A/N: Sad to hear the news about Bernard Cribbins. He will be missed.
—
Kathy arrives in London a couple of years before the Tenth Doctor and Martha arrive in 1599, so as to settle herself into this life. She gets a job at the Elephant Inn under Dolly Bailey.
Carlyle and Ashildr are still off doing their own thing though they did pop in after Kathy arrived in London. Kathy warned them that they can't stay for long as the Doctor that will be arriving hasn't met Ashildr yet.
It's now 1599 CE/AD and Kathy is 1,069. There is a performance of Loves Labour's Lost at the Globe and once she hears that William has announced that Loves Labour's Won will be performed the next night instead of next week, Kathy knows that the Doctor and Martha have arrived.
As she serves up the three men at the inn, she's buzzing with excitement at meeting a new companion. It'll be odd and emotional seeing this Doctor after saying goodbye not long before. It will also be the second youngest she has seen the Doctor.
—
"Here ya go, Will. Drink up." Kathy says as she walks into the room and places down a tray of tanks of beer. "There's enough beer in this lodgings house to sink the Spanish." She doles out the tanks to three men at the table.
"Kathy Davis, you've saved my life." Will remarks.
"I'm sure Dolly Bailey will do more than that later tonight." Kathy replies. She turns to Lilith, one of the witches pretending to be a maid. "And you, girl, hurry up with your tasks. The talk of gentlemen is best not overheard." She knows this is one of the witches but she does not want to give the game away.
"Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am." Lilith says. Kathy watches her leave with narrowed eyes. She knows the Doctor will turn up soon, she felt the pull when he arrived.
"You must be mad, Will." Richard Burbage, otherwise known as Dick, declares. "'Loves Labour's Won'? We're not ready. It's supposed to be next week. What made you say that?"
"You haven't even finished it yet." Will Kempe points out.
"I've just got the final scene to go. You'll get it by morning." Will reassures. He drinks his beer.
"Hello!" Kathy sees the Tenth Doctor appear and knock on the open door. "Excuse me! I'm not interrupting, am I? Kathy?" He faults when he sees her before grinning. "Hello!"
"Hello there." Kathy says.
"Brilliant!" The Doctor turns to Will. "Mr. Shakespeare, isn't it?"
Will groans, putting a hand to his forehead. "Oh no, no, no, no. Who let you in? No autographs. No, you can't have yourself sketched with me. And please don't ask where I get my ideas from. Thanks for the interest. Now be a good boy and shove..." he then sees Martha standing behind the Doctor. "Hey, nonny nonny. Sit right down here next to me." Will turns to Dick and Kempe. "You two get sewing on them costumes. Off you go."
"Come on, lads. I think our William's found his new muse." Kathy remarks to the two men.
Martha sees Kathy and gives her a hug. "Kathy! It's great to see you again. How are you here?"
"Well, firstly for me it's the first time and secondly, why not?"
Martha frowns, confused. "What?"
"I'll explain later." The Doctor mutters.
"Sweet lady." Will says in awe as Martha and the Doctor sit at the table. "Such unusual clothes. So... fitted."
"Um, verily, forsooth, egads." Martha stumbles. Kathy can see she's nervous and excited. It reminds her of Rose. Kathy looks at the Doctor sadly knowing this is him just after his loss.
"No, no, don't do that. Don't." The Doctor says to her before holding out the psychic paper to Will. "I'm Sir Doctor of TARDIS and this is my companion, Miss Martha Jones."
Will observes the paper. "Interesting, that bit of paper. It's blank."
The Doctor stares at him impressed. "Oh, that's... very clever. That proves it. Absolute genius."
Martha peers at the paper. "No, it says so right there. Sir Doctor, Martha Jones. It says so."
"And I say it's blank." Will retorts.
"Psychic paper. Um, long story. Oh, I hate starting from scratch." The Doctor complains to Martha. He puts the psychic paper away.
"So rude." Kathy remarks.
"Psychic. Never heard that before and words are my trade." Will wonders. "Who are you exactly? More's the point, who is your delicious blackamoor lady?"
Martha is shocked at his words. "What did you say?" She asks, aghast.
"Oops." Will says though he doesn't look sorry. "Isn't that a word we use nowadays? An Ethiop girl? A swarth? A Queen of Afric..."
"Hey, Will." Kathy quickly interrupts. "The lady does not like it, so stop." Martha gives her a thankful look. Will shrugs carelessly but stops speaking.
"Um, Martha's from a far-off land. Freedonia." The Doctor explains.
"Excuse me!" Mr Lynley, the Master of the Revels, enters the room. "Hold hard a moment. This is abominable behaviour. A new play with no warning? I demand to see a script, Mr Shakespeare. As Master of the Revels, every new script must be registered at my office and examined by me before it can be performed."
"Tomorrow morning, first thing, I'll send it 'round." Will reassures.
"I don't work to your schedule, you work to mine." Lynley snaps. "The script, now!"
"I can't."
"Then tomorrow's performance is cancelled." Lynley announces.
"It's all go, 'round here, isn't it?" Martha remarks.
"I'm returning to my office for a banning order. If it's the last thing I do, 'Love's Labours Won' will never be played." Lynley declares. He leaves. Kathy wishes to stop it but she doesn't know how as she can't help but think of the consequences if the witches learn they've been caught too soon.
Martha takes a sip of her beer. "Well, then... mystery solved. That's 'Love's Labours Won' over and done with. Thought it might be something more, you know... more mysterious."
Just as she says those words, they hear screaming from outside. Oh no, she had failed. They rush out to the street where Lynley is staggering and spitting up water. Dolly Bailey joins them.
"It's that Lynley bloke." Martha says.
"What's wrong with him?" The Doctor questions.
"He's drowning." Kathy tells him.
"Drowning? Leave it to me. I'm a doctor." The Doctor says. He goes to Lynley's side.
"So am I near enough." Martha joins him.
Lynley falls to the ground despite Martha and the Doctor holding him. Kathy squeezes her eyes closed so as not to look at another life she has failed to save. The Doctor stands and runs to look down the street.
Martha listens for a heartbeat and breathing. "Gotta get the heart going. Mr Lynley, c'mon, can you hear me? You're gonna be all right." She prepares to start mouth-to-mouth as the Doctor returns and Kathy joins them. Water gushes from Lynley's mouth. "What the hell is that?"
"I've never seen a death like it. His lungs are full of water, he drowned and then... I dunno, like a blow to the heart, an invisible blow." The Doctor observes in disbelief. "Kathy?"
"There's something else at play that we can't tell these lot." Kathy replies.
"You're right." He stands and addresses Dolly. "Good mistress, this poor fellow has died from a sudden imbalance of the humours. A natural if unfortunate demise. Call a constable and have him taken away."
"Yes, sir." Lilith joins them. Kathy gives her a stony look.
"I'll do it, ma'am." Lilith says. She walks away. The Doctor crouches back down beside the body.
"And why are you telling them that?" Martha asks.
"The Dark Ages has only just finished." Kathy explains.
"If I tell them the truth, they'll panic and think it was witchcraft." The Doctor adds.
"Okay, what was it then?" Martha asks.
"Witchcraft."
—
They all walk back into the Elephant Inn, digesting what has happened.
"I got you a room, Sir Doctor. You and Miss Jones are just across the landing." Dolly Bailey says. She leaves.
"Poor Lynley. So many strange events." Will says. "Not least of all, this land of Freedonia where a woman can be a doctor?"
"Where a woman can do what she likes." Martha replies.
"And you, Sir Doctor. How can a man so young have eyes so old?"
"I do a lot of reading." The Doctor replies shortly.
"A trite reply. Yeah, that's what I'd do." Will shrugs off and turns to Martha. "And you, you look at him like you're surprised he exists. He's as much of a puzzle to you as he is to me. While Kathy is unsurprised. Understandable as she's always been a mystery herself."
Kathy shrugs with a smirk.
"I think we should say good night." Martha quickly says. She leaves.
"I must work. I have a play to complete." Will announces as the Doctor and Kathy walk to the door. "But I'll get my answers tomorrow, Doctor, and I'll discover more about you and why this constant performance of yours."
The Doctor stops at the doorway. "All the world's a stage." Kathy rolls her eyes and leaves as they continue to talk.
—
"How do you know who I am if we've never met?" Martha questions Kathy as the latter joins the former in her room. "Last time I met you, you said you had met me before and I thought maybe that's how you knew what was going to happen with the Judoon but this time you seem to know a lot more than you say and I can't have told you. So, what gives?"
"You're good Martha Jones." Kathy casually remarks.
Martha huffs and puts her hands on her hips. "Well, come on! You're not just an alien, are you?"
"No, I was human once." Kathy explains. It's getting confusing who she's told what.
Martha's eyes widen in disbelief. "What, how? How did you change?" She asks.
Kathy shrugs. "Don't really know, just that I was human, living my life and watching this Tv show called Doctor Who."
Martha feels back in shock. "What?!"
"Yeah." Kathy chuckles. "Then one day I die just after my 21st birthday and reborn into a different world and suddenly I am meeting the alien that I had watched on Tv so much and everyone he's travelled with it seems." She knows she's met a lot of them but there's still some to go even with just new who companions.
"So, you're from a different dimension?"
"Yeah, seems so."
"How did you die?" Martha asks. Kathy pulls a face, about to avoid it when the Doctor walks in.
"It's not exactly five-star, is it?" Kathy says to quickly change the conversation. Taking Martha's line seemed a quick way to do it. The Doctor looks at her softly. She knows he probably heard the tail end of their conversation but also wonders if she ever tells him what she dares not to think about.
"Oh, it'll do. I've seen worse." The Doctor casually replies.
Martha, unhappy about the change in conversation, moves on. "I haven't even got a toothbrush."
"Ooh." The Doctor pats his pockets and pulls out a brush. "Contains Venusian spearmint."
Martha takes it. "So, who's going where? I mean, there's only one bed." She points out. Kathy winces. This is the bit she didn't like about the time Martha travelled with the Doctor, the unrequited crush.
"Well, I already have a room so don't mind me." Kathy says.
"We'll manage. C'mon." The Doctor flops onto the bed. Martha continues standing.
Kathy knows she needs to get moving if she wants to try to save Dolly, the next victim. "I've got to go. There's something to do. Hopefully I'm successful." She says, turning to leave the room.
"With what?" Martha asks.
"Spoilers."
—
"Dolly." Kathy greets her once she finds the woman.
"Kathy." Dolly greets back. "You go to bed now. Nearly finished with the cleaning then Will be getting his special treat tonight." Dolly does a wink.
"Maybe you should go to bed?" Kathy suggests. "Will has a long night of finishing the play and he might be too tired."
"He better not."
"Dolly please." Kathy pleads.
Dolly huffs irritably. "I know you worry for me Kathy but I can look after myself."
"Dolly…" Kathy pushes despite the growing irate coming from Dolly.
"Go to bed Kathy! I'm in charge, you're not." Dolly storms off towards Will's room.
Kathy doesn't know what to do except to wait. Before long she hears Dolly scream and bolts to the room.
—
She arrives to see Will slumped over. Dolly lies unmoving and Kathy quickly attempts to do CPR but soon realises it isn't doing anything. Will wakes with a start when the Doctor and Martha enter and stop to examine Dolly's body.
"Wha'? What was that?" Will slurs sleepily.
Kathy lets out a small sob. "I tried to save her."
"It's not your fault, Kathy." The Doctor says, putting a comforting hand on her back. Martha meanwhile runs to the window.
"Her heart gave out. She died of fright." The Doctor observes. "Kathy, what happened?"
"Lilith did this." Kathy tearfully replies. She really shouldn't have grown attached to this woman, knowing what was coming, but she couldn't help herself. It seems Kathy always seems to be hurting herself when it comes to this. "She's a witch. The one Martha is watching fly away."
"Doctor?" Martha calls. The Doctor and Kathy join her at the window.
"What did you see?" The Doctor asks.
"Just as Kathy said. A witch."
—
They gather in Will's room in the inn at dawn the next day. The Doctor and Martha sit at his desk while Kathy leans against the wall feeling guilty though she does feel glad that despite living over a thousand years of this life, she can still feel sorrow when someone dies.
"Oh, sweet Dolly Bailey." Will says as he looks out the window before turning to them. "She sat out three bouts of the plague in this place. We all ran like rats. But what could have scared her so? She had such enormous spirit." He sits.
"'Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'" The Doctor murmurs.
"I might use that." Will remarks.
Kathy huffs. "Not the time."
"You can't. It's someone else's." The Doctor dismisses the writer. But not for a couple more hundred years if Kathy remembers correctly.
"But the thing is, Lynley drowned on dry land, Dolly died of fright and they were both connected to you." Martha says contemplatively.
"You're accusing me?" Will asks, frowning.
"No," Martha denies, "but I saw a witch, big as you like, flying, cackling away, and you've written about witches." Kathy winces.
"I have? When was that?" Will asks, flabbergasted.
"Not, not quite yet." The Doctor tells her in a low voice.
"Peter Streete spoke of witches." Will murmurs.
"Who's Peter Streete?" Martha asks.
"The builder." Kathy explains, drawing their attention. "He sketched the plans to the Globe."
"The architect. Hold on." It begins to dawn on the Doctor. "The architect! The architect!" He slams his fist on the table and jumps up. "The Globe! Come on!" He rushes off, followed by Martha, Kathy and Will.
—
The Doctor is in the pit of the Globe while Martha, Kathy and Will are onstage. Kathy watches as he darts about, thinking it best to let him work things out naturally as much as she can. She still fears messing things up too much sometimes.
"The columns there, right? 14 sides." The Doctor contemplates, gazing around him. "I've always wondered but I never asked... tell me, Will, why 14 sides?"
"It was the shape Peter Streete thought best, that's all. Said it carried the sound well." Will shrugs as he answers.
"14. Why does that ring a bell? 14..."
"There are 14 lines in a sonnet." Martha points out.
"So there is. Good point. Words and shapes following the same design." The Doctor paces. "14 lines, 14 sides, 14 facets... Oh, my head. Tetradecagon... think, think, think! Words, letters, numbers, lines!" He hits himself on the top of his head.
"This is just a theatre." Will argues.
"The Globe is not just a theatre." Kathy argues. "It's a powerful place where the right words with the right emphasis at the right time could make people weep, or cry with joy, change them. You would have the ability to change people's minds just with words in this place. And if you exaggerate that..." She can see the dots connecting in the Doctor's mind.
"It's like the Doctor's police box. Small wooden box with all that power inside." Martha adds.
"Oh. Oh, Martha Jones, I like you." The Doctor remarks joyfully. "Tell you what, though. Peter Streete would know. Can I talk to him?"
"You won't get an answer. A month after finishing this place... lost his mind." Will explains solemnly.
"Why? What happened?" Martha asks.
"Started raving about witches, hearing voices, babbling. His mind was addled."
"Where is he now?" The Doctor asks.
"Bedlam." Kathy winces at his words.
"What's Bedlam?" Martha questions.
"Bethlem Hospital." Kathy answers her. "It's where those deemed mentally ill go." That's putting it lightly.
"We're gonna go there. Right now. Come on." The Doctor declares. He heads out. Martha and Kathy follow as does Will.
"Wait! I'm coming with you. I want to witness this at first hand!" Will calls. Two young actors enter that Kathy recognises but doesn't know their names. Will hands one the script. "Ralph, the last scene as promised. Copy it, hand it round. Learn it. Speak it. Back before curtain up. Remember, kid, project. Eyes and teeth. You never know; the Queen might turn up." He walks out.
Kathy looks back at him with a smirk. "As if. She never does."
Will points at her. "You know something."
Kathy shrugs, "Spoilers," and they hurry to catch up with the Doctor and Martha.
—
In the street, Will starts questioning Martha. "So, tell me of Freedonia, where women can be doctors, writers, actors."
"This country's ruled by a woman." Martha argues.
"Ah, she's royal. That's God's business. Though you are a royal beauty." Will flirts. Martha stops causing Will and Kathy, whose just behind them, to stop.
"Whoa, Nelly! I know for a fact you've got a wife in the country." Martha laughs.
"But Martha, this is Town."
The Doctor runs over to them, annoyed. "Come on! We can all have a good flirt later."
Will gives the Doctor a once over and smirks. "Is that a promise, Doctor?"
Kathy laughs. "Oh, brilliant Will." She pats him on the shoulder. "You've made some academics very happy."
The Doctor groans and rolls his eyes. "Come on!"
—
They enter Bedlam and are greeted by loud screams and moans sound. The Doctor, Kathy, Martha and Will are led through the halls. Kathy can't help but think it looks like an old-time dungeon.
"Does my lord, Doctor, wish some entertainment while he waits?" The jailer offers. "I'd whip these madmen. They'll put on a good show for ya. Bandog and Bedlam!" Kathy flinches as a man reaches for her from his cell (what other word should she call it?), begging to be free.
"No, I don't!" The Doctor snaps, disgusted.
"Wait here, my lords, while I make him decent for the ladies." The Jailer walks away.
Martha turns on Will. "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?"
"Oh, and it's all so different in Freedonia." Will mocks.
"But you're clever! Do you honestly think this place is any good?" Martha argues.
"I've been mad. I've lost my mind. Fear of this place set me right again. It serves its purpose." Will counters. Kathy can see him looking around the place, the look on his face is a mixture of appalled and fearful.
"Mad in what way?"
"You lost your son." Kathy says softly. She remembers losing her little Payton so many years ago. She looks at the sad look on the Doctor's face, recalling he knows the loss of your own children far too well.
"My only boy. The Black Death took him. I wasn't even there." Will confesses sombrely.
"I didn't know. I'm sorry." Martha apologises.
"It made me question everything. The futility of this fleeting existence. To be or not to be..." he continues before stopping. "Oh, that's quite good."
"You should write that down." The Doctor remarks.
"Hm, maybe not. A bit pretentious?" The Doctor shrugs at his words.
"Nothing wrong with that now and again." Kathy argues with a small smile. The whole place seems to be getting to her.
"This way, m'lord!" The Jailer calls. They walk down the hall to Peter Streete's cell. The Jailer unlocks the door. Peter is sitting on a bench in rags with his back to them. "They can be dangerous, m'lord. Don't know their own strength."
"I think it helps if you don't whip them! Now get out!" The Doctor snaps. The Jailer looks shocked at his words and leaves and the Doctor and Kathy approach Peter slowly. The Jailer closes and locks the cell. "Peter? Peter Streete?"
"He's the same as he was. You'll get nothing out of him." Will tells them.
"I beg to differ." Kathy says. She lays a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Peter?" Peter's head jerks up and he looks at the Doctor and Kathy with wild, glassy eyes and seems like he wants to speak.
The Doctor places his fingertips along Peter's face. "Peter, I'm the Doctor. Go into the past, one year ago. Let your mind go back, back to when everything was fine and shining. Everything that happened in this year since happened to somebody else. It was just a story. A winter's tale. Let go. Listen. That's it, just let go." He lies Peter down on his cot and stands with Kathy. "Tell me the story, Peter. Tell me about the witches."
"Witches… spoke to Peter. In the night, they whispered." Peter speaks. His body jerks and his hands come up to his gear as if to mimic the whispering. "Got Peter to build the Globe to their design. Their design! The 14 walls, always 14. When the work was done… they," he laughs manically, "they sapped poor Peter's wits."
"Where did Peter see the witches? Where in the city?" The Doctor prompts. Peter struggles to respond, panting heavily, his mind slipping. He crouches beside Peter. "Peter, tell me. You've got to tell me where were they?"
"All Hallows Street."
"Too many words." Hisses one of the witches that appears next to the Doctor. Kathy leaps in surprise though she knew the creature was going to appear. She follows the Doctor as he goes to stand beside Martha.
"What the hell?" Martha exclaims in shock.
"Just one touch of the heart." The creature holds up her pointer finger.
"Noooo!" Kathy leaps forward to stop her but the creature is too quick and lays a hand on Peter's chest.
"Ahhhhh!" Peter cries as he dies. Kathy feels tears pricking her eyes, the consolation is that Peter will no longer be tormented by the cruel world.
"Witch! I'm seeing a witch!" Will cries in disbelief. Kathy almost finds it funny that this is probably what is going to inspire him to write Macbeth.
"Who would be next, hmm? Just one touch." The witch mockingly jests. "Oh, oh, I'll stop your frantic hearts. Poor, fragile mortals."
Martha turns to shout at the door. "Let us out! Let us out!" Kathy stays calm as she knows they'll be fine.
"That's not gonna work." Kathy tells her. "The whole building's shouting that."
"Who will die first, hmm?" The witch asks.
"Well, if you're looking for volunteers." The Doctor offers. He walks towards the creature.
"No! Don't!" Martha exclaims.
"Doctor, can you stop her?" Will questions fearfully.
"No mortal has power over me." The witch says smugly.
"Oh, but there's a power in words." Kathy argues. Her expression drops. "If he can find the right one, if he can just know you..." She herself doesn't name her as she wants the Doctor to work it out himself.
"None on Earth has knowledge of us." The creature, the Carrionite, protests.
"Then it's a good thing I'm here." The Doctor remarks. "Now think, think, think... Humanoid female, uses shapes and words to channel energy... ah, 14! That's it! 14! The 14 stars of the Rexel planetary configuration! Creature, I name you Carrionite!" The Carrionite wails and disappears.
"What did you do?" Martha asks.
"I named her. The power of a name. That's old magic." The Doctor answers.
"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. Carrionites use words instead." The Doctor explains.
"Use them for what?" Will asks.
"The end of the world." Kathy states. Will and Martha look at her wide eyed.
—
They retreat back to the Elephant Inn. Will begins cleaning himself in a bowl as the Doctor talks.
"The Carrionites disappeared way back at the dawn of the universe. Nobody was sure if they were real or legend." The Time Lord paces.
"Well, I'm going for real." Will remarks as he pats down his face with a towel.
"But what do they want?" Martha questions, leaning against a cabinet.
"A new empire on Earth. A world of bones and blood and witchcraft." Kathy answers.
"But how?"
"I'm looking at the man with the words." The Doctor looks pointedly at Will.
"Me? But I've done nothing." Will argues looking bewildered at the accusation.
"Hold on, though." Martha says thoughtfully. "What were you doing last night, when that Carrionite was in the room?"
"Finishing the play."
Kathy raises an eyebrow. "What happens on the last page?"
Will shrugs. "The boys get the girls. They have a bit of a dance. It's all as funny and thought provoking as usual," he frowns, "except those last few lines. Funny thing is... I don't actually remember writing them."
"That's it. They used you." The Doctor realises. "They gave you the final words. Like a spell, like a code. "Love's Labours Won", it's a weapon! The right combination of words, spoken at the right place with the shape of the Globe as an energy converter! The play's the thing! And yes, you can have that." Will smirks.
A map is pulled out and the Doctor looks at it. "All Hallows Street. There it is. Martha, Kathy, we'll track them down." They nod. Kathy knows she'll be no help going with Will. "Will, you get to the Globe. Whatever you do, stop that play!"
"I'll do it." Will shakes the Doctor's hand. "All these years I've been the cleverest man around. Next to you, I know nothing."
"Oh, don't complain." Martha remarks.
"I'm not. It's marvellous. Good luck, Doctor."
"Good luck, Shakespeare." The Doctor heads for the door with Kathy and Martha behind him. "Once more unto the breach!"
"I like that." Will compliments before realising, "Wait a minute... that's one of mine."
Kathy pokes her head around the door. "Oh, just shift!"
—
"All Hallows Street, but which house?" The Doctor murmurs as they wander down the street. Kathy struggles to remember which house it is as they all look the same.
"The 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 argues.
"That's not how it works Martha." Kathy protests. "Not everything stays the same. Like the film "Back to the Future" where Marty McFly goes back and changes history meaning he starts fading away."
Martha's eyes widen when it dawns on her. "Oh my God, am I gonna fade?"
"You and the entire future of the human race. It ends right now in 1599 if we don't stop it." The Doctor declares. "But which house?" The door to Lilith's house slowly opens. "Ah, make that witch house."
They walk inside to where Lilith is waiting. The place is filled with chains, whips and other decorations from a horror film. Lilith stands at the end of the room smirking maliciously at them.
"I take it we're expected." The Doctor remarks.
"Oh, I think Death has been waiting for you a very long time." Lilith calmly replies.
"Right then, it's my turn." Martha steps forward. "I know how to do this." She points. "I name thee, Carrionite!" Lilith is unaffected and chuckles. Martha frowns in confusion. "What did I do wrong? Was it the finger?"
"The power of a name works only once. Observe." Lilith points at Martha. "I gaze upon this bag of bones and now I name thee Martha Jones." Martha collapses and Kathy lowers her to the ground.
"What have you done?" The Doctor cries kneeling down next to them.
Lilith looks mildly annoyed. "Only sleeping, alas. Curious, the name has less impact. She's somehow out of her time. And as for you, Sir Doctor!" She points, expecting a reaction but nothing happens. "Fascinating. There is no name. Why would a man hide his title in such despair? Oh, but look. There's still one word with the power that aches."
"The naming won't work on me." The Doctor snaps.
"But your heart grows cold." Lilith continues, pleased she's caught him. "The north wind blows and carries down the distant... Rose."
The Doctor stands. "Oh, big mistake 'cos that name keeps me fighting! The Carrionites vanished! Where did you go?" He demands to know.
Lilith huffs. "The Eternals found the right word to banish us into deep darkness."
Lilith and the Doctor begin a back and forth of how they escaped and what the Carrionites' plans are. The Carrionite boasts about how their species will return. Kathy stays by Martha, watching over her.
"Hmm... busy schedule... but first you gotta get past me." The Doctor now stands face-to-face with Lilith.
"Oh, that should be a pleasure considering my enemy has such a handsome shape." Lilith runs her fingers along his face seductively.
"Now, that's one form of magic that's definitely not gonna work on me." The Doctor retorts.
"Oh, we'll see." She yanks a lock of hair from his head and backs away. Kathy worries that if she tries to stop the Carrionites' current actions, she might do much worse.
The Doctor fingers his head. "What did you do?"
"Souvenir."
"Well, give it back!" Lilith throws up her arms and the window behind her opens and she flies out backwards, levitating outside. The Doctor runs to the windowsill. "Well, that's just cheating."
Lilith practically cackles. "Behold, Doctor. Men to Carrionites are nothing but puppets." She pulls out a doll and wraps his hair about it. Kathy sees Martha waking slowly.
"Wha—"
"Ssh." Kathy quietly murmurs. "Not yet." Once Lilith leaves, they can help the Doctor and save the earth.
"What use is your science now?" Kathy hears Lilith says as she stabs the doll. The Doctor lets out a cry and falls to the floor as Lilith cackles and flies away.
Kathy and Martha rush to the Doctor.
"Oh my God! Doctor! Don't worry, I've got you." Martha rolls him onto his back
"Martha, he's fine." Kathy tells her. "Two hearts remember?"
"Right." Martha sighs. "Come on mister."
"You're making a habit of this." The Doctor murmurs, he quickly stands and nearly falls. "Aahh!" He cries. Kathy and Martha support him. "I've only got one heart working. How do you people cope?"
"I used to cope just fine." Kathy retorts.
"I've got to get the other one started. Hit me! Hit me on the chest!" The Doctor orders. Martha hits him. "Aahh! Other side!" Kathy hits him this time. "On the back! On the back!" Martha does so. "Left a bit!" Kathy does it. "Ahh, lovely." The Doctor stands. "There we go! Ba-da-boom! Well, what are you standing there for? Come one! The Globe!" He rushes out followed by Martha and Kathy.
They run out through the streets but the Doctor begins running in the wrong direction. Kathy stops once she realises while Martha continues to follow.
"We're going the wrong way!" Martha yells.
"No, we're not! Running down a different street." The Doctor argues. Kathy stands and waits for him to realise.
"We're going the wrong way!" They run back the way they came, past Kathy. "Come on Kathy!"
Kathy rolls her eyes and follows.
They all hear screaming and see a red glow of energy pouring from the Globe. The play had already done its part. People on the street run around screaming while a preacher cries, "I told thee so! I told thee!" Thunderclouds and lightning form over the Globe mixing with the red glow as the three run into the theatre to stop the chaos.
—
They enter the theatre through the back door to find Will sitting on the ground, holding his head.
"Stop the play! I think that was it. Yeah, I said, "Stop the play"!" The Doctor yells at him.
"I hit my head." Will groans.
The Doctor rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "Yeah, don't rub it, you'll go bald." He remarks. Screams can be heard from out front. "I think that's my cue!" He runs out with Kathy. Martha grabs Will's hand and they follow.
"Now begins the millennium of blood!" The Carrionites cackle as Kathy and the Doctor run onstage with Martha and Will behind them. Kathy winces at the force of the wind. Lilith holds up the crystal orb.
"The Doctor! He lives! Then watch this world become a blasted heath! They come! They come!" Lilith cries. The remaining Carrionites freed from the crystal fly about the Globe.
The Doctor grabs Will. "Come on, Will! History needs you!"
"But what can I do?" Will asks, bewildered.
"Reverse it!" Kathy yells. "You need to say the right words and the Globe will give it power!"
"But what words? I have none ready!" Will protests.
"You're William Shakespeare!" The Doctor reasons, swatting his arm.
"But these Carrionite phrases, the need such precision!"
"You can do this Will. Trust yourself." Kathy cries. "When you're locked away in your room, the words just come, don't they? Like magic. Words that last forever!"
"That's what you do, Will! You choose perfect words. Do it. Improvise!" The Doctor persuades.
Will takes a moment to compose himself as he turns to the flying Carrionites. "Close up this den of hateful, dire decay! Decomposition of your witches' plot! You thieve my brains, consider me your toy. My doting Doctor tells me I am not!"
"No! Words of power!" Lilith wails.
"Foul Carrionite spectres, cease your show! Between the points..." Will looks to the Doctor.
"7-6-1-3-9-0!" The Doctor replies loudly so as to be heard over the screeches.
"7-6-1-3-9-0! And banished like a tinker's cuss, I say to thee..." Again, looks to the Doctor who is at a loss. Kathy decides not to say anything, to let Martha have her moment.
"Expelliarmus!" Martha cries.
"Expelliarmus!" The Doctor reiterates.
"Expelliarmus!" Will finishes. The Carrionites scream in anguish.
"The deep darkness! They are consumed! Ahhh!" Lilith cries. The wraith-like Carrionites get sucked up into the cloud, tornado fashion, as do all copies of the play.
"'Love's Labours Won'. There it goes." The Doctor says as the papers fly past them. The cloud dissipates and the audience sighs in relief and then begins applauding. The Doctor ducks out as the actors take their bows.
"They think it was all special effects." Martha says in disbelief.
"Your effect is special indeed." Will flirts. Martha pulls a face.
Kathy fakes being sick. "Awful Will."
Martha laughs. Kathy joins Martha and Will as they take their bows as well.
—
The next morning, the Doctor and Kathy emerge from backstage. Kathy is wearing a ruffed collar and the Doctor takes off a hat while carrying an animal skull. Martha and Shakespeare are sitting at the edge of the stage.
"Good props store back there! I'm not sure about this though." The Doctor looks at the skull. "Reminds me of a Sycorax." Kathy opens her mouth to ask. "No." She pouts, worth a try.
"Sycorax. Nice word. I'll have that off you as well." Will murmurs.
"I should be on 10%. How's your head?" The Doctor asks, putting down the skull.
"Still aching." Will replies.
"Here, I got you this." The Doctor removes the collar from Kathy's neck and puts it on Will's. "Neck brace. Wear that for a few days till it's better, although you might wanna keep it. It suits you."
"What about the play?" Martha questions.
"Gone," Kathy answers her. "We looked all over, every single copy of "Love's Labours' Won" went up in the sky."
"My lost masterpiece." Will says sombrely.
"You could write it up again." Martha suggests.
"Yeah, better not, Will." The Doctor quickly says. "There's still power in those words. Maybe it should best stay forgotten." That and how history says it's a lost play.
"Oh, but I've got new ideas." Will dismisses. "Perhaps it's time I wrote about fathers and sons. In memory of my boy, my precious Hamnet."
Martha's expression morphs into one of confusion. "Hamnet?"
"That's him."
"Ham-net?"
"What's wrong with that?" Will asks.
"Anyway," the Doctor quickly interrupts, "time we were off. I've got a nice attic in the TARDIS where this lot," he holds the crystal carrying the Carrionites, "can scream for all eternity and I've gotta take Martha back to Freedonia."
"You mean travel on through time and space." Will corrects with a knowing smirk. The Doctor and Martha look stunned while Kathy simply smiles at Will.
"You what?" The Time Lord looks at the Bard in disbelief.
"You're from another world like the Carrionites and Martha is from the future. And Kathy is older and more widely travelled than she appears like she's from a different world. It's not hard to work out." Will concludes.
The Doctor is flabbergasted. "That's... incredible. You are incredible."
"We're alike in many ways, Doctor." Will says to him before turning to Martha. "Martha, let me say goodbye to you in a new verse. A sonnet for my Dark Lady. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate..."
Kempe runs in, interrupting the moment, which Kathy is relieved with. "Will! Will! You'll never believe it! She's here! She's turned up!"
"We're the talk of the town. She heard about last night! She wants us to perform it again." Dick adds. Kathy knows who and slips a quick and amused glance in the Doctor's direction.
"Who?" Martha asks.
"Her Majesty! She's here!" Dick explains. As soon as he finishes, fanfare sounds as Elizabeth I enters with some guards.
"Queen Elizabeth I!" The Doctor exclaims excitedly.
Elizabeth, however, is not pleased as she glares at him and growls, "Doctor!"
The Doctor looks at her in a dumb daze, his smile vanishing. "What?"
"My sworn enemy!" Elizabeth continues.
"What?"
"Off with his head!" The Queen cries.
"What?!"
"Never mind "what", just run! See you, Will, Kathy! And thanks!" Martha and the Doctor run off the stage with guards following.
"Stop that pernicious Doctor!" Elizabeth exclaims while Kathy and Will laugh.
"Hello, Your Majesty." Kathy greets with a grin.
Elizabeth takes her in and looks shocked. "Katherine." Kathy can't blame her as she looks the same after 30 years though the Queen already knows all about aliens so she shouldn't be too shocked.
Kathy gestures to Will. "May I introduce Mr William Shakespeare."
Will bows before turning to Kathy. "Should I be surprised that you know Her Majesty?"
"No." Kathy grins.
