Day 3
The next morning at breakfast, they outlined their plan for the day. First they would talk to the medics, and hopefully get some more information about the deaths. The Doctor also wanted to go back and talk to the train operator at some point, to learn more about the two victims. Rose insisted they check out the bowling alley, and the Doctor readily agreed. Finally, Rose suggested they should split up and mingle with the other passengers, see if they could pick up on any rumors, and although the Doctor was not overly fond of the idea of leaving Rose alone with a murderer on the loose, he admitted it was a good idea. After breakfast, they went straight to the hospital car, armed with psychic paper and a hopefully convincing cover story.
After talking to both the medics and the train operator, they learned that the same toxin had killed both Jackson Poole and Alexandra Petrov, the female victim.
According to Dr. Lee, "The poison starts working in the stomach, causing intense stomach pain as the body attempts to metabolize it. Although the effects it has on the body are not fatal at first, something happens after digestion that causes the toxin to affect the heart, causing total cardiac arrest in minutes." The two doctors were working diligently to figure out what caused the heart failure, meanwhile train security had been put on high alert, as officers kept on the lookout for anyone acting suspiciously. The two victims didn't appear to have share any connections, both coming from different planets, with different occupations and no obvious similarities, although all information was being beamed to Diadem authorities back in the city, and a full investigation was underway, though the Doctor was sceptical of the effectiveness of a virtual investigation. The Doctor and Rose took a break with a few rounds of bowling, joined by Rose's new friend, Hank. Considerably more relaxed, Rose headed for the cafe and the Doctor for the bar, agreeing to meet up back in their room at 2100 hours, the Doctor making her promise to watch her food.
###
The Doctor strolled into the pub and took a seat at the counter. Hailing the bartender, he ordered a glass of ice water, which he poured into a nearby empty wine glass. He leaned back against the countertop and watched the groups of passengers clustered around each of the raised tables as he sipped at the water. For the most part, the bar-going crowd was diverse, as he observed a wide range of ages and races. He grinned and raised a hand in greeting as a young Vinvocci took the seat next to him.
"How's it going?" he asked cheerfully.
"Oh, ok I guess," she sighed loudly, shooting a glare over her shoulder to a group huddled around a television screen.
"Love trouble?" the Doctor guessed, raising an eyebrow questioningly
"Sort of. I was just hoping we could spend some time together on this trip, but my boyfriend would rather hang out with his new friends and watch the Wiffle Ball Cup," she spat out the last four syllables aggressively.
"Oh I completely forgot about the Wiffle Ball Cup! Metallurgis 5 vs Alzarius isn't it? Oooh Alzarius! Used to know someone from Alzarius. Lovely planet…" he trailed off when he noticed the Vinvocci's withering look.
He coughed awkwardly, "Ehem… Anyways, I'm the Doctor, nice to meet you."
He offered his hand.
"My friends call me Nancy," she shook his hand firmly.
"So, Nancy, what brings you to Diadem?"
"Won a contest back on Clom. All-expense-paid tour of Diadem. It is quite lovely isn't it?" The Doctor nodded in agreement, and flagged down the bartender again for a refill.
"Water in a wine glass, eh? Interesting."
The Doctor was saved having to answer by the appearance of a male Vinvocci; who he assumed was Nancy's boyfriend.
"Nancy!" the man grabbed Nancy's hand, excitedly pulling her away, "Alzarius won, Nancy! We're having a celebration round, Cheswick is paying, c'mon!"
Nancy gave the Doctor an apologetic look as she was pulled away to the opposite side of the bar. He grinned back at her.
Swallowing the last of his water, he smacked his lips and leaned back, My throat is really dry.. hmm, must be dehydrated.
The Doctor sat at the bar and watched the crowd for the next hour, making small talk with nearby passengers, but picking up nothing useful pertaining to the deaths. By the time 2100 rolled around, he had downed 7 glasses of water and still felt parched. He stood up, but immediately sat down again as his head began to spin. Whoa, stood up too quickly… He waited a few seconds, then stood again. He managed a few steps forward before an intense pain in his abdomen brought him to his knees in agony. His vision darkened around the edges as he sank to his knees finding it harder and harder to breath. Vaguely, he was aware of raised voices around him. A green blur swam in front of his vision and he heard a voice calling his name.
Nancy.
He opened his mouth to respond to her but found that no sound would come. The pain in his stomach reached a deafening intensity, and he succumbed to the darkness pressing in on him from all directions.
###
Rose left the cafe feeling disappointed. Two hours of of idle chit-chat and no one knew a single thing about the murders. In fact, most of the passengers weren't even aware that there had been deaths on the train. Rose pushed in the door to their sleeping compartment, surprised to see that the Doctor hadn't beat her back to the room. She perched on the edge of her bunk and idly flipped through the room service menu. After 10 minutes of waiting she became restless and decided to go find the Doctor herself. She opened the door and ran smack into a petite red-haired woman running towards the back of the train. Rose landed on her back with the wind knocked out of her. The breathless woman helped her back up.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't see you. I'm sorry, I have to go"
"Hang on, what are you running for?"
The woman was already off again, moving quickly, but she shouted at Rose over her shoulder, "I'm fetching the medics- a man's collapsed in the pub!"
Rose felt her throat constrict. It sounded like another poisoning, and if she knew the Doctor, he was right in the middle of it. She started off towards the pub at a jog, her concern growing with every step. She burst into the dark room of the pub and immediately ran over to the group of people gathered near the bar. As she pushed through the crowd she was able to make out a pair of feet and then legs in a familiar pinstriped suit. A green-skinned woman was crouched next to the Doctor, talking to him in a low voice. Rose kneeled down next to him, heart in her stomach.
"Doctor! Doctor can you hear me?" she checked his pulse, and was dismayed to find it thready.
She leaned over to place her cheek over his mouth, to check for breathing, and relief flooded her as she felt a warm puff of air. She squeezed the Doctor's hand and looked up at the green woman next to her.
"What 'appened?" she demanded.
"I- I don't know, he seemed fine, then he just collapsed," the woman answered shakily, sitting up.
Rose nodded worriedly, absently running her fingers through the Timelord's sweaty hair. Less than a minute later, the two medics arrived, and the crowd parted to give them access. Rose moved to the side, but kept a tight grip on the Doctor's hand.
Please be okay.
The medics got to work- a procedure Rose was familiar with by now. She watched as Dr. Rogers set up a mobile IV bag and sanitized the Doctor's wrist.
"Is he allergic to any medications?" Rogers asked.
"No, I don't think so… wait, yeah! Aspirin, he's allergic to Aspirin!"
Dr. Rogers' eyebrows drew down in a frown and he ceased inserting the IV, "Are you sure? That's the only painkiller we have on board, he'll have to go without."
Rose nodded, eyes never leaving the Doctor. He had stopped moving, and was now just lying on the floor.
He's so pale.
If the heart monitor hadn't been displaying a steady 140 bpm, Rose would've thought he was dead.
"He's stabilised, let's get him to the medcar," Dr. Lee said, obviously relieved, as the two medics lifted the Doctor onto a stretcher. Rose accompanied the two doctors back to their room, not letting go of the Doctor's hand the entire way.