A.N: Hey, here's the re-edited chapter four!
Thanks to last chapter's reviewers: James Jago, Faith Lynn, Kates Master, timano, Freak and proud and Dory Shotgun
1(3) In a Million, Chapter 4.
Off the Deep End.
By Starlite1True to his word, The Doctor, Rose, Jack and Lucy were standing patiently at the entrance to the TARDIS at exactly half past nine, laden down with provisions to last them until they returned a week later. Bemusedly the Doctor found himself staring at the mildew forming slowly on the wall next to the water tank. If he didn't know any better, he could have sworn he saw the shadow of a wolf among the almost flame-like patterns of the moss, intermingling with the indecipherable whirls that adorned the wall.
"Come on!" Jack shouted up the stairs, sighing as the muffled replies drifting downwards.
"Honestly." He muttered, attention turning to the door as he moved to open up. He was halfway through turning the key when what sounded like a stampede of elephants crashed through the hallway overhead. The basement door slammed open, and the trio half ran, half tumbled down to the bottom.
"Made it!" Adrian said triumphantly.
"Barely." Anita retorted with a glare.
Rose tutted, "Enough you lot! In. Now."
Obediently they filed in, the Doctor calling, "Go and put your bags down, and then we'll see about getting our errant daughter back."
IOIOIOIOI
Within minutes he was buried deep within a mountain of wires beneath the console. Incoherent mutterings flittered up from the alcove, accompanied by the humming of the sonic screwdriver. Every once in a while a curse and a thwack would punctuate the calm.
"Cuppa?" Rose asked, placing a cup beside the access hatch, chuckling as a hand emerged from the ship's innards to grab the item. Shaking her head fondly, she resumed her usual seat, allowing the sounds of the TARDIS to soothe her as her mind contemplated what lay ahead. After all, not every mother had to deal with saving one of her pups from the claws of a vampire…
Pups…Rose thought suddenly, mind pulling up short.
"Rose?" The telltale voice called, "Would you mind passing me the spatial compensator?"
Grateful to be rescued from the train of thought, she rooted through the contents of the toolbox which were spread right around the hatchway. Finding the device with surprising ease she poked her head down the hole, "Here you go." She proclaimed.
"Mufhfuf" The Doctor mumbled around the screwdriver in his mouth, taking the tool and lovingly running it over some unnamed piece of equipment,
"Done!" He proclaimed, slapping the panel shut, draining the cup of tea before wrenching himself out of the hole, grinning maniacally.
"What've you done?" Rose demanded.
He grinned, frantically dashing around the console, "Rigged up a tracking device. We use a TARDIS key as a homing beacon, trace it right to Josie, pick her up, then head back out into time and space!"
Rose shook her head in bemusement, "We're ready for you!" Rose shouted out into the main body of the ship.
Instantly the distant thundering of feet could be heard echoing through the corridors, "Not another stampede…" The Doctor moaned, pausing in his frenzied movements.
Three heads poked around the doorframe, "Took your time!" the Doctor complained, sprinting to the other side of the console, dragging a bundle of wires out from beneath one of the monitors.
"Right, I'm going to need your key, Adrian." The Doctor said, not halting from his work.
Adrian's eyebrows furrowed as he pulled it out of his shirt and handed it over, "Why?"
Wires were wrapped around the object, the readouts instantly fluctuating as the great machine wheezed to life.
"You key is the sibling key of your sister's," the Doctor explained even as Rose came over and helped hold down the buttons, "They're a pair. One can pinpoint the other."
"Can't the TARDIS do that?" Rose asked curiously.
The Doctor nodded, "Suppose. Just not as accurately as doing this way! Hold on!" He called as the ship heaved and pitched, once more hurtling through time and space.
IOIOIOI
"Wasn't that just supposed to be simply through space?" Adrian asked as he pulled Anita up from the deck.
"It was." The Doctor replied bluntly, "But even that's rough when we're doing this sort of thing. Now, who's up to seeing where we are?"
The trio raced to the door, followed by an anxious Rose and determined Doctor. The doors opened to a wall of greenery, warm sunlight dappling through to fall pleasantly upon their faces. The distant sound of children's voices carried across the air, their delighted shrieks swelling and crescendoing as they raced around. Peaking around the trees, they could see the group of children had lined up on the large green.
"What's the time Missus Wolf?" They chorused.
The girl at the front of the party shouted, "Ten o'clock!"
Obediently the others took ten paces forward before once more chorusing, "What's the time Missus wolf?"
"Dinner time!" She shouted, spinning around and chasing the others once more.
"Isn't it supposed to be Mister Wolf?" Senka asked curiously, "That's what we would say when I played the game as a child…"
"You were a child nearly eight hundred years ago!" Adrian pointed out.
"But you're right." Anita interjected, "It was always Mister Wolf whenever I played it."
"Could it just be an attempt at gender equality?" Rose asked nervously.
Gently the Doctor took her hand, "It's probably just coincidence. Come on, we need to find Josie."
The gravel of the driveway crunched under their feet as they made their way towards the house. Beds full of roses bloomed on either side, their perfume wafting to their noses just as bees wafted to the scent. Reaching the house, they speedily ascended to the porch, swiftly pulling the doorbell, the great chime echoing inside.
Within seconds the door was opened to reveal a woman well into her thirties, her dark cocoa eyes shining with curiousity, "Hello, how may I help you?" She asked, her voice heavily undertoned by her American accent.
The Doctor smiled, "I'm Doctor Tyler, Josie's father. I'm wondering if we could talk to her?"
She warmly replied, "Come in, she's upstairs with Pahana at the moment." She paused in her tracks, "Oh, and I'm Tama by the way."
Rose smiled, "I'm Rose, this is Adrian, Senka and Anita."
"Ah, we have heard quite a bit about you three from Pahana." Tama commented, showing them into the sitting room, "We were extremely grateful when she was accepted into Scots mid-term. We though we would be waiting until at least the beginning of this year. And then to have met a friend like Josie! We've hardly seen hide nor hair of them since they arrived. Not that I blame them. Teens these days..." She trailed off, "Nonetheless, It's good to have her home. We heard so little from her during term."
"Really?" Rose interjected.
Tama nodded, "And usually Pahana's so good with keeping in touch. Back in the U.S, she'd write all the time from summer camp...Then again, things are different over here."
Rose nodded, "So what made you move?"
"My husband and I felt it was time for a sea change, and every time we've visited England, we've loved it. Not to mention our company was extremely eager to gain a foothold in Europe..." Tama ramblingly explained, "Only thing we have to complain about is the cold!"
"Mum? Dad?" Came Josie's voice from the stairs.
Rose's face lit up, as she turned to see her daughter descending, "Josie!"
"What are you doing here...?" She asked suspiciously.
The Doctor quickly interjected, "Something's come up, and so we've decided to bring you home."
Josie's eyebrows shot up, "Why?"
"Josie, what is wrong?" Pahana called from above.
"Nothing, just my Mum and Dad have come around to check up on me." she called back, stressing the last words.
The Doctor glanced at Rose, "Actually, we haven't. Lucy's ill, and you are needed."
"Why me?" Josie demanded.
Anita interjected fiercely, "Because unless you come it will be too late!"
"No!" Pahana shouted, sprinting down in between them, "I mean-why bother dragging her home? Surely it would be better for her to be out of your hair?"
The Doctor stared at her levelly, "If it weren't for the fact that we need her around, I'd agree."
"No!" Josie burst out angrily, "Why should I? Why can't I just be normal for once? Have an average summer, and not go gallivanting off around the universe?"
"Uh...Universe?" Tama questioned nervously.
But the Doctor wasn't paying attention, "Because you're not normal. Because if you don't, a grounding will be the least of your problems, and the least of everyone else's problems."
Something seemed to flicker in her eyes, "I'll go and-"
"Stop, Josie!" Pahana demanded, the distinctly French accent emerging in her voice, as something seemed to flicker around her, "I would be just as sorely disadvantaged by your leaving!"
"But..." Josie wavered, "Lucy..."
"Is she dying?" Pahana snapped.
"Yes, she is." The Doctor commented blithely.
An unearthly scream emanated from Pahana, her green eyes flashing, edges blurring to merge with...something.
"Josie," The Doctor said calmly, "We need you."
She nodded, "Yes Dad. Give me a second to pack." Suddenly Tama shrieked in terror. As Josie turned, she came face to face with a monster.
"You will not leave thisssss pllaccceeeeeee" Hissed the creature that had minutes before been Pahana.
Josie's eyes widened in shock, "What the-?!"
"Tempest..." she hissed, driving her back down the stairs, "You sssshhhalllll not interfere...the Hamasssssiii have waited too long for victory to be sssssnatched from our grassssp at the last minute."
Slowly the creature advanced upon her, writhing tendrils lashing out, grasping at her arms and legs, driving Josie down the stairs, making her stumble onto the floor. As she hit, it was as though a switch had flicked within her. Once more the creature readied to strike, triumphantly readying to lash out.
"Oh no you don't!" She defended, leaping to her feet, her eyes flashing icy blue. The air sizzled with energy, crackling electrically with the intensity of a thunderstorm. The tendril rammed home, only to slam into the barrier that now surrounded her. Desperately the creature pounded against the bubble that sealed around her, vainly searching for a way to get at her prey.
"Thanks Josie." The Doctor nonchalantly commented.
"No problem, Dad." Josie replied distractedly, her eyes not falling away from her shield.
"Right." Suddenly his entire demeanor changed, "I've got a few questions for you. First off, who are you, and what have you done to the real Pahana?"
A mirthless chuckle emanated from the creature, "I am Stynn Dou Fourath Ortakra, Fifth of the third of the First Kantu of Hama. As to that measly creature whose face I have been forced to wear since I arrived on this planet, she has served me well as sustenance…"
"Where. Is. She?" The Doctor asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Why should I tell you, Time Lord?" Stynn replied, smugness oozing from every aspect of her being, "There is nothing you can do to harm me!"
"Josie," The Doctor said smugly, "Can you tighten your shield?"
"Yes." She answered, frowning in concentration. Instantly, Stynn began to hiss, as she was compacted into a swirling mass.
"Except that." The Doctor retorted, "Where is she?"
"Attic!!" Stynn surrendered, now a gyrating mass of tendrils.
"Josie, relax on her, but don't let her go!" he ordered.
The mass solidified into a humanoid-like shape; Green eyes rimmed by red, mottled silvery skin, four elongated fingers ending in long talon-like fingernails, and ebony black hair that melted into the dress she wore. Yet her most notable feature were the two inch elongated canines, bared furiously, "How dare you!!"
Ignoring her, the Doctor raced up the stairs. Instantly, the others vaulted off the couch, following after him. Josie wrenched Stynn along, ignoring the protests and curses flung at her.
On the vestibule, Tama pointed, "Down this corridor, right to the end, the door which looks like a linen cupboard! I haven't had the chance to look in there yet…"
Skidding slightly, they sprinted around the corner behind the Doctor, who cracked the lock with the sonic screwdriver, wrenched it open, and sprinted up the stairs four at a time.
His eyes widened, and he cursed under his breath.
"Is she-?" Rose asked, the words dying on her lips at the girl in front of her. Nestled among meters of tubes, clothed only in rags and the needles that regularly pierced her flesh. Her skin was pallid and drawn against her skull, the bones jutting out in a cruel mockery of what she had once been.
"Oh Spirits…" Tama murmured at the sight, her eyes turning to Stynn with an expression of pure, unadulterated hatred, "You did this to her!" She screamed, rushing forward, with
Anita, Adrian and Senka barely managing to hold her back. Stynn only laughed ruthlessly.
Meanwhile, the Doctor had made his way over to her, carefully running the screwdriver over her, "She's alive, but barely." He stated gravely.
Senka winced, "So Jo was right?"
The Doctor merely nodded, before turning to Rose, "Call Jack. We need the TARDIS here, and we need Lucy!"
Nodding, Rose rushed down the stairs, pulling her phone out as she went. The murmur of her conversation the only sound bar the machinery slowly sapping Pahana of life. Seconds stretched endlessly as they waited, hoping that Jack would be able to pilot the great ship to them.
"Couldn't we carry her down?" Josie asked worriedly.
The Doctor shook his head, "She's not strong enough. And I wouldn't take her past those kids playing on the lawn. Nobody so young should ever have to witness this."
"Pahana's brothers and sisters…"Tama whispered, "What will I tell them?"
"We'll have to deal with that when the time comes-" He was interrupted by the great wheezing, groaning sound that signified the arrival of the TARDIS, "Right now, there are more important things to worry about."
"What is that?" She asked uncertainly, gasping as the blue box appeared at the other end of the attic.
As soon as it had solidified, the doors burst open and Lucy came rushing out with her kit under her arm, Jack mere inches behind.
"Move." She told the Doctor flatly, taking the spot he had hastily forsaken.
"My God…" She whispered, taking in the girl's appearance and quickly pulling out her
scanner, "How long has she been like this?"
"Around six months…" The Doctor stated gravely.
Lucy nodded, "I'm going to need some more equipment from the medbay to get her out of this mess…"
"What do you need?" Jack asked her, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Quickly she rattled off a list of equipment with nearly unpronounceable names, Jack, murmuring them under his breath before setting off at a sprint to get them, barely catching her shout to bring a gurney.
Whilst he was off, Lucy began to attempt to work out the tangle of wires and tubes. Her long fingers gently removed what she could, clean white bandages covering the marred, abused skin.
"You did this to her?" She finally muttered quietly, her gaze turning to Stynn.
Swirling within Josie's barriers, she sneered, "With pleassure. Young and fressh. Took all of my control not to have her all at oncce."
Glancing down at her patient, she stood, slowly advancing upon Stynn with an intense look that made the others quail, "If it weren't for the fact that I took an oath to protect life, I would tear you limb from limb for what you've done to this girl."
The sound of pounding footsteps came from the TARDIS. Instantly, Lucy became a whirlwind of energy, the new equipment helping to get the majority of the last tubes out of her.
"I can't move those last three," Lucy explained, "One goes into her spine, one into her cardiovascular, and the other is wedged into her stomach. For them I'll need to get her into surgery, and for that I need to move her inside."
The Doctor nodded, "Put her on the gurney?"
"Yes. Just make sure you mind those ghastly machines." She commanded, observing like a hawk as Jack helped him lift her and the foul devices onto the floating gurney.
"Come on." Rose said gently to Tama, leading her to the TARDIS, followed by the quartet, Josie mentally dragging the prisoner.
"It's…" Tama began, drifting off at the sight.
"Bigger on the inside than the outside?" Rose commented, "You get used to it. Now, how about we go and have a cuppa?"
"But-"
"Lucy will need time to operate to get those tubes out." she explained, "And you need to come to terms with this."
Tama nodded, still unable to tear her eyes away from her daughter.
Dad! Josie mentally shouted.
Surprised, the Doctor turned to face her, What?
I'm not sure I can hold this beast much longer…Josie anxiously told him.
"Right," He said out loud, "Jack, Adrian, I'm going to need your help in building a holding cell for this monster."
Lucy pursed her lips, "I was going to say I needed Jack with me…"
Anita inhaled sharply, "I'll come."
"You sure?" Lucy asked, her eyes scrutinizing, "As much as I am glad to take you in, this won't be a nice introduction to surgery."
Steeling herself, Anita returned Lucy's stare, "That thing needs to be locked away, and Jack's the best when it comes to rigging shields. Not to mention he's a decent shot if worst comes to worst. I go with you, I learn the trade, and if it's ugly, then at least I won't go in with rose-coloured glasses."
"Right then. Let's move." Lucy ordered, together with Anita pushing the gurney out of the control room.
"Senka, stay with Josie." The Doctor ordered, "Adrian, Jack, I think I know just the spot…" With that, they all split.
IOIOIOIOI
A.N:
What do you think?