"I cannot do a blood balance procedure while he is in this condition." The Doyenne checked the monitors again, and shook her head. "It is far too dangerous." She glanced up at Chi. "Did this fever come with the sutu?"
Chi nodded. "Yes, since the beginning."
Jack lay on his back in a hospital tunic on the examination table in the infirmary, covered by a thin sheet. He continued to drift in and out of consciousness, sometimes opening his eyes, but showed no recognition of his surroundings. The breathing was labored, and his body sometimes twisted with abdominal cramps. Fever was climbing again. Beads of sweat continued to form as Mara sponged them away.
The Doctor and Toshi looked on near the open doorway, his arm around his granddaughter. Colonel McGrath and Gray were in the command center of the TARDIS to direct the additional medics from the Conservancy, and monitor the wounded. Kira created more treatment and recovery rooms to accommodate the injured.
Jens scowled as he stood on the other side of the bed. "Just get it out of him. They had no right to force this on him."
"He has to carry it to term," the Doctor said quietly.
"Why?" countered Jens as he glared at his father. "He is not a thing, a convenient vessel. He has his own life!"
"The child is part of his life, Jens," the Doctor said as he stepped forward "Timelines are in play." He shook his head. "There is so much I haven't taught you. She must be, so he can be."
Jens retorted "That makes no sense."
"I can't explain now, but trust me," the Doctor put his hand on his son's shoulder, but Jens shrugged it off.
"The child is innocent," the Doyenne said as she calmly arranged the cloths and instruments on the tray for Catkin doctor. In her long robes she looked more like a priestess than a physician. She turned to reassure the young Time Lord. "The fetus is viable and almost full term. It will not be long." She turned back to her patient and placed her hand on his forehead to measure the warmth. "We will wait. I can do something about the fever." As she took up position at the head of the bed, Chi lightly touched her arm.
"A word, Doyenne," he said. He switched to telepathy for privacy. He has a guardian spirit. You must be introduced.
A guardian what? The Doyenne looked intently for a moment at Chi. Take the other side and we'll enter together.
Chi walked to the other side and placed his hands on Jack's temples and the Doyenne placed her hands over his.
"What are they doing?" whispered Toshi to the Doctor.
"I don't know," he said softly as he watched, "but I trust the Doyenne."
"Jens," called out Colonel from the hallway. "We need you out here. Now!"
Jens scowled at the interruption.
"We'll stay with him," reassured the Doctor.
The young Time Lord hesitated, then bent down to kiss Jack on the forehead. "I'll be back soon." He reluctantly left the room.
The Doyenne entered with Chi into the landscape of Jack's mind. She blanched at the extent of physic devastation. She turned to the Adyan physician and asked, Did she do this? Adhari did all this?
Chi grimly nodded and continued to lead her toward the center. There she saw Jack in the same position as she had just seen on the examination table, but a figure was with him. The young man saw them approach and stood.
Stop! The fylgia demanded. Who is this, Chi? A burst of energy like a force field pushed against the Adyans forcing them to take a step back.
Chi and the Doyenne stopped. She turned in surprise to Chi and said, This spirit has power. She shook her head in exasperation. A pregnant immortal and now this!
His name is Ianto. Chi responded. I don't understand, but this young man was a lover in the Captain's past, and stays with him here. A protector. Both are imbued with vortex energy.
The stuff of Time Lords, she mused. But he couldn't protect him from all this? She turned to look at the devastation. So many unknowns.
Ianto looked suspiciously at the woman.
This is our Doyenne. She is a stronger healer than I, Chi explained. She is here to help Jack.
The young man hesitated. Finally, he beckoned them closer, carefully watching her approach as he knelt back down next to Jack. The Doyenne knelt on the other side of the Captain, placed her hands on his temples, and then reached deeper into his mind. Jack began to relax as the fever ebbed. His breathing slowed to a steady pace and the tremors subsided. The Doyenne stayed with him for twenty minutes, probing deeper into Jack's mind while the fylgia and Chi remained quietly beside them. Finally she withdrew her hands and looked at Ianto.
You love him?
Yes.
She looked at the young man sadly. That commitment will be needed for what is to come.
Can you help him? Ianto looked intently at the Doyenne. Can you bring him back to how he was before?
No. She frowned. Time moves forward for us all, only change is true. She adjusted her posture so that she sat facing Ianto. Both of you are impossible things; an immortal…a fylgia… You know the delivery of the child may kill him. Can you go into that void? Stay with him?
I have. I will.
She turned to Chi. The patient was once a Time Agent?
Yes.
Listen to me carefully. These shards that cut into him are remains of the Time Agent boxes, a means of protecting themselves, hiding away the pain of loss, of failure…This technique works for those with short lives, but this man…this man must move beyond the pain, make peace with it. He cannot run away. He must face the memories he hides from himself.
She sighed and turned to Ianto. I will begin the blood balancing after the birth of the child. If he dies, you must stay with him through the darkness. When he is dragged back into life, you must stay with him, no matter what storms around you. Protect him.
The Doyenne moved closer to the fylgia and took his hand. These memories he has hidden from himself… he must move through them, grieve them, learn from them. If he can do this, he will recover. She peered into his eyes You cannot do this for him. He must face them. If not, both of you will be caught in the whirlwind of his fear and despair. She squeezed his hand. Do you understand what I am asking of you? Is your love that strong?
Ianto met her clear gaze and nodded. I will stay.
Even if he does not remember you?
Ianto's eyes saddened. I will stay.
The Doyenne leaned over and kissed the young fylgia on the forehead. She then stood and beckoned Chi to follow. The Adyans left Ianto and Jack in the desolation. As their focus returned to the examination room, they found themselves encircled by the Doctor, Toshi, Mara, and Adjit.
"Can you help him?" asked Toshi.
The Doyenne looked sadly at the Jack's daughter, and turned to Mara. "The child is at term tomorrow. I will give you and Adjit instructions on the preparation of medical facility. I also want those who love him to take turns staying with him, especially if he dies. I want you to talk to him. Let him know you are there. Remind him of good memories you both share."
"How long?" Toshi persisted. " How long before my father is well again?"
"I don't know," replied the Doyenne as she shook her head avoiding Toshi's gaze. "I simply don't know."