Doctor Who: Formstay

by LetUsBeCreative

The Doctor, Romana, K-9 and Adric's Half-Human grandson, Jadryn, pick a stress-call from the planet Taynis, home to the Deer-Human hybrids known as Tayos. NOTE: Romana has returned to her second form after being in her third in the canon TV show. All characters apart from the Doctor, Romana, K-9 and Adric (only mentioned, doesn't actually appear in the story) belong to me.

You have been blessed with the power of "Formstay", Doctor…From now on, you will regenerate into the same body. All damage will be mended and ailments cured. However, be warned, Doctor, the regeneration will take longer that it used to. Having the same form, it will need time for injuries to heal.

Grimacing in pain, the Doctor thought back on the wise, old alien's words. Would he really stay as he was from now on…? He hoped so…He was fond of this body…Many were fond of it.

He also thought back to the first time his fourth incarnation had been forced to regenerate. He had fallen from a radio tower and the damage to his body had been so great that he had had to take on a new form. Since then, he had regenerated into about sixteen, or so, other forms. He still remembered how his twentieth- or was it twenty-first-body- had been irreversibly damaged. It had been a fire, he remembered. A fire from which he had saved Sarah Jane Smith from. Sarah…he had been so glad to meet Sarah again after all those regenerations. She was much, much older, of course, but aside from her looks, she was still the Sarah he had been friends with. Becoming his fourth self again, after the fire, had come as a shock to him as much as it had to Sarah and anyone else who had known him in that incarnation. It had been four years since that day. It wasn't long before then that the Doctor had met the ancient and wise alien known as "Arbus". Arbus was an Amphibat, an alien half frog, half bat hybrid from the planet Aketan. The Amphibats had once been enemies of the Time Lords, however this was before the Doctor was even born. Now they had a mutual alliance. During a visit to Aketan, alone, the Doctor had saved the elderly Amphibat's life after befriending him and working with him to drive out a Sontaran fleet. Wanting to thank the Doctor, Arbus gave him the power of "Formstay".

Sarah, who had been in her late eighties at the time of the fire, had since passed away. The Doctor had met the news with a sad acceptance, thanking the stars that he had been given the chance to meet up with her again before she died. But, what had happened to the Doctor now…?

It all started when he, Romana, K-9 and Jadryn, a young Human-Alzarian who was the grandson of Adric, whom the Doctor had befriended not long before his death on the radio tower, who had over-heard the distress-call from the planet Taynis, home of the Tayos who were at war with the evil Viltos. It was their struggle to deal with the stronger aliens that had forced them to call for help.

It was Jadryn who had heard the distress-call. He was in the TARDIS control room by himself. The Doctor, with K-9's help, was in the old control room, looking for a book he had been sure was in there, and Romana was sleeping.

"Help…!" the call had sounded, "If there is anyone who can help us, we are on Taynis…Our enemies, the Viltos are too strong! We are losing many of our own…Please help!"

Jadryn decided the best thing to do would be to tell the Doctor straight away. He made his way to the old control room, calling out to the Doctor, just in case he wouldn't be there anymore.

"What is it, Jadryn?" The Doctor's voice called from the old control room before he poked his head out of the door, "You haven't found the book, have you?"

Jadryn shook his head, looking worried. "No…" he replied, "There's a distress-call, the TARDIS just picked it up."

Curious, as always, the Doctor abandoned his search for the book, and went to the main control room. He heard the distress call for himself. "Hmmm…" he uttered thoughtfully, "Taynis…Can't say the planet sounds familiar to me…Or does it?"

Jadryn shrugged, "Maybe…Are we going to go and help?"

Straightening a kink in his incredibly long scarf, the Doctor replied, "Well, I AM curious to see this planet…And, although I'm unsure what a couple of Time Lords, an eighteen-year-old half-human and a robotic dog can do to help in an all-out war, I think it would do no harm to see what small good we can do."

While Jadryn went to wake Romana, the Doctor asked K-9 for information on Taynis.

"Taynis: a planet consisting of green fields and large forests. Home of the Tayos, half-deer, half-humanoid." K-9 said in his high-pitched electronic voice, "They possess the ability to identify any species or race simply by their scent."

The Doctor listened further as K-9 calculated the co-ordinates, just as Romana and Jadryn stepped into the room.

"A planet in distress, then…" Romana said, more matter-of-fact than question.

The Doctor nodded, pressing buttons on the control panel.

With a groaning sound, the TARDIS materialised, and they all stepped through the door.

The scenery was beautiful. A cloudless, blue sky, emerald-green fields and a large forest in the distance. The air was fresh and warm with a slight breeze.

"What a cool place!" Jadryn gasped, "We could have picnic here!"

The Doctor frowned. He was worried. "Let's see what the trouble is here, first, shall we?" he said firmly.

Jadryn lowered his head, looking ashamed. "I'm sorry…" he muttered, "You're right, there are people here who need help."

The Doctor, feeling he had been a little too harsh, smiled, patted Jadryn on the head and said kindly, "A picnic would be nice once we sort things out here."

They began to make their way across the fields towards the huge forest.

On the way, Jadryn's stomach kept growling. He put his hands over it in a useless attempt to mask the noise but everyone could hear it.

"Maybe the locals will give us some food." Romana suggested.

The Doctor nodded. "Yes…" he agreed, "A picnic might not be appropriate at this time but, I do understand the pains of trying to work on an empty stomach."

He reached into his pocket and took out a bag of his favourite sweets: jelly babies. It was an extra-large bag. He tipped three into his hand and gave them to Jadryn. "Here", he smiled, "This'll take your mind off the hunger until we find someone."

Romana gratefully took three jelly babies, too and soon they were all munching away, quite happily.

"This place seems so peaceful…" Jadryn observed, looking around, "Hard to believe the residents are at war…"

"Well…" the Doctor replied, shrugging, "Looks can be deceiving, you know…" he was about to say something else when a voice called. They all looked to see what they guessed, remembering K-9's description, was a Tayo. It was, indeed, a mixture of deer and human. It had a deer's head with the antlers of a young buck, its body stood upright, like a human, though it had a deer pelt and its hind legs had hooves. However the front legs, or arms as it appeared, had what was more like hands than hooves. The fingernails, though rather human in shape, were black. The Doctor recognised the species of deer as Fallow, with its golden pelt with white spots. It wore a red cape and a gold necklace with an oak leaf pendant around its neck.

"Excuse me…" the Tayo spoke, "But who are you?" he leaned forward and sniffed at Jadryn. "Human…No, half-human and…let's see…half-Alzarian" he said with a satisfied nod before sniffing at Romana, "Time Lady…" he sniffed the Doctor, "A Time Lord…and what appears to be some kind of… Metallic dog…interesting."

"Uh…" Jadryn piped up, "We picked up your distress-call.."

The Tayo sighed and rolled his eyes. "My Grandfather will be most unhappy about this…"

"Not happy about asking for help when you need it?" the Doctor asked, "Not full of pride, is he, by any chance?"

The Tayo shook his head, "Oh, no, no…It's just that we have absolutely no clue when the Viltos will attack and Father does not want to risk calling for help too soon. Our allies may get impatient or angry if there was a chance the battle was not to happen for a few months yet."

The Doctor gave an understanding grunt. "Yes…" he nodded, "And I'm sorry to say, it's only us. I'm the Doctor, by the way and this Romana, Jadryn and the metalic dog is my computer and second-best friend, K-9."

The Tayo bowed to them. "Greetings, Doctor, Romana, Jadyrn and K-9…" he smiled, "I am Prince Na'thoo, though just "Na'thoo" will do. Welcome to the planet Taynis." Then he added, sadly, "I'm not sure how long you can enjoy it before we're attacked again…"

Romana cocked her head. "You have absolutely no clue when the Viltos will attack?" she asked.

Prince Na'thoo sighed. "No…" he replied, a worried look in his eyes, "The Viltos relish in toying with us. They tell us they will attack but refuse to tell us when. So…now we are nervous and agitated, I'm sorry to say."

The Doctor nodded, his eyes sympathetic and serious, "If we could just find a way to get a clue as to when they'll attack…" he was silent and thoughtful for a while. At last he said, "First thing we should do is meet your Father…I take it, he's King, as you're Prince."

Na'thoo shook his head. "No, my Grandfather is King. He isn't due to step down, unless he dies before that, until his one hundredth year." He replied.

Na'thoo lead them to the forest. It was a beautiful place with fully green trees and the sounds of birdsong and little critters going about their daily business. They came to an enormous clearing. In the middle was a small but, nonetheless, magnificent castle.

"There aren't many of my kind left…" Na'thoo told them, his voice clearly sad.

"How many are left?" asked the Doctor.

"Just one hundred now."

The Doctor stopped, shocked. "Only that many?!" he gasped, "Then you're critically endangered!"

Na'thoo nodded, looking sadder. "It doesn't help that my species only reproduces every two hundred years." He went on, "The Viltos took advantage of this and started randomly attacking us. They not only outnumber us by hundreds…They also have stronger weapons. We always fight valiantly but we always lose so many…Like my father in the last attack…" a tear ran down the Tayo's golden cheek. Jadyrn put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "My father is dead too. Until the Doctor took me in as a travelling companion, I always stayed with my grandfather, Adric."

Suddenly Jadryn's stomach growled, louder this time. He blushed. "Uhh…" he said sheepishly, "Don't suppose there's any chance of a bite to eat, is there?"

Na'thoo seemed to forget his sadness and smiled. "Let's get inside and I'll ask the cooks to find you all a good meal." He ushered them into the castle.

Inside, the castle was even more beautiful. There were paintings of both Tayos and regular deer on the walls, the ornaments were all deer, too. A half-Roe Deer Tayo, looking to be a similar age to the Na'thoo. strode towards them. He looked at the Prince and scowled, "Your Highness, I heard King Na'drien mention you told no-one you were going out. He's been worried."

Na'thoo was ashamed. "I'm bringing these guests to see him now, anyway." He said before adding, "Would you do us a favour?"

The Roe Deer Tayo looked suspicious. "Not going to make me send a gift to Fi'anya again are you…?" he grumbled, arms folded, "Last time, she went on and on about how you two are "meant to be", "Destined to be one" and all that soppy hoo-ha…! Made me feel quite sick, it did!"

Na'thoo chuckled and patted his friend on the back, "No, no. you're spared from that…for now. I was just hoping you'd ask the cook to get our guests some food." He introduced them.

The Roe Deer Tayo looked at the Doctor and his friends. "Hello," he smiled, "Welcome, my name is Tu'aro. I hope you get the chance to meet my sister, Fi'anya, too."

After shaking hands with them, Tu'aro went to see the cook. Na'thoo lead the Doctor, Romana, Jadryn and K-9 to the throne room.

As soon as they entered the room, King Na'drien- a magnificent King he was, too, with large, impressive antlers, a red, velvety robe and gold bracelets, necklace and earrings- rose from his throne, ran across the room and threw his arms around Na'thoo in a tight hug. After a few moments he drew him grandson back and shook his head. "Na'thoo, why didn't you tell me you were going out?" he asked with only the slightest hint of anger, "You've been gone for two whole days!"

"You know I like to wonder…" Na'thoo shrugged.

King Na'drien frowned, "Yes but that's just too dangerous with this threat hanging over us." He suddenly noticed the Doctor and his friends, "And who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

The Doctor stepped forward and bowed, beckoning Romana and Jadryn to do the same. "The pleasure is all ours, your Majesty." He smiled, "I'm the Doctor and this is Romana, Jadryn and our robot dog, K-9."

The King greeted them warmly before asking what had brought them to Taynis.

"Actually, Grandfather…" Na'thoo wrung his hands nervously, "I'm afraid someone-not sure who-has sent out a distress-call…These guys picked it up in their TARDIS."

King Na'drien looked angry but only for a brief moment. He sighed and shook his head. "I can't really be angry…" he muttered, "Our people are desperate."

The Doctor shrugged. "I'm afraid we haven't exactly brought an army with us…" he said apologetically.

"But we'd be glad to give whatever help we can." Romana added.

The Doctor and Jadryn nodded. "K-9 can be a formidable weapon, eh, old fellow?" The Doctor affectionately patted the robot dog who replied, "Affirmative, Master."

"Now, if only we had a whole army of K-9s." Romana chuckled slightly.

The Doctor nodded and smiled, imagining such a scene.

Suddenly, Jadryn gasped. "What about the Amphibats?" he asked, "The Time Lords have an alliance with them, right? Couldn't they help?"

The Doctor stared at him, his eyes intense. "Send a message to them?" he queried, "Hmm…perhaps…" he went very quiet. Romana and Jadryn knew he was thinking.

At last, the Doctor said, "Yes…Yes, it's the only choice we have. I'll go back to the TARDIS and send them a message."

Romana looked puzzled. "Can't we just send the message from here?" she asked, "After all, the Tayos sent out a distress-call."

Prince Na'thoo nodded, "That's true…in fact our space radio is the only electronic device we own."

The Doctor shook his head. "I'll send the message faster from the TARDIS." He insisted.

Romana tutted and rolled her eyes but said no more as the Doctor turned to leave. But before he could, Tu'aro poked his head around the door. "The food's ready." He announced.

"Honestly, young Tu'aro…" King Na'drien shook his head and put his hands on his hips, "It's customary in most cultures to KNOCK before entering a room."

Tu'aro flattened his ears in shame and shuffled his hooves. "Sorry, your Majesty…" he replied, "I forgot myself."

Na'drien, whom the Doctor had come to notice was a very kind and fair King, smiled at the young Roe Deer-Tayo and said, "All is forgiven." He turned to the Doctor and his friends, "I do hope you'll come and eat."

The Doctor shook his head. "As much as I love a good meal, I must get this message sent." He replied just as Jadryn's stomach growled, louder than ever, making the young Human-Alzarian blush a deep red. "However…I think Jadryn could do with a bit of food in his tummy, eh?" he patted Jadryn on the head.

Tu'aro lead Romana and Jadryn to the kitchen while the Doctor went to the TARDIS. "Save some food for me, won't you?" he called before stepping outside.

Thanks to his long legs, and not having to keep pace with his companions, the Doctor crossed the field in little time and was soon entering the TARDIS. Wasting no time, he went to the TARDIS's main control and, after pressing a couple of buttons, was able to contact the very planet he wanted to. "Aketan…" he spoke into the microphone he had installed recently, "Come in, Aketan."

A voice sounded through the intercom. "Doctor…?" it asked, "Is that the Doctor I hear?"

The Doctor smiled, recognizing the voice of Malfo, one of the Aketanian Amphibat Comunication Officers. "Yes." He replied, "It's me. I…well actually, a race of aliens…need your help."

Malfo was silent as the Doctor explained the situation. "They don't know when they'll be attacked." He told him, "But I hoped to put you on the alert. I know it's a lot to ask, but these people need assistance, desperately."

"We'd be glad to help." Came the reply, "However, we can only spare fifty soldiers…"

The Doctor sighed. It wasn't enough, but he didn't say so.

"However, we are friends with other alien races." The Amphibat continued, "We'll get messages out right away."

The Doctor was pleased. "Thank you." He said, ending the conversation. He was about to tell K-9 they were going to head back when he suddenly felt dizzy and a terrible pain, like the worst migraine, shot through his head. He clutched it, his mouth open in a silent scream.

"Master…?" K-9's electronic voice sounded distant, "Are you alright, Master…?"

"K…K-9…" The Doctor groaned, "I…I…" A voice he didn't know started to speak in his head. Two days' time…two days…They attack…Death…One of you will die…

Gasping, the Doctor collapsed. When he came to, he saw Romana and Jadryn looking over him. "What happened…?" he asked groggily, his head still aching though not as much as before.

"We don't know…" Romana replied.

"You didn't come back so we came to see if you were alright," Jadryn added, "We saw you unconscious here."

The Doctor sat up, rubbing his temples. "I…I remember now…A pain in my head…And a voice…it said "Two days' time…two days…They attack…Death…One of you will die…""

Jadryn and Romana exchanged glances. "Do you think this…voice…was telling you when the Viltos would attack this planet?" Romana asked.

The Doctor nodded. "Yes…" he replied, "My instincts tell me that is most likely the case." He stood up, suddenly recovered from his ordeal, and was at the controls. "I'm going to send another message to Aketan." He announced.

Having received the message, Malfo promised to pass it on to the other planets he had contacted. "We've got the Balags of Marshax, the Lotus People of Floranis, the Jaguxis of Kadvon and the Relins of Halkot all ready to send warriors to help." The Amphibat sounded pleased with himself. He was a young Amphibat, having only just become a member of the AACT, or Aketanian Amphibat Communications Team, "Shall we send them here now?"

"Yes." The Doctor replied, "And well done."

King Na'drien was pleased to not only know when to expect the attack, but also that help was on the way. "I'm grateful to you all." He smiled before turning to the Doctor, "I hear you had a funny turn…"

The Doctor smiled and shrugged, running a hand through his mass of curly hair, "Some sort of extra-strong telepathic episode…" he replied, "Sometimes they can be overwhelming, even for us Time Lords."

Jadryn looked worried.

"What's gotten you flustered, dear chap?" The Doctor asked.

"I don't the sound of that "One of you will die" part…" he sighed, "Who's going to die?"

Romana shrugged, "Many, I'm sorry to say…"

The Doctor nodded sadly. "Yes…" he said, putting a hand on Jadryn's shoulder, "Unfortunately, that's what happens in wars and battles." He didn't say what they were all thinking. "One of you" meant either him, Romana or Jadryn…He cleared his throat, not wanting to dwell on such a haunting thought for too long and said, "You can expect the allies to start arriving tomorrow."

Later, they were shown to some spare bedrooms in the castle.

"I do hope you sleep comfortably." The maid bowed before leaving.

The Doctor thanked her and they all chose a room each and entered. The Doctor chose the middle room, with Romana and Jadryn in the rooms on either side of him.

As usual the Doctor didn't sleep much. He never needed much sleep. He sat and thought…He thought about the death threat…who would it claim? He clenched his fist, I won't let it claim Romana or Jadryn…

The alien allies did, indeed, arrive the next day. Out of all of them, the Doctor knew the Amphibats, the Lotus People and the Relins. The Lotus people were very elven-like and reminded the Doctor of the Elves from the Lord of the Rings, while the Relins were more like cave people mixed with dinosaurs. Strange-looking and rough-around-the-edges though they were, the Doctor knew they would be of great help. That day, he also met the Balags, the bipedal Lizard creatures, and the Jaguxis, the two-headed tentacled creatures.

King Na'drien addressed them all. "I am grateful to you for coming to our aid," he announced, "I apologise that we have had to bother you." He went on to explain the situation in more detail, "And I have the Doctor to thank, for without him, you would not have received the message."

Camps were set up for the visitors. The Doctor and his friends decided to swap the comfort of castle bedrooms for a tent as well.

"I don't want you to fight…" the Doctor told Romana and Jadryn firmly.

"But, we can't run!" Jadryn protested,"We're in this TOGETHER!"

The Doctor glared at him, making the Alzarian-Human flinch. "It's not up for discussion…!" he snapped, "You and Romana will leave in the TARDIS, first thing tomorrow…Is that clear?"

Romana nodded, looking glum, but Jadryn clenched his teeth at the Doctor. "You think I'll just get in the way!" he snarled, "You think I can't fight!"

The Doctor seized him by the shoulders, his intense blue eyes staring into his. "Listen, boy…" he whispered, "How would I ever face Adric again, or myself for that matter, if I let you two get killed?"

Jadryn huffed and wrenched himself free. He lay down on his make-shift bed and soon the Doctor could hear both him and Romana snoring gently.

After a few minutes of thinking, the Doctor fell asleep.

The Viltos attack took them by surprise. They came very early in the morning. Vicious, wolf-like creatures, they were. Fitting enemies for deer aliens…Thought the Doctor as he plunged his borrowed sword into the chest of an attacker. He felt no joy in this. The Doctor never felt joy in killing.

With his laser beam set to kill, which was normally set to just stun, K-9 was, indeed, proving to be a formidable weapon in the fight.

The Doctor hearts were pounding as he stabbed and slashed at the Viltos that came across him. He felt relieved that that before dawn, Romana and Jadryn and left…Or so he thought.

In truth, they were in the battle, trying not to let the Doctor see them. They didn't want him to worry yet they couldn't bring themselves to abandon him or their new friends.

Blood, guts and limbs flew about around the Doctor. It sickened him, this whole business. He looked forward to when the battle was over.

He had just knocked back another Vilto when he noticed…No…! Jadryn?!

It was Jadryn, alright…And the Alzarian-Human was in trouble. Knocked unconscious by blow to the head, he was at the risk of an onslaught. Without a moment's thought, the Doctor ploughed through friend and foe alike, picked up the unconscious boy, and raced away from the battle. He placed Jadryn on the ground and began to check him for injuries.

Jadryn's eyes snapped open. "Doctor…?" he croaked.

The Doctor was angry. "What, in Rassilon's name, are still doing here?!" he demanaded, "You should be on another planet by now!"

Jadryn flinched as the Doctor touched the bump on his head. "We…We couldn't just leave…" he muttered.

"WE?"" The Doctor snapped, "Romana's here, too?!"

Jadryn nodded. "She got taken out of the battle due to injury." He replied.

The Doctor's eyes widened with worry.

"It's nothing serious…" Jadryn assured him.

The Doctor was about to protest when a furious voice cut him off. He turned to see an enraged Vilto, wielding an axe. "That brat killed my brother!" it roared, charging, "I'll chop him to pieces!"

The Doctor swung his sword which crashed against the axe, managing to hold the Vilto at bay. "RUN!" he yelled to Jadryn.

Jadryn got up but didn't run. "Doctor…!" he called.

"Get out of here!" the Doctor's teeth were clenched at the effort of holding the Vilto back.

"Doctor…!"

The Vilto suddenly gained an extra burst of strength and knocked the Doctor to the ground. However, before it run towards Jadryn, the Doctor grabbed its ankles and it crashed to the ground. "Now…!" the Doctor yelled again, "Run, Jadryn, I MEAN it…GO!"

Eyes wide with fear, Jadryn finally obeyed and started to run. The Doctor was about to drive his sword into the Vilto when it suddenly, in one fluid movement, flung its weapon arm around…and plunged the axe blade deep into the Doctor's stomach before wrenching it free again. The Time Lord uttered a choking gasp and keeled over, clutching the wound with both hands. The Vilto laughed and was just about to strike the Doctor again…when a sword was driven into its back. Jadryn had witnessed everything. Enraged at seeing the Doctor hurt, he had run at the Vilto and stabbed it without a seconds thought or a moment's fear. The brute died, instantly.

Jadryn didn't bother to even look at the Vilto. He dropped to his knees by the Doctor who was gasping with pain, still clutching his stomach. Despite his efforts, blood was flowing between his fingers.

Jadryn was terrified. "Doctor…!" he cried.

The Doctor gritted his teeth and hissed with again. "Help..me…" he shuddered before going still.

"Doctor, hold on…I-I'll get help…!"

He got up and rushed away.

"J…Jad…ryn…Ro…mana…."

Jadryn came back with King Na'drien, of all people, and a Jaguxi. The King turned the Doctor onto his back and immediately pulled his upper clothes off to get a better look at the injury. It was bad. He was losing a terrific amount of blood. He listened to the Doctor's hearts…They were already barely beating.

The Jaguxi's eyes glowed and he looked the Doctor up and down before his expression became sad. He whispered something to the King who sighed.

"Well…?" Jadryn asked, his own heart pounding.

King Na'drien shook his head. "I'm afraid the Doctor has been mortally wounded…" he replied sadly, "His intestines have been perforated as well as receiving a stomach wound…He's dying."

Jadryn gasped. "No…This is…It's all my fault…!" he collapsed onto the Doctor's chest and wept bitterly, "He saved my life…"

The Doctor opened his eyes. He felt numb…and he couldn't see. Blood trickled from his lips and breath was hard to find. He was dying…he knew this. But it wasn't to be the end of his adventures…not really.

"No…tears." He rasped to Jadryn who raised his head to look into the Doctor's eyes, "Now…we can put…Formstay…to the…" the blue eyes glazed over and the last breath left the Doctor's body before he could finish.

Jadryn screamed and shook the Doctor, begging him to wake up. The Doctor did not wake up.

King Na'drien placed a comforting hand on Jadryn's shoulder. "Young one…" he said gently, "Don't be sad…The Doctor is a Time Lord, he'll…" then he shook his head, "Nc. Not quite. Am I wrong, or did he mention "Formstay"?"

Unable to speak, Jadryn just nodded.

"Well then…" King Na'drien smiled, "A few days, maybe a week, and his wounds will be healed."

"But…" Jadryn sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve, "What if it doesn't work…? It's never been tested on a Time Lord before."

The Jaguxi came forward with a sympathetic smile. "There are some things you have to wait and see for…" he told Jadryn kindly, "Whatever happens, we should get the Doctor to the medical camp we set up."

Jadryn sighed and nodded. "Romana's going to be upset…" he muttered, "She's there recovering from her own injury."

Romana was, as Jadryn guessed, very upset when she saw the Doctor was dead. He could see that she was trying to swallow down the same fear that he had. What if the Formstay didn't work and the Time Lord was lost forever…?

Tearfully, they both hugged as the Doctor was placed in a bed.

"I had to say it…" Romana sighed, "But if it turns out he's really gone for good…he's going to start to smell after a week…maybe sooner."

"If it comes to that, we'll remove him the moment that starts to happen." One of the nurses assured them.

They were glad to hear it though it still gave very little comfort.

"Why didn't I run…?" Jadryn trembled, overcome with emotion again, "He died because I was stupid!"

Romana took his hand in hers. "It was a battle, Jadryn…" she reminded him, "Any and all of us had the risk of death hanging over us."

Jadryn knew this was true but he still felt awful. He got up to get a drink…but was suddenly overcome with a dizziness. He collapsed, prompting a concerned shout from Romana. Two nurses came to see to him. One was a Jaguxi who, using its X-Ray ability, Romana and Jadryn had just learned about, determined that Alzarian-Human's blackout was caused by a build-up of tension and the previous knock to the head. "Let's get him into bed." She said as she and the Tayo nurse picked the unconscious boy up. After placing him into a bed, the Jaguxi turned to Romana with a reassuring smile. "He'll be fine after, a couple of days' rest." She told her.

Romana nodded, relieved. She went to the Doctor and placed a tender kiss on his pale face. "Please come back to us, Doctor…" she whispered, "Please come back to me…I love you."

"Doctor…Doctor...?"

A voice…! I hear a voice! Is it Romana…? Yes! Yes, it is! She's alive! But what about Jadryn…?

The Doctor opened his eyes. His vision was blurry but was steadily starting to clear. He could see two shapes bending over him. He didn't need good eye-sight to know it was Romana and Jadryn. They were both alive.

His vision cleared just as Jadryn asked, "Why doesn't he say something?"

Romana rolled her eyes. "He's LITERALLY just woken up from being DEAD for a week…" she huffed, "Give the poor guy a few minutes, would you?"

"True…" Jadryn smiled,

The truth was, the Doctor was afraid to speak. What if the Formstay hadn't worked and he was different…?

Romana must have guessed his fear because she called for a nurse and asked for a mirror. When one was brought to her, she handed it to the Doctor. "Take a look." She smiled.

The Doctor nervously looked at his reflection. Staring back at him was a man with curly brown hair, intense blue eyes and, because seeing these two features had prompted it, a toothy grin. It worked! The Formstay worked! He thought joyfully. He looked up at Romana, his smile still as broad as ever. "I…" he coughed. He found it hard to speak. His voice was the same but having not had a drink for a whole week, his throat was terribly dry.

"Nurse, could you fetch some water please?" Romana called.

The Doctor gratefully took the glass when it was given to him and drank greedily, letting the cool water run down his sore throat. "I…need more." he gasped as the glass emptied.

"You'll need a few." Romana smiled, "It HAS been a week, after all."

About five or six glasses of water later, the Doctor's thirst finally disappeared although his throat, he was told, would be a little sore for a few days.

"How do you feel, Doctor?" Jadryn asked.

The Doctor smiled. "Apart from a sore throat…and feeling very wobbly…" he replied, "I feel absolutely marvellous."

He asked how the battle went.

"We won…" Romana replied, "Though lives were lost, of course."

"Anyone we knew?" asked the Doctor.

Jadryn nodded sadly, "Yes…Tu'aro died from a club to the head."

The Doctor bowed his head sadly. "I'm sorry to hear that." was all he could say.

Jadryn stood up. "I'm going to get some food, anyone want something?" he asked.

"Nothing for me thanks." Romana smiled.

"I'll take bowl of stewed rhubarb." The Doctor replied.

After the Doctor had eaten, he and Romana went for a walk. It was a slow and steady walk as the Doctor, who's strength was yet to return fully, was a little unsteady on his feet. Despite his tall physique, he leant on Romana for support.

"I was afraid I was going to lose you…" Romana said quietly, her head pressed against the Doctor's side.

The Doctor stopped after a while, suddenly feeling tired. "I must rest…" he told Romana, who nodded, and they sat against a large oak tree. For a while, they were silent, both deep in thought.

After a while, the Doctor turned to Romana clasped her hand. "You didn't lose me…" he smiled before his face became serious for a moment. "But I could have lost YOU…" he sighed.

Romana smiled back and shuffled closer so that she could rest her head on the Doctor's shoulder. "My Doctor…" she whispered in his ear and kissed the side of his head, "I love you."

The Doctor turned to Romana a gently pressed his lips against hers and they shared a long but gentle kiss. When their lips separated, the Doctor smiled warmly. "My Romana…" whispered back, "My dear Romana."

And once again, their lips met in a tender kiss. Then the Doctor fell asleep.

"Thank you for everything." King Na'drien said as he, Na'thoo, the Doctor, Romana, Jadryn and K-9 stood outside the TARDIS a few days later.

"Glad to be of service, your Majesty." The Doctor, who was now back at full strength, gave a bow, "Do remember, you can call on us at any time."

They all shook hands and said their goodbyes and then, the Doctor and his friends stepped into the TARDIS.

As the Doctor went to work on the controls, Jadryn asked, "Where to next, I wonder…"

The Doctor looked up, his teeth showing in that infectious grin. "Wherever fate may take us, my boy." He replied with a wink, "Wherever fate may take us."

The End.