A commotion upstairs caught Jack and Mickey's attention.
"Rose? Rose talk to me dammit!" Jack shouted.
'Two life forms heading your way from above,' Tosh told them.
"COVER YOUR EARS!" a familiar voice bellowed as a piercing noise filled the air and Weevils dropped to the floor. "RUN!" he bellowed again ushering everyone out of the building, locking the door behind him before running past them straight to the TARDIS. "I said Run!"
Once they had all made it on board the Doctor ran frantically round the control panel tapping buttons and pulling levers before running back to the doors. Flinging them open he took one last look around. "I'm sorry," he whispered before triggering an implosion of the building. Without another word he returned to the control panel and set the ship in motion and no one spoke, scared that he wasn't really there.
The TARDIS was uncharacteristically dull, it's lighting dim. But Owen watched his movement closely and could see him trying to hide physical pain as he slowed down, the adrenaline fading.
Rose was torn between laughing and crying. She hadn't got a good look at him yet but his heavy breathing worried her. She stepped towards him but he stepped further into the shadows.
Jack and Mickey were both just in shock.
"How did you know?" Jack asked.
The Doctor hesitated before answering. "I've been around, keeping an eye. Plus I had a phone call."
"A phone call?"
There was a pause.
Mickey suddenly realised. "You heard Owen on the voicemail."
"What voicemail? What phone call?" Rose asked.
"Nothing important. I was just saying 'hi' when the alert sounded. It's good to see you Boss."
The room fell silent again, the Doctor keeping his distance. His shoulder was agony now, and he was sure he'd pulled the stitches. Maybe Susan was right. He needed the dermal regenerator. He didn't need to heal it completely, just enough so the pain wasn't quite as severe. He stifled a grunt as he sat down on the jump seat, his whole body aching from the effort. But his respite didn't last long as the ship bumped to a landing.
"Torchwood Hub, Cardiff," the Doctor announced, gesturing to the doors.
"Aren't you coming?" Rose couldn't hide the disappointment in her voice.
Owen carefully stepped closer to the Time Lord. "Look, I know that you don't like me much," he said quietly, "but I could help you know. Patch you up a bit. That shoulder you're favouring looks like it could use some medical attention." He caught a flash of the Doctor's eyes in the dim light and a small nod. "Might even be able to wrangle a cup of tea and some biscuits. Although from what I can see I think something stronger might be in order."
The Doctor gave a humourless chuckle and sighed as he gathered his strength both physically and mentally. "Alright. Let's go," he said quietly, waiting for Jack, Mickey and Rose to go on ahead. "Thank you Owen."
"Don't thank me yet. It's probably going to hurt."
"That's nothing new. Believe me, pain is better than the alternative."
As he finally stepped out into the hub he steeled himself for the expected reactions. As predicted Rose tried to stifle a cry and Jack swore under his breath as they got their first good look at him.
His face was peppered with cuts and bruises. He clothes almost hanging off him. His eyes were sunken and shadowed, and that was just what they could see.
"This way, " Owen guided him to the med bay.
Jack, Mickey and Rose stared at each other.
"Looking at him it's a miracle he's even upright," Mickey said.
"I think we need a drink," Jack muttered.
Ianto appeared beside them with a large bottle of whisky and a tray of glasses. "I thought these might be necessary, Sir."
"Where's Tosh?"
"Organising a postdated demolition order."
"Right of course, good plan. You guys can go. Gwen will be in in a few hours and it doesn't look like we're going anywhere any time soon."
"You all going to be ok?" Ianto asked.
"No idea," Jack sighed, pecking Ianto on the cheek before following Owen and the Doctor.
XxXxX
As the trio quietly entered the med bay, Owen was getting a good look at the Doctor's injuries.
"Yeah, this is definitely gona hurt," he said almost apologetically as he helped the Doctor remove his coats and shirts.
"It's fine. You get used to it after a while," the Doctor replied staring off at a blank wall.
Rose clamped her hand to her mouth. She could easily see his ribs, his torso marred with more cuts, bruises and scars. What had happened to him?
Jack didn't miss a beat. He poured everyone a glass of alcohol without comment and slowly sidled over to the Doctor, holding out the tumbler. "You might wanna down this just before he starts stitching, he's not always the most gentle."
"I'm perfectly gentle when you don't piss me off before hand," Owen retorted.
Jack rolled his eyes. "So…. How long has it been?" he asked the Doctor.
"Ah, a few months."
"Same as for us then."
"Maybe a bit longer. You lose track after a while."
"Any sign of…..?"
"Which one? The other me or him?"
"Either."
"No. No sign of the Valeyard."
"And the other?"
"He avoids physical pain as long as it's his. Ours, mine," the Doctor frowned wondering which term was correct.
"How long has he been in hiding?"
"A few months. Nothing fun for him at the moment. Nothing to torture me with."
"Oh I dunno," Jack pointedly looked him up and down.
"It's a defence," the Doctor muttered before taking a gulp of the alcohol.
"A defence?" Jack asked incredulously.
"It keeps him under control," the Doctor growled as Owen stitched.
"When was the last time you slept? Or ate?"
The Time Lord scoffed. "You sound like Susan."
"Oh really? Has she seen the state of you?"
The Doctor rolled his eyes as Owen got up.
Jack sighed. "Look. We're just worried about you. You can't fight off the Valeyard and your psychotic room mate when you're this tired, or beaten. You have to stop and take care of yourself."
"I can't."
"Doct-"
"I can't!" he all but yelled. "I can't. Really, you….You don't understand."
Jack looked at Owen and have a small nod. Owen pressed a needle to one of the Doctor's arms.
"What have you done?!"
"You need to rest, Doc," Jack soothed.
"No! No you don't understand what you've done," the Doctor slurred, his last gaze falling on Rose's beautiful but sad face as his world faded to black.
"What happened?" Mickey asked. "What did you do?"
"He needs to rest," Owen told them as he and Jack manoeuvred the Doctor to lay down on the table. "His body has no chance of healing properly if he doesn't. It's a wonder he's even upright. Plus this way I can check his vitals and injuries properly."
"He said it was a defence," Rose said. "Remember the last time you tried to help him heal faster? He said he was suffering for a reason."
"This is different," Jack told her.
"How?"
"This is all about trying to make himself feel less guilt. Penance he calls it."
"What if you're wrong?" Mickey asked. "What if he wakes up with the wrong personality?"
XxXxX