Ok! One rescue coming up! BTW, what do you all think about my idea of the Mimisas? Creepy, right?

Chapter 14: Sudden Peril

We slowly crept out through the interlocking tunnels. Martha and Mickey both held guns, which they didn't hesitate to use every time we came across a Mimisa.

Several times I had to lean on one of them as waves of tiredness and dizziness washed over me, but I kept going due to the one thought that was prominent in my mind; the Doctor would probably be worse than me.

When we finally found his room, I realised my premonition was right. The Doctor was completely limp, held in the same way I was. Luckily he was alone. He appeared to be unconscious, but as we approached he lifted his head slightly.

I don't think I ever remembered him looking so…battered and exhausted. His eyes were unfocussed as they ran over us. "Talia…Martha…Mickey…?" his voice was just as weak as mine, if not more so. "Another dream." He murmured, seemingly to himself, as he let his head fall forward again.

Mickey ran to the control panel and began unlocking the clamps. I approached the Doctor and reached up to place a hand on his shoulder.

"Doctor, you're not dreaming. This is real. We're getting you out of here." I said quietly.

His tired eyes met mine and he understood. "Will my luck ever run out?" he mused, prompting me to smile.

A second later, the clamps released and Martha joined me in supporting him; it seemed he could barely stand.

He looked at me again. "You look awful." Concern was thick in his voice.

"Not as bad as you." I corrected, annoyed that, as usual, his first priority wasn't himself. "Any idea how to get back to the surface?"

"Put the sonic in my hand." He sighed, looking towards his left pocket. I reached inside – shocked at how deep it went – and my groping fingers found the familiar shape of the screwdriver. I did as he asked and he pointed it towards the roof. "Follow this tunnel for a while and take the second left. There's a hidden trapdoor. It might be guarded."

"We're ready for that." Martha assured him, showing him her gun.

He smiled slightly. "As much as I hate guns, it's actually necessary this time."

With one of the Doctor's arms around Martha's and my neck , Mickey led the way towards the exit. Any Mimisas we came across were taken care of, including those guarding the doorway. Once on the surface, I looked around for the TARDIS.

It was a couple hundred metres away; a distance that seemed all the greater for my aching legs, and I was glad the Doctor didn't have to do it alone. We began the trek over. fifty metres from the blue door, I heard the sounds of pursuit.

Two Mimisas were chasing us, electric whips in their hands that looked identical to the ones the Sycorax had used.

"Reclaim the Doctor!" They shouted in unison. "Reclaim the Girl Who Knows!"

"We have to run." Martha said, as the Mimisas were currently gaining rapidly.

I looked at the Doctor. "Sorry."

He took a deep breath. "Allons-y."

We ran. My legs protested with each step and the weight of the Doctor didn't help, but I pressed on. Mickey took my place as we reached the door and I quickly pulled out my key and opened it.

As I stood back for the others to enter, the Mimisas reached striking distance.

In unison, they fired their whips. One wrapped around my neck, while the other wrapped around the Doctor's, pulling him from Mickey and Martha and dragging him backwards. I managed to stay on my feet, but their strength was pulling me back as well.

The whip was incredibly tight and I could feel the pain begin to grow as it burned the skin. Then it slackened as Mickey shot the Mimisa. I dropped to my knees, gasping and choking, holding my hands to my neck. There was the sound of another shot, and two pairs of feet ran past me to the Doctor.

I felt them drag him past me and into the TARDIS, before Martha grabbed my hand.

"Come on, Talia, we've got to get out of here! More are coming!" she cried, pulling my arm around her neck and helping me inside. She then shut the door behind us. I staggered over to the console and, remembering the few lessons the Doctor had given me, set a course for home while Martha tended to the Time Lord himself. (these lessons have happened in-between chapters)

I looked over at him, before going to kneel next to him. My head was swimming from exhaustion and pain, but I didn't care. He was unconscious now, yet his face still twisted with the pain he must have been feeling. His neck was a mass of red and black burned flesh, making my stomach twist. What must my own look like? His skin was very pale as well.

I pulled out my phone, my fingers shaking as they typed the number.

"Mum?"

"Hello, Talia. You sound…"

"Don't worry for a moment. Get a bed ready. The Doctor's been injured. We're on our way back. Martha and Mickey are with us." I said quickly.

She was silent for a moment. "…Ok. Are you alright? What happened?"

"I'll explain when we arrive. Yeah, I'm…" I was going to tell her I was fine, before remembering she'd see me when we landed. "I'm not that great either. It's been a rough day."

"I'll have everything ready. Make sure you get here."

"I will."

I hung up. Then suddenly, I began shaking uncontrollably and tears built up. Martha came and wrapped an arm around me.

"Hey, it's alright. It's going to be okay." She murmured.

"What's wrong?" Mickey asked.

"She's in shock." Martha answered, rubbing my back gently. "I promise. Both you and the Doctor will be fine."

I took several deep breaths to calm down as the TARDIS landed with its usual kerfuffle. Martha stood and opened the doors before she and Mickey carried the Doctor inside. I managed to get to my feet and started heading towards the front door.

Mum and Dad came out to help me, seeing I could barely make it myself.

They asked me what they could do, what happened, and every other question under the sun. "Martha will explain." I sighed. I spotted her in the spare room and called out as loudly as I could. "Martha, just tell me, will he be alright?"

She looked around and took in my appearance. "Yes."

"That's all I need to know." I muttered.

Then I collapsed onto the couch and promptly passed out.

Waking many hours later, I realised I was in my room. Automatically, I raised a hand to my neck and discovered that the burns and scars had healed significantly; probably some special medicine of Martha's.

I got out of bed slowly, correctly anticipating the dizzy waves that assaulted me from the days without food. Taking a few deep breaths, I stood and slowly walked out to the lounge room, where Mum sat on the sofa.

"Morning." I murmured quietly.

Two seconds later I was being warmly and comfortingly embraced, her arms curved around me in a protective manner. "Thank goodness you're alright!"

I returned her hug as we went to sit back on the sofa. "A bit weak and hungry, but very much alright. I presume that's thanks to Martha."

She nodded. "Poor girl, she's been non-stop for the last twelve hours, taking care of you and the Doctor."

"How is he?" I asked.

She bit her lip. "Not good. She said they got him worse than they got you. He's only got one heart going, he's very weak and he's got a fever." She murmured. "Martha's been administering all sorts of medicines and giving him water, as that's all he stays conscious long enough to drink."

"He's been awake?"

"Yeah, but literally for a few seconds at a time, and that hasn't happened for hours. He opens his eyes slightly, takes a few sips of water and passes out again." She sighed. "I don't remember ever seeing him this bad except for just after his regeneration."

I nodded. "Same. What Martha said was an understatement. Every time the Mimisas fired electricity through me, they fired double the amount through him. Trust me; it was painful for me, so I can't even bear to imagine what he felt. Plus the whip was around his neck more than mine, and I have no idea what else they did to him." I closed my eyes, leaning back, feeling worried on top of the exhaustion that still made my muscles ache. "Does she think he'll recover?"

"She hasn't said, but I should think so." Mum told me, trying to be positive. Then she chuckled. "The TARDIS has been throwing a fit. Mickey and I went to go and get something from the med bay for Martha earlier and she was being all noisy and flashy and kept confusing us until we told her we needed the equipment for the Doctor. It's like she knew, because instantly the med bay door was right in front of us."

"Yeah." I smiled. "She's helped me save him before. Where are Mickey, and Dad?"

"Both outside. Your Dad's showing him around to get him out of the house. I think it was getting a bit too much for him."

I nodded. "I'm so tired, but I want to eat first."

She stood and went to the kitchen immediately, returning with a bowl of soup. "Here, I've had this constantly heating in case you woke."

In minutes the bowl was empty, and I could feel my eyes slipping shut. As much as I wanted to stay awake in case I could help Martha, I knew I would be useless in the state I was in. So I stretched out on the sofa and Mum pulled a blanket over me…

Just in case anyone was in doubt; the Doctor's health is pretty low at the moment. The next chapter will be quite short, sorry, but it'll be followed by a good (and hopefully interesting) one.