A Breath Away

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Previously in Chapter Two:

"We were gathering here tonight to figure out a plan of action to stop these disappearances and capture the person responsible. And now we have learned this predator was about to sacrifice the seventh and eighth victims, right below us as we met in my residence. I'm, I'm just overwhelmed."

"Yes, well, ironic that, isn't it?" The Doctor said softly. "Which is probably why he planned to kill us here. Tempting fate as it were, while rubbing your noses in it."

"Pardon my interruption, sirs," the servant spoke as she entered the room, carrying a large tray of bandages and strips of cloth. A small pail of steaming water swayed slightly as she stilled in front of the Time Lord.

"Well, talk about coming prepared," the Doctor grinned at her. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Estelle, sir."

"Estelle. Lovely name. But I think you've brought too many things. Rose only has a few scratches and bruises. Shouldn't be needing all that," he added, nodding toward the tray.

"But sir, these are not for her injuries. They're for yours."

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Chapter Three:

Bandages and Awakenings

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"My - what? I'm all right." The Doctor looked around the room, meeting every eye with his own. Finally his eyes stilled on Dr. Raddermore. "What?"

"Perhaps you should sit down before you fall down," Lord Lupus said, but the Doctor ignored him, choosing instead to step quickly back into the foyer. He'd seen a mirror in passing, and wanted to know for himself what had those people looking at him so worriedly.

Stepping up to the large beveled glass, he took in the reflection of himself and sighed, suddenly understanding their concern. He was a right bloody mess.

He fingered the deep gash along his scalp which was already healing. Perhaps he hadn't been drugged, then. And quite possibly this was the cause of his lapses in memory. It made sense, really. After all, his physiology didn't succumb to most medications.

Bringing his hand down in front of him, he looked at the jagged tear across it, which was also now healing. He hadn't felt it; couldn't be bothered with it's trivialness while worried for Rose's well being.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he began assessing himself, realizing that he probably bore large bruises on his torso and back. So, there'd been a struggle. But of course there had; he would not have let Rose and himself be taken without one.

Rose!

Running back into the library, the Doctor was at her side instantly. He once more checked her pulse and respirations, counting their fairly normal rate. He rested his palm across her forehead, assessing her temperature, which was normal. Relieved, he sat heavily beside her hip. Dr. Raddermore was instantly in front of him, damp flannel in hand.

"Let's get you cleaned up, see what kind of damage is done. All right?"

His tone was so gentle and calm, asking and not demanding, that the Doctor nodded his consent, grabbing Rose's hand within his uninjured one.

While Dr. Raddermore tended to the Doctor's injuries, Lord Lupus rounded up the other two men, giving them the task of investigating the cellar as soon as the authorities arrived. He'd called them while the Doctor had been looking himself over in front of the mirror, the shock of events preventing the home owner from thinking clearly enough to do so earlier. The men left the library to wait in the foyer.

Once the Doctor's wounds had been cleansed and bandaged and Dr. Raddermore had left to join the others, Lord Lupus wheeled himself closer. "So," he began, looking curiously at the Time Lord. "We know your companion's name is Rose from your speaking it, but still we do not know yours."

"I'm the Doctor."

"Very well. Just 'the Doctor'?"

"Yep," the Time Lord answered, grinning slightly when the man didn't say the inevitable words he usually heard, 'Doctor Who?'.

"You're not from around here," Lupus stated, absently twirling a large, antique looking gold and ruby ring round on his finger.

"No, we're actually from very far away."

"Do you remember what brought you here? To the town, I mean, not my residence."

"Actually, no. But I'm sure that given time, I will."

"And your wife? Will she be all right?"

The Time Lord squeezed the hand he still held, receiving no response. "She's not - I mean - her health doesn't seem to be in jeopardy. I just wish she'd wake up. I suppose it has something to do with the drugs in her system, but for a few moments, she wasn't breathing, and -"

"Shh. It's all right. She'll be all right," the kindly man offered, placing a hand upon the Doctor's shoulder.

The Time Lord hadn't meant to be babbling, but his concern for Rose was clear. Letting his host believe Rose was his wife, he looked at Lord Lupus, seeing only kindness reflected in his eyes. "Yes. Yes, she will," he nodded, taking a deep breath. The air smelled slightly sour, like that of stale, withering time.

Both men looked into the hallway as the local authorities entered the house. "Will you be all right?" Lupus asked. "I'd like to join them; see what's been going on downstairs."

"Of course, I'll be fine. Can you make it down there all right?" the Doctor asked, curious about the man's physical limitations and the terribly steep stairs he'd climbed up.

"I've got an elevator entry in the kitchen. Allows me access upstairs and downstairs. No sense in having a home if you can't enjoy its entirety," he grinned in response.

"Ah, good. Very good."

"I'll keep the officials from bothering you with questions for now and send Estelle in with some refreshments. I'm sure you could use it, and your lovely wife will appreciate them when she awakens."

"Thank you, yes."

Lord Lupus nodded then wheeled himself out to follow the others down the hallway. The Doctor watched him go then closed his eyes. He wanted to remember very badly, but so far, no memories were forthcoming. His eyes did open with surprise quite suddenly, however, when the hand he held squeezed his own.

"Rose?" he spoke softly.

"Yeah?" she whispered in response.

"Open your eyes."

"Doctor?"

"Yep, that's me."

Slowly her eyes opened, and her vision filled with the Time Lord, grinning madly at the sight of her. "How do you feel?"

She grunted, sitting up with the Doctor's assistance. Suddenly her hand went to her forehead and her eyes closed tightly. "Head hurts."

"Probably the drugs they used on you," he said as he held her face. When she opened her eyes he peered within them, tilting his head as he looked around, making sure they were alone. Quickly, he pulled out the sonic screwdriver and clicked on the light, checking her pupils. Satisfied with their response, he swiftly hid the tool back in his pocket.

"Doctor? Are you all right?"

"Of course I am. Why do you ask?"

"You've been hurt," she said, looking at the bandages on his head and hand before looking back into his eyes.

"Just a couple of scrapes. Nothing to worry about," he told her, his tone reassuring.

"So, what drugs? An' who used 'em on me?" Rose asked.

"Ah, well, that is the mystery, isn't it? You see," he stood then began pacing a few steps back and forth in front of her. "While it's apparent that we were abducted, I don't actually remember it happening. And then we were brought to this lovely home and placed in the cellar, where we were supposed to be sacrificed. You were unconscious, and so was I for that matter, but I came to in the nick of time," he spun around to face her, "luckily for us. I was able to free us from the coffin we were in - a real coffin Rose. Can you imagine? Cut in half with each of us in one of those halves." He began pacing again. "Where was I? Oh yes, there we were, lying in coffin parts, and I came to and managed to knock us over and free us. Then this really sinister looking man - straight out of one of those horror flicks you like so much - came in and said we were going to be sacrificed."

"So," she interrupted. "He's the one who drugged me, then?"

"Probably. The gnarly humanoid man with bad breath wanted to kill us both, but I used setting 451 on the sonic screwdriver to render him unconscious. I gathered you up then made our way out of the cellar and up the stairs, and then long story short, I met the owner of this place, Lord Lupus, and his guests. They apparently had no idea what was happening in the basement. Seems there've been quite a few disappearances in these parts, and the man who abducted us all but admitted killing them to me. Problem is, I was apparently injured myself, and although my physical wounds are no doubt well on their way to being healed, my memory is still a bit scrambled." He took a deep breath, then sat down beside Rose, facing her. "I'm so sorry, but I don't remember us coming here or where we are. I don't even know where the TARDIS is."

"It's all right, Doctor," Rose said sincerely.

"No, no it's not. I'm supposed to be looking out for you, and here I am, not even able to remember how we got here, much less where I left our ride."

"Really, it is. You saved us from gettin' sacrificed. Besides, I remember where the TARDIS is." She grinned as his features reflected his understanding of her words.

"Oh Rose! You are brilliant!" he nearly yelled in her face, just before smothering her in a very tight hug.

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