Episode: The Doctor and the Nurse
Chapter: The Doctor and the Detective [3/4]
Summary: Rory wanted the Doctor to take a break before he inevitably snapped. A Matron wanted for her children to grow old and strong, at any cost. And a Doctor wanted to save his patients, even if that meant trusting some weird Englishmen. The Master wanted to find enough information about the cracks to bring back Amy and the Doctor. Or the one where some people work, others take a break, and tempers end up snapping all the same.
Rating: T
Unlike what Rory seems to believe, the Earth isn't going to die if Ignaz Semmelweis doesn't implement his policy of hand disinfection in 1847. Then again, he is a human and a nurse, so of course he would have some choices about what is important that would differ from Koschei's.
Still, one way or another, they are here and Koschei would be damned if they let another chance to check on the cracks go by.
Ever since London, he has focused more than ever on temporal anomalies, trying to locate more cracks to fill in the gaps in information he's suffering from. The discovery of the burnt part of TARDIS, the date he'd got aboard the Byzantium, and the fact Amelia is—
Not dead, just… temporarily misplaced.
Right. In the end, what it means is that Koschei needs more information if he is to revert the effect the cracks have had on the universe, as well as to figure out how to use their energy to bring the Doctor back.
… Of all the stupid projects he's been involved over the years, this one is the stupidest. Him, Koschei, the Master, fixing the universe.
You owe me one, Theta. Big time, he thinks at the ghost, nowhere to be seen at the moment, as he and Rory wait in the street for Semmelweis to get out of his house.
It may still be the early hours of the morning, with the sun barely up and hidden behind quite a layer of clouds, but it certainly feels more like May than it does February. In Koschei's defense, it is still close enough to his initial objective to take it as a successful landing.
It doesn't mean he didn't have words with that pain in the ass as soon as Rory left for the showers, before he himself followed, trying to ignore the way the TARDIS hummed 'innocently'. He had taken the 'break' as they wanted, the least she could do was actually get them where he wanted for once! How come it always works when it's time to fix an anomaly, but never when he actually means to go someplace just because? It isn't like he was planning on setting Vienna on fire!
… And even if he did, which he hadn't, the Doctor had set Rome and London on fire. Koschei is practically a saint when compared to him, at least in the 'setting human cities on fire' category. Really, for someone who claimed to 'like' the humans, he gave them quite a lot of trouble.
Though, thinking about it, he gave everyone quite a lot of trouble, sometimes even intentionally.
The muted creak of the door opening snaps Koschei out of his thoughts, and Rory, who had been practically asleep against the wall by his side, straightens with a jerk and a soft 'm awake.
Yeah, right.
Semmelweis simply closes the door at his back, gaze lost in whatever is running through his tiny human mind, but he quickly snaps to attention when he sees Koschei approach him from across the street, waving cheerily.
"Good morning, Doctor Semmelweis. Did you have a good rest?" he asks politely as Rory catches up, and it takes Semmelweis a moment to process their presence before he can answer.
"Good morning, gentlemen. I… Yes, I did, actually. May I ask as to why you are out in the street this early in the morning?"
"Isn't it obvious? We were waiting for you," Koschei answers calmly, keeping his sarcasm at bay for once.
"We were wondering about the woman we found yesterday. Is she feeling better? What about her baby?" Rory asks before Koschei can get to the matter at hand, apparently more nurse than human when his brain is still half asleep, and after a second to consider whether that will 'endear' them to their guide or chase him away, Koschei decides to just wait for the answer.
As of now, Semmelweis is their best bet to get in the hospital. Sure, the psychic paper would guarantee them entry without issue, but having someone inside is always a good thing. And since this is a doctor they're talking about, this topic of conversation should be safe enough, right?
"Berta? Ah, yes, she is feeling better. I left her under the care of Mrs. Senft, the ground floor neighbor. She should come to the hospital in no time for her post-natal care, but Mrs. Senft insisted on breakfast first. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go to the hospital for my shift—"
"We'll come too," Rory interrupts a bit too eagerly, though he's obviously making an effort to tamper his glee when faced with one of his 'idols'.
"After that interesting discussion we had yesterday, we thought perhaps it would help if you were to have an opinion from the outside," Koschei adds, far calmer, and Semmelweis relaxes while Rory grimaces sheepishly. "Doctor Williams here can help you with your rounds in the First Clinic, and I can take a look at the Second Clinic. After, we can compare notes. Perhaps we'll see something you haven't, as used as you are to the place."
Semmelweis seems to take insult for a moment, puffing up, before making the mistake of looking into Rory's eyes. Seriously, that one is almost more desperate to help than the Doctor himself.
… That, and the sincerity in his gaze would make anyone realize he truly wants to help. Rory is a nurse, he knows how to reassure people, and how to let them know he truly means what he says.
Semmelweis' indignation turns to suspicion for an instant, but before Koschei can figure out what has brought that about, he relents with a sigh.
"Very well. I will ask someone to show Doctor Williams around the First Clinic and I will accompany you on your rounds in the Second Clinic," he tells them as he starts to walk towards the hospital, nodding at Koschei, and both he and Rory exchange a confused look before turning to Semmelweis once more. "Doctor Williams is a medical professional; he will need no guidance. However, you might need it, Mister Holmes. And besides, I have been looking for an opportunity to check on the Second Clinic since I returned from my holidays."
"Oh, and why would that be?" Koschei asks curiously, waving down his indignation at being told he needs a guide, as well as ignoring Rory's grin.
"When I left for Venice at the beginning of March, the mortality rate of the First Clinic was far higher than that of the Second. However, in my absence, it seems the Second Clinic has started recording almost as many deaths as the First. I wish to see if there has been any change that could have brought that about. As far as I know, there is nothing different from when I left, but… Well, I truly can't help but wonder about it," he explains, ending with a huff as he straightens and lifts his head, eyes ablaze with determination that was nowhere to be seen the night before.
If Rory's grin is anything to go by, it appears dear Ignaz is back to his historically combative self. Koschei can only hope it won't get them in trouble… After all, the man got himself thrown into an asylum thanks to that strong will and stubborn streak…
They take a horse cab to the hospital, with Rory soaking in Semmelweis' medical babble while Koschei distracts himself by looking out the window. As far as they've seen, nothing is amiss in Vienna, and the TARDIS hasn't found any recent signs of alien activity. On the one hand, it could simply be that there was a bout of puerperal fever in the Second Clinic due to natural causes, though such a thing was never written down in the papers Koschei spent the night reading. On the other hand, maybe this is like London with the Silurians, with the origin of the anomaly being Terran.
Still, one way or another, this merits investigation. Koschei won't let the chance of this being the result of a spatiotemporal crack and them missing it simply because he thought it was nothing.
The cab takes them all the way to the doors of the hospital, past the sturdy walls and the green fields surrounding the buildings, and that's when Koschei sees the first oddity since they walked out of the TARDIS' doors.
"That doesn't look like the rest of the buildings," he points out as they step out of the cab, once Semmelweis has paid the driver and so he can follow Koschei's line of sight.
"That's the Narrenturm, the Fool's Tower. It's the asylum," he explains simply, dismissively, but Koschei doesn't take his eyes away from it.
The hospital's buildings are square and almost quaint, but the Fool's Tower, as the name implies, looks taken out of a medieval castle. Round, with five floors and slot-like windows, and well over fifty years old, if the weathered stone is anything to go by. As far as asylums go, it isn't the creepiest Koschei has visited, invited or not, but it really is unfitting. Also, are those lightning rods on the roof?
"This way, Doctor Williams, Mister Holmes," Semmelweis calls, already walking towards one of the buildings, and Koschei shakes his head to focus on the present once more.
"Anything we should worry about?" Rory asks in a whisper, sending a wary look over his shoulder as they leave the Fool's Tower behind.
"Maybe. It could just be a crazy sponsor's idea of 'modern' architecture, but it's best not to leave anything to chance. For now, let's focus on the Clinics themselves," Koschei suggests, and Rory acquiesces with a simple nod, turning his attention to Semmelweis.
Clever, for a human. Good instincts. Amy definitely chose well – has definitely chosen well. Present tense. They will get Amelia back.
"Doctor Gottlieb! If I may have a moment of your time?" Semmelweis calls as they reach the building they were aiming for, and a young man about to step in stops at the call, blue eyes bright under his mop of dark blond hair. "This is Doctor Arnfried Gottlieb. Doctor Gottlieb, these are Doctor Rory Williams and Sherlock Holmes, from England. They are visiting Vienna and would like a tour of our Clinics. They believe that an outside look might aid us with the increase in puerperal fever contagion," he tells the younger man, who nods in interest before turning to the time travelers with a smile.
"Welcome to Vienna's General Hospital, Doctors. I will be honored to help you with anything you might need."
"Could you show Doctor Williams around the First Clinic? I have been meaning to visit the Second Clinic for a while now, and showing Mister Holmes around would give me that chance," Semmelweis adds before Koschei can protest being called a doctor once more.
This time, though, Semmelweis is far pushier, with a grin that broaches no discussion, and Gottlieb's eyes widen as he swallows nervously.
Well, look at that. Some humans actually have teeth.
"Y-Yes, of course, Doctor Semmelweis. But you know Matron Freund doesn't want—"
"She doesn't want us 'old hospital folk' to corrupt her new system, I know. I have yet to see what is so different from old Matron Schnoor's management," Semmelweis scoffs like a man tired of the same old argument, and Koschei perks up.
A change in management could explain things, whether because the way they work now is conductive to a spread of fever or because of more sinister reasons.
"Rike doesn't see much difference – ah, that is, Matron Král," Gottlieb hums in agreement, before reddening like a tomato.
"Still holding back on that courtship, Arnfried?" Semmelweis taunts with a grin that almost mirrors Koschei's, before he waves the younger doctor away. "Just make sure to give Doctor Williams a good and thorough explanation of the building and our practices. And let me deal with Matron Freund. After all, how could she refuse a visit from an eminence from England?" he mocks, but instead of being insulted, Koschei snickers.
"Planning to get on a co-worker's nerves? You are far more devious than I first thought, Doctor Semmelweis," he comments lightheartedly, ignoring Rory rolling his eyes by his side.
"As I said, this is but a visit to the facilities. I am in no way entering her premises as a doctor, but as a guide," Semmelweis answers calmly as they split from Gottlieb and Rory, making for another of the buildings – and his pompous smile finally falls to reveal the burning determination underneath. "And if she refuses me entrance with one of her many excuses, then you, at least, will be allowed in. She cannot turn away a foreign doctor if we are to keep the Hospital's good name."
Ah, Koschei thinks almost ruefully, his smirk dimming into a soft curling of his lips. He finally shows his cards.
"You want me to lie. To tell them I am a doctor and get as much information as I can about how the Second Clinic works," he asks without asking, but instead of answering with sheepishness or guilt or any other human responses, Semmelweis stays as unbending as steel.
"I want you to get that information for me, yes, but I do not ask you to lie. Doctor Williams has made it clear that you know more than you may wish, and I trust his judgement. He is earnest and passionate, and he holds you in high enough regard to overlook whatever reason you have to hide behind the facade of 'Mister Holmes'. And so will I. Do not let me down, Doctor. Do not let my patients suffer if there is any way I can help."
… The nerve of this human! How dare he—
"I know you can do it, Koschei. I have faith in you."
How… How dare he…
"It's hard, Koschei, it really is. But sometimes, you can really save everyone. Don't give up, alright?"
How… dare…
"It will be hard, my love, but don't lose hope. We won't."
He…
"Never give up, never give in, huh? The Doctor, the sanctimonious twat who makes people better."
… Ugh.
"You are bloody lucky I'm not supposed to kill anyone, Ignaz," he grumbles under his breath, trying to hold onto his anger and indignation even as it slips through his fingers in the wake of his reluctant acceptance.
Semmelweis has the nerve to grin.
"As I said, I do not know what your true plans for your visit to Vienna are, but as long as you get me what I want, I will overlook what you just said," the human sniffs pompously, and Koschei can't help but laugh at that.
Well, shoot. That almost sounded like something Koschei might have said, especially if, as Semmelweis, he intended to get on a certain someone's nerves.
And that thought sobers him almost fast enough to hurt. Semmelweis is treating Koschei as Koschei would the Doctor.
"I'm going to have nightmares…" he grumbles under his breath, grimacing and shivering, but Semmelweis seems content to just observe in confusion and interest.
"Ah, Doctor Semmelweis! Good morning," a woman's voice calls, popping the bubble the two of them had been in, and they immediately turn to the slightly chubby blond woman in a nurse uniform, rosy cheeks stretching with her smile. "Is there anything I could help you with?"
"Good morning, Matron Král. Actually, I believe so. I am supposed to show a couple of English doctors around the hospital. Doctor Gottlieb is guiding Doctor Williams around the First Clinic, but Doctor Holmes here insisted on visiting the Second. And I, as you would expect, could not in good conscience leave him alone. My position demands no less than my being the most attentive of hosts," he sweettalks the nurse, the matron, who seems torn between smiling and frowning in worry.
"Why, of course, Doctor Semmelweis… I am sure Arnie can accommodate Doctor Williams, but Matron Freund… Oh, that is, Doctor Gottlieb! Please, excuse my manners…" she answers, stuttering just like dearest Arnie when caught in the same slip, but far calmer than the man was.
Koschei doesn't even need words as he meets Semmelweis' gaze.
Pining idiots.
"I believe I could see you inside, but you know how Matron Freund is, Doctor Semmelweis. If she believes your presence here will disrupt the Clinic's regular operations, foreign doctor or not…" she adds, her smile falling in favor of an apologetic look as sincere as all her other expressions.
"We will deal with that as we come to it, Matron Král. For now, shall we?" Semmelweis answers calmly, gesturing towards the door with confidence and unbending steel in his voice, but with fondness in his gaze, and the nurse beams at him and guides them inside.
Koschei takes a look around the corridors they walk through, listening with one ear to Matron Král's tour, Semmelweis quiet in favor of trying to catch anything that might point him to the reason behind the bout of puerperal fever. It looks like any other contemporary Earth hospital, with no instruments out of place time-wise or anything strange or alien or other anywhere. If he were to judge by the Clinic alone, Koschei would say there's nothing wrong in the place, that the fever is completely natural, and move on.
But there's the staff to take into account too. Some of the matrons salute them calmly, while others give them the stink eye. Koschei doesn't need Semmelweis' whisper to recognize the first as workers of 'before' Matron Freund took charge and the second as the new additions.
So. It seems the new Head Matron does have something to do with this anomaly. Well, it's been a while since Koschei hypnotized anyone. It'll be good practice.
Oh, come on! a voice that sounds too much like Theta's groans at the back of his mind at the thought, and Koschei can't help but grin.
He's going to fix things the way the Doctor wants. At least he can be allowed to do it his way.
Koschei catches a flash of Theta before the approaching matron makes the ghost pop away, but the expression on his face is enough to wipe away Koschei's grin.
Sad. Proud. Pitying.
No. He's not wrong. He's fixing things like the Doctor, to bring the Doctor back. He is not throwing a tantrum; he is not in denial or whatever 'stage of grief' they want to call it. He will get the Doctor back, fix things just enough that he can break them again when they return each to their respective roles—
But does he really want that?
"Doctor Semmelweis. I believe I have made my opinion clear on you intruding in my clinic," the new matron chastises with a crackling voice that snaps Koschei out of his musings.
It's clear, even before anyone opens their mouth, that this is Matron Freund, for her words if nothing else. She's old, wrinkled and with her bun as gray as granite, and nowhere as friendly as her surname, the German word for 'friend', makes her seem.
"I am more than aware of your dunderheaded policies, Matron Freund, and I respect them despite the futility of your demands. I am not here in capacity of doctor, but as a guide. This is Doctor Sherlock Holmes, of England, and he requested a tour of the Second Clinic. The least I could do was see him to it," Semmelweis answers with mockery under the politeness, and Koschei sees a vein pop in Matron Freund's jaw.
Oh, he likes this human!
Enough to take out the psychic paper when Matron Freund turns to him, keeping his sharp grin to something almost polite.
"Pleasure to meet you," he tells the woman, whose eyes widen like saucers at whatever she sees in the paper.
Koschei is letting their imagination see the worst they can, someone who they could absolutely not turn away, and judging by Matron Král's startled gasp and the way she covers her mouth, it's working.
"Doctor Sherlock Holmes, Royal Physician of Queen Victoria of the British Empire… Lord Almighty, to have such an eminence in our presence!" Matron Král squeaks in surprise, flushing brightly in both embarrassment and delight, and Semmelweis chokes on air at her words.
Koschei's grin widens, even as he remembers Liz Ten mentioning something about Queen Victoria knighting and banishing the Doctor in the same day. Oh, he loves irony – when it's in his favor, that is.
"Yes, precisely. So, you see now why I couldn't allow myself to leave Doctor Holmes wandering around on his lonesome," Semmelweis adds, recovering admirably well from his surprise, and Matron Freund glares back but nods almost regally with a deep breath.
"Indeed, Young Semmelweis. It is quite a surprise to meet you, Doctor. We hadn't expected you," Matron Freund answers with a derisive look at Semmelweis and an almost coy one directed at Koschei.
… Uh… what? He hasn't turned on any kind of charm unconsciously, has he? No, of course not! She's just seeing a chance at power and influence, and grabbing it with both hands.
Plus, it makes Semmelweis steam, face reddening at the insolence of calling him a kid, so Koschei shakes his head and focuses back on the conversation
"We kept our visit quiet to avoid unwarranted attention. We merely wanted to take a look around, compare our methods to see if we could improve our own clinics. Her Majesty takes her subjects' wellbeing very seriously," he answers placidly, and Matron Freund nods and gestures for them to continue.
"Indeed! Most admirable. Now, allow me to continue with your visit. Matron Král, you may return to your duties. And do please keep the Doctors' presence here on the quiet. We would not appreciate being bothered, now, would we?"
"Of course, Matron Freund. It is an honor, Doctor Holmes," Matron Král answers, vanishing after a quick curtsy that Koschei answers with a nod.
He could get used to this, the bows and respect and groveling, though the whole 'doctor' bit needs to go.
The tour resumes, much as it was with Matron Král, but this time, the reason Koschei doesn't pay that much attention is that there's some kind of buzzing at the back of his brains… the kind that he usually feels around the Nestene.
Or to be more accurate, around any kind of hive minds. A telepathic network like that of the Nestene, or even the Ood, can make him feel like this, the buzzing of thoughts whizzing past in a frequency that is not his own, not that of a Time Lord, too basal and linear to be anything as beautiful and musical as a Time Lord telepathic connection.
But it's here, in the Second Obstetrical Clinic of the Vienna Hospital, on May 1847.
Koschei may have discarded any kind of alien involvement in the oddities of puerperal fever contagion before, but now he's not so sure.
It could be Silurians, of course, some of them are telepathic, but the characteristic smell of dirt is absent this time.
Which could be because they are in a hospital and everything smells of sickness, of fever and blood and human milk from the mothers and dirty nappies from the children. He shouldn't discard it, but Koschei can't help but suspect it isn't the case here.
Illness is not the Silurians' style. Or not the style of those he knows of.
"I would like your opinion on a new project we have been granted permission for, Doctor," Matron Freund asks as their tour comes to an end, addressing Koschei and Koschei only, to Semmelweis' annoyance. "If I may take some more of your time, that is."
And here's the trap, Koschei thinks, smiling politely.
Well, good thing Rory's busy with Doctor Gottlieb.
"It would be my pleasure, Matron Freund," he answers calmly, putting his hands in his pockets to make sure his screwdriver is in its place.
"Marvelous! This way, please. Ah, not you, Young Semmelweis. I will not have you and your 'progressive' ideas tarnish my project," she mocks when Semmelweis makes to follow them through the door.
The doctor's eyes narrow and he straightens in a way that says he won't be swayed.
"May I remind you, Matron Freund, who is in charge of the Obstetrics Department? Whose permission have you for this mysterious project you can't even show to the Head of Obstetrics? If I do not accompany you right now, I will have your project stopped, scrapped, and set the papers aflame!" he explodes, so red that Koschei wonders whether he's going to topple dead from a heart attack.
"Very well," Matron Freund answers calmly, and the other two do a doubletake. "You are right, Doctor Semmelweis. You were not here when the idea was proposed, so I assume it is your right to check on it now. Let us be on our way then."
And just like that, she opens the back door and steps out into the grounds.
"Did that really work?" Koschei asks no one, even as Semmelweis struts proudly outside with a triumphant grin on his face. "Wait, where are you going?"
"To make sure her project does truly comply with the Hospital's expectations, Doctor Holmes. I might yet find out the reason for this puerperal fever outbreak, if this new project is involved. None of the methods or facilities have changed from Matron Schnoor's tenure, so if anything is amiss, this must be it."
"And you're walking right into a trap!" he hisses as he catches up – and stops, eyes widening in disbelief. "Oh, come on!" he exclaims, throwing his hands out, and both Matron Freund and Semmelweis turn to him in surprise at the outburst. "The asylum? Really?"
"Its top floor is unused. The Hospital thought best to give it some use than none at all," Matron Freund answers amiably, smiling almost grandmotherly, and Koschei has to try really hard to keep his scoff at bay.
The Fool's Tower stands over them like a Judoon guard, casting them in cold shadow, and as 'innocent' as Matron Freud's smile.
Which is to say, not at all.
Koschei doesn't need Theta this time to see what's amiss here. Even a fool would see the trap they're being led to. It's like they're not even trying!
"Whoever is behind this needs some lessons," he grumbles under his breath, pocketing his hands petulantly but still grabbing his screwdriver tightly, just in case.
He knows what this is, and more fool would he be if he didn't prepare for it. It's just… it's so obvious. Are they seriously this incompetent, or could it be they're actually innocent?
… Nah.