash had been exactly when he thought. Good thing too it was more than a bit chilly out. He paused and looked up as a strange sound filled the woods. In front of him, the green light glowed and slowly lowered itself to Earth as Baines rose to watch it in surprised fascination.

A moment later the light died and Baines blinked before he began climbing around the fallen trees to move toward the area he had seen the light. Stepping out of the woods and into Cooper's field, Baines looked around in confusion.

"I say, hello? Is that some kind of aeroplane?" he called out in concern. "You chaps alright?"

There didn't seem to be anything there even as he looked about. Suddenly he walked into something hard that nearly knocked him back. A green glow surrounded him for a moment before it faded away. Reaching out slowly, Baines ran his hand over the field, making it glow green. Looking around for a moment, he hit it hard and made the green glow spread in the vague shape of a dome.

"What... that's... that's impossible!"

Baines slowly pressed the palms of his hands against the force field again, and gasped as windows appeared. Sliding one hand along the invisible form, he jumped when his fingers suddenly hit a button. He looked around carefully when he heard the sound of a door opening. Baines stepped back and let his hands fall away from the craft as curiosity and fear warred in his gut.

"Some kind of door..." Leaning forward, he swallowed and called out, "Hello? Is... Is anyone there?" His voice echoed back to him and a moment later he nodded bravely and stepped into the ship.

…

Martha took a deep breath as she burst out of the forest and looked about the wide empty area. There was nothing there, nothing despite the strange green light the Matron had seen and something crashing down. She frowned and didn't bother to turn as Jenny came panting out of the woods.

Breathing heavily Jenny said, "There y'are...Nothing there. I told you so."

"And that's Cooper's Field?" Martha pressed still scanning the horizon. She bit her lip nervously, unable to get rid the feeling in her stomach.

Jenny sighed behind her and replied, "As far as the eye can see, and no falling star. Now come on, I'm frozen to the bone, let's go. As your Mister Smith says, 'Nothing to see'."

Watching Jenny stride away, Martha glanced back one more time at the empty field before sighing softly and following Jenny. Martha wasn't sure if she was relieved or not.

…..

Pulling his legs against himself, Baines held himself in the fetal position on the floor of the dark metal craft. This thing, this place was impossible. It couldn't be real and yet he was here. All around him the metal twisted out in odd places and it was lit only by a low green light.

"But I don't understand," Baines gasped softly. "Who are you?"

A distorted voice answered softly, "We are the Family."

Another voice, this one higher, spoke, "Far more important- who are you, little thing?"

Baines swallowed nervously but answered, "My name is Baines. Jeremy Baines. Please, can I go?"

"I'm so sorry, Baines, Jeremy Baines- but I don't think you can ever leave," the female voice replied.

"But... Who are you? Why can't I see you?" He asked, looking about for his captors.

The two voices then spoke together, "Why would you want to see us?"

"I want to know what you look like," Baines answered with a nervous laugh.

"Oh, that's easily answered- because very soon, we will look so familiar," the female voice told him with a laugh.

Something emerged from the dark and rushed toward Baines, who could do nothing but scream.

…

Timothy shivered as the window opened and Hutchinson watched Baines climb back into the room. Hutchinson shook his head and eyed his friend with a hint of disapproval. A chill hung in the air even after the window was closed, but Timothy noted that Baines seemed completely unbothered by it.

"Baines, you dolt. I thought you'd been caught by the rozzers," Hutchinson grumbled. Watching Baines carefully, Timothy noted that Baines only looked at Hutchinson with a blank stare. Hutchinson didn't notice as he asked, "Well then? Where is it, man? Where's the blessed beer?"

"There was no beer. It was gone," Baines replied mechanically.

"Damn it all, I've been waiting. Pretty poor show, Baines, I have to say," Baines said nothing but sniffed loudly making Hutchinson frown and ask, "What's the matter with you? Caught the sniffles out there?"

Timothy frowned deeply as Baines replied, "Yes, I must have. It was cold. Very cold."

Timothy watched as Hutchinson frowned and muttered, "Well don't spread it about, I don't want your germs. Come on, might as well get some sleep." The prefect turned to the other boys and nodded, "Come on chaps, maybe tomorrow. Jackson's got some beer in the pavilion."

Never looking away from Baines, Timothy shivered as the older boy turned to look at him. Turning away quickly, Timothy scrubbed harder on the shoes in his hands. Something about Baines was now wrong, very wrong.