A/N: You know that thing where you go on a four week binge of every BBC period drama ever made and you forget what real life is? What? No. Me neither. P.S. they really do just have the save dozen or so actors that they reuse in everything. Really.
- 1918 -
- Siberia -
The train hurtled forward, bouncing along on its tracks and threatening to toss Calypso over the side with nearly every step she took. The wind rushing past her pushed her skirts between her legs, adding an extra burden. She was starting to regret her decision. The door below slammed and the sound of boots on metal made her certain Rolf had followed her. There was no time to sit around cringing about what a terrible idea she'd had, because if she did, he was bound to catch up.
The first gap between the cars approached and she nearly lost her nerve. It was a slightly smaller gap than the one she had crossed below, because now there was an overhang that served as a small roof, but there was also no iron link to walk across, just empty air. The idea of climbing back down crossed her mind, but she could hear the heavy footsteps of Rolf marching determinedly forward, slowly, but with none of the hesitation she felt. She bit back a scream, bunched up her skirts as best she could, and took an extra step to fling herself forward. She landed, and then immediately fell forward on her hands and knees. She let out a shaky breath, reassuring herself that she really had made it, and paused just long enough to thank whatever gods were still watching over her.
But then she was pushing herself up, continuing on. Her pace quickened as she grew used to the jostling of the locomotive, widening her stance so she could better compensate for the unexpected jolts from below. She made good time then, hoping to put more distance between her and Rolf. She didn't dare to look back though, knowing if she lost her concentration for a moment, it might mean her spilling over the side. She nearly did anyway, when the train took a sharp turn, pushing her sideways and she immediately dropped to her knees so she wouldn't go sliding off the metal roof completely.
"Why not stop?" Rolf called loudly from behind her, his booming voice just barely discernible over the roar of the train and wind. She looked over her shoulder to see that he too, had taken a fall, though he wasn't nearly as far away as she'd hoped. "Just tell me where they are. We don't need you. If you make things easy, we can let you go." He promised as he pushed himself to his feet again.
Calypso shook her head, getting upright and coming as close to a jog as she dared. She knew Rolf was lying; whoever, or whatever these things were, they relied on secrecy and deception. Letting her live after she knew the truth, no matter how insane it may sound, was not an option. The real dilemma, was to figure out if she could buy them more time by playing along, or would he just dispose of her up here on top of the train. It wasn't an especially cheering thought, but it was something she needed to think about, and fast. Because with a growing sense of dismay, she realized she was approaching the last car.
She leapt across the gap quickly, which she realized was a mistake when she landed hard on her ankle, twisting it enough that it collapsed and sent her rolling to the side. She managed to stop, but not before her head dipped over the edge. Forcing her to stare out into the rocky hard ground below that went zipping by. With shaking hands, she pushed herself back and upright again, so that she could move forward. It was all she could do to fight for control of the anxiety that wanted her to plaster herself flat in the center of the rail car and never move again. She walked to the end of the train, already formulating a new plan. This last car was the one they had hid in when they got on the train initially, if she could hide herself well enough, she might be able to sneak up behind Rolf and incapacitate him so she could find the Doctor. Then he could come up with a more permanent solution as to what to do.
Dropping to her knees, she grasped the edge, ready to descend the ladder as quickly as she could. But there didn't seem to be any ladder at all. She blinked several times, certain that she had just somehow missed it. She grasped a handful of her hair to keep it from billowing around her face as a distraction, but still, there was no ladder. With a heavy metallic thud, she turned to see Rolf had jumped the last gap, it was now too late for her to retreat back the way she had come.
"End of the line." He said with a grin. She searched desperately one last time, but he was right, there was nowhere else to go. Swallowing, she pushed herself to her feet once again, taking a step away from the edge. She tried to calm the beating of her heart enough so when she turned around she didn't look as terrified as she felt, but she was unsure if she had been successful.
"Alright," she said, raising her hands defensively. "I'll tell you." Rolf sneered, as though the answer no longer interested him. He had probably never been all that interested, but she needed time to think of something that could possibly give him pause. "They're…they're not on the train. We've sent them in a covered truck to Aramil. They're meeting up with the White army's general tomorrow, at noon." She lied desperately, but she had apparently been somewhat convincing because a look of fear briefly crossed Rolf's face.
"Then it's too late for you," he snarled as he marched forward, reaching for the pistol that was holstered on his hip.
"I can help," she fought the urge to back away, knowing that there was nothing but an unpleasant fall over the edge that awaited her in that direction. "I can help you get into the camp." Something beyond Rolf caught her attention, a familiar tuft of brown hair rising up from the edge of the car. Her hope flickered to life again, but she tried to ignore it, returning her gaze to the man in front of her so as not to give him warning.
"Think you're just playing games now," he said with a scowl, it was only another step before he'd been within arm's length, and there was nothing she could do about it. "You've been a real pain in the arse. You know what? Think I'll make sure you're sorry for it." He brought the pistol up, but instead of aiming directly at her, it looked as though he were aiming for her leg. He was clearly not content to give her a quick death. Calypso took a deep breath, reminding herself that if it was at all possible, she should try and fall forward.
"Pardon me," the Doctor spoke up suddenly, earning a look of disbelief from Rolf as he slowly turned around. "Yes, I'm sorry. It appears you were pointing a gun at my friend." His voice suddenly darkened. "Don't do that." The arm he'd hidden behind his back was swinging around, hurtling toward Rolf's face where it, and the kettle the Doctor was holding, collided with his cheek with a loud CLANG. Rolf's head snapped back, but once he shifted his jaw, he slowly turned to face the Doctor again. "Well…yes, blimey, you can take a hit." The Doctor said, a little surprised as he tossed the dented kettle over the side of the car. Rolf reached back and brought the butt of his pistol swinging for his head but the Doctor managed to duck back at the last second. He still caught his cheek though, and sent the Doctor reeling sideways.
"Who are you?" Rolf asked, looming over the Doctor who had fallen to his knees and just regained his balance enough to stop from tipping over the side. Calypso rushed forward, bringing her fists against the side of Rolf's head, hoping to cause something of a distraction so the Doctor could get up again.
"Calypso, don't!" The Doctor shouted as Rolf grabbed her by the back of the neck and slung her forward, she tripped over the Doctor's legs and slid down to the edge of the train car. She heard the buzz of the sonic as she scrabbled to grip the smooth metal of the train, her damp hands slowing her somewhat but she felt her feet drop over the edge, and then her knees.
"Got you!" Then he was there, grabbing her tight as her legs flailed over empty air. "I've got you." He said once more, as a promise. She nodded quickly and tried to find footing so that she could help him pull her back over. It was a bit of a struggle, but her foot finally found purchase and the Doctor pulled her up alongside him with a nervous laugh.
"Enjoy it while you can," Rolf was standing above them, recovered from whatever stun the Doctor had given him earlier. The Doctor rose to his knees, blocking Calypso from the pistol.
"I'm going to ask you one last time to stop. I mean it. No second chances." His voice was powerful as he spoke, and Rolf actually looked as though he was considering it for a moment.
"I don't think so." He said, his grin returning to his face.
"Have it your way." The Doctor said, spinning fluidly and dropping his arms over Calypso. "Stay down." He murmured next to her ear. For a moment, she didn't understand, but she could just see confusion register on Rolf's face before he turned to his left and was suddenly torn out of view. Before she could blink, they were submerged into darkness. The train echoed louder than before and she realized they must have found their way into a tunnel, the thought of it making her press her back even harder into the metal beneath her. She could almost feel the weight of the stone above them, threatening to collapse, crushing them slowly. But suddenly there was light and air and open skies and she let out the breath she had been holding in.
The Doctor raised his head and looked around, letting out a whooping laugh as he turned back to her, a wide grin stretching his lips.
"Well, that was close." He chuckled, looking over the back of the train. Calypso couldn't help but return the smile, albeit a little nervously. "Are you alright?" He asked focusing those brown eyes on her once more. She nodded quickly, very aware of how close he hovered above her.
"You're bleeding," she reached up before she could stop herself, the corner of his lip sparkled crimson where the pistol had clipped him. Her fingers just rested against his jaw where she thought she could see the beginning of a bruise start to blossom. He reached up and brushed it away with the back of his hand, examining the damage.
"Ah, that's hardly anything. Been in my share of spats." He shrugged with a smile. It was then that the Doctor also seemed to realize their proximity, though he didn't seem to be in any kind of hurry to change it. "Glad you're alright." He brushed back a strand of hair from her face and his dark gaze lingered on her mouth for a moment before returning to her eyes, somewhat guiltily. "Calypso, would it be terribly improper-"
"Absolutely not," she said as she slid her hand around the back of his neck and he pressed his lips into her own, the pounding of the train was suddenly unable to keep up with the tempo of her heart. She breathed him in as she ran her fingers through his hair, lips pressing hard against hers as he scooped his arm under her shoulder, holding her tight against his chest. But something was wrong. The sensations in her belly continued to writhe, but the ones against her skin had started to fade. She gripped him tighter but it didn't help, she finally stopped, opening her eyes and saw that the yellow glow was already consuming her. The Doctor pulled back, startled by her pause until he too recognized what was happening.
"Well that's just rubbish timing-" He said before he faded away completely.
