The next day started like normal. The Doctor woke up feeling safe and secure in Jack's arms. Across from him, Carys was sleeping soundly and the Doctor pulled her close, snuggling her as he continued to be held by Jack. He didn't know what the night was going to bring and a part of him didn't want this morning to end. In this place where nothing made sense, he had found a family again. That could all end tonight and he was terrified of losing Jack. Sooner than he would have liked, Jack was gone to the mines leaving him with his clinic to run. He was busy all day as the people who were turned away yesterday came for his help. He didn't have time to stop and think as he treated the wounded. There would be no one to care for them once he was gone, but he had to get off this planet.
Evening came. Jack returned from the mines with no new information. He had hoped to find out how the supplies came in so that he could discourage the Doctor from breaking into the Leader's home. Without it, he had no choice but to follow the Doctor. They ate their evening meal in silence together and Jack drank the beer he had made. He didn't comment that bread with apples was going to be their last meal. It was fitting in a way as they ate their fill for the first time in a while. Neither one of them worried about rationing in order to have food for tomorrow as regardless of what happened they wouldn't be returning to their home.
Jack watched as the Doctor changed Carys's nappy and wrapped her in a clean blanket. He pulled out her milk and to it added a little bit of a sedative. It was dangerous to be sedating her at such a young age, but it was even more dangerous if she started crying as they broke into the Leader's home. He rocked Carys to sleep, kissing her softly on her head. Jack helped him to put her against his chest and then tie a second blanket to hold her so he would have use of his hands. He kissed the Doctor deeply before standing back to look him in the eyes.
"Are you ready?" Jack wondered. The Doctor looked around the home one last time. Their bed was turned down and Jack had stoked the fire so that the home would be nice and warm when they returned that night. They both knew that no matter what happened, it would be the last time they set foot in this house. Still it was nice to see it prepped for their return. As if they were just going for a walk and would be back soon.
"I'm ready," The Doctor said finally as he returned to Jack's side.
"Remember no matter what happens tonight I love you and I always have," Jack told him, kissing him one last time.
"I love you too Jack," The Doctor replied.
"When we get to the leader's house I want you to stay in the shadows while I take out the guards. I will let you know when it is safe," Jack advised him. He picked up the small pile of bandages that the Doctor had made to treat the wounded. He wouldn't be needing them anymore and they would come in handy to tie up the guards. He let the Doctor leave first, closing the door behind them. Keeping close to the houses, the two of them walked silently through the village. There were still a few people out and about, but nobody paid them any attention as they walked. As they grew closer to the Leader's house, Jack took the Doctor's hand and squeezed it tightly. He motioned for the Doctor to go between two homes and wait there. Jack made sure he was hidden before continuing on his way.
Keeping to the shadows himself, he snuck up behind the first guard. He quickly wrapped his hand around the man's throat, putting him into a chokehold. The man struggled against him, but all the months of working in the mines had strengthened Jack's muscles and he overpowered the man. He drug him out of the way, tying his hands behind his back before taking down the next guard. He made quick work of a third guard but as he tried to move him away, he was spotted by a fourth. He dropped the third guard, chasing the fourth before he could sound the alarm. The man was ready for him though.
"Freeze," The guard yelled, brandishing a knife at him.
"I'm afraid I can't do that," Jack told him, not even pausing. The guard swung the knife at him. Jack didn't avoid it as it sliced into his arm. He paid little attention to the pain, as he grabbed the man's wrist. He punched the man squarely in the jaw, knocking him down. As he fell a fifth guard came out of nowhere. Jack turned, grabbing the man. He tried to put him in the choke hold, but the guard was too strong for him. He struggled to get loose and Jack didn't the only thing he could think of to stop him. He just hoped the Doctor would forgive him for snapping the man's neck. He tied up the fourth guard and drug him next to the other three before moving the next guard's body. From there he took down one more before determining it was safe for the Doctor to come out of hiding.
"It's safe sweetheart," Jack called out. He heard footsteps and a moment later the Doctor emerged from the shadows. He looked at Jack with concern, reaching out to brush his fingers against his arm.
"You're hurt," He whispered.
"It's just a scratch. I'll be fine," Jack reassured him. Even if he wasn't he healed quickly. The Doctor followed Jack to the Leader's home. They kept to the shadows still, passing the men that Jack had knocked out. He noticed that one of the men wasn't tied up.
"I thought we agreed that no one would die," The Doctor hissed softly.
"I'm sorry. I was gained up on and I had no choice. You can be mad at me later, right now we have a task to accomplish before they wake up," Jack replied not breaking his stride. The Doctor sighed. He didn't like it, but Jack was right. He moved ahead of Jack, heading to the door that he had seen on his walk the other night. He gently tried the doorknob. He wasn't surprised to find the door was locked. Moving out of the way, Jack stepped up to the door.
"Ready?" Jack wondered.
"Yes," the Doctor told him. Jack kicked the door once. On the second kick, the door flew open revealing the inside of the home. The Doctor froze for a moment as he took in the leader's home. The Leader was not living in poverty like the rest of them. His house was fully furnished and included a TV which was playing a new broadcast. The Leader was sitting with his back to them at the table eating a meal that included poultry and drinking a glass of wine.
"I was wondering when you would show again. Close the door behind you as you enter. I don't want a draft," The Leader told them calmly. He turned around to look at them. "Don't worry I will have my men replace that door once they get here."
"No one is coming to help you. Your men are a little tied up at the moment," Jack informed the Leader.
"If you think I have only six guards then you are stupider than I thought whore," The Leader laughed. The Doctor narrowed his eyes at the leader.
"He is not a whore and he is not stupid. I know there is a way off of this planet from within your home and I intend to find it," The Doctor informed the Leader.
"You're right there is. Too bad you will be dead soon," The Leader replied. He turned back to his meal, and took a drink of wine. "Sit enjoy the last meal that you will have." The two of them stood their ground as three guards advanced on them. "Or not."
"Doctor find the way out," Jack cried out as he went after the guards. "I will be right behind you."
"The only place you are going is back to the caves," The Leader said, his voice not raising. The Doctor hated running, but he had to end this. He ran towards the stairs leading down to the basement. "That door is locked."
"I counted on that," The Doctor told the leader as he pulled a few tools from his medical kit. As he picked the lock one of the guards got free from Jack and came down after him. He hissed in pain as a knife was plunged into his shoulder. Turning around he knocked the man back before removing the knife from his shoulder. The man grabbed for Carys, but the Doctor turned, hitting at him again. "I don't want to hurt you."
"Too bad I can't say the same," The man laughed. The Doctor took a deep breath, punching the man squarely in the jaw with his good arm. The man stumbled back again, the laughter gone from his face. He swung at the Doctor and he barely moved out of the way. He rose up and hit the man in the stomach before being hit in the side of the head. His ear rang. The man raised his hand to swing again and a thunking sound filled the air before he could connect with the Doctor. The man's eyes went wide as he collapsed forward, a knife sticking out of his back. The Doctor looked up the stairs to see the anger in Jack's eyes as he took out another guard.
"Get the door open," Jack yelled at him. He turned back to his work. He got the door open.
"Jack come on," Jack rushed down the stairs and the two of them went into the dark room closing the door behind them.
"You can't stay down there forever," The Leader called from upstairs. He sounded angry now and the Doctor knew it was only a matter of time before he came after them. He found a light switch and flicked it on. The room was filled with people. Every single one of them was laying on a bed, with their arms and legs strapped down. Electrodes covered their scalps and wires ran to the floor.
"What is he doing to them?" Jack wondered as they walked among the people.
"I don't know," The Doctor answered as he walked next to him. He felt himself being drawn in a certain direction and he followed that feeling. As he walked he saw people that he recognized from the town laying on the bed. He continued to walk until he froze. His mouth opened and closed several times as his hearts speed up. He stepped forward and put his hand on Jack's skin as he lay strapped to the bed. He could no longer hear Jack and looking down he saw that Carys was also gone. Walking forward several steps he gagged as laying on a bed several feet away, he saw himself.
Leaning over he lost everything that he ate on the clean white floor. He straightened up and avoiding the mess took one step forward followed by another. Reaching the bed, he didn't think as he grabbed the electrodes and yanked them. Blinding pain went through his head and as darkness overtook him, he saw the walls of the leader's house collapsing around him.