Glad to see you again! Thank you everyone who have been reviewing. I just love seeing everyone's reactions to the chapters. It always makes my day. It also is nice knowing that everyone is doing well. I worry sometimes about everyone and how you all are doing.
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Chapter 27
He'd done it again. Solved the problem and saved the day. Of course, he'd done it. He knew he could do it. But it still felt so incredible to have accomplished it. To have saved them all and kept them alive so they could truly live. It had been wonderfully overjoyed for him when he had a chance to actually hug one of the once-infected. The new humans as he liked to call them. So many hugged him after being cured of all their diseases. Making him feel as though he were walking on air, he just couldn't get enough of their hugs. He was the first one to ever do so for them and that felt just . . . fantastic. Oh, how he loved moments like these where it didn't end in death but instead with life. Even if many people died here today, it still ended in something beautiful. And that was worth it in the end for him.
But there was still so much work to be done as he had gone around and made certain that every single carrier was cured first before he gave the all-clear through the hospital. He watched as others from different wards or rooms emerged. He was glad to see that some did survive today besides just those from Ward 26. Then he moved on to calling the proper authorities. It was difficult getting through the quarantine protocols, but soon the hospital was opened again, allowing people to leave and the authorities' services to come in. He spoke with the chief of police, giving all the evidence necessary and explaining the situation of what had happened. He normally hated having to stick around to give statements and whatnot to the authorities, but in a case such as this, it was needed. The Sisterhood was a powerful order. They were seen as an entity without corruption. So it would take some convincing to actually put an end to everything the Sisterhood were doing here today. He even knew he needed to make certain there were no other facilities such as this out there in the world. But he decided he would focus on that later.
"Why did you bring me along for this? You could have just used that Rose child, you know," Cassandra told him after the chief of police had left them alone. He noticed she had been watching him carefully throughout the entire encounter with the new humans and the police. Eyeing him up almost curiously.
"Because . . . I wanted you to see this," he replied, waving a hand around where they could see the new humans wanting more hugs from others. A few women who had children with them gave the new humans warm hugs of comfort while a few men were seen trying to talk and see what the new humans wanted to share. The kindness that was shown to these new humans warmed his hearts.
"But why?" Cassandra questioned, clearly confused. "What do I need to see this for?"
"To show you what good can come from something new. Something different," he said quietly, looking at her now. "Sometimes . . . being as old as we are, we tend to forget how things need to change. How things can't always stay the same. Without change, then, well, what's the point?"
Cassandra scoffed quietly, but then seemed to think over his words. Soon, she gazed at him with quiet contemplation. "Is that why you changed your face?"
"Well . . . it wasn't really by choice. But, yeah. Yeah, I guess you can look at it that way."
Cassandra nodded, seeming to understand. "It's more than just that, though, isn't it? You've changed more than just your face. You're a different man than the one who let me die."
". . . Yeah. I am. And I want to apologise about that."
"Eh, it's fine. I would have done the same. In fact, I have done the same." She looked away from him, leaning against the wall behind her. She gazed thoughtfully towards the ceiling, only peaking at him in the corner of her eye now. "I remember her begging you to stop, back then. She's helped you change since then, hasn't she?"
The Doctor smiled softly, nodding. "Yeah. She has. More than she knows."
Cassandra kept her eyes forward, frowning somewhat before shrugging absently. ". . . I suppose that's good . . . for people like me."
Eventually, the two made their way back up to Ward 26. As they entered the ward, they saw Novice Hame being escorted out by an officer. She glanced at him as she passed. He kept his gaze unwavering in his anger on her. She soon hung her head in shame as the officer took her away. Knowing that she was young still, he hoped that one day she might undo the harm she had done. Though he did not hold his breath on this thought. He had been proven wrong in the past when thinking like this, after all. So, he focused on today instead of the future as he went over to enter the patient area. He worried then of what would be of the Face of Boe without an attendant keeping him safe. He was relieved to see Rose sitting beside the big face. She seemed to be talking with him as the Face of Boe was awake and smiling kindly at the blonde.
"'bout time you two showed up," Rose said as she smiled brightly and stood up to meet them. She glanced edgily towards Cassandra then. "Are you still Cassandra or . . ."
"Yes, it's still me. Where else would I go, huh?" Cassandra replied back snippily, crossing her arms tightly in annoyance. "And don't suggest I go back into you. It was hormone city in that body of yours."
"Well, you can't stay in Maddie!" Rose retorted angrily, balling up her fists.
"You two, hush. Not in front of a patient," he reprimanded them, throwing both a hard gaze. Though he also wanted Cassandra out of Madison, he could see the Face of Boe wanted to speak with him. So he walked forward, returning the smile the face gave him. "You were supposed to be dying," he joked lightly.
"There are better things to do today. Dying can wait," the Face of Boe spoke into his mind in humour. The telepathy seemed to be broadcasted to the other two for the Doctor could see the faces each woman made. Rose seemed happy while Cassandra curled her lip.
"Oh, I hate telepathy," she complained. "Just what I need, a head full of big-face." The Doctor and Rose both shushed her.
"It seems Madison is not herself today. What a shame. I was hoping to speak with both of you," said the Face, smile lessening somewhat, almost appearing sad now.
"No, she's . . . sort of not here right now. Got into a bit of a mess," the Doctor replied, unsure of how to explain it. So, his thoughts were right. The old legend was about him and Madison, then.
"Oh, she's gotten herself into trouble again, I see. So like her," the Face laughed quietly, smiling in humour again.
"But I'm here." The Doctor crouched down, making themselves eye levelled. "And I'll let her know anything you tell me."
The Face's smile went away as he now just stared sadly at the Time Lord. "I am sorry, but what I have to say must be spoken to both of you together. Not only one."
The Doctor frowned, somewhat with disappointment. "I know the legend says you'll share your secrets with two wanderers, but does it have to be together?" He raised a brow then. "Unless, your message wasn't for me? Sorry, I had the impression that it was."
"Yes, a great secret." The sadness lasted only a moment more before the Face somewhat smirked in humour again. "But it can wait."
Now the Doctor was very disappointed as he couldn't help but pout. "Oh, does it have to?"
The Face held a serious expression once again. "We shall meet again, Doctor, for the third time, for the last time, and the truth shall be told. Until that day . . ." With this said, the Face of Boe soon disappeared within a wave of sparkling light, obviously using some sort of teleport.
"That is enigmatic," said the Doctor, feeling a mixture of bewildered and amused. "That is—that is textbook enigmatic." Sucking in a breath, he stood up, facing Cassandra then. Time to take care of the last thing on his list for today. The most important thing. "And now for you."
"But everything's happy. Everything's fine. Can't you just leave me?" Cassandra spoke hurriedly, staring back at the Doctor in fear.
"You've lived long enough. Leave that body and end it, Cassandra," he replied, steadfast in his tone and gaze.
"You can't just take over Madison's body. She's our friend," Rose agreed.
Cassandra began to cry then. "I don't want to die."
"No one does," the Doctor said, trying to be more kind in how he handled this. Though if Cassandra kept firm in refusing . . . he knew he would resort to his earlier plans from before. He would do anything to get Madison back to him . . . Anything.
"Help me!" Cassandra pleaded to him.
"I can't." He remained firm in his stance, unwilling to budge. Cassandra had cheated death once. He wasn't going to allow that a second time.
"Mistress . . ." came a male voice then. The Doctor recognised it before he even turned around. It was the same man from before. The one who had been helping Cassandra. The man with tattoos smiled happily at Cassandra.
"Oh! You're alive!" Cassandra exclaimed in shock, blinking in disbelief. Even the Doctor had been surprised to see the man had made it. But he was glad the tattooed man had not died. There had been enough death today, after all.
"I kept myself safe, for you, mistress," cooed the man, smiling almost dreamily at Cassandra. The Doctor raised a brow, wondering if Cassandra had programmed this man to worship her somehow.
"A body," Cassandra suddenly breathed as she stared at the man in awe. "And not just that. A volunteer."
"Don't you dare! He's got a life of his own," the Doctor warned her angrily.
"You can't just take over someone else!" Rose agreed with him, glaring at the woman.
"But I worship the mistress. I welcome her," the man argued with them, smiling with glee at Cassandra. And as the Doctor and Rose protested, they watched as Madison's body exhaled and a wave of energy entered the man's body.
The Doctor reacted swiftly as immediately Madison fell over, her body weak from being used for so long today. Possibly even more worn out from the effects of being out of water during her monthly cycle. So he caught her within his arms, keeping her from falling to the floor completely. He stared at her in concern as she didn't open her eyes right away. But it was a reassuring sign as she groaned and scrunched up her face while in his arms.
"You all right?" he asked quietly. He tried standing her up, but her legs gave out and he caught her again. He held her to him, keeping her upright as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to his body. "Okay?"
Her eyes fluttered open, allowing him to see the real beautiful her within. She smiled at him weakly, saying, "Yes, I'm fine." She lifted a hand, touching his face softly. But she hurriedly retracted her hand when noticing the webbing between her fingers. She hid her hands from sight as a flash of fear crossed her face. But she continued to stare at him in concern. "Are you okay? Did everything go all right? It's a bit fuzzy . . ."
"Yeah. We did it," he smiled warmly, touched that, even in this state, her first concern was for everyone else.
Like a soft breath, he brushed his mind against hers. Without question she answered him, returning the gesture lovingly. Internally he sighed in relief, easing the tension away that had been building since knowing she had not been herself. Her mind swept through his, filling it with sweetness like that of honeydew. Or that of a fragrance from a meadow filled with flowers. Or that of the sound of a bubbling brook. It was blissful and he couldn't help but feel his hearts pounding away in joy. As he stared at her, pulling her closer to him, he could feel the fluttering of her heart and see the flush of her cheeks. Her eyelids fell slightly as she stared at him through her gentle eyelashes. Her green irises reflecting in the lights overhead seemed to sparkle. Her smile was beautiful. Her tousled hair shimmered in the sunlight from the window behind her in a dazzling display of autumn red. He drank this all in and then some as he couldn't get enough of her. He wanted to kiss her then. The real her. A real kiss. They've never done that with this face of his. He wanted to kiss her. But he felt that maybe now was not the best time. Maybe later.
So, he rather reluctantly pulled his mind away from hers and he saw how she nodded, understanding that he needed to focus elsewhere. But there was a brush of reassurance from her before he let go. She would be there for him when he needed to connect with her again. She always would. But as he went to let her body go, he felt her beginning to fall again, so he held on.
"Hold on, let me . . .," he muttered, bringing her carefully over to the chair Novice Hame had been using earlier that day. He sat her into the chair with care, holding onto her hand as he watched her let out a raspy breath. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," she said, firmer in her stance this time as she sank into the chair.
"Are you sure? You don't look so good," Rose commented as she walked over to stand beside them. The blonde stared worriedly over her friend. "You look pale."
"I'm just . . . worn out from someone being in my head all day. I'll be fine once we get back to the TARDIS," Madison reiterated, giving them both a smile. But the Doctor could still see the slight tremble in her body and he was worried. Again, he wondered of the effects being outside of water had on her during days like this. So, giving her hand a quick squeeze, he turned to address Cassandra. He could see the woman looking over the male body she now possessed.
"Oh, sweet lord. I'm a walking doodle," he heard her complaining.
"You can't stay in there. I'm sorry, Cassandra, but that's not fair," the Doctor told her sternly. "I can take you to the city. They can build you a skin-tank and you can stand trial for what you've done."
"Well, that would be rather dramatic. Possibly my finest hour, and certainly my finest hat," Cassandra responded thoughtfully, smirking lightly at him. Then her tone shifted as she held a more forlorn smile. "But I'm afraid we don't have time. Poor little Chip, he's only a half-life. And he's been through so much. His heart is racing so . . ." She paused as she seemed to be assessing herself then. "He's failing." She blinked, staring at them now in shock. "I don't think he's going to last . . ." Her knees suddenly gave out and the Doctor swiftly had to catch her. Rose helped, keeping the woman propped up.
"You all right?" the Doctor asked.
"I'm fine," Cassandra breathed, giving him a sombre look now. "I'm dying. But that's fine."
"I can take you to the city," the Doctor suggested again.
Cassandra smiled sadly at him. "No, you won't. Everything's new on this planet. There's no place for Chip and me anymore." With a grim expression, she nodded. "You were right, Doctor. It's time to die. And that's good."
Weighing his options quickly in his mind, the Doctor nodded as he helped Cassandra up from the ground. "Come on. There's one last thing I can do." He looked over his shoulder towards Madison. "Maddie, can you watch over her while I get the TARDIS?"
"Yes, of course," Madison replied, getting up from her chair carefully. "She can have my seat."
"Oh, you don't—," the Doctor tried to say, even if it was considered rude.
"She can have my seat," Madison repeated herself, more firmly this time and giving him this look. A look that said she meant business. Oh, he loved that look. It was always so passionate whenever she got like this. It was one of the reasons he fell for her in the first place.
So, nodding, he walked Cassandra over and sat her in the chair. "Wait here. I'll be back as quick as I can. Rose, watch over them." With that said, he turned and ran out of the ward.
XxXxXxXxXx
Sitting on the floor next to Cassandra, Madison waited patiently for Rose to come back. The girl had gone off to find them some water. Something she was certain the two of them needed. Madison knew the blonde felt the need to do something for them. Something she could understand as she too felt restless waiting for the Doctor to return. She didn't like how useless she had been on this journey. She wished she could have helped more, but it seemed she had been nothing more than a nuisance to lug around. She would have to make it up to the Doctor and Rose later. Do something for them as a sign of appreciation for putting up with her lacking.
"You're not doing that self-doubting thing again, are you?" Cassandra said, sounding somewhat annoyed though Madison knew the tone was used just for show.
"How do you know?" Madison asked her lightly, looking back at the woman curiously.
Cassandra rolled her eyes. "I've been inside that head of yours all day. I know what you're like now."
"Well . . . I know what you're like as well. Seems we both have self-doubt to deal with," Madison replied softly, giving the woman a kind smile. She saw how Cassandra looked away, seeming embarrassed then. She watched then as Cassandra grabbed at her heart, gripping at her chest in pain. "I'm sorry it hurts. Maybe there's something the Doctor can give you once he gets back."
"It's fine. It doesn't hurt as much as what you're dealing with now." Cassandra looked at her curiously then. "Why does your body hurt so much? Why does it all hurt? How can you stand it all?"
"You just caught me on a bad day. It's a monthly cycle period my species goes through. Most days it's perfectly fine."
Cassandra laughed quietly. "Well, that's just my luck, isn't it?" Then, she gave Madison another curious look. "Then, the mind thing?"
"More bad luck for you, I suppose. It normally isn't that bad. But there was just so many . . ." Madison thought of all the broken minds of those new humans. They had been tortured for so long. But at least now, they were in some state of peace. More so than what they had been before. It was a lot like Cassandra's mind if she were honest. Cassandra was broken down by the years of trying to be beautiful, trying to feel loved again. But if Cassandra had just stopped and realised that there was true beauty within . . . maybe then she could have felt whole once more.
"Cassandra," Madison spoke softly then, "I'm glad we had a chance to meet again. I'm happy that you've gotten a second chance." She smiled kindly as Cassandra stared at her in confusion.
"'Second chance'? You think I deserve a second chance, even after all those terrible things I've done?"
"You have done terrible things, and there's no excuse for it. Still though . . . everyone deserves a second chance, to at least find some peace at the end of their lives. Don't you think so?"
Cassandra stared at her for a moment. Then, she shook her head and smiled quietly. "You know . . . I'm starting to see now why he likes you so much." She was quiet for a moment before speaking again. "I suppose I'm not the only one who got a second chance today."
This statement surprised Madison. Before she had time to question it, she heard Rose coming back into the room at the same time the noise of the TARDIS filled the air. The Doctor jumped out of the TARDIS in a rush, brushing past Rose which made the girl frown at him. He came over to Madison first, helping her to stand.
"I've got you," he said quietly into her ear as he helped her walk to the TARDIS. Madison glanced back behind her, seeing that Rose was helping Cassandra to the ship. She could see that the woman was becoming more sickly by the moment. She wasn't certain what the Doctor had planned for the dying woman, though she knew it was something as a last moment of peace for Cassandra. That much was certain. So Madison didn't want to get in the way of Cassandra's last moments.
"I'll be okay," Madison said the moment the Doctor started to lead her towards the corridor. "I can manage from here."
"Are you sure? I can take you to your room," he responded quickly, staring at her in concern.
"I'm sure." Madison glanced back at Cassandra and the Doctor followed her gaze. They could see Rose had helped the woman to sit in the captain's chair. Her skin was ghostly white by this point. "She's not doing well. I don't think she'll last much longer." Madison could see the conflict from the Doctor briefly as he appeared torn on what to do.
Finally, he sighed, "You're right. I need to hurry." He kissed her forehead before letting go of her and running over to the console, beginning the ship's journey onwards.
Madison, still staring at Cassandra, wished there was more she could say or do. But she felt that her time here was finished and now it was simply a moment of solemn goodbye for Cassandra from this life. And so, Madison turned and walked away, heading as quick as she could down the corridor. She felt the TARDIS around her beginning to rock from side to side, in motion from travelling. It was hard enough already to walk, this only made it worse for her as she stumbled down the hallway. She had to lean against the wall as she went, wincing with every step as pain shot up her legs. Now that she was no longer with the others, she didn't hold back in letting out raspy breaths as she struggled to breathe. Her vision was getting worse, turning blurry as she knew she wasn't getting enough oxygen in. She gasped as she heard her trousers starting to tear. She panicked, starting to go faster down the hallway. She knew she had to make it to her room. She had to make it. She couldn't let herself fall here. She couldn't . . .
She just made it to her room when it happened. Her legs gave out and she both heard and felt her trousers ripping apart. Her legs swelled as they were pushing to form together. Her feet expanded, painfully forcing themselves out of her boots. She barely managed to get them off before her fluke had formed. She stared in horror, tears streaking down her cheeks from the agony she felt. Her trousers were in shreds around her tail. Her transformation had forced its way out and now she was trapped outside of her door, exposed for anyone to see. She could barely breathe as she started to panic. Fumbling with the door handle, the door of her room swung open wildly as she started to pull herself in. She grunted, struggling as her tail was heavy out of water. Her chest heaved as she tried to take in deep breaths. But the air burned her lungs, making her cough and gasp hoarsely. She was wheezing, feeling woozy and weak. Her vision swayed and blurred as she kept trying to pull herself along the floor towards her bathroom. Finally, her arms began to shake and she collapsed completely to the floor. She lay there, with her cheek pressed into the floor, trying desperately to catch her breath as everything around her faded.
XxXxXxXxXx
The Doctor threw off his coat the moment they were back on the TARDIS. He worked quietly as he set the ship back into flight, letting the TARDIS soon simply drift around a planet of his choosing. After watching Cassandra get in her last moments, he didn't feel like celebrating all that much. He'd rather just relax for the rest of the day by Madison's side, keeping her company and taken care of. She had a rough day, after all. She needed him to help her during this vulnerable moment of hers.
"Do you think that . . . it was okay to do that?" Rose asked him after a moment of silence. "Doesn't that create some kind of paradox or somethin'."
"Yeah. Just a little. But not one that alters anything," he explained, turning around to face his friend. "I just gave her a chance for her last moment to be that of kindness. For both her past and future self. That's all." He jerked his head towards the corridor then. "Go ahead and get some sleep. I'm going to check on Madison and make sure she's all right."
"Yeah, I know," Rose sighed, rolling her eyes. "You're gonna hide away with her like you both always do. You know, one of these days you're gonna tell me what it is she's hiding from me."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he answered briskly, trying to keep his tone even to convey ignorance.
Rose raised a brow, crossing her arms. "Right. Sure you don't."
Letting out a small puff of breath, the Doctor placed his hands in his suit pockets. "Look . . . it's up to Madison to tell you her secrets. Not me. I'm just respecting her privacy."
"It's not really fair though," Rose muttered, eyes looking away from him as she shifted in her stance. But soon she sighed and shrugged. "But . . . I guess that's just a couple thing, ain't it? Keeping secrets from everyone else. I just . . . wish I knew you both a bit better. You don't have to tell me everything. But there are some things I'd like to know."
He brought a hand up, rubbing it through his hair slightly aggravated now. This topic again. How many times did Rose question him on things such as his past and secrets? It was always dodging around questions and avoiding discussing certain subjects. Madison had always told him to be patient as Rose and the other humans just didn't understand, but . . . Frankly, it was getting tiresome. "Look, Rose, I don't have time for this right now, all right?" he finally said, stuffing his hands in his pockets again as he walked off towards the corridor.
"That's always your answer. You know, it's not just Madison travelling with you. There's others that want to help you open up, too," Rose retorted crossly.
The Doctor turned to rebuke this comment angrily when he stopped short. He stiffened as he felt the sudden urgency coming from the TARDIS. The ship around them groaned and flashed some lights at them. The presence in his mind screamed for him to hurry. He felt the tug of where the ship wanted him to go and he knew immediately what room she was trying to get him to go. Madison's room.
"Doctor? What's wrong?" he vaguely heard Rose ask.
He ignored this as he spun on his heels and took off down the corridor. He rushed as fast as he could, replying to the TARDIS to show him the way with his mind. He didn't have time for the ship to play around with the corridors. He needed to get to Madison now. The ship was on his side, swiftly shifting the hallways for him and taking him right to Madison's room. He feared the worst when he saw that her door was wide open and her boots were lying out in the corridor. Something she would never do. So he ran into the room, only to stop short with what lay just inside. His breath hitched as he stared with wide eyes at the scene before him. There lay Madison, transformed completely to her true self. Her tail had ripped through her trousers, making them nothing more than strips of material dangling around her. One arm was outstretched towards her bathroom in a desperate attempt to crawl her way towards the door. The other arm lay twisted under her where she had obviously collapsed from exhaustion. He saw that her mouth was moving to breathe, her chest jerking somewhat, but no sound came from her, indicating that she was getting no air in. Like that of a fish out of water. She was completely unconscious, not moving at all even when he quickly crouched beside her.
His mind raced as he ran into the bathroom. He rushed to get the tap going, plugging up the tub to get water to build up before he sprinted back over to Madison. He grunted when he tried to pick her up. He was taken by surprise when feeling just how heavy she was in her Mer-form. It seemed it was something else for him to add to the list about Mers. Shaking this thought off, he wrapped his arms around her by hooking them under her armpits and holding her up from the ground. Her tail dragged along the wooden floor, making it difficult for him to get her quickly to the bath. She wasn't trying to breathe at all now. Her head simply hung limply to the side as he held her up. Her lips were turning blue and cracked from dryness.
"Doctor? Maddie? Is everything all right? Can I come into the room?" he heard Rose's voice coming down the corridor. The Doctor frantically thought over his options at the moment. Protect the secret or save Madison. Saving his partner overridden the former.
"Rose! Rose, I need you!" he shouted desperately. He heard running, then the girl was rounding the corner of the room.
"What is it? What—oh, my god, what happened to Maddie?!" Rose exclaimed in horror, staring at the sight in shock.
"Never mind, just help me," he begged, hearts pounding away in fright as he felt Madison's mind drifting. "Grab her tail! Help me carry her."
"Sh-she has a tail. How the hell does she have a tail?" Rose responded, still horrified and amazed, but going for Madison's tail all the same. The blonde grunted as she lifted up the middle of Madison's tail. "Why is she so heavy?"
"Doesn't matter. Just—just lift with me." Together they moved, shuffling towards the bathroom. The Doctor stepped into the tub, uncaring of his trainers or clothes getting wet, or of the water he splashed onto the floor. All he wanted was to get Madison into the water. It was half-full now, deep enough for him to drag her into the tub and push her under the water. "Come on, come on, come on. Breathe," he muttered rapidly. He hit Madison's face lightly as he crouched down beside her into the water. "Madison, please, breathe for me." But she made no sign of inhaling. Her mouth stayed parted lifelessly.
"Doctor, can't you do something?! Do CPR!" Rose tried suggesting in a panic.
"I can't do CPR! She needs to breathe water, not . . ." he replied in a similar state of distress. But getting an idea suddenly, he bent down and sucked water into his mouth. He then lifted Madison up into his arms, tilted her head towards his, and slammed their lips together. He pushed the water into her mouth while holding her nose shut. He repeated this a second time, pleading in his mind for it to work. Suddenly she spurted, water coming gurgling out of her mouth. She went to inhale but started to struggle in his hold wildly as her mouth opened and closed frantically. He swiftly pushed her under the water, sighing in relief as he watched her take deep breaths. Her eyes were still tightly closed, but she was breathing now. That was all that mattered.
"Is she okay?" Rose asked him, biting her bottom lip nervously as she gazed at Madison.
"I think we found her in time," the Doctor assured her. He let out a long exhale, slumping into the tub to sit next to Madison. He watched her breathing, seeing it easing to a normal state, before reaching over and turning off the water as it was about to overflow. He shifted around in the tub, sitting down so the water was up to his chest, and moving Madison so that her head was laying in his lap. He stroked her hair, watching her breathing more normally now. Why hadn't she told him it was getting this bad for her? She should have told him. Unless she had not even realised it herself. That could have been it.
"She's a mermaid," he heard Rose muttering in disbelief. He glanced over, seeing how Rose just stared at Madison's tail.
"Yeah. She's a mermaid," he sighed, feeling at a loss of just how to explain it all. This wasn't supposed to happen. Madison was supposed to eventually feel comfortable enough with herself to finally tell her secret. Seems as though this was another Jack incident.
"I knew something was weird whenever she had her 'monthly' thing but I didn't think it would be this," Rose finally said after a moment of silence. She glanced at him briefly before looking back at Madison's tail. It seemed the girl was rather transfixed on it. She glanced at the Doctor once more. "Why didn't either of you tell me?"
"Because you weren't supposed to know. Not until Madison was ready to tell you." Staring hard at his companion, eventually he earned Rose's full attention. "She's terrified to tell anyone. She barely even told me because she was so scared. When she wakes up, she'll probably be mortified, so I need you to please just be there for her the best you can."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Of course. What else am I gonna do? Throw her in a pot and boil her up?"
"I mean it, Rose. You saw how scared she was when she first told you that she was Mer. Just think of how horrified she'll be when she realises you know her true form."
"I got it. I just don't know why you both thought it'd be a good idea for me not to know. What if there had been an emergency?"
He frowned in confusion. "This sort of was one?"
Rose rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You know what I mean. An emergency outside of the TARDIS. What if you weren't around and she needed help? What am I supposed to do if I don't know these things?"
She had a point, the Doctor had to admit that. But he didn't get a chance to reply as he felt Madison beginning to shift. He stared down, seeing her slowly blink from her sleep. Soon she gazed around, brows furrowed as she appeared confused. Then her eyes went wide as he was certain she was remembering passing out, and it didn't help that she saw both him and Rose staring at her. Immediately he felt her tense up and recoil in fright as her eyes stared wide-eyed at Rose. Her tail splashed in the water as she curled up and pulled herself tightly into him on instinct to hide and find comfort.
"Maddie, it's okay. You're okay," he spoke softly into her mind, trying to help her calm down. Her bright green eyes turned towards him and he could see the uncertainty, the wavering fear, just there within her. He rubbed her shoulder in comfort. "I'm sorry, you passed out and weren't breathing, so I needed help. Rose was just here to help. It's going to be okay, though. She won't hurt you. I promise."
Madison didn't answer him right away, just staring at Rose warily. Then she glanced at him once again. "She wasn't ever supposed to know," she said quietly in his mind.
"I know. But maybe it doesn't have to be that way. Maybe this can be a good thing." He waited for Madison to say something more or to make a move. Eventually, she sat herself up, pushing herself to have her head up and out of the water. He helped her, seeing how she was still weak. He moved her so that she would be sitting on his lap. This was the first time he had been in the water with her. Frankly, he could feel his hearts pounding away in delight at the aspect. If it wasn't terrible timing, he would have been overjoyed and excited to be closer to her. Maybe later he'd allow himself to be more elated about the occurrence.
"So . . . you're a mermaid," Rose finally said, breaking the silence between them all.
". . . I'm a mermaid," Madison breathed, voice sounding somewhat hoarse. He wondered if it was from what had just happened to her, or if maybe breathing air again wasn't the best thing for her. He worried about her pushing herself thinking she needed to talk with them.
Rose apparently could see the fear in Madison's eyes as her face showed concern for her friend. She sat down at the edge of the tub and said, "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. I promise."
"That's . . . not exactly what I'm worried about," Madison said in a murmur. She lowered her head in shame, staring down at her tail. She didn't say anything more, but he could hear her thoughts racing in her mind as he touched her hand. Thoughts of Rose thinking of her as disgusting and other such ideas. He frowned heavily, not liking where these thoughts were going. Did Madison honestly believe that her Mer-form was ugly?
"You're beautiful, Maddie. And anyone who thinks otherwise should be ashamed," he told her quietly in her mind. She lifted her gaze briefly to glance towards him, her eyes softening as his words seemed to ease her.
"So all those stories about mermaids were real?" Rose asked suddenly, earning their attention again.
"Some of them were. Others . . . not so much," Madison answered. "It's not so much as 'magical' as the stories might have you believe. More of just my species that evolved over time to live in water."
Rose nodded, smiling in excitement now. "Makes you wonder what other stories are true. Do you think werewolves are real?"
Madison blinked, raising a brow. "I don't know. Maybe? Yeti are real if that tells you anything."
"What seriously?"
"Yes. I ran into a few while in Tibet. I mentioned that before, remember?"
"I'd really love to hear the full story to that one," the Doctor asked in excitement, beaming at Madison then.
"Yes, I suppose I should tell you that one. It was where I met and discovered Torchwood," Madison mumbled, face frowning to that of old simmering anger. Yes, she really should tell him sometime. He'd been meaning to ask her about Torchwood. Especially after what they had done to the Sycorax. It was time he looked more into this mysterious anti-alien organisation.
"Can I touch your tail?" Rose suddenly blurted out in question. The girl blushed the moment she said this, seeming flustered. "Sorry, don't mean to be weird. It's just . . . not every day you can say you've touched a mermaid's tail, is it?"
"Now, Rose, that's rude. How'd you like it if an alien came up and started touching you?" the Doctor said in reprimand.
"I asked first, didn't I?" Rose muttered, rolling her eyes.
"You . . . You want to touch my tail? Really?" Madison questioned softly, seeming both flustered and flattered. "It's not unsightly to you?"
"What?" Rose blinked in astonishment, clearly taken back. "Why would I think that?"
"I don't know . . . Most humans do," Madison mumbled, shrugging her shoulders.
"Well, I'm just better than most," Rose said rather confidently, smiling cheekily now. Then, she was glancing towards the blue tail once more. "Really though, can I?"
"Sure?" Madison still seemed unsure, but remained still as Rose reached down and petted her tail.
The look of awe on Rose's face warmed his hearts. It was a look of pure excitement to discover something new. One of the reasons he enjoyed Rose's friendship. She was always so excited about the new and unseen. It also made him happy for Madison to be able to experience someone other than him (and Jack) to show her that she could be loved for the way she was. She shouldn't have to hide who she was. That was his goal for her. And he hoped that possibly, with this opening to Rose, maybe things could begin to change for the better for Madison. No more hiding. Not ever.
"Wow. It's so smooth," Rose said as she petted Madison's tail. She pulled away, smiling brightly. "I bet you're a great swimmer."
Madison suddenly snorted, chortling as she nodded. "You could say that, yes."
Rose glanced at the bathtub, frowning in concern again. "You're not cramped in the bathtub, are you? Should we move you to the pool?"
"We can take you to your pool," the Doctor suggested, also feeling that Madison should have space to move around. He always loved seeing her in the TARDIS's lagoon that he had built for her. She was breathtaking when swimming around.
"No, I'm fine here. I'm tired and just want to rest," Madison told them. Then, they heard her stomach growling. She blinked in surprise and touched her belly. "And . . . possibly hungry as well it seems."
Rose laughed, getting up from the tub's edge. "I'll get us a snack. Hold on. Don't go anywhere, I still have tons of questions." She smiled brightly before turning and leaving the room. The two left behind sat in silence for a moment after.
"She really accepted me. Just like that," Madison whispered after a moment. The Doctor looked at her, seeing the tears leaking down her wet cheeks. Her breath hitched as she started to cry. "All this time I thought . . . no human could ever accept me. Then I met Jack and I thought maybe only him. But now Rose does, too." She turned towards him, eyes wavering. "Do you think . . . Do you think there are others out there who would as well?"
"Find the right people and I know they will," he said softly, smiling as he rubbed a hand up and down her arm in comfort. "And if they don't accept you, well, then they have me to answer to."
Madison laughed, leaning against him tiredly. Her face fell then, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry to have put you through any trouble. I hadn't meant for it to get that bad. I thought I still had time to get into the bath."
"It's all right. What's important now is you getting plenty of rest." He did not want to tell her just how scared he had been when he found her. So he decided to discuss something else. "So, about today . . . it was the Face of Boe who had called me to the hospital. He wanted to tell us both something."
"Yes, I can recall some of Cassandra's memories while she had been in my body." Madison tilted her head towards him as it still rested against his chest. "What do you think he wanted to tell us?"
"Don't know. Suppose we'll find out eventually." Gazing at her, he lifted a hand and brushed away some of her wet hair that stuck to her face. He cupped her cheek, thumbing it gently. "I'm just glad you're okay." He meant this statement for so much more than what happened now. For what happened to her with Cassandra. For escaping the new humans. For being okay with Rose knowing about her now. For so many things. It had been a rough day for them all if he were honest.
"I'm glad you're okay, too," she breathed, lifting her hand and bringing it up to brush her fingers against his cheek. After a moment, she started to smile. "There's been something I've been meaning to tell you."
"What's that?"
"You have freckles." She laughed quietly, smiling fondly.
"Do I?" He grinned, finding it joyful for her to be taking in his appearance. "I hadn't noticed." His smile lessened as he continued to thumb her cheek. His hearts started to pick up in beat as he thought over what he wished to do next. But would she let him? He remembered her confusion over his new face. The instinct for her to remain in love with just the one from before. Though he knew she was getting more used to his new face, he was still unsure if she was ready to move on to anything else with him. He wanted to. So badly. This body of his craved everything that was to do with her. It was a powerful pull and it was extremely difficult to rein in. He knew he should be better at this, controlling himself. But when it came to her . . . control had little meaning. "Madison," he finally decided to say, "may I kiss you?"
"Um, of course. Wh-why do you ask?" she responded, blushing now.
He wondered if she was remembering Cassandra kissing him earlier. He didn't like that. He wanted to erase this from her memories so it was only them kissing and no one else to get in the way. "Because I haven't kissed you yet with this face. Cassandra took that away from us and I want to correct that as soon as possible."
"All right," she said, her breathing hitching slightly as he leaned down to capture her mouth within his.
It was . . . wonderful. More than that. To actually kiss her. To move their lips together as one. The way she softly threaded her fingers through his hair and massaged his scalp with her fingertips. The way her tail came up and curled around his legs to pull him closer. The way her skin felt beneath his fingers as he ran one of his hands down her back and towards her tail. And when he actually got to touch her tail, feel it for the first time, a jolt went through him. She gasped, shivering in his hold, allowing him to explore her mouth. He opened his mind, entangling it around hers. She responded with such a blissful and soft reply in his mind that he felt his hearts could burst with joy. He began sharing with her thoughts of everything he wished to do with her. the adventures they could explore, and she shivered again. She grasped at him desperately, reaching behind his head to push him into a more vigorous kiss. He returned it tenfold as he held her closer while his hand still trailed down her tail, loving the way the scales felt beneath his fingers. His own skin felt like fire as his hearts raced in elation. Suddenly, she jolted and pulled away. She panted as she tried to catch her breath. Her face was flushed red and she appeared mortified. He worried then if he had gone too far.
"Sorry," he muttered. "Didn't mean for it to get that heated."
"No, no, it's okay. It's just," she muttered, glancing down towards her tail, "I'm shocked you wanted to touch my tail. . ." She tilted her head, making him look.
He blinked in shock. "Oh . . ." He looked back at her, face flushed. "You . . . Do you want to?"
She appeared stunned as her mouth opened in surprise. "You're not suggesting . . . My tail doesn't bother you?"
"No. Nothing about you bothers me. I think your tail is beautiful." He smiled as he ran a hand up and down her arm in reassurance. "You're beautiful, Maddie."
Her face, if it could have turned any redder, did so then. "But I . . . We . . ." She swallowed, seeming nervous. "Are you certain you want to . . ."
"I'm willing to try. If that's more comfortable for you. Or we can wait to be outside of water. Whatever is best for you."
She stared away from him, shifting nervously. "I've never . . . It would be my first time. In this form, I mean." She then shook her head, sighing. "I don't think I'm ready. Not yet. For either way. I'm sorry." Gazing back at him, she hugged him suddenly, holding him tight. "But don't think that means I do not love you. Because I do. I'm just . . . afraid to open up like that again. It's a very vulnerable state for a Mer. It's always done so with caution."
He held her tightly in return, rubbing a hand up and down her back. The words were stuck in his throat as he wanted to tell her how he felt. To confess what his hearts were screaming at him to say. But, like always, he was a coward, and instead said, "I know. I understand. It's a vulnerable state for any species." When they pulled away, he cupped her cheek and thumbed it softly, giving her a comforting smile. "Whenever you're ready, I'll be there waiting. Until then . . . is kissing okay for you?"
She laughed, nodding as she held the hand on her cheek. "Yes. Kissing is more than fine. Just . . . don't touch my tail so much." She blushed again, looking sheepish.
"Can do," he assured her, beaming as he leant down and captured her lips into another loving kiss.
Hope it was good! Let me know what you think in a review. I'd really love to know all your thoughts on it.
Be safe out there!