CHAPTER 50

"THERE'S SOMETHING I HAVEN'T TOLD YOU…"

The Doctor knew the Time Lords would be trying to follow the TARDIS's time track, but was uncertain as to whether he should reveal it. As it turned out, he did not need to. Jason was already aware of it and said so. "I've a few tricks up my sleeve to throw them off the scent." He looked in his friend's direction. "If there's one thing I've learned from you, Doctor, it's how to make a clean getaway."

"I'm flattered," the Doctor replied sourly.

Jason gave him a disapproving look. "Now don't sulk, Doctor. It doesn't suit you in this incarnation."

Before the Time Lord could think of a suitable reply, the ARGO shuddered, the sound of the TARDIS materializing coming at the same time. Jason broke into a bright smile. "Excellent. That's phase one." He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He stood up, throwing several switches before ordering, "Computer, initiate phase two, current program."

"Acknowledged."

Jason stood motionless, his eyes glued to the controls. He sat down again, watching the monitor in the console a moment before his hands flew over the keyboard. Every few seconds, he would pause, looking at the newest data as it flashed on the screen.

Mel was still at the exterior doors. She could see Jason sitting at the computer, his eyes fixed on the monitor. When he paused and rubbed his eyes, she finally crept out of the TARDIS.

The flight deck bowed inward and the Doctor was standing at the apex of the curve. Mel was able to stay out of sight by hugging the wall behind him. "Not too close," he hissed, hoping his voice would be lost in the music still playing from the sound system. "I don't know how far this restraining field reaches." He found he could turn his head and body only slightly. If he tried to move anymore than that, he was rewarded with a nasty static shock.

His companion wisely kept her distance. She had witnessed the incident when the restraining field was turned on. Now that she was closer, she could see a slight shimmering around the Doctor's body. "Doctor, what's going on?" Mel asked helplessly.

Before the Time Lord could reply, Jason gave a triumphant cry. "Yes! That's phase two." He dove under the console, pulled out all the cables and started winding them up.

Mel nearly jumped out of her skin when the Doctor suddenly spoke in a normal tone of voice. "What brilliant strategy have you managed to pull off now?"

Jason glanced up a moment. "Don't get patronizing with me, Doctor," he replied testily. "I told you you wouldn't like it." He continued winding the cables, making straight for the TARDIS, apparently to begin phase three.

Mel was sure he would see her as he walked by, but he did not even glance in the Doctor's direction before disappearing into the Police Box. She breathed a sigh of relief and moved to stand in front of the Doctor, keeping a watchful eye on the TARDIS at the same time. "Doctor, what is going on?" she asked helplessly.

"I think I'm being kidnapped," he replied in a slightly surprised tone.

"What?" Mel gasped. "Why?"

"It's a very long—" The Time Lord broke off at the sound of the TARDIS dematerializing. Mel peeked around him just in time to see the Police Box fade from sight. "Doctor, he's stolen the TARDIS!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, I was rather afraid he might," came the mournful reply.

"Why?"

"It's a very long story," the Doctor replied wearily. He took stock of his present situation and sighed heavily. "And unless you can find the switch that deactivates this restraining field, I'll have plenty of time to tell it to you."

Mel went to the console and looked over the controls. "What am I looking for?"

"See if there are any switches," the Doctor instructed. "You can try those first. If that doesn't work, we'll see if the computer will tell us."

Jason's voice suddenly came through the main entry hatch. "You talking to yourself again, Doctor?" he said as he strode onto the flight deck. "Terrible habit. First sign of—"

Mel had taken refuge beside the door at the sound of his voice. Then she panicked and swung the cane in her hand, catching the unprepared Alterran in the temple as he came through the door, knocking him senseless. The momentum of the blow sent Jason spinning and he landed face down on the deck.

"Mel, no!" the Doctor cried out helplessly, but it was already too late.

"Activating defense mode," the computer announced.

"No! Cancel!" the Doctor cried out frantically. "Command designation–The Doctor!" He tried desperately to move, only to be rewarded with a painful shock when he did so.

"Override protocol. Countermand denied."

"Mel, drop the cane and get away from Jason before you get yourself killed," the Doctor ordered. His companion gave him a horrified look and he thundered, "Just do it!"

His companion practically threw the cane to the ground, backing away from the motionless form lying at her feet. She gave a startled cry as a restraining field abruptly came on around her. "Mel, don't move," the Doctor instructed quickly. She noticed that he seemed just as frightened as she was. This wasn't very reassuring, she thought. "What do we do now?" she asked fearfully.

Before the Doctor could reply, Jason moaned and stirred as he regained his senses. He tried to rise, only to roll onto his back, unable to find the strength to get to his knees. He blinked up at the ceiling as he regained his wits, putting a hand to his aching head. It came away with blood on it. "Ow," he said ironically. He blinked several times to clear his vision, seeing the Doctor still standing motionless further within the room. He struggled to sit up, putting his head in his hands. "What the hell happened?" he asked in total bewilderment, having been literally blindsided.

"Ah," the Doctor replied nervously. "There's something I haven't told you, Jason."

A little bleary eyed, the Alterran looked up and followed his gaze, seeing the terrified Mel standing several feet away, the offending weapon on the floor between them. "Mel…? How did you…?" Then he groaned again. "You were in the TARDIS!" he moaned, closing his eyes. He leaned forward, cradling his head in his hands. She had obviously been watching his confrontation with the Doctor and had thought the worst. This was becoming a common occurrence among his friends, he reflected darkly. "I should know better than to assume anything with you, Doctor," the Prince observed quietly.

"I hope that was meant as a compliment," the Time Lord replied in an uncertain tone.

A sudden thought struck him and Jason looked over at Mel in a way she found very disquieting. "Did you tell her about Eldeberon?" he asked accusingly.

"Not in detail, no."

"Not in detail," Jason repeated dully. He sighed heavily but did not rise from the floor. This was a random factor and he had to deal with it before going on. Unfortunately, he had a blinding headache and was having difficultly just sitting up. Then he wondered if Mel's crack on the skull had given him a concussion. "One complication too many," he muttered darkly, not even realizing he had spoken.

"Jason, I'll do whatever you ask," the Doctor said unexpectedly. "Just leave Mel out of this."

"What…?" Jason looked up, seeing an anxious, almost terrified expression on the Time Lord's face. His mouth dropped open in astonishment. "I can't believe what I'm hearing," he said as he struggled to his feet. He lost his balance as he came to stand in front of the Doctor and had to put out a hand, using the wall to keep from falling. "After all you've seen, all we've learned. I've been completely straight with you, Doctor, and you still don't believe me," he said in an injured tone.

"You told me you weren't playing games. Now I'm in a restraining field as your hostage, which, on comparison, is better than being throttled," the Doctor replied acidly.

"Did I hurt you?" Jason demanded before the Time Lord could go on.

The Doctor blinked. "What?"

"Did I hurt you?" the Prince repeated.

"No."

"Did I threaten you? Attack you? Lie to you? Harm you in any way, shape or form?" the Alterran went on. "No. I didn't lay a finger on you. I told you you'd hate it and I was right. So don't get mad at me because I'm being honest and you don't like what I'm telling you. I've learned my lesson, Doctor. I'm never making that mistake again." He threw a quick glance in the frightened Mel's direction. "And I can't believe you could ever think that I would want to harm Mel," he said in an indignant tone. "I meant what I said. The last thing I want is to have you as an enemy." He took in the Time Lord's stunned expression. "Now. Do you still think I'm playing a game?"

The Doctor met his challenging gaze steadily. "No. I think you're frightened. Perhaps too frightened to trust even me at this point." His words had the desired effect. He saw the Alterran's anger fade as quickly as it appeared.

"You're right. You're absolutely right," Jason admitted quietly. "Computer, shut down restraining field."

"Acknowledged."

The tingling sensation vanished and the Doctor found he could move again. He stretched his arms, and hunched his shoulders to get the circulation moving again. As soon as Mel realized she could move she dashed over and hugged him, whether it was for comfort or protection Jason could not tell.

"Now what?" the Doctor practically demanded.

"That's up to you. I used you to escape and I'm sorry. They didn't give me a choice," Jason said apologetically. He crossed to the command chair and dropped into it. "And contrary to what you may still be thinking; I'm not out of my mind, I'm not playing a game, and I'm not going to threaten you with grievous bodily harm if you try to leave." He closed his eyes and put a hand to his head, leaning on the console. "I'm just…desperate. I'm in the worst jam of my life, and I have no idea how to get out of it."

"And you want my help," the Doctor rejoined guardedly.

Jason looked up and gave him a piercing look. "No, Doctor, I need your help."