Chapter five
Three wise Doctors...
"We'll we're going to need a plan..." The Doctor spoke, but he stopped feeling his eyes going to behind him. It was the echo sound of The TARDIS, but too weird to hear more than once. "And I think the TARDIS really wants to save her."
Jack spun around to see two TARDIS beside the one The Twelfth Doctor came from, and both doors opening up. Jack turned to The Twelfth Doctor, it was Ten and Eleven staring at each other. "Wow, is it Christmas already?"
Eleven's eyes stared to Ten, "Again..." He laughed, he turned to Twelve, "Oh, Hello." He didn't know who the man was, but he straightened his bowtie, "Jack!" He rushed to pull him into a big hug.
Ten felt his eyes turn to Twelve, he felt his eyes pulled to the face of a roman, a man he saved. "So question on why are we here?" He placed his hands in his pockets.
Owen felt lost, he heard so much about The Doctor, but it seemed there was three of them in one place. "How is this?"
Twelve knew what Ten was staring at, "I don't forget."
"No," Ten tried to keep himself together, "But we're too late, there is no other words to say..." He turned to head back to his TARDIS.
Jack felt Eleven let him go, "Too late?" Jack was puzzled, but he felt his eyes going to the TARDIS, "Hold on!" He snapped, "You were not just called he at random, and you're not all about to walk away from this!"
Eleven stopped looking at Ten, his attention on Owen. "I'm sorry, and you are?"
Owen straighten himself out, "Owen Harper, medical examiner of Torchwood Three!" he felt his eyes glaring. "That guy, that Master!" He felt himself snap, "Has taken a member of our team, and you three are the reason she's here in the first place."
Ten felt himself turn, he didn't know why, but he couldn't help but pay attention. "The Master has her, she's as good as..." He shook his head.
Twelve felt it, his eyes glared, "Don't you dare think like that, don't you even." He pointed his finger. "You are so quick to write her off," His attention to Eleven. "And you!" He felt it like a serge of emotion. "You both know why you are here. Why we are all here." He straightened himself up. "We are going to save her."
Eleven stared, he knew the passion, the fire of rage behind cold eyes. "You're me?" He couldn't wrap his mind around it, he should be the last. "Spoilers?"
Twelve felt his head nod, he didn't want to break his seriousness. "Right now, we have a girl to save." He exhaled, "And I think it's time we put our own selfish needs aside and let her be who she's meant to be..."
Eleven puffed his chest out, but stopped himself, "Yes lets give her, her true form." He shook his head, "Let her know everyone she loves is gone, and that she'll live with that knowledge, we lied all this time, we lied so much we believed the lie." He pointed to Jack, "How did you find her? Why make her a part of your team?"
Jack held his hands up, "Didn't get the memo. Hey dumping a Time Lady in human skin, don't touch." He then pointed, "Plus how, and who left her here?"
Ten, Eleven and Twelve was all paying attention to Jack, and in a brief second looked to each other. "Ah!" They said in collective, they didn't need to mention him, but they knew.
"So you dumped her on Earth and pissed off!" Owen was starting to feel ignored, he couldn't even start to express his temper, but deep inside he knew what felt like to be unwanted, and abandoned. "How do you live with yourself?"
"You can't even begin to comprehend the thought process that went into doing what I did." Twelve stood forward, "When I left her, I felt fear. I also felt like I was doing good."
"Good!" Owen spat, "You didn't do any good for her, you did it for yourself!"
Twelve stood to his full height, he wasn't much taller than Owen, but the rage of him made he tower over Owen. "How dare you!" He stepped forward.
Eleven stood beside Jack, both of them watching, "How long has she been with you?" He asked trying to understand.
"I picked up on her when I got unusually energy patterns, and there was Natalie." Jack was feeling his eyes going towards Owen and Twelve. "But I never for a moment thought..." his eyes to Twelve.
"You did this..." Owen pointed to the three Doctors, "And now she is going to die." He glared.
Ten stepped forward, he was quiet until this moment, "Oh he isn't going to kill her." He shook his head. "He can do so much more damage with her alive, but she is useless to him until she opens the biodata module, she's still just a human."
"We made it that the only person who can open it, the only way she'll return..." Twelve stepped forward to Ten. "Is if she chooses to do so."
Owen felt lost again, "What you're saying is medically impossible?"
"To your medical standards yes, but this is something bigger than you'll ever understand boy." Twelve smirked, "And you will never know."
"I am not a boy, and I won't have you talk to me like I am an insulant child!" Owen hissed through his teeth.
Twelve made a step forward, "You really need to stop him Jack."
"Yes Jack stop me." Owen snapped his head around to see Jack staring at him.
Eleven sighed, "This isn't going to help."
"What are you going to plan to do?" Owen pointed, "Because so far you're not much bloody use!"
Ten eyes snapped to Owen, "Right I need everyone to shut up." His voice raised up. "Because right now I know what is going to happen, and I know we're going to need to get ourselves on the same page."
The Master was walking around Natalie on a chair, he was studying over her. He just couldn't figure out where to start. "So you know Jack?" He kept walking, he could feel that Natalie was watching him.
"I don't really know him that well." Natalie's face was focused on trying to keep calm. She didn't know why, but she knew she couldn't make him angry. "He's just a little eccentric."
"And The Doctor..." The Master stopped, he kneeled in front of Natalie, his eyes locked onto hers. "You have no idea what I am talking about." He brushed a hand against her cheek, it was soft. "You don't even know..."
Natalie could tell in that moment he wasn't going to hurt her, but something behind the brown in his eyes. "I was just a computer programmer, and Jack thought of me as something special."
"Oh, but in this moment in time you are something so very special to me..." The Master spoke sweetly, his fingers taking her hair out, he brushed his fingers through Natalie's hair. "You poor thing."
It was if her skin was crawling, "You are completely insane." She moved her face away from him. "Just let me go."
"But I can't let you go, I am going to be your saviour." The Master let her hair go, he got to his feet again. "Can't you see it?" He spun around, The Master again put his face an inch from hers. Taking Natalie's hand placing it to his chest. "Can't you feel it?" moving her hand from one point to another on his chest.
Natalie's eyes went big, she wasn't a medical professional, but she knew enough. "Bu that's impossible." Her fingers brushed over his shirt, her eyes staring up into his. "No human can have two heart beats..."
The Master smiled, "I do, but that is down to regeneration, and you should know." He had let go of her hand, but she was still holding it on his chest. "This human form, it's not you..." He placed his hand around the locket. "Open this and you will see all the wonders of what you truly are." His voice was a soft whisper.
There was three Doctors with Jack and Owen in the hotel room, but it was Owen doing all the pacing.
Jack watching the three Doctors all talking over each other while trying to find a way to find Natalie.
The one thing they all couldn't agree on was whether to be happy about Natalie remembering who she really is, or she would be happier living a human life.
Eleven was stood by the window, he was thinking of what year they were in, he knew that Jack was going to go through so much pain, but he couldn't intervene in the things that had to happen.
"All I am saying is for all we know the locket has already been open, and she could be seriously mad at us..." Eleven turned to Twelve, "And what if she's going to think The Master is the one to save her."
Twelve pinched the bridge of his nose, he couldn't believe he used to be him. "From what I can confirm, I know we are going to save her, but I just don't know the how..." He looked up to see Ten still looking out the window. "We just need to find the right means."
"I wish I could help," Ten was trying to work out what The Master would be doing, the last he knew of The Master was that he was dead, but then the man didn't really stay dead for too long.
Owen didn't know why he was getting a rage come on him, he didn't even know Natalie that well, but he knew that she was part of the team now, and she was in danger. "You three are meant to be the great Doctor!" He felt his eyes turn to Jack, "And they can't even figure out how to save one of his own people."
Twelve was watching Owen, he didn't know what to think. "You don't know what we've had to do..."
"No. But then you're all standing around. You don't have a plan, you don't even agree with yourself!" Owen waved his hand. "Now this wanker has Natalie, and you're all talking about her being made back into whatever she is. How do you know he isn't just going to kill her?"
"He won't kill her..." All Doctor's said at the same moment.
Jack smirked, he felt his eyes turn to Ten. "So this isn't the best time..."
"Spoilers." Eleven turned from his part of the room, "And I have an idea..."He was starting to smile, "because I got a feeling of déjå vu."
Ianto was sitting watching both Gwen and Tosh talking, he knew that he was the only one who really trusted Jack. While he felt his eyes following both of them, he kept quiet.
"Are you not even the slightest bit curious to what is going on?" Gwen's attention on Ianto finally.
He just rocked on the chair, "I know that what ever is going on, Jack can handle it." He exhaled getting to his feet, "Anyone fancy coffee?"
Tosh and Gwen both staring at Ianto with mouth open shock. "Jack and Owen could be in serious danger and you're thinking of coffee!" Tosh snapped finally.
"I'll put the coffee on..." Ianto walked away, he wasn't going to be pulled into the conversation.
Gwen rolled her eyes, "I think we should help." She went for her keys, she turned to see Tosh. "What?"
"I..." Tosh felt her hand was playing with a long necklace she was wearing that day. "I mean Jack would be mad if we ignored a direct order..."
There was a long silence that hung in the air, the only sound was Ianto in the kitchen making coffee. Gwen picked her keys up, "I can't believe you two." She went for the exit seeing Ianto in her way. "You can't stop me."
Ianto exhaled, "Jack's just sent a text." He held his phone up, "He and Owen are fine, and they have three Doctors with them." He reached taking the keys from Gwen throwing them across the hub.
"What the hell!" Gwen watched her keys flying away. "What is wrong with you?"
Tosh went back to the computer, she didn't want to get involved, but part of her was still slightly worried about Owen.
Ianto nodded, "Jack doesn't want us getting involved, and he told me to stop you at any cost."
"By throwing my bloody keys away?" Gwen turned to trying and find where they landed, "What is wrong with you?" She started to walk in the direction they went in.
Ianto shrugged, "It was that or drug you." He went back to the kitchen for the coffee. "Anyone still up for that coffee?"
Jack stood beside Ten, they had gone over the plan. It seemed like it would work, but Jack didn't speak up. He was watching Ten while noticing a look in his eyes. "So how bad does it end?" He asked now watching Owen helping Twelve.
Ten didn't look to Jack, he knew he wasn't going to remember this interaction, but he wasn't stupid. "I don't know Jake..." he's eyes going over to Eleven working on something by his own TARDIS, "And it's best you don't know what is coming. It won't stop it." He finally looked into Jack's blue eyes, and part of him just couldn't speak.
"Guess I have to wait and see..." Jack gave his best smile, and he placed a hand on Ten's shoulder. "But I'm sure everything will be fine."
"Yea..., should be." Ten exhaled, "So how is this going to work?" He turned to Eleven, then seeing Owen was watching the conversation carefully.
"Well, Twelve is modifying Jake's ability to track TARDIS activity, to find The Master's one." He goes to Jack, it seemed they both were starting to get along. "Owen will act as a diversion, while me and Jack sneak by to save Natalie." He sighed. "Just hope he's not got her to..." He pointed at Twelve.
Twelve rolled his eyes, "We're hoping she's not opened the biodata module." He turned to Ten, "I think when we save her, we all give our reason to what we believe."
Jake with his hands in his pocket rocked on the balls of his feet. "Still on the fence?"
"Jake," Ten's voice was curious, "You didn't?"
Jake held a hand to his chest, "I don't know how to feel about that Doctor?" He tried his best to look offended.
Owen snorted, he knew what Ten was talking about, "Doctor, he hasn't got around since he seems pretty serious with Ianto." He smiled to Ten.
"Ianto Jones?" Ten's attention snapped to Jake, "No!" He smiled, but then couldn't help it. "Jack Harkness settling down?"
Jack let out a chuckle, "Don't be too shocked Doctor, I can be monogamous." He folded his arms across his chest.
Ten turned to Owen, but Owen shrugged. "I am as shocked as you are." He pointed to Jack, "But right now we should be hoping this cock and bull plan works." He finished his part of the plan.
Eleven stepped away from his TARDIS, "If I didn't know any better, I think you had feelings for her..." He spoke softly as he approached Owen.
Jack now watching Owen, he couldn't really believe it. "Owen Harper, I would never of thought..."
"Oh sod off!" He snapped, he folded his arms, "I am just concerned for her safety, as we was on this stupid mission."
Ten raised his eyebrow, his attention to Jack. "You know you can tell."
"Yes," Jack smirked, "But Owen doesn't have much luck with love." He turned to see Owen's glare. "What, I think it's adorable."
"I am not adorable, and I am not in love with someone I've not known two minutes!" He waved his hands in the air. "You're all nuts."
Jack and Ten both watching him, "Should I say it?" Jack whispered.
"No, better he works it out for himself." Ten nodded while seeing Twelve was heading their way.
Twelve nodded, "All I know is our TARDIS's brought us here and now." He straightened out his coat. "So we better start now."
Natalie kept quiet now, with The Master sitting a few feet away from her. She could feel her mind going over everything he told her, but it couldn't really feel real. She tried to think, but everything would always feel wrong.
The Master kept quiet for a reason, he wanted her to dig, dig deep into her memories and know that what he was saying was true. He can wait, he knew he had time. He knew The Doctor too well.
The feeling in the air wasn't tense, but it could be put as sad. Natalie knew she wasn't tied down to the chair, but she couldn't bring herself to move. The Master had given her the locket, and as she played in in her hands she felt a hard lump in her throat.
Trying to remember was the worst part, a broken limb, a heart break. Natalie kept going through her memories, but it wasn't feeling right, and as she kept the locket in her hand the dreams of war would always be more real to her than anything she could think of from her history.
The Master could see her mind working, he knew the same revelation was going to hit her like it did him, he wanted her to open the locket, he wanted her to be mad.
Natalie knew he was watching her, and she knew that he was expecting her to open it. As much as she wanted to open it, it made her fear of what could change.
"I would say I don't have all day..." The Master felt impatient, but he wasn't famous for having patience. "But I would like to remind you."
Natalie stopped staring at the locket, she felt herself smiling and glancing up to The Master. "Why does it matter?" She placed the locket on the console.
"Don't you want to get them memories back?" He tried to not be angry, he knew that he couldn't force her to open it, The Doctor made it clear that she could only open it when she really wanted to open it.
Natalie shrugged, "I really don't want to..." Her eyes now going over his face, and while she knew she should be smarter. "Why should I believe that I am a...?"
"You are a time lord!" The Master snapped.
Natalie raised her eyebrow, "A time lord, or you mean lady..." She raised her eyebrow. "I think this is a joke."
The Master bit his fist, he didn't want to give into the rage that was burning in his chest. "You can't be that dim!"
"But I am." Natalie now tilted her head. "I am human after all." She gave him a small smile to know she was getting under his skin.
The Master felt himself close to snapping, he picked himself up getting closer to her. "You are not human!" He growled. His hand grabbing her face, the other snatching the locket from the console.
Natalie's eyes pulled towards his, and while his hand was tightly gripping her attention, she felt his fingers sharp in her cheeks. "I am human." Her voice was trying hard to push passed the fear in her eyes. "I will no open that things."
The Master squeezed harder on her face, he knew this wasn't going to help. "How about if you don't open it. I'll open you up to show you how human you really are!"
Natalie tried to hide her fear, but it wasn't working.
The Master kept staring dead into Natalie's eyes, and while she could feel his grip on her face loosen, "I won't." Her voice trailed off.
"I," The Master dropped her face finally. "If only you knew..." His words a whisper, but he knew he had to try and convince her.
The moment seemed to stand still, and while Natalie kept perfectly still she still felt him close to her face. He was trying to work a way out, and he's eyes kept focused. Neither of them spoke, and Natalie didn't know how she was going to get out of this in one piece.
Something caught her attention from the corner of her eyes, she didn't know if it was her mind playing tricks, or if she really saw him. Natalie knew the best she could do was to not focus her attention onto it.
The Master made himself cautious, he caught Natalie's attention shifting ever so slightly to one side. He wasn't going to let Natalie know that he had noticed her attention drifting to the left.
Owen tried his best to be quiet, he knew the Doctor's had faith in him, but he knew that he needed to keep to his part. He felt Natalie's eyes catching on him, he didn't know what to do to keep quiet and get her attention.
"Now who can be..." The Master turned quickly, but just as he turned around Owen ducked. "I'm not that thick!" The Master called out.
Natalie's eyes going to The Master, she couldn't give Owen away. "No," Natalie shouted to gain his attention. "I mean to say is..." Natalie felt The Master watching her now. "If I open this locket, and if." She tried to keep both her eyes on The Mater as she could shift her eyes slightly to see Owen moving more. "Will you hurt anyone?"
The Master smirked, "I won't kill the stupid boy in my TARDIS." He took a knife out of his pocket, swiftly turning to throw the knife now hitting Owen in the shoulder. "You really think you can sneak past me?" His attention now on Owen.
Owen felt the pain shooting through his shoulder, down his arm. "It was worth a try..." He smirked. "But then I'm not the rescue..." He could hear the sound of The Twelfth Doctor's TARDIS.
The Master gritted his teeth, "This is taking too long!" he walked away from Natalie and the console. It wasn't long until he was holding Owen by his injured shoulder, and he took the knife out making Owen hiss in pain. "I have a great motivation." He knew it wouldn't be long until The Doctor would be here. "You open the locket." The knife now at Owen's throat. "Or I open him up!"
A/N: Ello all, just a quick note I will be having a steady updating of this story, as I am currently start chapter fifteen, and as I complete a new chapter I will post another here. Hope you're enjoying this tale.
