FANFIC: Doppleganger...PG-13 Parts 15-18/36
Chapter Fifteen
(The Alternate Universe…)
Rose brought her knees up to her chest as she looked around her invisible prison. It had been hours since the Doctor had left her and she had no way of knowing what he was doing or where they were at. She swallowed hard while she stared at the closed door in front of her. Any minute her Doctor could walk through it. She both anticipated and dreaded that moment. Sighing, she lay down on the floor and closed her eyes while she waited for the Doctor, either Doctor to come in.
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The Doctor smiled as he walked back into the TARDIS and shut the door behind him. Now that he had the book with him, it had been easy to locate the various components he would need to assemble it. He was almost finished now. Only one part left and the device would be complete.
He laid his latest finds on the console and looked at the door leading to the back of the TARDIS. It had been several hours since he had left Rose.
“My little ape must be hungry by now.” He said. “Silly things, always having to eat.”
He glanced down at the components.
“Well, she can wait a bit longer. All I have to do is go to Marduk to get the last piece and assemble the void crossing device and then she can be with her beloved Doctor again. I’m sure she’d rather see him than eat.”
He chuckled as he walked around the console and imput the coordinates for Marduk.
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(The Doctor’s Universe…)
I swear to Rassilon, I will never let Martha choose the coordinates ever again!
The Doctor couldn’t believe their luck. Stuck on a spaceship that was heading straight into a sun and only 30 minutes left to turn around before they were incinerated.
I need to learn to shut my huge gob and not let my companions determine our destination. He thought.
And now to add to the fun, apparently one of the crew had become infected with a virus and was now vaporizing the others.
It’s too bad no one awards Time Lords employee of the month because I think I’m way overdue. He thought as he tried to help the frantic crew.
“Come on,” he told them. “Think! Resources, what have we got?”
“Doctor?”
The Doctor looked up when he heard Martha’s voice coming through on the intercom.
“What is it now?” he said.
“Who had the most number ones? Elvis or The Beatles? That’s Pre-downloads.”
“Elvis! No, The Beatles! No, wait…um…um…”
Bollocks, what a time to ask me something like this. He thought
“Ooooh, what was that remix?” he said as he slapped the back of his head. “I don’t know, I am a bit busy.”
“Fine, I’ll ask someone else.”
Yes, you do that. He thought, relieved.
“Now, where was I…” he said to the crew.
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(The Alternate Universe…)
The Doctor smirked as he reached his TARDIS door and fired his blaster at his pursuers. The heart of the void crossing device had to be stolen from a laboratory on Marduk. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get in and out without being seen and was being pursued by a couple of dimwitted security guards. Correction…had been pursued until he shot a laser bolt through their hearts. He stared down at the reptilian guards lying on the ground in front of him. One of them was still alive. Casually, he sat the component down on the ground, walked over to him and stared down at him impassively.
“I know you lot believe in reincarnation.” The Doctor said to the guard as he struggled to breathe. “So I have a tip for you when you are in your next life. Don’t interfere in a Time Lord’s affairs; you’ll live longer.”
He raised the blaster and fired at his head. He smirked at the dead body and gathering up the part went into the TARDIS and shut the door behind him.
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The Doctor stepped back and stared at the device. After several hours of following the schematic in the book, it was finally finished.
“At last, I can finally leave this reality and make a new life for myself.” He said.
He glanced at the back door.
“Hmmm, it’s been a long time since Rose has been fed. I bet she needs to relieve herself too and…I think she’ll be overjoyed to see this little device. Now she can get back to her Doctor.”
Chuckling, He picked up the void crossing device and walked out of the console room.
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Rose looked up when she saw the door open. She tensed as she wondered which Doctor it would be. She was relieved when she saw it wasn’t hers. She looked behind him hoping against hope that he wasn’t a prisoner.
“The other Doctor isn’t with me, if that’s what you’re looking for.” The Doctor said. “In fact, we haven’t crossed the void yet.”
Rose breathed a sigh of relief. The Doctor smirked.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to see your true love again?”
Rose glared at him. Her eyes went from his face to the device in his hands. The Doctor followed her gaze and the smirk widened.
“Ah, yes, I’ve finally assembled the void crossing device in the book. That’s why I came back here. To show it to you and let you know that once I hook it up to the console, we’ll be going over to your reality. Aren’t you excited?”
Rose glared at him.
“Is that a yes or a no? Because you know I’m not very good at reading ape body language.”
“The Doctor will stop you.” Rose said.
The Doctor chortled. He came closer to Rose’s prison and leaned over.
“Luv, I AM the Doctor.” He said. “Your Doctor is just a pale copy of me. I’m the true Time Lord here and the faster you get that through your thick skull, the quicker we can get to the sex.”
He snickered as Rose gave him a look of death.
“What? Don’t you want to shag me? I am the Doctor, after all.”
“I want my Doctor.”
“Why? I’m a million times better than that weak sod.”
“The Doctor isn’t weak. He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be.”
“How do you know? You’ve been in bed with him?”
He giggled when Rose looked away.
“Wow! Sex with an ape. Now I know my double is crackers. I’ve done many things, but bestiality isn’t one of them.”
He frowned when he noticed a tear run down Rose’s cheek.
“What? That’s what it is for a Time Lord. You are an animal, are you not? A mammal? So, that makes you a beast. Hence, when my copy shagged you, he was engaging in bestiality.”
“Shut up.”
“What, I’m just trying to show you the logic of the situation since logic seems to be in short supply when it comes to you and the Doctor.”
He smirked.
“You don’t really think you’re an equal to him, do you? You’re nothing more than a pet, dearie. An amusing little doggie that provides him companionship and love and the occasional warm body in his bed. That’s all you are and that’s all you’ll ever be to a Time Lord. Your species is brain dead compared to us. Get used to it.”
“I hate you!”
The Doctor raised his eyebrow.
“Really? So you hate the Doctor now?”
“I said I hate you. I love my Doctor.”
“But, I am the Doctor. I’m everything the Doctor wishes he could be. I’m the new and improved version.” He sneered. “Granted, it’ll be strange destroying myself, but hey, survival of the fittest. The strong devour the weak.”
“The Doctor isn’t weak.” Rose said. “And when you meet him face to face I hope he kicks your sorry arse back to this universe.”
The Doctor snorted.
“We shall see, I guess. At any rate, I’m looking forward to it. It might be fun tormenting the little wimp. And…”
He smirked.
“I might even let him have one last go at you. I’m kinda curious about this whole BEASTIALITY fetish he has.”
He chuckled when he saw another tear fall down Rose’s cheek.
“Aw, don’t cry, Rose. I promise I’ll let you say goodbye to the Doctor before I eject him into the vortex. I wouldn’t deprive you giving a farewell lick to your master. It wouldn’t be proper.”
“FUCK YOU!”
Rose knew the moment the curse word left her mouth that it had been the wrong thing to say. She saw the sneer spread over his face and steeled herself for the snide remark that was about to come out of his mouth.
“Hmmm, as intriguing as that offer sounds, I really must decline for now. You see, I have the void crossing device assembled and I’m just dying to use it. But hold that thought, Rose. You’ll be reunited with your Doctor and then you can shag his brains out all you want before he dies.”
He waved goodbye and snickered as he walked out the door.
Rose’s head fell into her hands and she sobbed wishing more than ever that the Doctor was beside her.
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“Ah, that’s got it.” The Doctor said as he used his sonic screwdriver to fuse the last connection to his console. “All ready.”
He turned it on and smiled when the small metal ball began to glow with a soft blue light.
“Now, all I need do is enter the coordinates the book gave me to cross the void and I’m home free.”
An evil grin spread over his face as he entered the coordinates in the computer.
“Get ready, Doctor because you’re about to have one Hell of a shock to your system.”
He pressed a red button and grabbed the console as his TARDIS accelerated.
“At last, I’ll have a universe all to myself and no one will be able to stop me!” he crowed.
A/N: Halfway through, this story switches into an AU version of events…
Chapter Sixteen
(The Doctor’s universe…)
The alternate Doctor grinned when the TARDIS stopped vibrating. He looked on his computer screen and his grin widened when he read…
VOID CROSSING SUCCESSFUL
“At last, I’m free of those nobs on Gallifrey.” He said. “I can do whatever I want now.”
He smirked.
“And now that I’m here, I think I’ll send myself a little distress signal.” He said.
He could barely contain his excitement as he pushed the button that activated the signal.
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(Meanwhile in the other TARDIS…)
The Doctor stood by his console and waited patiently for Riley to say goodbye to Martha. After being infected with the living sun, he was eager to get as far away from the ship as he possibly could. But Riley and Martha had grown close while they were trapped in the escape pod. He could wait a few minutes while they said goodbye.
As he stood there, he suddenly realized that the strange sensation he had experienced earlier was back. Rose was calling to him again and this time…it was strong…very strong. So strong he couldn’t explain it away. He knew his Rose’s mind almost as well as he knew his own. But, the fact that he could feel her so clearly confused him. It shouldn’t be this strong. Not with Rose in another dimension and certainly not with the gap between the universes sealed. But, he couldn’t deny it. Rose was calling to him. Staring ahead, he concentrated on the sensation trying to see if he could communicate back.
Rose
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Rose
Rose’s head jerked up when she heard the Doctor’s voice echoing in her mind. The last time that had happened was when he was calling her through the gap in the void.
“Doctor.” She whispered as she got onto her knees. “My Doctor. Oh God, we’re back, aren’t we?”
She closed her eyes and concentrated.
Doctor
The Doctor’s eyes widened when he heard Rose’s voice in his mind. She had responded. Somehow, she had done the impossible. He could hear her.
Rose, where are you? He thought.
“So,” Martha said bounding up the ramp. “Didn’t really need you in the end, did we?”
Shit! The Doctor thought when Martha’s voice broke his concentration. She would have to show up just when I’m trying to contract Rose.
Martha stopped short when he noticed the Doctor. He was staring straight ahead with a pissed off look on his face.
Oh God, what have I done now? She thought.
“Sorry.” She said. “How you doing?”
The Doctor glanced over at her debating whether or not to say something. He quickly decided to ignore it. After all, she hadn’t known about Rose trying to contact him and he had given her enough grief already. Rose had contacted him once, she could do it again. Quickly, he changed his facial expression along with the subject.
“Now what do you say, ice skating on the mineral lakes of Corhann, fancy it?” he asked her.
“Whatever you like.” Martha replied.
There he goes again, hiding things. I’m getting so tired of this secrecy between us. She thought.
The Doctor stared at her for a moment.
“By the way,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “You’ll be needing this.”
Martha stared at the TARDIS key as he held it up in front of her. She was flabbergasted.
“Really?”
He really is going to make me a full partner? She thought.
“Frequent flyer privileges.” The Doctor replied.
She cupped her hands and watched as the Doctor lowered the key into them. She didn’t know what to say.
“Thank you.” He said simply.
Martha looked up at him.
“Don’t mention it.” Was the only thing she could think of to say.
The Doctor smiled at her.
“Oh no, my mum.” Martha said suddenly remembering she had cut her off earlier when they were in the escape pod.
She took out the cell phone that the Doctor had modified earlier while he went around to his computer screen. She stared to dial the number and then she noticed the Doctor staring at the monitor with shock and disbelief.
“Doctor?” she said.
“It can’t be.” He muttered.
Martha walked around behind him and stared over his shoulder. All she could see were a bunch of concentric circles flashing on the screen. She looked up at the Doctor and saw his whole body had stiffened as he stared silently at the monitor.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” she asked.
The Doctor looked at her and for the second time that day she saw he was afraid.
“I’ve just picked up a distress signal.” He said softly.
“Where from?” she asked.
The Doctor’s eyes widened.
“From another TARDIS.”
Martha paused. She stared at the Doctor with wide eyes.
“Another TARDIS?” she said not sure if she had heard him right. “But, you…you said…”
“I’m the last. Yes, I did. But if you remember, the Face of Boe said…”
He trailed off and his eyes went back to the monitor.
“He said you’re not alone.” Martha finished softly.
She glanced up at the Doctor and saw that his eyes were fixed on the flashing circles on the screen. She swallowed not really knowing what to say.
“This…this is a good thing, yeah?” she said hesitantly. “You aren’t alone. There’s another Time Lord alive in the universe.”
“Yes…but there are some Time Lords I’d rather not see again.” He murmured.
Martha stared at him again at a loss for words.
“So, what do we do?” she finally said.
The Doctor stared at the monitor.
“I…I don’t know.” He murmured.
“Why don’t we check it out?” Martha offered.
She saw the Doctor swallow hard as he kept his eyes on the flashing circles. She still wasn’t sure what she should say. She had no idea if it was a good idea to answer the distress signal, but she was curious to meet another Time Lord. She watched the Doctor and knew he was mulling her words over in his mind.
“The Master can’t be alive. He died when he fell in the Eye of Harmony.” He murmured. “But…the Rani…”
He trailed off again. Martha had no idea what all of that meant but Master and Rani didn’t sound like the names of friendly people. She shook her head. The Doctor had told her so little about himself. She hoped one day he would open up and let her know more. Especially since she now was his companion.
The Doctor looked at her.
“What do you want to do?” he asked her.
Martha was taken aback.
“Me?”
“Well, yes, I just gave you the TARDIS key. That makes you an equal partner. What do you think we should do?” he asked her.
Martha stared at him dumbly. She hadn’t expected him to ask her.
“I…I think we should answer it.” She said hesitantly.
“Why?”
Martha shrugged.
“Someone might be in trouble.” She said. “I think we should help them.”
“What if it’s a trap?” the Doctor replied.
Martha paused and thought.
“We…get ourselves out of the trap like we’ve been doing?” she said.
The Doctor stared at her while he considered that. His eyes went back to the monitor for a moment and then he looked at her again.
“If…we do this. We must be prepared for anything.” He said. “There are some Time Lords who aren’t as friendly as I am.”
“This Master and Rani you mentioned.”
The Doctor nodded.
“And a few others as well.” He said. “The thing is, if we are walking into a trap, we must be alert. More alert than we have been up to now. If it is the Master or the Rani or even…”
He shivered and swallowed hard.
“The Valeyard,” He finished. “They will show us no mercy. They will torture and torment us and use any sadistic method at their disposal. Are you willing to take that risk?”
“I…I guess so.”
“Yes or no, there must be no hesitation.”
Martha steeled herself.
“Yes.” She said. “I’m willing to accept the consequences.”
The Doctor smiled and nodded.
“Then, we go.” He said.
Martha nodded. She watched as the Doctor silently input the coordinates into the computer and hoped and prayed that whoever was sending the distress signal had friendly intentions.
Chapter Seventeen
Rose brought her knees up to her chest while she watched the door. After she had heard the Doctor asking her where she was, she had mentally pulled away from him. She knew what would be in store for him if he found her and she wanted to make sure she did everything in her power to prevent him from finding her.
Rose.
Rose concentrated trying to put a mental block up around her mind.
Rose.
“No, Doctor, please stop. Don’t try to contact me.” Rose said softly. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Rose.
Rose shook her head as she fought the urge to reach out to him. She kept hearing him saying her name over and over again in her mind and tears fell down her face as she remembered the last time that had happened. The last time she had followed his voice to Bad Wolf Bay and their last meeting together. The thought of seeing him again filled her with joy, but she knew for the Doctor’s sake, she couldn’t answer back. She didn’t know what his double was capable of, but she was sure he wouldn’t hesitate to make him suffer before he killed him.
Rose.
She couldn’t take it anymore. She knew now if she didn’t say something, he would keep on going and would continue to search for her. The only way to stop the Doctor from falling into a trap was to warn him.
“I hope I’m not making a huge mistake doing this.” She muttered as she closed her eyes.
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Rose.
The Doctor let out a frustrated sigh as he sat in the captain’s chair and waited for the TARDIS to land. After he had punched in the coordinates, he had tried to reestablish contact with Rose. So far he wasn’t successful and it irritated him to no end.
Where the bloody Hell is she? He thought. Why won’t she answer my call?
Sighing, he concentrated once more.
Rose.
Doctor.
His eyes widened in surprise when he heard Rose’s voice. Not only were the words clear, but it was louder too. Much louder. He marveled at how strong her concentration was to be able to project her thoughts that clearly through the void.
Oh Rassilon, Rose, you don’t know how good it is to hear your voice.
It’s good to hear your voice too. I’ve missed you so much
I’ve missed you too, my Rosebud. I wish you were here with me now. Someday, I will find a way to get back to you.
No.
The Doctor’s eyes widened. Did he hear her right?
Did you say no?
Yes, Doctor, I did. You mustn’t come looking for me. You must forget about me.
The Doctor’s eyes bugged out of his head.
Why? He demanded. Rose, what’s wrong? I know I can’t get to you right now, but I still want to know why you don’t want to see me anymore. I love you, Rose. I really do. I know I didn’t get a chance to say it before the void closed, but I love you so much. Don’t you love me?
Yes, I love you and that’s why you must stop looking for me.
Why? What’s going on, Rose? Tell me!
Doctor, I…
“Doctor?”
The Doctor was jolted from his thoughts and looked at Martha who was standing in front of him.
“Yeah?”
“We’re here, wherever here is.” She replied.
The Doctor looked around. He had been so busy concentrating on Rose that he hadn’t noticed that the TARDIS had stopped. He looked back up at Martha, who was staring at him, confused.
“Doctor, are you alright? You look like you’ve been crying.”
The Doctor touched his cheek and felt the wetness there.
“You okay, Doctor?” Martha asked.
The Doctor nodded.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go find out who this other Time Lord is, shall we?”
Martha nodded. She wanted to know why the Doctor had been crying, but she knew it would be pointless to ask at the moment. She made a mental note to ask later. She stepped back when the Doctor stood up.
He looked at her.
“You still wanna go through with this?” he asked. “Because I can still punch in new coordinates and leave.”
“I wanna go through with it.” Martha said confidently.
The Doctor nodded.
“Follow me then and keep your eyes peeled. If it is the Master or the Rani or the Valeyard, there might be booby traps set up for us so be aware of everything.”
Martha nodded and followed the Doctor towards the front door.
The Doctor glanced behind him at Martha and turning his head, he concentrated on Rose as he walked to the door.
Rose.
Doctor? What happened? Where’d you go?
I’m sorry. I was cut off for a moment. The Doctor thought as he opened the door and stepped outside. The TARDIS landed and I’m heading out onto this planet in search of a distress signal.
Distress signal? From who?
Don’t know. But, believe it or not, it’s coming from another TARDIS and…
NO!
The Doctor gasped when he felt Rose scream inside his head. He stopped short and heard Martha let out an “oof!” when she collided with his back.
“Doctor, what are you doing?” Martha asked. “Why’d you stop?”
Ignoring her, the Doctor concentrated on Rose.
Rose, what’s wrong?
Doctor, get away from there! Get back in the TARDIS and get far away from there!
Why?
You’re in danger!
I am? How do you know?
Because, I’m inside the other TAR…
The Doctor’s mind was cut off from Rose’s when he suddenly felt something hit his back and stabbing pain coursed through his body. The last thing he heard before losing consciousness was Martha’s terrified scream.
Martha turned around and saw a figure shrouded in a black outfit that covered him from head to toe. She had just enough time to see the blaster in his hand before he fired it at her and everything went black.
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Rose looked up when the door opened and the Doctor stepped into the room. He smirked at her and went back outside. Rose watched while he dragged an unconscious black woman into the room. Laying her on the floor, he looked at Rose.
“Meet your new cellmate.” He said. “I know it’s not your beloved, but you’ll get to see him soon enough. In the meantime, you can have some company.”
Rose’s heart sank. She knew now her Doctor was his prisoner and it was all her fault. Her head lowered to her chest as guilt and shame flooded her mind. She barely noticed when the Doctor turned off the force bubble, dragged the woman inside it and turned it back on. Her head raised and she stared at the newcomer as the Doctor left the room and closed the door.
“Oh God, what have I done?” Rose murmured to herself.
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The Doctor leaned back against his console and took a look at his double. He was lying unconscious on the floor of the TARDIS inside a force bubble. He leaned back up and walked slowly around the bubble getting a good look at his twin.
“Interesting.” The Doctor muttered. “He looks exactly like me except he doesn’t have the scar and the cybernetic eye. Fascinating.
Folding his arms over his chest, he stared down at him. He stared at the Doctor’s face with its softer features and smoother skin and scoffed.
“Pretty boy.” He said contemptuously. “No wonder he was so easy to take down. He’s soft just like his pretty little baby face.”
He smirked.
“Well, I promised Rose, I would let her be with him one last time and I’m an honorable man. Besides, I wanna see the reunion for myself. I have a feeling it’ll be hilarious.”
He sighed and stretched.
“But, all that can wait. I want to talk to my double before that happens and I guess I’ll go rest up while I’m waiting for the stupid sod to wake up.”
He gave the Doctor one last glance, and with a snort walked out of the room.
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Martha groaned as she opened her eyes and raised her head.
“Oh, bloody Hell, my head is throbbing like crazy. “She muttered.
She slowly rose up on her elbows.
“Where am I?” she murmured.
“You’re a prisoner.”
Martha looked over and saw a woman sitting nearby. She stared at her for a moment thinking how she looked so familiar and trying to remember where she had seen her. Then it hit her. She had passed the Doctor’s bedroom a couple of times and had seen the picture on his bedside table. The picture of the Doctor and…
“Rose.” She said to her. “You’re Rose, aren’t you?”
“Do I know you?” Rose asked.
Martha shook her head.
“No, but I know who you are. I’m Martha Jones and I’ve been travelling with the Doctor and I’ve seen your picture and…”
“You travel with the Doctor?”
Martha nodded.
Rose closed her eyes. Martha frowned when she saw a tear fall down her cheek. Getting up onto her knees, she moved closer to her.
“Rose, what’s wrong?”
“I’m just one of many.” Rose murmured.
“I’m sorry? One of many?”
Rose sighed.
“The Doctor’s had many companions over the years and I…I thought I was special. I thought I was different. I mean, the Doctor tells me he loves me, but I guess he does have to move on and find other people to travel with.”
“Rose…”
“I mean its okay. I understand. I mean, I was stuck in another dimension.” Rose babbled. “I can’t expect the Doctor to travel by himself the rest of his life. I wouldn’t wish that for him anyway.”
“Rose!”
“I guess I’m just upset that he moved on so quickly---“
“Rose!”
“What?”
Martha sighed.
“The Doctor hasn’t gotten over you, Rose, trust me.” She said.
Rose stared at her.
“He still talks about me?”
“God, yes, incessantly. It’s hard to get him to shut up sometimes. I…”
She paused when she realized that she was saying all of that in a snotty tone of voice.
“I mean, yeah, he does talk about you.”
She met Rose’s eyes.
“You love him, don’t you?” Rose finally said.
“Well, I…”
“I mean, I’m not being jealous. I can understand completely. I mean, I would have never guessed in a million years that I would ever fall in love with an alien. And I mean I ended up breaking up with my boyfriend, Mickey, to be with him. But…there’s just something about him that you can’t help but fall in love with. I mean, there was another companion, Sarah Jane, who told me that a relationship with the Doctor can be intense.”
“Tell me about it.” Martha said.
“But…like I said, I understand if you have feelings for him.” Rose said. “He’s the bravest, most loyal and selfless man I’ve ever known. When I was travelling with him, I felt so safe with him; so protected, even in the middle of life threatening situations.”
Martha nodded.
“When I was separated from him, it nearly killed me. I didn’t think at first I would be able to go on, but somehow I managed to pick up the pieces and go on with my life. The Doctor wanted me to have a fantastic life so I tried to do that so he would be proud of me. Then…then the other Doctor came into my life and---“
“Wait, other Doctor? What other Doctor?”
Rose looked at her.
“The other Doctor who brought you in here. Didn’t you see him?”
“No, I saw someone dressed in black wearing a black mask firing some kind of laser weapon at the Doctor. He knocked him out and then he shot me. I guess…it was one of those stun weapons like on Star Trek or something because I’m still alive.”
Martha frowned.
“But when you say other Doctor, you mean like a double?”
“Yes, only he isn’t exactly like the Doctor. He’s got a scar and one eye and he’s evil.”
Martha raised her eyebrows.
“Evil? This other Doctor is evil?” she said in disbelief.
Rose nodded.
“Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but yeah, this other Doctor is cruel and heartless and he wants to kill our Doctor so he can do what he wants without his people bothering him.”
“His people? You mean Gallifrey? Where he comes from?”
Rose nodded.
“I went there with the Doctor when he wanted to find a book on how to make this device that crosses voids. It’s such a beautiful planet. I don’t know if it’s the same as our Doctor’s Gallifrey, but I fell in love with it.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out the silver leaves.
“I got these from the trees on Gallifrey.” She said. “The sun was shining on them and the leaves just glowed. It was so gorgeous.”
Martha took the leaves and gently turned them over in her hands while she remembered what the Doctor had said that day on New Earth.
“He said the leaves were silver.” Martha murmured. “And when the sun shone on them, it looked like the trees were on fire.”
“Yes, it did. That’s a good way to describe it.” Rose replied.
She smiled.
“I’m glad the other Gallifrey is the same. When I see the Doctor, I’ll give him one of the leaves as a memento.”
She paused and bit her lip.
“Oh God, Martha, I’m dreading seeing the Doctor again because the other Doctor said that our reunion would be the last time we’d see each other before he killed him.”
Martha took her hand.
“Don’t worry, Rose. Our Doctor is clever. He’ll find a way out of this for him and for us. Once he wakes up, he’ll think up a plan and then he’ll show this double of his who’s the better Time Lord.”
Rose smiled. She leaned forward and hugged Martha tight grateful for the company of a new friend.
Chapter Eighteen
Martha felt like a fool. All this time she had been so jealous of Rose, but the more she talked to her, the more she liked her. In a lot of ways they were exactly alike. She could understand why the Doctor had fallen in love with her. She was a sweet, intelligent girl and she wanted to kick herself for vilifying her before she even knew her.
Martha listened to Rose as she described her life and some of the adventures she and the Doctor had. She also told Rose of her adventures, but her list was very short compared to Rose’s. She also marveled at the whole regeneration thing. She didn’t know he did that, although she suspected that was what he was trying to tell her on the spaceship before she started to freeze his body. As she found out more and more about the Doctor, she became more and more awed at him. She could tell Rose was the same way from the way she described his heroics.
While they were talking, they were suddenly interrupted when they saw the door open. Martha saw Rose tense up and she grabbed her hand. She frowned when it wasn’t their Doctor that entered the room, but the alternate one instead. He stood and stared at Rose with a smirk on his face before his eyes settled on Martha.
“And you are?” he said to her.
Martha was too stunned to speak as she stared at this double of her Doctor. The resemblance was uncanny and the voice was the same as well. She finally found her voice after a moment.
“I’m Martha Jones.” She said giving him a defiant look.
The Doctor raised his eyebrow and gave Rose an amused look.
“Your master found another doggie apparently.” He said to her.
Martha raised her eyebrow.
“I’m sorry, what did you just call me?” she spat out.
The Doctor came over to the force bubble and leaned over until his face was just touching the invisible barrier.
“I called you a doggie.” He said giving her a pointed look. “That’s what you are and that’s all you are to me. I, unlike my idiotic double, consider you and Rose inferior apes. To a true Time Lord, you are nothing more than a little pet. A doggie who follows along behind her master wagging her little tail while he throws her a bone and makes her feel she’s something other than semi-intelligent pond scum.”
Martha gritted her teeth and balled up her fist.
“I dare you to deactivate this force bubble thing and then say that.” She said.
The Doctor snorted.
“Yeah, right, you wouldn’t last two seconds. You weren’t intelligent enough to look behind you until I shot your Doctor. Rule number one, watch your back or your partner’s back especially if you are standing in a hostile environment. If I didn’t have my blaster set on stun, you would have been dead by now.”
He smirked as he glanced at Rose.
“So, you see, your Doctor isn’t as devoted as you thought. He’s already found another human to love.” He said to her.
“It isn’t like that.” Rose replied.
“It isn’t?”
“No…it isn’t.” Martha said. “The Doctor and I are just friends, nothing more than that. He still loves Rose.”
The Doctor snickered.
“Rassilon, this is getting more amusing by the minute.” He said. “This Doctor must have a soft spot for your kind or something if he keeps taking you in and falling in love with you.”
He leaned back up.
“Speaking of which, I was just about to go visit him. You see, I have him inside a force bubble in my console room and I was just waiting until he recovered from the stun blast. Of course, if his doggie is awake, then that must mean he is too.”
“If you don’t quit calling me that,” Martha said between gritted teeth. “I’ll---“
“You’ll what?” the Doctor spat out as he leaned back over the bubble. “Huh? You can’t do anything to me and neither can Rose. You are my prisoners and seeing as how I’m the only one who can turn the force bubble on and off, I think it would be wise to hold your tongue. Otherwise, I might have to teach you a little lesson about manners. Do you understand me?”
Martha glared at him and nodded.
“Good, and now that that’s taken care of. I believe I will introduce myself to my twin and bring him in here to see his beloved Rose one last time.”
He smirked at them.
“Don’t go anywhere.” He said mockingly.
Chuckling, he turned, went out of the room and shut the door behind him.
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The Doctor groaned as he slowly got to his feet.
“Bollocks, I should have known this other TARDIS would have a working chameleon circuit.”
“Yes, it does. Unlike yours.”
The Doctor heard someone speak behind him. He quickly jumped to his feet and grunted when his head smacked into the top of the force bubble.
“Ooops, careful, we don’t want to damage our pretty little head.”
The Doctor fell to his knees and looked in the direction of the voice. The interior of the TARDIS was dark and the only thing he could see was someone hidden in the shadows nearby.
“Who are you?” he demanded. “Why have you lured us here?”
“So many questions. I thought Time Lords knew everything.” The voice said mockingly.
The Doctor frowned. Whoever was speaking was using his voice. But he knew his people were expert mimics and he along with his fellow Time Lords could duplicate any voice pattern. So, he couldn’t rule out anyone at this point, not even the Rani. Squinting, he tried to make out the person’s features.
“Show yourself!” he demanded.
“In due time, Time Lord. First, I want to ask you a question.”
“Not until you answer mine.”
“Oooooh, so authoritative. It’s nice to know you have some spine in you.”
The Doctor gritted his teeth.
“I’m not going to play games with you. I want out and I want out now and I want you to bring Martha to me, unharmed and alive, and so help me Rassilon, if there’s so much as one bruise on her body…”
“Why are you so concerned about Martha? Are you in love with her?”
“That’s none of your affair!”
“Are you?”
“Let me out!”
“Just answer the question! Are you in love with Martha Jones?”
“No!”
“Then why are you so concerned about me putting bruises on her body if you don’t love her?”
“Martha is a friend and I care for her and I don’t want to see her hurt! Now let me out!”
“Answer my first question and I’ll think about it.”
The Doctor gritted his teeth.
“What question?” he spat out.
“Do you love Rose Tyler?”
The Doctor was taken aback. He sat for a moment in stunned silence.
“How…how do you know about her?” he demanded.
The man chuckled softly.
“ANSWER ME, DAMMIT! WHO ARE YOU?”
The man stepped into the light. He smirked at the Doctor’s shocked expression.
“I’m you, Doctor.” He said smiling at him.
“No, it can’t be. That’s impossible.” The Doctor sputtered. “You can’t exist. There can’t be two Doctors in the same universe. It…It would create a paradox.”
“Ah, but I’m not originally from this universe, Doctor. I’m from an alternate reality.”
He stepped closer.
“In fact, I’m from the same reality as Rose.”
The Doctor stared at him for a moment and then reality hit him as he suddenly realized why it had been so easy for Rose to communicate with him.
“Rose, where is she? What have you done to her?” he said panicked.
“Oh, she’s safe for the moment.” The alternate Doctor replied. “She’s in another force bubble with Martha.”
“Please, take me to her.” The Doctor said. “I want to see her. Take me now.”
The alternate Doctor grinned when he saw the desperate look in his double’s eyes.
“Why are you so desperate to see her? You’re not really in love with a human, are you?” he purred. “I mean, I could see Rose’s simple ape brain concocting some romantic fantasy about the two of you, but you really do love her?”
The Doctor gritted his teeth. It was bad enough his double was taunting him, but to call his Rosebud an ape nearly put him over the edge. His former self had called her that and looking back, he realized how insensitive he had been. He had refrained from using it in this life and hearing it from his double was enough to make his blood boil.
“Answer me, Doctor, are you really in love with the little ape?”
“DON’T YOU CALL HER THAT AGAIN!” the Doctor screamed.
The alternate Doctor raised his eyebrows.
“Why? That’s what she is. That’s what she’s descended from.” He said.
“She is more than that.” The Doctor said through gritted teeth.
“Oh yeah, how?” the alternate Doctor said coming closer to the bubble. “She’s not a Time Lady. She’s a human. What makes her better than other…APES?”
He grinned when he saw the rage in the Doctor’s eyes.
“Well, answer me, Doctor, what makes her so special? I want to know.”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Then make me understand, Doctor. Because, personally, I wouldn’t entertain the thought of shagging a primitive backwards life form. What do you get out of it besides fulfilling an apparent bestiality fetish?”
He grinned when the Doctor let out a howl and hit the wall of his prison.
“Temper, temper, Doctor. If you don’t behave, I won’t let you see Rose.” He said.
“Take me to her now!” the Doctor snarled.
“First, answer my questions---“
“NO! I WILL NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS! I’M SICK OF YOUR STUPID GAMES. TAKE ME TO SEE ROSE NOW OR SO HELP ME RASSILON, I’LL MAKE YOU REGRET EVERY NASTY THING YOU’VE SAID ABOUT HER!”
The alternate Doctor stared at the Doctor in an amused silence.
“I just can’t get over how angry you’re getting over a mere human.” He said.
“I said…take me to her! NOW!”
The alternate Doctor grinned.
“Fine, I’d rather watch the reunion anyway.” He said. “It’ll be much more interesting than this little Q and A we’re having.”
He withdrew his blaster. His face became deadly serious as he aimed it at the Doctor.
“You will behave and you will not resist or I will kill you and I will kill Rose and Martha. Is that clear?”
The Doctor narrowed his eyes as he nodded.
The alternate Doctor aimed the blaster at his head.
“TARDIS, deactivate the Doctor’s force bubble.” He said.
The Doctor hesitated a moment and then reached his hand out tentatively. When he didn’t feel the barrier, he leapt to his feet.
“Ah, ah, ah, slowly.” The alternate Doctor said keeping the blaster on his head. “It would be a pity for Rose to die because you acted too rashly, now wouldn’t it?”
The Doctor glared at him and he put his hands down to his sides.
“That’s better,” the alternate Doctor said. “Now, you go first and I’ll lead you to Rose.”
The Doctor glared at him and walked around to the front.
“Straight ahead.” The alternate Doctor said pointing to the back door.
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Rose and Martha looked up when they saw the door opening.
“Oh boy, here we go again.” Martha muttered.
Rose stiffened waiting for the next round of hateful comments when she suddenly saw who was standing in front of the alternate Doctor. Tears came to her eyes as the moment she had been waiting for finally was coming to pass.
“My Doctor…It’s you.” she whispered.