Chapter Five: New Earth
[TARDIS - Fated Pair Bathroom]
"Amara! I have a message!" the Doctor shouts excitedly from the bedroom.
She's brushing her teeth, having just wrapped up her shower and towel-drying her hair. It's always a strange sensation to shower after a Regeneration; the soap has an unusual texture. She spits.
"What is it?" the Time Lady asks.
"I plugged in the coordinates to check: New Earth M87 Uppercity NYC15. Looks like it's a hospital... Ward 26, Please come," Her Bondmate calls out.
She quickly throws on one of her new robes, green and white floral satin, and steps out into the changing area before heading down the short staircase toward him.
[Fated Pair Bedroom]
The Alchemist asks, "Can I see?"
He hands over the psychic paper, and she opens it, narrowing her eyes at the handwriting. Jack, she realizes. It's Jack.
The Time Lady nods, "Yeah, we should check it out; it's beautiful there. Great fruit on that planet, if I remember correctly. Don't they specialize in wine? I kind of want some fruit."
"Oh! You know they have that apple grass, too, right?" the Doctor laughs.
"Well, it is New New York," she shrugs, "The Big Apple... times 15? Gotta have apple grass at that point."
[Powell Estate]
The Doctor and the Alchemist are starting to power up the TARDIS, while outside Jackie and Mickey are with Rose, who has a heavy pack on her back.
"Have you got everything?" Jackie asks her daughter worriedly.
Rose nods, "I've got everything, don't worry."
Jackie places her hands on her daughter's shoulders, "Be careful."
She rolls her eyes, "You'll have to call Mo about that."
"Oh, never mind Mo." Jackie frowns.
"Okay, I'm going now. I love you!" Rose says, hugging her.
"I love you," Jackie tells her as she lets her daughter go.
"Love you, love you," Rose repeats.
She kisses Mickey.
Mickey returns the kiss and replies, "Love you."
The Alchemist hears all of this from inside the TARDIS and frowns; that's that theory confirmed.
"Bye," Rose waves as she enters the TARDIS, closing the doors.
Jackie turns her back and walks away as the TARDIS dematerializes. Mickey watches sadly.
[TARDIS - Console Room]
"So where are we going?" Rose asks.
The Doctor starts the time rotor, "Further than we've ever gone before."
While helping her husband with the flight, the Alchemist can't help but recall how far into the future they are from and have gone before.
[New Earth]
The TARDIS has appeared across the river of a vast metropolis, with flying cars darting through the sky above.
Pushing open the doors, the Alchemist waves the pair to come out.
"It's the year five billion and twenty-three. We're in the galaxy M87, and this? This is New Earth," the Doctor informs Rose.
"That's just. That's just..." Rose trails off in awe.
He nods in understanding, "Not bad. Not bad at all."
"That's amazing," the human laughs, "I'll never get used to this. Never. Different ground beneath my feet, different sky," she sniffles, "What's that smell?"
"Apple grass," the Time Lord shrugs.
"Apple grass," Rose repeats.
The Alchemist confirms, "Big Apple, Apple Grass."
The Doctor grins, "Yeah, yeah."
"It's beautiful. Oh, I love this. Can I just say, traveling with you lot, I love it," Rose smiles.
"Me too. Come on," The Time Lord grins, leading the Alchemist by the hand.
"Mm, yeah," the Time Lady hums as she glances around.
The Doctor flings his trench coat onto the lush apple grass, creating a cozy spot for them to sit. Rose settles down on one side while the Time Lord playfully pulls his wife down on top of him, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Giggling, she lands between his legs with an "Oomph!"
He chuckles and draws her close, and she nestles into him, tuning out the bustling sounds of the city around them to concentrate solely on their conversation.
The Doctor starts his tangent by saying, "So, the year five billion, the sun expands, the Earth gets roasted..."
Rose bites her lip and adds, "That was our first date."
The Alchemist narrows her eyes at that comment, and the smell of pheromones wafting off her right now. She's even more attracted to this version of him. That just won't do.
"Not really, but we had chips," the Doctor shrugs, making Rose frown, "My wife and I need to go on a date, come to think of it," he mumbles before clearing his throat, "So anyway, planet gone, all rocks and dust, but the human race lives on, spread out across the stars. Soon as the Earth burns up, oh yeah, they get all nostalgic, big revival movement, but then find this place," he gestures around them, "Same size as the Earth, same air, same orbit. Lovely. Call goes out, the humans move in."
"What's the city called?" Rose queries.
He smiles, "New New York."
"Oh, come on," she scoffs.
The Alchemist shrugs, "Technically not wrong," she leans further back and closes her eyes.
Holding her waist tighter, the Doctor informs Rose, "It is. It's the city of New New York. Strictly speaking, it's the fifteenth New York since the original, so that makes it New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York."
Rose's brows knit as she looks them over.
The Doctor notices, "What?"
"You're so different... both of you, actually," she realizes.
"New New Doctor," he grins.
The Alchemist smirks, "New New Alchemist. ...He's really not, though. He's always sort of the same to me."
A smile dances on the Time Lady's lips as she feels a gentle kiss land on the crown of her head. Tilting her head slightly, she catches a strange, mechanical sound but decides to brush it aside.
Rose laughs, "Can we go and visit New New York, so good they named it twice?"
"Fifteen times," The Alchemist corrects.
"Well, I thought we might go there first," The Doctor says, gesturing to a pair of curved skyscrapers.
"Why, what is it?" the companion asks.
"Some sort of hospital. Green moon on the side. That's the universal symbol for hospitals. I got this. A message on the psychic paper."
He hands it to Rose to read, 'Floor 26 - Please Come.'
The Time Lord nods to it, "Someone wants to see me."
"See us," the Alchemist corrects.
He frowns, "What?"
"I got the same message. I checked mine later. See?"
She pulls out her psychic paper and shows them.
"Huh, who could it be?" the Doctor wonders.
The Time Lady shrugs, tilting her head down to hide her smirk.
"Hmm. And I thought we were just sightseeing," Rose rolls her eyes and gets up, "Come on, then. Let's go and buy some grapes."
"Hah! Great minds. I wanted fruit this morning," the Alchemist tells her.
They rise to their feet, eagerly diving into a lively conversation about the fantastic fruits found around New Earth.
[Hospital reception]
"Bit rich coming from you," Rose scoffs.
"I can't help it," The Doctor grimaces, "I don't like hospitals. They give me the creeps."
"Trust me, he has a very good reason for it these days, and I'm not happy about it," the Time Lady recalls.
He groans at the memory of the cause of his eighth Regeneration and, subsequently, his wife's.
"The Pleasure Gardens will now take visitors carrying green or blue identification cards for the next fifteen minutes. Visitors are reminded that cuttings from the gardens are not permitted," they hear over Tannoy.
"Very smart. Not exactly NHS," says Rose, glancing around.
The Doctor looks around and pouts, "No shop. I like the little shop."
The Alchemist laughs, "What, you want a teddy bear or something?"
Rolling his eyes, the Doctor pokes her between the ribs for the comment, making her jump.
'Are you… ticklish again?' the Doctor smirks.
'Even if I say 'no,' you're still going to try, so yes, apparently I am,' she sighs.
The Doctor grins wickedly, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"I thought this far in the future, they'd have cured everything," Rose mumbles.
"The human race moves on, but so do the viruses. It's an ongoing war," the Doctor replies.
Rose's jaw drops as a member of the staff, a Felinetta, crosses her path.
"They're cats," she breathes.
"Of course they are," the Alchemist rolls her eyes, "I explained that when we first met. Cat-people. Not me. They have retractable claws; they're lovely."
The Doctor stifles a chuckle at his wife's comment. She also has a soft spot for the Leovits, a species resembling white lions. Unfortunately, their home planet was obliterated by an asteroid while their leaders squabbled over how to ensure their survival. They had barely escaped when they were in their first lives, just as the planet was hit.
"Now, don't stare," the Time Lord admonishes Rose, "Think what you look like to them, all pink and yellow," he gestures to a section in the area, "That's where I'd put the shop. Right there."
While Rose is distracted, The Doctor slips into the lift, dragging the Alchemist along.
"Ward twenty-six, thanks!"
Rose hears his call and rushes to join them, "Hold on! Hold on!"
The Doors shut in her face.
[Lift]
"Oh, too late. We're going up," the Time Lord grins.
The Alchemist laughs, "See you in a bit, Rose!"
[Hospital reception]
Rose huffs, "It's alright, there's another lift."
"Ward twenty-six," she hears him shout.
[Lift]
"And watch out for the disinfectant," the Doctor calls out.
[Hospital reception]
"Watch out for what?" she yells back.
[Lift]
"The disinfectant!"
"It's just some spray and powder, no worries!" the Alchemist yells in explanation.
[Hospital reception]
"The what? Spray?" Rose asks, confused.
[Lift]
"The disin…!" he trails off, shrugging, "Oh, you'll find out."
"By being disinfected, yeah," the Alchemist laughs heartily, and he joins in.
She swiftly puts in her noseplugs and grins widely at her husband, ready.
[Lift 2]
Rose enters the lift, "Uh, Ward twenty-six, thanks."
Her lift begins to head down, not up.
[Lift]
"Commence stage one disinfection," is said over the lift tannoy.
The Doctor and his Bondmate get drenched by the spray. She playfully splashes the chemical at him, and he responds with a broad smile.
They exchange a wink before sealing their eyes and lips, holding them firmly closed as the powder hits.
'I feel like a powder puff; send me to the 1700s France, love,' she calls out.
'That makes two of us,' he replies.
Finally, the blow dry. The Time Lords sigh as the powder lifts off, and they shake it off their clothes and hair, smiling. The Alchemist swings her hair back and forth like in a modeling commercial while the Doctor runs his fingers through his own.
[Lift 2]
"Commence stage one disinfection," is said over the lift tannoy.
Rose jumps and shrieks as she gets soaked. The powder bursts around her, causing her to cough. The next stage is a blow dry. She sighs in relief and shakes off the powder from her clothes and hair.
[Ward 26]
"Please report to reception," is heard over Tannoy.
A veiled nurse accompanies the Doctor and the Alchemist from the lifts.
"Nice place," The Doctor nods, "No shop downstairs. I'd have a shop. Not a big one. Just a shop… so people can shop."
The nurse pulls up her veil and glares at him, "The hospital is a place of healing."
The Time Lord grins, "A shop does some people the world of good," he shakes his head, "Not me. Other people."
"He means him; he likely wants a teddy," the Alchemist quips.
She earns a glare from both of them, one playful.
"The Sisters of Plentitude take a lifelong vow to help and to mend," the nurse informs them.
They pass an open cubicle, and the Doctor and the Alchemist pause.
"Excuse me!" a woman shouts, "Members of the public may only gaze upon the Duke of Manhattan with written permission from the Senate of New New York."
The Doctor frowns, "That's Petrifold Regression, right?"
"I'm dying, sir. A lifetime of charity and abstinence, and it ends like this," the Duke bemoans.
"Any statements made by the Duke of Manhattan may not be made public without official clearance," his assistant states.
"Frau Clovis! I'm so weak," the Duke announces.
Clovis turns to the nurse, "Sister Jatt. A little privacy, please."
Jatt pulls the curtains closed, "He'll be up and about in no time."
The Doctor raises his brows, "I doubt it. Petrifold Regression? He's turning to stone. There won't be a cure for, oh, a thousand years?" he hums, "He might be up and about, but only as a statue."
"Have faith in the Sisterhood," Jatt turns to him, "But is there no one here you recognize? It's rather unusual to visit without knowing the patient."
The Doctor sighs, "No, I think I've found him."
"Yep," the Alchemist whispers, having long sensed the Vortex energy.
A large face in a glass container rests beside the picture window with a view of the cityscape, and the trio approaches him.
Jatt turns to her fellow nurse, "Novice Hame, if I can leave this pair in your care?"
"Oh, I think our friend got lost. Rose Tyler. Could you ask at reception?" the Time Lord turns to her as she leaves.
"Certainly, sir," Jatt replies.
"I'm afraid the Face of Boe's asleep. That's all he tends to do these days. Are you a friend, or...?" Hame asks.
He shakes his head, "We met just the once on Platform One. I didn't know my wife knew him, though."
"We've talked," the Time Lady whispers.
The Doctor nods, "What's wrong with him?"
"I'm so sorry. I thought you knew. The Face of Boe is dying," the nurse tells them sadly.
"Of what?"
"Old age. The one thing we can't cure. He's thousands of years old. Some people say millions, although that's impossible."
The Alchemist remembers an old theory she had about true Alpha. She plans to review the numbers and check her theory room later.
The Doctor sighs, "Oh, I don't know. I like impossible," he presses his hand against the glass, "I'm here. I look a bit different, but it's me. It's the Doctor… the Alchemist is here too."
'I know you're awake, Jack. You're just pretending to sleep. Not so smelly anymore, and I'm so, so sorry for everything. This is the first time I've seen you since it happened.' she calls out telepathically.
'Allycat, this was never your fault. You were never the one to blame,' Jack responds.
She sighs, 'You'll have to tell me that in your past then. I intend on meeting up with you to work with you. I know you start running a company at some point? Don't tell me about it. Teacher says it's too early in my Timestream, unfortunately.'
'I understand, Allycat.'
The Time Lady sits on the ground, places her hand on the glass, and sighs.
"Are you okay, Ally?" the Doctor asks.
"Yeah, just... didn't expect to see him like this, that's all. It's been a long time since we've spoken," she replies.
The Time Lord nods, stepping back, "When did you meet? I didn't even know you knew Boe."
The Alchemist smiles up at the enormous face, "Oh, me and Boe, we go way, way back. I don't think you'd even believe it, love."
He shrugs as he walks off, 'I'm going to get some water for his nurse. Do you want anything?'
'I'm alright, thank you, Theta,' she replies, watching him leave.
She turns to Jack, 'Can't tell him yet, obviously.'
Jack laughs in her mind, 'Of course not. Although it is funny.'
'Hilarious. I've missed you so much, brother,' The Alchemist tells him.
'I can't say the same, sister. I just saw you last week.'
'Stop ruining my future, you arse. Just so you know, you have plenty of Vortex Energy still, you're not quite there yet.'
'Too soon to tell you then,' he replies.
'Whatever it is, yes. Sexy will take us to you when it is time, I'm sure. That ship will never admit it, but she definitely changes our destinations.'
'You've just begun to speak then.'
The Alchemist smirks, 'And the Doctor is so jealous.'
'Oh, I know,' he laughs back.
"Hope, harmony, and health. Hope, harmony, and health," is called out over Tannoy.
The Doctor returns with the cup of water for Hame.
She smiles and accepts it, "That's very kind. There's no need."
"You're the one working," he reminds her.
"There's not much to do, just maintain his smoke," Hame sighs, "And I suppose I'm company. I can hear him singing, sometimes, in my mind. Such ancient songs."
The Alchemist gives Jack a look, 'You sing David Bowie, don't you?'
'It's funny'
The Doctor asks, "Are we the only visitors?"
'It's really not, Jar-Jack'
"There are a few who visit, sometimes. None like him, however," she sighs, "The rest of Boe-kind became extinct long ago. He's the only one left. Legend says that the Face of Boe has watched the universe grow old," she looks over at Boe, "There's all sorts of superstitions around him. One story says that just before his death, the Face of Boe will impart his great secret, that he will speak those words only to ones like himself."
'Ah, I see; too soon though. Also, Boe-kind?' the Alchemist silently laughs.
'Had to fit in somehow,' he replies.
The Doctor turns to Hame, interested, "What does that mean?"
Hame shyly shakes her head, "It's just a story."
"Tell us the rest," he implores.
"It's said he'll talk to two wanderers. To the man and woman without a home. The lonely Gods."
'Chat more later, brother.'
'I'll actually be able to nap now; you're exhausting.'
The Alchemist sighs, getting to her feet, "We should find Rose, Doctor. It's been way too long."
He nods thoughtfully, and they walk over to the front desk to call her on the guest phone.
[Ward 26: Reception]
"Rose, where are you?" the Doctor asks over the line.
The Alchemist hears a voice whisper, "How does she speak?"
She narrows her eyes, listening to the call carefully.
"Old Earth Cockney," a male's voice replies.
'Someone's telling her how she's supposed to sound, Theta,' the Alchemist tells him.
"Uh, wotcha," Not-Rose says.
He glances at his wife, understanding.
"Where've you been? How long does it take to get to Ward 26?" the Time Lord asks.
She replies, "I'm on my way, governor. I shall proceed up the Apples and Pears."
The Alchemist holds in her laugh, covering her mouth to do so.
He deadpans, watching her, "You'll never guess. We're with the Face of Boe. Remember him?"
"Of course I do. That big... old... Boat race," Not-Rose responds.
The Alchemist is about to lose it,
"I'd better go. See you in a minute," the Doctor says quickly and hangs up.
The Time Lord gives his Bondmate a look, and she finally starts cackling.
"Bo-boat race!" she laughs out.
"Something's wrong with Rose, and you're just laughing?" he asks, pretending he's not amused.
"It's... yes, sorry," she says, chastised, before glancing towards where Jack is again and chuckling.
[Ward 26]
The Duke of Manhattan is sitting up, drinking champagne happily as they go to stroll past.
"Didn't think I was going to make it," he spots them, "It's that man and his wife again! They're my good luck charms. Come in. Don't be shy."
The two exchange a stunned look before making their way to his cubicle.
"Any friendship expressed by the Duke of Manhattan does not constitute a form of legal contract," Clovis announces.
"Winch me up," the Duke demands, "Up! Look at me. No sign of infection."
A waiter approaches, "Champagne, sir? Madam?"
The Doctor waves him off, "No, thanks, we're fine. You had Petrifold Regression, right?"
"That being the operative word. Past tense. Completely cured," the Duke smiles.
"But that's impossible," the Time Lord says, alarmed.
The head nurse approaches, "Primitive species would accuse us of magic, but it's merely the tender application of science."
"How on Earth did you cure him?" he asks.
"How on New Earth, you might say," she corrects with a smirk.
"What's in that solution?" he asks, squeezing the Alchemist's hand before dropping it.
The Alchemist catches on and gestures towards the hanging infusion bag, trying to get a breakdown through the encasement.
'I'm only getting Polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinyl chloride. The containment is too thick, and I'm too far away,' she tells him, dropping her hand.
The Felinetta raises her chin, "A simple remedy."
"Then tell me what it is," the Doctor demands.
"I'm sorry. Patient confidentiality. I don't believe we've met. My name is Matron Casp."
"I'm the Doctor, and this is my wife, The Alchemist."
She scoffs, "I think you'll find that we're the doctors here."
The Alchemist glares at her, "And I think you'll find that advancement of this kind is often frowned upon by the Shadow Proclamation."
The nurse glares at her and goes to respond when Jatt approaches, "Matron Casp, you're needed in Intensive Care."
"If you would excuse me," she says, following Jatt away from the pair.
Jatt whispers, "It's happened again. One of the patients is conscious."
Casp glares ahead of them, "Oh, we can't have that."
The Alchemist hears all of this causing a frown to marr her features.
"We should check on everyone else," the Alchemist suggests to her Bondmate.
The Doctor nods, "Good idea. Something smells off."
"Ambient temperature stands at fourteen degrees. This temperature is designed to promote healing and well-being," is said over Tannoy.
The Doctor is going round all the cubicles with the Alchemist when they spot her. The Time Lady narrows her eyes at the girl's now-revealed decolletage.
The Doctor doesn't notice, "There you are. Come and look at this patient. Marconi's Disease," he rushes over to them, "Should take years to recover. Two days. I've never seen anything like it. They've invented a cell-washing cascade. It's amazing. Their medical science is way advanced," they approach another patient, "And this one..." he gestures to a man as white as paper, "Pallidome Pancrosis. Kills you in ten minutes, and he's fine," he glances around, "I need to find a terminal. I've got to see how they do this. Because if they've got the best medicine in the world, then why is it such a secret?"
"Really shouldn't be possible at all," the Time Lady agrees, observing not-Rose's movements.
Not-Rose smirks, jutting her hip, "I can't Adam and Eve it."
The Doctor looks at her warily, "What's… what's… what's with the voice?"
She shrugs, "Oh, I don't know. Just larking about," she fluffs her hair, "New Earth, new me."
The Time Lord nods, "Well, I can talk. New New Doctor."
"Mmm, aren't you just," Not-Rose hums.
Not-Rose goes to grab the Doctor and kiss him, but she's pulled back, earning a hard glare from the Time Lady, who does it instead.
The Alchemist slips one hand under his jacket to caress his abdomen over his shirt and the other into his hair. Ruffling it before pulling back with a smirk.
Swallowing hard, Not-Rose stutters, rushing to get away, "Terminal… terminal's this way."
The Doctor squeaks, eyes only on his wife, "Yep, still got it, and you never seem to lose it, Ally."
He slips around 'Rose' and heads towards the direction of the terminal.
The Alchemist grabs Not-Rose's shoulder and forcibly turns her towards her.
She bears her teeth, "Try that again and find yourself outside an airlock, tongueless."
The ginger Time Lady strides ahead and grabs the Doctor's hand as they walk forward.
Not-Rose swallows back her fear.
[Ward 26 waiting room]
The Time Lords work together, hacking into the terminal by the lift.
"Nope, nothing odd. Surgery, post-op, nano-dentistry. No sign of a shop. They should have a shop," the Doctor calls out.
"I'll get you a teddy later," the Alchemist softly says, and he grins.
Not-Rose scoffs, "No, it's missing something else. When I was downstairs, those Nurse Cat Nuns were talking about Intensive Care. Where is it?"
"Hmm, that they were," the Alchemist mutters and glances at not-Rose, who is picking at her nails.
The Doctor looks over as well, "You're right. Well done."
"Why would they hide a whole department?" Not-Rose asks, gesturing to the terminal, "It's got to be there somewhere. Search the sub-frame."
The Time Lords share a concerned look.
"What if the sub-frame's locked?" the Doctor asks.
"Try the installation protocol," Not-Rose answers.
The Alchemist purses her lips, and he replies, "Yeah. Of course. Sorry. Hold on."
The Doctor uses the sonic screwdriver on the computer, causing the wall to slide down and reveal a long, dark corridor. They peak in.
"Intensive Care. Certainly looks intensive," the Doctor comments, and they follow not-Rose into the dark.
[ICU]
Not-Rose guides them down a flight of stairs into a dimly lit corridor. The Alchemist's expression turns steely as she lays eyes on the endless rows of cylindrical cells. The Doctor opens one at random, revealing a man plagued with disease.
"That's disgusting," Not-Rose grimaces, "What's wrong with him?"
The Alchemist glares at her before looking softly at the sick man. She knows he's aware; she's sure of it.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," the Doctor says, full of remorse.
The Doctor closes the door and moves towards the Time Lady, who has opened another. It contains a young woman in the same state, breathing labored. The Alchemist has tears in her eyes as she tries not to get pulled back into the war.
"What disease is that?" the human asks.
"All of them. Every single disease in the galaxy. They've been infected with everything," the Doctor informs her.
She steps back, alarmed, "What about us? Are we safe?"
The Time Lord sighs, "The air's sterile. Just don't touch them."
He takes hold of the door and slips the Alchemist's hand off, shutting it gently.
Not-Rose looks around, "How many patients are there?"
"They're not patients. They're slaves," the Alchemist corrects, voice haunted.
She frowns, "But they're sick."
"They were born sick. They're meant to be sick. They exist to be sick. Lab rats. No wonder the Sisters have got a cure for everything. They've built the ultimate research laboratory. A human farm," the Doctor seethes.
"Why don't they just die?"
He refuses to even look at her, "Plague carriers. The last to go."
"Living through torment day after day, stuck inside their minds," the Alchemist growls, eyes focused on Hame, who's coming out from her hiding place.
"It's for the greater cause," Hame responds.
The Doctor rounds on her, "Novice Hame, When you took your vows, did you agree to this?"
She glances between them and the cells, "The Sisterhood has sworn to help."
"What, by killing?" the Doctor asks sharply.
"But they're not real people. They're specially grown. They have no proper existence."
The Alchemist fists her hands at her sides, "Because you've trapped them within themselves, you wicked creature."
"What's the turnover, hmm? Thousand a day? Thousand the next? Thousand the next? How many thousands? For how many years? How many!" The Doctor growls, stepping closer.
"Mankind needed us," Hame defends, "They came to this planet with so many illnesses. We couldn't cope," she shakes her head, "We did try. We tried everything. We tried using clone meat and bio-cattle, but the results were too slow, so the Sisterhood grew its own flesh. That's all they are. Flesh."
"These people are alive," the Time Lord says, fury clear.
"They have feelings, thoughts, ideas, memories, and you've locked them away!" the Alchemist shouts.
Hame shakes her head, "But think of those Humans out there, healthy and happy, because of us."
"If they live because of this, then life is worthless," the Doctor replies.
"I would know," the Alchemist says lowly, and Hame steps back a fraction in fear from the iciness directed her way.
She shakes it off, "But who are you to decide that?"
"I'm the Doctor, and she's the Alchemist. And if you don't like it... if you want to take it to a higher authority, then there isn't one. It stops with us."
Not-Rose steps forward, "Just to confirm. None of the humans in the city actually know about this?"
Hame frowns, "We thought it best not."
"Hold on. I can understand the bodies," the Doctor shakes his head, "I can understand your vows. One thing I can't understand: What have you done to Rose?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"She doesn't, Doctor. It wasn't her that did this," the Alchemist explains.
The Time Lord shakes his head, "No. No. No. Had to be, who else would? Rose would care. And I'm being very, very calm. You want to be aware of that. Very, very calm. And the only reason I'm being so very, very calm is that the brain is a delicate thing. Whatever you've done to Rose's head, I want it reversed."
"We haven't done anything."
"She didn't. It was a male-sounding voice on the phone Doctor," the Alchemist turns to not-Rose then, "Which means, what have you done to Rose, Rose?"
She primly declares, "I'm perfectly fine."
Both Time Lords stare her down now.
"'Once more with feeling,'" the Alchemist quotes with a glare.
"Oh, all right, clever clogs. Smarty pants. Lady-killer," she rolls her eyes, "And Ginger here is clearly smarter than you!"
The Doctor gapes, "What's happened to you?"
Not-Rose smirks and answers, "I knew something was going on in this hospital, but I needed this body and your mind to find it out, although Ginger's is very good."
"Who are you then?" asks the Alchemist.
She scowls, "The last human."
"Cassandra?" the Doctor questions, aghast.
"Wake up and smell the perfume!" she hisses.
Cassandra quickly administers a spray from a vial into his nostrils, causing him to lose consciousness. As she prepares to do the same to the Alchemist, the woman seizes her wrist, pausing momentarily before releasing her grip. This allows her to spray it, and she pretends to pass out as well.
Cassandra stares at the woman oddly before turning to Hame.
"You've hurt them," Hame gasps, "I don't understand. I'll have to fetch Matron."
"You do that… because I want to see her. Now, run along! Sound the alarm!" Cassandra says and pulls a cable, setting off the alarms in ICU.
Later and the Doctor now awake, the Time Lords are inside a cell; the Alchemist is annoyed, and the Doctor is furious and panicking.
"Let us out! Let us out!" the Doctor shouts.
He's forgotten that the Alchemist has the ability to teleport. However, the Time Vortex has told her that she must wait, preventing her from using her power.
"Aren't you lucky there was a spare? Standing room only," Cassandra teases.
He glares at her, "You've stolen Rose's body."
"And locked me in a cell with my husband; I'm not too happy about this," the Alchemist growls.
Cassandra hushes her, "Quiet, Ginger," she turns to the Doctor, "Over the years, I've thought of a thousand ways to kill you, Doctor. And now, that's exactly what I've got. One thousand diseases. They pump the patients with a top-up every ten minutes. You've got about three minutes left. Enjoy."
"Just let Rose and my wife go, Cassandra," the Doctor demands.
She scoffs, "Rose? Sure, as soon as I've found someone younger and less common, then I'll junk her with the waste. Ginger stays with you," she glances behind her, seeing the nurses approach, "Now, hushaby. It's showtime."
Jatt asks, "Anything we can do to help?"
"Straight to the point, Whiskers. I want money," Cassandra demands.
"The Sisterhood is a charity. We don't give money. We only accept," Casp states.
"The humans across the water pay you a fortune, and that's exactly what I need. A one-off payment, that's all I want," Cassandra pauses, "Oh, and perhaps a yacht. In return for which, I shall tell the city nothing of your institutional murder," she smirks, "Is that a deal?"
Matron Casp glares, "I'm afraid not."
"I'd really advise you to think about this."
"Oh, there's no need. I have to decline."
"I'll tell them, and you've no way of stopping me. You're not exactly Nuns with Guns. You're not even armed," Cassandra taunts.
Casp grins viciously, "Who needs arms when we have claws?"
The Matron reveals her claws, ready to strike.
Cassandra sighs, "Well, nice try. Chip? Plan B."
Chip pulls a lever, triggering the opening of all the doors on that level. The Doctor and the Alchemist step out of their cell, accompanied by a swarm of infected new humans.
The Doctor looks around, alarmed, "What've you done?"
"Are you mad?" asks the Alchemist.
"Gave the system a shot of adrenaline, just to wake them up," Cassandra grins, "See you!"
"Don't touch them! Whatever you do, don't touch!" the Doctor calls out.
The Time Lords chase after Cassandra and Chip while the ailing humans make their way toward the cat people.
"Please, save us," a man begs.
Jatt looks around in terror, "I think we should withdraw."
"We understood what you did to us. As part of the machine, we know the machine," another sick man says.
Matron Casp eyes them, "Fascinating. It's actually constructing an argument."
"And we will end it," the man says.
He punches a socket and is electrocuted. The cell doors swing open as the locks disengage, releasing the captives.
"They're free," Jatt gasps, "By the Goddess Santori, the flesh is free!"
"Stop the pain," the first man demands.
A diseased woman touches Sister Jatt, and she dies, her screams echoing as her body hits the catwalk.
Cassandra looks back, "Oh, my God."
"Did you even consider the repercussions of your Plan B!?" The Alchemist shouts.
"What the hell have you done?" The Time Lord cries.
"It wasn't me," Cassandra denies.
He glares at her, "One touch and you get every disease in the world, and I want that body safe, Cassandra!"
The Alchemist presses them forward, "We've got to go down."
"But there's thousands of them!"
"Run! Down! Down! Go down!" the Doctor orders Cassandr, and they run.
Over Tannoy, they hear, "This building is under quarantine."
[Basement]
Cassandra runs towards the lift.
"That won't work!" the Alchemist yells.
"The lifts have closed down. That's the quarantine. Nothing's moving," The Time Lord confirms.
Cassandra glances around before urging them on, "This way!"
She turns and begins to lead the Time Lords to her hideout. Chip falls behind and is cut off as the sick surround them.
"No!" the Alchemist exclaims.
"Someone will touch him!" the Doctor cries.
Cassandra shouts, "Leave him! He's just a clone thing. He's only got a half-life. Come on!"
"Mistress!" Chip begs.
The Doctor laments, "I'm sorry, I can't let her escape."
"My Mistress!"
"Find a door, anything!" the Time Lady shouts back at him before catching up with the pair.
Cassandra makes it to the door first, finding more people in front of it.
"We're trapped!" she yells, "What am I going to do?"
The Doctor snaps at her, "Well, for starters, you're going to leave that body. That psychograft is banned on every civilized planet."
"You're compressing Rose to death. You can't stay there," the Time Lady continues.
"But I've got nowhere to go. My original skin's dead," Cassandra argues.
"Not my problem," he glares, "You can float as atoms in the air. Now, get out. Give her back to us."
"Get out of her, Cassandra!" the Alchemist orders.
She rolls her eyes, "You asked for it."
Cassandra breathes in deep and blows her psychic essence towards the Doctor.
The Alchemist looks up in horror when the bonds block. She suppresses the overwhelming urge to claw at the back of her neck, the wave of panic crashing over her.
Rose shakily grasps her head, "Blimey, my head. Where'd she go?"
"Where do you think, Rose!?" the Time Lady snaps.
Cassandra looks down at the Doctor's body, "Oh, my. This is different."
Rose's eyes widen, "Cassandra?"
"Get the hell out of my husband, you bitch!" the Alchemist shouts.
Cassandra begins to leap about energetically while the Alchemist clenches her jaw, a sense of emptiness washing over her that she hasn't felt since her programming was broken.
"Goodness me, I'm a man. Yum. So many parts. New and recently used. And Is that... "
"Oh, he's going to kill me for this," the Alchemist growls and covers Rose's ears.
Rose, in shock, doesn't react to the move; sounds now muffled.
"...oh my. Pierced!?" Cassandra gasps, "Well, well, aren't you a lucky ginger," she taunts.
"He's really going to kill me for this," said Ginger mutters as she frees the girl.
"Oh, oh, and two hearts! Oh, baby, I'm beating out a samba!"
Cassandra wiggles around and feels her sides, "Ooh, he's slim… and a little bit foxy. You've thought so, too, blondie. I've been inside your head. You've been looking. You like it. Naughty. He is married, after all."
Rose gives the Alchemist a wary glance, which the Time Lady ignores; she'll deal with that later.
The sick humans manage to get through the door, closing in on them once more.
Cassandra panics, "What do we do? What would he do? The Doctor, what the hell would he do?"
"We need to go up!" the Time Lady shouts, prodding her companion towards the ladder.
"She's right. Ladder. We've got to get up," Rose says, finally shifting on her own.
"Out of the way, blondie, ginger!" Cassandra shouts, pushing past them in a sprint.
An ill woman begs, "Please, help us. Help."
"Soon, we will! I promise," the Time Lady calls back to her and follows Rose up the ladder.
[Lift shaft]
"Ally, what do we do!?" Rose asks, alarmed.
"I'm not helping anymore until she gets out of him," the Alchemist scowls.
Rose huffs, "If you get out of the Doctor's body, they will think of something."
Cassandra rolls her eyes, "Yap, yap, yap! God, it was tedious inside your head. Hormone city. I can only imagine ginger is worse."
"We're all going to die if..." the Alchemist starts off before Matron Casp grasps her ankle, "Let go, you corrupt cat!"
She hisses, "All our good work. All that healing. The good name of the Sisterhood. You have destroyed everything."
"Go and play with a ball of string," Cassandra snips back, pausing in her climb.
"Everywhere, disease. This is the human world. Sickness!"
Matron's own ankle is grabbed by one of the sick, and she slips, shrieking as she succumbs to the disease and the fall.
"Move!" Rose orders Cassandra, who's watching in adept horror.
"Maximum quarantine. Divert all shuttles."
They find themselves trapped on the next level, the doors locked.
"Help us," a man begs.
"Now, what do we do?" Cassandra asks.
"Use the sonic screwdriver!" Rose calls up to her.
She pulls it from his pocket, "You mean this thing?"
Rose rolls her eyes, "Yes, I mean that thing."
"Well, I don't know how. That Doctor's hidden away all his thoughts," she huffs, "Ginger, can't you open it?"
The Alchemist growls, "Not until you get out of my Bondmate, Cassandra!"
"Hold on tight then!"
Cassandra lets go of the Doctor, and her psychic presence flies backward down the ladder.
The Doctor snarls as he glances over his shoulder, the bonds blocked for him as well; he hasn't felt so alone since she left and joined the war.
"Doctor, you better open that," Rose calls up.
He doesn't respond to his companion, focusing his furious eyes on Cassandra, now in his Bondmate's body.
Cassandra smirks as she flips back her now red hair, "Oh, my! Lots of piercings on this one," she shouts,
"Now, open it!"
His eyes harden further, "Get out of my wife, and I will."
Cassandra rolls her eyes, "We need the Doctor because she's not helping."
"I order you to leave her!" the Doctor rages, "Give me back my Bondmate!"
She swallows hard and swaps back to him.
"No matter how difficult the situation, there is no need to shout," Cassandra grumbles.
"Give him back to me!" The Alchemist demands.
Rose shouts as well, "Cassandra, get out of him!"
She huffs and complains, "But I can't go into either of you! He simply refuses. He's so rude."
The companion purses her lips, "I don't care. "
"Neither do I. Just go somewhere else, now!" the Time Lady shouts.
"Fine!" Cassandra snaps back, "Oh, I am so going to regret this."
She transfers to the ill woman on the ladder below the Alchemist.
"Oh, sweet Lord. I look disgusting," she complains as she looks at her arms.
The Doctor quickly sonics open the doors to the lift before climbing out.
"Nice to have you both back," the Doctor says, relieved.
"No kidding," the Alchemist sighs, bonds back in place.
Cassandra mumbles, "No, you don't," before jumping back into Rose as the lift doors shut again.
[Ward 26 waiting room]
The Time Lord rounds on her, "That was your last warning, Cassandra!"
"Inside her head. They're so alone. They keep reaching out just to hold us. All their lives, and they've never been touched," Cassandra says softly, tearing up.
The Alchemist lets out a deep sigh as she wraps her arms around her, drawing her into a warm embrace. Cassandra holds on tightly for a moment before releasing her, wiping away her tears, and giving the Time Lady a nod.
The Doctor's hearts ache as he watches the interaction in understanding.
[Ward 26]
Frau Clovis shouts as she lunges towards them with a metal IV pole.
"We're safe!" the Time Lord calls out, "We're safe! We're safe! We're clean! We're clean! Look, look."
She narrows her eyes, demanding, "Show me your skin."
The Time Lords and Cassandra pull at their clothing, showing their hands and necks to be clear of infection.
"We're clear, honest!" the Alchemist tells her.
"Look, clean," the Doctor nods, "Look, if we'd been touched, we'd be dead," he looks around, "So how's it going up here? What's the status?"
Clovis shakes her head, "There's nothing but silence from the other wards. I think we're the only ones left. And I've been trying to override the quarantine. If I can trip a signal over to New New York, they can send a private executive squad."
"You can't do that. If they forced entry, they'd break quarantine," the Doctor says, stepping forward.
"I am not dying in here!"
"We can't let a single particle of disease get out. There is ten million people in that city. They'd all be at risk. Now, turn that off!" he orders.
"You'll kill everyone if this gets out," the Alchemist confirms.
She refuses, "Not if it gets me out."
The Time Lords exchange a nod after confirming a plan in their minds.
"All right, fine," the Doctor scoffs, "So I have to stop you lot as well. Suits me," he turns to the others in the room, "Cassandra, novice Hame, everyone! Excuse me, your Grace. Get me intravenous solutions for every single disease. Move it!"
Everyone on the floor works together, grabbing drip bags and handing them to the Alchemist, who helps her husband hang them off a long rope piece on his body.
He pulls the rope taught, asking, "How's that? Will that do?"
Cassandra frowns, "I don't know. Will it do for what?"
"It should work," the Alchemist says, grinning proudly.
[Ward 26 waiting room]
The Alchemist opens the lift doors with her sonic, and the Doctor prepares himself.
"The lifts aren't working," Cassandra reminds them.
"They're not moving. Big difference," the Time Lady says, turning to her husband, "Good luck, love, you know I'd join, but... the chemicals..."
"I know. Here we go," he nods before biting down on his sonic and sprinting towards the lift.
Cassandra shakes her head, "But you're not going to..."
The Doctor leaps and grabs hold of the cable, wrapping his legs and hands around it tightly before removing his sonic from his mouth.
"What do you think you're doing?" Cassandra shouts.
He smirks, "I'm going down! Come on!"
The Doctor attaches a piece of equipment to the cable, preparing for action.
"Not in a million years," the woman scoffs.
"I need another pair of hands, and the Alchemist's are full up here. What do you think? If you're so desperate to stay alive, why don't you live a little?"
"Seal the door!" Frau Clovis shouts as the diseased approach; the Alchemist slips through the door before it's sealed shut.
"No!" Cassandra shouts and jumps into the lift behind the Time Lord.
[Ward 26]
The Alchemist surveys the frightened patients before making her way to Jack's Tank, settling down in front of it again. She smiles, noting he's awake.
'So, this is the real reason you wanted us to come, huh?' she asks telepathically.
He replies, and she imagines he would shrug, 'Yeah, pretty much. Guess I should never have called you a cat, huh? Cat people aren't always nice, it seems.'
'Some of them are. But I'm still not one. I'm a Time Lady. Did your message go out at the wrong time or something? Were you looking for an older pair of us?'
'Yeah, but you'll do,' he replies.
She laughs aloud.
'That's alright, I'm still happy to see you. You've finally rippled through time for me late last night, so when I finally see you for the first time again on your part it won't hurt. It doesn't hurt now.'
Jack replies, 'I'm both sorry and glad it happened, if that makes sense.'
'I suppose it does, but I'm still sorry for it. I don't know what you've done out there yet. What I've helped you with, but I know a lot of good has to have happened because of it with you involved.'
'For the record, I know you're stupid rich and have been lying to your Bondmate about it.'
'True, but not lying, just not telling,' she rolls her eyes, 'I guess I'll be investing in your ventures then; that's good. We have way too much money right now... I'm not even sure how I have most of it, and I haven't a clue what to do with it beyond paying it forward to those who need it.'
He laughs in her mind, 'If you think that's too much, just wait, Allycat.'
The Alchemist scowls in irritation before a playful smirk plays on her lips as she recalls something.
"Cassandra called you a 'big boat race,'" The Time Lady taunts aloud.
'Now that's rude. I thought the Doctor was the rude one?' he laughs back.
The Quarantine is lifted after some time, and the Doctor, drenched and smelling strongly of chemicals, walks alongside Cassandra as they search for his Bondmate.
A man on a loudspeaker says, "This is the NNYPD. Please step away from the shuttles."
"All staff will present themselves to the officers for immediate arrest. I repeat, immediate arrest. All new life forms will be cataloged and taken into care. All visitors to the hospital will be required to make a statement to the NNYPD," is said over Tannoy.
The Doctor notices his Bondmate once more perched in front of the Face of Boe, the last patient left in the ward, and he grins when he sees that he's awake.
"The Face of Boe!" he cries excitedly, rushing toward them with Cassandra in tow, "You were supposed to be dying; has Ally been with you all this time?" the Doctor asks.
The Alchemist stands up and nods to her Bondmate, taking his hand despite the rancid chemical smells coming off him.
Telepathically, Boe informs them, 'She has, but there are better things to do today. Dying can wait.'
Cassandra groans, "Oh, I hate telepathy. Just what I need, a head full of big face."
"Shh!" the Time Lords shush her.
'I have grown tired with the universe, Doctor, but you have taught me to look at it anew, and I have enjoyed my time speaking with my old friend.' Boe says.
The Doctor steps closer, "There are legends, you know, saying that you're millions of years old."
'There are?' Boe replies, 'That would be impossible.'
The Alchemist holds back a smirk, smiling between the pair and letting them converse.
"Wouldn't it just. I got the impression there was something you wanted to tell us," the Doctor prods curiously.
'A great secret.' Boe informs him.
"So the legend says."
If he could shrug, he would, 'It can wait.'
The Doctor practically groans, "Oh, does it have to?"
'We shall meet again, Doctor, and the truth shall be told. Alchemist, see you in the past. Until that day...' Boe trails off.
The Face of Boe teleports away.
The Alchemist shakes her head fondly at where Jack just was. He would teleport, wouldn't he?
"That is enigmatic. That… that is… that is textbook enigmatic," the Doctor gapes before turning and glaring at Cassandra, "And now for you."
She backs away, "But everything's happy! Everything's fine. Can't you just leave me?"
"You've lived long enough. Leave that body and end it, Cassandra," he demands.
She tears up, "I don't want to die."
"No one does," the Doctor whispers.
"Cassandra, humans are meant to live for a certain length of time," the Alchemist gently tells her, "It's for a reason. Don't delay it any longer. Don't you remember how good your life was before you forced it to extend?"
"Help me," she begs.
The Doctor shakes his head, "We can't."
"Mistress!" Chip shouts, running towards her.
Cassandra grimaces, "Oh, you're alive."
"I kept myself safe for you, mistress," Chip grins.
"A body," she smirks, "And not just that… a volunteer."
"Don't you dare! He's got a life of his own," the Time Lord thunders.
"Cassandra, please don't do that to him, it's... it's not fair," the Alchemist shakes her head.
"But I worship the mistress! I welcome her," Chip says, holding out his arms.
The Doctor implores, "You can't, Cassandra, you..."
Her psychograft energy surges forth into him, and Rose collapses into the Alchemist's arms who holds her tightly, worriedly.
The Doctor steps forward, "Oh! You alright? Whoa! Okay?"
"Yeah. Hello!" she replies.
The Alchemist smiles down at her, "Hello. Welcome back."
"Good catch," Rose says as she steadies herself.
The Time Lady merely nods, the day's emotional toll beginning to catch up to her.
Cassandra looks down at herself, complaining, "Oh, sweet Lord. I'm a walking doodle."
"You can't stay in there," the Time Lord shakes his head, "I'm sorry, Cassandra, but that's not fair. We can take you to the city. They can build you a skin tank, and you can stand trial for what you've done."
She smiles sadly, "Well, that would be rather dramatic. Possibly my finest hour and certainly my finest hat, but I'm afraid we don't have time… Poor little Chip is only a half-life, and he's been through so much. His heart is racing so. He's failing. I don't think he's going to last..."
Cassandra starts to fall, but the Time Lords reach out and catch her before she hits the ground.
"Are you all right?" the Doctor asks kindly.
"I'm fine. I'm dying, but that's fine."
"She's right; his mind is gone now, and his body is steadily shutting down, Doctor," The Time Lady senses.
The Doctor sighs, "I can take you to the city."
"No, you won't. Everything's new on this planet. There's no place for Chip and me anymore. You're right, Doctor, Alchemist. It's time to die, and that's good."
The Doctor shares a glance with his wife, who nods and carefully picks up Cassandra's final body.
"Come on. There's one last thing we can do," the Doctor tells her, leading them towards the TARDIS.
[Restaurant]
The TARDIS materializes, hidden, and the Doctor opens the doors.
They hear a younger Cassandra speaking loudly from where they're hidden, "Oh no, don't. Stop it. Simply not true. Tiny. The beaches were so dismal, and the mosquitoes were..."
The Time Lady is helping Cassandra stand, holding her shoulder gently.
"Thank you," Cassandra says to the trio.
"Just go. And don't look back," the Time Lords tell her in unison.
"Good luck," Rose says.
The Alchemist nods to her and releases Cassandra's shoulder so she can walk out. They watch her for a moment to ensure she gets there before shutting the doors to the ship and dematerializing.
Cassandra doesn't look back, prepared to tell herself the words she heard many years ago.
[TARDIS - Console Room]
"Ugh, my head is pounding," Rose complains as she rubs her forehead.
"Oh, uh..." the Doctor trails off as he digs into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small bottle.
"Here we are! Take one. They're Elysian pain pills. Best of the best. Full glass of water though, and definitely need a nap after all that," he says and taps one out to hand it to her.
Rose accepts it, "Thanks!" she turns to leave the console room, "I'll grab some water and something to eat from the kitchen then and head to my room for a nap; see you two later for dinner!"
The Alchemist hums in reply.
"See you later, Rose," the Doctor says brightly.
Once out of hearing range the Time Lord turns to his Bondmate, "Are you alright?"
The Alchemist sighs and reaches up to rub her neck while he eyes the move in concern.
"It brought back... memories. Those poor people. Trapped. Unable to live their lives," she explains.
The Doctor hugs her to him tightly, "We saved them; they're free now."
"I know, I know. I just wish... but I can't," she shakes her head, "I can't think about what could have been, can I?"
He pulls back and looks at her, caressing her cheeks and wiping away salty drops.
"If any single other Time Lord had known. Any single one you would have been saved. You know that, right?"
"But that doesn't mean the universe wouldn't have been destroyed, so I can't think like that. It's just... my mind. You know how it is, so many variables. It's so hard to stop it," The Time Lady explains.
The Doctor sighs, "I understand completely. There's something else bothering me and you, though. Me first."
She smirks, "You first, then."
"How do you know the Face of Boe?" the Time Lord asks with a raised brow.
The Alchemist shakes her head, "A trip long, long ago. You weren't there. That's when we met, is all. Apparently, the two of us get reacquainted in my future."
He nods, knowing that she does take some trips without him from time to time.
"What's bothering you, then? Is it that unknown feeling still?" the Doctor frowns.
"Yes, it is... and it's getting worse, Theta Sigma," she admits, scuffing her foot.
He looks at her worriedly, "Do you want to read in the bedroom with me? We can sit by the fire... or on the bed... or the window seat..."
She laughs, interrupting his tangent, "Or in the forest. Read Along with the Ostentation. I'd like that one, please."