Author's Notes: Lindisfarne (and Holy Island) is a real place, and descriptions of the castle, priory and general orientation of the island are based on memory and a bit of research. However, while I visited the island once in the past, I do not know any of the inhabitants. All characters appearing in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Disclaimer: This story takes place within the Doctor Who universe. This story is a way of re-interpreting concepts and ideas already present in Doctor Who. All Doctor Who characters within belong to the BBC. All other characters are fictitious. This story is for fun and for sharing, but not for profit.


Chapter 3: Sensitive to Time


As the woman writhed on the ground, Ten pelted over the grass. For one brief moment as he ran towards them, it seemed to Rose as if the shimmering cloud of... beings began to flow over the woman and move towards him, but he swung the coat through the cloud and, suddenly, the shimmer disappeared.

In the quiet that followed, the woman's sobs could clearly be heard. Ten knelt beside her.

'You're all right,' he murmured. 'What's your name?' Surreptitiously, from his side away from the rest of the villagers, Rose could see him briefly bring the sonic screwdriver out and give a quick scan. But at the sound of the whirr, the woman looked up fearfully.

'Are they coming back?' she whimpered.

He dropped the screwdriver back into his pocket. 'No,' he said firmly. 'Up you get!' He and another villager lifted her to her feet.

As the other villagers clustered around the woman, murmuring comfortingly and dusting her off, Ten paced around the ruins. As he walked back, the villagers watched him approach.

'Can you tell me what you saw?' he asked.

'Things!' said the woman. 'I'm Mabel.'

'Hello, Mabel,' he answered cheerfully. He cocked his head to one side. 'Could you be more specific?'

'Small jiggling things in a cloud,' she whimpered tearfully. 'They just appeared out of nowhere. Lit up like... like...'

'They shimmered,' said a man.

'Yeah. I saw that,' said Ten. He focused on Mabel again. 'What happened when they covered you?'

'They were pushing and nudging me,' she cried. 'It was horrible.'

The man who spoke before continued. 'When you came, I think they were going to attack you too. I suppose you scared them off.' He held out his hand to Ten. 'You must be the Doctor. I'm Doctor Smith.'

'Oh! Hello!' Ten said enthusiastically, shaking the man's hand vigorously. 'I've heard about you.'

'And I you,' the village doctor answered. 'In fact, I've been briefed on you by your superiors.'

'Sorry?' Ten peered at him, baffled.

'Superiors?' This was from Arthur who separated from the knot of villagers. 'I knew there was something more going on. That military jeep was there for a reason, wasn't it.'

'You're from the army?' asked Mabel tearfully. She stepped away from Ten.

He held up his hands. 'No, no, no. I'm not from anyone's army.'

'Me neither,' said Rose, but no-one listened to her, although George gave her a quick glance.

'We don't want the army on Holy Island,' protested another woman whom Rose did not recognize. The woman crossed her arms and scowled.

'No, we don't,' said Arthur. 'If that's what you're all about, we can do well enough on our own.'

The villagers now stood close to one another, but apart from Ten and Rose. It seemed to her as if there had been a line drawn between them. All except for Doctor Smith who stood uncertainly to one side.

'I don't doubt it,' said Ten. 'I-'

'Where's your gun, if you're a soldier?' shouted the unknown woman. 'No guns on the island!'

He made a strangled sound. 'I never use-'

'Are you going to investigate?' sniffled Mabel. 'Find out what these awful things are? They attacked me!'

He stopped and nodded slowly. 'Yes. I can do that.'

The villagers silently watched him.

'Now, listen to me,' he said, holding his hands up and turning to each person as he spoke. 'I am not in the army. Yes, they brought me here, but I'm not a soldier. I'm... I'm...'

'A consultant,' interjected Rose.

He looked at her and nodded gratefully. He turned back to the villagers. 'I promise you. I can investigate, and I can find out what these beings are, if you trust me. Will you help me?'

Doctor Smith nodded. 'It would be a relief to know what these things are.'

Arthur looked unhappy. 'They should have told us-in fact, you should have-from the beginning.'

'Yes,' said the woman with her arms crossed. 'We don't like people meddling in our affairs.'

'Right, then,' said George. 'Everyone-obviously we need a meeting tomorrow morning to decide if we'll allow them to continue. Until then, Doctor, you do your sleuthing.'

Ten nodded gravely.

Slowly, the villagers walked out of the priory grounds, all except for Doctor Smith.

'If you're allowed to stay on the island,' he said a little glumly, '-and I'm terribly sorry about all that-I'd like you to come by my office. I don't run a full practice. I'm retired...in a manner of speaking. But I'm the local first aid for any emergencies, and apparently you're full of peculiarities that I'd love to... er...need to confirm with you.'

With that, he also left, leaving Rose and Ten alone amongst the dark ruins.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Rose was the first one to break the silence.

'That didn't exactly go as we planned.'

'Did we have a plan,' asked Ten mildly. He looked up at the sky. Stars were beginning to appear in the deepening blue. 'Ah... there's the summer triangle.' He pointed out the three bright stars that formed a large, right-angled triangle. 'Deneb, Viga and Altair. Mind you, the names are completely different where they are.'

'Doctor,' she said softly. 'What if they make us leave?'

He shrugged. 'That'll depend on UNIT. It'd be easier if we had the villagers' cooperation. But we're going to solve this, Rose. There's something about these beings... I can't put my finger on it, but... I feel as if I should know something... As if I knew once, long ago.'

'You think you've seen them before?' she asked hopefully.

'Nooo...' he murmured. 'But something about them feels familiar. Why, I don't know. They didn't seem terribly intelligent. At least, they seemed to operate more on instinct than anything else. But they are on the hunt.'

'Hunt?' Rose shivered.

Ten looked at her. 'I'm sorry. Bad choice of words. Searching.' He stretched out his arms again, much like he did on top of the castle, and felt about him. 'They definitely travel through time though.'

'How do you know?' She cocked her head. 'I mean, how does it feel different from us? We all travel... er, with time, yeah?'

'Yes,' he answered. 'We do. So does the priory. It has been here so long that it feels so strong. Solid. Same as the castle. We don't because we only arrived here a few moments ago. But our presence here simply joined with the priory's timeline without having altered our own path and now we travel through time right here, together with the ruins. But whatever came here didn't simply blend streams, it interrupted its own stream and created a... a... wake, or an eddy in time at this very spot as it appeared and disappeared.' He lowered his arms then. 'It's starting to fade now. The priory's timeline is reestablishing itself, smoothing out the intrusion.'

'But you can still feel it,' said Rose. She moved beside him and stretched out her own arms. She felt nothing but the gentle frisson of a soft wind against her skin.

'Yeah. Funny. They must have come to the castle. The temporal echo feels the same. Clearly they gravitate towards ancient structures. Sensitive to time.'

She regarded Ten thoughtfully. 'You never used to do this... this... feeling about with your arms before. What's with that?'

He looked at her in surprise. 'You're right. Didn't think about that.' He pondered, gazing into the distance. 'Time feels... sharper, clearer now. More than I ever remembered. I never used to be able to pinpoint a disturbance in the time streams as I can now. Before, I could tell there had been a disturbance, but... but only vaguely. I'd need to use the Tardis or cobble together a detector to get more information. Now? I can feel it, just know more, instinctively.' He smiled softly. 'A gift from the Tardis, I think. Making me look into the Time Vortex... That's done all sorts of things to me. A consolation prize, maybe, for not being able to regenerate.'

He shook himself as if he were a dog coming out from a swim and smiled down at her. 'At any rate, nothing more we can do here. I doubt the beings will return now.'

'They need names,' she decided.

'Names?' he echoed. 'Sorry?'

'The beings,' she said firmly. 'We need to call them something.'

'I suppose.' He stuffed his hands in his pockets and ambled towards the road.

Walking at his side, she thought hard. They turned right, made their way through the village and reached the road that stretched west along the shore towards the castle. The gentle baaing of sheep mixed with the occasional bleat of a lamb came to them through the calm air.

'I know,' she declared at last. 'N-A-T-S.'

He raised his eyebrows. 'What?'

'N-A-T-S,' she repeated triumphantly. 'Non-aware Alien Time... Sensitive...s.'

'Sensitives?' he echoed.

'Yes,' she said firmly. 'It fits, see? N-A-T-S.'

'Ah.' He nodded slowly, still a quizzical look on his face.

'Like the little bugs,' she continued. 'They fly around in a swarm, just jiggling around. Nats.'

'Gnats?' he asked. 'Ah!' His eyebrows came back down. 'Uh, Rose, er, "gnats" is spelt with a... with a "g". G-N-A-T-S.'

'Don't matter,' she said, somewhat nettled. 'I don't hear a 'g'.'

'True,' he conceded. 'NATS it is. Although,' and here he ran a hand through his hair, 'they make me think of June bugs.'

'June bugs?' she echoed.

'Big, blundering bugs,' he said. 'They bang into everything, people too. They swarm around lights. On all sorts of planets-on Earth too, brought here by a careless starliner actually. Bit like rats jumping ships in harbours. Not in the U.K. though, come to think of it.'

'Ugh.' She shuddered. 'Glad of that. So we have illegal alien bugs on Earth?'

'Yep,' he answered. 'Harmless, though, and they fit into the ecosystem well enough.'

'Right...' she said dubiously.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

They walked the rest of the way in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. But when the castle had been locked up, and both had changed, ready for bed, Ten sat beside Rose.

'I love your hair,' he said and ran his fingers through it, tucking loose strands behind her ear.

She blinked at him. 'That's rather sudden.'

He stared back at her. 'No, it isn't. I've thought it for a long time.'

'You've never said anything.'

'It's silky. It catches the sunlight.' He ran his fingers through it again. 'Soft.'

Rose crawled over to her side of the bed and under the blankets. She turned on her side, facing him. 'As soft as hair in the rest of the universe?'

'Softer,' said Ten solemnly. 'There are many wonders out there in the universe, but humans can have the softest hair.'

He slipped under the covers and lay on his back. She wriggled to his side and as he reached an arm under her neck, she laid her head on his shoulder. He curled his arm around her and held her close. 'My silky Rose,' he whispered, and with his free hand, he caressed her cheek and stroked her hair.

'Mmm,' she murmured. 'That feels nice.'

'Does it?' he asked, propping himself up on one elbow. He continued to stroke her hair.

'Mm-hm,' she said. She smiled suddenly, poking just the tip of her tongue out of the corner of her mouth.

'Oh, I see!' he said. 'Do I take it that-' But at that moment, he turned his head quickly as if listening for a sound.

'What?' she asked, curious. She had not heard anything.

And then Ten was out of the bed like a shot and running across the room. Rose heard a thump and a muffled curse in Gallifreyan, before the light was turned on and the door wrenched open. Next thing she knew, the slapping of bare footfalls receeded down the hall.

She followed him, pausing only to step into her still-tied running shoes and to grab a jacket.

By the time she caught up with him, he was outside and partway down the sloping path as it passed the west end of the castle walls and the rocky hill it sat on. He stood there looking around him, turning around as if searching.

'What is it?' she asked, intrigued. She looked around too but there was nothing to be seen.

'They were here,' he murmured.

'The NATS?' she came up beside him. 'Did you see them?'

He shook his head.

'Did you feel a time disturbance?'

He nodded.

'But... they're gone now, yeah?'

He nodded again and then shivered.

'Come on, silly. You've nothing on but those hospital things. Let's go back inside.'

'Yeah,' he said absently and he obediently followed her back to their room.

But as they lay in bed, Rose once more curled up against Ten with his arm around her, she knew his thoughts were far away. She burrowed her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. The last thing she felt as sleep gradually overtook her was the press of a kiss to her forehead and Ten's breath in her hair as he murmured words in Gallifreyan. The soft consonants and pure vowels flowed over her and lulled her to sleep.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

'I feel as if I'm waiting outside the headmaster's office,' Rose said glumly. She swung her legs back and forth.

She and Ten were sitting on a wooden bench outside a pub at the centre of the village. A clamour of voices could be heard from inside, though no distinct words could be heard. It was a bright, sunny morning, and the streets were deserted. The tide was still in, so there were no tourists from the mainland, and overnight visitors were either enjoying late breakfasts or were already at their landmark of choice. The only other sound that could be heard was the chorus of birdsong from the hedges and trees.

He nodded. 'Which will win, I wonder? Annoyance at meddling, or fear of the temporal beings.'

'NATS,' she corrected.

'Right. NATS,' he said amiably. Idly, he plucked at the jeans he was wearing and grimaced in distaste.

'What's wrong,' she asked. 'Don't they fit? They should. I took one of your suits with me when I went shopping yesterday. They measured all the seams.'

'They do fit...' he said and looked at her out of the corners of his eyes.

'Out with it,' she ordered.

'We-ell,' he hedged. 'I just like my own clothes. Pinstripes. Comfortable, bendy cloth. These... these... "jeans" are just too stiff!'

'That's all right,' she soothed. 'They'll soften over time. 'Sides, you like the jumper, don't you? You always used to.'

'Used to,' he said. 'Been there, done that, as they say. Don't need to do it any more.'

She straightened, gathering herself in mild disapproval. 'Well, you can't wear suits for the rest of your life.'

He tilted his head quizzically. 'Why not?' He shrugged. 'Pockets will be a problem. Can't just make more bigger-on-the-inside pockets without the Tardis. Mind you, could always rip them out when the jackets wear out. Sew them into the new ones...'

He reached an arm around Rose's shoulders and she leaned into his embrace. They stayed like that for the rest of the villagers' meeting.

Finally, after about an hour, people began to come out of the hall. Arthur, George, Dr. Smith and another man Rose didn't recognize stood in front of Ten and Rose while the crowd of about 30 people ranged behind them. Betty pushed through and stood beside George.

Dr. Smith cleared his throat. 'This is the vicar, Reverend Milne. I don't believe you've met him before.'

Ten leaned forward and enthusiastically pumped the hand of the man Rose hadn't recognized. 'Hullo, Vicar! Good to meet you.'

'Hi... er, hello,' said Rose, feeling a little self-conscious in her jeans and messy hair.

Milne smiled at her and shook her hand gently. 'Pleased to meet you, both of you. I'm sorry this couldn't be in better circumstances, as I would liked to have welcomed you more freely to our parish.'

'Nevertheless, the vote came out with a narrow margin. We can't officially demand you leave, and there are many who want you to stay and investigate, but there are those who feel that the army, and you, have been disrespectful and invasive. Holy Island is a sacred community, and the army has no place here.'

'We are not part of the army,' said Ten firmly.

'We understand that,' Dr. Smith said. 'And it is my fault too, I think. I should have made sure that the villagers were consulted first. I'm awfully sorry. But the villagers have decided. If you wish to show respect for their feelings, you have 24 hours to vacate the island.'

Rose's shoulders slumped, but Ten stood up briskly. 'Well, then! Better get cracking, yes? Crackity-crack! If we only have 24 hours to learn about these NATS, then there's no time to waste.'

Taken aback, the villagers whispered among themselves.

'You're still willing to work today, even though you're being expelled?' asked Arthur. The crowd fell quiet.

'Yep!' said Ten. 'That's what we came for. Why give up now?'

'You're consistent, at least,' said Arthur, an unwilling note of admiration creeping into his voice.

'Actually,' continued Ten, 'why don't one of you come with us tonight. Yes, that's the ticket. If we are leaving, it would be better for one of you to find out more about these beings.'

The villagers looked at one another. Many took a step back.

'I would,' said Dr. Smith, 'but I'm not as spry as I used to be. Someone a little younger would be better in case you need any strength or agility.'

'I'll go,' said George. He crossed his arms and planted himself in front of Ten and Rose. 'You're right, Doctor. Someone should get as much information as possible. Then we villagers can take it from there.'

Ten smiled broadly. 'Right! Sundown at the castle? The priory and the castle seem to be the two places the NATS appear. Since they came to the priory last night and were scared off, the castle would be a better bet. Agreed?'

'Agreed,' said George.

'I'll watch at the priory,' said Arthur.

'Excellent!' enthused Ten. 'Best have someone with you. But don't approach them. Just observe. If they swarm around you, wave a jacket at them like I did yesterday. That seems to scare them off.'

'Right you are,' said Arthur. 'Er... NATS?'

'Non-aware Alien Time Sensitives,' said Rose.

'She named them,' said Ten, grinning.

Arthur blinked. 'Er, all right. Gnats is as good a word as any. They certainly hover like bugs.'

'See? He got it,' whispered Rose.

The crowd broke up then, many still casting suspicious glances towards Rose and Ten.

Dr. Smith lingered. 'I'd still like to see you in my office, if you didn't mind. I'm awfully keen on learning more about you.'

Ten hesitated. 'I don't go to doctors.'

Rose tugged on his arm. 'Come on,' she whispered in his ear. 'We need allies. Keep him on our side. You never know. The villagers probably respect him.'

He looked at her unhappily, and then faced Dr. Smith. 'We-e-ell, if you must.'

'Jolly good!' crowed Dr. Smith. 'Right this way. Only half a block.'

Glumly, Ten shuffled after him. Rose hooked her arm through his. 'Buck up,' she said, grinning. 'I'll make sure he doesn't chop you into little bits.'

'You'd better,' he mumbled.

To be continued