AN: This is the second last chapter. And the next chapter will be up very soon because it's already written.

And I'm going to write a sequel. There is still very much about the Doctor and Martha's relationship after this story that I want to tell. It will be a bit more romantic but still with some action like in this story.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and to my beta reader Persiflage.

Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who

Chapter 14

They didn't talk much till they reached the door to the main computer room. They stopped in front of the door.

"There's a big room on the other side of that door. The computer is very big and occupies a great part of the room so it's very hard to observe," Vanessa told them.

"I checked the security cameras before we left," Mike said. "The Ladurian is at the furthest end of the room. He won't immediately see us when we come in."

"No, but he will hear the door open. We need a plan before we go in there. Preferably a plan that does not include shooting at him. I don't want to risk hitting the computer."

"How many computer terminals are in that room?" the Doctor asked.

"Three. And there is one terminal the Ladurian can't see from his position," Vanessa answered, already guessing his plan. "He uses the terminal at the back probably because he can't be seen from the door, but will hear if someone comes in."

"I can shut the terminal he uses down. I'm good with computers. I just need to get to the terminal he can't see."

"I can help you. I know all the codes you will need," Mike said. "And someone needs to distract him."

"Leave that to me and Vanessa," Martha said.

...

Mike opened the door; he and the Doctor moved as fast and as quietly as possible to the terminal. Martha and Vanessa followed them inside but stayed in the middle of the room. They only had to wait a few seconds till they saw the Ladurian. He was standing half behind one end of the big computer with a weapon in his hand, which he was aiming at them. Martha recognized him. It was L'Kal.

Vanessa raised her gun as well. "Put your weapon down!" she ordered him.

"I don't think so," L'Kal said. "You won't risk shooting in here. If you damage the computer the life support system on the station could fail. Now get out of this room and let me finish this. I've already hacked your computer. I've full access to your weapons systems. I only have to wait until that ship lowers their shields and then..."

"L'Kal, you don't have to do that. I'm sure we will find a peaceful solution," Martha said.

"No, we won't. There is no way for my people to get away as long as that ship is out there."

"Are you really ready to kill all these Ladurians on that ship? What makes you better than your government if you kill them?"

L'Kal was quiet for a moment. He seemed to be deep in thought and Martha was hoping that her words had got through to him. But then he looked up at her.

"Where is your friend? Every time I saw you, you were always together. Where is he now? What are you planning?" L'Kal stared at her as if he was hoping she would give away what she was hiding. She looked back at him, careful not to glance to her left where she could see the Doctor and Mike from the corner of her eye.

After a few seconds L'Kal moved back behind the computer, out of sight from where Martha stood. Martha glanced to her left and saw the Doctor nodding at her to let her know that he and Mike had succeeded in shutting down the other computer terminal.

In the same moment L'Kal came back into view, his gun aimed at her and Vanessa. "What did you do?" he asked angrily.

Vanessa raised her gun again. "Put your weapon down!" she said, more emphatic this time. "It's over."

"You won't shoot in here," he said again. He moved a few steps to his left to get closer to the door.

"Just a few more steps in that direction and I don't need to worry about damaging the computer anymore," Vanessa responded. She was right. L'Kal had to move away from the main computer if he wanted to get any closer to the door.

Without any warning L'Kal shot at them. Vanessa just managed to knock Martha and herself to the floor. They heard the shot hitting the wall behind them. L'Kal used that moment to dash towards the door. But Vanessa was already on her feet again running after him.

"Are you alright?" Martha heard the Doctor's voice next to her. He must have run to her side the moment L'Kal had shot at them. Martha looked up and was surprised by how worried he looked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks to Vanessa."

The Doctor offered her his hand and helped her to her feet. Then they ran to the door. In the corridor outside the door they found Vanessa. She looked up when she heard them coming closer. L'Kal was lying on the floor. "He's just unconscious," Vanessa told them.

...

A few hours later Martha, the Doctor and Mike were sitting at a table in the cafeteria. After they had taken out L'Kal, Commander S'Tal and his crew had come aboard the spacestation. With their help it had been easy to catch all the criminal Ladurians on the spacestation. They had brought the criminals back to S'Tal's ship while some of his crew had gone aboard L'Kal's ship to take it back to Laduria. S'Tal had assured them that the criminals would all get a fair trial as soon as they were home but Martha wasn't so sure if they could trust his words. Maybe she could ask the Doctor later if he could find out what happened to L'Kal.

After the Ladurians had left Mike had asked them to join him in the cafeteria. Martha was happy to get a chance to talk to her new friend before she and the Doctor left.

"You know, the planet below us can be quite beautiful at this time of the year," Mike said to Martha. "I could show you around a bit down there if you like."

Before Martha had a chance to answer the Doctor spoke up. "Oh, we won't stay here much longer. Time we moved on."

"He's right," Martha said. She didn't want to get Mikes hopes up. It wasn't like they would ever have a chance for a relationship. They weren't even from the same time.

And she knew she still loved the Doctor. And even if she was sure that he would never return her feelings, she couldn't stop herself wondering about that kiss and his behaviour since she'd called him a few days ago. She'd made up her mind about asking him what it meant. She needed to know for certain before she could go back to her life on Earth and move on.

"Oh, okay," Mike said a bit disappointed. "Will I ever see you again?"

"Maybe someday," Martha said, smiling at him.

AN: In the next chapter they will finally talk about that kiss.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please let me know what you think and review.