This is my version of the Doc Martin series from the end of season 6. I keep the original plot with additions and some changes until the end of the ninth season. At that point, there was still no talk of season 10 at the time and I had envisioned it that way. After what would also turn out to be the final season had been filmed and broadcast, I decided to write my original version, with the only concession for the name of the creature of Martin and Louisa (whose genre however matched what I had imagined). Any other resemblance is the result of chance. Being interested almost exclusively in delving into the characters of Martin and Louisa and their relationship, I gave very little space to the other inhabitants of Portwenn. Also, I don't think Doc has any syndrome, just the result of an inadequate primary garden. Being the characters properties of Buffalo Pictures and not having any profit motive, I limited myself to just one quick revision. You will forgive me, therefore, errors and inaccuracies, but my aim was only to give the original story a few more moments and a suitable ending for Louisa and Martin.

I publish in Italian, but I will upload translated versions from Google, because I don't know English well enough to use it for writing and I wouldn't have the time to do it anyway.

For now, I'll try to upload something every week... then we'll see based on the interest I find.

I'm not a professional, I write for fun and because I find Doc Martin's characters very interesting.

Good fun!

At the end of season six, Martin worries about the return of his blood phobia, as he struggles to adjust to a new life with his wife and son. The feeling of being inadequate in responding to the needs of the latter destabilizes him. The situation, already complicated, is aggravated by the sudden arrival of the doctor's mother, who announces his father's death two weeks earlier. The news and Margaret's stay help to increase Martin's nervousness, which closes hermetically in on himself. Louisa, meanwhile, is involved in a road accident and decides to leave Portwenn with James Henry. In a crescendo of silences and misunderstandings, events push Martin into a dark apathy. Only when he sees his wife leaving with her son does the man have a motto of awareness and, after an intense conversation with his aunt Ruth, he decides that the time has come to figure out what he wants and to follow them to Spain. Badly kicked out by her mother, who reveals that she has only returned for money, fate makes him discover a serious health complication for Louisa related to the accident. Martin immediately falls into doctor mode... the one that is more congenial to him... so he reaches his wife, her work and saves her life. Despite Louisa's gratitude, however, both know that their relationship status hasn't changed...

He opened the door and motioned for her to enter. It was strange for her to see the waiting room empty at this hour. "Why isn't anyone here, Martin?" «Uhm… the clinic is closed until Monday.»

"Oh...and why?" she insisted firmly.

Patients had always come first for Martin…including his family. He stood in front of her lowering her chin, serious.

«Well…it's been a bit busy days, Louisa…I didn't want to leave James in the hands of strangers…and anyway you'll need quiet in the house, at least for a few days. So I asked Morwenna to reschedule the appointments. »

"I see…" she bit her bottom lip. They were silent… tense and awkward… looking around. Then he cleared his throat and lifted the bag he was carrying. "I'll take this up and then you should rest. Did you eat in the hospital?"

"No."

"I'll make you something first then."

"It doesn't matter, I'm not hungry."

"But you have to eat…for the medicines…"

"I said I'm not hungry." her tone was harsher than she intended, but he never listened to her. He always insisted on medicine and nutrition lessons, but it wasn't really her time.

She felt sore and weak and she wished she were already in Spain, away from everything and above all from Martin. Even though in reality she…she didn't even know what she wanted she…she needed a break, but she needed him too.

This awareness had always been a constant from the day she met him. All attempts to forget him had proved completely futile. Her heart wanted Martin… not just her heart, actually… During her hospitalization she had thought of nothing but the two of them, unable to find a painless solution to try to move forward... but there were no painless solutions. The woman regretted her harshness. She looked at him and resumed more calmly.

"Thank you, Martin. I'd rather lie down for a bit now, I'll eat something later."

«Yes.»

He lowered his head to the side

«I… um… I don't want to impose my presence… she'll sleep in James' room for now. My mother left, so…"

"I know, I met her at the airport."

"Oh." She looked at him curiously. "Why did you give her your watch?"

"What watch?" she didn't understand. "The one you were repairing…that Ruth found among Joan's things…your grandfather's watch."

Martin opened his mouth in disbelief. «I didn't give her anything at all, she stole it from me, damn it!» he snorted nervously.

"It seemed strange to me actually..."

"Ah, sorry, I'm holding you and you're tired."

The man headed for the stairs and she followed him into their room.

"Do you want me to help you unpack?"

He was more helpful than usual. He avoided looking at her and spoke as little as possible.

"It doesn't matter, I'll deal with it later."

«Well…then…» He nodded at her and headed for the door…clenching his fists at her sides.

"Martin, why did your mother leave all of a sudden?"

He turned to look at her.

"Does it matter?"

"I asked you…"

"I told her to go away. I didn't want her here anymore." he informed her in a solemn and professional position.

"What did she do?"

"Nothing. She only revealed the reason for her presence."

Louisa grew impatient. Why must it always be so difficult to get information from him? "Martin..."

"She wanted money… three hundred thousand pounds… or even two hundred thousand…"

"That's a lot of money..."

"It seems my father made a bad investment, so he also burned the money I gave him for Joan's farm. That's why she came back."

"Did you give them to him?"

"Absolutely no. I told her to pack her bags and that I didn't want to see her again." he was almost offended that she believed him capable of obeying this woman, after all that had happened.

She looked at him better. He was tired. His eyes were circled and deeply sad, his features hard and his posture rigid. He was in pain, but he wasn't going to talk about it. He didn't want her in his world of hers. She fought back the urge to reach up to comfort his arm.

"I'm sorry, Martin."

"Why? It's not your fault." he marveled at him.

"I mean I'm sorry for you."

"Oh…right." he looked away cursing himself for his attitude to always and only look for a logical explanation. "Okay, Louisa, I'm going to get James from Ruth. I won't be long. Do you want me to stop and get something special for dinner?"

"Anything is fine."

"Okay." he whispered and walked to the door.

"Martin..."

"Yes?" he turned around immediately.

"Thank you."

He nodded to her and walked away. She had fallen asleep quickly enough. She on the other hand still felt dizzy and weak. The beatings she had taken in her accident made it a bit difficult for her to move and she felt sore just about everywhere.

When she opened her eyes, the light from the window had dimmed noticeably. She must have dozed off for at least a couple of hours. She didn't hear any noise from below, so she assumed no one was home. Perhaps Martin had had an emergency and the baby was still at Ruth's…or he had taken him for a ride. She waited to fully recover, she washed her face as best she could with one hand and got out.

She found them in the kitchen, James in the high chair and her father sitting beside her in his apron, giving him dinner.

"You're at home, then..."

Martin looked up at her. "Yes. The fish is in the oven. It's a matter of another ten minutes." he informed her. "How are you feeling, Louisa?"

"Quite well thanks."

"Do you have a headache? Dizziness?"

"No, a little discomfort in the shoulder."

She walked over to her son, who reached out a small hand towards her. She took it, stroked her little blonde head and kissed his hair.

They ate in silence. After the meal, Martin tidied up the kitchen while she played with James, then went upstairs to wash and get ready. He went back downstairs to get the baby and Louisa followed them to their room. She put James in her crib and tucked him in, then looked at her. "Well. So, good night." he whispered.

"Good night, Martin."

«Uhm…if you need anything…I'm over there.»

"Yes, thanks."

He stood still.

"Really…don't hesitate to call me if you need a…hand."

"I'll be fine." his tone was harsher than he intended and he decided to leave.

Louisa looked around sadly. The doctor had spoken of at least two weeks of absolute rest before considering a trip… how he would have resisted in that mortifying situation was a mystery. She didn't want to stay and she decided that she would wait just one week and then she would go to her mother anyway. She saw no alternative. She felt her tears prick her eyes as she began to undress. She was not at all simple with one arm tied. She freed it and tried to slip off her cardigan, but she moved awkwardly and she felt a twinge in her shoulder that made her moan aloud. After a moment she heard a soft knock and saw Martin timidly peeping through the door. "Louisa, were you hurt?" he whispered worried.

She chastised herself for moaning so loudly… she had to expect he'd be running right away. "It's nothing." she reassured him she annoyed and in pain. She didn't want his help. She turned to go hole up in the bathroom, but once again she hurt and put a hand on her shoulder. In a flash her husband was at her side.

"Please, Louisa." he whispered "Let me help you."

"It's no use, I'll sleep like this."

Martin sighed. "Do you think you can always stay dressed for the next few days? Without ever changing?" his tone was gentle and sweet.

"It's not your problem." she insisted coldly.

"Louisa, please…"

She barely heard him… so forlorn was his voice. She turned away, but she didn't look at him.

"All right." she agreed. She was right, she couldn't live and sleep dressed the same all week. Without another word, he undid her bandage that she had around her neck and carefully slipped off her cardigan. Then he unzipped her dress and slowly pulled it off her. She felt her fingers lightly touching hers and all the while she wished they would become more determined and frantic. She hated herself for not being able to resist him.

Martin took a pair of pajamas from her drawer and gently helped her into them. When she was ready, he placed the bandage around her arm and tied it carefully around her neck. He pulled the covers off the bed, arranged the pillow and without saying anything he left the room looking at the floor.

Louisa narrowed her eyes to block the tears that were about to flow copious. She hated to see him so desperate, but she…at the same time…she just didn't know how to help him…and how to help herself. She watched the sleeping James for a long time, until she gave up in exhaustion.

Back in his room, Martin struggled to regain control. Having Louisa so close… barely touching her as he pulled her dress down from her shoulders… he hadn't resisted and stopped for a moment to breathe in the smell of her skin with his eyes closed… her bare neck at a I blow from her mouth. She let out all the breath she had and resigned herself to sleeping alone… in that small, uncomfortable bed.