Chapter 38

Mark got up, pain in his head, as he headed for the Kinnome base. He didn't like this. Didn't like coming after rebounding. And he was late by days. But he had to come and explain what had happened.

Mark found the entrance to the base easily, but it was a little odd. It seemed empty. He could smell blood, but no one injured was here. As he moved further in, he could hear voices. Evidently, a lot of people were in the medical bay.

"General Windsor!" Mark shouted, moving forward with a wave to get his attention, and then a salute. "I'm sorry sir. I just-"

The General put his sword to Mark's throat. Several other people in the room raised their weaponry. Some of the people here were . . . enemies? The bird people? What were they doing here?

"Who are you?" the General asked.

"Mark. I'm the wizard. The one you sent for?"

"Don't be ridiculous. We already had a wizard. Pride was very helpful to us."

"Pride? But-"

"On top of which, he was rebound so he didn't die, and he helped us end the war. We're discussing peace. So the point is truly moot now."

"Peace? I-"

"Yes peace. So at best you're unnecessary, and at worst you're here to sabotage us. Now, kindly remove yourself."

Well, it meant he didn't have to work.

The Doctor sat in the kitchen, quietly drinking tea. Well, as quietly as she ever did anything. She was also currently fiddling with the teapot, making it into one of those metal birds that bobbed up and down.

Lilly had gone home for a while. Pride wasn't interested in a new adventure right now, having disappeared further into the TARDIS. Maybe she should go back and get her Earth friends. The TARDIS was so big they probably wouldn't even notice Pride. Which was good because they hadn't met him and introductions could be awkward.

Then there was a scream, coming from deeper into the TARDIS. And speaking of Pride, that was definitely him.

Still holding her tea, the Doctor got up and ran down the hall. She found Pride and Porter in a sparing room. (Still didn't know where that came from.) Pride was on the ground, grabbing his chest. Porter was squatting down next to him, fear in his eyes.

"Pride. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It was an accident."

"Oh really?" Pride managed, pushing himself farther away. "Because I'm pretty sure we said you wouldn't use your prosthetics."

So that was it. Porter continued apologizing as the Doctor thought. They must have been practice fighting (an idea the Doctor wasn't fond of), and Porter had used his prosthetics. When they heated up enough, even a light touch could cause serious burns.

"Pride, get yourself to the medical room. You know where it is, don't you?"

Both of them turned to her. It was unlikely either of them had noticed her come in. Pride nodded and pushed himself up against the wall.

"I'll be there in a moment," the Doctor told him.

Pride nodded and seemed to be waving her off as he left the room. Well, at least his considerable pride hadn't made him fight back. His injury could've been a lot worse too.

The Doctor turned back to Porter with a glare. For once, he actually seemed to have some regrets.

"It really was an accident."

The Doctor left the room. She had to check on Pride. He was mostly fine. He stayed in some of the back rooms in the TARDIS, but he seemed to avoid Porter after that.

Good. The Doctor had never been fond of them spending time together, but any intervention before now just made it worse. Now they'd be away from each other's bad influence.

[I don't normally write about arc characters after the Doctor leaves, but the idea of the actual wizard showing up after all that was too funny to pass up.]