"It's the year five billion and twenty three. We're in the galaxy M87 and this is...New Earth," the Doctor announced once we had a beautiful view of a new planet in front of us.
"New Earth," I whispered, my eyes frantically gazing from one thing to another, "Oh my god..." I walked a few feet ahead, "This is amazing," I looked up to the flying vehicles above us.
"This is amazing," Rose remarked, "I'll never get used to this. Never. Different ground beneath my feet!"
A sweet scent, but a familiar one, caught my nose. I began sniffing and looked down. "I know that smell," I bent down.
"A different sky!" Rose continued, "And...what's that smell?"
"Apple grass," I answered, standing straight and turning back with a smile, "Sweet apple scent."
She didn't believe me and glanced to the Doctor. "Apple grass," He confirmed, nodding his head.
My smile grew sweet, "I knew it!"
"Don't you always?"
I shrugged, "I've yet to be wrong, so..."
"Oh, I love this!" Rose brought back his attention. "Can I just say..." She glanced to him, a great and big smile plastered on her face, "Travelling with you...I love it."
"That's not the only thing she loves," I rolled my eyes, turning away from them.
Usually, there'd be some company from Mickey but I realized it was just me now. I had tried really hard to get him to come but he said no even though I had begged and pleaded. He believed, apparently, that with the least possible number of people the Doctor took on, the more noticed I'd get. Between you and me, that sounded pretty sad. But I will admit that in the short while I'd entered the TARDIS, I had been noticed a little more by the Doctor. However, his attention seemed to wander back to Rose whenever she made a comment.
So here I am, as the third wheel again, with the Doctor and Rose.
While the Doctor and Rose laid on his coat on the grass, I went towards a funny building. I didn't stray too much of course, but I was drawn to it. All the flying cards going above would drive back and forth but nothing would stop by this building. It seemed odd...
"I bet my life's saving's there's something wrong with you," I pointed to the building, as if it would make a comeback. I thought I heard something behind but when I glanced back I just saw grass. Still, I looked around but there was nothing. "And I'm never wrong..." I crossed my arms, glancing at the building again.
"What do you think?" the Doctor called as he and Rose joined me.
"Do you want to know the city's name?" Rose asked, looking rather amused.
"New New York," I replied nonchalantly, ending her source of amusement.
"How?" She almost frowned I dare say.
"Because she's clever," the Doctor pointed at me with a grin.
"Or, and I'm just saying," I looked up to the flying vehicles, "Someone shouted it from above," I smiled. The Doctor shook his head. "What? That wasn't my fault."
"We have a hospital to visit," He announced, pointing to the building behind me.
"What? What for?"
"He was summoned," Rose replied.
"By who?"
"Psychic paper. Shall we?" He extended his hand to me.
I looked between him and Rose. "Um...no," I turned around and started for the hospital.
"Joy?" He called but I kept walking, biting on my smile.
"Let's go Doctor!" I said, innocently, seeing it was bothering him.
~/~
We walked into the reception area of the hospital where cats were walking around. And they were dressed like nuns!
"Woah..." I blinked.
"There's no shop!" I heard the Doctor's whine. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "I like the little shop!"
"I thought this far in the future, they'd have cured everything," Rose said.
"That's impossible," I turned around, "You can't possibly cure everything."
"She's right," the Doctor nodded, "The human race moved on and so did the viruses. It's an ongoing war."
Another cat walked by, causing me to stare with a goofy smile on my face,"Neat..."
"They're cats," Rose pointed, shocked as they went along.
I followed a few cats walking by, going back and forth...I wanted a close up!
"Now don't stare," the Doctor told Rose, "And Joy, don't follow them."
My smile would not erase, "I can't help it. They're actual walking and talking cats," I tilted my head, "Cool."
"Well, at least you're taking it somewhat better," He muttered, "Rose! Think of what you look to them all...pink and yellow."
I followed another cat...
"JOY!" He yelled, scolding me as well.
"Sorry," I quickly turned back for them.
"Look, that's where I'd put the shop!" He pointed behind Rose. "Right there!"
I rolled my eyes, "What's with you and shops?" I followed after him.
"I like the shops," He said, defensively.
"You're allowed to point here and there but I can't do what I want?"
He walked into what looked like an elevator, "Uh, yes."
"So then why can't I follow them?" I started for another cat.
"Get back in here!" He snapped, pulling me into the elevator.
I frowned, "You know, these are the first kind I'm not allergic too. Let me have some fun."
"Ward 26!" he yelled, "What was that?" he looked down.
I sighed, "Nothing important, I guess."
" Hold on! Hold on!" We saw Rose rushing to join us but the doors closed too early.
"Oh, too late, we're going up!" the Doctor exclaimed.
"It's alright, there's another lift!"
"Ward 26!" the Doctor shouted down, "And watch out for the disinfectant!"
"The what?" I looked around, slightly afraid.
"Watch out for what?" Rose called back.
"The disinfectant!"
Commence stage one- disinfection.
There goes one of my ears. "Doctor, what exactly do you mean by-" I gasped loudly when an icy-cold water hit my face. "Crap, that's cold!" I shouted, blocking the remaining water from making contact with my face.
The Doctor remained perfectly calm about this and only smoothed out his hair.
When the water finally stopped, a freaking powder puffed into my face. I coughed out and fluttered my eyes open. "This...is-"
And the final straw happened: Strong wind smacked me upfront. All my hair stuck to my arms and face as the wind blew.
When the doors finally opened, I dashed out, "What the hell was that?" I demanded, pulling strands of hair off my face.
The Doctor smiled, "Procedure, nothing to worry about."
"It's stupid!" I snapped, removing the strands off my arms.
"Mind you, I'd say it's pretty good if it got all that hair of yours dried up in less than a minute," he gestured to my long, very-much-dried, hair.
I mock glared, "I'm sorry, would you like me to get it cut short for the next time?"
"C'mon," he pulled me towards another one of those cats, "And can you not follow more cats?"
"I don't know..."
"Hello," he greeted the cat.
"I am Sister Jatt."
"You have a name?" I blurted, receiving a thump on the arm by the Doctor, "Ow," I frowned, rubbing my arm.
"Sh," he put a finger to his lips.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. It seemed the only attention I received from him was reprimands. I'd rather not get noticed then!
The cat led us into Ward 26, where the Doctor, apparently, needed to go. Right now, the Doctor kept rambling on about the stupid shop again.
"Doctor, it's a hospital," I reminded, "No time for that."
"She is right," Sister Jatt nodded, "The hospital is a place of healing."
He frowned, "A shop does wonders for people, Joy."
We stopped in front of man who was fairly large and laid on a bed. It seemed his skin was turning into stone.
"Excuse me!" the lady beside him exclaimed, "Members of the public may only gaze upon the Duke of Manhattan with written permission from the Senate of New New York."
"That's Petrifold Regression, right?" the Doctor asked the man.
"I'm dying sir. A lifetime of charity and abstinence and it ends like this."
"Any statements made by the Duke of Manhattan may not be made public without official clearance," Again, the lady spoke.
"Frau Clovis!" the Duke gasped. She rushed to hold his hand. "I'm so weak!"
Frau Clovis glanced to us, angrily, "Sister Jatt! A little privacy please!"
"He'll be up and about in no time," Sister Jatt led us away.
"I doubt it. Petrifold Regression? He's turning to stone," the Doctor shook his head, "A cure for that won't be around for another...what? Thousand years?"
"Have faith in the sisterhood. Is there no one here you recognize?" She gestured to the dozens of patients. The Doctor looked around but didn't say anything. "It's rather unusual to visit without knowing the patient."
"No, I've found him..." the Doctor said, distracted all of a sudden, "Joy," he held out his hand for me.
Confused, I took it. I figured out his distraction when he led us to the Face of Boe. "Isn't he..." I pointed, "From the..."
Another cat stayed by our familiar patient. Sister Jatt nodded to her, "Novice Hame, can I leave these two visitors in your care?"
She nodded, "Yes."
"Oh, I think our friend got lost," the Doctor stopped Jatt before she left, "Rose Tyler. Could you ask at reception?"
"Certainly," Jatt said then left.
"I'm afraid the Face of Boe's asleep," Novice Hame said, "That's all he tends to do these days. Are you friends?"
"We met just once on Platform One," the Doctor answered, "What's wrong with him?"
"I'm so sorry. I thought you knew. The Face of Boe is dying."
"Of what?" I quickly asked, looking with horror at the poor face.
"Old age," She looked to him, "The one thing we can't cure. He's thousands of years old. Some people say millions. Although that's impossible."
"How do you know?" I challenged, a teasing smile growing on my face. "The universe can be very mysterious."
"I'm here," the Doctor kneeled before the Face of Boe, "I look a bit different but it's me...it's the Doctor."
I sighed, watching the two have a strange conversation. I turned for the great, glass window beside us. I walked closer to it, staring out into the city. It did looked wonderful.
"You're not from around here, are you?" Novice Hame asked me.
I glanced back, "Is it that obvious?"
She smiled, nodding, "You've got that curiosity gleam in your eyes. The city is very big and full of wonders."
"I can bet," I stared out, smiling at the thoughts of the city.
"Joy, I'm terribly sorry," the Doctor stood up, "I meant to bring you somewhere incredible to thank you but..."
"What are you talking about?" I raised an eye brow, "This is incredible."
He didn't seem to believe me, "But it's-"
I stepped closer, "New planet. New aliens. Talking cats," I said in a hushed tone so Novice Hame wouldn't hear, "Oh yeah, this is incredible."
"But a hospital?" He raised an eye brow, clearly disbelieving my statement.
"Well, I've dabbled a little in the med-department. Short internship, don't ask me how I got it," I shook my head, chuckling at the memory of that day, "I get to learn more!"
"Keep that brain building up," He smiled and I nodded, "Good."
"You two are strange," Novice Hame remarked with amusement, "And you know the Face of Boe?"
"Is it hard to believe?" I asked, curious.
She smiled, "No..."
"Are we the only visitors?" the Doctor looked around.
"The rest of Boe-kind became extinct. He's the only one left. Legend says that the Face of Boe has watched the universe grow old."
"That must be a pretty cool job," I smiled.
"There's all sorts of superstitions around him. One story says that just before his death, the Face of Boe will impart his great secret. That he will speak those words only to one like himself."
"What does that mean?" the Doctor asked.
"It's just a story," Novice Hame shrugged.
"Could be true," I suggested, "Tell us the ending?"
Novice Hame smiled dimly, "Well, it's said he'll talk to the wanderers. To the man without a home guided by his moon spirit."
"Now there's something intriguing, don't you think Doctor?" I perked up, unlike him who just remained silent.
~/~
As I walked around the room of patients, the Doctor went to give Rose a call. I know he said not to follow anymore cats but it was impossible! I was highly allergic to cats and to not be sneezing like crazy.
My starings were cut off by a loud laughter. I looked around and found it belonged to The Duke from earlier. The Doctor was still talking so I went ahead and walked to the Duke's bed.
"Hello," I waved sheepishly.
He and his friend, Frau Clovis, were holding champagne glasses. "Little pink thing!" He exclaimed, "Look at me!"
"You're cured?" I raised an eye brow, confused.
"Indeed. Have a glass!"
Frau Clovis handed me a glass of champagne. "Any friendship expressed by the Duke of Manhattan doesn't constitute a form of legal contract."
I nodded and took the glass, "Cheers..." I said, slowly raising the glass.
"No you don't," the Doctor took my glass and handed it back to Clovis, "You're not allowed to drink."
"Who says?" I raised an eyebrow, knowing for a fact he didn't even know my age.
"I do," he declared, raising the glass high up thanks to his newly-acquired height, "It's all just a bunch of toxins."
"Oh, now you care," I muttered, rolling my eyes and turning back to the patient.
"What did you say?"
"And it's the man!" cried the Duke, ending out short fight, "You two are my good luck charms! Come in! Don't be shy!"
The Doctor smiled, tugging on his ear. He didn't seem all too happy about this new found recovery.
"Winch me up!" the Duke ordered. With a press of a button on a remote, the bed lurches forwards. "Look at me! No sign of infection!"
"Champagne, sir?" the waiter asked the Doctor.
"No thanks," the Doctor answered, handing him back my glass, "You had Petrifold Regression, right?"
"That being the operative word! Past tense! Completely cured!" the Duke rejoiced.
"But that's impossible," the Doctor said, refusing to show any joy.
"How was he cured?" I asked, curious, "I thought you said it would take another 1000 years for the cure to arise?"
"That was the idea. What's in that solution?" He walked to the pouch of blue liquid.
"A simple remedy," a new, older cat approached us.
"Then tell me what it is."
"I'm sorry, patient confidentiality. I don't believe we've met. My name is Matron Casp."
"I'm the Doctor."
"I'm Joy," I waved, sensing the growing tension between the two.
"Matron Casp!" Sister Jatt hurried towards us, "You're needed in intensive care!"
"If you would excuse me," Matron Casp nodded, "Have a good day."
"That was a bit odd," I said afterwards.
"Yeah..." the Doctor stared after Matron Casp.
He took out his glasses again and began examining each patient that had been miraculously cured.
I followed after him, "Still gonna wear those?"
"Aha," He nodded, carefully looking into one of the pouches, "Can you go see if Rose is close by? I'm beginning to get worried."
"Sure," I turned for the entrance. I was midway there when she finally came out from an elevator, "There you are!" I hurried to meet her. "The Doctor's been asking for you."
"Has he?" She asked, her voice oddly pitchy. "Well, better go tell him I'm here. Out of my way," She pushed past me.
I blinked, making a face, "Okay...?"
I looked back and saw the Doctor take her to one of the patients and explain the situation. I couldn't make it out but something wasn't right with her. Her voice was all...annoying. And, as ignored as I am sometimes, she was never rude to me.
"I need to see how they do this," the Doctor walked towards me.
"Look for a terminal," I crossed my arms, "Don't they usually keep all that info in?"
"Yes!" He pointed, excitedly, "Because, if they've got the best medicine in the world...then why's it such a secret?"
"I can't Adam and Eve it," Rose said, coming to join us.
Both the Doctor and I looked to her, confused. "What's...what's with the voice?" the Doctor was the first to ask.
"Oh, I don't know..." She smiled, and wickedly I dare say, "Just larking about New Earth...new me."
"Who says larking?" I whispered to myself. "Rose, are you-"
She held a finger to me, her smile gone and replaced by a mean glare, "Shut up."
"Excuse me?" I stepped up, the Doctor having to grab my arm and restrain me.
"Why don't you go and look for that terminal?" She looked me over like I was some poor, primitive thing.
"Doctor, you better knock some sense into her before I do," I snapped, shaking his hand off my arm.
Before I did anything rash, I walked for the elevators. What the hell had gotten into her? By chance, I happened to have found one of those terminals on the way.
"Doctor?" I called, "I think I found a-"
"Oi, what did I say?" Rose interrupted me. "Be quiet. We're a bit busy."
"What?" I snapped my head at her, "Rose!"
"Mmm, aren't you just..." She ignored me and stepped closer to the Doctor.
Without warning, she pulled his face to hers, slamming his lips against hers.
My eyes widened, and oddly enough, I found myself feeling sort of...mad? "Hmph!" I turned away.
"T-terminals this way..." I heard Rose say after what seemed like an eternity.
She walked off in the direction I had found the terminal in. I looked back to the Doctor and saw he was just staring after her, completely dazed. This was exactly why I didn't want to travel with them. I'd be even more cast off, and frankly if this was going to be Rose's new attitude she'd be better off with me far away from her before I'd hurt her.
The Doctor smoothed his hair back into place, "Woah...still got it," he walked a few steps then realized I still stood here, "Oh...Joy..."
"Hmph...no, please, don't mind me," I raised my hands, "I'm just gonna go follow more cats..." I spat, rolling my eyes. I walked towards the terminal and had to stop when I realized my attitude. What had just happened? I was angry, but exactly what of?
"Joy?" The Doctor caught up a few minutes later. "What's wrong?"
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stop thinking of what had happened. "Nothing. Completely fine. Let's go."
"But-"
"I said let's go," and I continued to walk.
~/~
"Nope, nothing odd," the Doctor concluded after reviewing the patients' details on the terminal.
"It's missing something else," I said, looking at the screen, "I heard something about Inten-"
"The cats," Rose cut me off, "They talked about Intensive Care. Where is it?"
I frowned. That was what I was going to say. She wasn't making this easier for me.
"You're right, well done," the Doctor nodded and got to work.
That was my being right, and my congratulations.
"Why would they hide a whole department?" Rose continued, "It's gotta be there somewhere. Search the sub-frame."
"What if it's locked?" The Doctor asked.
"Try the installation protocol."
"Yeah, course. Sorry," he used the screwdriver and somehow made the wall reveal a secret corridor.
Rose walked straight into it. I blinked incredulously; this was not the trip I expected...
We found ourselves gazing up on rows and rows and rows of green doors. The Doctor walked ahead and opened one of the doors with the screwdriver.
I gasped when a man that was covered in boils and surrounded with smoke stared at us. "Oh my god..." I clasped my hand over my mouth.
"What's wrong with him?" Rose asked, disgusted.
"I'm sorry," the Doctor breathed, slowly closing the door, "I'm so sorry."
I noticed Rose holding her nose while the Doctor went to the next door. "Rose?"
She glanced at me, looking me over, "What?"
I rolled my eyes, "Never mind," I pushed past her, "What kind of disease is it?" I stared at the woman behind the new opened door.
"All of them," the Doctor spat, "Every single disease in the galaxy, they've been infected with everything."
"Oh my god..." I said sadly, "I...I don't know what to say..."
"What about us?" Rose questioned, "Are we safe?"
"The air's sterile just don't touch them," the Doctor closed the door.
"How many patients are there?"
"They're not patients," the Doctor walked over to the railing, gazing upon the millions of doors.
"But they're sick."
"They were born sick," he snapped, "Meant to be sick. They exist to be sick. Lab rats. No wonder the Sisters have got a cure for everything. They've built the ultimate research laboratory."
"A human farm," I walked along the doors, "How horrible."
"Why don't they just die?" Rose inquired.
"Plague carriers," the Doctor answered, "Last to go."
"It's for the greater cause," Novice Hame approached us.
"How could you agree to such a thing?" I rejoined them, "How?"
"The Sisterhood has sworn to help."
"By killing?" the Doctor shouted angrily.
"But they're not people. They're specially grown. They have no proper existence."
"What's the turnover?" the Doctor neared her, "Thousand a day? Thousand the next? Thousand the next? How many thousand? For how many years? How many?"
"Mankind needed us," Novice Hame remained calm, "They came to this planet with so many illnesses. We couldn't cope. We tried everything, believe me. All the results were just too slow."
"So you created a farm," I said, disgusted, "Say what you say, these are people." I pointed, to the doors, "Locked up and forced to carry every disease? This isn't a hospital."
"They're flesh," Novice Hame insisted, "That's all they are."
"No, they're alive," the Doctor corrected.
"But think of those Humans out there, healthy and happy because of us?"
"I'd rather die," I declared, "Knowing that someone else was going to pay the price for my health? I'd rather die and I'm sure these people would agree. No one's live is worth over another's. No one."
"But who are you to decide that?" She raised an eye brow.
"Human, thank you very much," I spat, proudly, "I may not have any special skills or powers but I've got a secret weapon: a higher authority, the Doctor."
"Really?" He glanced at me, genuinely surprised.
I smiled, forgetting my former irritation with him, "You know it."
Even ignored, even reprimanded, I knew he'd always have my back. I knew I was still on the same level with Rose in that department.
"Yes. And if you don't like me then that's too bad because I'm as high as the authority gets," the Doctor stepped up.
"Um, excuse me," Rose pushed me to the side again, "Just to confirm this...none of the humans in the city actually know about this?"
Novice Hame shook her head, "No, we thought it best not-"
"Hold on," the Doctor cut in, "I can understand the bodies. I can understand your vows. But one thing I can't understand, what have you done to Rose?"
"I don't know what you mean..." Novice blinked.
"I am being very calm about this," the Doctor continued, "And the only reason I'm being so very, very calm is that the brain is a delicate thing. Whatever you've done to Rose's head, I want it reversed. NOW."
"We haven't done anything," Novice Hame insisted.
"You have," I nodded, finally finding the world at sense again, "She's incredibly rude now and I wanna knock her out..and I never wanna knock out Rose."
I decided to let go of Rose's attitude during the Doctor's regeneration for the better. She was just hurt the Doctor had left her, even though technically he hadn't. So she lashed out on whoever was close...me. Though I had let it go, it didn't mean I wouldn't knock her out if she did it again...fully conscious however.
"I am not," the blonde snapped.
"Yes, you are," I turned to her, "You've been fairly rude to me and I'm biting my own hand to keep me from knocking you out!"
"Darling, it's not my fault I'm so much better than you."
"Then again...why restrain myself if she's not," I balled up a fist.
"See? Another thing," the Doctor pointed, grabbing and keeping a tight restraint on me, "They never argue. And, Rose would care about these people dying. What have you done?"
"Oh alright, clever clogs," Rose rolled her eyes. She pushed me away and pulled the Doctor back to face her. "Smarty pants," she pulled out his tie, "Lady killer," she leaned closer.
"I'm gonna kill her," I said, bluntly.
"I knew something was going on in this hospital but I needed this body and your mind to find out what," Rose gestured to herself.
"Who are you?" the Doctor asked.
She smirked, leaning to his ear and whispered, "The Last Human."
"Oh god, the piece of scrap?" I raised an eye brow. She glared at me, but I didn't care. Instead, I let out a short laugh. "Ha! You're not Rose! The world makes sense again!"
"You annoying little brat," she spat, walking up to me, "Do you know how idiotic you are? I don't care how clever they say you are, you're nothing but a little-"
"Oi, leave her alone," the Doctor cut in, stepping between us, "You got a problem, it's with me."
"Go in and save the little girl, why don't you?" She whipped out a tube of perfume and sprayed it to his face. He fell to the ground, unconscious.
"Doctor!" I dropped beside him, "What did you do?" I looked up to Cassandra.
"Free sample?" She smiled sweetly then sprayed that thing on me as well.
~/~
I woke to yelling and yelling. I realized my arms had been forced to a rail with a type of wire.
"What's going on?" I woke up my senses.
"Oh, you've woken up," Cassandra pretended to pout, "I sprayed double."
"Where's the Doctor?" I looked around.
"Right here," she patted one of the cell doors, "Ready to become infected as well."
There was pounding on the other side of the door, "CASSANDRA!"
"Let him go," I reached out for the door.
"Uh, no?" She rolled her eyes, "Stupid one inside, clever one outside."
I paused to think about that. Obviously, I wasn't as smart as the Doctor, but I decided to mess with her for a moment.
"Wait, shouldn't it be the other way around? Clever one inside, stupid one outside?"
I watched in amusement as she realized her mistake.
"Shut up!" She exclaimed.
"Cassandra, just let Rose go!" The Doctor yelled again, "Please!"
"Oh, I will," assured Cassandra, "As soon as I've found someone younger and...less common, I'll junk her with the waste," She patted the door again, "It's showtime!"
"Cassandra," I called, "...Go into me."
She raised an eye brow, suddenly confused. I couldn't believe I was doing this...
"Go into me and leave Rose alone. I'm younger..." I swallowed hard, forcing myself up against the rail, "And...I'm richer," by the sudden gleam in her eye, I knew I had caught her attention, "I swear to god I am richer. I will give you my credit cards-they're old Earth cards with money in it basically-but you just let Rose be and come into-"
"Is that a deal?" She smiled wickedly.
I took in a deep breath and nodded, "A deal. And I always keep my end of it. Will you?"
"Definitely."
Next thing I knew, I was gasping for air, my head feeling like it would explode!
"Oh, younger body..." Cassandra remarked, placing my hands on my hips.
"Get your hands off me!" I snapped.
"How are you speaking? I'm in control!"
"...I'm clever."
"Very, I can see through your brain..." she paused, and I actually felt her own mind creeping into mine, seeing thoughts and feelings, "I can see everything. Oh...you're so lost, aren't you?"
"Quit talking Crap. I'm letting the Doctor go," I forced myself to walk a few steps. I noticed Rose was on the ground, unconscious. "Rose! Is she alright?"
"Yeah, fine. She's weak."
"Oi, that's a friend."
She scoffed, "Okay..."
"What are you doing?" Matron Casp demanded.
We turned and saw her and Jatt standing before us.
Cassandra took control of my speaking skills, "Straight to the point whiskers. I want money."
"The sisterhood is a charity. We don't give money. We only accept."
"The humans across the water pay you a fortune for all this and that's exactly what I need," she stepped us closer, "Perhaps a yacht would be nice too. In return for which, I shall tell the city nothing of this. Deal?"
"I'm afraid not," Casp declined. Jatt pressed a button from a remote.
"I advice you to really think about it."
"No need. I decline."
Cassandra frowned, she became restless in our body. "I will tell them!" She pointed, "And you can't stop me! Not exactly Nuns with guns. You're not even armed."
"We have claws. Much more effective," Casp showed us her paw with sharp and filed nails.
When she hissed I managed to make my body jump. Cassandra, remained still with no emotions to show. "Nice try." She spat and turned us to a strangely patterned man.
"Chip! Plan B!" He pulled down a lever, making every door of every cell open.
"What have you done?" The Doctor demanded as he rushed out the door. He looked down to Rose who was just waking up. "Where's Cassandra?" He helped Rose stand. "Where is she?" Rose shook her head, still groggy. "Joy?"
Cassandra shrugged my shoulders and made sure I wouldn't speak. She turned us around and ran off somewhere.
"Joy!" The Doctor yelled after me.
"Oh, you don't like that. Do you?" Cassandra asked. "That's not who you are..."
She was giving me the ability to speak again and so I took it, "Shut up."
"Min-"
"Shut up, piece of scrap!" I yelled.
"Why don't you say something?"
"Where are we going?" I demanded. "And who the hell is him?"
We ran down the stairs, with the strange Nan behind us.
"Oh, that's Chip, don't mind him. He's harmless," Cassandra waved him off.
"Joy! Hold on!" The Doctor continued to yell after us.
"He just won't give up!" Cassandra frowned.
"He's my friend. You think he won't question why I'm not speaking and running away from them?"
"Are you sure he's a friend? I see he's been awfully rude..."
"Not to be mean," I said instantly, dead serious, "His mind is just...occupied with something else."
The Doctor and Rose caught up with us at the cellar while we tried working the elevators.
"It's not gonna work!" I yelled.
But Cassandra kept working, "Shut up!"
"It's a Quarantine! Nothing's moving!"
She groaned, letting our hands drop everything, "Would you be quiet?"
"No, I will not be quiet."
"Cassandra?" the Doctor stepped forwards.
We turned around, both fairly annoyed at each other.
"Do you mind? I'm having an argument with a pessimistic brat," Cassandra crossed our arms.
"You took Joy's body?" His eyes widened with horror, "N-n-n-n-n-no. You get out of there, right now!"
"Sorry, but she made a deal," Cassandra smiled wickedly, "And a deal is a deal."
"Joy?" He frantically looked into my eyes, "Can you speak? Are you okay?"
The flesh got into the cellar and advanced towards us. "Gotta run," Cassandra waved a hand and dashed off.
"She's getting away!" Rose yelled, running after us.
"Mistress!" I heard Chip call.
"Oh no, he's gonna be infected!" I tried stopping but my feet wouldn't budge.
I wasn't in control anymore.
We ran into a new room where Cassandra pretty much knew her way around. I assumed this was her hiding place. We rushed to another door and opened it only to find more flesh.
"We're trapped!" We turned back around, "What are we gonna do?"
"Who's saying that? Joy or Cassandra?" Rose asked.
"You are going to leave that body," the Doctor angrily marched up to us, "That psychograft is banned on every civilized planet!" He pointed to a contraption across from us. "You're compressing Joy to death!"
"Finally you take some importance of her," She crossed our arms.
"What?" He asked, indignantly, "What does that even mean?"
Even if I wanted to speak, there wasn't much I could say at this point.
Cassandra leaned forwards, a big smirk plastered on her face, "You know, I may be evil but I'd never do what you're doing, Doctor. That's just cold."
He blinked, stepping back as he studied me from head to toe. I thought maybe he'd capture something Cassandra had said but I was severely disappointed by his next words. "Cassandra, get out! I don't care where the hell you go, but you get out of my friend RIGHT NOW!"
"I can't go anywhere else," Cassandra shook her head, "My original's skin is dead."
"That's not our problem," Rose stepped up, "You need to get out of her. It's horrible what you're doing!"
"Give her back," the Doctor said, dead quiet, pointing his screwdriver at us, "And I mean now."
I saw what she was gonna do next but I had no way to stop her. "You asked for it," she said.
I felt myself become free from her control. I stumbled a little, almost falling back and rubbed the side of my head. "Oh wow, my head..."
"Uh...Joy?" Rose quietly said. I glanced to her and saw she was looking at the Doctor.
"Oh my," the Doctor's eyes looked around, "This is...different."
"Cassandra?" I raised an eye brow, "Don't you dare..."
"Goodness me, I'm a man. Yum! So many parts! And hardly used..." the Doctor wiggled around like crazy.
"Oh my god..." I stared, utterly stupefied.
"Cassandra you get out of there!" Rose demanded.
"Two hearts! Oh baby! I'm beating out a samba!" Cassandra/He continued about with radical movements.
"Get out of him!" I yelled angrily.
"What do we do?" Rose ran a hand through her hair.
"Ooh, he's slim," Cassandra/He ran a hand down his body, "And a little bit foxy!" Cassandra/He glanced to us, "You've thought so too," he started walking up to Rose, "I've been inside your head..." Rose became slightly pinker, embarrassed, "You've been looking..." he leaned down to her, "And you like it!" I chuckled lightly, looking away. "Minerva, I saw you gave him a look too...something's going on in that little head of yours and you don't even know it."
I snapped my head back to him, "Hey!"
"Who's that?" Rose looked between us, confused.
"Sister," I spat, fairly angry with Casandra. Rose was going to continue her questioning but the doors burst open. "They've gotten in!"
"What the hell would the Doctor do?" Cassandra/The Doctor shouted.
"He'd get us out of here," I snapped, glaring, "Too bad he's not around!"
"There's a ladder!" Rose pointed, "C'mon!"
Cassandra/The Doctor shoved past us and got to the ladder first. "Out of my way!"
Rose climbed after him then I. We climbed up but saw there was no other way around.
We would be stuck...
"Cassandra, if you'd get out of the Doctor's body, he can think of something!" Rose yelled.
"Yap, yap, yap," Cassandra/The Doctor swayed his head, "Got, it was tedious inside your head. Hormone City."
I rolled my eyes, "We're gonna die if-" I yelled when something grabbed my ankle. I looked down and saw Matron Casp. "Get off me!" I kicked her head.
"All our good work! All that healing!" She cried.
"Get off!"
"Go and play with a ball of string," Cassandra/The Doctor muttered.
I kicked Casp's arm down and finally got free. And just in time because one of the flesh grabbed her ankle, making her break out in boils. She yelled in pain then fell off the ladder.
"They're coming!" I cried as the flesh advanced on us. "Cassandra!"
We moved up and up but when we finally reached the top, the doors sealed shut.
"Now what do we do?" Cassandra/The Doctor looked down.
"Use the screwdriver!" I yelled, looking down to see how far the flesh were off.
"You mean this thing?" She pulled it out.
"USE IT!" I yelled angrily.
"Well, I don't know how. That Doctor's hidden away all his thoughts."
"Because he's smart," Rose snapped, "The Doctor can open it! You'll have to come back to me!"
"No way," Cassandra/The Doctor shook his head, "Hormone City?"
"It's either that or die."
"Hold on tight," Cassandra then leaped into Rose again, "Chavtastic again. Open it!" She demanded from the Doctor.
"Not til you get out of her!" the Doctor pointed his screwdriver at her.
"We need the Doctor."
"I order you to leave her!" the Doctor shouted, "NOW."
I looked down and saw the flesh were much nearer now. "Doctor...might want to hurry," my voice trembled.
"And don't you dare jump into Joy," he added, "Now get out."
"I'm gonna regret this," her little cloud rushed down past me to one of the flesh, "Oh sweet Lord, I look disgusting," she frowned.
The Doctor then opened the elevator and jumped in. He pulled in Rose then me. When my feet hit the new floor, I felt something inside of me again and I gasped, nearly stumbling back.
"A deal's a deal, brat!" Cassandra said...with my mouth.
"That was your last warning, Cassandra!" the Doctor shut the door and turned to us, "Get out!"
"A deal's a deal, Doctor. Let her be a woman of her word," She scoffed, "If she's considered one yet."
If she wasn't in my body, I would've smacked her. The Doctor had no choice but to leave her within me for the moment. We returned to Ward 26 where we were greeted with hostility from the other patients who hadn't been infected just yet.
"We're clean!" the Doctor held up his hands, "Look, look! We're all clean! See?"
"If we had been infected, we would've been dead," I said, rolling my eyes. And yes, that one was me.
"What's the status?" the Doctor looked around.
"I think we're the only ones left," Frau Clovis said, sighing, "And I've been trying to override the quarantine," she raised her contraption in hand.
"You can't do that. If they forced entry, they'd break quarantine."
"I'm not dying in here!"
"We can't let a single particle of disease get out!" the Doctor raised his voice, "Ten million people in that city would be at risk! Turn that thing off!"
"Not if it gets me out," Clovis gritted her teeth.
I walked up to her, quietly snatched her contraption and threw it to the ground, stomping on it repeatedly with my foot.
"Cassandra!" Rose exclaimed.
"No, no...I'm pretty sure that one was Joy," the Doctor calmly said.
I smiled sweetly to Clovis then returned to my spot. "If I'm going to die, it will not be in vain."
"You will not die," the Doctor said, "Get me intravenous solutions for every single disease! Move it!"
"No need to shout," I muttered to him then rushed off to get what was needed.
As we gathered the ingredients, Rose was helping the Doctor tie a rope around his body.
"How's that? Will that do?" he asked as I handed him the last of the pouches.
"What are you going to do?" Rose questioned.
"Oh Rose, be a little smarter," Cassandra snapped.
"That one wasn't Joy!" I quickly said afterward but Rose still glared.
The Doctor had moved to the elevator doors, opening them up with the sonic.
"The lifts aren't working!" Cassandra exclaimed.
The Doctor looked down on the shaft, "They aren't moving which is entirely different," he looked back at us then walked to Rose and whispered something in her ear. The two looked to Cassandra and I for a moment then Rose nodded and took steps back. "You're coming with me," he grasped my arm, "And I apologize Joy."
"What are you doing?" Cassandra demanded.
"I can't leave you in a room full of City officials and powerful patients, now can I?"
"That's a bit rude, don't yah think?"
"Joy knows what I mean," he rolled his eyes.
"Does she? Does she really?"
He looked into my eyes, "Why isn't Joy speaking anymore?"
"Because, I'm in control now. No more Joy."
He stared for a moment, silent and dead serious, "I refuse."
If I could smile, I would have...
~/~
"Now you listen up," the Doctor exclaimed, "I'm dealing with a much less clever girl now so I'll dumb it down," Cassandra frowned, "When I say so, take hold of this lever," he gestured to it.
"But there's still a quarantine down there!" Cassandra cried, "We can't-"
"I said hold the lever!"
As he went into the elevator to do his work, Cassandra and I remained on top, silent...at least for a moment.
"Why do you travel with him? He barely acknowledges you."
Because he's a friend, I thought.
"That's not a friend," she scoffed, "And yes, I hear your thoughts."
You can't live forever, Cassandra, especially in this body. You'll die even quicker in me.
"Please, you've lived twice as much. I think I'll be fine."
I'm young.
"Okay..."
"Pull the lever!" the Doctor shouted.
Cassandra did the task on command.
Commence stage one: Disinfection.
I knew exactly what would happen; he's saved them once more.
"Pass it on!" the Doctor shouted happily, "C'mon!"
"Pass on what?" Cassandra demanded, confused.
You idiot.
"Shut it, brat," she spat. The Doctor pulled us into the elevator. "What did they pass on?" She asked him."Did you kill them?"
"That's how you do things," he walked out into the reception.
He's cured them.
"He cured them?" Cassandra repeated.
"I'm assuming Joy figured that out," he stared at the flesh and smiled, "I'm the Doctor and I cured them!"
My mouth opened but only noises came out. Cassandra shut it and frowned, "No! I'm in control. Remember that deal."
~/~
"The Face of Boe!" the Doctor rushed over to our old friend. Rose and I followed behind him. "You were supposed to be dying!" the Doctor smiled.
It was true, he did seem just healthy as in the Platform.
There are better things to do today. Dying can wait.
"Oh I hate telepathy," Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"Sh!" Rose snapped.
I have grown tired with the universe, Doctor, but you have taught me to look at it anew.
"There are legends you know," the Doctor knelt down before the Face of Boe, "Says you're millions of years old."
That would be impossible.
"You know, I got the impression...there was something you want to tell me..." the Doctor said quietly.
A great secret.
"So the legend says."
It can wait.
"Oh does it have to?" the Doctor pouted.
We shall meet again, Doctor, for the third time...for the last time...and the truth shall be told. Until that day...
And like that, he teleported away. A few seconds after, he stood up and turned around. "And now for you,' he pointed at Cassandra and I.
"Everything's happy. Everything's fine...just leave me," Cassandra stood straight, "She made a deal."
"I could care less what she did. What I'm saying, is leave that body," he stepped closer, "You have lived long enough."
"So has she!"
"Don't," he shook his head, "Get out now."
"I don't want to die!" Cassandra started crying.
I forced my mouth open, making a few attempts to speak myself.
"She wants to talk," Rose said, "Cassandra!"
"No," Cassandra gritted her teeth, "I don't want to die."
"Mistress!" Chip ran forth, "I kept myself safe! For you, mistress."
Her thoughts began racing through my mind and I felt so sorry for Chip.
"Cassandra, don't you dare," the Doctor warned, sensing her plan before it was even finished, "He's got a life of his own."
"But it's a volunteer," she said, eyeing the patterend man, "And so I shall take it!"
Before I could attempt to stop her, she leaped out of me and into Chip. I gasped for air again as I fell back, feeling quite free now.
"Oh!" the Doctor caught me just in time, "You alright?"
I blinked, "Y-yeah..." I swallowed hard and forced my eyes to wake up. I felt my legs give out once again and down I went.
"Woah!" the Doctor helped me once more, "You just want to hit that floor, don't you?"
I shook my head, all my thoughts and senses finally returning to normal. I looked up and smiled, "Hello," I waved.
He smiled back, "Hello."
I couldn't stop smiling, and I was a little confused to feel my face become warmer. Was I blushing? Oh my god...I was!
"You refused?" I questioned quietly, recalling his words.
"I don't give up on you. It'd be shameful if I did," he answered, his smile softening, "I'd be ashamed if I hadn't learned anything."
I raised an eyebrow, a little setback by his choice of words...a very familiar choice of words.
Rose coughed from the side and I realized she wanted us apart. I quickly removed myself from the Doctor's arms and cleared my throat. "Hi Rose," I waved, hoping my blush was gone. She faintly smiled and waved back.
"Oh sweet Lord, I'm a walking doodle," Cassandra said from Chip's body.
"Cassandra, that's not fair," I frowned.
"You made a deal with me," she marched herself to me, "And you lied!"
"I know what I said-"
"Then why didn't you keep it?"
"Why did you try killing us?" I countered, "I didn't lie, by the way, but I'm sure as hell not re-offering that deal."
She opened her mouth but instead fell forwards. I quickly helped her up, "Are you okay?"
"I think...I think I'm dying," she gasped lightly, "But...but I think that's okay."
The Doctor and Rose joined and helped support her. "I can take you to the city," the Doctor offered.
"No, everything's new on this planet," Cassandra looked around, "No place for Chip and me anymore. I think you're right Doctor, it's time to die."
"There's one last thing I can do, though," the Doctor announced, "C'mon."
We were brought into the TARDIS. At first, I didn't understand what the Doctor was trying to do. But then I saw the new surroundings and recognized a specific blonde woman; Cassandra. I smiled, content, and let his plan go into action. I can't say I was glad to see death right in front of me, but it was a part of life. I wouldn't escape from it anywhere. I watched Cassandra at her beginning and very last moments all in one. After that, I ordered the Doctor to take me right home.
~/~
"I'm really sorry Joy," the Doctor opened the doors of the TARDIS.
I felt the fresh air of my dear planet greet my face when I stepped out. I turned around and smiled, "Don't be. It was pretty fun."
"I was supposed to take you into the city. Thank you properly for-"
"I didn't want it," I reminded, "I was pretty happy. I've been an intern for a hospital once and seeing how an alien one worked is a very good opportunity to learn more."
He smiled softly, "Always trying to learn."
I nodded, "Life's pretty short for me so I better make the most of it. Say bye to Rose for me, will you?" I hugged him, "Thanks for taking me on board."
"You're more than welcome to stay with us and you know it," he quickly offered.
I pulled back and shook my head, "Now more than ever I need to stay."
For both my life's sake and theirs. I would not be a third wheel...
I saw he was slightly hurt and made me feel bad, "You know, I've got a job now. A real and proper one..."
"Yeah..."
"And I actually got another raise," I continued, hoping he'd see it wasn't his fault I didn't want to stay...even when a good chunk of it was. "I think maybe by the year's end I'll have enough to finally move out. And I'm even ahead on my sch-"
"I guess I'll see you later then," he looked up, "Because you know I will come back."
I didn't even take offence he had cut me off again. He always did that. "Yes, I'll come on board once in a while. Just like always."
He nodded, hugging me, "Take care then, Joy."
"You too," I said, pulling back. He turned for the box, opening its doors and moving to go inside. "Doctor, wait!"
He glanced back, confused yet obedient. "You...your words earlier...in the hospital," I became nervous for some reason but I had to know, "You talked about being ashamed if you hadn't learned, those...those were-"
"Your words," he finished, smiling as I nodded fast.
"How did you...I mean, you were asleep..."
"It's a bit fuzzy," he began to explain and so I became silent, ready to listen, "I remember some parts now. Your voice happened to come into mind a lot for some reason, though..."
"I talk a lot..." I admitted, making a face that made him laugh.
"You do, but that's a good thing!" He exclaimed, trying to make it seem like it really was fine. "But the thing that stuck most in my head was you not giving up on me. And...I don't know, but you sounded really upset for the most part of the day. What were you upset with?"
I swallowed hard, knowing this could be my chance to finally let everything out and make him realize his mistake. "Um..."
"I get you were upset with Rose, but I felt like there was something more," he eyed me while I tried gathering some words, "Just know that while part of that day is fuzzy, I will remember it sooner or later."
"...you will?" I raised an eyebrow, my heart beating faster when he nodded.
"Yes, so if there's anything on your mind...you should probably tell me now."
I contemplated on my choice, and realized when it'd be the perfect moment...the day he remembered my words and put them all into place. Then he'd figure it out and then I'd confirm them. But it'd all lay with him.
"Joy?"
"No," I spoke up, almost authoritative, "I will not tell you anything."
"What?" He frowned.
"It'll come back to you sooner or later," I shrugged, trying to play it off as something nonchalant.
"What will?"
"That'd be for you to figure out."
"Joy, why don't you just tell me?" He seemed to be getting agitated. "I know you and there's something-"
I'm sorry but I just had to scoff at that, only increasing his annoyance. "Doctor, I think you should just go."
"What's going on!?"
"You'll find out, or realize one day," I opened the doors of the TARDIS for him, "See you around."
He was fairly irritated but muttered a low 'bye' and walked inside the box. As the TARDIS de-materialized, I couldn't help feel that there should've been more insistence on why I refused to tell him anything. But I figured he just didn't care enough to continue questioning me. Still, I had to admit it did feel pretty nice to learn that he had heard me on Christmas and made him thoughtful on why I was so upset. Who knew, maybe that 'soon' was much sooner that I thought it'd be.
But for now, there might be a 'new' Doctor, but it sure as hell didn't seem like it just yet.
Author's Note:
Hello again! Just a few answers for the new reviews :)
crossMIRAGE19: Thank you for kind compliment! Yeah, I try to be a little creative and variate from the show's episodes' line-up just cause I think it's more fun that way than going in the order. As 12 would say, boring? Not me! (or so I like to think). And yes, Joy definitely has her little secrets here and there and will soon be revealed. And to answer your question about my writing style, I always center the text just because it's my usual style of writing. It's just my way of writing :)
AxidentlGoddess: Did it answer your question as to how much the Doctor heard of Joy during his regeneration 'nap'? ;) That'll come up again in a couple of chapters!
TotalSebbyFangirl: Soon, it won't just be her eyes he's noticing ;) Glad you're really liking the story!
And thanks to the other readers! Comments are always appreciated!