Doctor Who Fic: The Trial of Ten, 5/20

[gentlehobbit]

Banner made by 'D', my talented RL artist friend.

Characters: Eleventh Doctor, Metacrisis Doctor, Rose (Also: Martha, Jack, Amy, Rory, Gwen, John Hart)
Genre: Drama; some action and h/c
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Up to/including A Christmas Carol
Beta gayalondiel
Summary: When the Metacrisis Doctor returns with Rose from the other universe, he is captured and put on trial for various crimes including genocide. Can Rose and Eleven save him? How does the case affect Eleven who is also, in effect, on trial? How does the unexpected return to the Tardis and to the original Doctor affect Rose?
Chapter 5 Summary: Ten is gone, but Rose is not alone. Gwen comes out of her post-Torchwood isolation to lend a hand.



Author's Notes: This story has already been written and completed. I will post a new chapter twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
Disclaimer: This story takes place within the Doctor Who universe. This story is a way of re-interpreting concepts and ideas already present in Doctor Who. All characters within belong to the BBC. This story is for fun and for sharing, but not for profit.

The Trial of Ten

Chapter 5: Curiouser and Curiouser

Rose staggered forward. 'Doctor!'

But the cafe was empty once more.

Spots danced in her eyes from the flashes of light of the aliens' transmat. As she blinked hard, trying to clear them, Gwen rushed to her side. 'I was too late,' she gasped. 'Too late. Oh God, I'm so, so sorry.'

Rose rounded on her. 'Where've they taken him? Who were they?' She shook Gwen by the shoulders but remembered the baby and snatched her hands back, breathing hard. 'What've you done?'

'I didn't do anything,' protested Gwen. 'I heard they were coming for him, and he needed to watch out. I knew that if he ever came here, I'd have to warn him.'

'Why?' cried Rose angrily. 'He never did those things they said.'

'I know, I know,' said Gwen. 'But I hear things. Torchwood may be gone, but I hear things.'

Rose dashed over to the table where she and Ten had sat. Ten's chair lay on the floor where it had fallen, but there was no other sign of what had just happened. Her coins and the plate of chips were still there, undisturbed. Gwen joined her silently, and they walked around carefully looking for any subtler signs of the struggle. There were none.

Behind them, the kitchen doors swung open and flapped closed. The clerk leaned over the counter, looking puzzled. 'Any problem out here? I thought I heard shouting.'

Gwen took Rose's arm. 'No problem. Go back to what you were doing.' She turned to Rose and lowered her voice. 'Time to go. Best keep this contained.'

Rose pulled her arm out of Gwen's grip. 'I want to stay here. He might...'

'He's gone,' said Gwen firmly. 'They won't bring him back.'

The clerk frowned. 'What's going on? Do you want me to call the police?'

'That won't be necessary,' said Gwen shortly and turned her back on the clerk. 'We should go,' she said. 'Back to my apartment unless you have somewhere better. Staying here won't help.' She took Rose's arm once more and this time Rose reluctantly allowed herself to be led out of the cafe.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Neither of them spoke as they walked the two blocks to Gwen's jeep. When Gwen unlocked the doors, Rose dropped into the seat, feeling numb. 'He's gone,' she whispered. 'Just like that. He's gone, and I don't even know where they've taken him. I don't even know where to start.'

'But he's the Doctor,' said Gwen as she slid into the driver's seat. 'The way Jack would talk, he could solve any problem. Maybe he can sort this out.'

'No,' said Rose. She slumped over, holding her head in her hands. 'He's sick. He can't deal with this right now.'

'Oh!' said Gwen. 'He... he gets sick?'

With a start, Rose stared at Gwen and then shook her head. 'It's different from you and me. It's... time and space and it's all swirling around his head and he can't think and... you haven't a clue what I'm talking about.'

'Doesn't matter,' said Gwen briskly. 'I know he can travel in time. Sounds like he did a little too much. Something like that?'

Rose gave a short laugh. 'Actually, that's pretty close. Sort of. But he can't get himself out of trouble. You said you used to be in Torchwood. Can you get us back there? Maybe they have something that can help us.'

Gwen shook her head and scowled. 'Torchwood's gone. It was blown up by the government. I have a few things though. For example,' and she brought out her mobile and danced her fingers over the touch pad, 'I was able to preserve a back-up system Tosh--um, a former colleague--had hidden. I can link to... Ah!' She handed the mobile to Rose. 'There you are. That's how I knew you had arrived.' A video played back, showing Rose and Ten stepping off the stonework by the fountain and onto the pavement.

'Where's the Tardis?' asked Rose. She could see herself and Ten watching the fountain and wind suddenly stirring her hair.

Gwen grinned. 'That's the Doctor's ship? It's the perception filter. You can't see what's on that spot you came from.'

'But the Tardis has shown up on CCTV before,' objected Rose.

'The Tardis, maybe, but not whatever's on that stone.' Gwen paused for a moment and then asked, 'It's still there, right? Can you fly it? It must have all sorts of things that can help us.'

'No,' said Rose. 'It isn't there. There are... others on board, and they left.'

'Others?' Gwen looked startled. She leaned forward, hesitated and then asked, 'Is Jack one of them?'

Rose shook her head.

'Ah. I'd have liked... Never mind.' There was a wistful tone to Gwen's voice, but then she shook her head and briskly began keying in something on the mobile.

'You don't know where Jack is?' asked Rose. 'He could help. He knows a lot of stuff.'

'He left,' said Gwen curtly. 'A while ago. I'm sorry, but we're on our own.' She straightened. 'I've reset the alarm to tell us if anyone else appears on that spot. The program can track that and alert us. So if your friends return, we'll know.'

'Thanks,' said Rose. She leaned back against her seat as Gwen started the jeep and pulled away from the curb. 'In the cafe,' she continued, 'you said you wanted to warn the Doctor. You said, "They were coming for him". Who?'

Gwen shook her head. 'I don't know. All I knew was that the Doctor was considered "wanted" for crimes. I've never met him face to face, but Jack thinks highly of him, and I trust Jack. And the Doctor did help us get the Earth back.' She shrugged. 'You heard the rest of it when they came.'

'But how did you--'

Just then an insistent beeping filled the air.

'Hang on,' said Gwen. She pulled over to the side of the road. 'That's the alarm I set. Perhaps your friends have come back.' She picked up the mobile.

'Is that them?' she asked. Three people had stepped away from the base of the fountain. Once again there was no sign of the Tardis.

'Yes,' said Rose. Her shoulders slumped in relief. 'That was quick. I thought they weren't coming back for a few days.'

'They know something's happened,' commented Gwen. 'Look at their body language.'

Rose peered at the screen and nodded. She could see Eleven wielding his sonic screwdriver. Amy and Rory were shielding their eyes from the sun and scanning the area. 'They're looking for me.' She straightened. 'I've gotta go back. You mind?'

'Not at all,' said Gwen. 'Wait... That one...' She pointed to Eleven and touched the screen a few times, bringing up an overlaying colour schematic. Eleven was outlined in green and yellow shades compared to Amy and Rory's oranges and reds. 'He has a different heat signature. Is he alien?'

Rose hesitated. 'You're Torchwood, or you were,' she said slowly. 'Torchwood here doesn't like aliens, yeah?'

'Officially, no,' said Gwen. 'But if they come with peaceful intent and don't hurt, steal or destroy, then I'm fine with that. 'Come on. I can track this alien with my mobile. We'll find him even if he leaves the Plass.'

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

There was no need to use Gwen's mobile. Eleven, Amy and Rory were all at the cafe. Eleven was scanning the area where Ten and Rose had been sitting, and Amy and Rory were questioning the clerk. As soon as Gwen and Rose entered, all heads turned.

'That's her,' said the clerk.

Eleven simply held out his arms. Rose ran to him and he encircled her, holding her tightly.

'He's gone,' she sobbed. Only now did tears come.

'I know,' he said. His voice was strained. 'I know.' Still holding Rose with one arm, he pulled out a chair. 'Sit down,' he said gently.

Rose sat obediently, vaguely noticing that it was the same chair Ten had sat in. Eleven sat opposite her as the others crowded around.

'Sit down, everyone,' he said. He looked at the clerk who hovered nearby. 'Tea for everyone, I should think.'

'I'll bring it,' said the clerk, 'but I've heard enough. It's high time someone called the police.' She reached out her hand for the telephone that lay on the counter. But Gwen had followed her and she swiftly laid her hand over the phone.

'I am the police,' she said firmly and she flashed a badge. 'Your assistance is no longer required. If we have any questions for you, I will let you know. In the meantime, return to your regular duties.'

The clerk frowned but nodded and she retreated behind the counter. As the sound of cups and saucers rattling began, Gwen pulled a chair from another table and joined the others.

'Tell me what happened,' Eleven said.

Rose told the story. Eleven listened intently. When she finished, he covered her hand with his and squeezed it gently. He looked at Gwen. 'Thank you for helping, Gwen Cooper. Jack spoke highly of his people. I can see why.'

'Sorry?' said Gwen. 'You know Jack?' She looked at Rose and then back at Eleven. 'Actually, we haven't had any introductions here.'

'I was wondering when we'd get around to that,' said Amy. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms.

'She knows about the Doctor, of course,' said Rose quickly, looking at around the table, 'and she knows that all of you are friends of his.'

Amy's eyebrows rose.

'Ah!' said Eleven. 'Yes. Of course. Good friends, right, Amy and Rory?'

'If you say so,' said Amy.

'Really good friends,' supplied Rory. 'Hi. I'm Rory.'

Gwen smiled at him. 'Got it.' She returned her gaze to Eleven. 'And you?'

'Oh! Ah. Call me Eleven. Keep it simple.'

Gwen frowned. 'Simple compared to what?'

'Oh, well, you couldn't pronounce my real name anyways,' said Eleven airily.

Rose leaned towards Gwen. 'You know--alien and all that,' she whispered.

'I see,' said Gwen. 'Well, the real question is how we are going to get the Doctor back.'

'What I want to know first,' interrupted Rose, 'is how you lot knew where to come and why you're back so early. I'm really glad you are, but...'

'We were told that, er, the Doctor had been taken,' said Eleven. 'Do you remember Martha?'

Rose nodded. 'Yeah.'

'I still have her cell phone. Universal roaming. She called me and, er, after a bit of sorting out, she told me what happened.'

'How did she know?' asked Gwen.

'Apparently UNIT had been informed quite promptly, as a courtesy, since they've had dealings with him in the past.'

'Ah,' said Gwen. Anwen started to wail, and Gwen stood up. 'Excuse me, I need to feed her.' She disappeared into the WC at the back.

'For all I know, they might have contacted Torchwood too if it were still around. Nevertheless,' and Eleven looked around at all of them, 'here we are. We know who has him, and where.'

'We do?' said Rose. Her heart beat fast. 'Where?'

'Actually, they told you themselves. The Shadow Proclamation.'

Rose nodded.

'So,' Rory said, 'that's the name of those soldiers' race?'

Eleven shook his head. 'The Shadow Proclamation isn't a race. It's a governing authority, set up by various races--an intergalactic alliance, if you will--to act as a court of law for major crimes that span more than one planet or time. The people who took Ten were only the footsoldiers or henchmen--the Judoon.'

'Let's go, then!' Rose stood up. 'We've got to get him back.'

Eleven laid his hand on her arm. 'It's not that simple,' he said. He gently pulled her back down into her chair. 'The Shadow Proclamation was set up with the Time Lords' approval and, I suspect, in order to also police the Time Lords themselves--if ever necessary. Not that that has ever happened... until now. At any rate, we can't get in there without their permission. They can detect and stop the Tardis with relatively little difficulty if they're on their guard, which they will be with us now.'

'I don't get it,' interrupted Amy. 'Don't all those races know what you look like now? I mean, you said they were all at the Pandorica. Why did they take Ten?'

Eleven nodded vaguely. 'Yes, well, I took the Pandorica into the heart of the explosion with the Tardis. The Pandorica was at the causal centre of events. Clearly, they were erased. I hadn't had dealings with most of the races since my last regeneration.' He paused and then said, 'And... as for the people behind what's happening now... Rose, Ten has not been kidnapped, as much as it may feel that way to you. As far as I can tell, he has been arrested with legal authority.'

'Oh,' said Rose crestfallen. 'What can we do?'

'We go there.'

'I thought you said...' began Rory.

'They have invited us,' said Eleven. 'There is a preliminary hearing to establish procedure and confirm the identity of all participants. According to Martha, any current or past friends of the Doctor have immunity to attend any and all proceedings. But, and I'm so sorry, Rose, I'm quite sure we won't be allowed to have any contact with him.'

Rose bowed her head. When she spoke, her voice quavered. 'He didn't do the things they said. He didn't!'

At that moment, Gwen returned to the table, Anwen once more nestled in her sling.

'Perhaps not,' said Eleven. 'But for now, all we can do is go and find out why these charges are being brought against him. Who the people are behind this.' He looked at Gwen. 'If you want to come with us, you would be welcome.'

Gwen smiled but shook her head. She laid her hand gently on her baby's head. 'At another time in my life, I would, but now I have my daughter, I don't take risks. But thank you. I hope you can get the Doctor back. I would really like to meet him properly some day.'

Eleven rested his chin in his hand. 'Tell me something. How did you find out that the Doctor was wanted?'

Gwen straightened uneasily. 'I hear things,' she said.

Eleven gazed intently at her. 'I would really like to know. You can tell me. I'm th... It would be very helpful.'

Gwen hunched her shoulders. After a moment, she said, 'It was this man--Jack knows him. We've had dealings with him in the past. He calls himself Captain John Hart. He seemed to think the manhunt was quite funny and wanted to tell Jack himself. But he hasn't been able to find him. So he gloated about it to me instead. Just came, gloated and left.'

'This Captain John, who is he?'

'A time agent, like Jack. But nothing like Jack. We've had nothing but trouble with him.'

'A time agent...' mused Eleven. 'Curiouser and curiouser. The plot thickens.' He stood up abruptly. 'Time to be off, all.'

As the rest of them stood up, they saw the clerk approaching with a tray laden with teapots and cups.

'Just put that into takeaway, there's a dear,' said Amy. The clerk scowled but complied.

'I don't have any more money,' said Rose. She looked at the others. 'Do you?'

'I'll get it,' said Gwen. 'You lot just go.'

'Thanks,' said Rory.

As they approached the doors, the clerk handed over the tea, and Gwen left some money on the counter.

The walk back to the Plass was brief. As the others went inside, Rose hugged Gwen, mindful of Anwen nestled in the sling between them.

'Thank you,' she said, but a lump in her throat stopped any further words.

'Go and get him back,' said Gwen. 'And if you need anything that I can do, I'll be here. At least for the next week. After that, I don't know. But until then, I'll know when you return. I'll keep that program running.'

Rose nodded mutely. She turned and went into the Tardis.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

'If you don't mind, Rose,' said Eleven as he twiddled with the controls aboard the Tardis, 'we are going to make one brief stop before we go to the hearing.'

'Where,' she asked. She sat down on the jump seat and slowly slid one foot over the shining glass floor.

'London,' said Eleven as he pulled down a lever.

The Tardis wheezed briefly and landed.

'What's in London?' asked Rose.

'Martha,' said Eleven. 'She wants to come with us. She's also quite upset and wants to find out what the charges are for. Besides, UNIT wants to know too and are sending her as their representative.'

'And that's okay with you?' Rose asked.

'UNIT's all right,' said Eleven. 'They can be a pain at times, but they're not Torchwood. Besides, she is a qualified doctor and might come in handy if we can convince the Proclamation to allow access to Ten. Probably not, but it's always worth a try.'

He ran down the steps and flung open the doors.

'You took your own sweet time getting here,' said a voice, bright and confident. Martha stepped in and stopped in shock. 'Blimey! You said you'd changed, but... but look at you! And the Tardis! You don't do things half measures, that's for sure.'

'No, not really,' said Eleven. He grinned and gathered her in a hug. 'Martha Jones,' he said.

'Oh Doctor, it's so good to see you,' Martha whispered. 'Although it's going to take some getting used to with this new face of yours.'

Eleven disengaged himself from the embrace. 'No time for pleasantries, I'm afraid. We must be off.'

'Quite right,' said Martha, business-like. She followed Eleven up the steps and spied Rose. Immediately she sat down beside her. As Eleven sent the Tardis into the Time Vortex once more, Martha turned to her. 'The Doctor told me about your Doctor and about the two of you--just the basics!' she added at the look on Rose's face. 'I know you've both just returned, and that he's trying to recover from... from some time-space thing that I don't really understand.'

Rose nodded.

'I gather that you are also really only seeing the Doctor, this Doctor, for the first time since we were all together in the Dalek crucible. So we're both getting used to this new face together?'

'I saw him change once before,' said Rose. 'It feels different this time. I don't know. Stranger, but easier.'

'Strange is right,' said Martha. She shook her head. 'I can tell it's him, somehow. But...' She looked around her and whistled. 'Fancy!' She looked back at Rose. 'Doesn't he have new companions? He said something...'

'Amy and Rory,' said Rose. 'They're off somewhere unpacking from their honeymoon--on a cruise that landed in a part of the Christmas Carol, as far as I can make out.' She shrugged.

'But your Doctor,' said Martha in a low voice, 'he's the clone, right? He still looks like the Doctor you and I know? Sounds like him?'

'He is him,' said Rose. She looked away.

'I'm sorry,' said Martha. 'Of course he is. Same memories, everything. I remember. We're going to get him back, you hear?'

'Yes, we are,' said Eleven. 'And we're here. Time to find out what's really going on. Come on.'

Martha and Rose followed him down the steps.

Rose looked back. 'What about Amy and Rory,' she asked.

'I've asked them to stay in the Tardis,' said Eleven. He paused before the doors. 'Their honeymoon was a bit interrupted, and not by you, I might add. This will given them a bit of quiet time. They wanted to come and, well, never mind Amy. I think she's become rather fond of Ten, actually. However, I thought you might prefer fewer people around.'

'Thank you,' said Rose, gratefully.

Eleven opened the doors. As they emerged from the Tardis, a roar went up from around them. Crowds, held back by plexiglass partitions, surged and jostled. Beings from countless races stared at them and devices of all kinds whirred, clicked and recorded.

'So, not fewer people,' said Rose.

'Good heavens,' said Eleven. 'What is this?'

A small delegation approached.

'We're family and friends of the accused,' whispered Martha. 'I think we've become celebrities by association.'

'That was quick,' said Eleven. 'It's only been a few days.'

'A few hours,' said Rose.

'Er, no, sorry,' he said. 'We jumped ahead three days. I didn't want you to have to wait.'

'But that means he's already waited three days,' whispered Rose. 'Sick, with that time vortex in his head...'

Her words went unnoticed, for at that moment, the delegation reached them. A human clerk flanked by two Judoon stood in front of them.

'My name is Panossian, and I am the court liaison,' said the woman. 'I will be your contact during this trial. I do apologize for the reception, but as I am sure you understand, this is no ordinary trial.'

'No, I don't understand,' burst out Rose angrily. 'Why those crowds? This isn't some circus entertainment!'

Eleven put his hand on her shoulder. 'Rose,' he said quietly.

Panossian stiffened. 'This is the trial of the last Time Lord,' she said severely. 'They are legends throughout the universe, as you ought to be aware since you have travelled with him. I assure you, this is no "circus entertainment" as you so charmingly put it. It is quite a serious matter, and these people here, many of them, have had dealings with the Doctor. The others are reporters, of course, who will tell their worlds of the justice served here, no matter how it might turn out.' She turned abruptly on one heel. 'Please follow me.'

'Be careful of what you say, Rose,' whispered Eleven. 'They can be a little touchy, this lot.'

Rose scowled but remained silent. The liaison led them past the crowds and down a long, high-ceilinged corridor. At the end, she pushed open double doors and led them through to the court room.

To be continued

Chapter 6: Who's Who?

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4