The Shakespeare Code
"But how do you travel in time?" Martha asked, still very curious about the box, "What makes it go?"
"Oh, let's take the fun and mystery out of everything," the Doctor rolled his eyes, not hearing the door to the gantry opening and closing, "Martha, you don't wanna know. It just does. Hold on tight!" he practically climbed onto the console, reaching for a button across it... only for phoenix to hit it as she walked to martha
"That button there? Do you want help?" she asked as she leaned against one of the pillars not holding on, the doctor looked over at her in slight shock but quickly shook his head and told himself to ask about it later,
"Nah im fine, would you hold onto something, your gonna fall!" he shouted over the noise.
Phoenix looked thoughtful before she shook her head and simply stated
"Nah, i'm fine! It's not that bad." she started to walk over to the console, suddenly everything jerked to a stop sending phoenixover backwards, the doctor went to catch her but wasn't fast enough, that and it wasn't needed, phoenix had ended up doing a crab.
"Ow, I think I just clicked something in my spine!" She whines the doctor bends and grabs her waist, pulling her up with little to no effort
"And that is why you should hold on, are you alright?" he asks with humor colouring his tone, phoenix nods and steps back a bit, her face a slight pink.
"Blimey!" Martha gasped, pushing herself up, "Do you have to pass a test to fly this thing?" she asked looking at the doctor, the doctor looks over,
"yes, and I failed it." he stated bluntly
"Twice if I remember..." phoenix called as she pulled on her coat, both martha and the doctor catching a glimpse of the phoenix tattoo on her back, "are we going or what" she asks looking at them.
"Oi, no I-" he cut off in mid scentence as she raised her eyebrow and looked down "Yeah okay, but how do you know?" she stopped short at that, how did she know, that was the second time she had said something about him that wasn't included in the show, she shook her head again a shrugged.
"Now, make the most of it!" he shouted as Martha pulled on her coat and ran to join them at the doors, "I promised you one trip and one trip only. Outside this door..." he stopped and faced Martha, "Brave new world."
"Where are we?" Martha asked, buzzing. the doctor gestured to the door in a go on motion and just waited, she opened the door and stepped out phoenix right behind her to find herself in an Elizabethan street with lower class people walking around, her mouth dropped open.
"Oh, you are kidding me. You are so kidding me. Oh, my God! We did it. We travelled in time. Where are we? No, sorry. I gotta get used to this whole new language. When are we?" martha took a few steps forward grabbing phoenix's hand a dragging her with her.
the doctor looked up and reached for them
-Phoenix's P.O.V-
Martha was dragging me forward when suddenly a man dumped the contents of a bucket out the window above us, "Mind the loo!" he shouted.
I felt an arm around my waist as I was pulled back into what I could only assume was a chest, and a well muscled one at the.
Looking over my shoulder I was met with a pair of brown eye's and the hand that had slipped under my coat and onto my bare back felt like it had been set on fire, the warmth I had never felt in all my life before I had come to this universe and met the man I had been dreaming about scince I was a mere child.
"Somewhere before the invention of the toilet. Sorry about that." he said simultaniously breaking eye contact and knocking me out of my thoughts,
"I ve seen worse. I ve worked the late night shift at A&E." Martha counters
"I got you beat, looking after my brother scince the age of 12..." I say returning to the only good thing in my life after my parents were gone,
The Doctor, looks at me concerned before he starts to walk away, myself grabbing his arm in mine.
"But are we safe? I mean, can we move around and stuff?" Martha continued on still not moving from her spot.
"Of course we can. Why do you ask?" the doctor asked sounding confused and slightly curious,
"It s like in the films. You step on a butterfly; you change the future of the human race." I couldn't help but snort at that, does she really believe in that?
"Well, tell you what then, don t step on any butterflies. What have butterflies ever done to you?" good question doctor, What did butterflies ever do to you? We all continue walking
"What if, I dunno, what if I kill my grandfather?" in this time i dont think thats possible...
"You planning to?" I decide to chime in, my tone carrying amusement
"No." She answers
"Well, then." I state not looking back,
"This is London." Martha states, well at least she can tell what city we're in,
"I think so. Right about 1599." I say with the doctor gaining a curious stare again, I have decided i like being mysterious,
"Oh, but hold on. Am I all right? I m not gonna get carted off as a slave, am I?" Martha asks with a slight panic, well she does have a point, people who dont know much about history would think about slave tade in in this era...
"Why would they do that?" the doctor asked looking adorably confused, wait, adorably?
"Not exactly white, in case you haven t noticed." she says gesturing to herself,
"We're not even human Martha. Just walk about like you own the place. I would say it Works for him, but it doesn't." I say off handedly looking around at the arcutecture, yeah I was a bit of a history freak...
"OI!" he cries indignantly, he sighs as I give him a 'look', "Besides, you d be surprised. Elizabethan England, not so different from your time. Look over there." he says as he points "They ve got recycling." A man was shoveling manure into a bucket.
"Water cooler moment." I say pointing to two men standing by a water barrel, we walk past a man preaching about the end of the world.
"... and the world will be consumed by flame!" the preacher cries to the street,
"Global warming." we say together
"Oh, yes, and... entertainment! Popular entertainment for the masses. If I m right, we re just down the river by Southwark right next to..." we run around the corner, myself having no choise as I still had my arm attached to his, I pull martha with me, 'if I have to suffer being dragged around so do you' i think to myself,
"Oh, yes, the Globe Theatre! Brand new. Just opened. Through, strictly speaking, it s not a globe; it s a tetradecagon 14 sides containing the man himself." he continues as the theatre comes into view, I squeel, one of my all time favourite play writers, William Shakespeare was performing in there,
"Whoa, you don t mean... is Shakespeare in there?" Martha asks, completely gobsmacked, I pull on the doctors arm,
"I wanna go, I wanna go, now" I whine to him drawing an amused look from him as he glanced down at me, I couldn't help but act like a child, what? it was fun, I continue to pull at his arm though now it was more just for fun,
"Oh, yes." The doctor states holding out his un ocupied arm to martha "Miss Jones, will you accompany me to the theatre?" he asks in a mocking manner,
"Yes, Mr. Smith, I will." she says as she links her arm with his, the doctor looks at me and I look at him disbelievingly,
"You even have to ask?" I say sounding skeptic as if he hadn't seen my excitment,
"When you get home, you can tell everyone you ve seen Shakespeare." he says as he looks at martha,
"Then I could get sectioned!" she replies with mock enthusiasm, we head off to the theatre myself and the doctor keeping up a steady conversation, myself trying to include martha, but she seemed to distracted by our surroundings. Packed house, everyone applauding and cheering, we had just watched 'Loves labours lost, and I couldn't believe how much the play had changed scince Will had aucasraited it. Actors were onstage taking their bows and i was applauding loudly.
"That s amazing! Just amazing. It s worth putting up with the smell. And those are men dressed as women, yeah." martha exclaims cheering with the crowds,
"London never changes." the doctor replies over the noise, myself quieting down.
"Where s Shakespeare? I wanna see Shakespeare." martha shouts impatiantly, I look on amuse as she chants with her fist in the air "Author! Author!" The Doctor looks at her. she began to see she may have done something wrong in shouting out that word,
"Do people shout that? Do they shout Author ?" she asks, a bit to late though but at least she asked, a man in the crowd by Martha picks up the chant myself joining in as it soon spreads throughout the globe.
"Well... they do now." he said as he looked around, I felt his gaze settle on me, so I turn to him meeting is eyes with a raised eyebrow
"Yes?" I ask, he shakes his head his hand tightening on mine... when did that get there? I shrug and continue to shout, Shakespeare comes out and takes an exaggerated bow and blows kisses, I roll my eye's hopping that that had just been a part of the show and not a real life thing 'here's another loud mouthed drunk who thinks he's supiriour' i think bitterly, the audience however goes wild and the cheers become even louder but mine had stopped.
"He s a bit different from his portraits." martha says as she turns to me, I nod with slight disgust,
"Genius. He s a genius - THE genius. The most human Human that s ever been. Now we re gonna hear him speak. Always, he chooses the best words. New, beautiful, brilliant words." I laugh at his enthusiasm
"Can you say fan girl?" I ask martha, she laughs at my remarks
"Shut your big fat mouths!" Shakespeare shouts, I laugh at the comical dropping of the doctor's face, but squeeze his hand comfortingly, the audience laughs at his words though I dont find them funny.
"Oh, well." the doctor said sullenly, I squeeze his hand again and he squeezes back,
"You should never meet your heroes." Martha laughs, patting him on the shoulder,
"You have excellent taste! I ll give you that." Shakespeare says to the audiance before pointing at a man in said audiance, "Oh, that s a wig!" he says causing everyone to laugh again,
"Wind the craft of ancient harm. The time approaches for our charm." I whisper as the words echo in my head, I look around confused then remember, Lilith! those were her words,
"I know what you re all saying. 'Loves Labour s Lost', that s a funny ending, isn t it? It just stops! Will the boys get the girls? Well, don t get your hose in a tangle, you ll find out soon. Yeah, yeah. All in good time. You don t rush a genius." Shakespeare continues on,
'Self conceited jackass' I sigh
Shakespeare bows, but suddenly jerks upright, I look over at the doctor knowing what is wrong instantly.
"When? Tomorrow night." now the doctor looks uneasily at me and I nod knowing what he is thinking, 'this shouldn't be happening...' the audience cheers and i know Lilith is pleased with the announcment while the cast is stunned.
"The premiere of my brand new play. A sequel, no less, and I call it 'Loves Labour s Won'!" he shouts, Ahhh the lost play, the audience applauds loudly but the Doctor and i remain quiet. The Doctor, Martha and I leave the theatre with the rest of the crowd, myself troubled as to why I could hear Liliths words.
"I m not an expert, but I ve never heard of 'Loves Labour s Won'." Martha said with a questioning tone, her queriy knocking me from my thoughts not for the first time,
"Exactly the lost play. It doesn t exist only in rumours." The doctor said before I cut him off,
"It s mentioned in lists of his plays but never ever turns up. No one knows why, well I do but I cant tell you because your not supposed to find out from me, if that makes scence." I say, I hated having to keep secrets...
"Have you got a mini-disk or something? We could tape it. We can flog it. Sell it when we get home and make a mint." Martha said enthusiasticly, I looked at her like she was crazy, does she know how dangerous that is? Let alone what they would do to obtain a working time machine? Honestly... The doctor looked at her in such a blank way she gaged that she must have been wrong about that idea,
"No." he said flatly
"That would be bad?" She asked looking between the both of us, I know we haven't been hanging around for long buut she hadent been flirting with the doctor like she had in the show, I had to admit that I was curious as to why,
"Yeah. Yeah." the doctor said rubbing the side of his neck, as I said at the same time
"Really Martha? Lets give people the proof that time travel is possible and then get you sent off to an isolated unit," sarcasm was dripping from my voice but I couldn't help it I know she gets better at this but I couldn't stop my reaction, I sigh "sorry, I didnt mean it the way it came out" I say seeing her hurt expression lighten a tad,
"Well, how come it disappeared in the first place?" she asked turning back to the doctor, like the conversation hadn't happened,
"Well, I was just gonna give you a quick little trip in the TARDIS but I suppose we could stay a bit longer." he replied, I on the other hand found it extreamly exciting that I would in fact be a part of the adventure, reality only now hitting me full force, we carry on walking.
XXX
we came to the street outside the Elephant Inn, I had been leading the way as I knew where Shakespeare would be.
We had went inside to find the woman I assumed was Dolly Bailey behind a bar, I descretly pick pocket the doctor for the psycic paper and walk toward the bar, the doctor and martha walking with me, Dolly balked when we stood at the bar, the doctor reached inside for what I could only assume was what I had just taken from him a moment ago and hand it to him as a woman of the era would, he looked at it to see our names on it then raised an eyebrow at my name,I shrug he nodded and showed her the psycic paper, she relaxed instantly and gave us a smile... well more like gave the doctor a supposedly flirty/sexy smile, which I am happy to inform you he did not react to.
We walk passed the bar and to the stairs climbing them a small conversation going on,
"Lady Alexis Jane?" he asked, I tense at hearing it from his lips but nod slightly, the way my name had rolled off his tounge gave me shivers, the good kind...
"Just something i thought of," I say dismissivly, before he can form a reply we are at the door that Shakespeare could be heard through, I give the doctor the 'wait for it signal' and listen intently,
"I ve just got the final scene to go. You ll get it by morning." Shakespeare said from what i could pick up his tone was far to relaxed, I nod my head knowing the doctor is still waiting on my signal and he opens the door, stepping in, Martha behind him and myself trying to be scarse,
"Hello, Excuse me! I m not interrupting, am I? Mr. Shakespeare, isn t it?" his voice though I could tell was purposfully filled with admiration and excitment, shakespeare proceed to rub his head with an exaperated look,before saying
"Oh no, no, no, no. Who let you in? No autographs. No, you can t have yourself sketched with me. And please don t ask where I get my ideas from. Thanks for the interest. Now be a good boy and shove -" he abruptly cuts off as Martha peeks around the doctors arm and steps out of the doctors shadow, I was trying to make myself less noticable but with my red hair and golden eye's that seemed impossible, because i felt his eye's rove my body giving me an uncomfortable feeling as i stepped closer to the doctor, trying to hind behind him, ' maybe i should have worn that top the TARDIS had suggested' i think because i seem to be showing a little to much skin, "Hey, nonny nonny. Sit right down here next to me." he continues, he turns to, uh what where their names? OH! Dick and Kempe, strange names but theirs non the less, "You two get sewing on them costumes. Off you go." he said making a shooing motion towards the door,
"Come on, lads. I think our William s found his new muses." Dolly Bailey says from behind us, Muse ha me? Yeah right and i dont belong to anyone!
"Sweet ladies." he says as Martha sit at the table myself standing as far as possible without making it obvious to him i didnt want to be near him, so i stood next to the doctor, when william gestured to the other seat for me i simply shook my head with a polite smile, subconciously reaching for the doctors hand, I did not find it at his side as i was suddenly pulled into it his arm clamped around my waist, comforting if not slightly tight...
"Such unusual clothes. So... fitted." he said to both of us constantly glancing between myself and Martha, i shift once more,
"Um, verily, forsooth, egads." Martha says attempting to sound as though she could speak in old english, i myself bit back a snort as i was reminded of Donna trying to be posh and Rose trying to be scottish,
"No, no, don t do that." he says to martha in a whisper, and then as she goes to do it again he interupts her "Don t." He pulls out the psychic paper once more with his free hand and hands it to Shakespeare, "I m Sir Doctor of TARDIS, this is my... Wife Lady Alexis Jane of TARDIS,"- Doctor say what now, WIFE! no no no, why would he say that? "and our companion, Miss Martha Jones." he finishes, i look over at martha to see her casting a sly smile my way, confused, shouldn't she be um i dunno, glaring at me? I store this in my mind for later,
"Interesting, that bit of paper. It s blank." Shakespeare comments, ahh genious, well thats one thing they got right at least, the doctor though looked positivly exstatic and slightly shock, martha on the other hand looked confused,
"Oh, that s... very clever. That proves it. Absolute genius." he says looking at us, I nod
"No, it says so right there. Sir Doctor, Martha Jones. It says so." Martha says peering at the paper, Shakespeare though seems adament,
"And I say it s blank." he said
"Psychic paper. Um, long story. Oh, I hate starting from scratch." he says rolling his eyes, woah the DOCTOR just rolled his eyes, i would never have imagined seeing him do that in real life with those chocolate brown orbs, no bad girl no fangirling, down...
"It's not that hard to explain, Martha it shows the person what ever you want it to see, and on some occasions something you dont," i say smoothly, The doctor puts the psychic paper away.
"Psychic. Never heard that before and words are my trade. Who are you exactly? More s the point, who is your delicious blackamoor lady, and you Timeless burning star?" Shakespeare asks the doctor, burning star i can get but what the hell is with Timeless?
"What did you say?" Martha says obviously offended,
"Oops. Isn t that a word we use nowadays? An Ethiop girl? A swarth? A Queen of Afric..." Shakespeare says with his poor attempt at flirting,
"I can t believe I m hearing this." Martha says disbelievingly
"Might i ask at to why you have called me a timeless burning star?" i ask cutting in,
"Your aura shines like that of a star but i scense fire within you, as for timeless you do not look a day over 17" ohh yeah now that he explains it i kind of get it, i nod,
"It s political correctness gone mad. Um, Martha s from a far-off land. Freedonia." the doctor says, obvoiusly he had struggled to think of a country,
"And you wife?" Shakespeare asks, i answer before the doctor can
"Arcadia, Mr, Shakespeare." it was always one of my favourite places to hang out, the lake i used to play my flute by, Lake Arcadia... I blink back tears at the memories that try to emerge. suddenly the door burst open causing everyone to jump, as i jumped however the doctor seemed to pull me closer, not that i thought it possible or that i was against it but i needed my air at some point, i put my hand on his and squeeze gentaly his fingers losening,
"Excuse me!" Ah this must be Lynley "Hold hard a moment. This is abominable behaviour. A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script, Mr Shakespeare. As Master of the Revels, every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed." He demands, i roll my eyes and flinch again at the volume of the voice,
"Tomorrow morning, first thing, I ll send it round." Shakespeare is acting kind of arrogant dont you think?
"I don t work to your schedule, you work to mine. The script, now!" Lynley shouts making me flinch again, seriously do you need to shout in that volume indoors?
"I can t." Shakespeare replies
"Then tomorrow s performance is cancelled." Lynley says in a final tone, my eye's draw to Lilith as she slips out seemingly unnoticed from the room.
"It s all go, round here, isn t it?" Martha says sarcasticly,
"I m returning to my office for a banning order. If it s the last thing I do, 'Love s Labours Won' will never be played." Lynley says before turning to the door and leaving,
"Well at least he didn't slam the door, he seemed like such a nice fellow," My voice also dripping with sarcasm. I could picture the whole scene where Lynley bumped into Lilith
XXX
Lynley would go down the stairs where he bumps into Lilith.
"Oh, sorry, sir. Beg pardon, sir. Mind you don t hurt that handsome head of yours." she would say as she caressed his head, Lynley takes a step back,
She caresses his head)
"Hold hard, wanton woman!" he would say in a loud hard voice but look around to see if anyone was near before whispering softly "I shall return later." As he would walk away, Lilith would hold up a lock of his hair. She would then run up to the landing and hide in a corner where she took out the doll.
"Oh, my mothers, there s one seeks to stop the performance tomorrow." she would say
xxx
"But it must be tomorrow!" Doomfinger would say in the house
"'Love s Labours Won' must be performed!" Blood would exclaim just after,
Lilith would then wrap Lynley's hair around the voodoo doll and say- i was knocked from my musings by Lilith and ther other two witches chanting, the words again echoing in my head,
"Water damps the fiercest flame..." Lilith's voice says
"Drowns down girls and boys the same." the two others ring in my ears
"Well, then... mystery solved. That s 'Love s Labours Won' over and done with. Thought it might be something more, you know... more mysterious." Martha said the voices receeded slightly, i groan drawing the others attention,
"Martha you just had to jinx it didn't you." i say and no sooner than i had finished we hear screaming from outside, and rush to see what has happened, though i already know,
XXX
We rush out to the street where Lynley is spitting up water, drowning and i had to look away for a moment
"It s that Lynley bloke." Martha says when she breaks through the crowd to see the disgusting pitiful scene before everyone,
"What s wrong with him? Leave it to men I m a doctor." the doctor says rushing forward him dragging me by the hand before he let go to kneel down by Lynley, myself following suit, hands fluttering over his ribs before i say aloud
"He has cracked ribs and two broken bones..."
"So am I near enough." i hear martha say but am unconcerened by her, i check his pulse to find it is rapidly exelerated, the chanting started again and i found myself echoing their words
"Now to halt the vital part. Stab the flesh -" i say in a whisper, my thought in trance unknowingly drawing the doctors attention as i continued with the voice finding myself unable to stop
"And stop the heart." I say the last of the chant "Eternal sleep is thine." i was unable to move for a few moments, everything seemed blurry. The Doctor stands and runs to look down the street.
"Gotta get the heart going. Mr Lynley, c mon, can you hear me? You re gonna be all right." martha says as she listens for a breath or heartbeat i know she wont find, She prepares to start mouth-to-mouth as the Doctor returns and water gushes from Lynley s mouth.
"What the hell is that?" Martha exclaims jumping back slightly
"I ve never seen a death like it. His lungs are full of water he drowned and then... I dunno, like a blow to the heart, an invisible blow." the doctor diagnoses looking at me with faint traces of worry in his eyes, he stands and addresses Dolly, "Good mistress, this poor fellow has died from a sudden imbalance of the humours. A natural if unfortunate demise. Call a constable and have him taken away."
"Yes, sir." she says about to go but Lilith joins us as the doctor returns to my side, i had finaly broken through the trance like state.
"I ll do it, ma am." Lilith says, my eyes snap to her as i watch her werily, She walks away with a satisfied smirk thinking no one noticed. The Doctor crouched back down beside the body.
"And why are you telling them that?" Martha asked clearly knowing it was not natural
"This lot still have got one foot in the Dark Ages. If I tell them the truth, they ll panic and think it was witchcraft." he says to her
"Okay, what was it then?" she asks
"Witchcraft." i say my voice shaking in slight strain, i go to get up but my knees give out and i fall to the ground again, the doctor came over pulling me up and wrapping his arm around me again to steady me and we walk back to the inn.
XXX
"I got you a room, Sir Doctor. You, your wife and Miss Jones are just across the landing, i apolagise but we only have one room available at the moment." Dolly says, the doctor nods, i shake my head and turn to her,
"Thank you for your hospitality Dolly Bailey" I say in a calm greatful voice, she smiles at me glad that she had at least someone to apriciate her servise, she turns and leaves shutting the door quietly behind her,
"Poor Lynley. So many strange events. Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor?" Shakespeare comments
"Where a woman can do what she likes." Martha replies smugly
"And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old?" he asks curiously
"I do a lot of reading." the doctor answers shortly,
"A trite reply. Yeah, that s what I d do." Shakespeare says with a small smirk, he turns to me
"And you Lady Alexis-" i flinch "-so much pain hidden behind a mask you yourself have forgotten how to remove, much is hidden but you can feel a special connection to an old remnant, Burning like a phoenix but shineing with the gental light of a star," The doctors gaze had never felt heavier as he stared at my face persumably looking for emotion,
"When one wears a mask for so long do you not become acustomed to it? I have most of my memories but some hidden to protect myself from trauma of the past i suppose, though your last comment i can relate to my hair and my kindness toward children," i comment my voice just touching the edge of the cold ice berg that could become a raging inferno if not frozen in the depths of my heart, he at last turns to martha,
"And you, you look at them like you re surprised they exist. They're as much of a puzzle to you as they are to me." i always wondered how he did this soul searching thing...
"I think we should say good night." Martha says uncomfortably, she turns to leave leaving the door open for us to follow,
"I must work. I have a play to complete. But I ll get my answers tomorrow, Doctor, Alex,"-I flinch one more remembering the child i had left behind, the girl i considdered family "and I ll discover more about you and why this constant performance of yours." the doctor helps me stand even as i wave him off knowing i could walk by myself,
"All the world s a stage." the doctor says as we stand by the door, i nod my head
"Indeed it is..." my voice came distant to even my own ears,
"Hm, I might use that. Good night, Doctor. Good night, Alex." I flinch again at the use of her name, i was reminded of her blonde hair and crystal blue eyes
"Good night, Mr Shakespeare." I say politly
"Nighty-night, Shakespeare." the doctor says as we leave, as we are walking along the coridoore the doctor asks quietly,
"Do you really wear a mask to cover emotions." I subcontiously tighten my hand around his arm, but nod, i couldnt lie to him, i dont know why but i just couldnt, he comes to a stop myself stopping as i had a hold on his arm, he turns to me and looks into my eyes,
"would you show me what is hidden behind the mask?" I turn my face to the side and continue walking,
"perhaps, if we were alone because i wouldn't be able to put it up for a while." my voice came out distant once more, the doctor's footsteps are heard from behind me as we walk to our door to find it open, martha standing at the window, she turns examining our room when the Doctor enters.
"It s not exactly five-star, is it?" Martha comments, sarcasm light in her voice
"Oh, it ll do. I ve seen worse." the doctor says i nod
"I haven t even got a toothbrush." she says with a smile,
"Ooh." he says as he pats his pockets before pulling out a toothbrush... "Contains Venusian spearmint." he says as she hand takes it from his hand
He flops onto the bed, as martha starts to brush her teeth still looking at us, seeing that she wasn't going to, i lay down next to him.
"So, magic and stuff. That s a surprise. It s a little bit 'Harry Potter'." Martha says once she finishes brushing her teeth, i had actually read this and found the doctors statment true,
"Wait till you read Book Seven. Oh, I cried." he said, i nod my head,
"i was bawling my eyes out for hours." i comment in an off handed way,
"But is it real, though? I mean, witches, black magic and all that, it s real?" i shook my head as martha said this
" Course it isn t!" the doctor scoffed, i nudge him,
"Well, how is she supposed to know? She's only just started believing in time travel. Give her a break." i say in a scolding voice, he looks taken aback but martha was grinning at having me on her side,
"Looks like witchcraft, but it isn t. Can t be. Are you gonna stand there all night?" he says,
"Not much room i think im gonna ask if Dolly has any spare rooms to give," I go to protest but before i could she was out the door and the doctor started explaining something i already knew, but i humored him, he was completly oblivious to marthas disappearence,
"There s such a thing as psychic energy but a human couldn t channel it like that. Not without a generator the size of Taunton and I think we d have spotted that." he turns on his side facing me but i was looking at the ceiling,
"No. There s something we're missing." he says, i turn and face him, he realises that martha wasn't in the room, "Wheres Martha?" i shook my head,
"she went to see if dolly had any spare rooms, i had said this as marthas head poped in,
"Yeah and i found one, someone just left, talk about lucky, night" she says walking away not waiting for a reply,
"Something really close, staring me right in the face and I can t see it. Rose would know. A friend of mine, Rose. Right now, she d say exactly the right thing." he continues like martha had not even been there (lies on back breaking the intimate moment)
Still, can t be helped. You cant exactly tell me, against the rules, never mind. So now that we're alone, will you show me what your hiding?" i look startled, of that i am sure, im nervous, i haven't let anything through scinse i was 12... i hesitate before sitting up and looking at him, he sits up as well and i nod, so closing my eyes i work on taking down the walls i had built to keep myself safe, when i opened them again, tears blurred my vision, the doctor looking straight into my eyes visably flinched at what i could guess was what he saw...
Doctor's P.O.V
I flinched I couldn't help it, the raw pain in her eyes, the tears that fell down her face in streams, how long had she held everything in? regret, loss, pain and so many other negative emotions were held in her gaze that i couldnt bare to meat her eye's for long... she was broken, how much had she had torn away from her? I pull her into my arms and hold her whispering for her to let it all out, she cried for hours before she fell asleep, completly exhausted, she was leaning on my chest her ear over my hearts as it had seemed to calm her down, i held her waist so she wouldn't fall off the bed and got lost in my thoughts.
Phoenix's P.O.V
I fell asleep after crying and have no idea how many hors i slept, but i know a scream woke me up, i bolted up right and was out of the bed just as fast as the doctor as he ran to aid the person who had screamed, martha stumbling out of her room on our tails, Shakespeare wakes with a start when we enter the room and stop to examine Dolly s body.
"Wha ? What was that?" he asked confused, i wasn't going to let the woman die i had to try, kicking into action i start compresions making her heart beat four times before breathing breathe into her lungs and repeating the proccess several times throuwing the doctor off as he tried to pull me away, I was rewarded for my efforts when she bolted up gasping for breath, i held her in my arms stroking her hair to calm her, as i would a child, she whispers one word that both myself and the doctor hear,
"Witch..."
A few minutes after i had calmed her down Dick and Kempe took her to her room to rest, i had been pulled to the doctor and sat on a chair next to his as i was drained and running on little sleep aparently, i had only slep for two hours before all this started,
Martha had run to the window when we had come in as she gazed out of the window i heard her gasp and know what she had seen,
"Her heart gave out. She nearly died of fright, if P-Alexis hadne't been so persistant she would have died." the doctor said, his arm around my shoulder as i dozed, i sit up when martha calls,
"Doctor? Phoenix?" and she slips up... i move to get up but the doctor places a hand on my shoulder,
"Stay here, you need rest..." i pout but comply non the less.
"What did you see?" he asks as he joins Martha at the window
"A witch." she says after a long pause, as if to make sure she wasnt crazy, after that i had fallen asleep sitting up,
XXX
"Peter Streete spoke of witches." i hear Shakespeare, i guess, say. it must be dawn, if they're having this conversation,
"Who s Peter Streete?" Martha asks curiously,
"The Architect. He sketched the plans to the Globe." i say as i open my eyes, as i said that their eyes drew on me, i put my hands into the surrender position
"What, not my fault i love history so much,"
"The architect. Hold on. The architect! The architect!" he slams his fist on the table causing martha to jump but i had been expecting it and had not jumped he stands up, i stand up and and walk over to him "The Globe! Come on!" he shouts grabbing my hand and pulling me out the door and out of the inn. He rushes off almost dragging me like a rag dollwe were followed by Martha and Shakespeare.
XXX
The Doctor is in the pit while Martha and Shakespeare are onstage, i find myself sitting on the edge of the stage msueing about my situation, when once again i was dragged from them by the doctor talking aloud.
"The columns there, right? 14 sides. I ve always wondered but I never asked... tell me, Will, why 14 sides?" he asks looking at Will
"It was the shape Peter Streete thought best, that s all. Said it carried the sound well." Will replied, yeah a little to well,
"Why does that ring a bell? 14 " he asks looking at me, i shrug,
"There are 14 lines in a sonnet." martha and i say in sync
"So there is. Good point. Words and shapes following the same design." He starts to pace as he thinks, "14 lines, 14 sides, 14 facets Oh, my head. Tetradecagon... think, think, think! Words, letters, numbers, lines! " he ran his hand through his hair and i had to admit i was feeling jealous, i wanted to run my hands through his hair... BAD thought!
"This is just a theatre." Thank you William Shakespeare! for knocking that into my head and the other thing out, i focus on the architechure, it was beautiful
"Oh, but a theatre s magic, isn t it? You should know. Stand on this stage, say the right words with the right emphasis a the right time..." he leans against my legs and i have the sneeking suspician that he didnt realise, just as i didnt realise that my hand had begun to draw random patterns on his back, i felt him relax though "Oh, you can make men weep, or cry with joy, change them. You can change people s minds just with words in this place. And if you exaggerate that..." he trailed off,
"It s like you re police box. Small wooden box with all that POWER inside." martha said, i look over my shoulder
"great way of compairing the two!" i say with a smile,
"Oh. Oh, Martha Jones, I like you. Tell you what, though. Peter Streete would know. Can I talk to him?" the doctor asks Will, my hand instantly stilled and i swallow, i hadn't been able to stand that place on TV but in real life... i shake my head,
"You won t get an answer. A month after finishing this place... lost his mind." Will said
"Why? What happened?" martha asked
"Started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling. His mind was addled." He answered
"Where is he now?" the doctor asked,
"Bedlam." i went ridged at the name will had said,
"What s Bedlam?" martha asked voice her thoughts, i beat shakespeare to the answer my voice slightly faint,
"Bethlem Hospital. The madhouse, the place people go into and sometimes dont come out, some even less sane than they were." I cringe at the thought,
"We re gonna go there. Right now. Come on." I couldnt surpress the shudder that went done my spine, but jump off the edge and walk to the doors following him as he heads out. Martha follows as does Shakespeare.
"Wait! I m coming with you. I want to witness this at first hand! i knew he was going to say something else but didnt listen and followed the doctor down the street, martha and Will behind us following,
"So, tell me of Freedonia, where women can be doctors, writers, actors." I hear Will say to martha,
"This country s ruled by a woman." i call back
"Ah, she s royal. That s God s business. Though you are royal beauties." i roll my eyes and continue to walk on with the doctor,
"Whoa, Nelly! I know for a fact you ve got a wife in the country." martha says being the sensible one of the two,
"But Martha, this is Town." Will said as if that explained everything,
"Come on. We can all have a good flirt later." the doctor said irritated,
"Is that a promise, Doctor?" hmmm so Will doesn't mind which gender?
"Oh, 57 academics just punched the air. Now move!" the doctor muttered,
XXX
Loud screams and moans sound as the Doctor, Martha, Will and I are led through the halls, myself holding onto the doctors arm for comfort.
"Does my lord, Doctor, wish some entertainment while he waits? I d whip these madmen. They ll put on a good show for ya. Bandog and Bedlam!" the Jailer says, I was sure i had turned paper white
"No, I don t!" the doctor snarled, thee jailer jumped
"Wait here, my lords, while I make him decent for the ladies." I felt sick he walked away. the doctor turned to face me and drew me to his chest, i snuggled into him his scent helping to calm me as well has his duel heartbeats,
"So this is what you call a hospital, yeah? Where the patients are whipped to entertain the gentry? And you put your friend in here?" Martha asked in disgust at how William could do such a thing to a friend,
"Oh, and it s all so different in Freedonia." Will scoffed,
"But you re clever! Do you honestly think this place is any good?" her tone was turning slightly skeptical,
"I ve been mad. I ve lost my mind. Fear of this place set me right again. It serves its purpose." Will said his voice taking on a tone slightly darker,
"Mad in what way?" Martha asked,
"You lost your son." the doctor said softly feeling understanding as he to had lost a son,
"My only boy. The Black Death took him. I wasn t even there." I felt sorrow for the man and looked at him before speaking quietly,
"I know what it's like to lose someone presious to youo and make you feel as though you have lost your mind, want to end it, I lost my brother at a young age and it made me question what life was," i clench my fist my knuckles becoming white with the pressure and my nails lightly splitting skin making them bleed slightly,
"I didn t know. I m sorry." martha says looking between Will and I, I felt the doctor squeeze my arm in comfort a squeeze his arm returning that same comfort,
"It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. To be or not to be... oh, that s quite good." Will says as he quotes on of his most famous phrases,
"You should write that down." the doctor said, myself nodding in agreement
"Hm, maybe not. A bit pretentious?" Will says, i shake my head
"not in the leaast will."
"This way, m lord!" the jailer calls, i flinch at his voice, i pull back from the doctor and keep a hold on his arm, we walk down the hall to Peter Streete s cell.
Once we arrive and the jailer unlocks the door we enter quietly.
"They can be dangerous, m lord. Don t know their own strength." the jailer warned and i couldn't take it, i just snapped,
"Do you really think it helps if you whip them, yo moron! Now get out!" i say my voice a mix between a snarle and a growl, the jailer backs up slightly and leaves the Doctor and i approach Peter slowly.
"Peter? Peter Streete?" the doctor calls to the man as he crouches down slightly,
"He s the same as he was. You ll get nothing out of him." Will says
"Peter, sweetheart?" i say in a soft voice, his head jerks up and he looks at the Doctor and i with wild, glassy eyes and seems like he wants to speak.
The doctor places his finger tips along peter's face, "Peter, I m the Doctor, this is Phoenix. Go into the past, one year ago. Let your mind go back, back to when everything was fine and shining. Everything that happened in this year since happened to somebody else. It was just a story. A winter s tale. Let go. Listen. That s it, just let go." he says as he lies peter down on the cot, i sit by his head and stroke his hair softly, "Tell us the story, Peter. Tell me about the witches."
"Witches spoke to Peter. In the night, they whispered. Got Peter to build the Globe to their design. THEIR design! The 14 walls always 14. When the work was done" Peter laughs at this "they sapped poor Peter s wits." he said, i hush im gently like i would with my brother,
"Where did Peter see the witches? Where in the city?" the doctor asks crouching down properly beside peter, "Peter, tell us. You ve got to tell us where were they?" he continues,
"All Hallows Street." peter says his voice grave,
"Too many words." Doomfinger says as she appeares, i grab peter off of the cot and drag him away, the doctor and i standing infront of both him and Martha, also i couldn't help but notice he was llightly infront of me his arm out streched ready to push me back if needed,
"What the hell?" martha shouts,
"Just one touch of the heart." doombfinger says mockingly,
"Witch! I m seeing a witch!" Will says almost sounding far to enthusiastic about the situation,
"would be next, hmm? i have killed many with just one touch to the heart." Doomfinger continues, seeing she wont get to peter and goes to taunt us,
"Oh, oh, I ll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals." she laughs sounding almost yearning to follow through with the promise,
"Let us out! Let us out!" martha shouts through the door,
"That s not gonna work. The whole building s shouting that." i say to her,
"Who will die first, hmm?" the witch asks,
"Well, if you re looking for volunteers." the doctor says stepping forward just as i do, but the doctor pushes me back and holds me there as i struggle to stand at his side,
"No! Don t!" martha shouts,
"Doctor, can you stop her?" Will asked his voice uneasy as he stands with peter,
"No mortal has power over me." the witch says, i smirk knowing her true name and her coven,
"I know your names and your the other two of your coven, does that grant me power, granted i am no mortal, but i used to be," my voice smug as i see her flinch at the mention of their names,
"Oh, but there s a power in words. If I can find the right one if I can just know you..." the doctor continues as though i had said nothing,
"None on Earth has knowledge of us." she says glaring at us,
"Then it s a good thing we're here. Now think, think, think... Humanoid female, uses shapes and words to channel energy... ah, 14! That s it! 14! The 14 stars of the Rexel planetary configuration! Creature, I name you Carrionite!" he said pointing his finger at the witch, Doomfinger wails and disappears.
"What did you do?" martha asked feeling releived if her tone was anything to go by,
"He named her. The power of a name. That s old magic." i say to martha,
"But there s no such thing as magic." martha contradicts, i shrug
"Figure of speech..." i explain,
"Well, it s just a different sort of science. You lot, you chose mathematics. Given the right string of numbers, the right equation, you can split the atom. Carrionites use words instead." the doctor explained further,
"Use them for what?" Will asked cautiously, the doctor glances at me and i at him before we answer
"The end of the world." the doctor and i say grimly
Okay so there's your chapter, Phoenix lost a brother? well im sure you kinda figured her parents were gone because your so smart, anyway what was her brothers name? you'll find out in the next chapter, also i noticed i put a lot of moments in with the doctor and phoenix, i was wondering if that was to much to soon, let me know please,
OH and i would like to thank everyone who has read the story, favourited, and followed it, and all the people who at least gave it a try, I'll start to uplaod much fater now as i have found my website of transcripts!
Shadoq OUT!
xxx