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The Ties That Bind

FOUR

Martha Jones

Conciseness slowly returned.

Carefully she opened her eyes. Her eyes fell on white. Groaning, she felt around, realising within seconds that she was laying flat on her back with white sheets up to her neck. A humming sound could be heard in the distance. Struggling, she pushed herself up. Her brown eyes taking in her surroundings.

What is this place?

Swallowing, she calmed herself, trying to not let fear take over. Her mind told her she was in some sort of medical bay but through the door her eyes took in the strange darkness. Aren't hospital's light?

"Are you okay?"

She jumped. "Who are you? Where am I?"

"Surely you must remember me?" the man asked.

Her eyes fell on him. "Oh my god. It's you…that man from four years ago! The man who wouldn't wait for an ambulance!"

The man gently smiled. "And I have my reasons."

"And are you going to tell me?"

"What?" he asked innocently.

"Who you are, and what this place is?"

"Why not look around and see what you think?" he responded.

Martha frowned but picked herself up from the bed and swung off the edge. Keeping her eyes trained on the man, she made her way to the door and stepped out, turning her attention to what was around her. Surrounding her was technology, technology with the likes she had never seen before. Her heart pounded violently through her chest. Who the hell was this man?

She swung back to him. "I don't know who the hell you are, but I want answers now!" Her eyes fell on her brown bag, that lay on a nearby table. With speed, she crossed back into the medical room and pulled it open, pulling out a gun and pointing it at the man, who still sat calmly on the chair, his eyebrows raised in amusement.

"I'll shoot you! Start talking!" Martha had always carried a gun with her. That man who had attacked her was not the first time she had been, so she was determined not to let this…stranger…attempt anything. Yes, she was breaking the law having a gun, but she had never used it, and it wasn't even loaded, but it was used for intimidation. Unfortunately the other man had given her no chance to reach into her bag. So it had been useless.

"Who are you?" she hissed again.

"I'm the Doctor." He stated calmly.

"You said that four years ago. I'm asking you again," her voice shook, "What is your name?"

"I just told you. I'm the Doctor, just the Doctor."

Silence.

Finally, Martha spoke. "This place is foreign, you're not from around here are you?"

He shook his head. "No, I come from far, far away."

Martha's hands shook. His statement only confirmed that her suspicions were correct. "You're not human, are you?"

"No, I'm not." He said simply.

"What do you want with me?" she asked.

"Nothing. All I did was bring you to my home and heal your leg. That's all I did. I mean no harm." He raised his hands, indicating he had nothing in them. "You can leave anytime you want."

Martha took several steps back and lowered the gun. "I don't know how I can trust you, but I do. One thing, and I don't why I'm not freaking over the fact that I'm standing next to an alien, is that, how the heck can you hide a spaceship without being caught?" She had guessed that she was on some sort of craft, judging by the humming noise.

"Go outside and see." The Doctor stated.

"And where is the exit?" she asked.

The Doctor stood up, careful to keep his hands where she could see them. "Follow me."

He led her through the corridors, her eyes inspecting the foreign surroundings. "I can't believe this."

They came to the control room. The Doctor led her to the doors and opened them for her. She stepped outside. Her eyes widened as they fell on the Blue Police Box that had disappeared four years ago in that alley. She gasped and settled her gaze on the Doctor who was gently smiling.

"It's a box…but it's bigger on the inside."

"Time-Lord Technology." He answered. "Bigger on the inside, smaller on the outside."

"Oh…" She stepped back inside the blue box, entranced by the alien technology that she was surrounded by. She loved new stuff like this…and to think that this was a discovery beyond words. " Is that what you are? A Time Lord?"

He nodded.

"I'm guessing you travel in time?"

"Correct."

Martha stepped back, seemingly surprised. She licked her lips, unsure of what to say. "It's so unbelievable, but you're real. No one could fake…this." She shook her head and stepped back inside. The Doctor followed, closing the doors behind her.

"So, you just travel, visiting planets…?" she trailed off, glancing at the Doctor for confirmation.

"Yes, that's what I do."

She raised a hand to her forehead. "If you're alien, how come you look human?"

"I'm not human. I may look it, but I'm not human. Not in the inside at least." He shrugged.

She raised her eyebrows, interested. "I don't think I want to know anymore…"

"Scared you?"

"No, just not interested in that sort of stuff." She blushed. "Sorry, I'm talking to an alien who looks like a human, but who is telling me that he isn't human, and that is obvious by the technology." She shook her head. "So much information in one go is enough to make my head implode."

"Now that would be nasty." Commented the Doctor.

Martha looked at her watch. "I'd better go. I've things to do, well, only ring my boss, go home to bed, wake up the next day and work again…just a normal life. Not very exciting, but it's something."

"You want to come with me?"

The question surprised her. "I can do that? Explore the universe?"

"I'm offering you the chance of a lifetime, if you want to take it." He moved round to the controls, pressing buttons and pulling levers. "I can take you anywhere you like. Past, present, future…a whole new planet…solar system…galaxy…it's your choice…you can come with me…or go back to your normal life."

Martha grimaced. Ever since she had been a child, Martha had been fascinated about space. If there had been a chance for her to explore the out there then she would've taken it…but with that offer right in front of her, did she still want to take it?

I have nothing left in my own little world…my mum and dad…and my little brother…are all gone. All I have are a few friends…but not close…and I'm sure my boss would understand if I just went missing…wouldn't he? She swallowed. "I don't think I should…yet it's an opportunity I can't turn down. "

"Is that a yes to travelling then?"

Martha nodded. "Yes. A child-hood dream…something that seems impossible and feels like a dream…but seeing this place it is possible."

"Off we go then!" he flashed her a grin.

TBC

There you go! Martha's adventures are about to begin! The next few chapters do slow the plot down (again!) but I wanted to give Martha a time to explore the universe before anything happening straight away.

Review? Please?

Leila