The TARDIS was once again hurtling through the star-strewn planes of time and space. The huge glass and crystal column in the center control console kept a steady rhythm as the TARDIS worked to propel her passengers through the vortex. Alyssandra Barrett sat on the control room floor, her back supported against one of the bronze beams and her legs folded criss cross style. Her last adventure with the Doctor had left her feeling completely wiped out. But then, running for your life from a tribe of highly uncivilized Ape Fish could do that to a person. Even after her shower, she could catch the faint scent of seaweed and saltwater wafting up her nose.
The Doctor, amazing turn of events that. Lyssa wondered at her luck. How a girl from middle of nowhere America ended up traveling through time and space in a little blue box was frankly beyond her. It had seemed to be a perfectly innocent invitation, "Fancy a trip?" he'd asked in that silly, charming way of his. How could she refuse?
Lyssa watched her companion with mild amusement; he didn't seem to be suffering from fatigue in the least. But then he never did. The Doctor bounded from one side of the control room to the other like a pinball, flipping switches in his wake. And he was talking, jabbering on a million miles a minute. He was always talking. She liked that about the Doctor, his ramblings were oddly endearing. If one listened long enough, there was usually a nugget of useful information amongst the stream of never-ending observations.
Lyssa wondered at his boundless energy. Normally, she had little trouble keeping up with the Time Lord, but not today. She rolled her shoulders trying to work the kinks from her aching muscles. Last night had been unusually restless. No dreams bothered her, but no sleep did either. She woke early with a dull headache behind her eyes and a crick in her neck.
"Perhaps I'll grab a quick nap before we reach our next destination." Knowing the Doctor, she'd need it. It seemed to be a little chilly in the TARDIS as well, she realized as a small shiver traced its way down her spine. Lyssa decided that a hot cup of tea would go nicely with that cat nap.
"So, Barcelona! The planet, not the city," the Doctor explained turning a glowing dial to his left, "Lovely place, perfect for a little holiday. Certainly, well-deserved after that last place. Who knew that Flying Ape-Fish could be so inhospitable?"
Getting no response, the Doctor glanced over at his companion who was being uncharacteristically quiet. A book lay open on her lap, as was her habit when keeping him company while he tinkered. Alyssandra was particularly good at multitasking. She easily held conversation with him while she read, worked on a crossword, or patched up the torn sleeve of her favorite jacket. Although currently she wasn't doing any of those things. She was staring off into space, seemingly lost in thought.
"Probably exhausted," he thought. Being a Time Lord, the Doctor required little sleep and could literally go days without suffering from deprivation. Humans were another story; they need sleep and plenty of it. "Better put her to bed, the last thing I need is a cranky Human on my hands."
Alyssandra suddenly realized that the Doctor had stopped talking. She looked up to find him looking intently at her. She smiled sheepishly, "Sorry Doctor, must have been daydreaming." She shivered again and tried to rub some warmth back into her upper arms. "Did you say Barcelona?"
The Doctor stopped his fiddling with the time controls and approached the young woman. She looked pale, he realized upon closer examination. Her eyes lacked their normal sparkle. He crouched down in front of her and laid a hand on her forehead, "Not feeling well, eh?"
Lyssa swatted his hand away, "I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep last night"
The Doctor frowned and moved his hand from her forehead to her cheek, his concern growing. "Your temperature is elevated." He pulled his sonic screwdriver from his jacket and immediately started scanning in full investigative mode.
"Lack of proper rest comprises the human immune system. When was the last time you got a full eight hours of interrupted sleep? And what about your vitamin regime? I know you don't eat properly. How about fluid intake?" He rattled off questions rapid fire. "The rate at which you humans dehydrate is astounding!"
"Doctor, I'm fine. I just have a headache."
Suddenly, the sonic was blinking directly in front of her face. "Headache, hmm?"
She squinted her eyes at the annoying light, "It's getting worse, actually."
He stopped as a thought struck him, "When did you last have your menstrual cycle?"
Through with his prodding, Lyssa got to her feet, "Oh my god, stop fussing! I just need a cup of tea to warm up, I'll be fine."
"Why don't you go lay down," suggested the Doctor, "I'll bring the tea to you."
She grinned at him, flashing the dimple to the left of her mouth, "Going domestic, Doctor?"
She was trying to charm him, trying to get him off the subject of her health. After traveling with the woman for two years he had gotten to know her evasive tactics well. The Doctor fixed her with a firm look, "One cup of tea hardly qualifies as domestic Alyssandra Barrett. And since when are you the authority on domestic life?"
She was already starting towards the corridor that led to the kitchen, "I may not be Susie Homemaker, but I've had your tea and I think I'll pass."
"Hey" he exclaimed "Now who's being rude?"
"I'm perfectly capable of getting my own tea," as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she began to doubt them. The unbelievably strong wave of dizziness caught her off guard. A shaky hand went to her brow as the pain in her head intensified to blinding. She reached for the control console in a vain effort to steady herself; somewhere in the back of her suddenly foggy mind she realized it was a bit late for that. "Damn," she thought, "The Doctor was right… again."
"Doctor…" the word came out a whisper just as her world went black.
The Doctor was quick; noticing the warning signs before she did. He ran to her side and caught her just as her knees buckled and her eyes slid shut, "Just fine, eh?"
He held her limp form securely with his right arm while free hand felt along her throat for a pulse which he was relieved to find strong. He lifted her into his arms, her head lolling against his shoulder has he quickly made is way to the Medbay.