Nomad. Wednesday. Blahbadeblah.
The familiar sound of the TARDIS materializing echoed throughout the Hub. The usual greetings followed: hugs, enquiries about health, promise's of stories to be shared. Until Tosh asked if the Doctor could help her with something.
"It came through the Rift a few days ago," she explained. "And, as far as I can tell, it's not dangerous. I just can't figure out what it does!"
The Doctor took the device. It was a small box, solid, with a small handprint marking on the top, and a large dial on the side.
"Interesting," The Doctor mused. "It appears to be some sort of interrogation device, it delves directly into your memories and plays them back, sort of like a video- hologram device. The dial seems to be a tuning device, happy memories, sad memories, dreams…" he grimaced. "And nightmares. You can find out everything about a person with this." After a moment, Owen spoke up.
"Let's try it out," he suggested. He shrugged at the looks he received. "What? Like none of you are curious."
"How about you, Doctor?" Gwen suggested. "I bet you must have some pretty amazing memories. And I must admit, I'm pretty curious as to what a man like you would have nightmares about."
"My nightmares are my own burden to bear," the Doctor said quietly. Gwen frowned, Tosh looked puzzled, Owen looked curious, and Jack gave a sad, knowing, smile. Only Ianto kept his face carefully blank.
Gwen wasn't ready to give up a chance to learn about the Doctor this easily. She argued with him for several minutes, the Doctor growing increasingly angry as painful memories resurfaced. As it suddenly became too much, he cracked.
"Fine!" he snapped. He twisted the dial and slammed his hand down on the handprint. Gwen regretted her decision almost immediately.
The Torchwood team watched as a screen of memories appeared before them. They saw the Doctor watch his best friend go insane, saw him run away from the home that cast him out. They witnessed him making the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect the rest of the universe.
In the end, they were all crying. The Doctor had a hollow look in his eyes. "I'm sorry," Gwen whispered. The Doctor looked at her.
"Everyone's sorry. But being sorry doesn't make the pain go away."