A/N: Thanks to those who Favourited and Followed. Now it may seem that I don't like Martha in this chapter, but that's not the case. It's just not everyone will get along with Carina and Martha's one of them.
Chapter 5: Re-Awakening Nightmare
"You won't get away this time." He laughs loudly from across the cell, leaning casually against the wall, with his shoulder-length charcoal hair hanging over his eyes, making it impossible to tell if he's watching me or not. "You might have escaped before Carina, leaving poor, beautiful Zara behind to defend for herself, but now I've got you back. You remember where we ended last time don't you; well we're going to continue from there." He continues, pushing away from the wall, unveiling his cold blue eyes. "You look tougher than her; it'll be fun breaking you in." He smirks, striding toward me.
"No, no, please don't!" I beg cowering in the corner, blood trickling down my arms from the crescent-shaped gashes in my palms.
"No can do, you're the only one left." He says, pressing himself against me, tugging at the edge of my shirt.
"No!" I yell, managing to get an arm free to punch him, his nose crunching satisfyingly under my fist. Momentarily stunned, he takes a step back, clutching his bent nose. Running to the door…
"You little bitch!" he seizes me from behind, squeezing so tight that pain stabs through my chest as ribs crack. Screaming, he just laugh's, enjoying my pain.
"Let me go! Please let me go?!" I plead, through clenched teeth.
"Hmm, let me think… No." He replies, fingers digging into my ribs. I scream and scream, spots appearing before my eyes.
"Carina, Carina!"
"No nononono no! Please stop. Let me go!" I thrash about, but his grip is too firm, unbreakable. Retreating to the depths of my mind, I just hope it'll be quick, finally setting me free.
"Carina it's me, the Doctor. It's okay we're out. You're not trapped. Carina listen to me, you're safe." The Doctor speaks to me. No surprise it was the Doctor that I conjured up, the saver of worlds, to be here with me at the end of mine.
"You are very much alive Carina and no one's world will be ending today if I can help it. It was just a nightmare, you are fine now. Just open your eyes." The Doctor says anguish tainting his tone, his breath warm against my ear. Wait, how am I feeling anything, this far into my mind? It's not possible. Is it really just a nightmare? Only one way to find out.
"Doctor?" I ask, slowly opening my eyes, the blurry outline of the Doctor quickly comes into focus. Either this is real or I have incredible visual recall. "Where are we?" It's definitely not Bedlam.
"Back at the Elephant, in Shakespeare's room. He's letting you use his bed." He assures me. "Are you alright Carina, why didn't you tell me you're claustrophobic?" He asks softly.
"I'm not, it was that place, it's just… never mind, I'm okay now." I try to smile but it turns out more of a grimace. Sitting up in the bed, the Doctor adjacent to me, I can see the pained look in his eyes that he's trying to hide. Why's it there? Please tell me I wasn't sleep talking. "I ah, was I talking in my sleep?" I ask desperately hoping I didn't.
"A bit" Oh no.
"What'd I say?" shaking his head, he turns away, not meeting my gaze "Please tell me, I want to know."
"You were screaming Carina, screaming in such terror and agony, pleading to be let go." He spins back around, taking my face in his hand, gently wiping away the tears, that I hadn't even realised were there. "And I couldn't do anything, not even wake you up. I felt so useless." He's blaming himself again for something he had no control over.
"Stop beating yourself up Doctor it wasn't your fault. You can't stop people having nightmares." I say. He needs to know that not every bad thing that happens is his fault.
"What happened, you can tell me?" He offers. I know he's only asking to try to help me, but…
"I… I can't." It's my turn to look away.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked." He says voice low.
"No, it's okay, I just… need time." I finish, breathing out.
"I understand." He replies pulling me in for a hug.
"You know this is the second time you've rescued me while I've been out of it" I say trying to clear the air, move on to a lighter topic, while hugging him tightly in return.
"Let's try not to make a habit out of, Okay?" He pulls back, the corners of his mouth quirking up in a small smile.
"I'll try, not making any promises though." I give a shaky laugh, giving him one last squeeze before letting go. "Where are Martha and Shakespeare?" I inquire looking around the room.
"Just in the other room. I made them leave when you started screaming." He says grimacing, glancing over at the thin piece of wood closing the room, not enough to stop sound escaping.
"I was that loud?" I ask. It was bad enough the Doctor had to hear me, but Martha and Shakespeare too, and anyone else within hear range. Martha mightn't have liked me before, but now she's just going to think I'm crazy. "I'm sorry" I mutter, covering my face with my hands. It's hot and sticky, my hair clinging to it as if I've walked into a spider web. "You shouldn't have had to hear that."
"It's okay Carina, don't worry about it." He says, taking my hands from off my face, into his larger ones giving them a reassuring squeeze. "I have to stop the Carrionites, you stay here and I'll be back soon." He says, moving to get up, but I just grasp his hands tighter, keeping him there.
"No I'm coming with you." I say determinedly, wiggling to the edge of the bed so I'm sitting next to him, not releasing his hands.
"Carina you only just woke from a panic attack, you need to recover." He replies staring intently into my eyes.
"No what I need is a distraction. I… I can't be alone right now, not without anything to do." My hands are trembling even holding his. I can't go back there, not again, even if they are only nightmares not the real thing. God I'm weak.
"Okay." He says softly, compassion filling his eyes. Standing, he pulls me up with him. "Come on." He continues, releasing my left hand but keeping my right, walking to the door. Pushing it outwards we step into the candle lit main room.
"Doctor is she…" Shakespeare starts, but stops upon seeing me.
"I'm fine. Sorry for making you worry." I say, but I can't bear to meet his eyes. The sound of concern in his voice is enough to have my eyes prickling, but seeing it on his face will release the flood gates.
Letting go of the Doctor's hand, I walk over to the high-backed chair. Taking a seat, I watch the Doctor start to pace the room with his head down, glancing my way every so often. I can feel Shakespeare's and Martha's gaze on me as well, but I do my best to ignore it.
"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe. Nobody was sure if they were real or legend." The Doctor informs us, continuing to pace.
"Well, I'm going for real." Shakespeare says, standing up from washing his face.
"But what do they want?" Martha asks.
"A new empire on Earth. A world of bones and blood and witchcraft." The Doctor supplies, stopping to lean against the table chair.
"But how?"
"I'm looking at the man with the words." The Doctor answers, staring at Shakespeare as he finishes drying his face.
"Me? But I've done nothing." Shakespeare asks confused.
"Hold on, though. What were you doing last night, when that Carrionite was in the room?" Martha questions.
"Finishing the play." Shakespeare answers. Having been watching the Doctor, I see his head jerk up.
"What happens on the last page?" The Doctor asks.
"The boys get the girls. They have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought provoking as usual. Except those last few lines. Funny thing is, I don't actually remember writing them." Shakespeare says.
"That's it. They used you. They gave you the final words like a spell, like a code. Love's Labours Won. It's a weapon. The right combination of words, spoken at the right place, with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing! And yes, you can have that." The Doctor says, his voice getting deeper and louder the more he speaks.
"So we need to find these Carrionites. Peter said he saw them at All Hallows Street right, so where's that?" I ask standing from the chair, aiming my question toward Shakespeare.
"I don't know. I have a few maps though, they should be of some assistance." He replies walking to the book shelf and removing several yellowed square pieces of paper, before placing them on the table.
Taking a step to follow him, my stomach growls like a bear having just woken up from hibernation. When did I last eat? Lunch at the hospital, but how long ago was that? A day or two. No wonder I'm hungry. Spying the bowl of apples, I grab the dappled red one.
"Can I?" I ask Shakespeare, showing the apple to him.
"Sure have as many as you want." He replies kindly.
"Thanks." I reply, giving the apple a quick rub on my jeans before biting into it. I love apples, the perfect combination of sweet juices with just the right amount of tart. Looking up at the Doctor he's got his brainy specks on. Geez I love his brainy specks, he looks so cute in them.
"All Hallows Street. There it is. Carina, Martha, we'll track them down. Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play." The Doctor says earnestly.
"I'll do it. All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing." Shakespeare says shaking the Doctor's hand.
"Oh, don't complain." Martha says.
"I'm not. It's marvellous. Good luck, Doctor." Shakespeare replies.
"Good luck, Shakespeare. Once more unto the breach." The Doctor says, running out of the room, grabbing his coat along the way, with Martha and I following behind.
"I like that. Wait a minute, that's one of mine." Shakespeare says, realisation dawning on him. Out the door the Doctor pauses, poking his head back into the room.
"Oh, just shift!"
…
"All Hallows Street, but which house?" The Doctor says, coming to a halt in the street before several houses. I don't recognise any of them, they all look very similar.
"The thing is, though am I missing something here? The world didn't end in 1599. It just didn't. Look at me. I'm living proof." Martha gestures to herself.
"Time can be re-written. Take me for example, I shouldn't be here." I tell her.
"Then why are you?" She says, eyes narrowing.
"I was only trying to help." I say, sorry I bothered.
"She right though." The Doctor defends. Thank you. "Oh, how to explain the mechanics of the infinite temporal flux? I know. Back to the Future. It's like Back to the Future." He decides.
"The film?" Gee Martha, what else would he be talking about?
"No, the novelisation. Yes the film. Marty McFly goes back and changes history." He says sarcastically.
"And he starts to fade away. Oh my God, am I going to fade?" Martha asks worriedly.
"You and the entire future of the human race. It ends right now in 1599 if we don't stop it." He says seriously. "But which house?" Looking around, the door of the house across from us creaks open, inviting us in. "Ah. Make that witch house."
Moving into the house we carefully climb the stairs coming to a door covered by a sheet. Not even pausing, the Doctor flings it aside entering the room, Martha and I only steps behind.
Entering the room it is full of candles and a fire pit in the centre lighting the room, with a cauldron sitting beside the flames. Plants and crude metal devices fill the shelves, with cobwebs on just about everything. In the middle of the room Lilith stands there covered in a full black cloak.
"I take it we're expected." The Doctor says stopping in front of her.
"Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time." She says watching us.
"Right then, it's my turn. I know how to do this." Martha says confidently, tapping the Doctor on the chest.
"It won't work." I try to tell her but she's not listening.
"I name thee Carrionite!" Martha states firmly, pointing at Lilith who just smiles. "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?" She asks turning back to look at the Doctor.
"The power of a name only works once." Lilith says stepping forward. "Observe. I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee Martha Jones." She finishes, Martha collapsing into the Doctor's arms.
"What have you done?" The Doctor yells, gently lowering her to the floor.
"Only sleeping, alas. It's curious. The name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time. Now what about your other lady friend? Girl with the horror hardened stare, I name thee Carina Blaire." She says.
Shoved back by an invisible force, I hit the wall behind me unable to move for a few moments. Being released there's a dull throbbing in my head. That's all I need a head ache.
"Carina?" The Doctor jumps up checking me.
"Fine, just a bit of a head ache" I assure him.
"Hmm, it seems you're even further out of time, as if you don't exist in this universe." She ponders. "What interesting company you keep Sir Doctor. As for you. Fascinating. There is no name. Why would a man hide his title in such despair? Oh, but look. There's still one word with the power that aches." She finishes, smiling widely.
"The naming won't work on me." The Doctor replies.
"But your heart grows cold. The north wind blows and carries down the distant Rose." She says smirking.
"Oh, big mistake. Because that name keeps me fighting. The Carrionites vanished. Where did you go?" He says angrily looming over her.
"The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness." She replies walking away from him.
"And how did you escape?"
"New words. New and glittering, from a mind like no other."
"Shakespeare." The Doctor realises.
"His son perished. The grief of a genius. Grief without measure. Madness enough to allow us entrance." She says as an image of a grief-stricken Shakespeare appears in the cauldron.
"How many of you?" He asks.
"Just the three. But the play tonight shall restore the rest. Then the human race will be purged as pestilence." She replies, walking away as she speaks. Turning to face us again, "And from this world we will lead the universe back into the old ways of blood and magic."
"Hmm. Busy schedule. But first you've got to get past me." The Doctor says, walking up to her until they are face to face.
"No, stay away from her Doctor." I warn him, but he doesn't listen either.
"Oh, that should be a pleasure, considering my enemy has such a handsome shape." She says sultry, leaning in close stroking his face with her right hand, as she brings her left up behind his head.
"Now, that's one form of magic that's definitely not going to work on me." The Doctor states.
"Oh, we'll see." Lilith says confidently.
"No Don't." I try to stop her, but I'm too slow as she yanks out a few of his hairs.
"What did you do?" He asks rubbing the back of his head.
"Souvenir." She says, waving a pair of tweezers with his hair in them.
"Well, give it back." He yells, running towards her. Flinging the window open, Lilith sails backwards out, floating in mid-air. Running up beside him, I have to admit it would be pretty cool to be able to do that. "Well, that's just cheating."
"Behold, Doctor. Men to Carrionites are nothing but puppets." She says pulling out a little voodoo doll from inside her cloak, attaching the Doctor's hair to it.
"Now you might call that magic. I'd call that a DNA replication module." The Doctor argues.
"What use is your science now?" She says before stabbing the doll.
"Doctor!" I yell as he screams, collapsing to the floor. Rushing to his side. "Come on Doctor, you've faced worse than this, one little witch isn't going to get the best of you." I say kneeling beside his shoulders, giving his hand a squeeze.
"Oh my God, Doctor. Don't worry, I've got you." Martha says, rolling him onto his back, checking that he's breathing. "Hold on, mister. Two hearts?"
"You're making a habit of this." He says starting to stand up before clutching his chest in pain. "Ah! I've only got one heart working. How do you people cope?" He stares at us incredulously. "I've got to get the other one started. Hit me! Hit me on the chest!" Martha whacks him on the right side of the chest. "Dah! Other side." She concedes with his directions. "Now on the back, on the back." Standing behind him, I hit him just inside his left shoulder-blade. "Left a bit. Dah, lovely. There we go. Badda booma!" He gets the rest of his way to his feet. "Well, what are you standing there for? Come on! The Globe!" He yells, dashing across the room and speeding down the stairs.
Chasing after them I can feel the lack of sleep catching up to me, hooking it's claws in and dragging me down. Lagging behind I hear Martha shout that they're going the wrong way and the Doctor objecting, before saying the same thing and running back passed me.
"Come on Carina, no stopping now." He says, not even having the decency to look even slightly breathless.
"Not everyone can run indefinitely." I mutter, pulling what little energy I have left and putting it into running after the Doctor's retreating figure.
…
Above the Globe, the smoky clouds billow up toward the sky, bright red lightning flickering around inside. The wind swirls strongly blowing up pieces of straw and flicking strands of hair across my face. Cry's of panic from the crowd can just be heard under the blasting of the storm.
Running in, Shakespeare is slowly waking up with a dazed look in his eyes, slowly rubbing his head.
"Stop the play. I think that was it. Yeah, I said, stop the play!" The Doctor shouts at Shakespeare angrily.
"I hit my head." He defends.
"Yeah, don't rub it, you'll go bald. I think that's my cue!" The Doctor says as the screams get louder, running to the stage. Going after him, the wind's spinning in a tornado like structure, up into the sky from the pit. A brighter flash from the private boxes draws my eye. It's the Carrionites' box, with Lilith holding the crystal ball out into the red light. The bat like forms of the Carrionites spew out of it, following the air currents up into the sky.
"Come on, Will!" The Doctor latches on to Shakespeare pulling him forward. "History needs you!" He shouts over the wind.
"But what can I do?" Shakespeare says just as loudly.
"Reverse it!"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"The shape of the Globe gives words power, but you're the wordsmith, the one true genius. The only man clever enough to do it." The Doctor implores.
"But what words? I have none ready?"
"You're William Shakespeare!"
"But these Carrionite phrases, they need such precision." Shakespeare replies doubt clinging to his tone.
"Trust yourself. When you're locked away in your room, the words just come, don't they, like magic. Words of the right sound, the right shape, the right rhythm. Words that last forever. That's what you do, Will. You choose perfect words. Do it. Improvise." The Doctor says stepping back to give Shakespeare some room.
"Close up this din of hateful, dire decay, decomposition of your witches' plot. You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not! Foul Carrionite spectres, cease your show! Between the points…" Shakespeare pauses, looking questioningly over his shoulder to the Doctor.
"Seven six one three nine oh!" The Doctor supplies.
"Seven six one three nine oh! Banished like a tinker's cuss, I say to thee…" He stops again searching for the right word, look to us for ideas. I can't help but steal Martha's line.
"Expelliarmus!" I shout.
"Expelliarmus!" both the Doctor and Shakespeare yell.
"Good old JK!" The Doctor grins, as the Carrionites are sucked into the tornado along with all the manuscripts of the play. "Love's Labours Won. There it goes." Closing in on its self, the tornado snaps shut with bang and flash. A moment of silence before the audience starts applauding, thinking it's all part of the show.
Seeing the Doctor drift off the stage, I follow catching up to him outside the Carrionites' box. Glancing back at me, he pushes the heavy red curtains aside for us to enter. On the floor sits the crystal ball glowing light lavender. Kneeling down next to it, the Doctor lifts it, watching Lilith and her Mothers clawing at the glass, screaming curse at us.
"I think you've made some lifelong friends there Doctor." I say barely able to hold a straight face.
"Ha!" He smirks sillily, eyes laughing. "Let's head back to the Elephant." He rises, walking back out of the box, carrying the ball in both his hands, before slipping it into his coat pocket, where it clearly shouldn't fit, and not showing any sign that it's there.
"Do you reckon I could get a bag or something like that? It would be very handy." I ask gesturing to his pockets.
"If you find something in the TARDIS, you can use it." He replies generously.
"Thanks." I reply happily, walking in silence beside him.
…
"Carrrrrrina" His ghostly voice echo's through my mind. "See you soon Carina."
Jerking up in bed, my heart trying to break out through my rib cage, why is he back to torment me? I thought I finally got rid of him a couple of years back, regaining my ability to have a good night's sleep. No going back to sleep now, not while I can still see his too perfect smile so clearly.
Checking the time, 6.18am good as time as any to get up I suppose. After finally making it to bed last night, technically this morning at about 2.30am, after celebrating with Shakespeare over the Carrionites defeat, I don't feel refreshed at all. I bet if I looked in the mirror I'd have dark bags under my eyes.
Getting up to give my face a wash and try to rinse some of the cobwebs out of my mouth, I really need to get one of those toothbrushes off the Doctor, and straightening my hair and clothes, I feel somewhat presentable.
Leaving the room, it's still dark enough to see the stars dancing with each other. Moving closer to the railing, I watch their performance. Sensing movement to my left, I peer over at the Doctor as he folds his arms on the railing, gazing up at the stars with me.
"Beautiful aren't they?" I say, returning to observe their glittering show
"Yep." He replies, the P popping off his tongue.
We stay like this for 20-30 minutes neither of us making a sound, too caught up in our own thoughts to bother with small talk, watching as the stars slowly disappear as the sun makes an appearance. By this time Shakespeare and Martha are awake. Frowning at me when she sees the Doctor and I standing together, we all grab a bite to eat before heading back to the Globe.
Leaving Martha and Shakespeare to flirt on the stage, I follow the Doctor back stage, looking for any copies of the play. Finding none we head off to the props. Finding the stiff ruff, collar like thing, I fasten it around my neck. It's definitely not comfortable, I can hardly move my neck.
"What do you think?" I ask, walking to stand in front of the Doctor, trying to look regal.
"Um, well…" His says, eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as if he's suppressing laughter.
"Fine you wear it." I huff, mock offended. Standing on tiptoes I place it around his neck. Stepping back, I can't stop the giggle bubbling up my throat. "Um, how about we give it to Shakespeare?" I suggest still smiling widely.
"Alright then, come on." He says, picking up an animal skull, a horse's maybe, as we walk back out to them. "Good props store back there. I'm not sure about this though. Reminds me of a Sycorax." He says staring at the skull.
"Sycorax. Nice word. I'll have that off you as well." Shakespeare says.
"I should be on ten percent. How's your head?" The Doctor questions, placing the skull on the ground.
"Still aching."
"Here, I got you this." The Doctor takes off the ruff and places it around Shakespeare's neck. It looks much better on him than it did me or the Doctor. "Neck brace. Wear that for a few days till it's better, although you might want to keep it. It suits you."
"What about the play?" Martha asks.
"Gone. We looked all over. Every single copy of Love's Labours Won went up in the sky." The Doctor answers, looking up.
"My lost masterpiece."
"You could write it up again." Martha suggests. Why she would say that I don't know. We shouldn't go changing history that much.
"Yeah, better not, Will. There's still power in those words. Maybe it should best stay forgotten." The Doctor says.
"Oh but I've got new ideas. Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons, in memory of my boy, my precious Hamnet." Shakespeare ponders.
"Hamnet?" Martha asks thinking she's heard wrong.
"That's him." He confirms
"Hamnet?" She says again, enunciating the 'net'.
"What's wrong with that?" Shakespeare says turning to look at her.
"Anyway, time we were off." The Doctor interrupts, picking up the crystal ball sitting behind them. "I've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity, and I've got to Martha back to Freedoina."
"You mean travel on through time and space." Shakespeare voices confidently.
"You what?"
"You're from another world like the Carrionites, Martha is from the future, and Carina's home is unreachable. It's not hard to work out."
"That's incredible. You are incredible." The Doctor says amazed.
"We're alike in many ways, Doctor. Carina don't be afraid to confide in someone." He says to me, staring with his all too knowing eyes. Nodding, he turns to Martha taking her hand. "Martha, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse. A sonnet for my Dark Lady." Looking at the Doctor I can see him rise his eyebrow at this. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate." He's about to kiss her hand when they're interrupted by Burbage and Kempe running in.
"Will!" Burbage shouts.
"Will, you'll never believe it. She's here! She's turned up!" Kempe proclaims.
"We're the talk of the town. She heard about last night. She wants us to perform it again." Burbage smiles proudly.
"Who?" Martha asks.
"Her Majesty. She's here." He says as if thinking who else it could be. The toot of trumpets announces her arrival, followed by two pike men.
"Queen Elizabeth the First!" The Doctor says excitedly, his voice going up in pitch.
"Doctor?" The Queen says with a gravelly voice.
"What?" He replies, joy still on his face.
"My sworn enemy." The Queen continues.
"What?" The Doctor is a picture of surprise and confusion, eyes wide, mouth open.
"Off with his head!" She declares.
"What?" He says for the third time, drawing the word out.
"Never mind what, just run! See you, Will, and thanks." Martha shouts.
"Bye Will, it was great meeting you." I yell, waving as we run out the back of the Globe, the pikemen close behind.
"Stop in the name of the Queen!" One of the pikemen shouts.
"What have you done to upset her?" Martha asks still running.
"How should I know? Haven't even met her yet. That's time travel for you." Reaching the TARDIS he unlocks the door swiftly, swinging it inwards. Running in I stop halfway up the ramp, waiting for the Doctor. "Still, can't wait to find out. That's something to look forward to. Ooo!" He says excitedly, grinning like a child, as a thud resounds outside.
A/N: Thanks for reading. I've found merging Carina into scenes difficult, without pushing in and stealing lines. I hope I did it okay. Also if possible could you leave a review, telling me what you liked or didn't like (and how I could improve it), as it gives me motivation to continue writing.
Salexa