Hi all - here's the next chapter for you. Sorry, no time for responses to reviews this time as Im running late for work and wanted to get this posted so I'll write extra long comments next update, promise!

Thanks to Heather for beta-ing. Enjoy and please r & r!

Chapter 21

"Doctor!"

Jackson woke up, sitting bolt upright and still clutching his son closely to him. He was trembling uncontrollably and his face was wet with sweat and tears. From the rawness of his throat, he could tell that he had just been screaming. He closed his eyes tightly again and flinched as visions of the Doctor suffering once more appeared before him. He snapped his eyes open hurriedly and looked down, realising to his distress that, in his frightened state, his grip on Frederick had become painful. He was grateful to see that he had managed to not disturb the boy from his slumbers.

Releasing his hold on Frederick at once, Jackson gently maneuvering the boy so that he was lying alone on the chair. Jackson then rose carefully to his feet, gazing down upon his lad. The soft rise and fall of his chest proved to Jackson that his son was sleeping peacefully and thankfully not experiencing the kind of horrors that Jackson himself had just awoken from. Lake was both relieved and slightly envious of the lad. The man stroked his son's hair thoughtfully as he fought back to the past day. Freddie would never again have to face the terrors, asleep or awake, such as those Cybermen, Jackson had sworn to that. Even the evil which Jackson himself had seen and still had to envision every night in his nightmares, Freddie would remain free of. Jackson himself would never get to be so lucky.

Lake sighed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Thank Goodness it had only been a dream. He looked over at the clock. It was ten to four in the morning.

Slowly, memories of the recent nightmare returned to Jackson. He had been dreaming of the Time Lord and it had been terrible, the worst dream he could ever remember experiencing. He had seen the Doctor being tortured, abused and beaten repeatedly. He had more than seen his friends torment, he had also felt every second of it. All that pain, fear and hopelessness had seemed so real, so vivid.

Jackson went to the window and looked out. It was still snowing. He wondered about Rosita and Jed and hoped they were safe and warm and together. He assumed they would have gone to Jed's home, the small but pleasant house he shared with his sister, Emily and her family. Emily's husband, Pat, was a farmer who had moved from the country to London recently to seek his fortune. They were good people. They would cater for Rosita, welcome her into their home and she would work hard for them in return. Jackson slunk away from the window, sadness and loneliness suddenly hitting him hard.

He gave himself a shake. He only had himself to blame that Rosita was not there with him now, comforting him and saying all the right things to make everything seem better. He had pushed her away. And he would put all that nastiness right with her and invite her back into his home. He would not blame her if she refused him of course. Jed and his family would provide for Rosita and give her a good life. They would never reject her, as he had done. What could Jackson offer his former companion now? Certainly not a ride to the stars as he had once promised! He laughed coldly. The stars were more out of reach than they had ever been. No, all Jackson had to offer was darkness, bad dreams and pain. He could see no way out.

And what of the man truly from the stars? The man he had betrayed and could now still hear screaming in his mind? What of the Doctor? Jackson frowned. He had made his mind up regarding the Time Lord. He could not help him. He had had his one opportunity to save the Doctor and he had blown it. His dreams about him were simply his punishment and guilt for that failure.

Knowing the Doctor, he had probably escaped from those evil men by now and was right at this moment travelling on in his wondrous machine. He would never even thin about Jackson Lake ever again. Jackson was mot important.

The Doctor didn't need Jackson.

"They are just dreams," Jackson said out loud, desperately trying to convince himself. "What else could they be?"

Jackson swallowed hard.

He looked out of the window again, that sickening sensation of guilt and fear threatening to consume him once more.

He heard the Doctor scream. Felt the agony of the burning iron being placed against the Time Lord's skin so vividly as if it was he, Jackson Lake, who had been abused and tortured, not the poor Doctor. He heard the Time Lord's desperate pleas for mercy and saw the chilling look in his unknown tormentor's eyes and his stomach knotted in despair.

Had had dreamed of the Doctor in such horrendous pain. And he was so alone, so frightened. Jackson hadn't just shared the Doctor's ordeal, he had seen into his thoughts. The Time Lord did not want to die like that but he had given up hope of a rescue. The Doctor actually believed that there was no one to look for him, that not one person cared.

Lake hissed in anger and slammed his fist against the windowpane.

This was all his fault. He was being a spineless coward! The Doctor's suffering were something he could no longer bare to see. And what if they were not just dreams? What if they were indeed more? What if, God forbid, he had just seen the Doctor's tortures as they had happened, heard his tormented thoughts? Jackson was connected to the Doctor in more ways than he understood but he had never known just how close they truly were. Perhaps, as he had been sleeping here, warm and untroubled, the Doctor had been tortured nearby, terrified and alone?

There was no more time to waste. He was resolved. He would go to Rosita and tell her exactly what he had seen. She and Jed may well want nothing to with Jackson but they would never, unlike him, abandon the Doctor to such torments.

He rushed back to Freddie and carefully shook the little lad awake. Freddie flinched, drawing back from his father, unsure.

"Frederick, do not be afraid. It is only me, son. You are safe."

Freddie relaxed, his eyes focusing on his Father. "Papa, what is wrong?"

Jackson pulled his son into his arms, lifting him from the chair and then began to carry him out of the room and up the stairs, the boy protesting all the way.

Finally, they reached Frederick's bedroom and Jackson placed his son back on the ground and gestured to the door leading to his room. "You must get dressed, Freddie. We must go out immediately. Hurry, please."

Frederick obeyed his father at once. Just as he entered his room, he turned back around to where his father was now stood, waiting for his return. Jackson had grabbed his own coat and had hurriedly thrown it on.

"Go now, boy!" Jackson urged quickly, his eyes moving to the clock in Freddie's room. "No time to be lost!"

"But papa," Freddie whispered, with a yawn. "It is still so early, where are we going?"

Jackson smiled. "To visit Miss Rosita. Please Freddie, be quick. We must leave at once."

With that, Freddie nodded and grabbed his little trousers. Jackson turned back to wards the stairs, his hands covering his face. He had to take Freddie with him. There was no way he would leave the boy alone, Saunders threat was still very real.

There was still a part of Lake that wondered whether all this panic was unnecessary and what he had seen had indeed been a dream and the Doctor was already dead or far, far away, He prayed for the former. If his dreams were real, if these men truly were hurting the Doctor, then Jackson would make them pay dearly.

He could only pray that whatever was happening that night; he had not waited to long to act.

"I'm so sorry, Doctor." He muttered. "Please, forgive me."

XXX

The Doctor was in a state. Every step was painful form him as he made the too long journey back to his prison. He was clutching the arm of a smirking Mark who was walking beside him, the man who had been ordered by the Professor to return the Doctor to his room. He cursed inwardly as another wave of agony swept over him causing his body to tremble, thanks to the unholy mixture of the drugs still in his system and the beatings he had endured. He couldn't even walk alone unsupported now due the continuous blows to his feet. He had to keep hold of Mark to prevent himself from tumbling to the floor and the shame of it was burning inside of him. He could sense the delight and power of man beside him and he hung his head in humiliation.

One thing was definite now. There would be no escape from this Professor for him without help. He couldn't depend on poor Dick aiding him anymore than he already had done. The man was in awe of Waters and completely dependent on him. The perfect way to keep the spirited young man under control. There was no denying however, that without Dick, the Doctor would have suffered so much more.

The Time Lord closed his sore eyes and allowed a small moan to escape. His body ached so much, everything hurt. He wanted someone, anyone, to take care of him, to give him a few words of comfort or even a smile. He thought of his many friends, knowing any of them would have made this dark situation less bleak. The touch of Rose's hand, a sweet smile from Martha, the sound of Donna's laugh. What he would give for any one of them to be with him now.

His thoughts turned to Jackson. Oh, how he needed Jackson. But he had blown any chance of happiness with him in the worse way possible. He had run from Jackson. The opportunity of that life was over before it had begun and the Doctor knew that there was no going back. Jackson would not come for the Doctor, he would never see the kindly human ever again.

This was all there was now. Nothing but the beatings and yet more suffering, hate and cruelty to come. Again and again until the day his tenth life ended. Or, he could surrender to Eros, a alien that had bested him before. He would become nothing more but a spectator in his own body as Eros played with the remainder of his lives. The Doctor narrowed his eyes. No. He wouldn't give in, no matter how hopeless he became. He could not lose. He would battle the Midnight monster to the end; with all the fight he still had left in him. If he lost, the evil alien would have access to all of time and space, it would have it's pick of any life form in existence to control and enslave. It would do all of this in the Doctor's skin, forcing the Doctor to watch, unable to interfere as it spread it's evil to every corner of the universe. That was no life, no future. There was no choice to be made. The Doctor would prefer to be dead then allow Eros to run riot.

"You are being very quiet, Doctor." Mark said loudly, bringing the Doctor out of his musings. He placed the candle he had brought to light their way on the ground beside him and then turned once again to regard the weakened Doctor.

The Time Lord fidgeted but didn't reply.

"What's the matter?" Mark continued; "Cat got your tongue?"

The Doctor glanced sideways. "That's not a very well known 19th century saying is it?"

Mark laughed coldly. "Oh? I wouldn't know much about this century though, would I?" He smirked. "Perhaps I should have said, Cat Nun got your tongue?"

The Doctor froze. He swallowed hard, his hearts sinking. How did this horrible man apparently know so much about him? Mark gave him a little push forward and the Time Lord gasped in pain. Every step was an effort and the strain of concentrating on the other man's words was almost too much to bear but the Doctor had to know the truth. Mark Peterson was a mystery to him and he had to find out who this man was. Before it was too late.

He chose to try ignorance for once.

"What exactly is a 'cut nun''" The Doctor asked, innocently, his soulful eyes wide with feigned interest. "And why wouldn't you know about 19th Century sayings, Mark?" His face grew sterner when the human didn't reply. "Tell me."

Mark chuckled and shook his head, amused. He then abruptly shoved the other man harshly to the floor,forcing the Doctor down with a startled cry. The Time Lord raised his head slowly and looked up at the leering man. He could not raise himself up off the floor; he was just to weak and in too much pain. He could only lay there, red in the face, waiting for Mark to pull him back to his feet.

Mark knelt down beside the Doctor, yanking on his own trousers as he bent at the knee, his smile growing wider. He leaned right in to the Doctor and whispered in the Time Lord's ear.

"Because I'm new to this backward century, Doctor. And I've been fortunate enough to meet a Cat Nun. Just as you have. I'm not from this dirty place or this awful time." He took out a hanker chief and dabbed at his mouth, as if he found something distasteful. "Didn't you work that one out for yourself?"

"Of course," The Doctor replied. "Your manner, confidence and whole behaviour gave you away the first time I met you."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

The Doctor nodded. "'''Fraid so. Far too arrogantly knowledgeable. Especially as you foolishly tried to pass yourself off as a manservant. Not very clever of you." Marks eyes were flashing but the Doctor took no notice. "So," he continued. "Are you going to tell me where you're from?"

"The future, Doctor." Mark answered simply. "Like you."

The Doctor smiled. "Ah. But I'm not from the future or the past, Mark. I'm not from any time, I don't even have a home. Thought you'd have known that, seeing as you've read so much about me."

Mark heard the sudden fight in the Doctor's tone and he glowered.

"Oh yes. No home planet." He grinned. "Well, no one for you to blame for that is there?" The Doctor shook slightly and Mark pressed on. "You did destroy your own world to end the last great Time War, correct? Have I got my history teachings right? What was your planet called again? Gallifrey wasn't it?"

The Doctor flinched. He recovered quickly however and fixed his opponent with a cold glare.

"A friendly word of warning, Mark. Don't you ever talk about my planet again."

Mark's eyes sparkled and his smile spread across his face. "Oh dear. Struck a nerve, did I?" He held up a hand in mock defence. "And was that an order, by the way?"

The Doctor reached out and grabbed Mark's raised forearm. His grip was painful.

"You know nothing about me or my past, whatever you might think. You mention Gallifrey to me again and you will regret it. You get the one warning" He quickly released the other man but his gaze was unwavering. "Are we clear?"

Mark's smile had faded. The Doctor kept staring and Mark, for the first time, saw the true power behind the Time Lord's dark eyes. And he didn't like it. The Time Lord was lying on the floor, battered and beaten and yet he was the one delivering threats. Just who did he think he was? Clearly, he hadn't been humiliated enough just yet. Mark could see to that. With a sigh, he stood up straight again but there was a dangerous glint to his eyes now. The Doctor was wary as Mark gestured down the corridor towards the Doctor's room, still about 15 feet away from them.

"Enough," Mark snapped. "Move."

The Doctor gaped up at him and then glanced down the corridor. He stayed put but managed an uncomfortable twitch.

Mark stood there, patiently waiting for the Doctor to respond.

"I said, move," he repeated. "Now."

The Doctor was incredulous. "I can't," he replied.

Mark pursed his lips together. "Why not?"

The Doctor gave the man an icy glare. "Because I can't even stand unaided or didn't you notice?" His tone was belittling. "I thought you would be more intelligent, being as you are from the future and all."

Mark clenched his fists. He was clearly fuming but the Doctor didn't care. He was very irritated now and when he was annoyed, he never took the hint that silence was the better option.

"As it turns out," he continued pleasantly; "I've met more intelligent vegetation then you. Still, that was on the planet Merka and the Merkans are known for breeding especially intelligent pond life." He paused, eying Mark with disdain, "And, to be fair to humanity, I suppose you are the best example of a brainless ape that I've met in a long while so I shouldn't be too shocked."

Mark, hearing enough, kicked the Doctor full in the face, knocking him back down.

The Doctor dragged himself back up to his knees, spitting blood out of his mouth. He smiled.

"What's wrong?" The Doctor asked, with a slight sneer. "Couldn't you think of a good comeback?" He sighed sadly. "That's a surprise."

Mark raised his fist and the Doctor closed his eyes, ready for the blow. Mark paused, trying to control his breathing.

"You think you're so clever, don't you?"

The Doctor grinned. "Yep!"

Mark nodded. "Well then, prove it."

The Doctor blinked. "How exactly?"

"Get to your cell by yourself."

The Doctor gazed at Mark in confusion, then down the long corridor to his room and then back at the furious human.

"What?" He asked, softly.

"You heard me," came the frost reply.

"I can't," the Doctor said quietly.

"Sorry," Mark said, his head placed on one side. "Didn't catch that."

"I can't walk without your help." Shame coursed through the Doctor.

It was Mark's turn to grin. "Whoever said you had to walk? If you can't stand up, I guess you will just have to crawl, won't you?"

The Doctor was again struck by the cruelness of this human. Of all of these humans. He had cheeked Mark and now the man expected the Doctor to crawl along the ground?

"You are an insult to your species," the Doctor told him.

Mark shrugged. "If you say so. At least I'm not the only one left, hey?" He made a mock-sympathetic noise. "Must be very lonely out there in space, all on your own. Now, get moving, poor little Time Lord."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said, no."

Mark swore impatiently and then kicked the Doctor twice more in the guts, winding him. As the Doctor tried to recover, Mark grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled the Time Lord's head up.

"You will do as I say or I will tell the Professor how you were most uncooperative." He released his grip and the Doctor fell forward again. "So, unless you want more punishment, I suggest you stop talking and get crawling." He punched the Doctor in the face on more time for good measure. "Now."

The Doctor flushed in shame but knew he had little choice but to obey. He couldn't take more pain at that moment. He'd suffered enough that day.

A little humiliation was preferable to the alternative.

His body shaking involuntarily, the Doctor began to drag his protesting body across the floor, one painful movement at a time. He kept his head down, not wanting Mark to see his embarrassment at his surrender.

Mark struck the Doctor on his back, causing the Doctor to hiss in pain. "Come on, Time Lord. Faster!"

The Doctor ignored the bully, his eyes locked on his target. His cell door was open and the cold, damp room seemed very inviting at that moment.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Mark purred. "How I would love for him to see this!"

The Doctor looked up at those words and Mark laughed when he saw the tears in the Time Lord's eyes. The Doctor cringed away in humiliation, his hearts sinking. This was just too much.

"Why are you doing this?"

Mark smiled. "Would it be of any comfort to you if I said this wasn't anything personal?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Not really, no."

The human was amused. "Like I said Doctor, all of this is a means to an end. You turning up here is just a very happy coincidence." He shrugged. "A happy one for me, anyway."

The Time Lord grimaced. "I'm very pleased for you."

Mark beamed. "It will all become clear soon enough, Doctor."

Not soon enough, the Doctor reasoned as he strained to continue with his painful task. Whoever Mark had been referring to, the Time Lord couldn't face seeking any more information there and then. Although the human preferred to answer questions with riddles, Mark hadn't actually attempted to hide anything from the Doctor. The Time Lord was sure he would know everything soon enough. Whatever there was to learn, the Doctor knew that Mark Peterson gave him the creeps. Perhaps he even found the man more dangerous than Saunders and considering Eros was lying in wait inside that particular human, that was saying something.

"No one will believe this back home," Mark suddenly exclaimed proudly, breaking the silence. "I wish I could take a photograph to prove it." The Doctor glared up at him. How he despised this nasty, spiteful man.

Suddenly, Mark jumped. "Of course!" He felt into his pockets and pulled out a fob watch. He held it up. "Smile, Doctor!" He held the watch up, pressed the catch and, instead of opening up, the watch made a whirring sound and then a click. After a second, Mark beamed. "Perfect Doctor, a lovely little memento. I thank you!"

"What is going on?"

Mark swore, hurriedly stuffing the watch back in his pocket and quickly turned to find Johnson standing at the top of the corridor, glaring at him.

"The Professor told me to take the specimen back to his room. I am following his orders."

Dick looked past Mark, down at the Doctor now cowering at his feet. The pain from his battered limbs was agonising now and he couldn't move another muscle. Something twitched on Johnson's face. He fixed his gaze back on Peterson.

"I'll finish off for you here. The Professor is asking for you."

Mark glared. "This will only take a few minutes more," he began but Dick raised a warning hand.

"You should have completed this task long ago. Now the Professor has another for you. Are you leaving or do you wish to keep the master waiting?"

Mark looked as if he was going to continuing arguing but then changed his mind. With a nod, he picked up his candle and walked quickly back down the corridor, inclining his head to Dick as he passed him.

"I'll send Saunders to check on the Doctor in a few minutes, shall I?"

Dick's face darkened. "There really is no need to trouble Saunders."

Mark smirked. "Oh, I do not think he will see it as any trouble, Richard." He glanced back at the unmoving Doctor. "And I really think that there is a need. See you soon, my friend."

With one last chuckle, Mark turned on his heel and walked off into the darkness, leaving both the Doctor and Dick to stare after him, each with the same dislike.

"Not the kindest of men," the Doctor mumbled, still kneeling on the ground at Dick's feet. "I wish I knew what I'd done to upset him." He looked up and fixed Johnson with a knowing stare. "At least that I would know of a reason for this to be happening to me."

Dick swallowed hard. He leaned forward, offering a hand to the Doctor, helped the exhausted alien to his feet. He placed a supportive arm around the Time Lord and began to assist him to his cell.

"I'm sorry," Dick whispered. It was obvious he had no clue what else he should say so he decided to keep silent. The Doctor appreciated the quiet: it gave him a chance to think.

After a lot of effort, and pain on the Doctor's part, the two men entered the room and the Doctor slumped down against the wall, his head lolling forward. All he wanted was sleep. He felt the robe being pulled off of his body and he whimpered in distress. He needed the one article of clothing he had been allowed to wear. Without it, he would freeze. Quickly, he felt himself being draped in the robe as it was laid over him. He was warmer now. He sighed contently and could feel blessed sleep coming upon him. His body was crying out for rest and the Doctor was more than happy to oblige.

When he did finally open his weary eyes again, he saw that Dick was still standing over him but was now grasping a glass of water. He held the drink out and the Doctor gladly accepted it, tipping the glorious liquid down his throat. He hadn't even realised how thirsty he had been. As soon as he had drunk the water, he knew it was the sweetest drink he had ever tasted.

He smiled at the hovering Johnson.

"Thank you," the Doctor mumbled. "Very kind of you."

"Its just water," Dick mouthed, his head lowered.

The Doctor frowned. "It was an act of generosity. Something that's alien to me in this place."

Dick coughed. He was uncomfortable to be alone with the Time Lord.

"I'd save you this suffering if I could," he said absently. "He's my employer. I have to think of my family, my two small children-"

"I know," the Doctor interrupted. "I really do understand." He smiled. "Your family would be proud of you."

Dick stared. "Proud? They would be horrified."

"You are trying to protect them."

"By hurting you."

"You are helping me."

Dick looked away, ashamed. He had helped bring the Doctor to that hateful mansion. He was as much to blame as the others. He hated himself.

"I'm sorry," he muttered. "I must leave you now."

"Would you do something for me?" The Doctor asked quickly.

Dick eyed the door nervously. "Doctor, you should not ask."

"Please," the Doctor pleaded. "Mark took something of mine when he brought me to this room. I just need you to get it back for me."

"I cannot. Do not ask this of me."

"Please," the Doctor tried again. "It looks like a small tool. Please Dick, tell me you'll try. That is all. You are my only hope."

"No."

"Dick-"

"Do not ask me again!" Dick stated clearly. "I will not risk my position! I cannot help you!"

The Doctor stared dejectedly down at the ground.

Dick covered his face with his hands. He felt terrible.

"I am sorry."

He began to walk towards the open door. When the Doctor spoke again, Dick could barely hear him, his words were so timid and soft.

"Would you stay with me?" Dick paused, his hand on the door handle. The Doctor continued, his voice shaking from emotion and torment. "Please, Johnson? Just until I fall asleep?" His voice cracked as he added: "It hurts."

Dick turned and gazed at the Doctor. He could feel the tears threatening to escape again and he forced them back, annoyed with himself.

This man was a hero. Dick could sense it. And now, he had been reduced to this, too afraid to be left in the dark on his own.

Dick's shame burned.

"I'll stay," he said quietly. "But you must try to sleep."

He crouched down beside the Doctor and took his hand, wanting the Doctor to feel his presence. The Time Lord squeezed his hand immediately and closed his eyes again. After a few more minutes, the Doctor had drifted off. Dick did not move his hand.

It was to be another half an hour before Dick was certain the Doctor was asleep and finally allowed himself to leave the Doctor's side. The room was lighter now, dawn was breaking. Dick glanced back at the Doctor as he exited the room. He looked so peaceful now. Dick knew sadly that that was not to last.

"I am so sorry, my friend," Dick whispered to the sleeping man. "I wish I could save you."

TBC