Just so you have to wait for at least one more chapter to find out if Rose was right or not…

Yes, I am that cruel.

Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

"Alright, old girl, tell me why you aren't pulling energy in any faster than this…" the Doctor murmured softly as he squinted at the console readouts. For two days the Tardis had sat on Rasarnia, soaking up as much cosmic energy as could be found. The ship should be full up and ready to move on her way, but something seemed to be stalling her energy input. What, exactly, he had no idea, and so here he stood in the console room trying his best to figure out the problem.

"Well," he murmured doubtfully, "I suppose this will only set us back a day or so." He sighed and slipped the glasses from his nose. If he really thought about it, he'd have to admit that his real annoyance over the disruption to the energy absorption was that he felt like it was slowing him down. That all-too familiar sensation constantly buzzed in his mind, like the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. The Time Lord he sensed could be friend… or could very well be foe. Visions of The Master and Rani danced through his mind as he considered the later option. Either way, he had to know. And soon.

Idly he wandered around the console, running his finger along the edge of it. Frustrated, he abruptly turned from the console. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he strolled towards the door. If he was going to have to wait, he might as well do something. Suddenly remembering that he was a little low on food, he decided to venture out and seek some supplies.

The Doctor was wrapped up in his thoughts and preoccupations as he stepped out of the Tardis, locking the door behind him. Surely he'd be back before Jack, who did not have a key to the ship. Hands still in his pockets, he turned to stroll down the crowded streets. Who in the entire galaxy could this other Time Lord be? And why hadn't he sensed them before?

He was so involved in his own preoccupations that he didn't even hear the soft footsteps that crept up behind him, or notice the shadow until it was right upon him. He heard the sharp, crack on the back of his head at the same moment that pain exploded, and then the world went dark.

He hadn't even had time to turn around to see what had hit him.

Jauntily, Jack strolled down the street. He'd had an interesting afternoon strolling about Rasarnia on what he called research. He enjoyed the planet as much for the atmosphere as the activities. Rasarnia was a sort of melting pot of different races, species, and peoples from across the galaxy. He had learned more about alien species in the last 48-hours than he had in the previous 48 days. He'd taken mental notes that, in some ways, he couldn't wait to share with Gwen, Owen, Tashiko, and Ianto when he returned to Torchwood.

Whistling softly to himself, he grabbed the door of the Tardis and moved to push it open. Nothing happened. "Doctor," he called, banging on the door. "Hey, Doc, it's me. Lemme in."

Only silence came from within.

"Hey, come on!" he called, pushing on the door. "I was behaving myself! I was just doing a little research!"

When no answer came after several minutes, Jack sighed and gave up. It was obvious that the Doctor wasn't there. "At least you coulda given me a key," he muttered, jamming his hands in his pockets and turning away. Having already taken a tour of the city, he found himself at loose ends with nothing to do. Sighing, he stopped in the street and glanced around.

And that's when he saw the blood.

Only a few feet from the Tardis door, it started in a small puddle that appeared to be dragged along away from the ship. Curiously, Jack squatted down and examined it, running his finger through the puddle. Sticky, but definitely not fresh. It had been there a while.

Softly, Jack cursed under his breath and dragged a hand through his hair. He had a sinking feeling deep in his gut that the Doctor wasn't coming back any time soon.