Last of Their Kind

by ThyWanderer

Worn down from years of strife as the last of her kind, Madison once believed happiness was far from reach. Everything begins to change when she meets a man called the Doctor. As secrets and sorrows are shared between them, the pair finds comfort together amidst the stars. Madison can only hope that this time things will be different, even if the universe has other plans for her.

52. Chapter 52

Hope everyone has been well! Been busy with a lot of things. My upload time may be slower than normal, but I promise I'm still writing for this story. :)

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Chapter 52

The next thing she became aware of was a knifelike scream bursting into the night. Years of living as an outlaw trained Madison for situations such as these. So, her body reacted to muscle memory alone. Her body jolted upwards and her hand reached over for a weapon to use. In the past, before renouncing guns altogether, she used to keep a pistol by her side, always within reach for emergencies. So it was a groggy moment of reaching aimlessly for nothing that finally caught Madison back to reality. The shame of old reactions hit her for a moment before she forced herself to focus on the situation at hand. She caught the Doctor just running out of the room before throwing herself out of bed and hurrying after him. Behind her, she heard Martha sleepily say something, but she gave no notice. There was no time. That scream could only mean one thing. Another victim had been claimed by whatever forces were at work here.

Madison bumped into the Doctor as he skidded into the doorframe of the study room Shakespeare had been working in. The author was seen sleepily raising his head from where it had been lying on the desk. Apparently, the man had been slumped over into a deep slumber with a quill still in hand and papers under his face. The Doctor kneeled then nearest to the door while Martha went to the open window behind Shakespeare. Madison didn't notice why the Doctor was crouched down at first until he moved slightly away from what he had been inspecting. A small gasp escaped her as she saw Dolly on the floor, skin pale and no signs of life. She kneeled beside the dead woman, next to the Doctor.

"Her heart gave out. She died of fright," he said then, fingers moving away from the woman's neck after checking for a pulse.

"She just screamed. Her heart has only stopped for a moment. There's a good chance she can still be revived," Madison said as she positioned herself and began doing chest compressions.

"Maddie, I don't think—," the Doctor tried to say, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She shrugged his hand away. "I've got to try," she argued, knowing she could not stand idly by and allow this woman to pass from this world. If there was still a chance, then it was best to at least try. After the round of compressions necessary, she took in a deep breath, pinched Dolly's nose and tilted the woman's head back. Two breaths were given before Madison continued pumping on the woman's chest. She hated the way Dolly's body jerked during the compressions, making Madison feel queasy. But she pressed onwards either way.

"Cowgirl, it's alright. You can stop now. She's gone," came the Doctor's calm voice next to her.

"Just a little more," Madison replied urgently, sucking in a breath. Her eyes were closed while sending these two breaths to Dolly. When she opened them again, she gasped as her vision was golden. She could see the glow around her as well. A piece of golden light travelled from her and into Dolly's open mouth, disappearing from view down her throat. Then, quite swiftly, Dolly's eyes snapped open and a loud gasp came from the woman. She sat up with a startled yell, looking around the room wildly for a threat. Meanwhile, the glow around Madison disappeared just as swiftly as it came.

She could hear the chatter of conversations happening, but the ringing in her ears made it impossible for her to comprehend. The room swayed all around. The sensation of falling overcame her as things began tilting to the side. The thrumming of her pulse within her head beat like a steady drum, creating a deep ache that felt as though it would never leave. Her stomach revolted against her, twisting around painfully, as though a hot knife were piercing through her flesh. Everything began fading away. Only the pain remained. Though it too began to drift into nothingness.

Soon, the darkness began ebbing away as she became more and more aware of herself. Carefully, she opened her eyes to see she was back in the bed of the inn. It felt reminiscent of waking up in the Royal Hope Hospital with the first sight being that of the ceiling. However, instead of a sterile white, it was a rich brown from the wood used to build this place. Taking a moment to assess herself before she moved, she noted she still had a steady headache humming along. Her nausea was present, though the sharp pain in her stomach had vanished. She lifted a hand, touching under her nose to check for any blood. She found none, though that didn't tell her much. It could have been wiped away by someone while she was unconscious. There came a relieved sigh beside her then, earning her attention.

"You're awake. How are you feeling? Any pain or anything?" asked the Doctor, making her turn her head to see him kneeling on the floor beside the bed. He leaned over to hover by her side, fatigue seen within his ancient eyes as he gazed at her.

She lifted a hand, stroking his face. "I'm fine. Just feeling weak. Are you alright, though? What happened after I fainted?" She watched as his mouth shifted, seeming to be struggling with what he wanted to say.

Eventually, he stood, scooting her over as gingerly as possible before lying down beside her. He then pulled her in close. The grip he had around her body as her head rested against his chest, spoke of despair, desperation . . . and defiance. "I thought . . . Your heart stopped and I thought . . ." A shudder went through him then. Maybe through her as well.

Her breath caught in her throat. "My heart stopped? For how long?"

". . . Long enough. You went unconscious after you brought back Dolly. I had to calm her down, leaving you on the floor. I thought . . ." His voice quivered as he spoke. His arms around her tightened. "I believed you were just . . . After Will managed to get Dolly calm and back to her room, I checked you over and . . . You weren't breathing and your heart . . . But then you glowed for a moment and you were breathing again. You were fine. I think . . . I think you were brought back by the Siren."

Unable to speak for a beat, Madison lay there in the Doctor's arms, trying to wrap her mind around what had occurred. "I died saving Dolly?"

"It looks that way, yeah." She could feel the Doctor swallowing heavily, pulling back enough for his eyes to wander over her. "That may have happened when you travelled between dimensions, too. You said your heart stopped for three minutes? That seems about the same this time around." His fingers went to her forehead, brushing away stray hairs to tuck them behind her ear. "The Siren said she wouldn't let you die . . . I think she meant it."

"It could be that she's merely starting up my heart again, right? Sort of a strange version of CPR. I still feel aware of myself when it happened both times, so I wasn't completely 'dead' exactly. Though . . . most certainly close to that." She hoped this was the case. She hated the idea of the Siren constantly saving her, never allowing the final death. Would the Siren always refuse to allow her death? Keeping her alive forever? An unpleasant shiver, a chill of sorts, travelled down Madison's spine at the mere thought.

There came a thoughtful hum from the Doctor then. A moment passed before he spoke. "Maybe . . . Your body has to shut down into a stasis of some kind to compensate for when you use too much of the Siren's power. So you're not dead . . . just near enough." He was quiet again, rubbing a hand up and down her back in soothing strokes. Eventually, a heavy sigh left him. "I thought you were gone. I thought I lost you."

"I'm sorry. I had not intended for that to occur. It took me by surprise as much as it did you." She wrapped her arms around him, nuzzling into his chest. "I was unaware I could bring people back to life."

"I don't think you did that necessarily. It was just a lucky shot. Dolly's heart had just stopped and you might have gotten a small heartbeat from her when you were giving chest compressions. The Siren just reacted and helped along the rest."

"I don't think she even intended to do that. The melody sounded just as shocked as I was. I believe, that whatever is happening, it's making the Siren react in unusual ways. Almost like an instinctual defence."

"Hmm. Hopefully, the Siren will be more careful in the future." He kissed the top of her head then, sighing lightly. "I'm just glad you're okay. I couldn't imagine if . . ."

She pulled away to stare into his soft brown gaze. "I'm fine now. I promise." She leant up, sharing a chaste kiss with him. When she pulled away, she held a more curious eye. "What happened, though? Is Dolly alright? Will? And where," she looked around the room, seeing they were alone, "where's Martha?"

"After Dolly woke up, she told us it was the maid, Lilith. Had to convince Dolly that Lilith wasn't a witch. Just had on a good disguise to scare her. Unfortunately for us, Dolly has no idea where Lilith would have gone, so we'll have to figure that one out on our own. As for Will and Martha, they're both in his study, sharing drinks and talking. I . . . may have asked Martha to stay away, giving us some alone time."

Madison scoffed, sitting up now to stare down at the Doctor. "That was rude. Martha most likely still needs sleep." It was by then that she noticed sunlight coming from the window in their shared room. The light was still faint, indicating that the Sun had just risen. There came a crow of a rooster as well. "Oh, dear. It's morning. Poor Martha, she'll be exhausted."

"Nah, she'll be fine." The Doctor sat up then, getting up from the bed. "Come on, we better go check up on her. It just dawned on me that leaving her alone with Shakespeare might not have been the best idea."

When the two of them arrived back into the study room, they found Shakespeare and Martha both sitting at the desk. Shakespeare was in his usual seat, mulling over a drink while Martha sat across from the author, leg bouncing anxiously. However, when she noticed the Doctor and Madison come into the room, there appeared to be a wave of relief washing over the young woman as she stood to greet them.

"Are you feeling alright?" Martha asked Madison immediately, eyes travelling up and down the Mer as though looking for more signs of trouble or weariness.

"I'm fine. The moment of rest did me good," Madison assured the woman, sitting down at the desk to see Shakespeare looking her over as well.

"You brought Dolly back from the brink. I cannot thank you enough for your good deed," the author spoke quietly, his eyes staring tiredly at her. She wasn't surprised. The man had been up all night it seems. Though the penetrating eye of his never seems to fade as he continues to observe her. "You radiated a golden light when you saved Dolly. I noticed your eyes alighting with the same light before Lynley's demise. And now Martha speaks of a witch flying through the night. Tell me, are you a witch as well?"

"Ah," Madison uttered, uncertain how to explain it. Should she avoid the truth? Would Shakespeare, being the genius that he was, would he understand the idea of other entities from different realms? She felt the Doctor standing just behind her, his hand lying on her shoulder in comfort. Finally, she decided to say, "You could say that, yes. I'm a witch of the Light while others are witches of the Dark."

Nodding lightly, Shakespeare leaned back in his chair. "I feel as though there is much more to be said with that, but for now I know I must accept this answer as truth." He was quiet then for a breath before speaking up once more. "To think of witches existing. I have believed in many things, but this is not one of them."

"Believe me, if I didn't see it, I wouldn't have thought it was real, either. I saw her in the sky, big as you like, flying, cackling away," Martha said as she sat down in her seat once again. Madison came around to sit next to the woman after the Doctor nudged her to do so. "First Lynley drowned on dry land, Dolly almost died of fright and they were both connected to you," Martha went on, looking pointedly at Shakespeare.

The author stared back at her in disbelief. "You're accusing me?"

"No, it's just odd. I mean you've written about witches—"

"I have? When was that?" Now the author just seemed perplexed as his eyes shifted to all three of them.

"Not . . . Not quite yet," the Doctor uttered so quietly that Madison was certain only she and Martha had heard him.

Shakespeare frowned thoughtfully then, seeming to move on to something else. "Peter Streete spoke of witches."

"Who's Peter Streete?" Martha asked curiously.

"Our builder. He sketched the plans for the Globe."

"If he spoke of witches . . ." Madison turned in her seat, looking back at the Doctor. "Do you think they've been planning something with the Globe?"

The Time Lord's eyes light up. "Yes. That's it! The architect! The Globe!" He spun on his heel, rushing out of the room with Madison right on his heels, and Martha with Shakespeare close behind.

XxXxXxXxXx

"Columns there, right, and fourteen sides," the Doctor muttered to himself as he slowly turned on the spot. He stood in the centre of the yard, taking note of almost everything there was after they had inspected the place rather thoroughly. Nothing seemed out of place. Not to them at least. Whatever the Globe had to do with witches, it was most likely something which went unseen.

Madison continued to contemplate this as she stood next to Martha on the edge of the stage. Out of everything they had faced so far during her almost two years of travel, the circumstances happening now made no logical sense to her. Was it technology which acted as witchcraft as she had suspected? Or was it truly something beyond the scope of the universal laws of nature? The Doctor was certain that it was only something acting as witchcraft. She knew she must trust him on this, though the uncertainty of what they were to face created an unsettling notion. She did not think the Siren had it in her to use her abilities to stop this force. Not without dire consequences for both of them. Shaking her head, Madison watched the Doctor as he finally turned to address Shakespeare, who stood on Martha's other side. The author had mostly been setting up his play for tonight. It seemed Love's Labour's Won was still on after all.

"I've always wondered, but I've never asked," the Doctor said suddenly as he turned. "Tell me, Will, why fourteen sides?"

"It was the shape Peter Streete thought best, that's all. He said it carried the sound well," Shakespeare replied, not sounding convinced that there was anything unusual there.

"With what's occurring now and the visit of witches for Peter, we cannot rule anything out," Madison noted, arms crossed as she shifted on foot.

A hum came from the Doctor as he started to turn slowly again. "Fourteen. Why does that ring a bell? Fourteen?"

"There's fourteen lines in a sonnet," Martha offered in thought.

"So there is. Good point," the Doctor commented, turning back around to nod his head to Martha. "Words and shapes following the same design." He began strolling back and forth across the yard as he rambled. "Fourteen lines, fourteen sides, fourteen facets . . . My head! Tetradecagon, think, think, think!" He began rubbing a vicious hand through his hair, gripping the top of his head hard as he kept mumbling under his breath. Then, he began hitting his head. "Words, letters, numbers, lines!"

Madison was swift to hop off the stage, going over to him. He halted in place when she grabbed his arm, pulling his hand away from his head. "Before you give yourself a concussion or pull your hair out," she spoke gently, holding his hand as she stared at him softly, "perhaps we're going about our thoughts in the wrong direction. Perhaps it's not numbers they work with. Maybe their power comes from something else."

"There is no power here. This is just a theatre!" Shakespeare remarked, earning Madison and the Doctor's attention.

"Oh, yeah, but a theatre's magic, isn't it?" countered the Doctor. "You should know." He walked over to the stage, leaning against it with his arms placed over the edge. "You stand on this stage, say the right words with the right emphasis at the right time. Oh, you can make men weep or cry with joy. Change them." The Doctor had been smiling at Shakespeare as he spoke, but then he began staring off into nothing as his eyes became alight. As though he had a sudden idea come to him. "You can change people's minds just with words in this place . . . And if you exaggerate that . . ." He pushed himself away from the stage and then started to turn to observe the theatre once more.

"It's like your police box. Small, wooden box with all that power inside," Martha added in, nodding lightly as she seemed to understand the Doctor's train of thought. Madison smiled at the woman while the Doctor turned and grinned lightly.

"Oh! Oh, Martha Jones, I like you," the Doctor responded to her before seeming to ponder again thoughtfully. "Tell you what, Peter Streete would know. Can I talk to him?" He looked to Shakespeare in hopes of just that.

The author shook his head solemnly. "You won't get an answer. A month after finishing this place, he lost his mind."

"Is he gone from this world?" Madison asked, her voice sad as she thought of another poor soul destroyed by witches.

"You could say that. He started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling. His mind was addled. He wasn't the Peter I knew any longer. So they sent him away," explained Shakespeare.

"Where is he now?" questioned the Doctor.

"Bedlam."

Sucking in a sharp breath, Madison could only feel horror at the mention of that awful place. She had heard stories of it, of course. From her mother and father. From others who could recall the terrors of their ancestors having lived through it. Saint Mary of Bethlehem. Also known by locals as 'Bedlam'. A place where people with troubled minds were discarded as though they were nothing. Treated as though they were filth. Locked away in cages or worse. It was a time when mental disorders were handled without care or dignity. And not everyone thrown into Bethlehem was suffering from such mental states, either. Humans had a way of treating those they deemed unworthy horrible, acting heinously out of spite alone. It made her queasy knowing they would have to go there next to see Peter. She disliked hospitals normally, but this one . . . Eyes shifting towards the Doctor, it was clear that he was just as discomforted with the thought as she was.

"What's Bedlam?" Martha asked, clearly puzzled by the sober reactions from them.

"Bethlehem Hospital, the madhouse," explained Shakespeare.

"We gotta go there, right now. Come on," the Doctor instructed, moving swiftly towards the theatre exit.

"Wait, I'm coming with you," called Shakespeare, walking swiftly with Martha off the stage. "I want to witness this first hand."

There was a brief pause as Shakespeare passed some of his actors on the way out, passing along the scripts for the play. Then they were off, walking swiftly through the city, passing along people who were enjoying the mid-morning. They happened to pass by a bakery along the way. The smell of fresh bread made Madison's stomach growl, reminding her that they had not eaten in a while. Too busy with rushing about and such. It made her concerned over Martha, wondering when the last time the woman had eaten as well. She knew the Doctor would be fine. He could go days without food, though she still felt concern for him at times, wishing he would take care of himself better.

"I heard that," spoke up the Doctor beside her, glancing her way.

She blushed, embarrassed that her stomach had been loud enough to be heard. "I'm fine. It's just my stomach complaining more than usual." She came to a stop when the Doctor suddenly turned and went straight into the bakery they had walked by. Before Martha or Shakespeare even had time to walk over to her and ask what the Time Lord was doing, the Doctor came back out with a few large bread rolls in hand.

"Here," he said as he handed out the rolls to the three standing there. "Breakfast. Not much, but it's food."

Madison smiled at him, taking his hand into a tender embrace with her own. "You didn't have to do that, spaceman, but that was very sweet of you either way." She then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. He beamed at her before walking swiftly again, pulling her along as she carefully ate her bread.

"That was nice, thank you," said Shakespeare, tearing the bread into chunks before happily munching on the pieces.

"Yeah, thanks. I was starving," Martha added, taking her first large bite from the bread. She made a face as she ate, seeming taken aback by the texture. "Whoa. It's so grainy. Wasn't expecting that."

"Yes, bread here is made differently than what you're used to," Madison noted as she continued to eat. It was yummy, reminding her of bread she used to have with meals back when she had still lived in Ireland. Her favourite had to be the potato bread her mother used to bake from time to time.

"So, tell me of Freedonia, where women can be doctors, writers, actors," Shakespeare spoke up after they had all finished their breakfast. Madison saw him staring at Martha, hopeful for a clearer answer.

"This country's ruled by a woman," Martha told him, smirking lightly as they passed through a small walkway through buildings.

"Ah, she's royal, that's God's business. Though you are a royal beauty."

Madison looked back over her shoulder, seeing the roguish smile sent Martha's way, making the young woman halt in place. Madison was swift to halt as well, which led to the Doctor impatiently waiting by her side as he still held her hand.

"Whoa, nelly! I know for a fact you've got a wife in the country," Martha responded to Shakespeare, clearly taken by surprise at how bold the author was becoming with his flirtatious ways.

"But, Martha, this is town," Shakespeare countered easily.

"Oi. Behave. Don't make me pull your ear, mister," Madison spoke up then, shooting the author a disapproving, strict eye.

Shakespeare gave her a flirtatious look only briefly before clearing his throat. "Not to worry. My behaviour has been swiftly rebuked when it comes to you, my crimson lady. I do not wish to tempt another scalding look from your Doctor."

Madison was confused, tilting her head as she looked between the author and the Doctor. She could see the small haughty smile on the Time Lord's face for only the briefest of moments before he was shooting a pointed look at Shakespeare. "Come on. We need to hurry," he said before starting to move again. Though he was swift to halt in place at Shakespeare's next words.

"Don't think you've escaped my sights, Doctor. There's plenty of compliments I have for you as well," came the smug words, with Shakespeare smirking at the Doctor. A surprised laugh escaped Madison as she looked back at the Doctor, seeing his stunned expression.

"Oh, fifty-seven academics just punched the air," Madison heard the Doctor muttering under his breath before he spoke louder. "Now, move!" he ordered the group, gripping her hand hard as they walked briskly through the more crowded pathways. Meanwhile, Madison was chuckling lightly, grinning at the Doctor.

"I wonder if Will and Jack are related somehow. The two are rather similar in mannerisms it seems," she remarked lightly through their shared connection.

"Don't ever let Jack hear you say that. It'll go right to his head, giving him a bigger ego than he already has," replied the Doctor swiftly.

"Imagine if the two of them met."

There came an audible groan from the Doctor. "Don't even joke about that."

XxXxXxXxXx

They smelled the hospital before even arriving. The stink was heavy in the air. The hospital had been built right over the sewers, leaving little fresh air to breathe. The people they passed by in the surrounding area had harsher demeanours than those in the rest of the city. Madison suspected living near such a place would do that to a person over time. Having to listen to the horrors which echoed from the massive building must warp a mind over time. In fact, as the group approached the building, Madison could hear a distant wail coming from within. She stared at the hospital as they drew closer still. The building loomed over them, sinister with the shadows it cast across the land. The gate—with metal words stating the hospital's name—creaked open for them as they made their way through. The two statues of angels stood on either side of the gate, staring at them with disdain. The smell of excrement was harsher, hitting them in the face as they stepped inside the building itself. The wails came louder now, vibrating the very air itself. A sharp headache overcame Madison, making her hiss through her teeth and grip her head from the pain. The waves of distress, of broken, torn minds bombarded her savagely. It was one of the worst places of ravaged minds she had ever been to.

"You alright?" Martha asked, touching Madison's shoulder in concern. It was then that Madison realised she was visibly quivering. Oh, dear. She hadn't meant to let them see her pain.

"I'm fine," she said through gritted teeth, trying to push back the waves which kept ruthlessly smashing against her mind.

"Here. Let me help," she heard the Doctor saying softly. He brushed her hands from her head before touching her temples with his fingers. Soon, the noise from all the minds around them eased down into static.

Madison sighed in relief. "Thank you." A blush crossed her face then as she hung her head in shame. "I'm sorry I'm not strong enough."

"There's no need to apologise. I just can't stand you being in pain," the Doctor told her, pulling her close for a hug.

"Why were you in pain?" Martha asked, seeming confused now as Madison and the Doctor parted from their hug.

"Ah . . . may I explain later?" Madison offered, glancing at Shakespeare's way as he stared with his sharp eyes, observing her carefully. Martha seemed to accept this answer for now, nodding lightly before looking over as they heard footsteps approaching them within the front hall.

Soon, they were greeted by a few keepers of the place, asking why they were there. Once it was discovered that none were meant for this place, then they were asked if they wished for a tour. Revolted by the mere thought, Madison felt her stomach queasy and her ire growing at the idea of the gentry coming to this place as some sort of 'entertainment'. She made certain to keep her mouth shut for the time being as the Doctor worked to find out where Peter Streete was and used his psychic paper to grant them entry without the exchange of coins. And so, a keeper was assigned to them, leading the way to Peter's cell. The keeper's mind was a twisted thing. Even though he wasn't under duress, Madison could practically sense the waves of wicked glee when it came to his job. His mind was broken but in a different way.

The keeper led them down torchlit halls with cells on either side. The stone walls were crudely cut with dirt floors which had straw scattered at their feet. Some people within the cells, covered in grime, dressed in rags, and looking dangerously thin and sickly, waved their arms out through the iron bars, begging for help in pleading whispers. Others were seen sitting in corners, rocking in place with either their hands banging at their heads or wrapped around their middle. Then, some merely lay there within their cells, staring blankly at the walls, on the verge of wasting away. Though the Doctor had lessened the amount of bombardment upon her mind from these poor souls, she still felt their shattered minds. The instinct within her urged her to go to these people and help them in some way. Any way. In fact, her body leaned towards a few they passed. The ones reaching out for help. She went to grab their hands, hoping to ease some of their pain. But the Doctor was swift in wrapping an arm around her waist, guiding her away.

"There's nothing you can do. I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear as a few tears fell from her eyes.

"Does my lord Doctor wish some entertainment while he waits?" the keeper suddenly spoke up, earning their attention. "I can whip these madmen. They'll put on a good show for you. Bandog and Bedlam."

"No, I don't," the Doctor said, his voice a rumble in his throat as he sent the man a glare, moving to grip Madison's hand by this point. His hand squeezed hers hard. Madison herself was sickened by the suggestion from the keeper. The ire grew still as her eyes flared up heatedly.

Then, the keeper suddenly halted them. "Well, wait here, my lords, while I, uh . . . Make him decent for the ladies." The keeper stomped away, heading for a few cells down where Peter most likely was.

"So this is what you call a hospital, yeah? Where the patients are whipped to entertain the gentry? And you put your friend in here?" Martha said as her eyes shifted about the place. The clear disbelief and revulsion were written all over her face. Anger and disgust were heard within the woman's voice, she turned to Shakespeare as if hoping for some clarity to the madness.

"Oh, it's all so different in Freedonia," retorted Shakespeare sarcastically.

"But you're clever! Do you honestly think this place is any good?"

"Of course, he knows this place is atrocious. Everyone who lives in this city knows that. But they all simply look the other way rather than showing compassion to those which they do not understand," grumbled Madison, throwing Shakespeare a strict gaze. She knew times were different here in 1599. People had different ideals, a lack of understanding, and different morals. Hell, even hygiene was completely upside down compared to the 21st century. Even she remembered the time when she did not think to wash her hands often while growing up. Still, though, she would have hoped for some sort of empathy and kindness. It reminded her again why Mer had hidden away from humans. Why it might be best to always remain that way.

Shakespeare threw Madison and Martha both a look which spoke of his feeling of incredulity at their disdain for the hospital. "I've been mad, I've lost my mind. Fear of this place set me right again. Serves its purpose."

"Mad in what way?" Martha questioned him.

"You lost your son," said the Doctor, his voice lessened to that of empathy.

Shakespeare turned his eye to the Time Lord. There was this look between the two. A moment of deep understanding of one another. "My only boy. The Black Death took him. I wasn't even there." Shakespeare averted his gaze then, eyes facing the wall next to him.

"I didn't know, I'm sorry," Martha said, her tone softer than before.

"Made me question everything," Shakespeare went on, still staring at nothing in particular. "The futility of this fleeting existence, to be or not to be."

"That is the question," Madison found herself saying automatically. The choice between life or death, endurance or suicide . . . she had been there before. After her parent's deaths . . . after travelling so far, alone, never finding another Mer, the contemplation on whether or not to simply end her misery so that she wouldn't be alone and suffering at the hands of humanity . . . She knew this all too well.

Shakespeare blinked, mulling over what he and Madison had said. "Oh, that's quite good."

"You should write that down," said the Doctor, a spark of recognising history in the making.

"Hmm, maybe not. A bit pretentious?"

"This way, my lord," came the call of the keeper from down the hall. They could see him out of the cell towards the end of the hallway, standing at the open cell and waiting for them. The whip he had been carrying on his belt was now present in his hand. It made Madison worry that he had used it on Peter. They hadn't heard any screams of pain, but that didn't mean anything.

She remained close to the Doctor as the group walked down to the keeper. The man soon unlocked the cell, opening it wide for them to step inside. A man sat in the centre of the room, sitting on the edge of the wooden cot used as a bed. He wore grey clothing, most of which were torn up, hanging loosely from his thin frame. His hair matched the colour of his clothes, matted and unwashed for some time. He was hunched over, head bowed, and rocking in place.

"They can be dangerous, my lord. Don't know their own strength," the keeper said as he eyed Peter in disgust.

The Doctor was swift in turning his stormy eyes onto the man. "I think it helps if you don't whip them. Now, get out!" he barked at the man.

The keeper, in shock, eyed the Doctor for a second before taking his leave, locking the cell door behind him and walking away. This left them alone with Peter with only the wails of other patients making any sound. Peter gave no notice to them, unmoving, still rocking on his cot. Madison began to move forward, though the Doctor was swift to halt her. He gave a small shake of the head, indicating for him to go first. Knowing most likely he was wary in case Peter was hostile. She nodded and stepped back, anxiously watching as the Doctor stepped around to crouch in front of Peter.

"Peter. Peter Streete," the Doctor said, trying to rouse the man somehow. Peter gave no sign of hearing the Time Lord, still hunched over and gripping his head.

"He's the same as he was. You'll get nothing out of him," said Shakespeare, staring somberly at Peter. As though the man were already dead.

"Here. Let me try," Madison spoke softly, walking over to kneel near Peter.

The Doctor scooted over, allowing her to face Peter better. She touched Peter's face as gently as possible. It was then that Peter jolted, his head lifting up to gaze at her with wide eyes. His sight was unclear as his eyes were in a haze of madness. She could feel the same coming from his mind as well. Being so close to a patient now, the feeling of a broken mind hit her with a powerful force. Though she remained steady, carefully placing her fingers on the man's temples.

"Hello, Peter. I'm Madison. I promise I can make the madness go away. But it won't last. It'll be only for a short while. I'm sorry," she spoke quietly, sad to see him so frightened of her. She kept her eyes locked on his as he gazed back in terror. It hurt delving into his mind. Something was trying desperately to block her way, to create chaos in the mind. But she pushed through, fighting against the rising tide until she finally reached the dry expanse of Peter's mind. Once in the centre of the scattered mess that was his headscape, she began helping him to piece together, to make sense of the madness. She felt his mind growing stronger the more she worked in breaking down the barriers which kept his true mind at bay.

"Someone's purposely broken his mind. I won't be able to get him back to how he was before, but . . ." Madison let go of his head, standing up and backing away to be by the Doctor. "He'll be able to talk with us now." She swayed on the spot as she and Peter still stared at one another. The pounding in her head matched in beat of her heart. It was painful, the process of fixing a broken mind. But it was worth it in the end. Always.

"Peter, I'm the Doctor. I need you to tell me what happened to you. One year ago," the Doctor spoke then, as calm as possible as Peter's eyes shifted to him. "I need you to go back. Think of it as a story that happened to someone else. Tell me the story. Tell me about the witches."

"They came in whispers . . . the witches. In the night, they whispered, they whispered . . . ," Peter muttered rapidly to them, still quivering on the spot. His hands moved from his head, though one twitched around in the air for a moment before he lowered them into his lap. "I built the Globe to their design. Their design! I fought against their whispers, but they would punish me, yes, punish poor Peter. The fourteen walls. Always fourteen. And when I finished, they came to me again and snapped my wits."

A manic laugh left Peter then, making Madison walk over to him as his body was shuddering harder now. It was too much for him. She could tell. Whatever was done to his mind was fighting back and trying to harm him for having some sort of sanity. Though before she could reach Peter, a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back. The Doctor shook his head before looking at Peter once more.

"Well, where did you see the witches? Where in the city?" he asked the man, pressing for answers now. Madison knew that he must realise their time was short with Peter. They could see how Peter's mouth worked to move and speak, but he was struggling. His breaths were coming in and out fast. The Doctor went to Peter, crouching down in front of the shaking man. "Peter, tell me. You've got to tell me. Where were they?"

Peter, fighting through his returning madness, finally answered, "All Hallows Street."

"Too many words."

Madison gasped, reacting fast to yank the Doctor back as a witch suddenly appeared beside the Time Lord. A true witch as she had ever seen. The woman looked like something out of a picture book. Black, withering robes dangling off the witches' body. A sunken face with a long, crooked nose. Hair which appeared to be made out of spider silk. Sharp teeth, like that of a shark's. It was only a moment for Madison and the rest to stare at the witch with wide eyes before she was dragged away by the Doctor back over to the other two. It was at that moment she realised why the Time Lord had pulled her away.

"Just one touch of the heart," said the witch, lifting a single, bony finger with a claw-like fingernail at the end.

"NO!" Madison and the Doctor shouted together as the witch touched Peter's chest. It was instant. Peter let out one scream and then was silent, falling over onto his cot sideways, unmoving. Madison's sense of the man's mind disappeared into nothingness.

"No, you didn't have to kill him!" cried Madison in fury, glaring daggers at the witch who cackled. The melody erupted within her mind, angrily singing as Madison glared darkly at the witch.

"A witch! I'm seeing a witch!" Shakespeare gasped, eyes wide in both amazement and fright.

The witch gave a sinister grin in their direction. "Now, who would be next, hmm? Just one touch. Oh, I'll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals." The hag laughed gleefully, her eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

"Let us out! Let us out!" Martha began shouting through the bars, calling for the keeper who was long gone by now.

"That's not going to work. The whole building's shouting that," the Doctor told her, making the woman halt in her shouting as she knew the truth. The keeper said he would give them time with Peter. For how long, none of them knew.

"And who would die first, hmm?" asked the witch, grinning her sharp teeth at them.

Madison could see the Doctor ready to step forward, obviously going to face off with the witch in hopes of figuring out a way for their escape. But, still feeling fury coursing through her from both herself and the Siren, she took a large step forward as her vision began to grow golden. The witch blinked at her, the smile vanishing as the hag appeared greatly stunned to see the golden eyes coming from the Mer. Madison lifted a finger, pointing it at the witch with her teeth bared.

"Leave now, Dark One. Go back to your prison of darkness," came the words from Madison's mouth. They were not hers, though. They were the Siren's, growling in an echoing voice. A mix between Madison's and the Siren's.

The witch backed away into a corner. A fearful expression on the hag's face as her eyes gazed at Madison's. An expression of pure disbelief. "How is this possible? You, Disciple of the Light, how do you exist? My kind made certain yours would never see the Light again!"

Madison's hand lowered. "The Light always protects those who safeguard the innocent. Now leave this realm of your own will and you will be spared. If not, then you will rue the day you ever crossed back into the Light."

The witch sneered at her, stepping forward with her fright vanishing away. "Oh, I see," she said as a nefarious smile spread across her face, "you don't actually have any power here." The witch cackled, fingers waving smugly in the air. "You're trapped inside that mortal body. Limited by the flesh. Even now as I speak I can feel you draining that body's life." The witch took another step forward, eyes glinting in the torch light as she held up one finger. "Why don't I end the poor little heart of yours?"

Madison suddenly felt herself being yanked back with the Doctor stepping forward. She couldn't see his face, but she saw how tense he was.

"Don't even think about it. Your quarrel is with me," he snarled.

Again, the witch was clearly taken aback, blinking in shock before placing on a devious smirk. "Ah, foolish mortal, you also have no power against me. You will die the same way as your Disciple."

"No, no, powers me. But there is power I do have. The power of words. If I can find the right one, if I can just know you . . . ," the Doctor retorted confidently.

The witch pointed a long finger at him, narrowing her eyes. "You may try to name us. But even your Disciple of the Light does not know the name given to us by the Eternals."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm here," countered the Doctor easily. He then began muttering rapidly under his breath. "Now, think, think, think. Humanoid, female, who uses shapes and words to channel energy . . ." Then, he shouted in realisation. "Ah, fourteen!" He jabbed a finger in the witch's direction. "That's it, fourteen! The fourteen stars of the Rexel planetary configuration!" The witch's eyes went wide, beginning to say something, but the Doctor beat her to it. "Creature, I name you Carrionite!"

The witch shrieked, screaming as she vanished in a wave of light. It was quiet for a moment as the Doctor stepped back slightly, eyes travelling over to Madison. "Siren, you can leave Madison now," he instructed.

This surprised Madison. She had been so absorbed by what was happening, ready to step forward at a moment's notice to protect her Doctor from the witch, that she hadn't even noticed her vision was still glowing. The melody was still as strong as before. She gave a calming sense to the Siren, trying to ease both of their tension away. Soon, the melody grew softer until both it and the golden glow faded into the back reaches of Madison's mind and body. Then, it came on swiftly. The weakness in her body, the sharp headache, the fatigue, the nausea; all of it hitting her at once. She swayed in place, feeling the world tilt around her. But she forced herself to remain as steady as possible. She must have looked worse off as the Doctor was quick in reaching for her, holding her close to his body to support her with a handkerchief handed over for her bloody nose.

"Thank you," she mumbled, wiping her face gratefully.

"What did you do?" Martha asked then, looking to the Doctor for answers.

"I named her," the Doctor explained. "The power of a name. That's old magic."

Martha shook her head, clearly confused. "But there's no such thing as magic."

"Well, it's just a different sort of science. You lot, you chose mathematics. Given the right string of numbers, the right equation, you can split the atom. The Carrionites use words instead."

"Use them for what?" questioned Shakespeare, still appearing unnerved by what had just occurred.

"The end of the world," the Doctor answered simply.

"Isn't that always the case with creatures like these?" Madison muttered as she handed back the handkerchief to the Doctor. "We should consider moving on from this place. I'd suspect these Carrionites would not take lightly to one of their own being harmed." She went to step forward, but the weakness in her body became too much. She collapsed to the floor, gasping in shock as she did. She did not remain on the floor for long as she was gathered quickly into the Doctor's arms. She blushed, feeling ashamed as he held an arm under her legs and another around her waist, holding her close to his chest.

"I've got you," he whispered, his hold tightening as she shivered.

"You don't have to do this. I can manage," she mumbled, her face feeling warm as he walked to the cell door. Even while holding her, he still managed to get his sonic screwdriver out to unlock the cell, leading the way out for the others. She felt the Doctor chuckling, his chest vibrating against her as he held her closer still. She ended up resting her head against his shoulder, letting the motion of his stride rock her into a gentle lull.

XxXxXxXxXx

Her strength returned to her about halfway back to the Elephant Inn. However, the Doctor refused to put her down until they were almost there. Apparently, he enjoyed the way she lay in his arms as he walked about. She knew he was strong, stronger than most humans at least. So in her human form, he could easily carry her without trouble. She still felt guilty that he had to carry her. She should be better at handling the Siren's energy depletion by now. Shaking this thought away, she was grateful when Dolly came over to them once they were back, bringing them drinks and food for them. She waved away any money the Doctor tried to pay, dismissing it completely.

"She saved my life she did. I owe her more than I can give," Dolly stated firmly, nodding towards Madison. "You'll always eat and drink for free here. That's my thanks to you," the woman said, addressing Madison by this point.

The Mer smiled at the woman, nodding her head. "You do not have to trouble yourself, though I will not dismiss free food and drink when it is given. I thank you."

So, the group moved with their food and drink into Shakespeare's study. Mostly eating while discussing what would happen now. What did the Carrionites have planned? What did the Globe have anything to do with their schemes? What of the play? Nothing which they had answers to right away. The Doctor then moved on to answer Martha's questions about the Carrionites themselves once they had all finished their food and drink. Martha stood leaning against a desk which held places for a few bound journals and many parchment papers. Madison sat at Shakespeare's desk, resting up as she gathered her strength back. It was helpful to have food in her stomach. Shakespeare was freshening up, splashing his face with water from the basin in the room after removing his coat. Meanwhile, the Doctor paced as he spoke.

"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe," he said as he walked back and forth, turning on his heel each time. "Nobody was sure if they were real or legend."

"Well, I'm going for real," said Shakespeare as he turned around, drying his face now.

"That would explain why the Siren knows them, and why she didn't have a real name for them. They may have existed together before the universe and time existed like the Beast. Before they were even named," Madison remarked as she watched the Doctor pace.

"Seems like it, yeah," muttered the Doctor as he stopped, rubbing at his eye as he frowned. "Makes you wonder just how many other 'Dark Ones' are out there wandering about."

"But what do they want?" Martha spoke up, earning the Doctor's attention.

"A new empire on Earth," he answered as he walked over to Shakespeare's desk, leaning against the tabletop near Madison. "A world of bones and blood and witchcraft."

"But how?"

The Doctor's eyes travelled over to Shakespeare. "I'm looking at the man with the words."

Shakespeare paused in drying his face, lowering the cloth in his hands as he blinked at the Time Lord. "Me? But I've done nothing."

"It makes sense. If the Carrionites use words for their science, then a wordsmith would do the trick in helping their cause," Madison noted, nodding thoughtfully as she contemplated it. Shakespeare would create many new words in his lifetime. Words that would transcend time itself. Words such as that were powerful indeed.

"Hold on, though. What were you doing last night when that Carrionite was in the room?" Martha questioned, looking at Shakespeare as well.

"Finishing the play," Shakespeare said as he set aside his drying cloth.

"What happens on the last page?" asked the Doctor, staring carefully at the author.

"The boys get the girls, they have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought-provoking as usual." Shakespeare paused, staring down for a moment as he seemed to think carefully. Then, he looked at them once more. "Except those last few lines. Funny thing is, I don't actually remember writing them."

A spark of realisation crossed the Doctor's face as he moved away from the desk. "That's it! They used you. They gave you the final words. Like a spell, like a code. Love's Labour's Won, it's a weapon! The right combination of words spoken in the right place with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing!" The Doctor moved to begin rushing out of the room, but halted and turned back around briefly towards Shakespeare. "And yes, you can have that."

The Doctor ran out of the room just as the church bells outside began to ring. The chime of the bells grew sinister to Madison as she listened to them. The sound of people laughing as night began to approach. Things in the city were preparing for festivities and merriment. How much longer did they have before it all turned into horrors? She watched as the Doctor came back into the room, a horde of papers in his arms before dropping them all onto the desk.

"Lucky for us, Dolly stores plenty of maps of the city. All we have to do is find that street where the witches live," he told them, spreading out the papers so each of them could take a few. "Start searching. We don't have much time. The play will be starting soon." The Doctor then pulled out his glasses and began to look through the maps.

They all did as instructed. Shakespeare placed back on his leather coat and began looking through, naming off streets he already knew of. Martha and Madison ran their fingers down the maps as they went, working together in trying to find All Hallows Street. Eventually, it was the Doctor who found it first. He pointed to the location on the map, near where the river was.

"All Hallows Street, there it is," he said as he tapped the place on the map. "Martha, Maddie, we'll track them down. Will," he lifted his eyes to look at the author, "you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play!"

Shakespeare nodded, pushing himself away from where he had been leaning over the desk. "I'll do it. All these years, I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you," the author shook the Doctor's hand, grinning largely, "I know nothing."

"Well, don't complain," said Martha, smiling at the author.

"I'm not! It's marvellous," replied Shakespeare, his grin beaming by this point. "Good luck, Doctor."

The Doctor's lips twitched as he appeared to try to hold back a smirk as he placed away his glasses. "Good luck, Shakespeare." He then grabbed his overcoat which had been placed over the back of Madison's seat, flipping it around to place it on. "Once more onto the breach!" He paused then, staring at Madison as she carefully stood up. "Wait, hold on, maybe it's best if—"

"Oh, shut it. I'm coming," she replied with an eye roll. Seeing his hesitation, she walked briskly around him, pausing in the doorway. "I'm fine, Doctor. Trust me. Now, let's hurry."

Soon enough, Madison, along with the Doctor and Martha, were running down the streets of London. Torches were being lit as they went. The Sun had finally set. Night had graced its presence upon the land. Along with it came the dread of what might happen to them all if they did not succeed in stopping the witches' scheme. Madison only made herself run faster, pushing herself to keep up with the Doctor and Martha. Even though she felt absolutely exhausted by this point. Her skin was hot, dry, and itching for a bath. She'd need one soon to recover from all the recent use of the Siren's powers. Slowing down as they came to All Hallows Street, it was then the task of finding the right house amongst the clutter of others pressed all together.

"Thing is, though, am I missing something here? The world didn't end in 1599, it just didn't. Look at me, I'm living proof," Martha said to them as the Doctor and Madison looked around the different houses in the surrounding area.

"That one's easy to explain, actually. Remember Back to the Future?" Madison said, turning to the woman. "Think of yourself as Marty McFly and you've just changed history. What happens next?"

"He . . . He starts fading away." Martha's eyes went wide. "Oh, my god, am I going to fade?"

"That, or we're creating an alternate timeline and now you're the byproduct of the old one," the Doctor muttered as he frowned, staring at the building in front of them. "You'll be left outside of time, while the rest of the entire future of the human race fades away. It'll end right now, in 1599, if we don't stop it."

"Which means most likely we were meant to be here to stop the event from happening altogether, leaving the future safe for us to be a part of. Funny how time works like that," Madison added with a shrug. Pointing at the house in front of them, she nodded. "Instincts says that's the one. I can sense something dangerous inside." It was at that moment that the door creaked open, showing them the faint yellow glow of a torchlight inside the home. With her instincts telling her to run, Madison shivered at the sight. "Oh, dear. Creepy door opening up on its own? That's usually a sign in a horror film to run."

"Good thing we're not in a film," mumbled the Doctor as he stepped towards the home. She and Martha followed after him, walking carefully into the house. The door snapped shut just behind them after they entered, locking in place. It gave Madison an uneasy feeling as the Doctor pushed aside a hanging curtain over a doorway, leading to them going up a set of stairs to the top of the home.

Soon, they parted another curtain, entering into a frightful room. It had chains hanging from the ceiling at different places. Some of the chains holding cages with skeletons inside. There were also torture devices of the era, whips, curved knives, a bubbling cauldron, and hanging herbs. A room for witchcraft if Madison had ever seen or imagined. Soon, the witch, Lilith, was spotted standing at the far end of the room nearest the large window looking out into the city. She had a chilling serene expression as she took in the sight of each of them. Her eyes were keenly drawn towards Madison's briefly before staring at the Doctor.

"I take it we're expected?" noted the Doctor as he stood with his hands in his pockets, his own expression cool as he regarded Lilith.

"Oh, I think death has been waiting for you a very long time," remarked Lilith as she observed the Time Lord.

Martha patted the Doctor's chest just as he was about to talk, taking a step forward. "Right then, it's my turn. I know how to do this." She pointed a finger at the witch. "I name thee Carrionite!" Lilith gave a small gasp, her face of shock before it was obvious she was pretending to be alarmed. Her smile twisted as she chuckled darkly. Martha blinked, looking back at the Doctor and Madison. "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?"

"No, I don't think so," Madison said quietly as she grabbed Martha and guided the woman to stand back behind her.

"Power of a name works only once. Observe," Lilith then spoke powerfully, taking a few steps forward as her sharp eyes remained on Martha. She lifted a finger, pointing it straight past Madison and right at Martha. "I gaze upon this bag of bones, and now I name thee, Martha Jones." Madison gasped as Martha suddenly began to fall backwards, her eyes rolling up into her head. Grabbing the woman, she and the Doctor kept Martha from banging her head on the wooden floor, slowly lowering her in concern.

"What have you done?" yelled the Doctor, his eyes shifting up to glare at Lilith.

"Doctor, it's alright. Martha's heart is still beating," Madison assured him while feeling at the woman's neck for a pulse. The heartbeat was strong as ever, not flattering in the slightest.

"The Disciple is correct," hummed Lilith as she slowly pulled back her finger, head tilting as her eyes travelled up and down Martha's unconscious body. "Only sleeping, alas. It's curious, her name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time." Lilith's eyes shifted, going to Madison next. With a devilish smile, Lilith narrowed her eyes. "You. You are also out of your time. And yet, you also are not. Most curious indeed. You are two beings living together in one body. Yet . . . both of the Light?" Soon the witch's eyes were narrowed, her smile twisting in revulsion. "How vile," she spat. Then, her face calmed, smiling once more. "But oh, your Light will be no match for our Dark. Not on this night."

Madison shot up from the floor, ignoring her instincts as she stepped towards Lilith, glowering at her with a mighty force. "Think again. For even if I cannot cease your nefarious ploys, then others will step up for the Light and do so in my stead." Another step further, she hissed at Lilith. "Your blight ends tonight, Carrionite."

"Oh," Lilith crackled, "how frightful." Her teeth morphed from a normal human's to that of a foul creature's sharp smile. "Let us test those words, hmm?" The witch pointed a finger right at Madison's heart. "Thy time is short and your life run's it course; the Siren sings her last song and thee, Madison Baker, will meet your maker."

"NO!" the Doctor bellowed just as Madison felt herself fall backwards.

She felt him catching her just before she hit the floor. He gazed down at her with eyes wide in fright at what happened. She stared up at him, eyes just as large as she blinked. It was as though someone had punched her hard into her chest. It hurt, though . . . nothing that she had not felt before. In fact, it only felt as though it were a nasty bruise she had received. Her breath was knocked out of her as she gasped and tried to regain air in her lungs.

"I'm okay," she breathed, her voice raspy as she and the Doctor gazed at one another. She could feel his body relaxing from the tension there had been a moment ago. She reached up a hand, cupping his face. "I'm alright. She . . . she got the name wrong."

"What? This cannot be," hissed Lilith, gaining the two's attention. Her eyes were filled with fire as she glared at Madison. "How can your name be hidden? And you," her eyes shifted to the Doctor, narrowing them at him, "your name is hidden as well. Why would two beings hide their names in such despair?" Then, she smiled again, making a small delighted noise as she seemed to shake away her shock. "No matter. I think of other words to end your precious Light, sir Doctor."

"Oh, big mistake! If there is one thing you do not harm, it is the one person in this room who is more precious to me than even my own life," snarled the Doctor as he leapt to his feet after lying Madison on the ground, stomping over to Lilith, towering over the witch. "The Carrionites vanished. Where did you go?"

Eyes travelling up and down the Doctor's body for a moment, Lilith turned, leisurely walking towards the window as she spoke, "The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness."

"Then how did you escape?" the Doctor questioned as Lilith turned to face him once again.

"New words. New and glittering. From a mind like no other."

"Shakespeare."

By this point, Madison managed to push herself up to sit. She was still weakened by what Lilith had done to her. But the Siren's powers had worse effects on her than this. She could handle this. Turning to Martha, she inspected the woman again, hoping to see if their companion would wake soon. All the while, she listened as Lilith continued her tale.

"His son perished. The grief of a genius. Grief without measure," she heard Lilith say. "Madness enough to allow us entrance."

"How many of you?" questioned the Doctor, his voice unchanged from his earlier anger.

"Just the three. But the play tonight shall restore the rest. Then the human race will be purged as pestilence. And from this world we will lead the universe back into the old ways of blood and magic."

Madison glanced up, seeing the Doctor walking over to Lilith as the witch stood with her back to the window. "Mmm, busy schedule. But first, you've got to get past me."

Lilith smirked coyly, a sultry gaze given then. "Oh, that should be a pleasure. Considering my enemy has such a handsome shape." She began playing with the back of the Doctor's hair, her fingers twisting within his brown locks.

Madison narrowed her eyes, gritting her teeth at the mere thought of that witch being anywhere near her Doctor. "Back off!" she barked, trying to stand but failing to do so. Her legs did not wish to cooperate for the moment it seems.

"It's alright, Maddie," said the Doctor as he moved to step back from Lilith. "That's one form of magic that's definitely not gonna work on me."

"Oh, we'll see," said Lilith easily as she grinned. Seeing it too late, Madison noticed the small pair of scissors in the witch's hand. Before she could warn the Doctor, Lilith had snipped a lock of hair from the back of his head before backing away from him. The witch began giggling.

"What was that for? What did you do?" the Doctor questioned in confusion, touching his hair where it had been cut.

"Souvenir." Lilith held up the scissors, showing the lock of hair she now held.

"Well, give it back!" He went for her then, trying to reach for the scissors. But at that moment Lilith held her arms out wide and the window behind her parted. Her body was then whisked out into the night, hovering in mid-air. "Well, that's just cheating," said the Doctor as he stood right at the open window.

Finally able to stand on her own two feet again, Madison wobbled over to the Doctor, standing beside him as they both stared at Lilith. "What does she plan to do with your hair?" she whispered to the Doctor.

"I have no idea," he replied quietly back.

"Behold, Doctor. Men to Carrionites are nothing but puppets," said Lilith, ignoring their hushed whispers with each other as she pulled out some makeshift, faceless doll from within her long sleeve. The so-called 'puppet' appeared to be made out of straw, twigs, and bound strings. If Madison had any notion of what it might be, she would assume it was a Voodoo doll.

"Is that a Voodoo doll?" she questioned. Her heart rate picked up in fear of what Lilith planned to do with the doll. She could see the witch was attaching the Doctor's hair to the doll, wrapping the locks around the top of the head.

"Well, some might call it that, or magic, but I'd call that a DNA replication module," the Doctor noted as he too watched Lilith fiddle with the doll.

Before they could say anything else, Lilith finished attaching the hair, now holding the doll in one hand and a long iron nail in the other. "What use is your science now?"

Then, before Madison could even blink, the witch stabbed the nail into the doll's heart. "NO!" she cried as the Doctor shouted in agony, collapsing to the floor. She went to his side, seeing how he was completely unmoving. Lilith cackled, her laugh echoing into the night, before flying away and the windows closing tightly behind. Enraged, Madison looked to the window, wishing she too had the power of flight so that she may give chase and teach that witch a lesson for harming her Doctor.

"Oh, my god, Doctor!" she heard Martha shouting having finally woken up. The young woman ran over, kneeling beside Madison who stayed by the Doctor's side. "Maddie, what do we do? What did she do to him?"

Madison waited for a moment long, testing the strength of her senses to see if the danger was truly gone. Having a good sense of the all-clear, she looked down at the Doctor and patted his shoulder. "You can stop pretending now. The witch is gone," she said, feeling more at ease when seeing him peek an eye open at her. "You know, I'll begin to grow grey hairs at the rate you go in worrying me that you've actually been killed."

"I'm making a habit of it," he chuckled, groaning as he sat up. He tried getting up on his feet but gave a small shout of pain before stumbling into Madison and Martha who caught him. "I've only got one heart working!" He looked at them, gritting his teeth. "How do you people cope?"

"We manage," Madison responded with an eye roll. "And don't be so dramatic. We can start your heart again. Martha, help me hit his chest. You hit the front and I'll bang the back." She held her two hands together, nodding for Martha to do the same.

Together, with Martha banging against the Doctor's chest and Madison on his back, the Doctor let out a sharp yell. "Da! Other side, Martha!" The young woman corrected where she hit. The Doctor grunted. "Maddie, hit the back again." Madison did as instructed. Another grunt from the Doctor. "Left a bit!" Once she hit him where he wanted, he gave one more shout before sitting up straight and cracking his neck. "Lovely. There we go. By-da-boom-ba!" They all stood then, with Madison shaking her head fondly and Martha smiling at the Time Lord. He looked between the two of them. "Well, what are you standing around for? Come on, the Globe!" He was out of the room before either of them had time to respond.

Madison shook her head, grumbling, "Honestly," before running after her partner.

At some point, they were going the wrong way, with Martha telling them as much. Madison tried slowing down to turn where their companion was pointing to, but the Doctor held her hand and pulled her along. However he then, too, realised that he was heading in the wrong direction and turned back around. By the time they were anywhere near the Globe, it appeared as though they were too late. People were heard screaming, and running from the theatre as the building had billowing red smoke issuing out from the top, with sinister black clouds and red lightning mixed in. They could see flying, cloaked creatures coming down from the heavens, and entering into the theatre. The Carrionites' other sisters were descending upon the land, ready to devour the world.

The Doctor yelled over the noise and howling wind, directing them to the stage door of the theatre. They could see that the exits had been shut and locked tightly. The sound of people screaming in terror was heard from within. Lucky for them, the back of the theatre had been left unlocked. The moment they were backstage, they saw Shakespeare sitting on the floor by some costumes and props, rubbing the top of his head weakly.

"Stop the play! I think that was it. Yeah, I said stop the play!" the Doctor yelled sarcastically at the author.

"I hit my head," grumbled Shakespeare, seeming not all there at the moment.

"Yeah, don't rub it, you'll go bald," retorted the Doctor. There came a loud, ear-piercing scream from the theatre, making the Time Lord rush to the front of the stage. "I think that's my cue."

Madison helped Shakespeare up to his feet, helping the author run with them to the stage. They stepped through the stage door, seeing the mess happening in the theatre. It was more chaotic than what appeared outside. The wind whipped her braid around as she stared at the swirling red clouds and lightning within the theatre courtyard. The audience members were crowded towards the back of the theatre, pushing themselves as tightly as possible up against the walls. Anywhere to be as far away from the swirl of black-cloaked figures which flew around within the swirling red tornado. One of the figures in the wind came close to the stage, allowing Madison to see the Carrionites' true form. A wicked creature by all appearances. From their long, crooked nose and chin, to their skeletal body, and their large hands with long, bony fingers. The sight of such a creature gave a shiver down her spine.

"Doctor, how can we stop this? Does it have anything to do with the sphere Lilith is holding?" Madison asked, her voice raised over the noise that was happening around them. She saw Lilith with two other witches in the centre balcony seating. Lilith, in the middle of the two, was holding up a sphere which most of the cloaked figures appeared to be coming out of. Maybe if they could smash the crystal ball somehow . . .

The Doctor turned to Shakespeare, grabbing the man and pushing him more towards the front of the stage. "Come on, Will, history needs you."

"But what can I do?" The author shook his head, clearly confused about what a human could accomplish in this situation.

"Reverse it!" instructed the Doctor, still trying to get Shakespeare to where he needed to stand.

"How am I supposed to do that?"

"The shape of the Globe gives words power, but you're the wordsmith. The one true genius, the only man clever enough to do it."

"But what words? I have none ready?"

Doctor, in frustration, threw a hand in the author's direction. "You're William Shakespeare!"

Shakespeare pointed at the Carrionites in the air. "But these Carrionite phrases, they need such precision."

"Will, you have to believe that you can do it. You can come up with such powerful words as though they have always been flowing through you," Madison spoke up, coming by Shakespeare's side to help encourage him.

"She's right. Trust yourself. When you're locked away in your room, the words just come, don't they? Like magic," agreed the Doctor, urging for Shakespeare to hurry. "Words of the right sound, the right shape, the right rhythm, words that last forever! That's what you do, Will. You choose perfect words. Do it! Improvise!" Time Lord and Mer stood back, allowing Shakespeare to take centre stage to confront the Carrionites.

"Close up this din of hateful, dire decay," Shakespeare bellowed into the night, his words ringing over the sound of howling wind, "decomposition of your witches' plot! You thieve my brains, consider me your toy, my doting Doctor tells me I am not! Foul Carrionite spectres, cease your show between the points . . ." Shakespeare looked at the Doctor then, hoping for the right numbers. The Doctor told him quickly and Shakespeare repeated, "7-6-1-3-9-0! Banished like a tinker's cuss, I say to thee . . ." Once again, Shakespeare faltered, seeming uncertain how to end it.

"Etementa!" cried Madison. The Doctor smiled, shouting the word as well.

"Etementa!" shouted Shakespeare into the howling winds, throwing up his hand with a flourish.

There came screams then, though not from the audience. The Carrionites were all shrieking as the winds changed direction, pulling them upwards and away from the theatre. The swirling mass of red smoke and lightning soon was shooting upwards along with all the Carrionites. The stage doors flew open with a mass of papers being pulled along with everything else.

"Love's Labour's Won, there it goes," Madison heard the Doctor remark as the last few papers vanished into the billowing clouds still hanging above the theatre. Then, with a snap of white light, the clouds vanished as the last few papers and Carrionites disappeared, never to be seen again. At least, Madison hoped that they would stay away for good.

A sigh of relief left her as she stared at the peaceful night sky overhead. She could hear a similar reaction in the audience as people began moving closer to the stage, tentatively leaving their hiding places near the exits. Someone clapped. Then another. Soon, the entire crowd was applauding, cheering with a roar. Even louder than they had been the night before. Blinking, it took Madison a moment to realise that these people might actually believe the entire event had been a part of the show. Well . . . if that cleared things up for history, who was she to correct them? She glanced around when noticing the Doctor leaving, heading backstage in a quick retreat. She was swift in following after him, realising with a start that it might not be over for them just yet. It wasn't until they were up near the balconies that Madison realised what the Doctor was heading for. Lilith and the other two witches. Had they been pulled away along with their Carrionite sisters? Or were they still skulking around, ready to strike again?

She received her answer when she and the Doctor finally reached the balcony where the three witches had been. There was no sign of the three. Only a strange purple orb was seen on the floor near the seating. The Doctor was quick to pick up the orb, holding it up close to his face. Madison scooted in to inspect the crystal ball as well, her brow raised as she saw the images appear within the hazy purple smoke billowing within the orb. Inside the orb, clearly trapped, were Lilith and the other two. All three of them were screaming and clawing at the glass, though their sounds were barely heard. By all appearances, they had been trapped in their own device, locked away forever.

"Well, that takes care of them," muttered the Doctor. "Don't think any sort of magic or science can get them out of there."

"Good," nodded Madison firmly. She then smirked lightly. "Actually, Doctor, can I see that for a moment." Clearly puzzled by her request, the Doctor handed over the orb to her. With a sly grin, she held the orb firmly in both hands and gave it a vicious shaking. She laughed as she heard the witches inside shrieking in alarm, watching as they fell over on top of one another.

"Maddie!" scoffed the Doctor as he grabbed the orb back from her. Though there was a spark of humour within his eyes as he shook his head at her. "We are better than that."

"Maybe you are. But me? I find that perfectly reasonable payback."

XxXxXxXxXx

By the time the theatre had been cleared and the actors had been settled, morning just began to grace its presence upon London. Madison sat on the edge of the stage, in charge of safekeeping the Carrionite crystal orb, half-listening to Martha and Shakespeare talking. She decided to give the two space as they seemed rather chumming at the moment. Especially with how Shakespeare appeared to be flirting with Martha. Of course, Martha did not seem to mind all that much given how she blushed and smiled. Madison was just glad the day had settled so Martha could actually enjoy 1599 instead of being on the edge of terror. This trip had not gone particularly well for the young woman. It made Madison debate on this for the time being. She knew the Doctor had said one trip. However, Martha did not get much of a trip or much of a reward for saving the Doctor's life. Even if he did say that he had not been about to die, Martha still helped in a way that Madison was eternally grateful for. But fighting off a bunch of Carrionites and almost dying? Not a reward in Madison's book.

She glanced over when hearing the Doctor approaching them. He had been off taking care of something or another. She hadn't really heard him clearly as he had spoken too fast for her to keep up. With a small snort, she laughed at seeing the Doctor take off some sort of silly hat from his head, seeing the ruffled collar around his neck, and the large cow skull in his hands.

"So when you said you'd be busy taking care of things, that included raiding the props?" she teased him, smirking as he held up the cow skull.

"Not sure about this. Reminds me of a Sycorax. What do you think?" he replied with a nod to the skull.

"Perhaps a little?" Madison shrugged, somewhat seeing what he meant.

"Sycorax. Nice word. I'll have that off you as well," Shakespeare suddenly said, looking over at the Doctor as the Time Lord moved closer.

The Doctor sort of handed over the skull to Madison as he went closer to the author. "I should be on ten percent. How's your head?"

"Still aching," Shakespeare told him, rubbing at his head somewhat when saying this.

"Here, I got you this." The Doctor was swift at taking off the ruffled collar from around his neck, placing it around Shakespeare's neck. "Neck brace. Wear that for a few days until it's better. Although you might want to keep it, it suits you."

"What about the play?" Martha questioned curiously while Shakespeare adjusted to his new brace around his neck.

"Gone. I looked all over. Every single copy of Love's Labour's Won went up in the sky." The Doctor glanced up towards the morning light above them, mouth downturned for a moment as he stared at the white clouds hanging far above them.

"My lost masterpiece," Shakespeare sighed, staring mournfully up at the sky as well.

"You could write it up again," Martha offered in thought.

"Best not. Even though the door has been shut and locked, the most rusted key can still be used to unlock said door again," Madison noted, glancing Shakespeare's way. "Those words hold too much power. Even in a thousand years, they might be used again to bring back the Carrionites if we're not careful."

"Maddie's right. Best the play stays forgotten," added the Doctor, nodding firmly in agreement.

"Oh, but I've got new ideas," Shakespeare said then, a gleam in his eyes as he smiled at them. "Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons, in memory of my boy, my precious Hamnet."

Martha was seen blinking, a frown appearing as she looked at Shakespeare in confusion. "Hamnet?"

"That's him."

"Ham-net."

By now Shakespeare appeared to be the one bewildered as he looked at Martha curiously. "What's wrong with that?"

"Anyway," the Doctor spoke quickly, interrupting the two, "time we were off." The Doctor grabbed the orb that was close to Madison, tossing it in hand. There came muffled shouting from within the orb. "I've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot can scream for all eternity. And I've got to take Martha back to Freedonia."

"You mean travel on through time and space?" Shakespeare noted, smirking at the stunned expression on the Doctor's face.

"You what?"

"You're from another world, like the Carrionites. And Martha here's from the future. It's not hard to work out."

Madison laughed, throwing her head back. She then grinned at the Doctor. "We did make it rather obvious," she remarked, humoured by the Doctor's wide eyes.

"And you, my crimson lady, you're from Earth, clearly, yet you're not human," Shakespeare added, giving a nod in her direction.

Madison gave her head a slow nod as though bowing to him. "You are correct. In fact, I won't be born for another two centuries. But, ah," she smiled lightly, a light blush on her face, "you'll be meeting my parents in two years time. A ginger man and a blonde woman. They'll be rather obvious as this will be their first time in London. Just, um, treat them nicely if you could. I know my father can be, ah, rather enthusiastic, but he means well, truly."

"I shall treat them with the utmost respect," Shakespeare promised, giving a bow of his head as well. The author then turned to Martha again, who still sat beside the man. "Martha, let me say goodbye to you with a new verse. A sonnet for my dark lady." He took her hand, holding it in a caress. "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely, more temperate—" The author was interrupted suddenly by two shouts from two of Shakespeare's actors from last night. The men rushed into the theatre, panting as they stood in the courtyard.

"Will, you'll never believe it. She's here!" exclaimed one of the men. "She's turned up!"

"We're the talk of the town," said the other man. "She heard about last night. She wants us to perform it again."

"Who?" Martha asked curiously.

"Her Majesty. She's here!"

At that point, there came the sound of trumpets, clearly announcing the Queen's arrival. Madison was swift to stand up, going over to the Doctor and grabbing his hand tightly.

"We should go," she muttered into his ear.

"Oh, come on, it's Queen Elizabeth the first! I'd love to meet her," the Doctor countered, grinning like a madman as he waited to see the Queen arrive.

And arrive she did, marching into the theatre with an extravagant outfit fit for only royalty and two armed guards coming along at her rear. Madison had to admit, the Queen carried a presence that commanded respect by the hard look in her eyes alone. Internally, Madison sighed, already dreading meeting another Queen of England. However, suddenly the scene changed when the Queen met eyes with the Doctor, who was still beaming at the sight of the powerful woman. At first, there was shock, before the Queen's face transformed into utter fury.

"Doctor!" hissed the woman.

Madison saw the Doctor blink, his smile dropping. "What?"

The Queen narrowed her eyes. "My sworn enemy."

Now the Doctor just looked plain confused. "What?"

"Off with his head!"

"What?" came a higher pitch from the Time Lord.

"Don't just stand there, run!" Madison ordered him as the two guards around the Queen hurried forward. She made certain Martha was running with her and the Doctor as they ran backstage, with the clanking of metal armour and the laughter of Shakespeare echoing behind them.

They were chased throughout the city, passed bewildered people gawking at them and startled chickens as the trio rushed through the streets. All the while the shouts carried from the guards who ordered for them to halt and meet their demise.

"What have you done to upset her?" Martha blurted out in a gust of a breath as they kept running.

"Knowing him, a number of things. Queen Victoria wanted him dead as well," Madison replied, beginning to find this entire scenario rather humorous.

"And I haven't even met this Queen yet. That's time travel for you," added the Doctor. They made it to the TARDIS with the Time Lord unlocking it quickly for them to pile in. "Still, I can't wait to find out. That's something to look forward to." Madison saw him duck inside just as a guard shot an arrow at him. The three of them could hear the thunk against the TARDIS door. It was then that Madison worked fast, placing her hands on the console and sending them off to drift into the Time Vortex.

"There. At least we've gotten away so no more arrows in the TARDIS. Poor old girl doesn't need all that trouble," she said after the ship began to drift quietly. She patted the console, smiling as the TARDIS gave a thankful hum in response.

"Well, that's one way to end the day. Can't say I've never been chased by Queen's guards before," Martha stated in humour, grinning at them both.

"Oh, I can. Too many times, really," muttered the Doctor. He then began walking around the console, flipping different levers and turning knobs. "Now then, Maddie, you should go take a bath. I know you'll need it. Too many Siren appearances in a row. Your body needs time to heal from that."

"Yes, you're right," she sighed, already feeling the ache in her body. Now that the adrenaline in her system was slowing down, she could feel just how worn out she was from that event.

"And Martha, time to get you home." The Doctor kept on working on the TARDIS console, eyes not meeting Martha's or Madison's.

Madison glanced at Martha's way, seeing already that there was a great disappointment coming from the young woman. The sad look of dejection was as clear as could be within Martha's brown eyes. There was no fight from her, only a nod as Martha sat down on the jumpseat and looked away. Frowning, Madison turned her head back to the Doctor. "We can't."

"Can't what?" The Doctor looked up then, frowning at Madison.

Thinking fast, Madison came up with a solution to the problem. It didn't sit right with her how Martha was only getting one trip. It felt wrong. As though the Doctor were being dismissive of Martha's being in the TARDIS. Madison knew how much he missed Rose. She grieved for the lost companion as well. But . . .

"It's not exactly a reward for Martha to have a trip filled with terrors the entire time. She went through hell on the Moon and now again in 1599. Surely we can take her somewhere she could actually relax and have a break. A real trip. Like the ones we normally have." She glanced at Martha's way, seeing the spark of hope in the young woman then. The look of shock at Madison's suggestion. She was quick to give the young woman a sly wink.

"Just one trip, that's what I said. One trip in the TARDIS and then home," argued the Doctor as he frowned at Madison. She rolled her eyes, giving him a look. By her look alone, he seemed to rethink his decision. He rubbed at his earlobe, heading tilting as he pressed his lips together. "Although . . . I suppose we could stretch the definition. Take one trip into the past, one trip into the future. How do you fancy that?" He looked at Martha then, dropping his hand from his ear.

"No complaints from me!" Martha replied rather excitedly.

"Right. But after Maddie's rested. I don't go anywhere without her and she needs to sleep." The Doctor hit a lever, making the TARDIS stay drifting.

"So, only Maddie gets to rest? Not the rest of us?" Martha asked, seeming rather taken aback by the dismissal of her own exhaustion.

With an even gaze, the Doctor stood stiffly by the console, his hand on the panel and gripping the side hard. "Maddie takes priority."

"Doctor," scoffed Madison, shocked by his callousness, "that is not how we do things here. You know that." Madison went over to Martha, helping the woman out of the seat. "Don't mind him. He can be extremely rude at times. Come on, I'll take you to a room. I'm certain the TARDIS has one set up for you by now."

Martha, with a curious look, followed along as they headed for the corridor. "The TARDIS makes rooms?"

"Oh yes, she sees what's inside your head and can make a room up that suits you best. You'll see in a moment." Madison happened to glance back towards the Doctor as she and Martha entered the corridor. The look on his face, a silent heaviness that seemed to fall over him, made her feel uneasy.

---

Thanks again for taking the time to read! I hope it was enjoyable.

Answering a few questions from a couple of reviews:

The first one isn't technically a question, but I thought I'd clarify something. For anyone wondering, I will not be using the Torchwood series or the Sarah Jane series for this story. Never watched them myself, so I'll just be using the canon from the main storyline. Hopefully, that clears things up. :)

The second one is about AO3. I cannot believe I forgot to mention what my user name is. It's the same as here ThyWanderer. I hope that helps!