The Phoenix stood there watching the kettle boil, the windmills in her mind spinning with everything that had happened. I wish Jack were here she thought sadly, hand drifting down to settle on her stomach.
"What are you doing?" Rose asked in the doorway, making the brunette jump.
"Your brain really must be small", the Phoenix remarked earning her an angry look from Rose "it's pretty obvious. The kettle is boiling…I'm making tea".
"I know you are", Rose said.
"Well, if you know that question of yours was pretty pointless then", the Phoenix said "the better question would be 'Why am I making a cup of tea?'"
"Ok…why are you making a cup of tea?" Rose asked, feeling her anger rise. She was about two seconds away from exploding.
"It's for the Doctor", the Phoenix said picking up the mug "a superheated infusion of free radicals and tannin. Just the thing for healing the synapses" at Rose's confused look, she simplified it "tea has stuff in it that will help him to heal and settle his mind. God you really are dumb aren't you?"
The Phoenix tried to move past Rose but the human grabbed the mug, throwing it to the floor. "I'm not dumb!" she shouted.
"Could've fooled me", the Time Lady said calmly though inwardly she was groaning. Gods did she have to witness another temper tantrum? She was ever so grateful that Mickey never did anything like that. Then again she wouldn't have chosen him as her companion if he did.
Rose's eyes hardened "this is all your fault!" she snarled, poking the Time Lady in the chest "he changed because of you!"
The Phoenix grabbed her hand, lightly twisting her wrist, making the human cry out. Jackie and Mickey came out when this happened. The former tried to come to her daughter's aid when the latter stopped her. "Don't. Nix wont hurt her but Rose needs to be put in her place", Mickey explained "now, trust me when I say, you're not going to want to see this". He took her by the arm and pulled her back into the bedroom, closing the door.
"Don't you dare blame me, Rose Tyler", the Phoenix said in a low dangerous voice "I only took in the time vortex because you had to go and tamper with things you didn't understand, you bloody stupid ape!" Rose took several steps back, trembling "I could have saved him in a way that would have had him up and about and still with the same face. But oh no…you had to take things into your own hands!"
Rose let out frightened noise, falling backwards onto her bum when a the same firey aura exploded into being around the Time Lady. The Phoenix glared at Rose, anger coursing through her veins. She clenched her fists, taking a deep breath to force herself to calm down. The calmer she got, the fainter the aura was until it completely vanished. "If you were my companion and you pulled a stunt like that I…" the Time Lady trailed off suddenly feeling rather light headed "I…" Rose watched the Time Lady sway on the spot, holding her head "I…don't feel so…."
The Phoenix collapsed onto the kitchen floor, Rose staring at her in shock. The bedroom door was flung open and Mickey rushed out. His eyes widened seeing the only family he had laying prone on the floor. "Nix!" he cried hurrying to her side "what did you do?" he demanded to Rose as he lifted up the Time Lady's head, resting it on his lap.
"I didn't do anything", Rose insisted "she just collapsed". Mickey just shot her a look saying that he didn't believe her at all. He carefully picked the Phoenix up and carried her to the sofa.
"Thanks", he said to Jackie, who handed him a blanket to cover the Time Lady. He draped it over her and perched on the arm of the chair. "I'm here Nix", he whispered brushing some of her hair away from her face "I'm not going anywhere".
The Phoenix shot up into a sitting position upon hearing Mickey's shouts. Her eyes widened when she saw a green Christmas tree spinning around like the Tasmanian Devil. "Go!" she shouted leaping from the sofa, placing herself in between the evil evergreen and the three humans that were standing there. Rose and Jackie scarpered while Mickey stayed put "Mickey, go!" she ordered.
"Not without you!" Mickey shouted back, grabbing her hand, pulling her down the hallway. They darted into the bedroom where Jackie was huddled against the wall, scared. Rose on the other hand was trying to wake up the Doctor.
"Don't wake him!" the Phoenix said as she and Mickey shoved the wardrobe against the door, pushing all their weight onto it.
"We need him!" Rose shot back.
"No, you don't. You've got me", The Phoenix said, reaching into her pocket for her sonic. If she could get the right frequency she could destroy the tree.
"Fat lot of good you are", Rose sneered "you're hiding in here with us".
"Shut it Rose", Mickey snapped, pressing harder against the wardrobe as he felt it start to shake from the tree trying to get through on the other side. Suddenly it burst through the wardrobe, throwing Mickey and the Phoenix back.
"I'm going to get killed by a Christmas tree!" Jackie shrieked as the Phoenix shifted in front of Mickey, trying to protect him from the tree of death. She was about to set the conifer ablaze when the Doctor beat her to it, blowing it up with his sonic.
The Phoenix relaxed slightly now that the danger was gone. The Time Lord jumped out of bed, going straight for the Time Lady, pulling her up and into his arms. He had never felt so scared before. Hearing it all happening and not being able to do a thing about it until it was almost too late. The Doctor had this overwhelming urge to kiss her but he stopped himself. She was with Jack…it would be wrong.
Then he remembered that he had told her that the loved her and had been for a long time. Had he unintentionally overstepped in his crazed state? If he had, he really hoped that he didn't just jeopardise his friendship with her. That would be the last thing he wanted. He honestly wouldn't know what to do if he'd ruined the only good thing he had going for him. And as much as he wanted to ask her, there annoyingly was more pressing matters that needed his attention.
The Doctor pulled back from her, rather reluctantly though "you ok?" he asked, searching her face for any signs of pain or stress.
The Phoenix nodded "I'm fine", she replied "are you ok?" she questioned. Him being awake now could potentially be putting himself at risk as it was far too early for him to be up and about.
"I'm fine", the Doctor answered, repeating her response "Now, let's see who was controlling that" he nodded to the remnants of the tree. He slipped his hand in hers and walked out of the room, completely ignoring the humans. The Phoenix snatched up the dressing gown on the way.
"Better put this on", she said holding it out to him.
"Thanks", his said, taking it from her and slipping it on.
"Oh, it would have to be them", the Phoenix griped seeing three Pilot Fish standing on the ground below, one holding a remote control. The Doctor raised his sonic at them threateningly and they teleported themselves away.
Mickey let out a laugh "They're not much cop if a sonic screwdriver is gonna scare them off", he remarked.
"They're Pilot Fish", the Phoenix told him seriously and his smile dropped.
"Oh", Mickey said.
"Yeah", the Phoenix said grimly. Rose looked at the pair, annoyance flooding through her. Of course Mickey knew what they were she thought. As much as she didn't like the Phoenix, she seemed to be making Mickey more knowledgeable about the universe. Shame the same couldn't be said for the Doctor.
The Time Lord suddenly let out a cough and threw himself backwards against the wall, pulling the Pheonix with him. "You woke too soon", she stated and he nodded.
"Yeah", he said, a wisp of time vortex escaping from his mouth.
"Right", the Phoenix said "Mickey help me get him inside. Jackie pop the kettle on. We're going to need tea. A lot of it". Jackie nodded and ran inside the flat to do as she'd asked.
"What about me?" Rose asked.
"Keep out of the bloody way", the Time Lady answered "you're doing more harm than good". Rose could only stand there staring at her while Mickey helped the Time Lady get the Doctor to his feet. Together they took him inside the flat and sat him down on the sofa. The Time Lord groaned, dropping his head on to the Phoenix's shoulder. "How it coming with the tea?" she called to Jackie.
"Nearly done!" Jackie shouted back.
"Just hold on a bit longer", the Phoenix said to the Doctor, taking his hand, rubbing her thumb on the back of it. Mickey hurried over to Jackie when she appeared with a steaming mug of tea and took it from her.
"Here", he said holding it out to the Time Lords, the Phoenix taking it from him. She held the mug while the Doctor took a couple of sips. After that he felt strong enough to hold the cup himself. They watched as he gulped it down.
"Better?" the Phoenix asked.
"Much", the Doctor replied. He could feel it working. His mind was settling as was his body "thank you".
"You're welcome", the Phoenix said. She rubbed her forehead and the Doctor looked at her concerned.
"You sure you're ok?" he questioned.
"Yeah, I'm fine", she assured him "I'm just gonna get some air". The Phoenix got up and started towards the front door. She only made it a couple of steps before she suddenly pitched forward. Mickey who was the closest, quickly grabbed her before she hit the floor.
The Doctor immediately reacted, launching himself off the sofa to take the Phoenix from him. He gathered her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom, laying her on the bed. "What's wrong with her?" Mickey asked, concerned for the Time Lady.
"Not sure", the Doctor said, scanning her with the sonic. He looked at the results. It seemed like her body was trying to heal itself from the injuries she'd sustained when her TARDIS was very nearly destroyed. There was something else which made his eyes widen. She was pregnant!
"Who cares?" Rose muttered quietly from the doorway but both the Doctor and Mickey heard her.
"We care", Mickey said, shooting her an angry look. The Doctor couldn't believe his companion. If she kept up this behaviour, he was going to leave her behind. She didn't deserve to travel with him.
"What is wrong with you?" he asked "show a little compassion". Rose didn't say anything. Instead opting to walk away.
"You really need a new companion", Mickey stated.
"Don't I know it", the Doctor agreed. The pair settled down to patiently wait for her to wake.
When the Phoenix woke next, she felt something pawing at her. She opened her eyes to see Goose sitting there. "Hey girl", she said rubbing her fur, making her purr. The Time Lady sat up to discover that she was laying on the grated floor of the TARDIS. A thermos of tea was lying next to her, its contents spilled out. So that's why… she thought. She'd felt a lot stronger when she'd woken up which had to be due to the tea. Goose pawed her again and then hurried to the door.
The Phoenix got up and followed him. She frowned hearing the commotion on the other side. Her eyes widened upon hearing a Sycorax speak. She grabbed the handle and pulled the door open. Mickey grinned upon seeing her "Nix!" he cried happily.
"Hey guys", she greeted "I'm back!" The Time Lady walked forward, smiling in acknowledgment at Harriet before coming to stand beside the Doctor. "Now what kind of mess have you gotten yourself into?" she asked him.
"Oh…the usual kind", the Doctor told her with a cheeky grin "good to have you back".
"Thanks. So Sycorax, huh?" The Phoenix remarked to the Time Lord while the Sycorax leader watched, rather dumbfounded as they causally chattered away like he wasn't standing there.
"Yep", the Doctor said.
"If I might interrupt", the Sycorax Leader said.
"You can but it would be plain rude", the Phoenix said to him.
"I demand to know who you are!" the alien ordered.
"Well…considering you asked nicely. I'm the Phoenix", the Time Lady said "this is the Doctor".
"But apart from that I have no clue who I am", the Doctor admitted "it's all untested" he wandered around, everyone watching him "Am I funny? Am I sarcastic? Sexy?" he threw a wink at the Phoenix who just shook her head at hi with a smile "Right old misery? Life and soul? Right handed? Left handed? A gambler? A fighter? A coward? A traitor? A liar? A nervous wreck? I mean, judging by the evidence, I've certainly got a gob" he noticed a button "And how am I going to react when I see this" he points at it with a big smile "a great big threatening button" he runs up the stairs laughing A Great Big Threatening Button Which Must Not Be Pressed Under Any Circumstances. Am I right? Let me guess. It's some sort of control matrix? Hmm? Hold on, what's feeding it?"
The Doctor crouched down and opens the door in the base of the pillar supporting the button "And what've we got here? Blood?" he dips a finger in and tastes it "Yeah, definitely blood. Human blood. A Positive, with just a dash of iron" he waggles his tongue around at the nasty taste and wipes his finger on his dressing gown "Ah, but that means…blood control…" the Doctor become delighted at that "Blood control! Oh, I haven't seen blood control for years. You're controlling all the A Positives.
Which leaves us with a great big stinking problem. Because I really don't know who I am. I don't know when to stop. So if I see a Great Big Threatening Button Which Should Never Ever Be Pressed…then I just want to do this"
He whacks the button hard "No!" Harriet and Rose shouted. The Phoenix rolled her eyes. She knew the Doctor well enough to know that he would endanger humans like that.
"Calm down, you lot", she said "he wouldn't do that if he wasn't 100% sure that the people would be safe. Besides blood control is a cheap parlour trick. You make people do what you want but you cannot make them kill themselves. The survival instinct's too strong".
"Blood control was just one form of conquest. I can summon the armada and take this world by force", the Sycorax leader informed them.
"Have to get through us first", the Phoenix stated "and I for one am not about to let you take this world".
"Are you standing as their champion?" the alien asked.
"No, I am", the Doctor cut in when the Phoenix opened her mouth to confirm.
"What are you doing?" she hissed at him when he came back to stand next to her "I'd be a better choice".
"I don't want you getting hurt", the Doctor said. Especially since now that she was pregnant. He would never forgive himself if she got harmed.
"I can handle myself", the Phoenix shot back "I have better swordsmanship".
"I'm doing this that's final", the Doctor said firmly. He shrugged off the dressing gown, handing it to her before to took a sword from a nearby Sycorax. He took a sword from one of the Sycorax, gripping it tightly "Do you accept my challenge?" he asked the Sycorax leader "Or are you just a cranak pel casacree salvak?"
The Phoenix raised her eyebrows at the insult. The leader and the Doctor got down on one knee, holding their swords. "For the planet?" the Sycorax challenged.
"For the planet", the Doctor said. The Time Lady sighed. She knew there was no way that she'd be able to step in now. If she did, it would invalidate the challenge and therefore the planet was forfeit.
The Phoenix watched the pair battle it out with anxious eyes. "Look out!" Rose shouted as the Sycorax Leader swung his sword at the Time Lord who just managed to dodge it.
"Oh yeah, that helped. Wouldn't have thought of that otherwise, thanks", the Doctor said sarcastically. He led the fight up the stairs and onto a platform on the outside of the spaceship. The Time Lady flinched when the Doctor got elbowed in the nose by the Sycorax Leader.
"I swear if he loses a limb, I'm gonna kill him", she muttered to Mickey. As if she'd just jinxed it, the Doctor got his hand cut off the by Sycorax leader. The Phoenix facepalmed. Mickey was amused by her reaction. Completely the opposite to any normal person.
"You cut my hand off", the Doctor stated both stunned and annoyed.
"Ya! Sycorax!" the leader said triumphantly.
"So much for that…what now?" Mickey asked.
"You'll have to wait and see", the Phoenix replied.
The Doctor got to his feet "And now I know what sort of man I am. I'm lucky. 'Cos quite by chance I'm still within the first fifteen hours of my regeneration cycle, which means I've got just enough residual cellular energy…to do this" he holds up his stump of an arm and before the eyes of everyone, his hand grew back.
"Witchcraft", the Sycorax leader snarled.
"Time Lord", the Doctor retorted. The Phoenix shoved the dressing gown into Mickey's arms before pulling out a sword from her jacket pocket.
"Heads up!" she shouted tossing it to the Doctor, who caught it.
"You had a sword in your pocket?" Mickey questioned.
"Of course I do", the Phoenix "never know when you're gonna need it". They watched the Doctor take down the Sycorax leader.
"I win", the Doctor said pointing his sword at the alien's throat.
"Then kill me"
"I'll spare your life if you'll take this Champion's command: Leave this planet, and never return. What do you say?" the Doctor asked.
"Yes", the Sycorax leader said agreeing with his terms.
The Doctor jabbed his sword closer "Swear on the blood of your species", he ordered in a far more angry tone than before.
"I swear", the Sycorax leader vowed.
The Doctor grinned, his anger now gone "There we are, then! Thanks for that! Cheers, big fella!" he said. Rose started towards the Doctor, only to be pushed aside by the Phoenix. The blonde turned to Mickey.
"She just pushed me", she complained.
"So?" Mickey asked, not exactly bothered by it.
"But…she pushed me", Rose repeated.
"And I care why?" Micky asked "with the way you've been acting, I don't want to know you. In fact…I'm not going to be your boyfriend any more". He left her standing there, gaping like a fish.
"Nice moves", the Phoenix remarked sliding the sword back into her pocket.
"Thanks", the Doctor said. The Time Lady then smacked him upside the head "Ow! What was that for?" he asked rubbing the sore spot.
"Probably cos you got your hand cut off", Mickey answered.
"Exactly. If I was the one fighting, I wouldn't have lost my hand", the Pheonix said.
"Maybe not but I wasn't going to take the chance that you would get hurt", the Doctor said. He took her hand "that's the last thing I want", he added softly. The Phoenix could see that he was pretty sincere in keeping her safe. It was in his eyes.
Behind them the Sycorax leader get to his feet. He picks up his sword, roaring as he charged at them. The Phoenix calmly reached into her pocket and brought out a rubber band ball. She threw it at a button on the side of the ship causing the ground underneath the Sycorax leader to open. He tumbles to the Earth screaming. "He should've adhered to the rules of engagement", she stated simply.
The trio entered the ship, Rose, Harriet and some guy named Alex followed them. The Doctor stood in front of his TARDIS. "By the ancient rites of combat, I forbid you to scavenge here for the rest of time" the Doctor said looking at all the Sycorax seriously "And when go you back to the stars and tell others of this planet…when you tell them of its riches, its people, its potential. When you talk of the Earth, then make sure that you tell them this. It is defended", he said in a tone that ensured the rest of the Sycorax that he was very serious.
A brief second later, they were all teleported back to Earth. "Where are we?" Rose asked looking around.
"We're just off Bloxom Road. We're just round the corner, we did it!" Mickey laughed and jumps up and down with glee. The Doctor holds up his hand as the spaceship's engines started up.
"Wait a minute…wait a minute…", the Time Lord said as the ship takes flight, back into the skies and he grinned.
"Go on, my son! Oh, yeah!" Mickey cheered gleefully. He hugged the Phoenix, happily. "It is defended!" he shouted.
"Yes. Yes it is", the Time Lady agreed "and it always will be". She stepped away from her companion and went over to the Doctor "All's well that ends well", she remarked and the Doctor hummed in agreement "doesn't mean I'm not gonna kick your ass for getting your hand cut off".
"And I won't stop you", the Doctor said "though there is something I need to tell you…" he took her hand and led her away from the others.
"What is it?" the Phoenix asked.
"I uh…" the Doctor started. He knew that he couldn't tell her that what he said wasn't just the ramblings of his mind spiralling with the regeneration. That he was completely and utterly in love with her. As much as he wanted to, it wasn't what she needed to hear right now. "I scanned you when you passed out. And my sonic picked up something. Nix…you're…you're pregnant".
The Phoenix stared at him, eyes wide "what?" she breathed "I-I'm…" she stumbled back, hand going to her stomach "oh my god".
The Doctor was about to say something when all of a sudden a sudden a green beam of light shoots out from the round nearby. They all looked up and watch as four more beams of light shoot up to join the first one. The combined beams destroyed the Sycorax spaceship much to the shock of everyone.
The Phoenix's eyes landed on Harriet and they hardened. She must've given the order. The Time Lady marched over to her "that was murder!" she said angrily.
"That was defence. It's adapted from alien technology. A ship that fell to Earth ten years ago", Harriet explained.
"They were leaving!" the Phoenix shouted.
"Who's to say they weren't going to come back in full force next time?" Harriet asked, though she was a bit wary of the Time Lady "and with others?"
"The Doctor told them this planet was protected!" The Phoenix argued "they would have left you alone as per the agreement!"
"Well, I'm sorry but neither of you are here all the time. I had to act on behalf of the human race", Harriet shot back.
"I should've given them a different message", the Time Lord said stepping up to stand next to the Phoenix, placing a hand on the small of her back, hoping to calm her down a little. "I should've told them to run as fast as they can, run and hide because the monsters are coming. The human race"
The Phoenix shook her head "we should've stopped you", she said.
"And what does that make you two?" Harriet demanded "another alien threat?"
The Time Lady stepped forward "Do NOT test me Harriet Jones", she said in a low, dangerous tone "I can bring your government down with six words".
"Not possible", Harriet said stubbornly. The Pheonix arched a brow, taking it as a challenge. She turned and walked over to Alex, tugging his earpiece out.
"Don't you think she looks tired?" she murmured into his ear. She was pleased to see as a result some hours later on Jackie's TV, that were was a vote of no confidence.
"That'll teach her to not mess with you", Mickey said giving her a nudge "Miss Badass".
The Phoenix smiled at her moniker though her thoughts turned to the baby growing within her. Guess its Mama Badass now she thought. She had no idea how she was going to be able to do this without Jack. To raise their child without him and that's even if she doesn't have a repeat of the first time. "Excuse me", the Phoenix said and quickly left the flat before she started crying in front of everyone.
The Time Lady ran away from the block of flat as fast as she could before she lost her footing on the grass. She stumbled, falling to the ground. The Phoenix's shoulders shook as she sobbed her hearts out.