Oh my freaking gosh PLEASE FORGIVE ME! *cries apologetically* I am a terrible author...It seems that somehow my messages were disabled so I hadn't actually seen any reviews lately (lately being like the last few months) so when I randomly had a look today, I was suprised to say the least at the number of reviews! I hope you can all forgive me for this extremely late update but I hope to make up for it with its length. Even though I have exams I promise to get the End of Time out of the way...but then I shall need your help! Send a review to say whether you would like this to continue into Matt Smith's realm!
Thank you so much to all the reviews that have actually got me off my ass and to write this chapter, you all really do help and motivate me to update. Please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Loki.
Time Leap
Chapter 38
"Come on Loki!" the Doctor almost whined, pulling on her hand as they left the expanses of wardrobes, he dressed in his crimson spacesuit and yellow helmet, a grin on his face.
"I am not leaving this TARDIS dressed like this!" she grumbled loudly, refusing to move, she too dressed in the same spacesuit and helmet.
"Why not? You make spacesuits look cool!"
She arched an eyebrow at him through her helmet, "cool?"
Most women would not take that as a compliment but to Loki it had the desired effect and she allowed herself to be pulled along with a grin.
"If you say so."
"I do say so," he chuckled, holding out his arm for her as he held the TARDIS door open.
Hooking her arm through his, the white haired Time Lady stepped out with the taller Time Lord.
Outside before them was the aptly named red planet, or known to most, Mars. And it was beautiful no matter how simple and desolate the planet was. With no signs of life in any direction, the pair took their stroll across the surface of Mars in their stride. For once it seemed the pair could simply enjoy their time together and ever since the Doctor had proposed to her, they had been spending as much as time as possible together and enjoying it all the more. Loki half leaned against the Doctor as they walked across Mars, a smile on her face as she thought about the golden ring around her finger as she had been doing ever since he had given it to her. The Doctor chuckled, obviously knowing what she was thinking.
"We're doing good aren't we?"
"The best," she almost hummed.
"And you're happy with me?" he asked slowly, "I mean after all the things we've gone through...it's been a rocky road."
Loki looked up at him through her helmet before back across the crimson landscape, "I know...sometimes I just wondered if something didn't want us together, but I am extremely happy with you, Theta."
His dark eyes softened at his name and if it hadn't been for the helmets separating them he would have kissed her. However it was at that moment he caught a glimpse of something.
"Oh, hang on what do we have here?" he muttered before grinning, "come on!"
Loki laughed as the two trudged up crimson craters until they found themselves overlooking a small base most likely from Earth. Of course the two were unable to hold off their curiosity and decided for a closer look only to freeze as a gun tapped their backs.
"Don't move, you are under arrest," a robotic voice announced before being followed with, "Gadget, gadget."
Unsuited and surrounded by a group of people, one with a gun aimed at them, Loki couldn't help but sigh and cross her arms.
'Here we go again,' she thought to herself.
"Would you mind lowering your gun?" the Doctor asked, looking between the somewhat aged woman and her gun.
"Just who are you people? State your name, position and reason for being here," she asked with a glare, clearly wary of them.
"Doctor...Doctor...Fun," he replied with slowly.
"Loki...chirpy mechanic...relaxation," Loki added in answer.
It took a further few minutes before the Doctor managed to get the gun out of their faces however there were more shocks to come as they found out just who those people were.
"Captain Adelaide! You're Captain Adelaide!" the Doctor almost yelled in awe before grinning, "now this is an honour!" before he looked around at the others, naming them off as he went.
It took Loki a few moments before she figured out just how he knew them all. Her eyes widened in realization at the strange feeling she had been getting from these people. A fixed point in time, something that had been quite rare in their travels, and these people were the first people from Earth to reach Mars. And it was their deaths that inspired the future generations to take to the stars. And the two Gallifreyan people could not be there.
Duh. Duh. Duh. Dum.
Loki winced, massaging her temples with her fingertips at the sudden, sharp pain through her mind that had accompanied the familiar beat of four. It had been a while since she had heard the maddening beat that she figured to be the heartbeat of a Time Lord, and she was not glad for it to be back. For weeks, months even, she hadn't heard the noise as if just being around the Doctor soothed her mind. So why now? And why did it hurt?
"Loki?"
Looking up, her bright blue eyes fell on the Doctor's worried face as he neared her.
"I'm fine, just a bit of a headache I think," she waved a hand as the pain vanished as quick as it had come, "but anyway, I think we should leave. Like right now."
The Doctor had a worried look in his eyes but nodded, "yes, you're right," before he looked at Adelaide, "we really should be going."
As one of them contacted the other two that were not present, a strange growling sound came over the comms instead, a sound that sounded anything but human. Loki's eyes widened in shock as she grabbed the Doctor's hand. Something was happening in the base, something that would probably lead to its destruction, and despite initial curiosity she wanted to be anywhere else than on the base at that moment.
"We really should go," the Doctor motioned to the door behind them however Adelaide was having none of it.
"This started happening since you both arrived Doctor, you're coming with me."
Loki trailed warily behind the Doctor as they proceeded down long, dark tunnels that stretched between the different sectors of the base. And it was a very long walk. The Doctor complained about the need for bikes until they noticed a still form towards the end of the tunnel.
"Don't touch her! Use gloves," the Doctor immediately warned as the Russian Nurse checked the woman over.
Looking around warily, Loki's bad feeling was gradually growing worse along with a growing headache. They needed to get away before anything could happen, before temptation to give in. The Doctor knew this but for the moment they could not leave without having a gun pointed in their face, not to mention there was the deep curiosity to find out just why these people had died. As they called backup, Adelaide explained they would carry on ahead. One of the new appearances was the second in command, Ed did not seem happy about being ordered back to base but the captain fixed him with a steely gaze.
"You have already deserted your post, consider that an official warning now get back to work," he words were oddly cold before she breezed past them, "Doctor, Loki!" she commanded without even needing to say what.
Sharing a look with her partner, the Doctor pulled a face at Ed before grabbing Loki's hand and pulling her down the long ass corridor.
As they finally reached the small chamber before the giant greenhouse, Adelaide checked with the others on the strange noise they had heard earlier. It was confirmed to be their missing crewman Andy. Loki couldn't express just how much she hated the idea of entering the greenhouse where the noise had originated. She wasn't scared, simply worried.
"You know as interesting as this all is, I still think we should be going," the white haired Time Lady piped up, "purely coincidence strange things started when we arrived."
The elderly woman eyed them both up, unbelieving and untrusting, "I'm not letting you two out my sight until we find out what has happened."
Sighing heavily as the door finally opened, it was to enter the pitch black greenhouse. Normally they would have admired the huge dome with abundant life, the Doctor would probably comment on how brilliant they were and Loki would nosey around for something edible to their annoyance. But the pair were oddly silent, the seriousness never fading as they followed Adelaide, the Doctor immediately headed for the terminal in front of them. Using his screwdriver on it for a moment, Loki almost let out a sigh of relief when the lights came on.
"There we go," he chimed quietly, lacking his usual enthusiasm.
"What was that?" Adelaide asked, eyes narrowed back at him as he held it up innocently.
"Just a screwdriver."
"Are you a doctor or the janitor?" she questioned, something Loki smiled at slightly as he didn't disagree to it.
"The maintenance man of the universe," he grinned until Loki lightly punched his arm.
"Then what does that make me? And if you say the plucky side kick I will hurt you."
With orders to stick by her, the medical man Tarak ordered to check out one of the other entrances. Finally perking up a bit, they had a nosey around the plants, following Adelaide as they went. Loki was surprised to see birds chirping away.
"Well that's a good sign," the Doctor breathed a sigh of relief.
"And why is that?"
"At least they are still alive," Loki answered cheerfully.
Continuing on their search for the missing man Andy, the female captain received a report that woman was awake and seemed fine. Still, something felt wrong.
Duh. Duh. Duh. Dum.
Wincing again, Loki ran her fingers in circles against her right temple trying to ease the pain. She barely noticed that the Doctor had suddenly dragged her through the greenhouse, running for some reason until they stopped, his torch shining on something. What they saw stunned them all. Andy was stood over Tarak, said man kneeling as Andy's hand rested on top of his head, his body trembling as if he was having a seizure. But most confounding was the huge amount of water that was coursing from the soaked Andy to the kneeling man. Almost immediately Adelaide had her gun aimed at Andy but the Doctor was having none of that. The two began arguing, each trying to reach Andy and get him to listen to them but it was doing nothing for her pounding head.
"Shut up!" she finally yelled, silencing them both before they noticed her shout had also drawn Andy's attention.
He looked strange, other than being completely soaked to the bone, his mouth cracked as if parched and yet water poured from his every pore, not to mention his irises were completely white. Tarak had collapsed but he quickly turned to look at them, the same appearance as Andy. Whatever was wrong with Andy was contagious. Feeling the Doctor's hand grip hers a little more tightly, he quietly spoke to both women.
"I think we should run."
There was no need to argue or even agree as all three of them turned and ran, the two water drenched men giving chase.
Almost skidding into the chamber between domes, the Doctor slammed shut the door behind him, yelling for Adelaide to set the door to maximum. As soon as it was shut the two followers ground to a halt, a hand pointed at them before a jet of water slammed into the door window. The Doctor stumbled back from the door, wide eyed but Loki turned to the still stunned Adelaide.
"Make sure Maggie is locked up tight and don't let anyone drink the water! Whatever this is it revolves around the water and anyone can be infected."
She didn't look happy at being ordered but complied. Grabbing the Doctor's hand again she sent him a stern look that surprised even herself. They had to leave. However having said this the two infected men threw themselves at the door, water gushing against it.
"This door is watertight right?" Loki asked hopefully.
"Airtight therefore yes," Adelaide explained.
"It depends how clever the water is."
As the door panel besides them began sparking, their eyes widened in realisation. They were breaking in.
"Time to go!"
Running down the long corridor, the two men were close to follow after breaking past the doors. The Doctor spotted the robot Gadget, grinding to a halt and taking out his sonic screwdriver.
"We don't have time for this!" Adelaide almost growled.
"They can run faster than us, we need some serious speed!"
Jumping onto the back of the robot, Loki's arms wrapped around the Doctor's waist as he took hold of the robot, Adelaide holding on tight to her just as the robot sped off leaving a trail of fire behind them. Despite their burst of speed the two infected men carried on running, behind but catching up as they halted at the end. Unlocking the door, they hurried inside but the Doctor refused to allow the robot to befall a cruel fate at their hands.
"I thought you hated robots," the two women questioned.
"I do!"
Slamming the door shut, they sighed in relief but the Doctor and Loki knew this wasn't over.
"Water is patient Adelaide. Water always wins."
After making it to the med bay to check out the infected Maggie, Loki couldn't help but eye up Adelaide and Ed as they spoke quietly to each other.
"That's a lot of sexual frustration there," she couldn't help but chuckle lightly.
"Now is not the time Loki," the Doctor chided her before catching on as they mentioned performing action one.
Evacuation. This wasn't right. As the base became abuzz with activity, everyone packing as quickly as they could to leave Mars, the Doctor stopped Adelaide, looking down at her seriously.
"Just think for a minute. Water is patient, it waited inside Maggie to try and infiltrate the base and if even one drop gets back to Earth."
"You are saying that anyone of us could be infected," she returned his stern look, "look, I'll deal with my people, you two just keep yourselves safe and leave. I'm going to check the ice fields."
"Yeah…you're right…we should go," the Doctor agreed slowly as they were left alone.
"We should definitely," Loki agreed, arms crossed.
She didn't need to feel his mind to know what was going through it. He banged his head backwards against the cabinet behind him before looking at her, Loki waved a hand.
"Go on but I'm just going to sit here for a minute."
Worry flashed across his eyes, curiosity gone as he frowned, kneeling in front of her.
"Are you alright Loki? Ever since we stepped foot on this base you've not looked well."
"Just a headache now go on before you die of curiosity," she smiled slightly, "but afterwards we are leaving. Got that."
He said nothing but stood, lightly kissing her cheek as he moved before leaving after Adelaide. As soon as he was gone Loki held her head in her hands, eyes closed tightly as the pounding continued. Why all of a sudden was this happening?
Laughter. Familiar dark laughter echoed through her mind, through everyone's mind. But amongst it she could hear the drum beats, the sound of a Time lord's heartbeat growing louder and louder. Something was coming closer. The impossible.
"Loki!"
Her eyes snapped open, staring up at the Doctor surprised. Had she nodded off? He was pulling her up onto her feet hastily, their spacesuits over one arm and their helmets nearby.
"Time to leave."
His voice was quiet, the underlying tones of sadness beneath it spoke volumes. She knew it didn't feel right to leave the group of extraordinary people to their death, but they had no choice. Their laws were very specific when it came to fixed points in time. Donning the suit, she noticed the busy people as they readied to evacuate…but they wouldn't. They would die there. Once they were suited up including their helmets, they made their way to the final airlock, silent. However as they tried to leave the door controls denied them access. Practically hearing the Doctor's mental sigh, he stepped back and looked up at the camera as Adelaide's voice reached them.
"Tell me what happens," she demanded quietly.
"I don't know."
"Of course you do….I could ramp up the pressure in there you know, crush you both."
"Why would you do that?" Loki asked, eyes downcast, "that's not like you."
"Imagine..." the Doctor began, so quiet that Loki could almost hear the sound of his hearts breaking, "Imagine you knew something. Imagine you found yourself somewhere. I don't know, Pompeii. Imagine you were in Pompeii. And you tried to save them. But in doing so, you make it happen. Everything I do, just makes it happen."
He went on to explain what was going to happen but Loki couldn't listen. No matter how much she tried to steel her hearts, tell herself this had already happened, that it had to happen, Loki wanted to cry for the first time in a while.
"Help us!" Adelaide almost begged, eyes shining with unshed tears but the Doctor shook his head, looking as if in pain.
"Most of the time we can save someone, anyone. Sometimes we can. But not you…you've always wondered why that Dalek spared you it was because it knew that your death was fixed in time forever."
Slowly the door in front of them unlocked but they distinctly heard the captain quietly curse, "damn you."
Loki fought the urge to reply back, 'we already are'.
Marching out across the crimson rock, Loki kept a tight grip on the Doctor's gloved hand. They could hear the panic, the yells, the screams of the crew as water began to make its way to them, infecting them one by one. Loki kept on walking, pulling the Doctor with her, eyes set straight ahead of them. She didn't dare pause even as they heard the cries of the others until the rocket suddenly exploded. They were sent flying, hitting the ground as flaming debris fell around them. The Doctor wrapped an arm around her, checking she was okay before looking back. Catching his train of thought Loki's eyes widened.
"No. Doctor, no."
"We're the last Loki," he answered, standing up and looking back at the base, "we are the Time Lords, why would we have to follow the rules of that the council of Elders make?"
"No!" she jumped up, grabbing his arm, "we might be the last but those rules are there for a reason!"
He pulled away with a shake of his head, "just go to the TARDIS and wait for me, I'm going back."
"Theta!" she yelled after him but it was no good, his mind was set.
Shaking her head furiously she stormed back to the TARDIS, tossing her helmet aside, the TARDIS murmured worriedly in her mind.
"Let the idiot do as he wants!" she yelled before falling into her seat, tossing of the spacesuit before staring out at the console with narrowed eyes, "what the hell are you thinking Theta…"
She sat there for what felt like hours simply staring at the console darkly and nothing that the TARDIS could say helped. Right now she wanted nothing more than to leave Mars but she knew she couldn't for one reason. So when she felt the Doctor calling her she tried to ignore him.
'Please Loki! Just do as I ask!'
Growling, Loki leapt onto her feet and flipped switches and pulled the lever of the controls. She wasn't doing this to save Adelaide and the other survivors, she was doing it to save her stupid, moronic fiancée. As the TARDIS ground to a halt the doors were flung open and the Doctor pushed everyone in before racing past her, not even daring to look her in the eyes, before flipping switches again, sending them flying through space. Loki and Adelaide's eyes met despite her shock at the TARDIS interior.
"We shouldn't be alive," she muttered to the female Time Lord.
"I know."
Landing on Earth they piled out all except for Loki. She stood before the doors as Adelaide paused for a moment to look back at her.
"Why did you come for us?"
"I'm sorry but I didn't come for you, I came back because I couldn't just let him die because he's bloody stubborn and stupid."
Surprisingly the old woman smiled and nodded lightly before exiting. Loki stood in the doorway, staring silently as the two others ran off leaving Adelaide and the Doctor. It almost scared her how much he sounded like her father.
"You can't know that! And if my family changes... the whole of history could change! The future of the human race! No one should have that much power!"
"Tough," he replied with a dark look.
"You should have left us there," the elderly woman took a step back from him.
"I've done this before," he almost rolled his eyes, "only little people, never someone important like you. Oh I'm good!"
"Who decides who's important and who isn't? You?"
"For a long time now, I thought I was just a survivor, but I'm not. I'm the winner. That's who I am. A Time Lord victorious."
Loki gripped her arms tightly fighting back the urge to go up to him and punch him in the face. Instead Adelaide looked at him as if she was disgusted also.
"I don't care about your Time Lord victorious! It is wrong!"
"That's for me to decide."
With that he unlocked her front door, watching her walk to it before turning round himself. He paused upon seeing the dark look Loki fixed him with, blocking his entrance into the TARDIS.
"What?" he asked as if genuinely confused.
"You sound just like him. And you were worried that I'd turn out like the Master?" she laughed dryly.
Her words struck him deep, his chocolate eyes widening in shock not only because of her accusation but her words. She had known of his worries? Of course she should have, after all a Time Lord bond was nothing to be trifled with, their minds were linked and no matter how much he had tried to not let it slip, she had caught his mind unguarded. Before he could open his mouth the sound of a gunshot echoed from Adelaide's house. He spun round, staring at it wide eyed, seeing that history had barely even changed. All his actions had been for nothing. Adelaide had still died.
"She was smarter than you," Loki remarked, "she was a brilliant human who wanted to live, but even she knew that the future can't be changed. Shouldn't be changed."
Finally he broke from his frozen form, eyes horrified, "I…I've gone too far…what have I done?"
They looked sideways, shocked at the appearance of Ood Sigma who simply stared at the Doctor before vanishing as if never there. Practically pulling the stunned Time Lord into the TARDIS, kicking the doors shut before standing by the console with her back to him. He looked from the floor slowly to her and the console. Was this his time? Was it time for his death? No….no! Scrabbling up, he almost frantically flipped switches, pumping one of the levers before sending them flying. It wasn't until they were in flight, the TARDIS flinging them around, that he dared glance at Loki. She would not look at him. What had he done?