A.N. Important author's note at the bottom! Please read it!
Chapter 4: The Shadow Proclamation
The Doctor was at his wit's ends. They'd searched the entire hospital from high to low and hadn't found a hint of her. She wasn't at the TARDIS either.
He had even got desperate enough to call James, despite how much he disliked James. James knew as much as he did, less even.
They had been back for hours now, and there was still no sign of her.
"Look, you're stressed. Why don't you come with me to my brother's party? You're only getting more worked up the longer it takes you to find her. Come to the party, relax, and as soon as it's over, you'll have a clear head and you can think of any new angles," Martha suggested.
"I'm not in the mood to go to a party without my wife," the Doctor said sourly.
"She couldn't have gotten that far. We searched the hospital. What about home? Could she have gone home?" Martha wondered.
"Not without me," the Doctor said immediately.
"I don't know where else she could have possibly gone," Martha complained.
"Go on to your party. We'll come find you when we've found her. She'll probably need another checkup after all the stress from today," the Doctor said, attempting to muster up a smile.
"Come on. Just come for an hour," Martha urged.
And, against his better judgment, he did.
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Jack growled as he slammed his phone down again.
"Not working?" Ianto asked sympathetically.
"No. Bad Wolf's not answering, and Freya's phone just died. We don't even know where they're taking her!" Jack shouted in frustration.
"We'll find her. Don't worry so much. You'll freak out Lil' Red," Ianto warned him, glancing over at the little girl who was playing with toys she'd been dropped off with.
"Can you try calling James? I'm going to try Bad Wolf one more time and if I can't get ahold of him, I'm calling River," Jack said.
"Can't get ahold of me?" a voice said from the door Jack spun around only to see the younger version of Bad Wolf standing there.
"We need to get ahold of your older self. About ten to twenty years in the future. Your mother's missing," Jack told him. Bad Wolf's eyebrows furrowed together.
"Dad lost Mom again?" Bad Wolf asked in disbelief.
"He seems to do that a lot, yes," Ianto said as he held his phone up to his ear.
"I can get him here. My older self, I mean. What's the date?" Bad Wolf asked. Jack told him quickly and Bad Wolf nodded before leaving the room. Almost as soon as he was gone, older Bad Wolf appeared in the room.
"Hold on – how did you do that?" Ianto asked, not bothering to cover the mouth of the phone.
"My younger self planted the knowledge that he would be needed on this date in ten to twenty years. So the memory came back to me in that time frame and I popped back here the second he left the room," Bad Wolf explained.
"Good. We need to find your mom," Jack said.
"I know. What happened?" Bad Wolf asked, all business.
"Freya called me from a spaceship. She said the Judoon were taking her somewhere because they knew her baby wasn't human. That's all we know," Jack explained.
"They're probably going to take her to the Shadow Proclamation. They found her, with non-human traces and with an alien baby growing inside of her. That could easily violate five to ten different articles of the Shadow Proclamation, just on principle. They'll take her there to do scans and make sure that is not the case," Bad Wolf explained.
"So she's safe?" Jack asked.
"Not quite. They'll want to make sure the baby, i.e. me, isn't a threat, so they'll keep her there. We can get her out if we show up and explain the situation to them," Bad Wolf explained. Ianto hung up his phone before scooping Lil' Red up, making his way over.
"Right then. What are we waiting for?" Ianto wanted to know
"Wait – we're all going? Even Lil' Red? She can't go," Bad Wolf protested immediately.
"Course she can. I was told she wasn't allowed to be out of my sight. Ianto will come too, so if we need to fight our way out, he can protect her," Jack explained.
"If you get her hurt, I'll kill you," Bad Wolf swore. Jack gave him a cheeky grin before patting the side of his face.
"Like you'd get away with it. Come on. Coordinates," Jack said, pulling his sleeve up. Bad Wolf typed the coordinates in on both of the Vortex Manipulators before Ianto grabbed Jack, just in time for them to blink out.
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The Doctor was leaving the party when he felt his pocket buzzing. Puzzled, he pulled out a small phone to see that he had six missed calls and a current incoming call. He answered it immediately.
"Freya?" he asked anxiously.
"No you ape it's me," James said bitingly.
"Oh," the Doctor said with a frown.
"Don't get all moody. I've got a lead. Was talking to Jack and the Torchwood group. They've got Bad Wolf on finding her. If you meet her at the hub in Cardiff, she'll be back soon, I'm sure," James said.
"Thanks," the Doctor said earnestly.
"If you ever lose her again, I'll kill you," James swore.
"I'm sure you could try," the Doctor retorted before shoving the phone in his pocket.
"Who was that?" Martha asked curiously
"My…er, you could call him my brother, I guess. Blimey I have a difficult family now," the Doctor muttered to himself.
"So you found her?" Martha asked.
"Sort of. Our son's going to fetch her. Then we'll meet them in Cardiff," the Doctor said.
"Cardiff? That's quite a drive," Martha said. The Doctor felt excitement build up in him.
"Not for me it isn't. Wanna see my spaceship?" the Doctor asked her.
"You have a spaceship?" Martha asked in disbelief.
"I do," the Doctor said happily.
He proceeded to show her his ship.
And it's ability to travel in time.
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Freya was bored out of her mind. She had no idea how long it had taken for them to get there, only that she was starving. The Judoon pulled her out of the cell none too gently, dragging her along after them into some building.
Standing in the center of the room was an albino woman. She was dressed in all black and looked quite creepy, Freya decided.
"Is this the anomaly you said you found?" the woman asked
"Yes," the Judoon said.
"Leave us. I'll figure it out," the woman said, waving them off. She moved closer, examining Freya from head to foot
"I'm the Shadow Proclamation's Architect. I doubt you know what that is," the woman said dismissively.
"You're like the galaxy police laws," Freya said instantly. She didn't want the woman belittling her knowledge. Not when she actually had some knowledge.
The Architect stared at her critically, examining her even closer.
"So you have knowledge of us. That means you aren't fully unaware," the Architect mused.
"Unaware of what? Why was I brought here?" Freya asked, her stomach growling.
"Interspecies breeding in the time period are unheard of except under conditions which violate the Shadow Proclamation," the Architect explained. Freya felt bile rise in her throat.
"I'm pretty sure I haven't violated any laws," Freya said, crossing her arms defensively in front of her.
"If you were unaware, it would be possible that you were wrongly being used as a breeder to try to create more of the species. That is in violation of article 73. It appears that you are aware. The most common law broken in this situation is an attempt to breed a superior weapon," the Architect. Freya scoffed at the woman.
"My son is not a weapon," Freya said.
"How do you know he won't be? What proof do you have of that?" the Architect challenged her.
"Because she's met me before," a voice said from behind them. The Architect spun around. Freya sighed in relief as she turned as well. Bad Wolf had his arms crossed and was glaring at the Architect with all his might. Beside him, Jack was standing as well. A ways behind them was a man Freya had never seen and a little girl who couldn't have been more than a year and a half in age, all curly red hair.
"Who are you and how did you get in here?" the Architect demanded.
"I'm the Bad Wolf. Her son. I'm a Time Lord. She is not breeding a weapon, nor is she breaking any intergalactic laws. I'd suggest you let her go with me immediately," Bad Wolf threatened. The Architect's eyes narrowed on him. Jack placed his hand on Bad Wolf's shoulder, pulling him back a bit before stepping forward.
"Hi. Captain Jack Harkness, and you are?" Jack asked smoothly, holding his hand out to the Architect. She merely stared at his hand as Jack slowly lowered it, looking almost dumbfounded.
"Well. Look, Freya's just a sweet girl. She's married to the Time Lord that fathered her baby. That's why she's pregnant. Not a weapon, just a good old fashioned mistake," Jack said, earning an indignant "Oi!" from Bad Wolf.
"He wasn't a mistake," Freya corrected Jack quickly.
"Considering you had him long before you got married, I'd say he was. Anyway, you can see he's not a weapon," Jack said, waving his hand dismissively at Bad Wolf, who shot him the dirtiest glare Freya had ever seen on his face so far.
"I thought the Time Lords were extinct," the Architect said.
"The Doctor's the only one. Bad Wolf's the Doctor's son," Jack explained. The Architect nodded slowly before sighing.
"I can't let you leave. I'm not thoroughly convinced that the Bad Wolf isn't a weapon," the Architect admitted. As she did, the man behind Jack let out a cry.
The little girl he was holding was on the ground, running haphazardly towards them. Freya moved automatically towards the child, catching her only before she managed to trip on the floor. Freya hoisted the girl in her arms, watching as the little red-head immediately stuck her thumb in her mouth, brown eyes wide and focused intently on her.
"And who are you?" Freya cooed at her. The little girl's arms wrapped themselves around Freya tightly the instant she spoke, bursting into tears as she did. Freya glanced at the men, wide-eyed, before she began murmuring sweet nothings into the child's ear.
"Who's she?" Freya asked when she finally got her quieted down.
"Lil' Red," the man behind Jack said proudly. Bad Wolf elbowed him firmly
"Ianto," Bad Wolf hissed. Freya ignored the two of them as her stomach grumbled again.
"Look, we're not accusing you of doing the wrong thing. You were doing the right thing, investigating Freya. You're just trying to keep the universe safe. But Freya needs rest, some food, and a checkup to make sure both her and the baby are okay. I'm sure she's had a rough day," the man Bad Wolf had identified as Ianto reasoned.
The Architect opened her mouth to respond when a bunch of lights started flashing mauve.
"Just go then. We've got bigger problems to take care of," the Architect said with an exasperated sigh. Bad Wolf grabbed Freya's arm quickly and pulled her towards him, placing her hand on his Vortex Manipulator.
Her head spun when the light turned a different color. Three sets of arms steadied her quickly as her grip tightened on the child.
"Whoa there. Ianto, can you go grab her some food? She looks a bit peckish," Bad Wolf said. Ianto nodded and quickly left the room as Bad Wolf adjusted the Vortex Manipulator.
"I've got to get going. Younger me's on his way down. Take care, Mom," Bad Wolf said before giving Freya a quick kiss on the cheek. He disappeared in a flash of light just as a younger version of Bad Wolf entered the room.
"Gwen said to come get you. She said three people were insisting on being allowed down here. Something about intruders. I think Dad's here," Bad Wolf said before his eyes landed on Freya. He rushed towards her and hugged her tightly, Lil' Red in her arms and all.
"You're safe!" Bad Wolf exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Freya told him, patting his back with her free hand.
"I'll take care of them," Ianto said, making his way towards a set of stairs.
"You can let go of her now, Bad Wolf. You're getting a bit clingy," Jack warned. Bad Wolf released Freya immediately, a look of guilt plastered to his face. Freya pulled him in for a one-armed hug.
"Don't worry about being clingy. It feels nice to be needed," Freya told him. Bad Wolf's arms went around her once more.
"I'll always need you," Bad Wolf murmured. His words nearly shattered Freya's heart.
When he finally pulled back, the Doctor had burst through the room, eyes scanning the room. When they landed on Freya, he launched himself at her, pulling her into a tight hug. Freya noticed Martha and James coming in behind him, James moving close so he could hug her the moment the Doctor backed off.
Lil' Red let out a squeak of indignance at the sudden pressure, causing the Doctor to pull back and stare curiously at her.
"Hello there. Who's this?" the Doctor asked Freya. James was hugging her before she could respond. When the two of them pulled back, Freya smiled at Martha.
"Martha, this is Captain Jack Harkness, Bad Wolf, and Lil' Red," Freya introduced. She assumed Ianto would have already introduced himself to them.
"Bad Wolf and Lil' Red? Someone had a thing for fairytales," Martha said sarcastically.
"Oh no. Bad Wolf's our son," the Doctor said, but Freya felt the color drain from her face. She shifted Lil' Red in her arms, staring intently at the girl. Lil' Red merely giggled at her, large brown eyes staring happily at Freya.
Brown eyes that looked like the Doctor's.
"Why aren't I raising her? Why is everyone else raising her?" Freya demanded of Jack, her grip tightening on Lil' Red.
"You are raising her. Just at different points in your timeline. We all get to raise her," Jack explained.
"Then why is this one of the youngest Bad Wolfs I've met? Why don't I raise him like I raise her?" Freya demanded.
"Mom, it's…a bit of a different situation," Bad Wolf said, shooting Jack a look.
"I'm confused," the Doctor said.
"Me too. How is he your son? He's like the same age as you," Martha said.
"Time travel. It's all wibbly-wobbly," Bad Wolf said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Wibbly wobbly. I'll have to use that," the Doctor said thoughtfully.
"Doctor," Freya said, drawing his attention to her. She turned Lil' Red around so that she faced the Doctor.
"This is Lil' Red. Our daughter," she added. The Doctor's eyes widened and his mouth opened before closing. And opening once more.
"Why is she ginger? Oh, that's not fair," the Doctor pouted.
"Maybe a future regeneration?" Freya wondered.
"No. She has this me's eyes. More my shade than yours. She's this me's. Which means we're gonna be getting busy," the Doctor said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. James smacked the back of the Doctor's head, pushing him forward slightly.
"Not in front of the children," Freya lectured him immediately. The Doctor scowled at James.
Freya hugged Lil' Red once more before frowning.
"She feels a bit warm," Freya said, moving towards a chair. She sat down in the chair and felt Lil' Red's forehead once more before pressing her ear against the child's chest, listening for any sort of wheezing.
It was what she didn't hear that alarmed her.
"Doctor. She only has one heart," Freya said, pulling back, eyes wide. The Doctor was there instantly, pulling a stethoscope from his pocket and listening as well. Freya's head shot up to stare at Jack. Jack, Bad Wolf, and Ianto all had looks of apprehension on their faces.
"Why does she only have one heart?" Freya asked.
"She couldn't have been born with one heart. That wouldn't have worked. And you're right. She is warmer than she should be. Time Lords have colder skin. Is she sick?" the Doctor asked, turning to face Jack and Ianto.
"Dad, you can't ask that," Bad Wolf said.
"What do you mean?" Freya asked. Bad Wolf himself looked stricken. Freya pulled Lil' Red into her arms once more.
"You can't tell me I have another daughter to come, only to tell me that she's sick. Having one heart can't be good at all. Something's got to be wrong," Freya said.
"We can't really tell you. I know when you find out. I remember it, so I know you don't find out now," Bad Wolf said.
"So everyone knows what's wrong with our child but us? How fair is that?" the Doctor asked bitingly.
"Technically she's not your child yet. You haven't even conceived her yet," Jack said, trying to lighten the mood.
"She's going to die, isn't she?" Freya asked softly. Everyone turned to her, eyes wide.
"What?" the Doctor asked.
"She makes it though. She makes it at least until ten. I've seen her at ten. She's alive and well then. But one of you's always with her Watching her, taking her around. Bad Wolf's wife even told me they were wanting to let her see everything. Oh God. She's going to die," Freya whispered in grief.
"But she isn't dead yet. Mom, that's what you have to focus on. You're going to die too, but I don't sit around in sadness thinking about it. I'm happy you're alive, here, now. That's what you have to do too," Bad Wolf said, moving to sit next to her.
"Come on. I think it's time for a trip," Jack said, pulling Freya to her feet before gently prying Lil' Red from her arms.
"You'll see her again. Loads of times," Ianto reassured her.
"But I want to see her now," Freya whispered. James wrapped an arm around her, just as the Doctor tried to. The Doctor glared at James over her head before wrapping his arm around her as well.
"Jack's right. We need an adventure. Anything to take your mind off this. Plus we need to take Martha on a trip. As a thank you for helping me at the hospital," the Doctor said.
"You're taking another companion?" Jack asked, surprised.
"No. Just one trip. We don't need another companion. Not right now," the Doctor said grimly.
"Make sure you come visit more often," Jack said.
"Yeah. I miss you guys," Bad Wolf added.
"We'll visit," Freya promised as both James and the Doctor led her out of the room.
When they got to the TARDIS, James followed them inside automatically.
"Wait. What do you think you're doing?" the Doctor asked him, alarmed.
"I'm coming with you. Obviously. You can't leave me in Cardiff, and you just proved you can't protect her," James said.
"I can protect her just fine," the Doctor spat, glaring intently at James.
"Yeah right. Prove it then. I'll come along on a few trips and we'll see how much safer she is with me there," James said. The Doctor's jaw tightened and he finally nodded.
"Fine. You can stay as long as Martha does. No more though," the Doctor said, spinning abruptly.
"That was rude," Freya told him gently. The Doctor pouted but didn't say anything.
"I'm confused," Martha admitted. Freya shot a glare at the Doctor before making her way to Martha.
"We're taking you on a trip. Past or future, I'm not sure which one we're going to just yet. But it'll be amazing. He's always amazing," Freya reassured Martha. Martha gave her a weak smile.
"Alright. Let's go then," Martha said. Freya nodded towards the Doctor, who's grin grew exponentially at her words.
"Alright then. Allons-y!"
So my schoolwork is extremely hard this year, so my updates will take a bit more time than usual. I'm sorry. I am still working on it, but I have to turn in ten pages of fiction every week, and it can't be Doctor Who fanfiction. Normally, it could be a fanfiction, but the teacher's wife watches Doctor Who, so he'd recognize the names and I'd not get full credit. So I have two extreme English writing classes along with learning a third language, etc.
Just wanted to warn you. That's why this is all you got after a week. I just wanted to get you something before season eight airs tomorrow!
Also, on an unrelated note, anybody watch the Legend of Korra Book 3? The feels just killed me.
Andi