Hello everybody!
I'm sorry it's been such a long time since I updated, life has been preventing me from doing much writing.
I'd like to thank everyone who put the story on alert, and once again GhostLord for their kind remarks.
I'd also like to apologise in advance for how long this chapter is. I really want to make it detailed and get the relationships right.
So, please read on. I hope you enjoy it.
As Tom glanced at the clock for what seemed like the 50th time, he was having trouble spotting why everyone thought UNIT was so exciting. Since their last conversation, or threat as some may call it, the Doctor had hardly spoken a word to him in the 3 hours they had shared the lab. The man himself was silently deconstructing, heaven knows what, and the silence was only occasionally broken with a request for a certain tool that was needed. However, at these points the Doctor normally ended up getting the tools himself for one simple fact; Tom had no idea what half of them were! Now, he wasn't completely ignorant. On the contrary, he was quite the mechanic at home and in the regular army often being the one called upon when things went wrong, however, he had no idea what a "Time Rotor" was, let alone what it looked like. Who did? So, at this point he was feeling as useless as a chocolate teapot, simply standing around doing nothing. He'd glanced around at everything in the lab, and though he had tried to ask the Doctor about his experiment, he was simply answered with incomprehensible grunts, so had given up. Now, he was just bored. And apparently hungry, as suddenly his stomach let out a huge growl, which even caused the Doctor to look up.
"When was the last time you ate?" The older man asked, looking almost amused. Tom had to think about that, it had been a while. He'd woken up at 5am that morning in order to get to UNIT for 8am, and hadn't had time for breakfast. It was now 11am, and he hadn't eaten or drunk anything since dinner last night, no wonder he was hungry.
"It's been a while." He admitted reluctantly, waiting for the sarcastic comments that were surely about to come. However, to his surprise when the Doctor replied he sounded more concerned than anything else.
"You should eat regularly." He admonished, once again seeming to examine the young Sergeant from afar, "The human race isn't exactly known for its resistance to energy deficiency, you need a constant supply or you collapse. Such a delicate little species." The last part he seemed to mumble to himself more than Tom, a small, fond smile gracing his lips. He took a moment to enjoy the thought, before once again focusing his attention on Tom,
"In short Sergeant," He started before going back to his work, "go and get something to eat." However, Tom made no movement to do so. No matter how much he wanted to. The Brigadier had told him to stay with the older man, and in retrospect the orders from his superior officer had slightly more priority, over the orders of a eccentric scientist. Apparently not satisfied with the lack of movement, the Doctor once again looked up to face the Sergeant, annoyance beginning to edge its way into his features.
"Any particular reason your still here?" He asked, raising his eyebrows as he awaited his answer. It made Tom feel quite small, as he looked at the other man from across the room. It was the expression of someone talking to someone particularly dim-witted, and Tom couldn't help feeling almost childish as he replied.
"The Brigadier told to me to stay with you." He answered, waiting to see how the Doctor would react. To his great surprise, the man simply let out a small chuckle, before striding across the room to stand before him. His hands once again falling to his hips in that annoying authoritative stance.
"My good Sergeant," his started slowly, "if you insist on staying with me 24 hours a day, then you won't survive the week." Here he stopped, as if to think of his next argument, which gave Tom a moment to think his last comment through. Wouldn't survive the week? Was that a threat or a promise? However, before he had time to contemplate it further, the Doctor was speaking again.
"If this is going to work at all we have to trust each other." The scientist stated, "You have to trust me enough to know I won't flee the country the moment you walk out of the room." Hearing it like that, it did sound slightly silly, and it took all of Tom's self restraint not to blush. Though by the smile that suddenly spread across the Doctor's face, he could tell he had failed.
"I also need to trust you." He continued, becoming slightly more serious again, "I need to know you won't go running off to the Brigadier the second I pick up a test tube or get into the car. There are certain things I need to investigate, and I don't think he'll appreciate being called out every time I follow up my ideas." He once again stopped, before holding out his hand to Tom.
"Do we have an understanding?" The Sergeant took a moment to think it through, and decided the Doctor was right. He was a scientist, so he'd have to experiment, and there was no point in disturbing the Brigadier for nothing; he was clearly a busy man.
"Agreed." He replied, firmly shaking the Doctor's hand as if it sealed the deal between them. The older man gazed at him for a moment longer, before releasing his hand and making his way back to his work bench, however he did not immediately resume his tinkering,
"The Brigadier, while barbaric at times , is a sensible man," he started as he seemed to examine where he'd left off, "he won't mind you doing what you have to do." This was enough convincing for Tom as his stomach let out another rumble just as he turned to leave, causing the Doctor to let out another low chuckle.
"Do you need anything?" He asked the scientist, just as he opened the door, however no response came, so he decided to take that as a negative. Walking out and allowing the door to thud shut behind him, he took a few steps down the corridor before stopping. Where did Benton say the canteen was? Quickly raiding his memory, Tom came up with a vague set of directions. Benton had said something about it being at the back of the building; hadn't he? So, with that in mind he set off again, praying he wasn't going to lose himself in the seemingly endless corridors of the headquarters.
DW-DW-DW-DW-DW-DW-DW-DW
To say Tom was relieved when he finally entered the canteen was an understatement. Though he'd only got lost once, it had been quite embarrassing walking into the shooting range while 4 of his fellow soldiers were taking aim. Luckily for him, they all seemed to have experienced the same confusion when they'd joined, as one of the Corporals gave him a fresh set of directions and a knowing smile. The room had a busy feel to it, with soldiers huddled around tables talking excitedly as they ate their fill. It had an extremely familiar air, and Tom couldn't help thinking about how it highly resembled the place he had just left. Apparently soldiers were the same wherever you went. The thought made him smile as he grabbed a tray before making his way to the serving station. The woman behind the counter smiled at him before placing a plate onto the tray and as he moved along, he grinned back friendlily,
"Thank you." Tom muttered before pushing the tray further down the counter. The second woman didn't seem to be quite as friendly, as she briskly dropped a small bowl onto the tray along with a bottle of water, but out of common courtesy, Tom still smiled,
"Thanks." He said again, before moving away. That was his mother's doing, hammering manners into him since birth. She always said that you wouldn't get anywhere in life if you weren't polite. Now, where was he going to sit? For a very small organisation, UNIT had a lot of soldiers, and the room was almost completely full, with just a few spaces scattered around. However, just as Tom was about to make his way into the sea of green, he became aware of someone shouting,
"Howlett." He heard from across the room, and turning he saw the familiar figure of John Benton standing up at a table. Well, that was that decided. Automatically he made his way over. However, as he got there he noticed there was another man sitting with Benton. He turned around as Tom approached, so the young Sergeant could get a better look at him. The man was about his age with well groomed, sandy coloured hair and bright blue eyes. Almost instinctively, Tom found himself looking at the strips attached to dark green uniform; a Captain. A Captain sitting with a Sergeant? That certainly wouldn't have happened back where he'd come from. People stayed within their own rank. Then again, with what he'd seen at UNIT that day, was where someone sat really that unusual?
"Sergeant Thomas Howlett?" Asked the Captain as he stood up. Tom nodded the affirmative, not really sure how to react. They were clearly off duty as they were eating, so did he still have to salute? At his response the other man gave him a polite smile,
"Captain Mike Yates." He stated as introduction, laying his hand out to Tom. The young Sergeant quickly placed his tray on the table, before reaching out to return the gesture
"Pleasure to meet you, sir." He responded automatically, holding the Captain's hand for moment more before letting it fall and perching himself down on the free seat where he had placed his tray. Yates also took the opportunity to sit down, still peering at Tom as if inspecting him. With the energy provided by nervous hunger, Tom quickly got stuck into his meal. It was beef pie, with potatoes and mixed vegetables, and it was heavenly. Much better than the food he was used to. Then saying that, he was so hungry a bite out of the table probably would have tasted like 5 star cuisine . As he continued to make his way through the meal, Yates decided to speak up,
"So, I hear you're the one in charge of keeping watch over the Doctor." He said, taking a swig from his own bottle of water, but not letting his gaze waver from the increasingly nervous Sergeant. Placing his knife and fork down, Tom mirrored the action, opening his bottle and gulping water, before he made his response,
"That's right, sir." He answered simply, abandoning his bottle in favour if his knife and fork again. As he once again began cutting into the pastry he noticed he was getting a sympathetic smile from Yates, and a cheeky smirk from Benton.
"I must say, I don't envy you." Yates stated, picking at what was left on his own plate, "How has your first day been so far?" Tom took a moment to contemplate this. You certainly couldn't call it boring. Or could you, standing around in the lab in silence, wasn't the height of excitement, but then, how often where you caught in an explosion on your first day?
"It's been interesting." He stated slowly, before pausing, "The Doctor is certainly unique." Suddenly, a rumbling chuckle echoed out from Benton, a huge smile plastered across his features, as he tried to avoid chocking on his mouthful.
"I told you you'd have your hands full." He said as he swallowed, continuing to grin at Tom knowingly,
"I've had my fair share of cases with the Doc," Benton continued, finishing the last of his water, "I know what he's like to work with." Despite himself Tom found himself laughing slightly,
"Well," he started, "since I've met him he's gone from friendly, to angry, to arrogant and back to friendly." He allowed himself another small smile, "He's quite a character."
"That he is." Yates contributed, with a smile. Apparently having finished as he stood up, taking his tray with him.
"I have to go and speak to the Brigadier." He explained, looking down at Tom, "I'm sure I'll see you around the Base. It was nice to have met you Howlett." Yates then nodded, and took off across the room, to dispose of his tray, leaving Tom and Benton to their own devices. However, just as Tom finished his meal off, he found Benton also getting to his feet.
"I'm on patrol in 5 minutes." He also explained, as he grabbed his tray, "Good luck with the Doctor." From there Benton turned on his heel, and followed the route Yates had just walked to deposit his tray, however just as Tom lost sight of him, he heard the other Sergeant's voice glide across the hall,
"You're going to need it!" He cried, causing Tom to release another chuckle. Benton and Yates, were clearly good men, and he found himself warming to them almost instantly. Then again, it seemed as if everyone in UNIT was part of a family. Obviously there was rank, but everyone seemed comfortable with everyone else; like a family. Smiling at this thought, he tucked into the small plate of fruit, still on his tray, as pudding.
DW-DW-DW-DW-DW-DW-DW-DW
"Oh, Your back then?" Asked the Doctors as Tom re-entered the lab. It appeared to him that very little had changed. The Doctor was at the same work bench, still dismantling and altering, some strange device. Also, he still didn't appear to care that Tom was there at all. The young Sergeant counted himself lucky, that the scientist had even acknowledged the fact he'd walked in, he'd been hedging his bets that he would be met with stony silence. Which is exactly what they fell into, only being broken by requests for tools. Tools, which thankfully, Tom knew the identity of, so he didn't feel like he wasn't doing anything. Just not a lot. This went on for about half an hour, when suddenly the door was pushed open, and in strode the familiar face of Mike Yates.
Automatically Tom jumped to attention, he was a higher rank and they were on duty now, so found himself doing it without even thinking. However, this earned him a pointed glance of annoyance form the Doctor, as he turned to address the Captain.
"Captain Yates," He said pleasantly, stepping away from his work, "what brings you here?" Yates nodded in order to acknowledge the Doctor's greeting, before giving Tom a glance, which clearly showed that his salute was no longer necessary, and gratefully Tom relaxed, curious himself about the nature of Yates visit.
"I have a file from the Brigadier." Yates explained, pulling a small brown file out from under his arm and handing it to the Doctor, who quickly accepted it before he began to flick through , stopping on occasion to glance at specific details.
"The residents of the town of Whittlesey have reported strange visions almost every night." Yates explained, keeping a level tone, "They also claim to hear strange noises through the night, and some have reported sightings of unknown creatures. The Brigadier would like to investigate." Here Yates stopped, and Tom found himself looking at the Doctor in order to see his reaction. The man was frowning slightly as he skimmed the file before once again looking up at the Captain,
"It says here there was a reported alien craft crash, in the same town, not 3 months ago." The Doctor stated, "Why didn't you investigate then?" It was a good point, thought Tom, as he glanced back at Captain Yates, who appeared to be thinking of a response.
"We did send 2 soldiers to investigate," He explained hastily, "but they reported there was no sign of a crash. We put it down as a false sighting." Here the Doctor let out an irritated sigh. Apparently, he hadn't like what he'd heard, and Tom could have sworn he heard him mumble under his breath about how they should have informed him.
"I take it these visions started after the crash?" He asked, the Captain confirming with a nod of his head.
"Very well." He said, closing the folder, "I'll look into it. I trust I'm allowed to leave the building." Tom found himself smiling at the pure sarcasm dripping from the man's words, and it took a lot of self restraint not to laugh. Apparently, it had made the same impression on Yates, who's expression mirrored his own,
"Of course, Doctor," He started, before his smile faded slightly, "though, naturally, you'll be accompanied by Sergeant Howlett." He tone sounded nervous, as if he feared the Doctor would refuse, and to be honest Tom couldn't blame him. He had half a mind to think the Doctor was going to run off by himself, but to his great relief that didn't appear to be the case.
"Naturally." The Doctor stated, walking over to a nearby coat stand and pulling on a black travelling cloak. On anyone else, Tom would have called it silly, however it looked right on the Doctor, seeming to make him even more imposing than before.
"Come along, Sergeant." The Doctor called, as he made his way towards the door, making Tom feel every bit like the following spaniel. Yates had already left, so he was left to follow the Doctor through the endless corridors alone. Then suddenly he remembered something, he had to check in with the Brigadier.
"Just a moment." He called, causing the Doctor to stop and turn towards him, clearly eager to leave the base. The young Sergeant was more than aware of the Doctor's impatient sighing and tapping as he pulled out the radio set,
"Greyhound 1. Come in, please. Over." He spoke clearly, as he held down the button before releasing it. Hearing the Doctor's indignant huff in the brief pause which followed, then suddenly the small device crackled into life,
"This is Greyhound 1," Came the Brigadier's voice, "what is it Sergeant Howlett?" Taking a moment to allow the static to go down, Tom once again held down the button,
"The Doctor and I are leaving the base, Sir. We are to travel to the town of Whittlesey. Over." Another pause, then another crackle of static, as his superior responded,
"Very well, Sergeant. You may leave. Over." Tom then turned off the small device, before pocketing it, and once again turning to the Doctor. However, the other man seemed to have completely lost his patience as he was already halfway down the corridor.
"Are you coming?" The receding figure called over his shoulder, causing Tom to grin, as he jogged after the older man, following him out to the garage.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and sorry again for the length.
In later chapters I am thinking of putting in some more mature themes, however I'd like your opinion, as I don't want to ruin it.
I will also try to update, but it may take a while.
Please Review, Alert and Favourite.
Until next time TTFN (Tah Tah For Now)