AN: I... can't even begin to express how sorry I am for the lack of updates. I've been busy with school and thankfully graduated, but then I tried to go to grad school in the middle of this pandemic and my mental health went down the drain. I'm still dealing with the shit my immune system threw at me as a result, but I've been feeling well enough to try writing again. And hey, what else am I going to do since we're all still on lockdown? I'm excited to continue with this story, though updates will still be a bit slow. My brain won't let me focus for a long enough period to sit and write. Updates won't be as long between as they have been though! Or, at least that is the plan. I hope everyone else is doing okay with everything that's happening right now. Stay safe!
Hope y'all enjoy!
Previously:
I faded into awareness, blinking away the bright light that shined into my eyes. I looked around trying to get my bearings when the cocking of guns sounded from behind me. I tensed before slowly turning around, coming face to face with a black horse. Blinking in confusion I looked above the horse and saw a decorated soldier in red. I turned to the right; more red soldiers. To the left; even more. All pointing guns at me.
"You will explain your presence and your unkempt appearance!" The man on the horse barked. My eye twitched. Guns. In the countryside. Again.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me."
Chapter 9: AWOOOO, Werewolves of...Scotland
They clearly didn't appreciate that response.
"You will explain your presence, now!" I began to tremble as panic rose up. Any sense of calm I had started to slip away as the severity of what I just went through began to sink in. I lifted a shaking hand and pointed at him.
"No, you will explain your presence! I've been through so much shit today. I just got away from fucking cannibals you dumb fuck! I've had guns and various other objects slammed against my head in the span of a few hours." I faintly heard two sets of feet running up from behind but I paid them no attention. "My appearance is so unkempt because I was held captive in a makeshift slaughterhouse and then I proceeded to slip and fall multiple times while trying to escape through muddy woods! I am this close to breaking down so if you don't put your guns down right now I swear to fucking Christ I will-" I was cut off as a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind and started pulling me away. I could feel my face drain of color.
"NO!" I screeched, struggling to leave their grasp.
"Carli-" I could hear faintly over the sound of my blood rushing in my ears.
"LET ME GO!" I gasped out, eyes wide in panic. I struggled harder. I felt my elbow connect with something and heard a low grunt of pain, arms starting to loosen around me. As I tried to take advantage of the loosened arms, someone stepped in front of me and grabbed my face in their hands.
"Carli!" My eyes snapped to the person holding my face. My panicked state made it take a few moments to register who was standing there. It was a woman.
"I need you to breathe!" She was blonde and had soft brown eyes. My movements slowed. I stared at her, taking in her face.
"...Rose?" I whimpered. She smiled and nodded. Whatever was holding me together before snapped. The arms around me dropped and I threw myself at her, sobbing. She drew me in tightly, running her hand through my hair and shushing me.
"It'll be ok. Me and the Doctor are here now, yeah? You're safe." 'Doctor?'
"Yeah, he's right here." I must have said that aloud. I lifted my head from her shoulder and looked around. Standing behind us was Ten, rubbing his side. I stumbled out of Rose's arms and threw myself at him, clutching him tightly. I buried my face into his neck, inhaling deeply as I tried to calm down. His arms wrapped tightly around me, one hand rubbing my back soothingly.
"It's alright, I've got you," He whispered. He turned his head slightly and kissed the side of my head. After a few minutes, I had calmed down enough to pull away. As I did, he cupped one side of my face and looked searchingly in my eyes, quietly asking if I was ok. I shrugged with an attempt at a smile, trying to convey that I would be. He smiled softly before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a tissue, handing it to me. I accepted it gratefully.
"Doctor McCrimmon, who is this girl to you?" An elderly woman's voice called out. We both turned to the voice. Apparently, a black carriage had pulled up alongside us while I was having my breakdown. The face I recognized as Queen Victoria stared down at us. I quickly wiped my eyes and face, silently hoping my face didn't break out in hives.
"Ah, yes! Sorry about that, your majesty. This is my...ward, from the colonies. She was supposed to meet with the wee naked child and I in the last town over after visiting her brother at the University of Glasgow but had gone missing. She's dressed the way she is as it is easier for women traveling alone to dress as a man. If what she said about cannibals is true, I am grateful that she escaped and made it back to us in one piece. I do apologize for the hold-up, though I do recommend we move along quickly if there are cannibals in these parts, your majesty." The Doctor stated, voice changing to a Scottish accent. I bowed my head and dropped into a clumsy curtsy.
"I apologize for my dramatics, your grace. It was a traumatic experience that frightened me greatly." I said softly, looking at the ground.
"There is no harm done. I imagine many would likely be the same if they were to come face to face with such savages. I must agree with Doctor McCrimmon, though. If such barbaric nature exists in these parts, we must make haste. Captain Reynolds, lead on," She called out. With that, her carriage started forward, soldiers surrounding it. Rose came up next to us and grabbed my hand.
"Hey, you alright?" I shrugged again. Not wanting to talk about it, I weakly tried to change the subject.
"What have you two been up to?" They exchanged worried glances but accepted the change in subject.
"The Doctor here is about to make me ten quid richer," Rose stated. Ten rolled his eyes.
"That's what you think," he said, rolling his eyes with a grin. Rose turned to me.
"Do you want in on this?" She asked with her signature tongue-in-teeth grin. I shook my head, laughing.
"Oh no. I know how this bet will turn out. I'm not getting involved." She pouted, fighting a smile.
"She doesn't want to disappoint you since she knows I'm going to win," Ten piped up. Rose scoffed, turning back towards him.
"As if!" I smiled, content to watch them as they started to bicker like an old married couple.
After what felt like hours of walking, we finally came upon a grand estate. It was lightly raining now. As we entered the courtyard, I could see an observatory taking up much of the roof. The main entrance opened and a man walked out to greet us. I eyed the bald servants that followed him. At the same time, the Queen's carriage was opened by an attendant and she stepped out. The man bowed.
"Your Majesty."
"Sir Robert. My apologies for the emergency. And how is Lady Isobel?" The Queen asked kindly. Robert shifted nervously.
"She's indisposed, I'm afraid. She's gone to Edinburgh for the season. And she's taken the cook with her. The kitchens are barely stocked. I wouldn't blame Your Majesty if you wanted to ride on." He practically begged. The Doctor eyed him suspiciously. Queen Victoria waved off Robert's concerns, seemingly missing his subtle cue.
"Oh, not at all. I've had quite enough carriage exercise. And this is charming, if rustic. It's my first visit to this house. My late husband spoke of it often. The Torchwood Estate. Now, shall we go inside? And please excuse the naked girl." I snorted softly. Rose glared at me and Ten before turning apologetically to Robert.
"Sorry."
"She's a feral child. I bought her for sixpence in old London Town. It was her or the Elephant Man, so," I elbowed him in the side, causing a soft grunt to escape his lips. Rose's eyes narrowed and her smile sharpened at the Doctor's remark. She turned to the Queen.
"Thinks he's funny but I'm so not amused. What do you think, Ma'am?" I rubbed the side of my face and sighed, looking at the Queen apologetically. She looked at Rose, slightly bemused.
"It hardly matters." She turned back to Robert. "Shall we proceed?" With that, the royal party followed Robert into the Torchwood Estate. Rose turned to us.
"So close." She muttered. Ten scoffed while I shook my head, smiling at her in amusement.
"Give it time, hun. If she's going to say it, she'll say it on her own time." Rose waved her hand, brushing off my comment.
"Nah, I'll get her to say it. Just you wait." I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.
"Whatever you say!" A conversation from the soldiers caught our attention.
"Makerson and Ramsey, you will escort the property. Hurry up."
"Yes, sir." Two soldiers walk to the carriage and pull out a small box. The three of us look on in interest. I knew what was in there, but I had never seen it in person, so I was curious.
"So, what's in there, then?" The Doctor asked.
"Property of the Crown. You will dismiss any further thoughts, sir." Captain Reynolds dismissed us. "The rest of you go to the rear of the house. Assume your designated positions."
"You heard the orders. Positions."
"Sir." With that, the soldiers dispersed to their designated positions. Tired of the cold rain, I headed inside, Rose and Ten following not long after.
An annoying number of stairs later, we entered the observatory at the top of the house.
"This, I take it, is the famous Endeavour." The Queen stated, looking over a massive bronze telescope. I looked at it in awe. It looked cool in CG, but it was magnificent in reality. I caught Sir Robert's eye and glanced pointedly at the telescope, silently asking if I could get a closer look. He nodded. With his permission, I walked forward and slowly circled the massive creation, taking in its beauty.
"All my father's work. Built by hand in his final years. Became something of an obsession. He spent his money on this rather than caring for the house or himself." Sir Robert explained. The Doctor grinned in excitement. I knelt to look through the lens.
"I wish I'd met him. I like him. That thing's beautiful. Can I?" He asked. I assumed he was gesturing to the telescope.
"Help yourself." With his permission, Ten and Rose made their way over to look at it with me.
"What did he model it on?" I moved out of the way so he could look through the telescope.
"I know nothing about it. To be honest, most of us thought him a little, shall we say, eccentric. I wish now I'd spent more time with him and listened to his stories." I smiled at him, softly.
"One never really understands what they have until it's gone," I said. He smiled weakly in return.
"It's a bit rubbish." A strangled sounding noise came from my throat. 'Dude, what the fuck?' Rose turned on her heel to stare at him in utter disbelief. "How many prisms has it got? Way too many. The magnification's gone right over the top. That's stupid kind of," He leaned over to Rose "Am I being rude again?"
"Yep." 'Yeah, no shit dude.' He turned back to the other occupants of the room.
"But it's pretty. It's very pretty." He said in a high-pitched voice, patting the telescope. The Queen approached us.
"And the imagination of it should be applauded." She said matter-of-factly. I nodded in agreement. Rose stepped forward slightly.
"Mmm. Thought you might disapprove, Your Majesty. Stargazing. Isn't that a bit fanciful? You could easily not be amused, or something? No?" Ten rubbed his eye in exasperation as the Queen stared at her, deadpan. I turned to an empty corner of the room and gave my best Office stare. 'This is even more awkward in person, my god.'
"This device surveys the infinite work of God. What could be finer?" Ten shook his head, a smile threatening to appear at Rose's attempt. "Sir Robert's father was an example to us all. A polymath, steeped in astronomy and sciences, yet equally well versed in folklore and fairytales."
"Stars and magic. I like him more and more." The Doctor grinned, turning to inspect the telescope again.
"Oh, my late husband enjoyed his company." The Queen said, wistfully. She moved closer to Rose and I. "Prince Albert himself was acquainted with many rural superstitions, coming as he did from Saxe Coburg."
"That's Bavaria." Ten whispered, having come up behind Rose and I. I turned to him, eyebrows raised.
"You say that like that clears up any confusion for me. Me. An American." I said. He grinned, sheepishly rubbing his ear.
"Right, sorry."
"Besides, I understood Saxe Coburg better, having taken six years of Latin. We talked a lot about Saxons when studying Caesar," I explained, smiling at him. The Queen must have grown tired of our conversation, as she turned to Sir Robert to continue her previous conversation.
"When Albert was told about your local wolf, he was transported." She said, smiling slightly at the now uncomfortable man. Ten shifted slightly next to Rose and I.
"So, what's this wolf, then?" Sir Robert grimaced slightly.
"It's just a story," He tried to dismiss it weakly.
"Then tell it." The Doctor said in exasperation. I shot him a look. Sir Robert froze slightly, twitching. He glanced slightly at the monks behind him before opening his mouth.
"It's said that-"
"Excuse me, sir." Sir Robert froze again as the head monk's voice called out. "Perhaps Her Majesty's party could repair to their rooms. It's almost dark." I looked around the room. 'Did no one else notice how threatening that sounded? Seriously? I can practically hear horror movie music playing right now. All that's missing is the ominous flash of lightning.'
"Of course. Yes, of course." Sir Robert turned back to us with a fixed smile. He moved closer to the four of us.
"And then supper. And could we find some clothes for Miss Tyler? I'm tired of nakedness." I laughed quietly. Rose leaned forward slightly.
"It's not amusing, is it?" I almost broke down with laughter at the quick look The Queen gave Rose in response, not even bothering to say anything to her.
"Sir Robert, your wife must have left some clothes. See to it. We shall dine at seven, and talk some more of this wolf. After all, there is a full moon tonight."
"Dun dun," I muttered quietly. Rose covered her mouth to cover up her snort and Ten smirked in amusement.
"So, there is, Ma'am." Sir Robert bowed to The Queen as she began to leave the room. She paused for a moment.
"Oh, and have one of your servants draw a bath for Doctor McCrimmon's ward. Be wary, Sir Robert, for cannibals have taken root in these parts. She had just barely escaped them before coming upon our party." Sir Robert's eyes widened in shock and horror, head snapping to look at me. Even the monks looked startled, probably having thought they were the most dangerous people nearby.
"Truly?" He asked. I nodded my head, shifting uncomfortably at the reminder. I could feel panic starting to rise again as my head pounded. Noticing this, Rose took my hand in hers, squeezing it tightly. The head monk stepped forward, still startled from the news, though trying to hide it.
"We will have one brought to Lady Isobel's rooms shortly for her to use." The Queen nodded and exited the room. We followed her not long after.
I sighed happily as I stood from the tub, shivering slightly at the change in temperature. As I wrapped a towel around myself, I wondered why the monks acted like servants and drew a bath for me. 'I mean, I guess for appearance sake, they had to. It wouldn't do them any good if they were found out too early.' Grimacing slightly, I put back on my underwear from before. I tried my best to clean them by hand, and now they were cool and damp. One of my least favorite feelings to experience is the feeling of wet clothes, particularly undergarments and socks. 'Wet socks are a form of torture in some countries' I thought, shivering.
Despite my discomfort, I didn't want to deal with period undergarments right now. Ignoring items like corsets and bustles, I pulled on a high-collared white blouse and tucked it into a soft grey plaid cycling skirt. The skirt was, thankfully, one of the few shorter styled skirts women could wear in this period and ended mid-calf. I was disappointed that Lady Isobel didn't have anything resembling pants, but I refused to put back on my mud and blood-caked clothes from before. At least the skirt length allowed for running. I pulled back on my now damp socks and my sneakers and then left the room, heading next door to find Rose. I knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Opening the door, I laughed at Rose.
"Seriously? I chose a change of clothes, took a bath, and cleaned some of my own clothes and you still haven't picked something to wear?" I giggled. She stuck out her tongue at me.
"Shut up," She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Not everyone wants to be a costume designer and enjoys period clothing!" I paused in my laughter, looking at her in confusion.
"I what?" I mean, I love going to conventions and cosplaying, but costume design? Rose looked at me like a deer in headlights.
"...I shouldn't have said that. Ignore what I just said." She spoke quickly, turning from me. I huffed out a confused sort of laugh.
"What do you mean? I want to be a costume designer?" She shook her head frantically as she went back to looking through the wardrobe.
"I didn't say anything!" I looked at a wall with a bemused expression on my face.
"Well, I guess that helps narrow down what I want to study when I go to college. And once one knows their own future, it's near impossible to change it," I mused. Rose groaned as she walked towards the other wardrobe.
"I know, and you and the Doctor have told me that. I just can't keep track of how old you are and ho-AHH!" She shrieked, leaping back from the wardrobe she just opened. A terrified maid stared back at us, trembling and near tears. I rushed over and kneeled in front of her.
"Hey, hey it's alright! We won't hurt you. What's wrong?" I held out my hand for the maid to take. She tentatively reached out and grasped my hand, letting me pull her from the wardrobe over to the bed so she could sit. Rose followed and sat across from her.
"C'mon, we can help. What's your name? Why were you hiding in there?" Rose softly asked her.
"Flora, miss. I work for the Master and my Lady. The monks from the nearby monastery came and attacked us! They came through the house. In the excitement, they took the Steward and the Master, and my Lady." Rose took her hand in her own.
"Listen. We've got a friend. He's called the Doctor. He'll know what to do. You've got to come with us." She moved to stand up, but Flora shook her head.
"Oh, but I can't, Miss." Rose leaned forward, speaking softly.
"Flora, we'll be safe. There's more people arrived downstairs, soldiers and everything, and they can help us. I promise. Come on. Okay? Come on." She stood up from the bed and motioned for Flora to follow us. I opened the door slowly, wincing as it creaked. I popped my head out and looked up and down the hallway. Seeing no one, I motioned for them to follow. We crept down the hallway, only to come to a halt at the sight of an unconscious guard. Rose quickly knelt and checked his pulse. Realizing what was about to happen, I looked around for something to defend myself. I saw some antlers mounted on the wall and rushed over to them, breaking one off the plaque.
"Oh, Miss. I did warn you." Flora cried. I shushed her, looking up and down the hallways. Rose remained on the floor, looking over the soldier.
"He's not dead. I don't think, he must be drugged or something." Seeing movement, I swung about, bringing the antler down on the shoulder of the monk sneaking up on Flora. It was the head monk. He cried out in pain, backing up. He pulled the antler from his shoulder and threw it angrily away from him. Rose stood at the commotion.
"You'll regret that!" He growled out. I raised my eyebrow.
"Dude, I just stabbed your shoulder when you tried attacking us. I regret nothing." I froze when I heard muffled shouts from behind. I whirled around only to see two monks dragging Rose and Flora away. Pain erupted across my skull as Father Angelo hit me in the back of the head. I crumbled to the floor, falling unconscious.
A sharp, thundering pain in my head woke me up. I groaned softly, shifting in place. I could hear chains clank with my movement.
"Don't make a sound. They said if we scream or shout, then he will slaughter us." I heard from my left. I blearily opened my eyes, thankful for the dim lighting. The room seemed to pulse slightly. 'Definitely a concussion. Fuck.'
"But he's in a cage. He's a prisoner. He's the same as us." I heard Rose argue. Blinking to try and clear my vision, I looked in her direction. She was sitting next to me, looking like she was about to get up.
"He's nothing like us. That creature is not mortal." Something must have happened, because the group flinched back, a few whimpers escaping them. Rose stood up slowly and made her way cautiously towards the cage. She stopped when her chain ran out of slack.
"Don't, child!" The woman from before protested. Rose ignored her, kneeling to the ground, eyes trained on the cage in the room.
"Who are you?" A man to the left of me spoke up.
"Don't enrage him." Rose ignored him as well.
"Where are you from? You're not from Earth. What planet are you from?" She continued.
"Oh, intelligence." A voice softly crooned from the cage. I tried to sit up, Flora helping me.
"Where were you born?" Rose tried, shaking slightly.
"This body? Ten miles away. A weakling, heartsick boy, stolen away at night by the brethren for my cultivation. I carved out his soul and sat in his heart." The voice drawled out softly.
"All right, so the body's human. But what about you, the thing inside?" I heard shifting from my left as the group grew more nervous. I motioned for Flora to help me stand. Hesitantly, she complied.
"So far from home." The voice slowly stated.
"If you want to get back home, we can help."
'Why would I leave this place? A world of industry, of workforce and warfare. I
could turn it to such purpose." The voice asked, genuinely confused. Finally on my feet, I slowly stumbled my way towards Rose.
"How would you do that?" Rose asked.
"I would migrate to the Holy Monarch." It said as if talking to a child. The group gasped softly in horror.
"You mean Queen Victoria?" Rose clarified. At this point I was standing weakly next to her, head pounding from the effort.
"With one bite, I would pass into her blood, and then it begins. The Empire of the Wolf. Many questions." It suddenly lunged forward, staring intensely at Rose. Rose and the group flinched back in shock.
"Look. Inside your eyes. You've seen it too!" It said, almost excited.
"Seen what?"
"The Wolf. There is something of the Wolf about you." Rose's breathing stuttered.
"I don't know what you mean." She denied. A low growl came from the figure. Up close, I could now make out a pale face and fathomless black eyes.
"You burnt like the sun, but all I require is the moon." On cue, the cellar doors flung open, letting in an extremely bright beam of moonlight. Rose scrambled backward, pulling me with her. I winced, slamming my eyes shut in pain from the noise and the sudden bright light. The figure turned to face the light, pressing its face to the bars of the cage.
"Moonlight!" It crooned, reverently. It leaned back and took off its cloak. A supernatural wind blew the straw about in the room. Rose looked around at the panicked group, wind whipping her hair about.
"All of you! Stop looking at it! Flora, don't look. Listen to me. Grab hold of the chain and pull! Come on! With me! Pull!" She ordered, standing. She began tugging at the chain. The group was slow to move. I stood to the side, fingers massaging my temples as I tried to calm to pounding.
"I said pull! Stop your whining and listen to me! All of you! And that means you, your Ladyship. Now come on, pull!" Rose ordered, harsher this time. Finally, they were all pulling at the chain attached to the wall. In the cage, the figure began to shift forms. High pitched screams and cracking bones came from its direction.
"One, two, three, pull! One, two, three, pull! One, two, three, pull!" Finally, the chain broke free and the group fell to the ground. At this point, the figure was changed into a wolf. It vaguely looked like Remus Lupin's werewolf form from the third Harry Potter movie, only with more fur. The door burst open and Ten and Sir Robert ran in.
"Where the hell have you been?" Rose angrily cried out. The beast began breaking free from the cage. Terrified screams sounded as the group rushed towards the open door. The pounding in my head grew worse.
"Oh, that's beautiful." I heard Ten exclaim.
"Come on, go. Get out!" Sir Robert cried, grabbing his wife.
"Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!" The Doctor shouted, ushering the group from the room.
"Come on!" Rose said, grabbing me. She ushered us quickly from the room and down the hall. We could faintly hear the sonic whirring and footsteps running after us. A deep howl cut through the night air. We made our way to what must have been the armory. A man was handing out guns to all the other men.
"Arms, and you five. Ready, everyone? Take the girls. Get them out through the kitchen." He ordered. A woman who must have been Lady Isobel ran to Sir Robert.
"I can't leave you. What will you do?"
"I must defend her Majesty. Now, don't think of me, just go." She kissed him before calling out to her maids.
"All of you, at my side. Come on!" They ran past us as the Doctor used his sonic to remove our shackles.
"It could be any form of light modulated species triggered by specific wavelengths. Did it say what it wanted?" He quickly asked.
"The Queen, the Crown, the throne - you name it," Rose answered. I could only give a whimper of pain as the pain in my head grew worse. Eyes snapping to me, Ten scanned my head with his sonic. Reading the results, he cursed.
"Really bad concussion. Your head must have been hit a lot in a short period of time for it to be this bad." He sonicked my translator and suddenly, the noise quieted significantly in that ear. He fished around in his pockets and pulled out an earplug.
"Quick, put this in your other ear. I don't have anything that can help you right now, but reducing the amount of noise should at least help for the short term." I nodded slightly, trying not to jar my head too much. Taking the earplug, I twisted the end and shoved it into my other ear. I almost cried in relief as the plug expanded to securely sit in my ear. The noise was very muffled now, with just enough volume that I could still hear what others were saying.
A crash sounded down the hallway we just came from. We all froze, looking in the direction of the noise. Ten ran to investigate only to run back not long after. He grabbed Rose, who had followed him, and pulled her back towards where I was standing. The wolf rounded the corner.
"Fire! Fire!" Each man shot twice at the beast. It flinched back, going back around the corner. I winced at the sound of close-range gunfire. It was loud, even with the earplugs. Smoke filled the room as the men lowered their guns.
"All right, you men. We should retreat upstairs. Come with me." The Doctor ordered, but the man who handed the guns out dismissed him.
"I'll not retreat. The battle's done. There's no creature on God's Earth that could survive such an assault." He said arrogantly, moving towards where the wolf was. Ten lurched forwards.
"I'm telling you, come upstairs!" He shouted.
"And I'm telling you, sir, I will sleep well tonight with that thing's hide upon my wall." The man retorted, angrily. He stepped into the corridor and looked around. Smug, he turned back to us. Knowing what was about to happen, I turned away.
"It must have crawled away to die." Before he could finish the last word, a furry, clawed arm reached down through the ceiling and yanked the man towards him. Growling and screaming came from the ceiling.
"There's nothing we can do!" Ten shouted. He grabbed Rose and I and shoved us out of the room, Sir Robert following close behind. Gunshots, growls, and screams followed us. We paused at the main staircase of the house, Ten locking the door behind us.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty!" Sir Robert cried out.
"Sir Robert? What's happening?" The Queen cried out, descending the stairs. "I heard such terrible noises!" She stopped on the last step. Sir Robert stood in front of her.
"Your Majesty, we've got to get out. But what of Father Angelo? Is he still here?" Queen Victoria looked to the side hesitantly.
"Captain Reynolds disposed of him." She finally said. Ten ran over from the front door, having given up trying to open it.
"The front door's no good, it's been boarded shut. Pardon me, Your Majesty. You'll have to leg it out of a window." He said, gesturing to an adjacent room. Standing straight, she moved past him into the drawing-room. We followed close behind. Sir Robert moved to stand in front of the Queen.
"Excuse my manners, Ma'am, but I shall go first, the better to assist Her Majesty's egress." She nodded.
"A noble sentiment, my Sir Walter Raleigh." Ten broke in, Scottish accent gone.
"Yeah, any chance you could hurry up?" Sir Robert turned and climbed up onto the windowsill. He opened the latch and pushed open the window, only to duck for cover as guns shot at him. We huddled, crouched on the ground. Rose and I were on either side of the Queen, hands on her back and arms.
"I reckon the monkey boys want us to stay inside." The Doctor stated, looking at the window. Queen Victoria looking outraged, hand on her chest.
"Do they know who I am?!" Rose turned to look at her.
"Yeah, that's why they want you. The wolf's lined you up for a, a biting." She stuttered out. The Queen glared at her.
"Stop this talk. There can't be an actual wolf." She spat. Immediately, a howl sounded from somewhere nearby. We spun about in fear before rushing back to the stairwell.
"What do we do?" Rose gasped out. The wolf was in the process of breaking down the door to the stairwell.
"We run." The Doctor responded. Rose stared at him in shock.
"Is that it?" She cried. His head whipped around to look at her.
"You got any silver bullets?" He shouted. Rose glared. I started moving towards the stairs, eyes trained on the breaking door.
"Not on me, no." She snapped.
"There we are then, we run. Your Majesty, as a Doctor, I recommend a vigorous jog. Good for the health. Come on!" He said, miming running in place. He grabbed the Queen's hand and pulled her up the stairs. We sprinted up after him as the door finally gave way. After a few flights of stairs, we ran out into a long corridor.
"Come on! Come on!" The Doctor called out. I could feel the wolf bounding closer and closer to us. I could almost feel its breath when Captain Reynolds came out of nowhere, shooting it. It yelped, growling out in pain as it retreated. We paused to catch our breath as Captain Reynolds reloaded his gun.
"I'll take this position and hold it. You keep moving, for God's sake! Your Majesty, I went to look for the property and it was taken. The chest was empty." He said to the Queen.
"I have it. It's safe." She gasped out, hand on her chest as she leaned against the wall. Reynolds smiled and nodded at her
"Then remove yourself, Ma'am. Doctor, you stand as Her Majesty's Protector. And you, Sir Robert, you're a traitor to the crown." He stated, facing us.
"Bullets can't stop it!" Ten exclaimed.
"They'll buy you time. Now run!" I groan, annoyed.
"No, they won't! All that will happen is you ending up dead! No more." I grabbed Captain Reynolds and took his gun as I pulled him along at a run. He protested, reaching for it. "You can have it back when we're safe!" I snapped. We arrived at the library. Shoving Reynolds inside, I ushered the others in as well. Rose paused, staring at the wolf as it rounded the corner.
"Rose!" Ten grabbed her and hauled her into the room.
"Barricade the door," Robert shouted. Rose and Captain Reynolds helped him and the Doctor shove furniture against the door. Ten stepped back, hesitantly.
"Wait a minute. Shush, shush, wait a minute." He leaned towards the door, listening. A single howl called out.
"It's stopped." He whispered. A moment of silence later, he turned to look at us.
"It's gone." He said.
"Listen," Rose responded. I couldn't hear anything, but the others obviously could. Their entire bodies turned to follow the noise they were hearing. Seeing the Queen shaking slightly, I moved forward and wrapped an arm around her, offering comfort.
"Is this the only door?" Ten whispered.
"Yes. No!" Sir Robert shouted, running to a second door. Ten followed and helped him barricade that door. They backed away, moving towards the center of the room.
"Shush," Rose whispered, holding her hand out to stop them. They watched the walls listening to a noise I couldn't hear.
"I don't understand. What's stopping it?" Rose whispered. The Doctor walked around, squinting at the walls. Sir Robert slumped into a chair, head in hands.
"Something inside this room. What is it? Why can't it get in?" Rose approached him.
"I'll tell you what, though." He turned to face her, confused.
"What?" Rose grinned slightly.
"Werewolf." They laughed, before hugging each other.
"I know. You all right?" He asked, pulling away.
"I'm okay, yeah." He turned to me but stopped, seeing the glare on my face. I shook my head at him, harshly mouthing the word "Stop". He wilted, grin disappearing from his face. Rose shifted guiltily next to him as my glare shifted to her. Under my arm, the Queen was watching them with wild, wide eyes.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am." I dropped my arm as Queen Victoria spun to face Sir Robert. He refused to look her in the eye. "It's all my fault. I should have sent you away. I tried to suggest something was wrong. I thought you might notice. Did you think there was nothing strange about my household staff?" Ten spoke up, the Queen spinning to glare at him.
"Well, they were bald, athletic. Your wife's away, I just thought you were happy." He shrugged, making a face. I rubbed my face in exasperation.
"Be that as it may, Sir Robert, you knowingly conspired to commit treason. Even though you appear to have been an unwilling accessory to the crime, you are treading deep waters right now." Captain Reynolds angrily chastised. He then marched over to me, holding out his hand. I raised my eyebrow, challengingly, but placed his gun in the open palm. He strapped it to his belt before walking to the window, looking for further threats.
"I'll tell you what though, Ma'am, I bet you're not amused now." My head snapped towards Rose, pain shooting through it.
"Rose!" I snapped. She flinched back.
"Do you think this is funny?" The Queen asked, furious. Thoroughly cowed, Rose tried to avoid eye contact.
"No, Ma'am. I'm sorry."
"What, exactly, pray tell me, someone, please. What exactly is that creature?" She asked, angrily. I opened my mouth to answer, but Ten beat me to it, scratching the back of his head.
"You'd call it a werewolf, but technically it's more of a lupine wavelength haemovariform." I looked at him in exasperation. 'Seriously? Like anyone but you cares what it's actually called right now.' Queen Victoria's glare turned to him.
"And should I trust you, sir? You who change your voice so easily? What happened to your accent?" She spat. He winced.
"Oh right, sorry, that's-" She cut him off.
"I'll not have it. No, sir. Not you, not that thing, none of it. This is not my world." She declared, glaring. I approached, cautiously, hoping I could help calm her.
"Your Majesty?" I flinched back slightly when her glare turned to me. "I know that, right now, you see no reason to trust the three of us. And that is completely fine! I swear. But right now, all I want to do is make sure that you make it out of this safe and unharmed. And I know that the Doctor and Rose agree with me." From behind the Queen, I could see the two nodding. "You must be feeling scared, uncertain, and angry, right?" She scoffed.
"How would you presume to know what I'm feeling, child?" I held out my hands, placatingly.
"I know because that is exactly what I felt when I was thrust into this world. I didn't understand what was happening, I was in an unfamiliar place so far from home, and I wanted nothing more than to both rage at and ignore what was happening. And it is completely alright to be feeling like that. Your entire understanding of the world has been ripped out from under you and has left you grasping for whatever you can to make sense of it. But know this, you will get out of this and the three of us? We will leave once this is over and never bother you again if that is what you decide. I promise."
She stared at me, eyes hard as she looked for sincerity in what I said. Seeing nothing but open honesty, her eyes softened slightly and she nodded. Smiling at her, I held out my arm for her to take. She eyed it before slowly taking it. I gently led her to a leather armchair and helped her sit down. I sat in the chair next to her, offering her a silent, comforting presence. In the time it took me to do that, Ten began observing an ornate carving of mistletoe on the wooden door. Rose stood awkwardly at his side, not sure what to say.
"Mistletoe. Sir Robert, did your father put that there?" He inquired. Sir Robert shrugged.
"I don't know. I suppose."
"On the other door, too. No, a carving wouldn't be enough. I wonder." He spun to face the door and gave the wood a lick. Rose gave him a disgusted look and I sighed in exasperation.
"Viscum album, the oil of the mistletoe. It's been worked into the wood like a varnish. How clever was your dad? I love him!" He exclaimed, backing away from the wall. He approached Rose, fingers wiggling as he tried to explain. "Powerful stuff, mistletoe. Bursting with lectins and viscotoxins."
"And the wolf's allergic to it?" She asked, confused.
"Well, it thinks it is. The monkey monk monks need a way of controlling the wolf, maybe they trained it to react against certain things." Sir Robert cut in.
"Nevertheless, that creature won't give up, Doctor, and we still don't possess an actual weapon." Ten looked at him like he was stupid.
"Oh, your father got all the brains, didn't he?" Sir Robert rose from his chair, offended.
"Being rude again," Rose said, a warning smile on her face. Ten waved her off.
"Good. I meant that one. You want weapons? We're in a library. Books! Best weapons in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have." He stated. He pulled on a pair of glasses, grabbed a couple of books from a shelf, and tossed one at Rose.
"Arm yourself." Despite how annoyed I was with him, I couldn't help but get excited from hearing those words. My school's library had those words painted on the wall next to the door leading inside. We all approached a bookshelf and began our research.
"Biology, zoology. There might be something on wolves in here," Rose offered.
"Hold on, what about this? A book on mistletoe." The Doctor interrupted her, dropping the book down to her.
"A book on magic?"
"Some form of explosive." I looked up from my seat to stare at Sir Robert. 'The fuck are you looking up?' I had to sit back down not long into the search. My eyes couldn't focus on the words and the pain in my head had started to increase.
"Hmm, that's the sort of thing."
"Wolf's bane, what about that?" The Doctor must have found something because he paused and jumped down from his perch, book in hand.
"Look what your old dad found. Something fell to Earth." We gathered around him, gazing at a drawing of an astrological event.
"A spaceship?" Rose guessed. I shook my head, pointing to the text.
"A shooting star! 'In the year of our Lord 1540, under the reign of King James the Fifth, an almighty fire did burn in the pit.' That's the Glen of Saint Catherine just by the monastery." Sir Robert explained.
"But that's over three hundred years ago. What's it been waiting for?" Rose asked, confused.
"Maybe just a single cell survived. Adapting slowly down the generations, it survived through the humans, host after host after host." The Doctor hypothesized.
"But why does it want the throne?" Sir Robert wondered. Rose jumped, knowing the answer.
"That's what it wants. It said so. The, the Empire of the Wolf." Ten gazed off into the distance.
"Imagine it. The Victorian Age accelerated. Starships and missiles fueled by coal and driven by steam, leaving history devastated in its wake." I stood from my seat and grabbed him, pulling him to the side. Rose followed.
"But, Doctor, isn't that what actually happened? Think about it, the Industrial Revolution, air travel, and, in less than 100 years from now, the first man steps foot on the moon. It is entirely possible that this is just what happens, werewolf or not!" He looked at me, considering. He opened his mouth to reply, but he was cut off by the Queen.
"Sir Robert. Captain Reynolds. If I am to die here-" Sir Robert approached her, shaking his head.
"Don't say that, Your Majesty." He protested. Captain Reynolds nodded in agreement.
"I would destroy myself rather than let that creature infect me. But that's no matter. I ask only that you find someplace of safekeeping for something far older and more precious than myself." She opened her purse, reaching in.
"Hardly the time to worry about your valuables." The Doctor commented. She glared at him.
"Thank you for your opinion, but there is nothing more valuable than this." She pulled the Koh-I-Noor from her bag, presenting it to the room.
"Is that the Koh-I-Noor?" Rose asked, completely in awe. The three of us drew closer to the monarch.
"Oh, yes. The greatest diamond in the world." The Doctor confirmed, gazing at it.
"Given to me as the spoils of war. Perhaps its legend is now coming true. It is said that whoever owns it must surely die." She explained, resigned.
"Well, that's true of anything if you own it long enough. Can I?" The Doctor held his hand out. She hesitated before reluctantly handing it to him. He pulled his glasses down the bridge of his nose and examined the rock.
"That is so beautiful." He said, turning it in his hand. Rose's hand hovered next to it, almost as if she was afraid to touch it. I peered at it in consideration. I didn't really care for jewels and the like, but it was impressive to look at.
"How much is that worth?" She asked in wonder.
"They say the wages of the entire planet for a whole week." She laughed in disbelief.
"Good job my mum's not here. She'd be fighting the wolf off with her bare hands for that thing."
"And she'd win!" Ten agreed, grinning. Rose huffed out a laugh. Sir Robert looked around, tense.
"Where is the wolf? I don't trust this silence." He walked away from our huddle, Captain Reynolds following him. Ten and Rose ignored them, focused on the diamond.
"Why do you travel with it?" Ten inquired, looking at the Queen in confusion.
"My annual pilgrimage. I'm taking it to Helier and Carew, the Royal Jewelers at Hazelhead. The stone needs recutting." Rose gazed at it, appearing heartbroken.
"Oh, but it's perfect!" She protested.
"My late husband never thought so." Queen Victoria elaborated. Ten removed his glasses.
"Now, there's a fact. Prince Albert kept on having the Koh-I-Noor cut-down. It used to be forty percent bigger than this. But he was never happy. Kept on cutting and cutting." I scrunched up my nose in disappointment. I understood that he needed it cut to save his wife, but, to practically destroy a jewel with so much historical significance…
"He always said the shine was not quite right. But he died with it still unfinished." She reminisced. Ten stared at her, eyes lighting up as everything clicked in place.
"Unfinished. Oh, yes." He callously threw the diamond back to the Queen. Startled, she caught it against her chest. He started to pace, running his hands through his hair.
"There's a lot of unfinished business in this house. His father's research, and your husband, Ma'am, he came here and he sought the perfect diamond. Hold on, hold on. All these separate things, they're not separate at all, they're connected. Oh, my head, my head. What if this house, it's a trap for you. Is that right, Ma'am?" He was staring at the Queen, leaning far too close for her to have been comfortable. His hair was a mess, making him appear as crazy as he really was.
"Obviously." She bit out.
"At least, that's what the wolf intended. But, what if there's a trap inside the trap?"
"Explain yourself, Doctor." She ordered.
"What if his father and your husband weren't just telling each other stories. They dared to imagine all this was true, and they planned against it, laying the real trap not for you but for the wolf." My eye twitched as dust fell from the ceiling. 'Does this thing just magically know when it's being talked about?' Our eyes traveled upwards. The wolf growled at us from the skylight.
"That wolf there." I ran to clear the door when cracks formed under its weight.
"Out! Out! Out!" The Doctor yelled, sprinting over. We quickly removed the furniture as the wolf fell through the skylight. I shrieked as glass and wood flew across the room, barely missing us. The door finally cleared, we rushed out. Ten closed the doors behind him.
"Your Majesty!" Captain Roberts ushered the Queen in front of him, gun drawn and aimed at the door as he ran after her.
"Get to the observatory!" The Doctor called out from behind us. I froze in place when a scream came from Rose. The werewolf was almost on top of her.
"Rose!" I tried running back to her, hoping I would get there in time. It raised its claws, but, thankfully, it was stopped by Lady Isobel and the maids. They had come out of nowhere and threw boiling mistletoe on it. It growled and retreated.
"Good shot!" Ten exclaimed, rushing towards Rose. I was already there, hugging the life out of her.
"It was mistletoe." I heard Flora explain. After making sure Rose was ok, Ten ran to look down the hallway after the wolf.
"Isobel!" Sir Robert exclaimed, kissing her. "Now, get back downstairs." He pleaded.
"Keep yourself safe!" He nodded and kissed her again.
"Now go." Isobel led the staff away.
"Girls, come with me. Down the back stairs, back to the kitchens. Quickly!" The Doctor ran back to us.
"Come on!" Robert gestured further down the hall.
"The observatory's this way." We ran up the rest of the stairs, all the way to the observatory's floor. We burst through the doors and made our way into the room. I paused just outside the door and grabbed a sword that was hanging on the wall.
"No mistletoe in these doors because your father wanted the wolf to get inside. I just need time. Is there any way of barricading this?" He asked, looking around. Sir Robert stepped forward.
"Just do your work and I'll defend it."
"If we could bind them shut with rope or something!" He tried.
"I said I'd find you time, Sir. Now get inside." I shoved him in through the doors.
"Nope." I interrupted.
"Carli?" I held up the sword.
"What we're gonna do is lock the doors and slide this between the door handles. That should give you enough time. Far more time than we'd have if our one line of defense was a man it could easily tear through. Now move!" Ten quickly ran to Queen Victoria, holding out his hand.
"Your Majesty, the diamond."
"For what purpose?" She inquired.
"The purpose it was designed for." She handed over the diamond and he rushed to the telescope.
"Rose!" He ushered her over to help. Captain Reynolds and I locked the doors and slid the sword in place. 'Hopefully, that will last until we're ready' I prayed. I grabbed Sir Robert by the arm and dragged him to the telescope to help turn the wheels. Captain Reynolds stood by the Queen, gun aimed at the door.
"Lift it. Come on." Ten grunted, struggling with the wheel. The three of us grabbed a bar and pushed, faces screwed up with effort.
"Is this the right time for stargazing?" Rose bit out.
"Yes, it is." The doors began to rattle as the wolf tried to enter. I could see Queen Victoria pull out her cross and start praying
"You said this thing doesn't work." Rose protested. Ten shook his head, face glistening with sweat as he continued to turn the wheel.
"It doesn't work as a telescope because that's not what it is. It's a light chamber. It magnifies the light rays like a weapon. We've just got to power it up."
"It won't work. There's no electricity!" Ten and I gave her a look. A look of realization graced her face. "Moonlight. But the wolf needs moonlight. It's made by moonlight!"
"You're seventy percent water but you can still drown. Come on! Come on!" 'Fair enough.'
We stopped, the telescope now in place. A ray of moonlight hit the floor through the prisms. Instantaneously, the door burst open, sword breaking in half and flying to the side. Captain Reynolds fired his gun, but it did not deter the wolf. Thinking quickly, the Doctor slid the diamond into the light ray right as the wolf started to swing at the Queen. The beam it produced jerked the wolf backward and up into the air. A pink and blue glow emanated from the creature, its body posed like Jesus on the cross. I ran forward and pulled the shocked Queen away from the floating figure as it changed back into a man.
"Make it brighter. Let me go." He pleaded, looking at Ten. He slowly made his way over to the end of the telescope. Turning a knob, the opening widened, allowing for more light to shine through. I looked away as the light got too bright for me to handle. I heard one last howl before the light disappeared and all was silent. All of us breathed out sighs of relief, tension leaving us. I looked to the monarch standing next to me only to feel a flush of panic. She was observing a cut on her arm. The Doctor, hearing my sharp intake of breath, spun towards us.
"Your Majesty? Did it bite you?" He asked, cautiously moving forward. I backed away, shaking my head. 'I thought I could change it' my thoughts spiraled as I looked at the two alive men in the room. Why could I save them and not prevent this?
"No, it's, it's a cut, that's all." Queen Victoria answered, softly. Ten walked to stand in front of her.
"If that thing bit you…" He trailed off.
"It was a splinter of wood when the door came apart. It's nothing." She insisted. He reached out
"Let me see." She snapped out of her daze, slapping his hand away.
"It is nothing." She snapped. She gestured for Captain Reynolds and Sir Robert before exiting the room. We stared after her as the two men followed her. A few moments later, Ten turned to us.
"Alright then?" He asked. Rose nodded but I just stared at the door in confusion. "What is it?" He approached me.
"I thought I did everything right? I saved the lives of two men who were going to die and yet I couldn't prevent the Queen from getting scratched." I uttered, looking at him in confusion. I didn't think something like this would be a fixed point. He sighed.
"Some things are just integral moments in time and can't be changed. This must be one of those moments." He theorized. I nodded, still upset. "C'mon," He held out his hand. I took it and followed him and Rose from the room.
I kneeled next to Rose in front of Queen Victoria, practically vibrating in excitement. Any sadness or confusion I had been feeling had disappeared when the Queen told us what she wanted to do. Sir Robert and Lady Isobel stood off to the side behind the monarch. She held up her sword in her bandaged hand and began the ceremony.
"By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Sir Doctor of Tardis." She moved on to Rose. "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Rose of the Powell Estate." She then turned to me. "By the power invested in me by the Church and the State, I dub thee Dame Carli of Virginia. You may stand." We followed her instructions, smiling.
"Many thanks, Ma'am." Ten nodded at her in gratitude.
"Thanks. They're never going to believe this back home." Rose said, giddy.
"Thank you so much, your Majesty. I understand what an honor it is for an American to be knighted; a privilege normally only given to citizens of your empire." I nodded humbly at her.
"Your Majesty, you said last night about receiving no message from the great beyond. I think your husband cut that diamond to save your life. He's protecting you even now, Ma'am, from beyond the grave." Ten said to her. She eyed him.
"Indeed. Then you may think on this also. That I am not amused." She stated, eyes turning to look at Rose. Rose laughed as the Doctor groaned. I simply smiled, amused at their antics.
"Yes!"
"Not remotely amused. And henceforth I banish you." That stopped them in their tracks. They stared in disbelief. I winced, drawing in on myself.
"I'm sorry?" The Doctor asked. The Queen stepped forward.
"I have rewarded you, Sir Doctor, and now you are exiled from this empire, never to return. I don't know what you are, the two of you, or where you're from, but I know that you consort with stars and magic and think it fun. But your world is steeped in terror and blasphemy and death, and I will not allow it. You will leave these shores and you will reflect, I hope, on how you came to stray so far from all that is good, and how much longer you may survive this terrible life. And you, Dame Carli," I looked up at her, silent under her gaze. "I can only hope that you will be able to get away from this life that scares you so. But until you do, I do not want to see you in this land." She stepped back. "Now leave my world, and never return." She ordered. The three of us exchanged glances.
"Whoa!" The owner of the cart called, pulling the horse to a stop. After traveling well into the afternoon, we arrived back at the TARDIS. We quickly hopped down. I shielded my eyes from the bright sun, head pounding again.
"Cheers, Dougal!" Ten called out.
"Walk on!" The man called out, riding away.
"No, but the funny thing is, Queen Victoria did actually suffer a mutation of the blood. It's historical record. She was a hemophiliac. They used to call it the Royal Disease. But it's always been a mystery because she didn't inherit it. Her mum didn't have it, her dad didn't have it. It came from nowhere." The Doctor explained to Rose as we walked towards the blue box. Rose looked at him in disbelief.
"What, and you're saying that's a wolf bite?"
"Well, maybe hemophilia is just a Victorian euphemism." He theorized.
"For werewolf?" He shrugged.
"Could be."
"Queen Victoria's a werewolf?" Rose asked, unable to wrap her head around it.
"Could be. And her children had the Royal Disease. Maybe she gave them a quick nip." Rose scoffed, grinning.
"So, the Royal Family are werewolves?"
"Well, maybe not yet. I mean, a single wolf cell could take a hundred years to mature. Might be ready by, oh, early 21st century?" He said, a smirk on his face. I snorted, rolling my eyes.
"Nah, that's just ridiculous! Mind you, Princess Anne." Rose said.
"I'll say no more." I looked at them, confused.
"What? Who?" I asked, not understanding how this woman related to the conversation. They waved me off, ignoring the question.
"And if you think about it, they're very private. They plan everything in advance. They could schedule themselves around the moon. We'd never know. And they like hunting!" By now we had reached the TARDIS. Ten unlocked the doors and pushed them open, walking inside. The two of us followed, the doors closing behind us.
"They love blood sports. Oh my God, they're werewolves!" Rose exclaimed, a delighted grin on her face. The two of them started laughing and howling as the Doctor sent the ship into the time vortex. I sat on the captain's chair laughing at the two of them. 'They're idiots, but they're my idiots' I thought fondly. Finally calming down, Ten turned to me.
"Now then, let's see what we can do about that concussion." Sighing in relief, I followed him from the console room. After a few moments of walking, we arrived at a door. We entered the room, and I looked around, confused. This was not the med bay. It was an empty room with white walls and no windows. The door we entered was the only way in or out.
"I can give you medication to help speed up the process, but the best way to heal is to essentially shut down for 48 hours. No lights, no music, no reading, no electronics, just rest. And, since your room has too many distractions, you'll stay in here!" I looked at him, bemused.
"And where is here, exactly?"
"This room acts almost like a sensory deprivation tank. Once I leave the room and you let the TARDIS know you're ready, the gravity will turn off and you'll float in place. The room will then muffle your other senses so that you can focus on resting. The medication I will give you will cut the time in half, so you'll only need to be in here for 24 hours instead of 48." I nodded, looking around the empty room.
"Ok, sounds good. Mind numbingly boring, but good. Can I shower, use the restroom, and change first?" He smacked his forehead.
"I knew I forgot something. Do that and come back here. I'll give you the medication that will speed things up when you get back." Nodding, I left the room. Thankfully, I didn't need to go far since the TARDIS moved my door to right across the hall. Entering my room, I quickly went to the bathroom, undressed, removed the earplug from my ear, and hopped into the shower to clean the events of the day from my body. Once done, I left the shower to find a comfy pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweater folded neatly on the countertop along with some clean undergarments. Smiling, I patted the walls of the room in thanks.
Once I was dry, I put on the clothes and left my room, walking across the hall to the sensory deprivation chamber. Ten was waiting for me with a glass of water and a white-colored pill, as well as my four Crohn's pills.
"Here you are," He said, handing them to me. I quickly tossed the pills in my mouth and swallowed them with a large gulp of water. I handed the glass back to the Doctor and he started heading towards the door.
"I'll be back for you in 24 hours!" He said waving. I smiled and waved back at him. The door shut with a click and I was alone. Taking a deep breath, I looked up at the ceiling.
"Alright, hun, I'm ready!" Seconds later, I felt myself begin to float off the ground. The lights dimmed to a level that still allowed me to see, but only just. The soft humming from the TARDIS grew quiet as I lay there, weightless. With nothing else to do, I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
24 hours later, and I was bored out of my mind. I almost cried in relief when the gravity slowly turned on, lowering me to the ground. The lights slowly grew brighter and the humming returned. The door opened and Ten walked through, sonic in hand.
"Hello! How are you feeling?" He asked, scanning my head.
"Mind numbingly bored, like I said I'd be, but otherwise, I feel fine. First time my head hasn't hurt in a while," I replied as he read the results. Seemingly satisfied with them, he grinned at me.
"Oh, I have the perfect remedy for that!" He reached into his pocket and held up the DVD for some animated movie. I looked at it, confused.
"Coco? What's that?" He looked at me like I had slapped him with a fish.
"What's Coco?! What do you mean? This is your favorite movie!" I raised my eyebrows.
"Really? I've never heard of it. Is it a Disney movie?" He stared at me for a moment before a look of determination took over.
"Well, I guess I'll just have to introduce you then." My empty stomach rumbled in response. I flushed with embarrassment. He laughed. "After we feed you. C'mon! Rose is making lunch. She's excited to relax with a movie." He took my hand and pulled me from the room.
After an enlightening experience with what easily took the spot as my favorite movie, the telltale feeling of tingles and burning filled my arm. I came to in a tunnel filled with crates and futuristic looking machines. A commotion by one of the machines caught my attention.
"Oi, oi! What's wrong with clean hands?"
"What's going on?"
"Leave him alone!" I perked up, recognizing the voices of Ten, Martha, and Donna. I rushed over to where their voices were coming from. As soon as I arrived, the clicking of guns sounded as soldiers pointed them in my direction. My hands shot into the air, surprised.
"Halt!" The three I recognized looked in my direction.
"Carli!" The Doctor called out, his arm currently shoved into some sort of contraption.
"Clean hands. We'll use her next. Start the machine!" One of the soldiers order. Another who was next to me shoved me towards Martha and Donna. The machine holding the Doctor's arm began to whir as it clamped down in him.
"Something tells me this isn't about to check my blood pressure. Argh!" He cried out in pain. I made an aborted movement towards him but was stopped by the cocking of a gun.
"What are you doing to him?" Donna exclaimed, glaring at the soldiers.
"Everyone gets processed." One of them answered. A sound resembling a drill sounded from the machine.
"It's taken a tissue sample. Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow. And extrapolated it. Some kind of accelerator?" Ten questioned. Seconds later, the machine released him and he stumbled away from it towards us. I leaped at him and drew him into a hug.
"Are you all right?" I heard Martha ask, worried. I pulled away and grabbed his hand, holding it up to look at it. On the back of it was a Y shaped graze, spots of blood rising to the surface.
"What on earth? That's just-" He cut himself off, watching as the doors to the pod next to the machine opened, smoke escaping from inside. Out walked a woman I recognized. I grinned, excited to see her. The soldier from before approached her and handed her a gun.
"Arm yourself."
"Where did she come from?" Martha asked, confused. The Doctor stared at the woman in shock.
"From me." He uttered. Donna and Martha looked at him, incredulous.
"From you? How? Who is she?" Donna asked, watching the woman check the gun she was handed.
"Well, she's, well, she's my daughter." Jenny cocked the gun with a bright smile.
"Hello, Dad."
There we go! I hope you guys enjoyed! Again, I hope to have updates sooner than I've been giving them, so, hopefully, that works out. Let me know what you think! For those who are returning to this fic, I've edited the previous chapters. Most of it is just grammatical stuff or things I wanted to change, but some of it is additions that relate to the plot. Feel free to reread them if you'd like!
See y'all soon,
Percabeth Jackson