Blood Technology - 1/1 - All Ages - Tenth Doctor, Mickey
Title: Blood Technology (1/1)
Author: silvernatasha
Rating: All Ages
Disclaimer: Doctor Who and all related characters belong to the BBC.
Summary: The Doctor held the sonic screwdriver out in front of him, as though it was guiding him. Mickey supposed that it was, but he didn’t want to ask because the Doctor - the old one, anyway - had always called him an idiot.
Word Count: 2776.
A/N: Tenth Doctor Ficathon contribution for doyle_sb4 who asked for Mickey as the Doctor's companion, a party and snarky interaction. Set post-Christmas Invasion, but before New Earth.
Mickey was still pulling on his jacket as he chased the Doctor down the stairs and out onto the street. “Hey, Doctor? Where are you going?”
The Doctor turned to look back at him, a look of slight annoyance written on his new face. “Go back inside, Mickey.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, giving him an exasperated look.
Mickey scowled at him, although he was party glad that the Doctor didn’t call him ‘Ricky’. “Is that it, then? You’re leaving?”
“Nah.” The Doctor pulled a face. “Just need to get out of there for a while.” He looked up at the block of flats, able to hear the music that was blasting from Jackie and Rose’s place. In all his years, the Doctor had heard a great many things. The sound of Daleks baying for his blood. The sound of the Screaming Trees of Lagortamani. The sound of people dying.
But there was nothing that quite compared to Jackie and Rose crooning along to Summer Holiday.
“Rose’ll want you there,” Mickey pointed out, crossing his arms over his chest and looking as sternly at the Time Lord as he could manage. Even with this younger, more boyish face, there was still something intimidating about the Doctor’s presence. “Jackie has this turkey curry party every year.”
“Another reason to leave,” the Doctor said wryly, pulling his sonic screwdriver from the pocket of his coat. He switched it on and it buzzed in his hand; the Doctor frowned at it, holding it up.
Mickey shrugged. “Good point.” Jackie Tyler’s cooking left a lot to be desired; the only curries she should be serving were from the local takeaway. He zipped up his jacket and strode over to the Doctor. “So what’s going on? Where are we going?”
The Doctor raised his eyebrows. “You want to come with me?”
“Anything’s better than Jackie’s cooking.” He gave the Doctor a wry smile. “And someone’s got to keep an eye on you.”
“Fair enough.” The Doctor grinned. “Alright, then. Off we go.” They started off towards the chip shop, the opposite direction from the TARDIS. The Doctor held the sonic screwdriver out in front of him, as though it was guiding him. Mickey supposed that it was, but he didn’t want to ask because the Doctor - the old one, anyway - had always called him an idiot.
The ground was still dusty from Christmas Day and it hadn’t rained since, so the ash had settled. Some people had swept it into piles and many travelled around London wearing masks. It was a nasty reminder of the almost-invasion by the Sycorax, and Mickey couldn’t believe that he actually wanted it to rain.
It was dark out and the streetlamps gave everything a yellowish glow, the blue light of the sonic screwdriver bobbing along in front of the Doctor like some sort of mechanical glow worm. Mickey watched it as they walked along in silence, the Doctor turning suddenly down a back alley that was full of black bags stuffed with wrapping paper and Christmas leftovers.
The Doctor neatly jumped over one, but Mickey didn’t spot it in time and tripped, stumbling along behind the Doctor and grabbing at his coat to try and keep his balance. Turning to look at him, the Doctor frowned and said, “Watch the coat.”
Mickey scowled and mumbled a profanity under his breath. At least it was only a rubbish bag. It could have been worse. It could have been a recycling bin. Being swallowed by one was enough to put you off recycling forever.
“So what are we looking for?” he asked gruffly, trying to change the subject.
“I’ve been picking up a power signature,” the Doctor said, fiddling with the sonic screwdriver. “Something that doesn’t belong on twenty-first century Earth.”
“Than what’s it doing here?”
The Doctor grinned at him. “That’s what we’re going to find out. Come on, Mickey-boy. Keep up.” He strode ahead, Mickey hurrying to keep up. “The source is local, which is lucky.”
He stopped suddenly and Mickey nearly crashed into him. “I think,” said the Doctor, “that someone used the Sycorax as a way to slip onto the planet. While everyone was concentrating on the mothership, they snuck into the atmosphere and landed. Fantastic!” The Doctor pulled a face, as though slightly surprised by his own enthusiasm.
“So it’s the Sycorax?” Mickey asked hesitantly. He didn’t want to deal with them again so soon. “Like an escape pod or something?”
“No. Not even close.” He tapped the sonic screwdriver. “It’s somewhere around here. Any ideas? No? We should ask someone.”
Mickey’s mouth hung open. He hadn’t even had a chance to answer. “What about in there?” he suggested. Someone was throwing a party in the old church hall - no-one used that building anymore, not even the Brownies or WI, for the roof leaked and there was no heating and it would be far too expensive to repair. No-one cared too much about the church anymore to donate money.
The music that was blasting from the building was grungy rock, the bass deep and making the hairs on the back of the Doctor’s hands stand on end. He looked at the hairs and nodded. “No-one else around.” He gave Mickey an almost approving look as they got closer to the hall. “I think you might be on to something. The signal’s getting stronger.”
No-one stopped them from entering and Mickey found himself amid a mass of sweaty bodies, dancing to the music. It was surprising that no-one had called the police to complain about the noise yet, but the whole planet had been partying since Christmas Day - there was something about near-death experiences that did things to people.
It was strange how the Doctor, in his pinstripe suit and tan coat, seemed to fit in with his surroundings and stand out, all at the same time. He probably would have blended in better in his old outfit, though, for leather and dark colours seemed to be de rigueur at this party.
Mickey’s eyes landed on a couple in the shadows at the edge of the hall. This in itself was not usual, but he couldn’t help but think that there was something different about them. The bloke was kissing the girl’s neck, pining her hands to the wall with strong arms. No. Wait. He wasn’t kissing her neck…
“Come on, Mickey. No time to stand around gawping.” The Doctor stood in front of Mickey, looking slightly disapproving. “I think the power source is around here somewhere.” He put his hand on Mickey’s shoulder, steering him in the direction of the door at the back of the hall.
“No, but, Doctor! I wasn’t gawping, I was…”
“Don’t want to know what you were doing,” the Doctor told him, just loud enough to hear over the heavy bass of the music. “Just come with me.”
The Doctor did a bit of jiggery-pokery with the sonic screwdriver and the door opened, leading through to the kitchen. No-one seemed to notice them slip through it and Mickey shut the door behind him.
The sonic screwdriver buzzed excitedly in the Doctor’s hand.
“Bit hot in here, innit?” Mickey asked. “Maybe it’s that power source thing.”
“Just maybe…” The Doctor seemed to sweep the screwdriver around the room and he gave a guffaw of laughter. “The oven! Brilliant.”
The kitchen had a small oven that looked as though it would be a health hazard to use. The grime on the stove looked toxic and Mickey had a feeling that it might have contributed to the great Cake Sale Disaster of 2003 where many members of the community had come down with a stomach bug after buying the charity cakes. Oddly enough, they had been raising money for a new kitchen.
The church hall had fallen into disuse soon after that, come to think of it.
The Doctor pulled the handle of the oven, giving a slight hiss as his hand touched the unnaturally hot plastic. He crouched down looking at the device that was hidden in the oven with a look of glee. “Aw, would you look at this? Blood technology.” He shrugged down his jacket so that the sleeve covered his hand and pulled out the device, putting it on the stove.
It was metallic green and roughly the size of a small casserole dish. Even without touching it, it was clear that the thing was extremely hot and seemed to be vibrating gently.
Shaking his head in amusement, the Doctor said, “You wait fifty years to see blood technology and then two come along at once.”
As he examined it with the sonic screwdriver, Mickey swallowed, looking nervously back at the door. “Blood technology?” he repeated uncertainly.
“Yup. Not particularly advanced. Runs off the iron in the blood. Oooh! It’s recharging. I wonder…” The Doctor switched the screwdriver to another setting and a hatch popped open. “I think this might just be a temporary stop on Earth to refuel.” Looking at the innards of the device, the Doctor was as excited as a child with a new puppy.
The door handle rattled and Mickey looked back to the Doctor. “Doctor, is there… do vampires exist?”
“What? Evil blood-sucking creatures from Transylvania? Or the Hell-mouthy undead?” Mickey nodded. “Nah. Although, there are some species on other planets that feed off blood. Fascinating really. The iron replenishes them and it’s not as silly as it sounds.”
That didn’t really make Mickey feel any better. “And… do any of these species use technology like this?” The handle moved again.
Pulling a face, the Doctor considered this. He grinned suddenly. “So that’s where I’ve seen this before.” Looking at the power device, he added, “Definitely not local. The species that made this are parasites. Literally. Tiny, microscopic little bugs that live in the blood stream.”
The Doctor seemed to be having far too much fun explaining this, in Mickey’s opinion.
“And when they feed off a person, they don’t just feed, they infest - some of the parasites infect the new body and continue to feed off it. The body’s basically dead, but the bugs keep it alive!”
Mickey felt as though his heart was beating in time with the bass of the music. “What… Doctor, what happens if they feed off humans?”
“Like I said.” The Doctor grinned somewhat maniacally, something familiar from his old face. “Infestation.”
“Right. Okay. Yeah.” Mickey cleared his throat, pointing with a slightly shaking hand at the door. “’Cause I think we might have a bug problem.”
The Doctor slipped his glasses on, getting a closer look at the device. “Come again?”
Mickey felt like punching him, but he knew that it probably wouldn’t do much good and that he’d get a right earful from Rose if she found out. “I saw someone - an alien possessed thing - feeding in there. That party? It’s all you can eat buffet.”
His face hardening into a stern expression, the Doctor straightened up. “Are you sure?” he demanded quickly, grabbing Mickey’s shoulders.
“I saw this bloke… I though he was just gettin’ a bit…”
Mickey was cut off when the door opened suddenly, nearly thrown off its hinges and slammed up against the wall. Without the barrier, the sound of the music was even stronger now and Mickey took a few hasty steps back so that he was behind the Doctor.
The man that Mickey had seen feasting on the girl was standing in the doorway, looking as deadly serious as the Doctor. He looked human, but clearly wasn’t. His eyes were dark and oddly vague; they glinted yellow in the light. His pale skin had the same yellow tinge and Mickey couldn’t help but wonder if he had pointed canines.
Mickey’s mouth dropped open when he recognised the girl at his side. “Tricia?” There was no mistaking that it was Tricia Delaney, complete with red marks on her neck.
The Doctor glanced back at him. “You know her?”
“Ex-girlfriend.”
The Doctor rolled his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?” He turned back to the dark man, clapping his hands. “Right. You’re feeding off the local population of this planet. And, unless I’ve got my intergalactic laws wrong, which would never happen, that counts as an invasion.”
Mickey reached behind him on the old, grimy worktop and found a wooden spoon. He brandished it threateningly, wondering why he always seemed to confront aliens in kitchens.
“We made an emergency landing on this planet.” The dark man’s voice was gravely, deathly, even. “Our ship was hit by debris from another ship.”
The Doctor visibly grimaced. Destroying the Sycorax ship had done more damage than Harriet Jones knew.
“We drained our power reserves in our attempt to stop a crash.”
“Oh, and while you’re here, you just thought you’d have a quick snack, did you?” The Doctor pointed an accusing finger. “The Earth isn’t an intergalactic service station, you know.” He lost his flippant tone.
“The humans destroyed the ship that damaged yours. If I were you, I’d take those who you’ve converted and use whatever power this thing has got,” he pointed at the power device, “and get off this planet as fast as you can. Before they find you.”
Mickey nodded quickly in agreement. “Yeah! We don’t take kindly to invasions.”
The Doctor gave him a look which clearly said, stay out of this.
“It’s my home planet,” Mickey grumbled under his breath, looking away. He cast a quick glance at the girl who use to be Tricia Delaney, who appeared to be watching him with a smirk.
The vampire-type alien studied the Doctor for a moment. He looked almost amused. “And what give you the right to speak for this planet?”
“I do.”
Even Mickey, who had heard him face down both the Sycorax and the Prime Minister of Great Britain just a few days previously, was surprised at the utter conviction with which the Doctor spoke.
The Doctor turned his attention - and his sonic screwdriver - to the power device that was still sitting innocently on the stove. The vampire-alien darted forward to protect it, but the Doctor casually stepped back, pocketing the sonic screwdriver. He grinned. “There you go: fully charged. Off you trot. Bye-bye, now. TTFN.”
He pulled a face and glanced at Mickey. “Can I pull that off?” he asked. “TTFN?”
Mickey frowned, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t say it if I were you.”
“Yeah, it felt wrong as I was saying it.” The Doctor looked back at the invading aliens. “You lot? Shoo.” He waved his hands.
The vampire-alien smiled in a way that wasn’t altogether good. “You are different than these humans. You would make a most intriguing host.”
“You know what? I think I’ll pass.” The Doctor grinned. “Thanks for the offer, though.”
Clearly, he wasn’t one to take no for an answer. He lunged forward at the Doctor, knocking him to the ground. The Doctor fought back and they rolled, crashing into the old kitchen cabinets and making what was inside rattle.
“Mickey!” The Doctor called, trying not the let the alien get the best of him. “Spoon!” He thrust out an arm, extending his hand.
“What?” Mickey was confused for a moment, and then remembered the wooden spoon that he was still clutching in his hand. “Oh, right, yeah!” He threw the spoon to the Doctor, who deftly caught it.
The rolled again, the Doctor on top now, kneeling on his stomach. A moment later, the alien fell into a pile of dust and the Doctor’s knees hit the floor. He turned, glaring at the girl who had been Tricia Delaney. “Leave,” he ordered.
She whimpered slightly and darted forward, grabbing the power device and then running back out to the party. If the power source was still hot, she either didn’t notice or didn’t care. A moment later, the music stopped.
The Doctor stood up, brushing down his suit and looking grim.
“You killed him,” Mickey said, not sure what else to say or what to make of it. The man that Rose travelled with, that Rose adored, had just killed someone. He might not have been alive in his original sense, but he had still been alive and the Doctor had killed him.
“Not me. He’s been dead for a long time. Maybe hundreds of years judging by the dust.”
Mickey stared at him. He clearly had no regrets, no remorse… no second chances.
The Doctor looked at Mickey, wiping off his sleeve. “Come on,” he said. “I think I’ve worked up an appetite for turkey curry.”
Author: silvernatasha
Rating: All Ages
Disclaimer: Doctor Who and all related characters belong to the BBC.
Summary: The Doctor held the sonic screwdriver out in front of him, as though it was guiding him. Mickey supposed that it was, but he didn’t want to ask because the Doctor - the old one, anyway - had always called him an idiot.
Word Count: 2776.
A/N: Tenth Doctor Ficathon contribution for doyle_sb4 who asked for Mickey as the Doctor's companion, a party and snarky interaction. Set post-Christmas Invasion, but before New Earth.
Mickey was still pulling on his jacket as he chased the Doctor down the stairs and out onto the street. “Hey, Doctor? Where are you going?”
The Doctor turned to look back at him, a look of slight annoyance written on his new face. “Go back inside, Mickey.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, giving him an exasperated look.
Mickey scowled at him, although he was party glad that the Doctor didn’t call him ‘Ricky’. “Is that it, then? You’re leaving?”
“Nah.” The Doctor pulled a face. “Just need to get out of there for a while.” He looked up at the block of flats, able to hear the music that was blasting from Jackie and Rose’s place. In all his years, the Doctor had heard a great many things. The sound of Daleks baying for his blood. The sound of the Screaming Trees of Lagortamani. The sound of people dying.
But there was nothing that quite compared to Jackie and Rose crooning along to Summer Holiday.
“Rose’ll want you there,” Mickey pointed out, crossing his arms over his chest and looking as sternly at the Time Lord as he could manage. Even with this younger, more boyish face, there was still something intimidating about the Doctor’s presence. “Jackie has this turkey curry party every year.”
“Another reason to leave,” the Doctor said wryly, pulling his sonic screwdriver from the pocket of his coat. He switched it on and it buzzed in his hand; the Doctor frowned at it, holding it up.
Mickey shrugged. “Good point.” Jackie Tyler’s cooking left a lot to be desired; the only curries she should be serving were from the local takeaway. He zipped up his jacket and strode over to the Doctor. “So what’s going on? Where are we going?”
The Doctor raised his eyebrows. “You want to come with me?”
“Anything’s better than Jackie’s cooking.” He gave the Doctor a wry smile. “And someone’s got to keep an eye on you.”
“Fair enough.” The Doctor grinned. “Alright, then. Off we go.” They started off towards the chip shop, the opposite direction from the TARDIS. The Doctor held the sonic screwdriver out in front of him, as though it was guiding him. Mickey supposed that it was, but he didn’t want to ask because the Doctor - the old one, anyway - had always called him an idiot.
The ground was still dusty from Christmas Day and it hadn’t rained since, so the ash had settled. Some people had swept it into piles and many travelled around London wearing masks. It was a nasty reminder of the almost-invasion by the Sycorax, and Mickey couldn’t believe that he actually wanted it to rain.
It was dark out and the streetlamps gave everything a yellowish glow, the blue light of the sonic screwdriver bobbing along in front of the Doctor like some sort of mechanical glow worm. Mickey watched it as they walked along in silence, the Doctor turning suddenly down a back alley that was full of black bags stuffed with wrapping paper and Christmas leftovers.
The Doctor neatly jumped over one, but Mickey didn’t spot it in time and tripped, stumbling along behind the Doctor and grabbing at his coat to try and keep his balance. Turning to look at him, the Doctor frowned and said, “Watch the coat.”
Mickey scowled and mumbled a profanity under his breath. At least it was only a rubbish bag. It could have been worse. It could have been a recycling bin. Being swallowed by one was enough to put you off recycling forever.
“So what are we looking for?” he asked gruffly, trying to change the subject.
“I’ve been picking up a power signature,” the Doctor said, fiddling with the sonic screwdriver. “Something that doesn’t belong on twenty-first century Earth.”
“Than what’s it doing here?”
The Doctor grinned at him. “That’s what we’re going to find out. Come on, Mickey-boy. Keep up.” He strode ahead, Mickey hurrying to keep up. “The source is local, which is lucky.”
He stopped suddenly and Mickey nearly crashed into him. “I think,” said the Doctor, “that someone used the Sycorax as a way to slip onto the planet. While everyone was concentrating on the mothership, they snuck into the atmosphere and landed. Fantastic!” The Doctor pulled a face, as though slightly surprised by his own enthusiasm.
“So it’s the Sycorax?” Mickey asked hesitantly. He didn’t want to deal with them again so soon. “Like an escape pod or something?”
“No. Not even close.” He tapped the sonic screwdriver. “It’s somewhere around here. Any ideas? No? We should ask someone.”
Mickey’s mouth hung open. He hadn’t even had a chance to answer. “What about in there?” he suggested. Someone was throwing a party in the old church hall - no-one used that building anymore, not even the Brownies or WI, for the roof leaked and there was no heating and it would be far too expensive to repair. No-one cared too much about the church anymore to donate money.
The music that was blasting from the building was grungy rock, the bass deep and making the hairs on the back of the Doctor’s hands stand on end. He looked at the hairs and nodded. “No-one else around.” He gave Mickey an almost approving look as they got closer to the hall. “I think you might be on to something. The signal’s getting stronger.”
No-one stopped them from entering and Mickey found himself amid a mass of sweaty bodies, dancing to the music. It was surprising that no-one had called the police to complain about the noise yet, but the whole planet had been partying since Christmas Day - there was something about near-death experiences that did things to people.
It was strange how the Doctor, in his pinstripe suit and tan coat, seemed to fit in with his surroundings and stand out, all at the same time. He probably would have blended in better in his old outfit, though, for leather and dark colours seemed to be de rigueur at this party.
Mickey’s eyes landed on a couple in the shadows at the edge of the hall. This in itself was not usual, but he couldn’t help but think that there was something different about them. The bloke was kissing the girl’s neck, pining her hands to the wall with strong arms. No. Wait. He wasn’t kissing her neck…
“Come on, Mickey. No time to stand around gawping.” The Doctor stood in front of Mickey, looking slightly disapproving. “I think the power source is around here somewhere.” He put his hand on Mickey’s shoulder, steering him in the direction of the door at the back of the hall.
“No, but, Doctor! I wasn’t gawping, I was…”
“Don’t want to know what you were doing,” the Doctor told him, just loud enough to hear over the heavy bass of the music. “Just come with me.”
The Doctor did a bit of jiggery-pokery with the sonic screwdriver and the door opened, leading through to the kitchen. No-one seemed to notice them slip through it and Mickey shut the door behind him.
The sonic screwdriver buzzed excitedly in the Doctor’s hand.
“Bit hot in here, innit?” Mickey asked. “Maybe it’s that power source thing.”
“Just maybe…” The Doctor seemed to sweep the screwdriver around the room and he gave a guffaw of laughter. “The oven! Brilliant.”
The kitchen had a small oven that looked as though it would be a health hazard to use. The grime on the stove looked toxic and Mickey had a feeling that it might have contributed to the great Cake Sale Disaster of 2003 where many members of the community had come down with a stomach bug after buying the charity cakes. Oddly enough, they had been raising money for a new kitchen.
The church hall had fallen into disuse soon after that, come to think of it.
The Doctor pulled the handle of the oven, giving a slight hiss as his hand touched the unnaturally hot plastic. He crouched down looking at the device that was hidden in the oven with a look of glee. “Aw, would you look at this? Blood technology.” He shrugged down his jacket so that the sleeve covered his hand and pulled out the device, putting it on the stove.
It was metallic green and roughly the size of a small casserole dish. Even without touching it, it was clear that the thing was extremely hot and seemed to be vibrating gently.
Shaking his head in amusement, the Doctor said, “You wait fifty years to see blood technology and then two come along at once.”
As he examined it with the sonic screwdriver, Mickey swallowed, looking nervously back at the door. “Blood technology?” he repeated uncertainly.
“Yup. Not particularly advanced. Runs off the iron in the blood. Oooh! It’s recharging. I wonder…” The Doctor switched the screwdriver to another setting and a hatch popped open. “I think this might just be a temporary stop on Earth to refuel.” Looking at the innards of the device, the Doctor was as excited as a child with a new puppy.
The door handle rattled and Mickey looked back to the Doctor. “Doctor, is there… do vampires exist?”
“What? Evil blood-sucking creatures from Transylvania? Or the Hell-mouthy undead?” Mickey nodded. “Nah. Although, there are some species on other planets that feed off blood. Fascinating really. The iron replenishes them and it’s not as silly as it sounds.”
That didn’t really make Mickey feel any better. “And… do any of these species use technology like this?” The handle moved again.
Pulling a face, the Doctor considered this. He grinned suddenly. “So that’s where I’ve seen this before.” Looking at the power device, he added, “Definitely not local. The species that made this are parasites. Literally. Tiny, microscopic little bugs that live in the blood stream.”
The Doctor seemed to be having far too much fun explaining this, in Mickey’s opinion.
“And when they feed off a person, they don’t just feed, they infest - some of the parasites infect the new body and continue to feed off it. The body’s basically dead, but the bugs keep it alive!”
Mickey felt as though his heart was beating in time with the bass of the music. “What… Doctor, what happens if they feed off humans?”
“Like I said.” The Doctor grinned somewhat maniacally, something familiar from his old face. “Infestation.”
“Right. Okay. Yeah.” Mickey cleared his throat, pointing with a slightly shaking hand at the door. “’Cause I think we might have a bug problem.”
The Doctor slipped his glasses on, getting a closer look at the device. “Come again?”
Mickey felt like punching him, but he knew that it probably wouldn’t do much good and that he’d get a right earful from Rose if she found out. “I saw someone - an alien possessed thing - feeding in there. That party? It’s all you can eat buffet.”
His face hardening into a stern expression, the Doctor straightened up. “Are you sure?” he demanded quickly, grabbing Mickey’s shoulders.
“I saw this bloke… I though he was just gettin’ a bit…”
Mickey was cut off when the door opened suddenly, nearly thrown off its hinges and slammed up against the wall. Without the barrier, the sound of the music was even stronger now and Mickey took a few hasty steps back so that he was behind the Doctor.
The man that Mickey had seen feasting on the girl was standing in the doorway, looking as deadly serious as the Doctor. He looked human, but clearly wasn’t. His eyes were dark and oddly vague; they glinted yellow in the light. His pale skin had the same yellow tinge and Mickey couldn’t help but wonder if he had pointed canines.
Mickey’s mouth dropped open when he recognised the girl at his side. “Tricia?” There was no mistaking that it was Tricia Delaney, complete with red marks on her neck.
The Doctor glanced back at him. “You know her?”
“Ex-girlfriend.”
The Doctor rolled his eyes. “Why am I not surprised?” He turned back to the dark man, clapping his hands. “Right. You’re feeding off the local population of this planet. And, unless I’ve got my intergalactic laws wrong, which would never happen, that counts as an invasion.”
Mickey reached behind him on the old, grimy worktop and found a wooden spoon. He brandished it threateningly, wondering why he always seemed to confront aliens in kitchens.
“We made an emergency landing on this planet.” The dark man’s voice was gravely, deathly, even. “Our ship was hit by debris from another ship.”
The Doctor visibly grimaced. Destroying the Sycorax ship had done more damage than Harriet Jones knew.
“We drained our power reserves in our attempt to stop a crash.”
“Oh, and while you’re here, you just thought you’d have a quick snack, did you?” The Doctor pointed an accusing finger. “The Earth isn’t an intergalactic service station, you know.” He lost his flippant tone.
“The humans destroyed the ship that damaged yours. If I were you, I’d take those who you’ve converted and use whatever power this thing has got,” he pointed at the power device, “and get off this planet as fast as you can. Before they find you.”
Mickey nodded quickly in agreement. “Yeah! We don’t take kindly to invasions.”
The Doctor gave him a look which clearly said, stay out of this.
“It’s my home planet,” Mickey grumbled under his breath, looking away. He cast a quick glance at the girl who use to be Tricia Delaney, who appeared to be watching him with a smirk.
The vampire-type alien studied the Doctor for a moment. He looked almost amused. “And what give you the right to speak for this planet?”
“I do.”
Even Mickey, who had heard him face down both the Sycorax and the Prime Minister of Great Britain just a few days previously, was surprised at the utter conviction with which the Doctor spoke.
The Doctor turned his attention - and his sonic screwdriver - to the power device that was still sitting innocently on the stove. The vampire-alien darted forward to protect it, but the Doctor casually stepped back, pocketing the sonic screwdriver. He grinned. “There you go: fully charged. Off you trot. Bye-bye, now. TTFN.”
He pulled a face and glanced at Mickey. “Can I pull that off?” he asked. “TTFN?”
Mickey frowned, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t say it if I were you.”
“Yeah, it felt wrong as I was saying it.” The Doctor looked back at the invading aliens. “You lot? Shoo.” He waved his hands.
The vampire-alien smiled in a way that wasn’t altogether good. “You are different than these humans. You would make a most intriguing host.”
“You know what? I think I’ll pass.” The Doctor grinned. “Thanks for the offer, though.”
Clearly, he wasn’t one to take no for an answer. He lunged forward at the Doctor, knocking him to the ground. The Doctor fought back and they rolled, crashing into the old kitchen cabinets and making what was inside rattle.
“Mickey!” The Doctor called, trying not the let the alien get the best of him. “Spoon!” He thrust out an arm, extending his hand.
“What?” Mickey was confused for a moment, and then remembered the wooden spoon that he was still clutching in his hand. “Oh, right, yeah!” He threw the spoon to the Doctor, who deftly caught it.
The rolled again, the Doctor on top now, kneeling on his stomach. A moment later, the alien fell into a pile of dust and the Doctor’s knees hit the floor. He turned, glaring at the girl who had been Tricia Delaney. “Leave,” he ordered.
She whimpered slightly and darted forward, grabbing the power device and then running back out to the party. If the power source was still hot, she either didn’t notice or didn’t care. A moment later, the music stopped.
The Doctor stood up, brushing down his suit and looking grim.
“You killed him,” Mickey said, not sure what else to say or what to make of it. The man that Rose travelled with, that Rose adored, had just killed someone. He might not have been alive in his original sense, but he had still been alive and the Doctor had killed him.
“Not me. He’s been dead for a long time. Maybe hundreds of years judging by the dust.”
Mickey stared at him. He clearly had no regrets, no remorse… no second chances.
The Doctor looked at Mickey, wiping off his sleeve. “Come on,” he said. “I think I’ve worked up an appetite for turkey curry.”