Chapter Twelve
"Here we are, Doctor."
The Doctor looked up at the crumbling, Victorian house standing before them.
"What, no castle?" he said.
"Mmmm, how amusing, my little pet," Ian said, stroking his cheek. "I'll enjoy that wit of yours along with this handsome body you have."
The Doctor snorted.
"Come along, I'm dying to meet you."
He paused and let out a little giggle.
"Dying to meet you. How droll. I'm extremely witty as well, don't you think?"
"Oh yeah, you're just a laugh a minute," the Doctor said.
He took the Doctor's hand.
"This way, Doctor," he said.
He led him up the front steps.
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The Doctor looked around while Ian led him through the house. He recognized much of it from Rose's dream. He looked down at her and wondered if she was aware of anything that was happening. She had been strong enough to break Ian's hold on her mind, so it could be possible she was observing events and was powerless to act. Hoping that was the case, the Doctor laid a hand briefly on her shoulder hoping that Rose could feel it and gain courage and strength from knowing he was still near her. Enough he hoped that she might be able to mount another defense against him. He knew without her help in driving him from her mind, there wasn't much he could do.
They stopped in the middle of one of the rooms, and the Doctor noticed a door off to his right. Ian smiled at him and opened it. The Doctor blinked when light from the room blinded him momentarily. Ian looked back at him and pointed down the stairs.
"This way," he said.
The Doctor sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets while he followed Ian down the steps. They neared the bottom, and he looked around and noticed they were in a large, dusty basement. He glanced around behind him and caught sight of Ian's coffin resting just behind the stairs. There sitting on top of it was Ian. Ian smiled and rose from the coffin.
"Doctor," he said.
"Ian! How are ya, ya bloodsucking bastard? Been a long time! How's the wife and kiddies?" the Doctor said.
He paused.
"So, have to ask ya since we're now that we're face to face. Why Ian? Why not Lestat or Bloodrein or Moondroppings or some other Goth name like that?"
Ian chuckled.
"I am not pretentious, Doctor. I know vampires who have renamed themselves with silly names like that, but I prefer my own name. I happen to like it."
The Doctor shrugged.
"Fair enough," he said.
He glanced at Rose and noticed she was still in a trance.
"So, what happens to her then? Are you gonna release her now that we can see each other face to face?" he said.
Ian stared at Rose who was staring back at him blankly.
"Depends, Doctor."
"On what?"
Ian looked at him.
"Depends on if you're thinking of escape. Because if you are, I'm going to keep her under my thrall to keep you in line. However, if you and she decide to accept your fates, I will release her mind, so she can see what's going on."
The Doctor sighed.
"We won't try to escape," he said.
"Is that a promise, Doctor, or are you just saying that so I'll release my hold on Rose?" Ian said.
"No, I promise we won't escape. You win."
Ian studied his face for a moment before nodding. He closed his eyes, and Rose let out a gasp when he withdrew from his mind. The Doctor quickly took her hand, and she looked up at him.
"Doctor?"
"It's okay, Rose," he said. "Ian's let go of your mind and you and I are in his…"
He looked around the basement.
"Lair, if you can call it that," he said.
He looked at Ian.
"Seriously, why would a vampire want to live in a rotting house in the middle of London? Wouldn't you like to live somewhere a little more exotic; say, Transylvania?"
"That's been done to death!" Ian said. "London is much more interesting. Besides, Transylvania is full of superstitious people who still believe in the undead. Londoners, for the most part, think vampires are a load of rubbish so it's easy to get a meal without worrying about getting a stake through the heart. Not to mention the fact that most of the undead don't think of setting up shop here, so there isn't much competition for food."
He smiled at them.
"Of course, after tonight, there will be two new immortals, but we will be working together, not in competition."
"How do you know? Maybe after we become vampires, Rose and I will want to get a home of our own," the Doctor said.
Ian chuckled.
"I doubt that. I think Rose will prefer to stay here. Won't you my dear?"
Rose backed up closer to the Doctor, when Ian tried to stroke her cheek. The Doctor put a hand on her shoulder.
"Not a chance in Hell," she said.
Ian smiled.
"I think you'll change your mind about that," he said.
He closed his eyes, and the Doctor gasped when Rose got a glazed look in her eyes and began to walk towards him.
"Damn you!" he said.
The Doctor started walking towards Ian.
"Ah, ah, I warn you, Doctor. I can make Rose suffer again, and I'm sure you don't want that." Ian said.
The Doctor stopped in his tracks and glared at him while Ian embraced Rose.
"There, she's much more agreeable, don't you think?"
"So, this is going to be Rose's fate then?" the Doctor said. "Spend eternity as your puppet?"
"Oh no, once I convert her and you; you won't ever want to leave," Ian said.
He looked down at her and stroked her cheek.
"She's so beautiful, Doctor. I can see why you love her so much. Of course, her beauty will be enhanced once she's immortal, as will yours."
The Doctor watched in disgust while Ian lowered her mouth to Rose's and kissed her passionately. Seizing on the distraction, he reached into his pocket and slowly brought out his sonic screwdriver. Keeping his eye on Ian, he slowly raised it towards him. He aimed it at his head and gasped when suddenly with lightning quick speed; Rose broke out of the embrace, snatched the screwdriver from his hand, and handed it to Ian.
"Thought you might try something with your little toy," he said. "I see you'll have to be secured until after your conversion.
The Doctor gasped when Ian moved swifter than thought and grabbed him around the neck. The Doctor grunted as Ian lifted him off his feet and held him aloft.
"You'll never get away with this," the Doctor said. "I'll stop you somehow."
Ian smirked at him.
"Try to stop me when you're out cold then, Doctor."
He flung him as hard as he could and watched as the Doctor smacked against the back wall and fell to the ground, unconscious.
"There, that's better," he said.
He looked over at Rose who was standing beside him. She had remained impassive through the whole thing. He stroked her cheek.
"Come, my bride, let's get the Doctor tied up so the blood ritual can begin."