Fic: Ecologies

[enitharmonwept]

Title: Ecologies

Characters: Martha Jones, Duplicate Doctor

Rating: PG-13

Summary: The duplicate Doctor considers Martha Jones. Five reasons he wouldn't choose her; one reason he could.

A/N: Thanks ebbyzone and persiflage_1 for beta-ish advice. This story was inspired by one of the 10 Word stories I wrote for newworldnewlove: He did not think that she was a viable option.

Comments

[fourzoas]

Though I loved "Naming Day" where Handy and Martha got together, I can see this happening as well. Of course Martha has moved on. I don't think she would want to settle for a likeness or a "consolation prize" even though Handy may treat her better than the Doctor ever did. It's rather bittersweet.

Thanks for the props to Naming Day, which is my happy Martha/Handy story, but revolves around the same idea that this one does--I can only see of one way in which they work together, and it relies on them healing each other.

So I'm wondering, does Handy leave at the end of the story? Going off of this bit: Stability achieved, the TARDIS travels on.

Or is it meant to be up to the reader's discretion?

Actually, nothing changes--everyone goes to the same places (A park. A beach. A Chiswick home.); the AU is just alternate possibilities, but the end is the same.

I feel so bad for Handy - he was put in such a difficult position in Journey's End. :(

There was so much about that ending that I disliked, but the lack of agency for Rose/Handy really sucked; he genuinely looks surprised and hurt at the Doctor's planned outcome, until he recovers and steps up to the plate.

This definitely made me think about the complications of a relationship between Martha (our! and alt!) and Handy.

It's a complicated pairing, and while I enjoy imagining and writing it, I can't deny its difficulties. I'm glad you enjoyed the fic; I actually enjoyed writing it!